July 20, 2003

Mindekirken July 20, 2003
Pastor Jens Arne Dale

Mark 6.30-34 and 53-56

When I was about to begin working on this sermon on Wednesday, several interruptions came along. A desperate woman fleeing from her husband came to our church. She was cheered by prayer and some human support for a few minutes.

Pastor Butler from Living Water Church came. He asked for support for a family who lives three houses away from our church. Their oldest son was killed in this neighborhood a few days ago.

Then I read today’s text. It’s about how Jesus and the disciples are called on by people who carried their sick ones to him. So many came that they had hardly time to eat. Distress and need doesn’t take a summer vacation. It says about Jesus that he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.

Jesus showed himself to be the good shepherd by taking time to meet with people, get into their situation and show compassion and care. He didn’t reject them even when he was tired. He taught them many things, it says. In the villages people carried their sick on mats and gathered them on the marketplaces, and Jesus healed them.

This teaches us a lot about the goodness of Jesus. Whatever distress you may experience, Jesus is always available. He is not only at his office between 9 and 4. He doesn’t charge a high co-payment. Jesus has time for us all day long. Didn’t he say: - I am with you always, to the end of the age? And Paul puts it like this: Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, neither hardship, distress... or death for that matter. And when we die, he is the resurrected who will meet us on the other side of death. Yes, he is the one who follows us even through the valley of the shadow of death. We don’t need to struggle alone.

The Bible is full of invitations to make whatever we have on our mind known to God. We don’t understand how it works, but Jesus is listening when we pray, and he has the power to help.

The disciples play a role in today’s text. They stood together with Jesus in the service for all the needy ones. They were in his training, and they got a part in the same mission that Jesus had; to be good shepherds for the people, to teach, comfort, help and heal. This is the task that has been given to us who are the church of 2003 as well.

We have been called not to live for ourselves, but for Jesus and for others. It is more blessed to give than to receive, Jesus said, Acts 20.35. Many of us share that experience. To be something for somebody is meaningful. We have been called to have time and care for others. This begins with our closest family. Honor your father and mother, says the commandment. Be faithful to your spouse, show care and respect for your kids. The commandment to love each other includes all our human relations.

There is an expression called " the school of life". This expression suggests that we’ll never be finished with learning to love each other. We’ll always have a potential for doing better. Be like the good Samaritan who bowed down to help the poor guy who had been attacked and lay half dead by the road. Along our way of life there are also people who have been trampled on. I think of people who are striving with poverty and poor living conditions. What do we do for them? Jesus said: - I was sick, and you took care of me.

Is there somebody we know who would appreciate a visit? Some people have all the material things they need, but even so the feel trampled on. They may have been rejected by parents or others who meant a lot for them. Lack of care, injustice and rejection may leave lasting scars on a human mind. The church is given the same healing service that Jesus had. We are called to give the love that makes people free. Recently I got a letter from somebody who had experienced something that hurt her deeply.

She needed help and therapy. But in the middle of her life crisis, she accepted Jesus as her personal Savior. Faith may give help in the fight against bitterness. The one who experiences to be forgiven by God, may to a larger extent be able to forgive others. Jesus is a source of joy, self respect and hope for the future.

It says in today’s text that Jesus taught them many things, and that he healed the sick. Teach and heal, those are key words for the task of the church in the world today, too. We are the feet of Jesus in today’s world, called to go to all people. We are Jesus’ ears, called to listen to the distress of others. We are Jesus’ eyes, called to watch others with respect and love. We’re his hands, called to touch people so they may be set free.

When we look at Jesus, we may think that he was limitless in his care. But that’s not the complete picture. Jesus knew that he had his limits. In spite of everything, he lived at one place and at a certain time. He finally got his universal importance when he went the lonesome way to the cross. – When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself. John 12.32. If the grain of wheat dies in the earth, it bears much fruit. John 12.24.

The love of God is limitless. But we are limited. When the mission seems impossible, it’s important to consider that our call is not to wear ourselves out. Today’s text describes a very hectic period for Jesus. And in the middle of it, it says: Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while. Get to know your limits and accept them. Life has its phases, sometimes there’s a lot going on. Take time to rest. Days off and relaxing are important when we’re supposed to gather new strength.

The Christian life is a call to live for others, but also to seek the quietness together with Jesus alone. Some have a special room to pray, physical environments may be useful for spiritual concentration. Jesus wants to meet us through the Bible and prayer.

I’m a little bit skeptical of using this verse about the worship services because it says: - Come to a deserted place. The church is supposed to be crowded. Anyway, Sunday and worship means to be together with Jesus. It gives rest and new power, before we are sent out to serve the world.

Glory be to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever. Amen

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716