A Division - Mark 8:27-38 - Second Sunday in Lent

 

Mark 8:27-38 ESV

²⁷ And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” ²⁸ And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” ²⁹ And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” ³⁰ And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.

³¹ And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. ³² And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ³³ But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

³⁴ And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. ³⁶ For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? ³⁷ For what can a man give in return for his soul? ³⁸ For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

A Division

We approach a division here in this passage of Scripture. Jesus is now pointing his disciples to begin to see the way of the Cross. Once again, as we experienced last week, in Jesus’ baptism, wilderness temptation, and turn to the proclamation of the Gospel; we see another pivotal point in Jesus’ ministry. From now on Jesus points to his future suffering, death and resurrection.

Reflecting upon my study notes this week; I realized deeper meaning than I ever expected. So, here goes…

Yes… we have a change once again. Jesus is not pointing to Himself as God. Before this point in Jesus’ ministry, He pointed to the Father. More specifically the Father’s will for Jesus’ ministry. Jesus also pointed to the Holy Spirit’s presence in Him and working through Him.

Then, Jesus gets direct with his disciples. Jesus is direct with you and I as well. As disciples of today, as believers… Jesus challenges us with a question. Who do we say Jesus is?

Today? We know how Jesus’ life has influenced people throughout time. We are aware of this from our vantage point of over 2000 years since the time of Jesus walking this earth. This can’t be ignored. Why do we still discuss this One man? Why has a Church come into existence? Who do we, today, say Jesus is? Some people believe, some people poo-poo the whole thing. Some people deny all of Jesus as some made up story. But the fact is… that story… this Jesus… still impacts today and the future in which we live. This “Jesus” stuff just doesn’t and hasn’t gone away.

Thinking about the question… Who do we say Jesus is? --- This is a question that can’t be ignored. We must look not only at this time and place in which we live… No… We must look at ALL time. For myself… I admit… this Jesus has had an impact on my world and IS eternal.

It’s time you stop and think… it’s time you, as well, pose this question…. Who do you say Jesus is?

I, like Peter, but with the Word in my hand, proclaim Jesus as Messiah. But my belief and Peter’s belief as Jesus the Messiah; does not come from any great wisdom of my own. My and Peter’s belief as Jesus as Messiah, is an act of faith given to us from God. This act of faith is not an act of my own wisdom or understanding. Faith is not about something I do. Faith is a gift from God that grows. Faith is a gift from God that grows in Peter, and in each of us.

Peter’s proclamation, my proclamation and perhaps your proclamation, of Jesus as Messiah is an act of faith that comes from outside, to within, to outside of ourselves. Faith is something God develops and gives to each of us.

But… here… in this passage…

Peter’s proclamation of Jesus as Messiah is definitely Truth, but it’s also off the mark. Jesus is NOT the Messiah that Peter thinks he is.

It’s a trap we all fall into. We read the Word. We see Jesus’ acts of love. Suddenly, like Peter, we are trapped into thinking of Jesus as only a miracle worker, only a wonder worker, only One to rescue me from the perils of this world, so that life will be easier for me, for you, for Peter, for the Church and for all of Jesus’ followers and disciples.

Jesus is NOT the Messiah as an earthly king… He is the Son of God!

But… there is more to this Jesus, Messiah… WAY more!

I along with Peter and perhaps you too, want to look away from and even deny that there is suffering, and death in this Jesus our Messiah. I don’t want to recognize this and Peter didn’t want to recognize this as well. Peter doesn’t recognize this as yet in this passage of Scripture. Peter doesn’t recognize the deepest insight into Jesus Messiah.

You see… Peter… as with the demons… recognize Jesus as the Messiah… But this time is not right just yet for this revelation to all the world. Jesus instructs his disciples, at this point in time, to not tell anyone what Peter has proclaimed… Jesus as Messiah.

As Jesus tells Peter and the disciples that He will undergo suffering and death and resurrection. Jesus declares Truth plainly to his disciples. This truth is not something they want to hear. This just can’t be true! Peter pulls Jesus aside… Almost like, listen to me Jesus, it doesn’t have to be this way. Let me save you from this suffering and death! Listen to me, Jesus!

