Mark 5:25-34 25 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 for she said, "If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well." 29 Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, "Who touched my clothes?" 31 And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, 'Who touched me?'" 32 He looked all around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."
I picture this woman sitting alone in a dark lonely place where she has sat many times considering her options. She has heard that Jesus is in town. She has heard that he can heal. Finally, she decides not to ask Jesus to heal her. I wonder why she wanted to remain anonymous? According to Jewish law, her disease made her unclean so she shouldn't have even been in the crowd. Had she learned how to hide her disease so that "the rule keepers" wouldn't shun her and so she could live a normal life? Did she not want to be exposed? Or was she just too shy to bother Jesus. Was she afraid that she might not get his attention? And what if he said no?
So she comes up with a plan... she is going to get close enough to Jesus to touch his clothes. She believes that his power will have rubbed off on his clothes and that by touching them, she will be healed. She doesn't ask his permission. She doesn't say word. She just sneaks up from behind and reaches out and touches his cloak.
And she is healed.
But she is not anonymous. Jesus knows. And Jesus calls her out - not to rebuke her, but to express that he wants her to be at peace, as well as, to be healed. He offers her shalom which means "to be whole" physically and spiritually. Jesus offers shalom to all of us. Have enough faith to seek him out - and then reach out and touch him. It will change your life.
*****
The other gospels weigh in...
Matthew 9:20-22 20 Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, 21 for she said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well." 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well.
Luke 8:40-56 43 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. 45 Then Jesus asked, "Who touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you." 46 But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me." 47 When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Laughing at Jesus (Luke 8:40-56)
Luke 8:40-56 40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus' feet and begged him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying. As he went, the crowds pressed in on him. ... 49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the leader's house to say, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer." 50 When Jesus heard this, he replied, "Do not fear. Only believe, and she will be saved." 51 When he came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child's father and mother. 52 They were all weeping and wailing for her; but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and called out, "Child, get up!" 55 Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then he directed them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astounded; but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened.
Many times, when Jesus heals, he complements the person's faith. And the father, Jarius, obviously had faith or he wouldn't have come to Jesus in the first place. But when Jesus gets to the house, the child is dead. So what does everyone do? They take time out of their weeping and mourning to laugh at Jesus! To mock him! Imagine!!
Why doesn't Jesus just walk away? Why does he decide to heal the daughter of these faithless, rude people?
Because he loves them despite the way they treat him!
If you think you have to be perfect for Jesus to love you, think again. He loves you already and he won't stop. What is your response to his love?
*****
The other gospels weigh in...
Mark 5:21-43 21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. 22 Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet 23 and begged him repeatedly, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live." 24 So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him... 35 While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader's house to say, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?" 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe." 37 He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 When he had entered, he said to them, "Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping." 40 And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha cum," which means, "Little girl, get up!" 42 And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. 43 He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Matthew 9:18-26 18 While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." 19 And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples... 23 When Jesus came to the leader's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, "Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26 And the report of this spread throughout that district.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
When Following Jesus means staying home (Luke 8:26-39)
Sometimes following Jesus means staying right where you are...
Luke 8:26-39 26 Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me"-- 29 for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) 30 Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. 31 They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss. 32 Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. 34 When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. 38 The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.
What has God done for you that you need to tell old friends and family about?
I have a story of what God has done in our lives recently... My oldest son, who was born blind in one eye and partially blind in the other eye lost his remaining vision over the course of a day a few years back. It turns out that the birth defect had suddenly gotten worse. Six laser surgeries later and things still weren't as they should be. This was during his senior year in college - he had trouble reading assignments and taking tests. The professors did what they could to extend deadlines and support him, but what were we going to do? The next step was actual surgery and the doctor told him that he would be blind for 6 months following it while the eye healed. So instead of having surgery, we decided to wait.
By this time he had graduated from college and was in his first year of seminary. The vision had improved, but as wasn't as good as it should be. The doctor worried that permanent damage might be done. My husband and I actually talked about getting him a service dog (seeing eye dog) just in case things got worse and to help him get around town. We had been praying since he was 15 that his vision would be good enough that he would be able to drive one day - and we now thought that would never happen. But we continued to pray. We knew God would take care of him with or without good vision, but we knew his independence would be limited without normal vision.
