5th After the Epiphany, Year B
Sunday, February 5th, 2012
Emmanuel, Houston
Isaiah 40:21-31
Psalm 147:1-12, 21c
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Mark 1:29-39
Did you notice how little healing Jesus did on
the sabbath? I realize there was a bit
of controversy through Jesus’ ministry about his healing on the sabbath, but at
least on this particular sabbath, he only healed two people. There was the man in the synagogue we heard
about last week who had the unclean spirit, and Jesus healed him. Then, today, there was Simon’s
mother-in-law. Jesus didn’t heal anyone
else until after sundown, until after the sabbath was over.
What was he doing the rest of the
sabbath? We know from last week that he
taught in the synagogue, and from today, we know he went home with Simon and
Andrew. Presumably, he spent the rest of
the time resting, keeping God’s law and observing the Sabbath. The point I’m making is, Jesus would break the Sabbath if there was a need right there in front of him. He’d heal on the Sabbath, but he didn’t go out looking to do so. His Sabbath goal was Sabbath rest to honor God. Drawing near to God was primary for Jesus, in his own life and in his teaching.
Teaching this message of drawing near to God was Jesus’ primary ministry. The morning after Jesus healed many in Capernaum, hid disciples wanted him to heal others, but Jesus said, “"Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do." Jesus came out to proclaim the message, "the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news," which we heard earlier in Mark’s gospel. (Mark 1:15)
In last week’s lesson, the people were astounded at Jesus’ teaching...even casting out the demon they called a new teaching, with authority. Jesus’ message, “the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news,” was Jesus’ main focus. He healed as well, out of love, but he didn’t let that get him side tracked, away from proclaiming the message. He didn’t let the fame and adoration of the people stop him from proclaiming his message. “Draw near to God,” Jesus said. Not, “love me,” in an egocentric, cult of personality kind of way.
Draw near to God was also how Jesus lived. First thing in the morning, after teaching and doing all these healings in Capernaum, Jesus went off by himself to have some time alone with God. More important than being healed, more important than fame or glory, at least in Jesus’ mind, is drawing near to God.
As we heard in Isaiah, fame and power and glory are nothing. “[God] brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing. Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows upon them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.” In other words, the great and powerful are still just people, and they will grow old weary and die, just like everyone else. “The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
“Even youths will faint and be weary...” Sorry to bring that up on youth service Sunday, but, as Isaiah points out, “Even youths will faint and be weary and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength.”
I was at a church conference some years back and heard tell of a pastor who never took a day off. He worked 7 days a week, every week. When asked about this, he said, “Satan doesn’t take a day off, so neither will I.” Really, so you want Satan to be the model for you life? Jesus took a day off. Heck, even God took a day off.
So, following God’s command, God’s way of life, Jesus knew he needed time to reconnect to God. Jesus knew he needed Sabbath rest. Jesus knew that being with God was the deepest desire of his heart. Jesus longed for God. He hungered and thirsted for God. This was not just because Jesus was God. Jesus longed for God because he was human.
“Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long.” (Psalm 25:4) “For God alone my soul in silence waits; truly my hope is in him.” (Psalm 62:6) Jesus knew and lived and taught the truth of these words. The truth of these words took primacy even to his healings and miracles. The healings and miracles showed his power and love, and they may wow us, but his message was primary.
Repent and draw near to God, for the kingdom of God has come near. How near? The kingdom of God is among us and within us. All we must do is turn around, over and over again, and draw near to God. Slow down. Stop. Take Sabbath time and draw near to God. First thing in the morning. Last thing in the evening. Throughout the day. Pray. Rest. Renew your strength. That’s Jesus’ primary message. Find your true self as you reconnect to God, and then live out the life you have found. Amen.
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