My love for Jesus would perhaps come out in the same way. I’m not unlike Peter. Maybe you would act like Peter did in this passage as well. This is Jesus, the one we follow. This is Jesus the one we love. We don’t want any harm to come to him in any way. We must reach out to Jesus and help!

This emotion drew me back into the Old Testament. It’s an action taken by Uzzah. I remember reading this and questioning… what?... why?... what response is this?

As David was dancing before the Ark of the Covenant, the seat of God, as it was being brought to Jerusalem, going up a hill, the oxen pulling it stumbled. Uzzah reached out his hand to steady this sacred Ark, this seat of God.

2 Samuel 6:6-7 ESV

⁶ And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. ⁷ And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.

What? Why? Uzzah was just trying to help!

But then it occurred to me… like Peter pulling Jesus aside… Who saves who? Does God need me to steady the Ark? Does Jesus need my direction? Does Jesus need Peter’s advice on the will of God for Jesus?

Peter attempts to turn Jesus away from God’s will… mistakenly… But this pulling away is just as Satan desires.

We want to deny Jesus’ suffering and death. We want to deny this cost of salvation. We want to deny this cost of discipleship. No… we prefer the “cheerful” stuff. We prefer a Gospel of prosperity and goodness. We prefer this goody-goody stuff of following Jesus.

But… Salvation comes through death. For death must precede resurrection.

The merely “cheerful” views of salvation are from Satan! Satan tries to reduce salvation to cheerful common sense. It IS NOT!!!

Jesus response to Peter pulling Him aside? (In my words) --- Get out of here! Go away! Get!

There is a cost to discipleship!

Jesus calls us to WORK! Not easy work, No! There is glory AND pain in this Gospel salvation. Pain that comes along with the scarred hands of Jesus.

We must set our minds on Jesus. Not our own ease and comfort. Set our minds on Jesus will for our discipleship.

And Jesus calls us together to level with us. We must deny ourselves. Life is not about our “cheerfulness.” That’s to come, but not here and now. We receive glimpses, for sure, but first this denial thing.

Denial is NOT just giving up things, in giving up luxuries, pleasures, and delights. We deny, when we KNOW that we are not the means or end of salvation. Salvation is from Christ… NOT… yourself… Not me!

Our life must be Christ centered. We submit our life to God.

So, what about this Cross thing? What is it, in this passage? The Cross is not our burden. The Cross is not our sorrow. The Cross is not our loss. The Cross is not our shortcomings. The Cross is not what happens to us. The Cross is not about you. The Cross is not about me. The Cross is not something I do to earn God’s favor! No! The Cross is a choice. The Cross is a beautiful and wonderful choice we make to give our life to God. To serve God and to seek God’s will for us in our life, here and into the future. Why?

The Cross is the cost of discipleship, the struggle to love God and all those God gives to us, in the face of evil. We MUST look to the Cross. We focus on the Cross. And on that Cross, what do we see? We see Jesus! We see salvation!

Lose your life. Why? To live out the love of Christ to God and all who God sets before you. Love THEM! It’s about loving them, not yourself. In the face of the therapist and self-help people…. We love them first!

1 John 4:19 ESV (my favorite Bible verse)

¹⁹ We love because he first loved us.

So, make your choices in the face of eternity. Choose Christ…. After all, … He chose you first!

Jesus died for me, and Jesus died for you… a sinner. Live for God. God changes us and makes us new through his promises.

So, there you have it. This was a much deeper dive than I ever expected. God inspires me with His Word. May you be inspired this week as you attend worship, listen to the Gospel and hear God’s Word spoken through your pastor, priest or minister. May you see God’s presence in Word, Sacrament and all those gathered about you. --- May God bless you today… tomorrow… and forever!

I leave you with this wonderful reflective YouTube music that inspired me this week.

Enjoy!

