I Heal You

Series

Our preaching series is “The Life of Jesus for Us.”

We are exploring how Jesus, the Son of God shows us his life-giving power. He overcomes four traditionally identified blocks to spiritual growth: self, the world, evil, and death.

By death we mean most broadly all that indicates our mortality: our physical vulnerability to illness, aging, and eventually death. Death includes the subcategory of sickness. And in our lesson today, sickness serves as a proxy for death.

First Reading

Isaiah 40:21–31 ESV

Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble. To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Second Reading

Our reading today comes from chapter one of Mark.

In recent sermons: Jesus was baptized, overcoming the block of the world; Jesus called his first disciples — James and John; Simon and Andrew —, overcoming the block of self. Jesus drove out a demon from a synagogue, overcoming the block of evil. Today, Jesus goes to the home of one of his disciples, where he shows how he overcomes the block of mortality.

Mark 1:29–39 ESV

And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Introduction

A few years ago I experienced a pretty serious physical illness. It started out as a sinus infection. Then took on traits of an allergy, then asthma, then sinus obstructions. Doctors weren’t sure what was going on. I underwent scans, lung function tests, even a surgery. At one point, I was on so many medications that I could barely function. Although I was on sabbatical for three months of a summer — a time I had planned for spiritual reflection and refreshment — I was virtually incapacitated and in chronic pain. At one point, I was reacting to medication and stress so extremely that my mother had to take me to the ER to be sedated.

When I look back on the experience now, I can see that being physically sick was not just about my body. It affected my mind, social life, and my spirituality.

I share this with you not to compare or contrast with the various kinds of illness that you have had to endure, but to say that we all had to face or will face physical infirmity. And when we do, it will impact our relationship with God.

Today’s story is about how Jesus overcomes the block we encounter with God when we are suffering illness and even death.

Exegesis 1: They tell Jesus

Jesus goes to the home of Simon and Andrew. There he encounters Simon’s mother-in-law, who is sick with a fever.

Simon’s was married and lived with extended family.

We meet his mother-in-law, the mother of his wife.

What appears to be Simon’s old house has been discovered in modern day Capernaum. Archeologists have unearthed the probable remains of the house near a synagogue. It was under the remains of an ancient church. At some later date, seemingly, Simon Peter’s house was dedicated as a church.

The house consisted of a cluster of small rooms, shared by the extended family.

After a period ministry and travel (exorcism that we read about last Sunday) Simon invites Jesus to his home.

Jesus would be an honored guest as a rabbi whose fame was spreading through the region.

Normally, the women of the home, would be busy preparing an fitting meal and hospitable welcome.

But when they arrive, they discover mother in law had a fever, perhaps malaria, common at that time. Perhaps a mortal risk.

Probably Simon’s wife told Simon, meeting him at the door.

They, the family and Simon tell, Jesus about it. not a good day for entertaining!

Sickness is a very personal thing, something one might be guarded about…yet

They immediately tell Jesus about it.

Jesus is welcomed to part of the family system.

Simon and Andrew, James and John, are not only his disciples, they extend to him friendship and family.

They tell Jesus about it immediately.

They don’t question him about it. They don’t accuse him or God. They don’t complain about God’s justice.

They just include him in the family concern.

And Jesus comes into the home to share their concern. He didn’t leave or quarantine, he came into the home.

Implication 1: We can tell Jesus

For most of us COVID was a recent exposure to the threat of wide-spread disease that carried the risk of death. but not the first. SARS, AIDS, Ebola, Spanish flu, etc. There is always sickness about.

We also face illnesses like cancer, heart disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and on and on.

They don’t exist out there. They invades our home our family our lives.

It is very personal.

When I was sick, I didn’t like to talk about it. It made me feel all the more vulnerable.

Hospital understood that. HIPPA to protect my private information.

Family only. Designated person to know. Code.

When we embrace Jesus as Savior and Lord, he also become family. He is our brother.

We can always tell Jesus what is going on.

Not complain, not question. Just tell him about it.

When I was sick, I sometimes complained and questioned. But the times I felt intimacy was when I just told him about it. I am hurting, I am sad, I am confused.

Discovered he was there. He cares. Now that I look back on it…there was a kind of intimacy in that time.

I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus…hymn lyrics.

I must tell Jesus all of my trials; I cannot bear these burdens alone; In my distress He kindly will help me; He ever loves and cares for His own.

Refrain: I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! I cannot bear my burdens alone; I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

If we give him permission, he will come from church into our home. Into the hospital room, ICU, NUCU, hospice,

Visiting hours for family only. (Maybe the pastor). Jesus is family.

Exegesis 2: Jesus raises her up

Jesus goes to the mother in law.

Not afraid of the sickness.

He touched lepers. He touched unclean people. Gentiles, harlots, tax collectors, Romans.