Then over a few month's time, his eyes improved. And in May of this year, his astonished and thrilled eye doctor told him that his vision was good enough to drive. In fact, she strongly encouraged him to go get his driver's licence. She said his vision was the best it has ever been since she had started seeing him. He went and got his learners that week. And last Thursday he got his driver's licence. Sometimes we think God has stopped working in the world, but God is still in the business of healing today.
I am sure you have stories in your own life of God at work. Sometimes following Jesus means staying at home and telling them!
****
The other gospels weigh in...
Mark 5:1-20 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. 2 And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. 3 He lived among the tombs; and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain; 4 for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him; 7 and he shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me." 8 For he had said to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" 9 Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is Legion; for we are many." 10 He begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was feeding; 12 and the unclean spirits begged him, "Send us into the swine; let us enter them." 13 So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea. 14 The swineherds ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came to see what it was that had happened. 15 They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. 17 Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood. 18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. 19 But Jesus refused, and said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you." 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.
Matthew 8:28-34 28 When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 Suddenly they shouted, "What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" 30 Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. 31 The demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine." 32 And he said to them, "Go!" So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water. 33 The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.
Luke 8:26-39 26 Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me"-- 29 for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) 30 Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. 31 They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss. 32 Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. 34 When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. 38 The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.
What has God done for you that you need to tell old friends and family about?
I have a story of what God has done in our lives recently... My oldest son, who was born blind in one eye and partially blind in the other eye lost his remaining vision over the course of a day a few years back. It turns out that the birth defect had suddenly gotten worse. Six laser surgeries later and things still weren't as they should be. This was during his senior year in college - he had trouble reading assignments and taking tests. The professors did what they could to extend deadlines and support him, but what were we going to do? The next step was actual surgery and the doctor told him that he would be blind for 6 months following it while the eye healed. So instead of having surgery, we decided to wait.
By this time he had graduated from college and was in his first year of seminary. The vision had improved, but as wasn't as good as it should be. The doctor worried that permanent damage might be done. My husband and I actually talked about getting him a service dog (seeing eye dog) just in case things got worse and to help him get around town. We had been praying since he was 15 that his vision would be good enough that he would be able to drive one day - and we now thought that would never happen. But we continued to pray. We knew God would take care of him with or without good vision, but we knew his independence would be limited without normal vision.
Then over a few month's time, his eyes improved. And in May of this year, his astonished and thrilled eye doctor told him that his vision was good enough to drive. In fact, she strongly encouraged him to go get his driver's licence. She said his vision was the best it has ever been since she had started seeing him. He went and got his learners that week. And last Thursday he got his driver's licence. Sometimes we think God has stopped working in the world, but God is still in the business of healing today.
I am sure you have stories in your own life of God at work. Sometimes following Jesus means staying at home and telling them!
****
The other gospels weigh in...
Mark 5:1-20 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. 2 And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. 3 He lived among the tombs; and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain; 4 for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him; 7 and he shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me." 8 For he had said to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" 9 Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is Legion; for we are many." 10 He begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was feeding; 12 and the unclean spirits begged him, "Send us into the swine; let us enter them." 13 So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea. 14 The swineherds ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came to see what it was that had happened. 15 They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. 17 Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood. 18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. 19 But Jesus refused, and said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you." 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.
Matthew 8:28-34 28 When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 Suddenly they shouted, "What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" 30 Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. 31 The demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine." 32 And he said to them, "Go!" So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water. 33 The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Why are you so afraid? (Mark 4:35-41)
Mark 4:35-41 35 On that day, when evening had come, Jesus said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." 36 And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37 A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" 39 He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40 He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" 41 And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
Fear can be an issue for me. As a teen, a girl from my church who I had grown up with was raped, murdered and her body was hidden in a remote area. She was with her boyfriend at the time. He too was murdered. It was several months before their bodies were discovered and several years before the murderer was identified, tried, and convicted. These horrible events left a mark on my life. It was a realization that God didn't intervene to stop something unspeakable from happening to these innocent teenagers. I could never return to the age of innocence that believed nothing bad could ever happen to me because God was on my side.
