“And All Who Touched…..Were Healed”

SERMON for July 22, 2012

(Mark 6:30-34 and 53-56)

     “The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

      And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things….

      When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret, on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized Jesus, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the market-places, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.”  (Mark 6:30-34 and 53-56) 

***

     Sunday, June 24, began joyfully.  We received 3 new members into our flock that morning during worship. 

     That afternoon was a time of rest. Jim and I had a picnic of crackers and cheese in our bedroom, read books, and watched some TV. Ministry had been particularly busy and emotional that week, with the death of our friend Millie, a longtime member of our church.

     Jim’s phone ringing interrupted our rest.  My father had upsetting news.

    My brother Steve had been in an accident on his motorcycle.  His wife, Carina, had called my parents on her way to the hospital in Topeka, about 90 minutes from their home in Overland Park, Kansas. The hospital had just called her to tell her Steve was being treated in the E.R. and would be moved to critical care.

     My mother was packing to drive to Kansas from Maryland with Nicole, Steve’s 23-year-old daughter.  They were leaving early the next day to begin the 19-hour drive.

     Steve’s injuries included broken ribs and shoulder and a punctured lung. He also had to be stitched from forehead to chin. A bone over his eye was broken, as was his nose and thumbs.  Miraculously, his arms, legs, and brain were unharmed.

     As my father continued, I could barely concentrate on what he was saying. I could only think, “How could this happen?!”  

       I hadn’t ever considered the possibility of losing my brother, who is just 18 months older than I.

       I hung up the phone and sat in silence, a sick feeling in my stomach. I felt the Lord’s presence, but it was a long while before I was able to pray.  I know the Holy Spirit interceded for me as I struggled to trust God with the fears I dared not speak. Or even think as silent prayer.

       What I couldn’t say to God was, “Thy Will be done.”

       What if God’s Will wasn’t what I wanted? 

       What if God was ready to take my brother home to Him?

       Finally, I could bear my self-imposed separation from God no longer.

      “Please, Lord,” I prayed, opening my heart.  “Please heal Steve.”

     I needed God’s comfort.  I needed to trust Him so I could be made whole.  

 ***

     In our gospel lesson today, Jesus urges his apostles to take a break from the long days and nights of ministry. Hear the concern in Christ’s voice when he says, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” 

   So they slip off in a little boat. But when they get out of their boat on the western shore, people immediately mob Jesus again. Those who need healing beg to touch him—even the fringe of his coat.    

    And all who come believing in Christ touch the fringe and are healed!  All of them!  Jesus doesn’t turn any of them away.  Not one.

    The healing our Lord offers is twofold—spiritual and physical.  Which is more important?  He asks the religious leaders, at one point.  That I heal their bodies or that their sins are forgiven?

    He teaches us that our greatest need is for our sins to be forgiven. Only then will we be reconciled with God and truly be made whole. 

***

      Steve continues to recover at home. He is doing well, but broken bones will take some time to knit. Thank you so much for your prayers!

      Preparing for our message this week, I thought about my struggle to submit to God’s Will for Steve—without knowing what God’s Will was. 

     I wanted only what I wanted. 

    Then the Lord brought to mind a memory.

     It was the day Moyer Road opened to usher in a new housing development—a freshly laid tar surface where cows used to graze in pastures.  Our driveway was unpaved and covered with large gravel. So Steve and I were anxious to ride our bikes on the new tar road.

     But it had a steep slope.  

     Steve was maybe 8 and had gotten his first 2-wheeler for Christmas.  I was about 6 and a half and still rode a tricycle.

     My father at first said no. Then, he agreed to let Steve go, but only if my dad went with him.

     I cried watching them ride off on their bikes, wishing I were big enough to do all the fun things Steve could do. 

     Soon, I saw Steve and my father heading home, pushing their bikes up Moyer Road—the slope being too steep to ride back. Then I saw blood on my brother’s face and leg. He had fallen when his bike picked up more speed than he could handle. He needed stitches on his chin and knee.

    That night, I was relieved that I did not go with them. Because if Steve had fallen with his big bike, just think what would have happened to me on my tricycle.

   Looking back, I thank God for protecting me from what I wanted.

   The Lord knows what’s best for all.

    We just have to trust Him—no matter what! Trust His love. Trust His faithfulness.

     Go to Him with all your needs and when you are afraid!

     Pray for one another. God will heal all who seek Him in Christ.

     The physical healing may not be immediate. And it may not even come about in this world, not if it is time for the Lord to take us home. But then we will have resurrected bodies that will clothe our souls forever.

     Our spiritual healing is different. We are spiritually healed the moment we reach out to Christ in faith, just like the crowds did in Mark when they touched the fringe of Christ’s cloak, believing in His power to save.

     When we reach out to the Lord in faith, we are forgiven!

     We are reconciled with God!

     And we are made whole.

   

 Let us pray.   Heavenly Father, thank you for your faithfulness to hear our prayers and heal us of our afflictions.  Thank you for your love that remains constant.  Remove all fear from us. Help us to accept and receive the gospel and truly know that we are forgiven in Jesus Christ, who obediently gave up His life for our sakes. But Jesus rose from the dead—and we, too, will join Him with resurrected bodies in Your kingdom. Teach us to trust You always, to pray with confidence, and to walk by faith.  In Christ we pray.  Amen.