Jesus does not contract illness, he heals it. He does not become unclean, he makes clean. The reverse of our fears, his is the confidence of the healer.

Takes her by the hand.

A personal touch.

Raises her up.

same word as used for resurrection.

2 Corinthians 5:15 ESV

and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

John 6:40 ESV

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Jesus miracles are a sign pointing toward his gospel of eternal life. Inseparable from the proclamation of the gospel.

Visual aids to his message this is why I have come out:

that they might have life, life to the fullest = life eternal. John 10:10

John 10:10 ESV

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

We can’t see the soul. But we can see the body. So he healed the body to show some sign of the life he gives to the sin-sick soul.

He healed people everywhere he went, great crowds after healing Simon’s mother in law, but always to direct attention to the truth of his gospel, which had to be believed.

Implication 2: Jesus has raised us up

Miracles still happen today.

Still happen today. Often miracles occur when the gospel needs proof.

Sometimes an individual level of conviction, sometimes on a social level.

Theology professor who had visions of who needed to be healed: https://www.theasburycollegian.com/2019/12/modern-day-miracles-asbury-professors-recount-supernatural-healing/

I know someone who experienced a miracle related to cancer. One day it was there. Prayer was offered. The next day it was gone, no explanation from the doctors other than it was a miracle.

Many of you could say the same thing…?

And Jesus has healed us many times.

It must be rewarding to heal people every day…Doctor replied, I don’t actually heal people. I can only remove threats/blocks. The body has to heal itself.

Life and healing are not in our power. Come from our body, come from spirit, come from God. I am the way, the truth, and the life….

How many times has Jesus healed me? Every time something didn’t kill me.

How many times not sick, didn’t even think of it.

If there is a salutary outcome of cycle of illness and recovery, it is the awareness that our lives are ultimately in gods hands. We must aim at eternal life with god.

My battle with illness made that clear to me. I can get sick, I can and will die. Eventually, some illness/age will kill me.

But eternal life is certain in a relationship with Christ.

sickness: I was forced to depend on Jesus.

What becomes more and more certain, is that eternal life awaits and is desirable.

This mortal body will put on immortality. 1 Cor. 15:54.

Away from the body and present with the Lord. (2 Cor. 5:8)

Thus people can say, I am ready. Jesus has healed the spirit.

When we are sick, Jesus reaches out his hand and raises us up.

2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

Exegesis 3: She serves him

The mother in law gets us and serves Jesus and the disciples.

Ah, raised up to do chores?

a proof that she was indeed better. She did not have to take it easy, as if she were still recovering.

Deeper: And to give her back a task that can now be joyful. She was unable to do anything, now she has the ability to participate in life.

JEROME: Can you imagine Jesus standing before your bed and you continue sleeping?

Healed her body and healed her heart, I can be a part of what Jesus and his disciples are doing.

Serve, diaconeo. The word from which we derive the word deacon. A great privilege. Many women were exemplars in this regard: Mark 15:41, Luke 10:40, John 12:2.

Implication 3: we are healed so that we can serve

Eg. When I was sick. I would do the dishes. I would like to mow the lawn.

Many studies suggest that approximately 30% of children and adolescents experience pain that lasts for three months or longer. (Colorado Children’s Hospital). They would tell the 70%: I would tell those healthy kids to do their chores gladly.

The person with learning disability, I would tell them to read as much as they can.

We are stewards of our life, and we don’t know how long we will have our health and strength. What good are we doing with it?

Youth is wasted on the young. Health wasted on the healthy?

He heals us so w can serve. He gives us life so we can give.

even if sick, we can pray. As long as we are alive, we contribute to what Jesus is doing in the world.

Spiritual level. More: I would like to sing the psalms. Psalm references, When I was sick, but how can I praise you then? renew me so that I may glorify you!Jesus heals us physically and inwardly, if we are willing to be thankful and respond with service.

Therefore we are thankful and express it through service.

Conclusion

Postscript: Jesus went about healing and driving out demons. A routing of evil forces. Healings and exorcisms as

Overcomes the block by being with us.

Using illness to point to eternal life.

Motivating us to serve him and one another.

Prayer of Intercession

God of the universe, you sit above the circle of the earth, and so we pray for the oceans and mountains, inland water and the air we breathe. Save and protect them, we pray.

Since the beginning of our faith, we have looked to you to gather the outcasts, heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds. So we pray for the poor of the world, the sick and the lonely.

God, you build up Jerusalem, and so we pray for our country, for all the countries of the world, and for all of our leaders. May we all come to see that your delight is not in the strength of the military but in those who hope in your steadfast love.

How good it is to sing praises to you, O God. We pray for your church, here and around the world. Empower us to go from town to town, proclaiming the message of Christ.

Everlasting God, Creator of the ends of the earth, we bless you, for you are gracious. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, now and forever. Amen.