Until then, I had believed God would protect me from all harm. I thought that believing in God meant good things could be expected in my life. After all, no one teaches a child that God allows bad things to happen to good people. And honestly, my life has been blessed beyond even my own expectations. But in the back of my mind... there is always a nagging fear that God might one day allow some horrible tragedy to befall me or the ones that I love. And often when things - even benign things - begin to go awry, I start to panic waiting for the other shoe to drop.
So when Jesus' friends are overcome with fear of the waves sinking the boat, I sympathize. They are anticipating that things are only going to get worse. And when Jesus' answer is "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" it seems callous to me at first. Doesn't he understand that they can't control the waves - that they don't want to die - that they are nothing without him? And he is sleeping when they are scared to death?
But then I start to think about what faith is really all about. Jesus informs his followers at every turn that following him is not for sissies. He doesn't promise a bed of roses, but persecution, hardship, and trials. He isn't promising a life free of hardship - he is saying life is going to be rough. And yet, he calls us to have faith anyway. Faith that he is in control even when the worst happens.
The night before Jesus dies on the cross, he asks God to stop what is going to happen - if there is any other way. And God says no. So Jesus demonstrates to us what faith is all about. Knowing he will be tortured and hung on a cross, he goes forward in faith anyway trusting God that his pain is necessary. "Thy will, not my will be done." This is faith. That God wins in the end. That there is purpose in our pain. That God is with us even in the darkest of times.
Why was I afraid? Because I was following Jesus thinking it would mean success in all of my endeavors. I ignored his warnings that although he would go with me, there would be trouble. Faith means I understand the implications and follow Jesus - the one who the wind and sea obey - anyway.
*****
The other gospels weigh in...
Matthew 8:23-27 23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him up, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" 26 And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, you of little faith?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. 27 They were amazed, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?"
Luke 8:22-25 22 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side of the lake." So they put out, 23 and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. 24 They went to him and woke him up, shouting, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?"
Fear can be an issue for me. As a teen, a girl from my church who I had grown up with was raped, murdered and her body was hidden in a remote area. She was with her boyfriend at the time. He too was murdered. It was several months before their bodies were discovered and several years before the murderer was identified, tried, and convicted. These horrible events left a mark on my life. It was a realization that God didn't intervene to stop something unspeakable from happening to these innocent teenagers. I could never return to the age of innocence that believed nothing bad could ever happen to me because God was on my side.
Until then, I had believed God would protect me from all harm. I thought that believing in God meant good things could be expected in my life. After all, no one teaches a child that God allows bad things to happen to good people. And honestly, my life has been blessed beyond even my own expectations. But in the back of my mind... there is always a nagging fear that God might one day allow some horrible tragedy to befall me or the ones that I love. And often when things - even benign things - begin to go awry, I start to panic waiting for the other shoe to drop.
So when Jesus' friends are overcome with fear of the waves sinking the boat, I sympathize. They are anticipating that things are only going to get worse. And when Jesus' answer is "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" it seems callous to me at first. Doesn't he understand that they can't control the waves - that they don't want to die - that they are nothing without him? And he is sleeping when they are scared to death?
But then I start to think about what faith is really all about. Jesus informs his followers at every turn that following him is not for sissies. He doesn't promise a bed of roses, but persecution, hardship, and trials. He isn't promising a life free of hardship - he is saying life is going to be rough. And yet, he calls us to have faith anyway. Faith that he is in control even when the worst happens.
The night before Jesus dies on the cross, he asks God to stop what is going to happen - if there is any other way. And God says no. So Jesus demonstrates to us what faith is all about. Knowing he will be tortured and hung on a cross, he goes forward in faith anyway trusting God that his pain is necessary. "Thy will, not my will be done." This is faith. That God wins in the end. That there is purpose in our pain. That God is with us even in the darkest of times.
Why was I afraid? Because I was following Jesus thinking it would mean success in all of my endeavors. I ignored his warnings that although he would go with me, there would be trouble. Faith means I understand the implications and follow Jesus - the one who the wind and sea obey - anyway.
*****
The other gospels weigh in...
Matthew 8:23-27 23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him up, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" 26 And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, you of little faith?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. 27 They were amazed, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?"
Luke 8:22-25 22 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side of the lake." So they put out, 23 and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. 24 They went to him and woke him up, shouting, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?"
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Following Jesus (Luke 9:57-62)
Luke 9:57-62 As they were going along the road, someone said to Jesus, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another Jesus said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." 60 But Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." 61 Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home." 62 Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."