My Jesus My Saviour

A Short Journey but A Huge Change - Mark 1:9-15 - First Sunday in Lent

 

Mark 1:9-15 ESV

⁹ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. ¹¹ And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

¹² The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. ¹³ And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

¹⁴ Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, ¹⁵ and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

A Short Journey but A Huge Change

Yes, this was a short journey for Jesus, from Nazareth to John in the Jordan. But it was a huge change in the life of Jesus and the life of this world. The will of God was about to unfold in the life of Jesus. The will of God for all people was about to unfold in Jesus.

Have you ever paused to consider the will of God for Jesus? How about the will of God for you? What is the “will” of God for you? If you pause, pray and discern, perhaps God will reveal his “will” for your life. Sometimes God’s “will” for you will come in a flash, sometimes it will come in a struggle, sometimes you won’t see God’s “will” for you until life’s end. We receive God’s “will” in one way, through our baptism. One “will” of God for us, from baptism on, is to reflect the glory of God to all He gives to you throughout your life. God calls you in this place and in this time, today, to reflect His glory.

In this passage of scripture, Jesus is called to reflect God’s glory in his life with all the people God gives to him. Jesus is called to begin his ministry. Jesus is called to show God in himself to all the world. Jesus is about to bring about a huge change in this world and in eternity.

But there is a question, for you and I. Will we accept God’s “will” in our lives? You have a choice. You can turn away from God’s “will” and run towards the world. You can run to your own devices to serve yourself and those you love for your own selfish reasons. You can serve your human desires and leave God to your back.

 Or, you can turn to God. Perhaps this may be the “hard” thing to do. To do God’s “will” may not; probably won’t, be the easy way. You can turn to God, turn away from your selfish desires, turn away from the sins of this world, and turn towards God to follow him into unknown places. You can turn to God and face unknown things, places and actions in this life. Actions not your own. Actions and places that you don’t choose. Actions based on the “will” of God.

Will you accept God’s will? Or will you turn away from God?

Jesus comes to baptism as one of us. Jesus, however, does not need to, nor does he, make confession. We confess our sins, as we must. Jesus, however made no confession of sin. Jesus was sinless. However, in this passage, at the Jordan river, Jesus was counted among the same number of all of us. Jesus was counted in the same number of the sinful; yet he was sinless. Jesus walks with us in our sin and identifies with you and I… sinners.

Why? Jesus loves us and has compassion for us and has come to save us from our sin. So, Jesus, walks with us in life, death and soon to be resurrection.

As Jesus meets John at the Jordan river, the heavens were opened. Not just a parting of lovely Bob Ross clouds. No, the heavens were torn open. Later, in the life of Jesus, at his crucifixion, the curtain in the Temple that covers the Holy of Holies area is torn open. God is exposed to all the people of the world. Here also, heaven is exposed to all the world.

And the Spirit descends. A dove. The creative power of God is revealed. It reminds me of another place in Scripture. A place of new beginnings.

Genesis 1:2 ESV

² The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Yes, the Holy Spirit is present in new creation. The Holy Spirit is present in new creation at baptism as well. Baptism for Jesus, baptism for you, baptism for me.

Acts 19:1-6 ESV

 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. ² And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” ³ And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” ⁴ And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” ⁵ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.

Yes, the Holy Spirit follows baptism. Here though, although God is Trinity; we see God first in Jesus. And a voice from heaven declares just who this Jesus is. From the beginning, at the beginning, now and forever. Jesus has been and will always be God’s Son. God the Father’s pleasing Son. And the Holy Spirit drives Jesus, God’s Son, into the wilderness.

So much takes place in the wilderness, the struggle, the wandering, the wilderness of lives. In the wilderness are beasts. In the wilderness where creation has been marred by sin. In the wilderness in which God’s adversary, Satan dwells.

This is the wilderness in which Jesus is tempted by Satan. Jesus goes through the great ordeal, here in this wilderness. Why? Why should Jesus be subject to this? There’s no explanation.

