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*I HEARD THE VOICE OF JESUS SAY..
There are two characters in today’s gospel story that have every reason to hold back from approaching Jesus, but they go for it.
The first of these is:-
Jairus
in case of prejudice against him amongst Jewish leaders who look upon Jesus as an upstart, a blasphemer, a travelling rabbi who has the audacity to challenge their laws. I wonder what Jairus’s thoughts about Jesus were when his daughter was alive and well? How difficult a decision was this for him, to approach Jesus?
His dignity and pride could have held him back, after all he is a respected person about town, one who should give a lead, show an example, uphold tradition and here he is falling , begging at Jesus feet, humbling himself. (This was one of my hang ups at a meeting where there was a ‘Call Forward’ ! ‘You’re a teacher , someone will recognise you…’)
His family or friends may have tried to influence his decision, after all no messenger is sent, he comes himself. When he returns home, they are the first to say, ‘You don’t need trouble him any further! The same ones laugh him to scorn, when Jesus says , ‘She is not dead!’)
The second character has every reason to tell herself, ‘Don’t approach him!’ She is the woman with the haemorrhage:
She may have been afraid of the consequences, after all she was considered ‘unclean!’ by Jewish law. She should not even have been out of her house, lest she accidentally touch anyone around her, for that would have made them unclean. She could have met with punishment, criticism, and hostility.
Fear of rejection by Jesus, after all he was a holy man, and she very unclean. In her mind Jesus would be unwilling to touch her, for he too would then be classed as unclean for the rest of the day.
Low self esteem after twelve whole years of it, as an outcast and untouchable?
Both of these characters were brave enough to take the first step…always the hardest one, and they kept on going until they came to Jesus... Jairus through the front door so to speak, falling at Jesus feet, in front of the entire crowd, and the woman through the back door, coming up behind him and gently touching the hem of his garment!
Jairus was immediately received, listened to and welcomed resulting in the most wonderful raising of his daughter from the dead.
The woman actions were brought out into the open by Jesus, who had actually felt that power had gone out of him…and she was invited to explain what she was about….Her trembling ceased. He called her daughter! And she received a beautiful healing too, with no rebuke whatsoever.
They both put their lives into Jesus hands, and they were well rewarded and greatly blessed.
What is it I wonder that prevents so many people approaching Jesus today?
Probably the very same reasons, but I am sad to say that one of the main reasons is the established church! Or should I say the Christians themselves put them off!
Some will say their lives do not always reflect Jesus. Hypocrites!
Some people look on church as an elite club, where there will be no real welcome for them
Some say, church is where the middle classes go to pray
Others just think we’re a bunch of weirdoes, or we’ve been brainwashed.
Where do they get this kind of picture of the church from?
From Christians themselves complaining about their brothers and sisters or even the vicar? It happens!
By attending and NOT being given a welcome?
From the media and its satirical humour?
By actually living a hypocritical life!
But my question was …what is it that prevents them from coming to Jesus?
Perhaps one of the main reasons is that today’s people are simply too busy, wrapped up in their own concerns, and faith is simply not relevant. It is one of those things you will eventually get round too…when you find a moment.
But isn’t it strange the immediate priorities people will put on
The right choice of partner
The right kind of schools for their children
The right kind of home in the right kind of estate
The best deal for home, car, holiday
The right kind of cell phone, computer, television, leisure club, football team, drink even.
But as far as where they will spend eternity and who they will spend it and how they will live until they get there is something they put on hold? They’re too busy sorting all the rest out…
The prophet Haggai has this to ask:-
‘Is it time for you to be living in panelled houses while this house remains a ruin? Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but are not warm. You earn wages only to put them in a purse with holes in it.
He goes on to say, ‘Build my house!’
Jesus continued this in his preaching ‘Build God’s kingdom, seek it first, and everything will be added to you.’
In a paper this week, a big question is asked that has been put to the people in Big Brother house on TV at present.
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE?
THE BIG QUESTION
One of the housemates, Aisleyne’ said, ‘Life is a gift!’
Other famous thinkers gave their opinion in the news article, Richard Dawkins, Rabbi Julia Neuberger, Dom Anthony Sutch, Professor John Carey, Colin Mc Ginn, Brant Hoberman…
Aisleyene’s thought was echoed by an Imam who was asked his opinion, he too said life was a gift, but he also added that this life doesn’t last for ever and we have to consider eternity.
But the most simple of these views was that of the new Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, who quoted Jesus parable about the need to seek the kingdom of God it being the costliest item we could ever desire. The pearl of great price.
St Paul put it this way,
‘Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost everything. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having the righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness which comes from God, and is by faith.
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on ….
(In other words, if only I can have Christ I have EVERYTHING worth having!)
If we have Christ, we must seek to live like him, to have his character with which to make this world a better place, such witness is much needed.
His whole life was a celebration
He lived an unhurried life
He did not condemn or criticise (unless they were acting like hypocrites and just pretending to be people of faith)
He believed in smallness, in servant hood
His whole life was guided by the Holy Spirit
He practised secrecy, ‘Do not tell anyone what I have done for you!’
He was steeped in God’s word
He led a balanced lifestyle
He cared for everyone from greatest to the least
He was willing to suffer, and even forgive those who made him suffer
To have the character of Jesus in this life is to bless others; to actually know him is what fulfils our lives and gives us purpose.
Let us never be too afraid or too proud or too busy to approach him.
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