Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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This time of year we think about giving thanks.
Usually we thank God for all that he has done for us.
Some families have a tradition of everyone saying what they’re thankful for before they eat.
But what if “Giving Thanks” is more than just being thankful for the blessings you and your family have received?
I was reading my morning devotions yesterday.
I did not have a Thanksgiving messages planned.
In fact, I had not even thought of one.
But as frequently happens, God had planned a Thanksgiving message.
God provides what He wants, when He wants it.
During my devotional reading, I came across this passage.
I had read this story numerous times before, and it frequently moves me with compassion,
But my devotional included a story.
Dr. Paul Brand, twentieth-century pioneer medical missionary to India, saw firsthand the stigma associated with leprosy.
During an appointment, he touched a patient to reassure him treatment was possible.
Tears began to stream down the man’s face.
An attendant explained the tears to Dr. Brand, saying, “You touched him and no one has done that for years.
They are tears of joy.”
Now think about the story we just read about Jesus healing a leper.
The man came before Jesus begging him.
He falls down on his knees.
Imploring, asking earnestly, with emotion, for assistance.
Recognizing that Jesus has the power to end his suffering.
As a leper, he could not live within the community, he was an outcast.
If he encounter others he had to call out “Unclean!
Unclean!”
Who knows how long since he had felt a human touch.
Think of how often, how comforting we find the touch of our loved ones.
Think of how often, how comforting we find the touch of our loved ones.
The handshake of a friend.
The embrace of a child and the comforting arms of a mother.
Holding hands with the one you love, the occasion quick kiss.
The comfort of sitting next to your spouse.
The contentment of lying next to them at night.
Not only do we not know how long he had gone without these simple comforts,
But his future contained no possibility of regaining them.
Begging, praying that Jesus is willing to heal him.
Can you imagine the pain in this poor man’s heart?
Can you even think of his sorrow?
All he wants is to be healed.
That is the prayer of his heart, his soul.
Dear God, will Jesus finally heal me?
The Greek word for “moved with compassions is splagchnizomai /splangkh·nid·zom·ahee/, literally means “moved to one’s bowels”.
Literally means “moved to one’s bowels”
That pit in your stomach when you see something so painful you can’t help but empathize.
Strong, J. (1995).
Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon.
Woodside Bible Fellowship.
That “aww” moment when you see someone else’s pain, and you KNOW you have to do something.
Like the pain of seeing someone who has just lost a loved one.
Or has just received the bad diagnosis.
Jesus was moved, not simply to sympathize, but to act.
Jesus reached out and touched him.
Again, we don’t know how long this man had been a leper.
How long since he had human contact.
And Jesus reaches out and touches him.
He touches him in his pain.
He touches him in his loneliness.
So many times Jesus simply said “be healed” or “your sins are forgiven you”
But here, he touches this man, while he is still a leper.
Jesus didn’t have to touch him to heal him, but he did.
What must that have felt like?
What today could possibly compare?
A prisoner in extended solitary confinement suddenly touched by a friend?
A single mother doing all she can to provide for her child, when suddenly someone comes up beside her with a kind arm?
The grieving family member, lost in their pain, when a simple hand on the should makes all the difference in the world?
Parents devastated by the actions of their child, when someone comes along and just sits quietly and holds their hand?
We may only be able to comfort, but Jesus can heal.
Jesus didn’t have to touch him to heal him, but he did.
We often focus on the healing, something we are not able to do.
But Jesus started with a touch, which is something all of us can do.
Jesus didn’t want honors for the healing.
There are many reasons why, but what is important to this message is Jesus wanted him to say nothing.
To go to the priests, follow the law, make the offerings the Moses commanded.
But what does this man do?
The man cold not contain himself.
His joy must have been so overwhelming
Can you imagine, a secret so profound you’re incapable of keeping it?
Sure, some of us are better at keeping secrets than others,
But this goes way beyond a surprise party or Christmas gift.
Imagine how this man reacted.
HE TOUCHED ME!!!
My leperocy is gone, but HE TOUCHED ME!!
He may not have been touched in years,
Not only was he touched, but he was healed.
Others could touch him again.
Imagine the joy that just exploded out of his heart.
Like the Hymn:
He touched me, Oh He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.
Talk about a reason for thanksgiving!
Because Jesus gave him a reason to give thanks.
But there’s another story later in Mark that I want to look at.
Jesus is sitting down for a meal with Simon the leper.
Is this the same leper whom He healed back in chapter 1?
Then this woman pours a flask of perfume over His head.
Everyone looks at this and all that some can see is “What a waste!”
We could have sold it to help the poor.
But what does Jesus say?
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