Second Presbyterian Church

"Two Healings In One
Preaching From the Gospel of Luke"
September 19, 2004

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Sermons Homepage » Sermons for 2004 » Sermons for September 2004 » Sermons from the Series on Luke

#29 in the Series on Luke
The Rev. Daniel E. Hale, D. Min.

• Ezekiel 37: 1-14
• Luke 8: 40-56

One of the worst experiences a human being, or group, can experience is hopelessness. Hopelessness drains the spirit and life right out of the person and leaves them feeling helpless, and with no sense of purpose.

Today I read to you from two passages of scripture that expressed hopelessness in three situations. The first situation is the field of dry bones. It is a field of death. It brings to mind a place where a great battle took place and the dead simply decayed to calcium - bones. It was a dry place. Dry means death. You and I need water. In fact we ARE 70% water! Without water we are nothing but dust and bone.

The second passage expressed hopelessness in two situations. The first situation in the Luke passage was the woman who had had a bleeding disorder for twelve years. The second was Jairus' 12 year old daughter who was his only child had died. Let's glance at the first situation. This poor woman had a bloody discharge for twelve years. The physicians could not help her and she had spent all her resources for naught! The situation was bad enough physically, but it also meant that she was considered "unclean." If anyone touched her they were unclean. If she touched anyone they became unclean. She had to remove herself from worshiping in the Temple and the synagogues because unclean people could not enter. She had to avoid public places in order to safeguard others from becoming unclean. Now that's hopeless.

Yet the other situation was even more hopeless. The crowds witnessed the fact that the woman was healed by her faith - even though it meant risking the dishonor of touching a prophet (Jesus) and making him "unclean!" But when they found out that Jairus' daughter had died, they assumed that that made it impossible for Jesus to help her. "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any more." Death is final. It is the ultimate expression of hopelessness.

And most of the time we agree with this scenario! Death is it. Oh, yes, we make lip service to the Second Coming or the Resurrection, but deep down in our hearts we see and experience death as if it is the final answer!

The Lord said to Ezekiel, "Son of Man, can these bones live?" Ezekiel answered, "Lord, you alone know!" What else could he say? He was looking at the ultimate expression of death and finality - a dry field full of dry bones! But the Lord has Ezekiel prophecy to the bones and to the wind and the bones return to bodies with flesh and blood and finally to life!

Albeit the woman with the bleeding was not totally hopeless; she hoped with desperation that just touching the fringe of Jesus' garb would heal her. She hoped, with desperation enough to risk all kinds of taboos to do just that - touch him. And it worked! Her bleeding stopped! She was healed. "My daughter, go in peace; you faith has made you well." Jesus had restored her health; he had given her back her hope.

Jairus' daughter had died. Hopeless. Jesus told them not to fear, only believe. When Jesus had tried to tell the professional mourners that the girl was only asleep; they laughed at him; he sent them away. "Little girl, arise!" And the spirit came back to the child; she got up and Jesus commanded that someone bring her something to eat. Jesus had restored her to life; he had given back to Jairus his daughter, his hope.

When we are honest with ourselves we are in a constant battle against hopelessness. Sometimes the battle is stronger than at other times. But I see these words from Ezekiel and Luke telling us to "Take courage; it is not hopeless. Why? Jesus is the Messiah and there is NOTHING; I repeat NOTHING that is beyond his power to restore and to heal!

But Pastor, you might say, how can that be? So and so just died; why didn't Jesus heal her. So and so is suffering mercilessly. Why hasn't Jesus relieved him of his pain? Why does tragedy happen? Why did George contract cancer? Why did Amanda die from a heart attack? Why did I have polio?

I don't know why. I do know that we live in a broken, imperfect creation; it was created in perfect condition, but sin entered and created imperfection. So, things happen that are not right; that are not just, and sometimes we sinful human beings are innocent victims to anomalies in life!

But again, I repeat, Jesus is the MESSIAH and there is NOTHING; I repeat NOTHING that is beyond His power to restore and heal. Luke is telling us that the Kingdom of God has entered and where it has entered, wholeness is restored. Brokenness is being defeated; it's on the way out!

I believe that this is true with us as individuals; I believe that this is true with us as a congregation. It should be noted that both Jairus and the bleeding woman did what they could to turn their predicament around. We should too. I believe that Jesus is calling us to help turn our congregation around. The way we have always been doing things is no longer as successful as it used to be. The times have changed. The city has changed. And our congregation is changing on a daily basis. We need to see what needs to change to increase our effectiveness as witnesses to Jesus Christ and his mission to the people around us.

We first of all must believe that Jesus is the one who has the power over whatever we are up against, even when what we are up against what seems to be the loss of members and how the remainder of us are not getting any younger. Do you believe that Jesus has the power to deal with our situation?

Second, are we willing to do our part? Let me make a simple suggestion. When is the last time you brought a friend with you to worship? I know some of you have. But what would it be like if all, or most of us tried to do this. Perhaps we could make the first Sunday of the month "Bring a Friend Sunday." That way they can experience some of our culinary talents in McIlwaine Hall!

Have you found a prayer partner yet? I am convinced that renewal in our congregation comes from members who go to the Lord seeking renewal and openness to God's direction for us. Try not to let your awkwardness of praying be an excuse. You can still find a prayer partner and meet regularly for prayer even if you pray silently. If you need further support, contact me. I would feel honored to assist you in this important endeavor.

Amen.

The Rev. Daniel E. Hale, D. Min.