SEPTEMBER 10th, 2023 PASTOR DON PIEPER
ONE AT A TIME Philippians 2:12-18 / Mark 1:29-42
“LIKE HE SAID & DID”
In our series..., we're seeking to learn from Jesus how we can have an impact on the lives of those around us by following in his footsteps. Jesus trained his disciples to imitate him. That's what a disciple was after all, a student who traveled with his/her teacher, imitating his words and actions.
Sounds reasonable enough, but when we read about Jesus healing people and casting out demons we tend to think, “I can't do that! I could never do that!” And we give up before we even got started!
It reminds me of that scene from The Holy Grail in which King Arthur and his knights arrive at the Bridge of Death. Just it's name makes one want to give up and run away. 'Run away...!'
Arthur explains that each person must answer three questions before they're allowed to cross the bridge. Not-so-brave Sir Robin asks what happens if they get a question wrong. “Then,” Arthur replies, “you are cast into the Gorge of Eternal Peril”. “Oh – great.” Sir Robin mutters.
King Arthur then asks, “Who will go first and answer the three questions?” He thinks for a moment and then turns to Robin and says, “Sir Robin.” Sir Robin swallows hard: “Y-y-yes?”
“Brave Sir Robin, you go!”
A look of panic passes over Robin's face: “I have a great idea. Why doesn't Launcelot go?”
Too often that tends to be my reaction. I see someone whose hurt seems beyond me, beyond my ability to help, and I think to myself, ‘Someone should do something about that.'
It's like the story Nicky Gumbel used to tell on Alpha, of a new believer who encountered a hurting homeless person so he bought him hot food and helped him procure a bed in a nearby shelter. Then he complained to Nicky, “The church should've done something about that...”
Nicky smiled and replied, “It sounds like the church did.” That's pretty much how it works. We see. We hear. We do. And throughout, we continue our training with Jesus. (Nicky Gumbel)
In Mark 1 we find ourselves back at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. The stories Mark tells here set the stage for everything that follows. Having being led and anointed by the Holy Spirit at his baptism, Jesus begins proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of God and inviting his disciples in training, to join him on the adventure of a life time: “The time promised by God has come at last!” he declares. “The Kingdom of God is near...! Come, follow me, and I'll show you how...!” (Mark 1:15, 17)
From that point on, these students of his follow him around and learn from him. They listen to what he says, to whom he says it, observing the way he sees, listens and helps people in need. Before they know it, and before their wide open eyes, needy people start coming out of the woodwork. When Jesus slips away to pray, they go and find him to tell him, “Everyone is looking for you.” (Mark 1:37)
As well they should - as should we. In fact, “The whole town gathered at the door to watch...”
(Mark 1:34)
We're told that Jesus takes James and John with him to Simon Peter and Andrew's home so that the four of them can observe him in action. But it’s not just his healing miracles he wants them to see.
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He also wants them to see how he refuels for each day's activities and ministry. We know they were paying attention because of what Mark tells us: “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later, Simon and the others went out to find him.” (Mark 1:35-36)
Notice how they knew where to find him. They'd been observing what he did and where he went. And when they do find him, what did they find him doing...? Praying. And he was doing it for two reasons. One, to refocus, to recharge his batteries, to experience renewal in the Spirit's leading.
And two, to model how all that works for his students in training. No doubt some of his prayers were for them. I imagine that before they left that isolated place he prayed with them. And having done so, he told them, “We must go on to other towns as well.” They need to hear and see as well. (Mark 1:38)
Two things Jesus models here for those who seek to follow his lead. The first is that of prayer. Jesus knew what God wanted to do thru him because he focused on God's work in him.
Mother Theresa traveled to Australia where she came across an elderly Aborigine man living in utter poverty. It must've been overwhelming. What would you do? Mother Theresa set about cleaning
the man's hovel, washing his clothes, and making his bed in spite of his refusal for help. While she cleaned she noticed a lamp covered with dust. She asked, “Don't you ever use your lamp?”
“No,” he curtly replied. “Why would I? No one ever visits. Who would I light it for?” When she left, she told the local nuns about it, who then committed to visiting the man every evening from then on, bringing care packages of food, clothing and clean linen. Two years later the man sent her a message: “Tell my friend that the light she lit in my life continues to shine still.”
It's a moving story...., but I have to admit, if it had been me, I seriously doubt cleaning the guy's house would've even occurred to me. Dusting that lamp and inviting others to see it got lit, isn't really that extraordinary, and yet it was. Though such an action would not have been my first impulse, I have to admit, its something I could do as well. She didn't drastically alter his circumstances but what she did renewed his spirit with the Holy Spirit and that light grew brighter by the day.
