Tag Archives: healing

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Mark 5:21-24, 35-43

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

First Impressions:

The Jerusalem team of legal experts had passed judgment on Jesus. He was a threat to their traditions and their power. When power is threatened, power becomes an adversary. When traditions are threatened, traditions become the default. Either way, truth is drowned out.

Apparently, the verdict from the legal experts had not trickled down. But it’s amazing how our approach to faith and to the Father shifts when trouble or tragedy happens.

Amazing in that the synagogue ruler was certain that God would give him a gift through the healing Jesus brought.

Amazing, too, that he was not deterred in that Kairos moment when Jesus’ desire met his willingness to believe, in spite of:

  • The messengers’ news.
  • The crowd’s pressures (do you think perhaps that’s why Jesus only took a few into the moment.
  • The mourners’ wailing (some in the community were professional mourners who earned income bringing the show home when it comes to mourning.)

v. 21 Jesus came back across the Sea of Galilee to the area of Capernaum. He had just traveled with the express intention to save the Gadarene who was gripped by demons.

vv. 22 – 24 Jairus was one of a group of elders or rulers in the local synagogue. He couldn’t have helped but to know people who had earlier been healed by Jesus. Luke reminds us that this was not only his little girl, but his only daughter. The life was ebbing out of her so rapidly that it was as if she was already dead (Matthew’s perspective.) Luke probably got the verb best: she lay dying with no hope of recovery. Jesus was quick to respond with compassion and attend to the matter right then. In spite of the “thronging” – that’s the verb – of the crowd, Jesus moved forward.

v. 35 – 36 Don’t trouble the Master with a wearying journey, since the little girl had passed. Jesus overheard the news and assured him she would be okay. This narrative beautifully captures the potential ebb and flow of faith. Something bad; God encourages. Discouraging word; Jesus assures. People without faith scoff; the Father directs toward the Kairos moment.

v. 37 Jesus often chose a few within the Twelve or paired them up. We will look that this a couple of weeks in Mark 5:6ff. The pattern seems to be 2’s, 3’s, and 4’s. That’s a good pattern for disciple-making. In this case, in part, he wanted the crowd to thin out and Jesus left most of his followers behind on the road to Jairus’ home so they could proceed, and this spiritual leader could believe.

v. 38-40 But even with the thinning of the tumult of the street crowds pressing and calling out with every need possible, when Jesus with Peter, James, and John and Jairus, arrived the mourners had already set up in strategic places to make the most impact with their wailing. The English language isn’t the only one to use onomatopoeia (like scuttlebutt or murmur) – this Greek word sounds like it means: alaladzontas means wailing. Clearly not people of faith as they made their living off the need for congregant mourning; they not only discouraged faith but laughed in its face. They jeered at Jesus. And the voice of the enemy could be heard in this solemn moment with laughter and jeering when faith is needed. Since the poorest of Jewish families were expected to have at least two flute-players and one wailing woman, a synagogue ruler probably hit the motherlode of mourners!

What does he mean with he says she only sleeps? This is the same thing he said to Lazarus’ sisters. He puts what we consider as the finality into perspective of eternity. In the light of the eternity, our separation from our loved ones is miniscule. If we are and they are a part of the people Jesus is building into a Kingdom, there is only a moment between the departure and our reunion from heaven’s perspective.

They went “where the child was.” We, as people of the Kingdom, often have to go where the hurt is, where the person is grieving, or, in this case, the room where death was – and take faith and hope and compassion. Our typical desire is to keep our distance with an attitude “I can pray from the comfort of my whatever” – Jesus moves us to be where He wants to bring the Kingdom. We have to leave the comfort zone to enter the Kairos moment when the Father’s will, and the willingness and obedience of people, capture the miracle and the signs and wonders of heaven.

vv. 41-42 Talitha cumi. To korasion egiere. Little girl, you arise. Aramaic, to Greek, to English. (Affectionate and in the language and tone of a little child, Jesus takes her hand – sweetie, get up now.) This was the miraculous sign like Lazarus and the young boy on the funeral bier, that declared to the heavenlies: The Kingdom of God is come and the final sting is removed from the enemy’s weaponry. Her spirit connects with the command of the Savior, and she obeys and arises.

