Teaching and Healing

“Significant, too, is the link between Jesus’ authoritative teaching and his power to heal, seen in the way these two themes are woven together in 1.21-8. Mark has already told us in 1.14f. the theme of Jesus’ teaching—it is the proclamat6ion of the Kingdom of God. Now we know that this proclamation involves healing: in Jesus the power of God’s Kingdom is at work, destroying the unclean spirits. Elsewhere, we discover that the inbreaking of the Kingdom in Jesus’ healing miracles means more than mere physical healing: those who were excluded from the community because of their infirmity are restored to the membership of God’s people.”

Mark gives me the impression that Jesus teaching and his miracles are interchangeable. They both equally proclaim the position of the Kingdom and are intended when Jesus says he must go and preach in other villages.

Jesus at the bed of Peter's Mother-in-law

“Can you imagine Jesus standing before your bed and you continue sleeping? It is absurd that you would remain in bed in his presence,” said Saint Jerome. Just five more minutes Jesus. I said, leave me alone Jesus. I’m tired! “Therefore, let us ask the Lord to grasp our hand.”

The gospel is not one of textbook and doctrine, but of wonder and miracle. That is where we see the kingdom of God manifest.

Transcendant Message

Again this week, we see God’s Transcendence against our discipleship. There is Good News in the air! “Have you not seen? Have you not heard?” Ours is a God of wonder, might, and creation. “He is worthy of our praise”

Indeed his divine nature, his transcendence commands us to praise. Our praise cannot remain shut up in our bones. His greatness excites it from us.

Paul like Jeremiah knew the power of the Word of His Greatness shut up within him.

“If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel!”

In his preaching of the goodness, holiness and transcendence of God, Paul is willing for his life itself to cry the message, even to “becoming all things to all people.”

What is the good news? Jesus. And he made it plain. The kingdom of God is among you! Only this week we don’t see him speaking the message with his mouth. We see him showing the nearness. He literally brings God’s power to bear in their midst, healing all. God, who does not grow weary gave strength to an old mother in-law. He ministered all the day long to the multitudes brought to him. He got up early and communed with the Father.

Then he tells his disciples, it is time to go. “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do."

Have we heard? Do we not know? The message is before us. God is in our midst. Will we praise, will we proclaim?

Angel and demon

Father John cracked me up today with an illustration:

In the cartoons the wresting between good and evil takes place on the shoulders of men.  The little angel and demon whisper in your ear trying to sway you.  You always see the angel meek, hand ringing with a high-pitched weak voice, “Now God would like you to be nice…”  While the demon speaks loudly and confidently, “Hit your sister she deserves it!”

John pointed out that today’s Gospel turns that scene around.  The voice of God thunders from the mountain and the demon rings his hands and says, “I am overwhelmed!”

Transcendence

God is Holy and Transcendent! This week’s readings shout that in no uncertain terms. The Nation of Israel declares the voice of God to be too awful, too earthshaking and too Holy to hear. They beg Moses to talk to God for them for if they were even to approach the Transcendent powerful presence of God they would surely die.

The Psalmist speaks of God’s wonderful deeds. His name is holy; his renown thunders through the land.

“He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.”

It is in this context of fear and trembling, of the holiness and transcendence of God, that we must see Jesus as his fame starts to spread. The Gospel shines with power and might only when we see in Jesus the same authority, the same transcendence and the same awful and fearful Holiness that the whole nature of God screams out. Even the demons see it. “Have you come to destroy us?” They declare the secret; he is the Holy one of God. Isn’t it interesting that this truth is declared by the unclean and untrustworthy and kept secret (for now) by the Holy one?

“It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.”

Paul’s exhortations about what we consider clean or unclean also need to be seen through the lens of holiness. Those who have been around the base and corrupt too long begin to no longer see into the awful abyss of God’s Holiness. They no longer let their minds see the transcendent. And this is the heart of idolatry. Let us be Holy! Let us fix our eyes on the Holy One!

Famous one

Chris Tomlin - Famous One
You are the Lord
The famous one,famous one,
Great is Your name in all the earth
The heavens declare
You're glorious, glorious,
Great is Your fame beyond the earth

For all You've done and yet to do
With every breath I'm praising You
Desire of the nations and every heart
You alone are God
You alone are God

The morning star is shining through
And every eye is watching You
Revealed by nature and miracles
You are beautiful
You are beautiful