telling others

Jesus is here!

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“…immediately the people recognized him” Mark 6:53-56

When Jesus and his disciples reached the other shore they tied up at Gennesaret. Immediately the people recognized Jesus and began to spread the news of his arrival. Today we would say the news went “viral.” Which is pretty amazing, since at that time there was no social media or other means of broadcasting important information or funny pictures of cats. All you could do was tell someone. It was literally word of mouth. Unless you brought along the cat.

But this reaction was no fleeting social sensation. It happened wherever Jesus went, in villages, cities and out in the country. And the people did not come just to see a celebrity. They had practical reasons to see Jesus which were largely related to sickness, injury and disease. They expected to receive healing from him for themselves and their loved ones. They gathered around him without hesitation, even carrying the sick to him on makeshift stretchers. There were too many of them to even think of having a private audience with Jesus. Yet they pressed forward, believing that if all they could do was touch his clothing, he would heal them. And of course he did.

Reading this passage today we might be disappointed that it is so general, without any specific cases detailed for us. This no doubt the same frustration that the apostle John expressed in closing his gospel account: “Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25 ESV).

Those books are still being written, as Jesus has never ceased to speak and act. Are you prepared to fill the world with what he has done for you?

Copyright 2019 David J. Cooley

Make me clean

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“And a leper came to him…” Mark 1:40-45

Who is there today that we recoil from in fear and revulsion? Those who we dare not touch or even go near? The only thing that comes to mind are those stricken with ebola. Imagine the reaction if half a dozen cases suddenly appeared at your local hospital!

Those afflicted with leprosy were regarded in much the same way in Jesus’ time. People were taught (and required) to shun lepers and to drive them away whenever they were encountered. But now Mark shows us a man who defies all social and religious convention by approaching Jesus, albeit humbly and meekly.

This man’s faith was remarkable. He had only heard the recent stories of healings and the casting out of demons. No lepers had yet been healed and history didn’t give much hope of that happening. The only question that remained in his mind was would Jesus be willing to do what this man hoped for?

Mark now tells us something new about Jesus. Up til now, he has focused on what Jesus did. Now he reveals something of what makes Jesus tick, what he is thinking and feeling. Mark says that Jesus was moved with compassion. So much so that he risked defilement by reaching out and touching the leper. To further reassure him, Jesus says plainly, “I am willing. Be cleansed.”

Immediately the man was cleansed of his leprosy. Note that Jesus touched him while he was still very unclean. Jesus then requires something curious of the man. He says to tell no one, but to go to the priests with an offering for examination as a testimony to them. The man’s natural response was to shout his good news to anybody and everybody he came across, which he did. But not to the priests, who held the opinion that leprosy was curable by God alone.

Before you judge this man’s disobedience, think about the times you may have failed to offer testimony of God’s faithful love and power to those he has sent across your path. We cannot know the extent that any disobedience hampers the spread of God’s kingdom. But in this case, we know the surge of publicity prevented Jesus from entering the cities where he desired to preach.

The fever left

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“And he healed many…” Mark 1:29-34

What is our normal response when someone is ill? Isn’t it something like “take some medicine” or “you ought to see a doctor” or “get some rest”? What gave these people the idea to come to Jesus for healing?

After the synagogue service, Jesus went to Simon and Andrew’s house right away. There didn’t seem to be any sense of urgency, it was just the next item on the list. When they got there, though, they told Jesus that Peter’s mother-in-law was ill. Mark doesn’t mention any plea for healing, just a statement of fact. Jesus immediately responds by going to her.

His manner is not remarkable: no waving of arms, special words or an imploring gaze toward heaven. He simply goes to her, takes her hand and has her get up. The fever left her and she began waiting on them. A completely normal response for a completely well person. After all, she had guests in the house!

Later, when the sun had set (signifying the end of the Sabbath and its prohibition on working) people began showing up at their door. They had brought their ill friends and loved ones and even some who were possessed by demons. How did they know to do this? Word travels fast, even without electronic devices. I remember when Mount Saint Helens erupted that a study was done to find out how people had heard about it. The answer? word of mouth. That’s how I heard.

Mark tells us the news traveled to all parts of Galilee immediately following the synagogue service. No doubt a second bulletin swiftly followed after this woman’s healing, though it was not done so publicly.

What was Jesus’ response to the gathered crowd? Did he tell them they should set aside any ideas of being healed until they had submitted to God’s will? Did he explain this really wasn’t why he came, but instead for a greater spiritual purpose? No. In fact Mark records no words of Jesus, just his behavior. He healed many and cast out many demons (while making sure they kept quiet).

The people needed to see and decide for themselves who this Jesus was and why he had such authority and power. Is there anything or anyone that we need to come to Jesus for? Do we trust him to act, to help us?

Copyright 2019 David J. Cooley