The word for “astonished” is a double word. They were greatly amazed (mega-amazed). They were riveted in their place. Eyes in the room turn from the little girl to the daddy and momma, then landed back to Jesus. Faith as small as a grain of mustard, in the right subject, and the right Kairos moment, can do “the impossible.”

v. 43 Food for strengthen and food to display she was no ghost or phantasm. Keep it quiet for now.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Mark 6:1-13

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

Pastor Rick’s Translation – Mark 6:1-13 (PRT)

v.1 Then Jesus left Capernaum and arrived at his hometown, accompanied by his disciples.

v. 2 And when the Sabbath came around, he took the initiative to teach in the synagogue; and many, as they were hearing him, were astonished, and wondering aloud about where he got these things and what was the source of his wisdom – especially considering such miracles that were done by his hands.

v. 3 Still they were offended by him and said, “Isn’t this just Mary’s son, the carpenter? Isn’t this the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t all his sisters right here?”

vv. 4-5 Then Jesus said to them, “A prophet is honored, except in his hometown and among his relatives and friends.” And he was not able to do many miracles except for healing a few people that he laid hands on.

v. 6 Still, he was astonished by their lack of faith. And he went to the villages around there and continued to teach.

v. 7-9 And he gathered the Twelve and began to send them out in two’s and gave them charge over impure spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the road beyond their walking stick and shoes, no extra shirt, no full wallet, food, or backpack.

vv. 10-11 Also, he told them that whenever you enter a household, stay there until you decide it’s time to leave that place. But, in like manner, when you decide an area will neither accept you nor listen to you, leave, wipe your hands clean of them and shake even the dust from your shoes as proof against them. I firmly say to you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah when the day of justice comes than it will be for that town.

vv. 12-13 And as they went out, they declared to the people that they should repent; they sent many demons where they belong and anointed many who were sick and healed them.

v. 6:1 Then Jesus left Capernaum and arrived at his hometown, accompanied by his disciples.

Jesus travels to Nazareth where he grew up, his mom still lived, and his reputation as a carpenter was intact. A long day’s walk, for sure. This point is where Jesus moved his ministry from the seaside of Capernaum into the greater Galilean/Judean region. As he expanded his ministry, he expanded his technique including sending out the Twelve.

Jesus was broadening his ministry and he left the comforts and successes of Capernaum behind and moved steadily toward the mission of training and teaching the Twelve and heading toward the Cross.

v. 2 And when the Sabbath came around, he took the initiative to teach in the synagogue; and many, as they were hearing him, were astonished, and wondering aloud about where he got these things and what was the source of his wisdom – especially considering such miracles that were done by his hands.

This is not his first recorded teaching in Nazareth’s synagogue. His first was the declaration of His fulfillment of the prophetic One to bring the Good News from Isa 61. Here, Mark uses the term “Powers” for what Jesus brought when the Kingdom broke in. His power for miracles was present and they had heard about this before Jesus taught. After all, their lack of faith left them without the Powers displayed before. This was a favorite term for miracles with Mark (the other three are “signs,” “wonders,” and “works” used by the Gospel writers.

The wondering aloud in this verse has the tone of talking down to the occasion. The tone is “where did this guy get such things and how did the fellow come by this wisdom.”

It’s almost as if they believed because of the wonders, then turned from what was obvious (signs, wonders, powers) to what they were content with (oh, that’s just Jesus, who does he think he is?)

v. 3 Still they were offended by him and said, “Isn’t this just Mary’s son, the carpenter? Isn’t this the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t all his sisters right here?”

This is assumption by associate that Jesus couldn’t be the Messiah. He is too “known” – that leads to the proverb Jesus quotes. As if to say, we know too much about you to let you be something more than what we’ve always known. He’s just a “commoner” in their eyes. The truth is, Jesus was always more than they saw or believed.

The term is skandalon as they were made to stumble; they were offended. This is interesting since Jesus the carpenter likely worked with stone and other building materials. He may have worked with Joseph to do work on the very synagogue they met in. 1 Peter talks about stumbling over the very rock upon which our security and salvation should be built.

Jesus’ family shows up earlier seeking to take him home from the crowds. Even his mother was puzzled about his life and sought to protect him. And at least some of his brothers were there in the synagogue and didn’t seem to defend him.

vv. 4-5 Then Jesus said to them, “A prophet is honored, except in his hometown and among his relatives and friends.” And he was not able to do many miracles except for healing a few people that he laid hands on.

Again, “powers,” but not many because of the absence of faith. The miraculous work of the Kingdom is dependent on faith from some quarter.