So many think that following Jesus is a walk in the park. But Jesus was very up front about what it takes. He was without a place to lay his head and his followers would be too. His followers would even have to put proclamation of "the kingdom" before burying their dead. And Jesus' followers would not be able to look back - they'd need to focused.
This is commitment! I have found that it really helps if join up with others who have committed to following Jesus together.
****
Other gospels weigh in....
Matthew 8:18-22 18 Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 A scribe then approached and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." 20 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." 21 Another of his disciples said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." 22 But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."
So many think that following Jesus is a walk in the park. But Jesus was very up front about what it takes. He was without a place to lay his head and his followers would be too. His followers would even have to put proclamation of "the kingdom" before burying their dead. And Jesus' followers would not be able to look back - they'd need to focused.
This is commitment! I have found that it really helps if join up with others who have committed to following Jesus together.
****
Other gospels weigh in....
Matthew 8:18-22 18 Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 A scribe then approached and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." 20 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." 21 Another of his disciples said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." 22 But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Being Restored (Luke 7:11-17)
Luke 7:11-17 11 Soon afterwards Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. 12 As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother's only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. 13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, "Do not weep." 14 Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, rise!" 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen among us!" and "God has looked favorably on his people!" 17 This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.
The emotions in this story are strong...
We hurt for the woman because she has already lost her husband and now her son. The woman is crying.... but Jesus compassionately says, "Do not cry!" Those aren't empty words... he is going to bring her son back to life!!
Jesus touches the casket - which once again makes him "unclean" in order to bring life. In shock, the pall bearers stop. But Jesus can restore unclean things - bring the decaying back to health and vitality. And when Jesus speaks to the dead man, he speaks with a tender title as one who knows him: "Young man."
And the unbelievable happens! The young man is restored.
Then fear seizes everyone! But in their fear, they recognize Jesus and praise God.
We have a savior who feels our emotions - who cares that we hurt - who restores our brokenness to strength and vitality! Just let him...
The emotions in this story are strong...
We hurt for the woman because she has already lost her husband and now her son. The woman is crying.... but Jesus compassionately says, "Do not cry!" Those aren't empty words... he is going to bring her son back to life!!
Jesus touches the casket - which once again makes him "unclean" in order to bring life. In shock, the pall bearers stop. But Jesus can restore unclean things - bring the decaying back to health and vitality. And when Jesus speaks to the dead man, he speaks with a tender title as one who knows him: "Young man."
And the unbelievable happens! The young man is restored.
Then fear seizes everyone! But in their fear, they recognize Jesus and praise God.
We have a savior who feels our emotions - who cares that we hurt - who restores our brokenness to strength and vitality! Just let him...
Monday, August 1, 2011
Who is worthy? (John 4:46-54)
John 4:46-54 Now there was a royal official whose son lay ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe." The official said to him, "Sir, come down before my little boy dies." Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way. As he was going down, his slaves met him and told him that his child was alive. So he asked them the hour when he began to recover, and they said to him, "Yesterday at one in the afternoon the fever left him." The father realized that this was the hour when Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he himself believed, along with his whole household. Now this was the second sign that Jesus did after coming from Judea to Galilee.
This story is about what makes us worthy. Worthiness is emphasized even more in the accounts in Matthew and Luke (below). The royal official is a gentile centurion - part of the occupying forces in Jerusalem. He wants Jesus to heal his son - but is he worthy of such a favor from Jesus? He has not kept the law. He does not know the theology. He has a whole lot of nerve coming to Jesus asking for his son to be healed. Is he worthy of Jesus' favor? Each character in the story seems to have a different opinion...
What the religious people think makes one worthy...
The Jews were the religious people of the day. Modern Christians often see the first century Jews as ignorant people who just could not understand that the Messiah had come. But modern Christians would do well to see ourselves in the first century Jews - people who have grown so good at practicing religion that they have not entered into a relationship with God. Normally, in Jewish eyes, the centurion would be seen as one of the bad guys who is occupying Jewish land, taxing them, and taking away their freedoms. Except we learn in Luke's version of the story (below), that this man has been a friend to the Jews despite his job to keep them in compliance with Roman law. Therefore the Jews tell Jesus that the man is worthy of a favor from Jesus, "Go ahead and heal this guy's son - he has done us a favor or two - so he deserves it. He is with us." They believe that because the man has been good to them, that Jesus should heal his son. They believe that because they are worthy and that because this man has been nice to them, that he is worthy too.
