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Sermon
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A TOUCH THAT HEALS Well, I promise you, the two sermons won't be any longer than one normal sermon. We should all be enjoying our cup of coffee or tea around the usual time. Well, having scared you - and then, hopefully, quelled your fears -let me begin. Two sermons from one very brief passage of Scripture - just the first three verses of this morning's Gospel. Let me remind you of them: "As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them."Let me ask you this question: If you were to identify yourself with one person in that story, who would it be? Now you only have two persons to choose between. I know that Simon and Andrew, and James and John, are mentioned as being present, but they're quite marginal to the action. The story revolves around two persons: Jesus, who does the healing; and Simon's mother-in-law, who is healed. With whom would you identify yourself? Well, I suspect that most of us would identify with Simon's mother-in-law. In one way or another, each of us has felt the touch of God on our life. That's what has brought us here this morning - and what brings us here most Sunday mornings. Sermon No 1 - Simon's mother-in-law. She's in bed with a fever. We can imagine what she feels like, can't we? We've all had a fever at one time or another. And the last thing you want is an unexpected visitor- especially a stranger of some importance. You don't feel like making small talk, and you certainly don't feel like entertaining. Most likely you hope the visitor will beat a quick retreat and leave you in peace – and misery. But, when Jesus is told that Simon's mother-in-law is running a fever, he doesn't leave. To her surprise, and theirs, Jesus takes her by the hand and lifts her up; and the fever subsides. She feels so much better - well again. And feeling better, she begins to serve them. What do we imagine her doing? Making a pot of tea and serving a slice of cake with it? More likely a glass of wine and a dish of olives in that culture! Is Simon's mother-in-law simply doing the womanly thing, the housewifely thing? I suspect that Mark is telling us a bit more than that. This, by the way, is the first appearance of a woman in Mark's Gospel. The Greek verb, which is translated into English as "serve", appears only on two other occasions in Mark's Gospel. One is where Jesus says of himself, "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve" - that is hardly suggestive of preparing morning tea or a light lunch! The other is at the end of the Gospel when Jesus has been crucified, and we are told that there were " women looking on from a distance" that "used to follow him and provided for [or served] him when he was in Galilee." They followed him, they supported him in his ministry, they were co-workers with him in his mission to proclaim and establish God's kingdom in their world. Incidentally, it is worth noting that, in a world that devalued women, Jesus accorded women the same value and dignity as men. He had as much concern for Simon's mother-in-law, and for other suffering women who are mentioned in the Gospels, as he had for anyone else in need. Women were among his friends and disciples. He said of Mary of Bethany that she had chosen the better part when, instead of helping her sister Martha in the kitchen, she chose to sit at his feet as a disciple - a role that would normally be left to men. Jesus welcomed women both as friends and disciples. Like Simon's mother-in-law we have experienced, through Jesus, the touch of God on our lives. Like Simon's mother-in-law we seek to respond to that touch by serving him. That service takes many forms, and we do not all serve in the same way, but our service is all to one end. It is standing with him and for him in our day. Acknowledging that, for us, he is the true and living way, and that following him gives meaning to our living, west and with him in support of all that truly enriches life for others, that lifts burdens from them, that heals them in spirit. And we stand with him against all that impoverishes life for others, that dehumanises and devalues others; that uses and exploits the poor, the marginalized and the vulnerable. To identify with Simon's mother-in-law is not simply to identify with one who experienced the healing, renewing, touch of Jesus; but also with one who served him in his mission of bringing God reign of justice and peace. Sermon No 2 – Jesus How many of you dared to identify yourself with him? And yet that would riot be a big noting of yourself; it would be a realistic assessment of your own potential. Jesus took the woman's hand and the fever left her. Nothing remarkable there. No question about whether she had faith to be healed. No special word or command. No anointing. A simple touch - that was all. And that is not beyond the ability of anyone of us. A simple, but heartfelt, touch often brings healing in one form or another. Think of times when a simp1e touch from a loved one or friend has done more for you than any number of words could have done. Perhaps you've been grieving, and a simple touch has assured you that another understands and feels for you - and that has meant a great deal. Perhaps you've been depressed, and a simple touch, the pressure of another's hand on your am1,has lightened your spirit. Perhaps you've been in bed and unwell, and another's gentle touch has made you feel better and brighter. Perhaps you've been facing a difficult decision, and another's embrace or hand on your shoulder has strengthened you. You know what a simple touch can do. You've experienced it yourself. And you know that, as a follower of Jesus, you too can touch the lives of others in simple ways that heal and renew and strengthen. That healing touch does not always have to be a touch in the literal sense. It can be a letter or a card, a telephone call, a visit, a plate of food – things that are not beyond the capacity 'of anyone of us - and it lifts the spirit of the one who is receiving. Let's respond to the touch of God on our lives by touching the lives of others with compassion, with re-assurance, with support, with faith and hope for the future.
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A sermon presented by the Rev Graham McAnalley at St Aidan's Uniting Church
North Balwyn, on 5th February, 2006
IT MAY BE REPRODUCED WITH ACKNOWLEDGMENT. |
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Page updated 13/02/06