In his own family or house, among his own people, they made him to be the stumbling block to faith. Keep in mind that his brothers were likely in the congregation listening, and they didn’t even have his back.

v. 6 Still, he was astonished by their lack of faith. And he went to the villages around there and continued to teach.

Jesus walked out of Nazareth, it would seem from the Gospel accounts, for the last time. He stopped in at the villages around there and it seems that he makes his way back toward his disciples. Perhaps, considering the expanded ministry that was ahead of them and in his plans, Jesus allowed the some of the Twelve to rest up, see their families and friends, and prepare for his message to gather – which came in the next verse.

The division of this is right in the middle of the verse. He was astonished. Then he began his next ministry excursion into Galilee and beyond, doing exactly what he would in the next verses send the Twelve to do.

v. 7-9 And he gathered the Twelve and began to send them out in two’s and gave them charge over impure spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the road beyond their walking stick and shoes, no extra shirt, no full wallet, food, or backpack.

Jesus connected however they did so back then with the Twelve, gathered with them, gave them instructions (Matthew covers this the best), and sent them out in different directions. The goals were: 1) live by faith, 2) build relationships that last, 3) test the message with a call to repent to see who was ready, 4) bring evidence of the Kingdom with healing and freedom, 5) learn, 6) report back in for the celebration.

The walking stick was for both protection from animals and for stability along the road. The wallet was what they shouldn’t depend on. The backpack should be left at home. Extra food was left behind, too, as this was a hospitality culture.

The demonized were no threat to them as they walked together with another and in the power of the Kingdom. They were given authority, or charge, over any evil or impure spirit and could and did send them “packing” as The Message says.

Illustration: Due due in Italian. Two two. In Greek duo duo.

That he began to send them out indicates that he started this process that would continue as a part of his training. He sent them and continues to send them. He empowers them and continues to empower them.

Here is one of the frequent “contradictions” that sometimes crop up in disputes about the efficacy of Scripture. Mark says take the staff you have; Matthew and Luke say don’t take a staff. The resolution is found in Mark: don’t go out a get a staff if you don’t already have one; but if you do, take it. In other words, no special preparation for this excursion: no extra food, no extra shirt or shoes, not even a staff if you didn’t already have one.

vv. 10-11 Also, he told them that whenever you enter a household, stay there until you decide it’s time to leave that place. But, in like manner, when you decide an area will neither accept you nor listen to you, leave, wipe your hands clean of them and shake even the dust from your shoes as proof against them. I firmly say to you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah when the day of justice comes than it will be for that town.

The term “come into a house” intimates that they would enter into the family experience. Our perspective, since we are not such a hospitality-oriented culture, is that they had to “go looking” for someone who might perhaps take them in. The culture was really a reverse of this. Families in a village would see a visitor near the end of the day and they would take turns inviting that visitor to stay with them. The two disciples didn’t go door-to-door hoping to find someone gracious enough to put them up; they were seen, and they were invited.

In Jesus’ point-of-view, this would happen, that is, until the ones offering hospitality found out they were His followers and brought a message of repentance. Then, they might be rejected. If this happened, he wanted his disciples to leave behind any bitterness or animosity by washing their hands of the village, shaking the dust off the bottoms of their feet, brushing the dust from their clothes, and moving on. The Father would see this as would the townspeople as a rebuke of the village.

vv. 12-13 And as they went out, they declared to the people that they should repent; they sent many demons where they belong and anointed many who were sick and healed them.

The disciples would use oil to place on a sick person as a tangible sign of the Kingdom’s presence and evidence of the remaining work the Kingdom brings. When the Kingdom presence is there to heal, healing happens. The person doesn’t get sick again when they don’t “feel” the Presence. A lot we can learn. The Kingdom is not at the Father’s whim; he is intentional and willing as we ask, believe, turn to Him, and pray.

The demons were “cast out” – that is, they left the person in bondage and went where the belonged.

Again, proclamation affirmed by demonstration.

Surprised by an Angel… and the Call to Tell the Story!

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Nearly everyone loves to hear a good story. Movies, novels, poems, and digital versions of it all, invite us to become a part of the action or the suspense, or the romance, or the journey. Most stories we read or watch or listen to come and go. They may touch us or speak a bit; but they are easily filed away somewhere dusty and hard to find. Some stories are grab our hearts and our imagination. We identify with the people or the crisis they face and how they survive.