In the wilderness we find that life is not even or flat. Life is hills and valleys. New Christians begin on a high… they see Jesus… they come forth from the waters of baptism to the proclamation of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They begin as a new creation. They are a new Child of God. But then, from this high, Christians discover there are valleys in the wilderness. There are temptations. Satan teases us. We can expect all of this in our wilderness of life as a Child of God. But… Thanks be to God… Angels will minister to you. God is there with us in the wilderness and draws us to Himself. Drawn to God we go forth from the wilderness to preach and teach and proclaim and give in love.

 Yet… from this wilderness… salvation rises for all. Salvation in the crossing of the Jordan. Salvation that rises from Jesus as he relives the testing in the wilderness. But, unlike the Israelites in the crossing of the Jordan, Jesus remains faithful to God.

And out of the wilderness comes an abrupt change. Our attention changes from John the Baptist, to Jesus, to the Gospel. For, the time has come. The time has come in this decisive moment from God. Yes! The time has come. The Kingdom has come to earth in Jesus.

The Kingdom of God has come today, to rule in our hearts and to the core of our very beings. It’s time!

Repent! Turn! Believe!

In the beginning is the Word, Jesus! In the ending is the Word, Jesus!

A short journey to a huge change. The Word, Jesus, present always and forever. To save you, to save me, to draw us out of the wilderness to live in glory with him forever.

Jesus was bound up, in my sin, on that cross, for me, for you, for all. Teach me your salvation. Teach me your ways. Show me your will for my life… today… tomorrow… and forever. --- Amen

I leave you with a song that reflects the short journey with the huge change and our need to accept God’s will in our lives. 

Click on the link below for the YouTube Video

Desert Journey - Casting Crowns

Enjoy and God bless you this week and always.

Give Me Jesus - Mark 9:2-9 - Transfiguration of Our Lord

 

Mark 9:2-9 ESV

² And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, ³ and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. ⁴ And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. ⁵ And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ⁶ For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. ⁷ And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” ⁸ And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.

⁹ And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Give Me Jesus

The Transfiguration of Our Lord. This event has special meaning for me. It reminds me of a high moment in my short walk with God in this life of mine. It reminds me of a fuzzy memory that happened to me as a young child living on Washington Street in Sidney Ohio. I could only have been five or six. How could I have this memory. Perhaps it was a dream. Perhaps it was a combination of things, like hearing a sermon on the Transfiguration at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sidney from Pastor Swinehart. Somehow, I imagine his yelling and spittle from the pulpit in my young mind. This memory could not be real, in the sense of this world. So, here it is…

I hear a knock at the front door of our house on Washington Street. I go to answer the door. As I open the door I see Jesus, Moses, Elijah and someone else that I don’t know. Jesus says, “Can Billy come out to play.” And I do.

That’s it! That’s my high point! At least one of them. It was a Transfiguration moment for me! Not Jesus! Surely, I misunderstand something! Surely my memory, then, and today play tricks on me. Surely, I’m wrong in this recollection.

Or, maybe not. As in the passage of scripture above, this was a high hour for the disciples. And this is a high hour for each of us as well. It reminds me to keep my vision clear in mind for all my days to come. You see, Jesus shines BRIGHT into your life, as a disciple and believer. For from Jesus, we witness the spirit of Truth. These high moments, these high hours are Worship, pure and simple. Keep these moments close to your heart. Experience these moments each time we gather and worship.

As I reflect on this passage from Mark; it becomes obvious to me that we only need Jesus. Our focus needs to be on Jesus. There is no communication from Moses or Elijah in this passage. Moses and Elijah witness to Jesus in their lives. Moses presents the Law to the Israelites. The Law that none of us can keep. However, this Law is kept and fulfilled by Jesus. Elijah points to Jesus in his prophecy of the salvation of God for all people.

Some believe that Moses and Elijah were translated into heaven without experiencing death. From my study, Moses, maybe? It doesn’t seem to match my studies. Elijah, yes. But, what about Jesus? Was he translated into heaven? No! Jesus dies on the cross. Jesus dies on that cross for you, for me, to defeat sin, death and evil. Jesus dies on the cross full of my sin and your sin. Jesus takes the sins of the people upon himself to the cross. Jesus! Jesus, did NOT sin. Yet he takes my sin to the cross.

