Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

Posted on August 8, 2014 by David Nuottila

Jesus handMark 3:1-6

Once again, Jesus encounters controversy on the Sabbath. The attitude of the Pharisees in the synagogue only confirms their short sightedness when it comes to actually keeping the Sabbath for what it is, time set aside to worship God, giving him thanks, blessing and honor. The format for such worship in Jesus’ day was much the same as ours. People gather for worship, the Scriptures are read and then a teacher interprets the text for those gathered. Finally, the opportunity arises to put the teaching into practice. In our text, Jesus does this by healing the man with the withered hand; yet, those plotting against him fail to see the true nature of God’s healing.

How often are we like those plotting against Jesus? How often do we fail to hear the teaching of Holy Scripture because we are too busy plotting? Contempt for worship takes place in nearly every congregation that gathers on Sunday. While some are busy wondering how they are going to straighten out that which they perceive has gone amiss in their church, others complain about the service itself. “The service or the sermon is too long.” “We don’t like the hymns or they are unfamiliar.” “Why must we stand and sit?” And the one that simply breaks my heart each time I hear it, “Why do we have so much Holy Communion?” Just as the Pharisees made strict regulation concerning “how to” we often do likewise and fail to understand the “because, therefore.”

Most churches have a pattern for worship; Lutherans call this “liturgy.” Liturgy (work of the people) is a means whereby each person may enter into the congregation worship, not because of duty or obligation, but through thanksgiving to God for his many blessings. Allowing liturgy to become a burden is something we all struggle with from time to time. Some pay close attention to see if candles are lit in the proper order. Others watch carefully to be sure children are behaving correctly. Would be Pharisees are quick to point out the errors of ritual or practice. And still others are there to grumble at most things that simply don’t fit their definition of what is right. Just when it seems we are at our worst for worship, enter the man with the withered hand.

When Jesus perceived the plotting of the Pharisees, he called forward the man in need of healing. Jesus then put the question before the Pharisees, what is right…what is wrong? It is the same question faced by Christians today, “Are we to focus on strict observance of rules and regulations, or should we focus our attention on God and his mercy? From God’s perspective, nothing Jesus did was out of the ordinary. When you think about it, God’s healing love made manifest in Christ comes to God’s people in worship and prayer. We ought not be so focused on our own definitions on what is permissible and what is correct lest we miss the miracle of God’s saving grace through Jesus Christ.

Yes, the sermon may be too long; the service may extend past the one hour time limit. But keeping the Sabbath as time for worship and contemplating the mysteries of God brings healing balm to our otherwise withered selves. It is Jesus who calls us forward and asks us to extend our hands. He is the one who also heals our human condition by filling our withered sinful hands with Bread of Life and Cup of Blessing. Thanks be to God!

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Remember the Sabbath

Posted on August 7, 2014 by David Nuottila

Sabbath made for manMark 2: 23-28

Times were so much simpler back in the good old days. Many remember a time when all the stores were closed on Sunday, churches were filled with worshipers and Sunday afternoon brought with it a large family gathering at Grandma’s house for dinner. Yes, those were the days. No work! Sunday was a day for worship and a day of rest, just as the Pharisees said it should be. Wait a minute! Just as the Pharisees said it should be? Can that be right?

As Jesus and his disciples walked through a field of grain, they plucked the heads from some stalks, rubbed them in their hands and ate. The Pharisees, who were never far away, took great exception to their reaping and threshing on the Sabbath. According to their interpretation, no work was to be done. The Pharisees imposed strict observances for the people of God to follow in most aspects of life. It would seem the Pharisees also appointed themselves as guardians of the Sabbath. Jesus, however, corrects their teaching with authoritative teaching of his own.

Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” It is God’s desire that humans take a proper amount of time to rest from daily work. But such rest is not meant to be a burden. Even today, people have differing opinions on what this must look like. “It’s not right to mow your lawn on Sunday.” “You shouldn’t work on your car or repair your home.” “This is a day of rest and we should keep it just as we did in the good old days.” The problem is, as we consider the good old days we do so from our own view point.

As people fill the church for worship, we fail to understand that often, preaching is quite labor intensive. Church music directors arrive early to rehearse musicians and choirs. Sunday school teachers must work in order to present a lesson where, in their hearing, students receive God’s Word joyfully. And let’s not forget Grandma as she must hurry home and prepare the meal for the family then clean up afterwards. Truthfully, there is much work that happens on the Sabbath.

When Jesus says the Sabbath was made for man, he is saying that it is to be a day of relief. It is not to be a day of burden filled with expectations, duties and restrictions. The Sabbath is a time to observe the goodness of being God’s children, to gather with the faithful for worship, share in the fellowship of friends and family. The Sabbath is a day in which we can forget the worries of the week and remove ourselves from the stresses of the world. For some, that means working in the garden or cutting the grass.

We all have our opinions on what keeping the Sabbath is supposed to look like. We all also have different ways in which we relieve ourselves from worldly stress. Jesus reminds us that God wants his people to remember the Sabbath and keep it set apart from the rest of the week. Certainly, this begins with worship. And as we go about the rest of the Sabbath Day’s activities, we do so as children of God, giving him glory, honor and thanks for the many blessings in our lives.