Then, there is the story that comes along once in a lifetime. Not only does it capture our imagination – it changes our lives. We look back on this rare story, the characters and what they experienced, and we realize that what happened meets us right where we live, it changes how we see life, and that story redefines who and, more importantly, why we are.

That’s the story the sheepherders found themselves a part of over 2000 years ago on the hillside overlooking the town of Bethlehem. Luke 2:1-20 are the verses that, surprisingly, make up an assignment my high school teacher at NMBHS way back when had me memorize and recite (yes, that was another day.)

It’s the story of Joseph and his betrothed wife Mary, their trek to Bethlehem, the birth of God’s one and only son, Jesus, and a bunch of unwary sheepherders who became a part of the Story of stories.

1At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2(This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 6And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

This baby, who is both King and Savior, was born in perhaps the most available and approachable place in the town – in a stable around the corner from a hostel, just shouting distance from the streets of the town. God chose to send His Son, fully human and fully God, to be born where word would get out. And this prepared the town for what happened next. And, this is when the sheepherders are invited into the story.

8That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. 

The Good New story met the sheepherders right where they lived. And it began with the herders who drew the night watch. While their partners caught up on sleep, an angel appeared right in the middle of their conversations. And this angel had just come from the presence of the Father to bring the news about the Son. And the glory of God remained.

And they were terrified. They were used to fighting off wild animals or climbing down the cliffs to rescue a lamb. But, an angel! How many times in the Bible did God show up through His presence, through a vision, or through an angel’s visit – They were scared beyond words. And the answer: Don’t be scared! God met these sheepherders right where they lived.

  11 “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

If the angel’s visit was at first terrifying, the message that he brought was liberating. As good Jewish sheepherders, they heard this message through all they knew about Lord God of Israel.

  • Good news means freedom.
  • Messiah and Lord means salvation.
  • And if you throw in King David, they understood they would be God’s people again, under the rule of His King.

The message from the throne room of God through this single angel literally changed who they were. Sure, they remained sheepherders. But this Good News brought the promise of…

  • Peace that comes with freedom from the oppression of the enemy.
  • Hope that comes with the promised Messiah.
  • Celebrative Joy that comes with being together as God’s people ruled by His King.

And whether in response to the Good News being proclaimed on the hillside or in response to the faith and joy of the shepherds, the worship of the heavens broke through into the physical realm, and…

13Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

This was more than the sheepherders could contain and, by now they were all together on the hillside echoing the same rejoicing. They had to see it for themselves.

15When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

There in a stable for animals, the greatest expression of God’s love slept. The message propelled the shepherds to check it out for themselves and discover if the Good News was really the Good News. And it was. And it changed both who and why they were. They had to tell others and fanned out through the streets of the town telling anyone they saw that Jesus, the Messiah, the Lord and King was born – in a stable, just around the corner, right where anyone could find Him.

The Good News met the shepherd right where they lived, and the truth of the message of Christmas transformed who they were and became the reason for why they lived. God’s great Story intersected their story and surprised them and transformed them.

  • This Christmas – surprise you with His peace, His love, His joy, His hope. He is God near to us.
  • His Good news meets us where we do life.
  • He invites you to approach Him, come to him – with fears, with broken plans and promised, with empty and dead spots in our lives.
  • And he speaks to you right now – no fear except the awe of a Savior with unchangeable love, no loneliness or emptiness because he fills us and comes close, no dead spots because he brings life and mercy.

Welcome again to the Story. Praying it intersects your story frequently in 2020!

“… I’ve never seen so many…”

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When the doctors and their team working in Liberia during the height of the 2014 Ebola epidemic saw the damage the disease caused, one reportedly said “I’ve never seen so many bodies.” One doctor was in charge of gathering and disposing of those who died from the disease; he and his team worked tirelessly to serve the Liberians by helping them through the collection and, with a respectful process, cremation of their dead.

Stephen Rowden was a first time volunteer with Doctors without Borders; his team processed between 10 and 25 cremations a day in Monrovia as the work sought to contain the epidemic to the region. He said his team of 36 have shown no signs of the disease even though they worked in such proximity to the dangers of the contagion.

When ask about his motivation, Dr. Rowden confessed that he is “a practicing Christian” who finds support and “strength from his faith and family.”