Here, Moses and Elijah and a few disciples are present with Jesus and I imagine that they too, all of their lives have been pointing to Jesus. And this particular event points us to the cross and points Jesus to the cross. This event beckons us to follow Jesus to the cross. This event occurred about four months prior to Jesus’ death on the cross. Some scholars believe it happened on Mt. Hermon. Maybe it also happened at a high point in my life and your life, as well.

Could this be a resurrection story? Jesus does shine bright. However, I think not. The Transfiguration Points to Jesus. This Transfiguration points to Jesus’ future glory at his second coming.

God has been coming to his people, to you, to me, throughout time. Especially in “high” places.

Exodus 24:16-17 ESV

¹⁶ The glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. ¹⁷ Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.

Daniel 7:9 ESV

⁹ “As I looked,

thrones were placed,
    and the Ancient of Days took his seat;
his clothing was white as snow,
    and the hair of his head like pure wool;
his throne was fiery flames;
    its wheels were burning fire.

Yes, visions, memories, sightings of God in the lives of his people. “Can Billy come out to play?”

Jesus, transfigured. Jesus changed into what he really has always been all along. Transfiguration is described as an act of metamorphosis. A change from within. Perhaps as an Epiphany. Here we see God in Jesus in his true nature.

I’m not sure if this transfiguration is with Jesus alone, however. Perhaps we are transfigured as well with our own “high” experiences with God, with Jesus, with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Perhaps we begin our own transfiguration as we come up from the waters of our baptism and the Word is spoken over us and the Promise of God is given to us. The Promise of God accepting each of us as His Child of God. Perhaps as we turn to God from the depths of our sin, each day, sometimes many times during the day; we too are continuing a transfiguration, a metamorphosis, into what God desires for us to become. Perhaps we are becoming God’s dependent Child.

In this Transfiguration, the era of the Messiah is about to begin. The era in which the Law and the Prophets have all been pointing to throughout time. An era in which God will show his saving grace for all the people in Jesus’ death.

However, just like the disciples of this passage; we can’t rest here in God’s glory. Jesus beckons Billy from the front door to come out to play. I must, you must, all the believers and disciples of Jesus, must follow Jesus to the cross. We can’t attempt to “house” Jesus on this earth. We can invite Jesus in to play, but we can’t stay home. We may think we can house Jesus here in these “booths” we want to make, but, NO! We must go out. We must follow Jesus and witness Jesus taking on our sin and giving his life for our sin. We must!

We must take the Word of God into ourselves. And… Listen! For this IS Jesus! This is God! We must leave this open door, leave this high place, and as we go, we must listen to Jesus for a lifetime!

In this Transfiguration, in this High point, is the climax of the Transfiguration. Jesus IS God! Jesus IS God’s Son! Jesus IS God’s Word! Listen!

As we hear the voice of God at Jesus’ baptism; we once again hear the voice of God at this Transfiguration. And we will not only hear, we will see, God himself, present in Jesus at his suffering and death. For God comes to save each of us from our sin. God comes to save each of us from the punishment we deserve. God comes and takes our punishment for us.

Yet, as the disciples and Jesus depart from this “High” place. Jesus bids them to keep silent. How long? Till the Resurrection! For, Resurrection follows death. This is a hard lesson to hear and understand.

Was the Transfiguration a return of Jesus to heaven? No! This was sinless Jesus going to the cross, for me, for you, for all.

Lord, light us up with your presence, in body and in spirit. Let the Light of Jesus shine and send us into our own worlds, in this place, to the people you give to us each and every day, to Point to Jesus. To proclaim Jesus. May I always listen to you… as Billy comes out to play… today… tomorrow… and forever. --- Amen

Perhaps, you too, wish to join me, this day and every day… to go out and play with Jesus and all who are his.

