Sermon Proper 8

SERMON

PROPER 8

Mark 5:21-43

Today we have two stories here are wonderfully intertwined. Both include Jesus of course,... and his disciples, and a crowd.

First we have Jairus and official of the local synagogue - a religious leader - an important and well respected person. Most of his peers have written Jesus off already. Some have declared him to be a dangerous blasphemer, a law-breaker, and even demon possessed. Way back in chapter three some have even begun a plot to get rid of him. Despite all this, Jairus comes seeking help for his 12 year old daughter. And he does everything right. This respected leader of the community throws himself at the feet of Jesus and humbly begs his to heal his daughter who is, as the Greek says, at the point of death. There's nothing to be said, no need to ask any questions, no doubting his sincerity or faith in Jesus. Mark tells us - they all set off. Jesus, Jairus, the disciples, and a great crowd.

But only a few metres down the road and the who procession comes to a grinding halt. What could stop such an important mission? Who would dare to stand in the way of Jesus helping this church official? What could be even more important than Jarius and his dying daughter?

It's a woman. She's not important enough to have her name mentioned. An unclean woman. With her medical problem she shouldn't even be out in public. Anyone who touches her will be made unclean. But despite the complaints of the disciples who undoubtedly know how good it would be to have an important and rich man like Jairus on side, Jesus stops. For some crazy reason he wants to know who touched him. No one says anything. Finally, fearfully, this nameless nobody steps forward. She admits to sneaking up behind Jesus just to touch his robe as if he were some sort of magician, desperate for a miracle. She tells him the "whole truth" - about "suffering much" at the hands of the medical profession, and about having to give them all her money. I wonder how long she talked? I wonder if anyone else there was bothering to listen. And I wonder what nervous Jairus and the disciples were doing while she talked?

Jesus calls this woman "Daughter" (there was no term of endearment for Jairus), he points people to her faith, and he proclaims himself no magician but loving God, as he assures her of healing, and encourages her to go in "peace."

But Jesus is not quite finished his conversation with his new found daughter when Jairus receives the news he'd feared all along. It's now too late, "Your daughter is dead. You won't have to bother Jesus any longer."

But Jesus speaks into this now desperate situation. Jesus now calls for this ruler of the synagogue (his name isn't used) to learn from the outcast woman. She trusted despite 12 years of "no" answers from God. After 12 years of desperationshe still came to Jesus. Believe just a little longer, Jesus urges.

Now that's got to have been tough for Jairus! "You ask me to believe, I did! I was the one who expressed my faith in you a couple of hours ago. You've let me down, not my faith! And now you want me, important Jarius, to learn from this,... this woman?" But amazingly he does go with Jesus. He watches as Jesus asks the laughing, unbelieving mourners to leave the child's room. His healing is no circus trick, done to impress the crowds. Jairus watches as Jesus does the unthinkable. He takes the dead child's hand. But as with the unclean woman, Jesus isn't defiled. The movement of power is again in the opposite direction. When Jesus touches, the unclean become clean and holy, and those with no life are born again. The young girl immediately arises and everyone is overcome with amazement.

Who is the hero of these wonderful stories? Is it Jarius? Is it the unnamed woman? It can't be the young girl!

No the real hero is the one who is the source of the faith that would have us continue to cling even though there is really no rational reason to continue. What a marvellous gift faith is. The one who gives such faith, the one who confidently calls us to faith, he is the one who deserved our praise and thanks. I pray we can remember this story next time we face tragedy.