SHORE; CHURCH; SUPPER
Yesterday morning, before I knew I would be speaking today, I was meditating on today’s scripture passage. One sentence stood out.
That is why I have come.
I wrote down questions like “what is my purpose?” “What am I here for today?” Nancy then came into the room with her laptop and read that Tracia was sick in bed. My immediate response was to pray and to comment on the fact that Tracia would not be able to go to a retreat near Hood River, Oregon. I had been invited to attend, but knowing my physical limitations, decided not to go. Kind of bittersweet. Not be able to attend a regional theological retreat discussing broadening our views. My heart went out to Tracia. She needs to be filled and fueled by ongoing opportunities.
As I prayed, I thought about the fact that I would be reading the scripture message today. Then, I recalled that I had been writing responses to the first chapter of Mark throughout January.
I texted Tracia, and through a phone call to Christine Nicholas I said that I would speak today.
As I was washing dishes listening to oldies, a John Sabastian song, Darling be home soon, started playing. One lyric caught my ear:
A quarter of my life is almost past
I think I’ve come to see myself at last
And I see that the time spent confused
Was the time that I spent without you
And I feel myself in bloom
I started doing the math, since I first heard John singing in Great Falls Montana in 1967. I was 17, not quite a quarter of my life was past.
Now, at 73, I laughed over the dishwater, more like three quarters or more of my life is almost past. What is my purpose now? Why have I come to this pulpit?
What is your purpose, why have you come to this place today?
While John was singing about a loving partner, I apply his words to my walk with Jesus.
Before meeting Jesus, really knowing and following Him, I see that the time spent confused was the time I was without Him.
Now that I am in the final third of life, my purpose is to feel myself in bloom. To be full of life, to give like never before.
As we have heard in the past few weeks, Jesus walked the shore of Galilee and called four men to follow him. Then he went to the Synagogue and preached with Authority and confronted the forces of evil. So, let us move with Mark in the story.
Now, after the services, Jesus is walking with Peter, Andrew, James and John to Peter and Andrew’s house.
They tell Jesus, that Peter’s mother in law is in bed with the fever. I have named her Ruth. She is sick in bed, not up to putting the finishing touches on the food that she prepared the evening before.
Ruth is not really ready to receive at least 5 hungry men. Maybe Peter’s wife (I call her Hannah) is getting things ready. But do Hannah and Ruth know that Jesus is coming over?
Here is the turning point of this part of the story.
Mark 1:29–31
Her son in law brings home a bunch of guys. They know she is sick. They saw what happened at the synagogue. They heard Jesus’ teaching. They saw Him interact with the demonic. As of yet, they have not seen Jesus healing anyone. Yet, they took Jesus home with them.
Processing the next events:
Peter and Andrew told Jesus about Ruth (for her to miss Synagogue was unheard of)
Jesus Heard Ruth lying
Came held Jesus' hand
Raised Served
Later in the evening the entire town comes to Ruth’s home. For our part, let us pause and join Ruth:
Ruth’s life is turned upside down. She does what she knows, she serves her guests and family. What friends of our children and grandchildren are welcome in our homes? What would cause one to stumble as they receive people into their home?
The entire village came. Maybe this is the first house church. Miracles, serving, eating, then receiving all type of people. Everyone came.
When our lives are turned upside down, when our tables are filled with folk from every walk, gender, background, we may begin to know our purpose.
Yesterday I received reminder pictures of where I was on February 3. One set of pictures is from a time I led a group of college-age people to Manilla, Philippines in 2003. I was 53 then. Now, 21 years later, at 73, looking at those pictures, one where we are being served dinner at a house, makes me think of Ruth’s house. Jesus gave purpose in Manilla. He gives us the same purpose in Boise today. His call, his message of word and deed, his healing in our homes lead to the question: Do we know why we have come here today?
What would the neighbors think when Ruth’s courtyard was invaded by the sick the castoffs, the demonized? The news of Jesus’ calling young me to follow, teaching with authority, casting out demons, healing Ruth went out like wildfire.
So, as we come to Ruth’s house, do we stand afar with debate and fear or do we enter into the work of the Kingdom?
Ruth is not in her bed.
The entire city is in her courtyard.
Oh Lord of Healing, come and visit our homes and stir us up.
Let us ask ourselves the questions of why am I here?
Is my house a place where anyone can come and receive your healing touch?
Let us consider and understand:
I think I’ve come to see myself at last
And I see that the time spent confused
Was the time that I spent without you
And I feel myself in bloom
Notice from the passage Jesus calls his disciples out beyond their town:
“Let us go somewhere else — to the nearby villages — so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
May we feel ourselves bloom.
May we be healed and a people of healing.
May we open our homes to all people?
And finally, may we continue to receive all here in this House of the Lord, a house of healing and prayer for all.
