Kingdom Work

Sermon Mark 5:21-43 July 1, 2018 Ordinary Time Communion both churches

Kingdom Work

Twice on his way to somewhere Jesus is interrupted by pressing needs. How can he choose which one is greater and which one he should attend to? Kingdom work was what Jesus came to do, how does he manage, and how do we learn?

I asked the kids, “How do choose who to help and who gets your attention?” You’re doing your homework that is due the next day and is complicated, you get a call from your friend to come help him research his project, you get a text from a friend who’s freaking out because her boyfriend dumped her, and then you your mom calls you from the backyard to help get the mower out of the ditch. How do you choose one over the other? Who do you help? How do you know which is most important?

As parents of little children, or children of ailing parents, or leaders in the community and the church, or those struggling to rise up; the urgent demands come from all directions and it is really hard to hold it together. It’s really hard to know which way to turn.

We read this story and recognize that Jesus was faced with the same dilemmas and urgencies as we are. Jesus was interrupted a lot. And he changed and altered his direction for the sake of others a lot. It didn’t change the final outcome of where he was headed. He still made it to the cross and he still poured out his love on Calvary for our salvation. Along the way his path twisted and turned and went all different ways in order to meet the needs of those who sought him. 

Perhaps, we find our strength and courage in knowing that our path of life might be altered from what we thought it could be. Our needs are sometimes a matter of life itself, but Jesus is there in the middle of it all and we won’t go unnoticed.

As God’s people we have many dreams and hopes for now and for the future. As a community of faith we create a place where it is safe to share our needs as well as our dreams. We share a place where it’s safe to air our doubts and fears.

In this space there is room for the needs of Jairus and the needs of the unknown. Even when we don’t have it all together we know we can be like Jesus.

Just think about all the times we had plans and they didn’t quite work out.

Just last year both our churches were in a situation with a leaky roof and a smoked out sanctuary. It was hard at first but something happened and we adjusted, we didn’t lose our members or our energy. Something happened in the middle of the situation that turned us toward the Savior and we found peace. As we look back we really can say, “Our course was altered but we handled it well.”

In the altering we discovered and continue to discover the power of the Kingdom of God on earth-the one who saves and the One who gives new life. Jesus Christ.

This story about Jairus and his daughter and of the suffering woman is another one of the great examples of the gospel writers giving a picture of what it was really like for Jesus walking that road on earth.

There is tension and drama that builds as we read about the desperation in the words of a daddy who will do anything for his little girl to get better.

There is suspense as the woman approaches Jesus just to touch the fringe of his garment with the absolute certainty that it will be enough to make her whole.

There is mockery from the disciples when Jesus wants to know who touched him. And mockery from the crowd of mourners outside the house of the little girl who died. Jesus is not only caught in the throes of pushing and shoving crowds, but in the throes of doubt, despair, and disruption. 

Mark gives us the greatest detail to this story. We know it’s an important story because Luke and Matthew also share this account. In the gospel of Mark this story happens just after Jesus has calmed the storm and healed the man of the demoniac. Jesus has shown power over the physical and spiritual world and will now show power over disease and death. All who are present are witnesses to the power of God to save. The Greek word sothe-is used for the request for healing-it means to heal as well as to save.

Jesus is the one who performs miracles and does great wonders. However, it is clear that his miracles were not the result of magic, this gospel points to Jesus not as a magic man, but as the One bringing the power of the Kingdom of God present on earth.

Jesus doesn’t get caught up with doubt, despair and disruption but lives into the moment given to him. He responds to it with love and grace and his full attention. Jairus is a leader of the synagogue. He is known in the community as the guy who keeps the building running, he is in charge of the school that teaches the boys to become men, he is responsible for the finances to cover the costs of the visiting rabbis. He is a respected and honorable person in the community. Jesus pays attention to him when he falls on his knees begging for the life of his little girl. Jesus is filled with compassion and changes direction and heads to his house.

A woman is in the crowd, one who shouldn’t be around others because she is ill. She too draws the attention of Jesus.

Compassion flows from him as she is healed and he realizes that he must stop and acknowledge her faith.

Two people with needs of saving grace and neither is too proud to publicly show their need.

Jesus doesn’t get rattled by the disruption of the path he is walking but lives into it and is fully present with the gathered people-even the ones who doubt and mock.

Twice on his way to somewhere Jesus is interrupted by pressing needs. He allowed himself to live into the moment offered to him. He allowed the power of the Kingdom work to be done. We can do the same. Amen.

Resources: NIB Mark