Since the first centuries of Christianity, those who follow Christ run toward the danger, the tragedy, the hurt… even the contagion, while most flee. From the Antonine Plague in the mid-100’s that wipe nearly 25% of the Roman Empire into eternity and those many epidemics that followed, Christ-followers sought to stay and help and serve…and suffer, in order to live a life that gives credit to the Good News and the love and power of God.

While many might say that Christianity was established in the empire because of edits, it really spread as a revolution of love, sacrifice and suffering. We run toward the need, even if the rest are running away.

Dr. Rowden captures this kind of faith through his actions.

Live sacrificially,

Rick

(Thanks to a great NPR interview by  at https://www.npr.org/2014/10/09/354890862/in-collecting-and-cremating-ebola-victims-a-grim-public-service and Baker Book called Restoring All Things: God’s Audacious Plan to Change the World through Everyday People by Stonestreet and Smith.)

 

The word for the year…anonymity

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A friend of ours planned a tour of Italian museums and recalled afterward that, while there were some awe inspiring artists –Caravaggio, Giotto, Tintoretto – the favorite by far was an “unknown” whose art was everywhere, very diverse, and over the nameplate of Sconosciuto.

My wife and I just finished reading through the Bible in a Year (on the YouVersion app under As it Happened – we recommend it for its chronological order). Near the end of our journey through the Bible, we read Hebrews, a book written to next-gen Jewish followers of Jesus. In the famous “Hall of Faith” chapter, the writer recounts the faith (and fate) of well-known Hebrew heroes. He also cites the unwavering faith of a crowd of believers who stood firm, often to the death, in their belief that God is worth it all. They are anonymous, at least on this side of heaven.

I have discovered that the biggest fear I’ve faced for years is anonymity – call it a fear of obscurity or becoming unknown, unseen, or unheard – but, until recently, this fear has been an overlooked but active drive in my life.

I know I can acknowledge this, and choose to turn from this fear … and embrace the privilege of obscurity.

My word of guidance for 2019 is Anonymity.

A university library in England maintains a seven-section archive of journals, pictures, magazines, and records related to Chinese missions over the past 150 years. When the first (and current) Chinese president of China Inland Missions, long-since renamed Overseas Mission Fellowship, walked into one of the rooms housing these records, he was overcome by the magnitude of seemingly anonymous people who had given their lives for his country-people, many martyrs for the Gospel of Jesus.

Dr. Fung told this story to students attending the missional conference Urbana ’09 (you can hear his story in the interview online) that, as he scan through the extensive lists, journals and pictures, he was reminded that the work of evangelism is done by people willing to live without a desire for fame, glory, and recognition.

When John the Baptizer saw Jesus gaining attention, he was asked by a somewhat envious follower what he should do. His response is timely and timeless: “Jesus must increase; I must decrease.”

In my case, the fear of anonymity has been too frequently a companion. I want Jesus to be enthroned, but I want a chair close by near the right side.

It has guided decisions. I’ve chosen worry and delayed action and played it safe so I wouldn’t look bad. And usually looked bad anyway.

It has silenced conversations. I’ve talked myself out of conversations I should have had or introductions to Jesus I should have made so I could protect my insecure reputation. And stayed insecure.

It has hidden love. I’ve left too many relationships lingering on the surface because I either didn’t want to know or chose not to be known. And loved less by doing so.

Today, careers are made by being seen, heard, photographed, liked, shared, hearted, retweeted, and reposted. Fame is even possible by taking the stage “anonymously.”  Artists hide their identity behind walls, bags, masks, and pseudonyms and “stay famously in the dark” to become celebrità oscura – Sia, HER, Elena Ferrante, Daft Punk, Banksy.

The most visible evidence of following Jesus is that I love in greater and greater measure. And the greatest measurement of love is sacrifice, putting others above myself, pushing others up and staying below the stage lights, decreasing so Jesus will be famous. He says He sees what’s done secretly and perhaps that’s more than enough recognition.

Maybe this year will produce such a beautiful work of truth and healing and compassion that anyone who sees it will know it was the hand of the Master Artist Who crafted it. I will decide more selflessly. Speak more freely and compassionately. Love without fear or shame.  I expect to be tempted to pick up a brush every now and then and offer to script my name into the corner. But, it’s my desire that it remain His work under the name plate of Sconosciuto.

In my own words,

Rick

P.S. I know it ironic to blog about anonymity. I like to know my words matter. And I’ll keep working on my motivations.

P.P.S. Conosciuto means “known.” Scononsciuto means “unknown.”