I leave you with this YouTube Video “Give Me Jesus” --- Fernando Ortega

Enjoy... and God Bless...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rZ8k9m2hwo

Go Out to Play - Mark 1:29-39 - Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

 

Mark 1:29-39 ESV

²⁹ And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. ³⁰ Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. ³¹ And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

³² That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. ³³ And the whole city was gathered together at the door. ³⁴ And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

³⁵ And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. ³⁶ And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, ³⁷ and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” ³⁸ And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” ³⁹ And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Go Out to Play

In this passage of Scripture, Jesus sets an example for you and for me. As Jesus goes out from worship, he enters the world with truth and healing. As you and I go out from our Sunday worship, may we not leave the Truth behind in the sanctuary. Rather… Take the Truth of the Gospel to live it out in action, giving it to those God gives to you and me all week long.

In our worship, in our hearing of the Word spoken, in our taking in of Jesus in the body and blood, the bread and the wine, the gift of forgiveness and the baptism; we are sent. We have heard, seen, touched and received Jesus. We can’t just leave all of that behind in the church building. No! We are gifted with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to take the “touch” of Jesus healing hand, out into the world in which God sends us.

Right from the start of this passage, Jesus leaves the synagogue and goes into the world with his healing touch and his healing power. Jesus goes out with his Light of compassion, for the suffering, and His Light shines brightly. When Jesus cures, he lifts us up and takes us by the hand. What love!

Mark 1:40-42 ESV

⁴⁰ And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” ⁴¹ Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” ⁴² And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 

And again, when the leader of the synagogue, Jairus, daughter was sick and died, Jesus went to his house…

Mark 5:38-42 ESV

³⁸ They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. ³⁹ And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” ⁴⁰ And they laughed at him. But 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 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” ⁴² And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.

Upon Jesus leaving worship, not only the sick flock to his side, but also the demon filled, in this world, flow to Jesus. Jesus comes into our world casting out evil, and healing, and freely giving salvation. Jesus’ healing is unlimited!

What a loving touch! What compassion! What an example of living for God!

Yes, even the mother of Peter’s wife, who is ill, feels the touch and healing of Jesus. And in Peter’s mother-in-law, we have another example to follow and emulate. Immediately upon her healing, she gets up to serve.

When we are healed and forgiven, and fed at Sunday worship; may we go out into the world with the Truth of the Gospel within us to proclaim what God has done for all, and serve those that God gives to us in compassion, understanding and love. May we daily turn from our selfish sinful needs towards the love of God, to serve all those God gives to us each day with healing, love, and compassion.

God, through Jesus, CAN heal and save. Tell of this message as we go out into the world from Sunday worship.

Yes, we turn daily from the demons of sin, death and the temptations of the devil to God.

When the demons were cast out, Jesus silenced them! This is sometimes referred to as the “Messianic Secret.” Jesus would not permit the demons to speak and tell the world, that He is the Messiah, that Jesus is God sent to us. Jesus does not accept the testimony of being the Messiah from unholy demons.

 No! This is not the time. Nor, should this message come from demons. Jesus will, and should always, be recognized as the Messiah, the Savior, our God, on the cross as he saves all of us from demons, sin, death and the evil of the devil. This is where we see Jesus as God of All.

And yet, we, as well as Jesus, need to retreat. We need to keep in touch with God. We need to pray. We, as well as Jesus, need to commune with the Father. We return to God in prayer every day. We come to God for renewal daily. We return to God to listen for God’s will in our life. We open ourself to God as a flower opens to receive the sun, to receive God’s way for us, each and every day. For as Jesus turned to the Father for his mission in this world, we too depend on God for all we do. You see, this life we live is for God, not for our own selfish needs and desires.

Then, once again, we return to the world that God places us in, we return to the people God gives to us each day to teach, to love, to proclaim the Gospel of God’s saving grace through Jesus, upon that cross, as he took our sin upon himself to put it all to death, to forgive us and to freely give us new and everlasting life with God, today… tomorrow… and forever! --- Amen

I leave you with an appropriate song by Chris Rice … “Come to Jesus” --- Enjoy

"Come to Jesus" - Chris Rice

As we live our life with God, each day, may we, come to Jesus and turn to God.