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Calling Sinners

Posted on August 6, 2014 by David Nuottila

follow meMark 2:13-22

As we grow from childhood to adulthood, at some point we all face the same question; what do you want to do when you grow up? The answers vary, a fireman, a doctor, an actress. Most people desire to work in a profession that contributes to the better good, but some end up working in positions that come with the burden of intense scrutiny. Imagine what is must be like to work in a profession where upon completion of your duties, no one is happy about the outcome. A police officer dispensing parking tickets, a banker who must deny a credit application, and few, if any are happy upon meeting with a tax auditor.

In Jesus’ day, tax collectors were considered scoundrels. They were despised because most believed they took unfair advantage of those whom they would collect revenue for the Roman government. Yet, when Jesus encountered Levi he invited him to become one of his followers and later chose him to be an apostle. Jesus chose to associate with those whom society shunned. He invited sinners, prostitutes and tax collectors to dine with him in order that they might hear the message of repentance and redemption. However, the Pharisees, who were followers of Jesus of a different sort, took exception to the company he kept.

Because of the hardness of their hearts, the Pharisees and scribes could not see that Jesus came to save people from the powers of sin and evil. In order to do this, he must reach out to those who are trapped by their sin and unable to free themselves. Had the Pharisees known this, they would have joined Jesus and Levi at the table.

Jesus’ call to Levi shines light on our need to follow Christ and his command to love God and our neighbor. We are all sinners in need of redemption, unworthy on our own to receive Christ’s invitation to God’s table of grace. However, God makes us worthy through our baptism into Jesus’ death and resurrection. There is a place at the table for repentant sinners; the feast is prepared for all who turn from sin and follow Jesus.

Just as Levi was called to follow Christ and share the good news of salvation, all Christians are called to tell others of God’s saving grace. This is yet one more occupation that comes with great scrutiny. Thanks be to God that the one who calls us is faithful to his promise, for he strengthens his people and is with us always, even to the end of days.

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Through the Faith of Others

Posted on August 5, 2014 by David Nuottila

Jesus heals paralytic manMark 2:1-12

The house was so crowded that no one was able to get near. Friends of a paralytic man took extraordinary measures in order that their friend would have opportunity to be healed by Jesus. Given the construction of homes in the first century, these friends of the paralytic man would have literally dug through the dirt and sod roof. Only then could they lower their friend into the home through a gaping hole the ceiling. The paralytic man contributed nothing to his healing; it happened because of the faith of others. Seeing the faith of this man’s friends, Jesus had compassion, forgave his sins and healed him.

As we hear these words from Holy Scripture, we can begin to better understand the role of the faithful as we bring infants and the unchurched to the waters of baptism. The Holy Spirit works through the preaching of the gospel and the faith of others in order that those who cannot come to Christ for forgiveness might be saved. Through our faith we “carry” infants and others who cannot come to Jesus by their own ability. In this way, Jesus is made known to those seeking God’s promise of salvation.

Spiritually carrying others to Christ is our Christian calling. It’s worth noting that people who live in faith do so because, through faith, someone else has “carried them” to Jesus. As we continue to preach the gospel, teach all Christ commanded and baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Jesus himself pronounces the forgiveness of sin and the promise of everlasting life. Freed from the burden of sin, the newly baptized are strengthened in faith by the power of the Holy Spirit so they too might spiritually carry others to Christ.

Finally, as earthly lives come to an end, we have the instance when we also dig through the sod and dirt like the friends of the paralytic. Upon the death of a loved one, we break the ground and lower our friends into the earth, commending them to our Lord and Savior. By faith we understand that death is not the final outcome, but life in God’s eternal kingdom. Through the faith of others we come to Jesus. By God’s grace through faith in Christ we are saved.

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Early Morning Prayer

Posted on August 4, 2014 by David Nuottila

Early morning prayerMark 1:35 – 45

There is something to be said about being up early in the morning while it is still dark. As Jesus shows by his example, it is a good time to be away by one’s self and spend time in prayer. Often, as is the case this morning, I am the only one up and the house is dark and quiet. The sun has not yet made its appearance and it is really quite dark. Certainly, this time alone is holy time.

Spending time alone in a deserted place, especially early in the morning is a perfect time for prayer. It is a peaceful time. It is a time before the business of another day has its opportunity to crowd your mind and steal your thoughts away from a loving Father. Early morning prayer is the time when a person in solitude can be with God without interruption.

As I pray early in the morning, I am able to give thanks for those things I find often difficult to recall; those scant moments when I sense God’s grace completely surrounding me, even if for only fleeting seconds. Early in the morning, all by myself, I am able to speak to God about those ugly thoughts that haunt me during the day, those things am sorry for, those instances for which I am ashamed. As God’s mercy becomes known yet again, soon my prayers are for those whom I know are facing times of sickness, worry, anger and uncertainty. I pray that God will use me in some way to bring the peace of Christ to their situation. Finally, as this holy time begins to give way and there is a hint of sunlight, my prayer turns to the needs for this new day.

God help me to be the shepherd you have called me to be. Give me strength, confidence and faith enough to meet the needs of those whom you have placed in my charge. Guide me by your Holy Spirit so that through my words and deeds, others will know of your grace, mercy and love. Father, thank you for this new morning, keep watch over me and let the evil one have no power over me. Gracious Father, keep me in your grace, for it is through the name of your Son, Jesus Christ my Lord that I pray for my needs and especially the needs of others. Amen.

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