When asked by a journalist how that day started, she replied matter of factly that it started like any other day. She prayed. She asked God to show her what was lacking in her and how he wanted to use her that day. It was how she started every day. She told the journalist: “My sisters and I pray thru our work by doing it with Jesus, for Jesus, to Jesus.” That is, she prayed and kept praying. (Mother Theresa)
The disciples saw the difference Jesus' prayer life had on his focus, his energy to do God's will, his compassion for difficult people, and his being led by the Holy Spirit. They were watching his every move, remember? And that's why at one point, they asked him to teach them to pray as he did. And that's how we came to be blessed with the world's most famous prayer, in which we're taught to pray, “Father, may your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
If there's one thing I hope those who came to the retreat gained..., it was being renewed through our time in prayer together. There's perhaps nothing more vital that we do when we gather for worship, or Bible study, or fellowship than praying for and with one another. I long for the day in which our prayers on Sunday morning become an passioned cry for God's kingdom to come in/thru us!
That's the first thing Jesus role modeled to his followers from day one on: he prayed. The second is what he does as a result. It's actually three actions back-to-back. He sees. He listens. He touches.
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Earlier in this series we talked about the nature of Jesus' compassion, how it was more than just an emotional response to a person's hurt and/or need. His compassion was always expressed in action.
First, he saw what others did not. He saw a child of God...., an opportunity for God to shine.
In Mark 1, after Jesus goes away to pray, his travel plans are interrupted by a leper who blocks his path. Mark reports: “A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed.” (Mark 1:40)
Those traveling with Jesus must've been outraged. The guy has sores all over his face and body and his odor was atrocious, smelling as he did of rotting flesh. He's in a world of hurt physically, emotionally and spiritually. Leprosy was considered a curse from God, and the fear of it being contagious meant that a leper had to live in caves, far from family and friends. As a result, a leper received a life sentence of never being touched - no more hugs, handshakes, kisses or pats on the back.
That's what makes verse 41such a powerful shining moment for God's Son and his kingdom come: “Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. I am willing – be healed!”
(Mark 1:41)
Note that Jesus touched him before he healed him. Imagine the impact that had! When I came down with Covid a year ago last November, it was not only my sore throat that caused me agony, it was the isolation and the fact that none of my family could touch me. My body longed for a loving touch, a gentle caress, a loving backrub or hug, or any positive human contact.
So, it was for this guy – only magnified a thousand times over. It's one of most profound gifts we can offer in Jesus' name, as we imitate what he did. First, he prayed, “Lord use me. Your will be done in me and through me here, today. May your Kingdom advance through the touch of my hands.”
Help me to see who you are sending my way today. Be ready for his divine interruptions. I've noticed that's how usually works in my life when I pray that. Ask to see others as he does. The man who was labeled a leper, was a leper no more, he became the first evangelist in the Gospel of Mark: “The man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus..., and people from everywhere kept coming to him.” (Mark 1:45)
Ever hear of Linda Wilson-Allen? She was featured in a front-page article recently in the San Francisco Chronicle. She's a city bus driver and loves Jesus so much she brings him to work with her. When a reporter happened to take her bus one day he couldn't understand what was happening. She knew everyone by name. She knew if someone was running late and waited for them. What city bus driver does that? When he got on the bus she greeted him, warmly shook his hand and directed him to an open seat. As she returned to the front, she placed her hand on one shoulder after another.
The reporter became a regular on her bus route. One day Linda got out of the bus to help an elderly woman struggling with heavy grocery bags. Another day she offered a free ride to a homeless man who stank of alcohol. On another she invited an immigrant new to the city over for Thanksgiving dinner. The reporter wrote of story after story in which Linda Wilson-Allen saw the child of God before her, treating them with respect even when some seemed to lack any self-respect. She sought to connect with people, listening with caring ears to their problems, complaints and struggles.
Linda sees. She listens. And she touches, one person at a time, converting her work place into a place of ministry. Each moment seems so ordinary but by God's Spirit its become extraordinary!
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When the reporter asked Linda where her inspiration comes from, she said this: “God and I – we talk. He puts things in front of us, you know. Some days he works on my patience, or someone less fortunate than me. Yesterday I gave someone a pair of shoes, tomorrow, who knows. Whatever the case may be, if I ask, he shows me. That's where my kindness & joy come from. He just shows me.”
(Linda Wilson-Allen)
It's exactly as the Apostle Paul put it: “Know this – God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Your faithful service is an offering to God.”
(Philippians 2:13,17)
Would you like to be a powerful instrument of God's goodness and grace? Would you like to see God make extraordinary things happen out of the most ordinary of circumstances?
Follow Jesus' lead. Pray, and then Watch. Listen. And Touch! In this way, “May you shine like bright lights, your hearts set ablaze with joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and we'll share your joy!”
(Philippians 2:15,18)