What the religious outsider thinks makes one worthy...
In Matthew's version of the story (below), Matthew adds that the centurion, who is a religious outsider, does not see himself as worthy, but comes to Jesus out of desperation and love for his son. The centurion doesn't keep Jewish law. He isn't invited or welcomed into their temple. He is unclean. He doesn't even bother arguing that he is worthy - he knows that he does not have all of the answers. But he also knows that Jesus is worth trusting. So he seeks Jesus out.
What Jesus thinks matters...
Jesus knows that the rule keeping and the trapping of religion is not what matters. And he says that the Jews have lost their way. The fact that they believe that this man is worthy because he has done what they wanted him to do speaks volumes about them. They believe their rule keeping and knowledge of theology and good works has earned them worth... and they have even earned the right to decide who else is worthy. But Jesus says that it is the man's faith - the centurion's personal trust in Jesus - that matters. It is not the man's rule keeping, theology, or good works. It is his faith in Jesus. Jesus tells him that his son will be healed "according to his faith." Jesus goes on to explain that the man's faith is greater than any of the religious people's faith.
What makes us worthy?
****
The other gospels weigh in...
Luke 7:1-10 After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us." And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it." When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
Matthew 8:5-13 5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress." And he said to him, "I will come and cure him." The centurion answered, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it." When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, "Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you according to your faith." And the servant was healed in that hour.
This story is about what makes us worthy. Worthiness is emphasized even more in the accounts in Matthew and Luke (below). The royal official is a gentile centurion - part of the occupying forces in Jerusalem. He wants Jesus to heal his son - but is he worthy of such a favor from Jesus? He has not kept the law. He does not know the theology. He has a whole lot of nerve coming to Jesus asking for his son to be healed. Is he worthy of Jesus' favor? Each character in the story seems to have a different opinion...
What the religious people think makes one worthy...
The Jews were the religious people of the day. Modern Christians often see the first century Jews as ignorant people who just could not understand that the Messiah had come. But modern Christians would do well to see ourselves in the first century Jews - people who have grown so good at practicing religion that they have not entered into a relationship with God. Normally, in Jewish eyes, the centurion would be seen as one of the bad guys who is occupying Jewish land, taxing them, and taking away their freedoms. Except we learn in Luke's version of the story (below), that this man has been a friend to the Jews despite his job to keep them in compliance with Roman law. Therefore the Jews tell Jesus that the man is worthy of a favor from Jesus, "Go ahead and heal this guy's son - he has done us a favor or two - so he deserves it. He is with us." They believe that because the man has been good to them, that Jesus should heal his son. They believe that because they are worthy and that because this man has been nice to them, that he is worthy too.
What the religious outsider thinks makes one worthy...
In Matthew's version of the story (below), Matthew adds that the centurion, who is a religious outsider, does not see himself as worthy, but comes to Jesus out of desperation and love for his son. The centurion doesn't keep Jewish law. He isn't invited or welcomed into their temple. He is unclean. He doesn't even bother arguing that he is worthy - he knows that he does not have all of the answers. But he also knows that Jesus is worth trusting. So he seeks Jesus out.
What Jesus thinks matters...
Jesus knows that the rule keeping and the trapping of religion is not what matters. And he says that the Jews have lost their way. The fact that they believe that this man is worthy because he has done what they wanted him to do speaks volumes about them. They believe their rule keeping and knowledge of theology and good works has earned them worth... and they have even earned the right to decide who else is worthy. But Jesus says that it is the man's faith - the centurion's personal trust in Jesus - that matters. It is not the man's rule keeping, theology, or good works. It is his faith in Jesus. Jesus tells him that his son will be healed "according to his faith." Jesus goes on to explain that the man's faith is greater than any of the religious people's faith.
What makes us worthy?
****
The other gospels weigh in...
Luke 7:1-10 After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us." And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it." When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
Matthew 8:5-13 5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress." And he said to him, "I will come and cure him." The centurion answered, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it." When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, "Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you according to your faith." And the servant was healed in that hour.
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