10-10-2015

Good Morning All!!

       Mark 2:17; “And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

     The Pharisees and the Sadducees were often Jesus’ nemesis and foils.  They were usually wealthy.  They wore fine clothes and were often seen in public where they expected to be treated with great honor.  They would expect the average person to pay homage to them.  They offered their opinions and views about why people who suffered had deserved or earned the maladies which they suffered.  It was this thought process that was occurring when Jesus walked this earth and ministered to the people.

    This saying from Jesus explains his ministry mode in a concise manner.  Jesus came to offer healing and hope to the suffering and the hopeless.  The Pharisees and the Sadducees could not understand why someone who appeared to be a religious and righteous man, as Jesus did, would have anything to do with the people who were obviously sinners because God was punishing them.  If the Pharisees associated with these people, these “sinners”, they would be unable to enter the Temple.  The Pharisees and the Sadducees avoided most people in need.  Unfortunately, there are those today who still see it that way.

    The true church of God is not about the good or the great; rather it is about the wounded and the broken.  The church should not be seen as a gathering of perfect people; the church is really a hospital.  The church really is for those who are hurting and suffering.  It is where God gathers his people to receive the words of hope and comfort that they need.  It is where healing should occur. 

     This is because our brokenness is the result of sin.  It is sin which separates us from God and his love.  Our deepest need is not a physical healing rather it is to be made spiritually whole.  The greatest need we have is to be reconciled back to God through Jesus.  All suffering and sickness is the result of sin and the separation from God which is the result of this sin.  So Jesus came to restore; Jesus came as one who heals.

    This healing occurs with the forgiveness of our sins.  This forgiveness that Jesus gives us is called “aphiemi”.  This means to send away.  God does not merely overlook our sins or look away and ignore them; rather God sends or sins away so that they no longer hang around our neck like an albatross.  The sending away of our sins heals us; it restores our soul.  It brings about the reconciliation that makes us whole.  So if you are broken, God invites you to be healed.  Trust in his grace to accomplish this for you.

Gracious Father, you bring me healing and restoration.  In this world we may suffer from our brokenness but through your merciful calling; we have hope.  We stand before you a new person declared holy because of Jesus’ holiness.  We are immortal because of Jesus’ immortality.  Keep us safe in your arms.  Guide us to bring your message of hope to the broken and hurting around us.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret