Roger's Postings

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Mark 5:21-43. Who touched me?? 28/6/09

A large crowd followed and pressed around him. {25} And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. {26} She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. {27} When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, {28} because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." {29} Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. {30} At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" {31} "You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?'" {32} But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. {33} Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. {34} He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."
Who touched me? Or more accurately; "Who touched my clothes?" In a whole crowd of people, what an amazing statement. Yet here again we hear two stories that point out to us just how amazing and great this Jesus truly is. Here is One who is far more than a good example; or even a great prophet. Here is God Almighty himself, letting himself be touched and touching the lives of people who were in deep, deep trouble. He brought peace and life to people who had no hope of either.

And it is this same Jesus who comes to us today with the same words of peace and life: Despite who we are and how terribly unworthy and insufficient we really are. We are in no better a position than this woman and this child in our reading today: unclean, unhealthy and having no further human way out of our predicament. Yet Jesus comes to us as God Almighty and his power is transmitted into our lives; giving healing, life and peace. Now at this, are we too, astonished; or do we simply take it all for granted as a right?

Let as look a little more closely again at this woman with here serious health problem that had impacted her whole life, and left her with no human possibilities or hope. Now, we are told, that she had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. Not only could the doctors not help her situation, they just added to her suffering. Poor woman! But by now her finances had ran out and there was no Medicare to fill the gap. So now, every human source of relieving her from her ailment was gone.
Her only hope left was now God Almighty himself. But even here, what could she do. She could not go to the Temple, because she was unclean. Here bleeding and God’s command had deemed that. God would have struck her down. She could not afford to buy the sacrifice that was needed, so all avenues here seemed to be exhausted also.

But when she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Here in Jesus, God himself was at work. If she could sneak up from behind un-noticed and touch his garments she would be OK. She wouldn’t have to disclose to everyone what her uncleanness was about, and all would be well. Without being noticed and without a word spoken, she touches Jesus’ clothes, and immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

But then it all goes wrong. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" "You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?'" But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. She had been caught out, and now would have to ‘face the music.’ She knew she was not worthy or acceptable to receive from God. She knew that she should and would be looked on with scorn.

But to her amazement she hears Jesus say to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." This Jesus; God – had allowed her to touch him and receive what she so desperately needed. He has done far beyond what she was able to even hope to get: not only did he heal her, but he accepted her and gave her his peace. She was now not only whole and healthy physically, but spiritually as well. All by the goodness of God Almighty himself, through this Jesus. Though she was helpless and hopeless, through the touch, she now had healing and could go in peace. To God be the glory great things he has done.

Likewise with the little girl who had died, the touch of Jesus brought life and joy to her and her family. What was laughed at, became reality. That which was beyond all human help and hope, God’s touch has again done the impossible. That which was dead, has been brought to life. Here in Jesus; great things he has done.

But that was back then; what about here today? Can we expect Jesus to walk into our midst and touch us in our sickness and death: as individuals and as a congregation? Surely, this is laughable to our world around us? Surely, we might be tempted to think that this story is only here to give us some psychological encouragement and to point out that this Jesus was in some way special?

But here let us remember that Jesus comes to us today and extends his touch to us in even greater ways. He comes to gives us much more, than a healing from a sickness, or even raising us to life. Yes, in some circumstances he will heal and perform great miracles. But to each of us he comes to touch us and give us forgiveness of sins and the assurance of life and salvation. He comes to extend his peace to us so that we can go through life with that peace which is beyond understanding.

Think about it: we too are again and again at the end of our tether. We too have exhausted all human possibilities of being able to have the wholeness and peace in our lives that we know should be there. No matter how good and great we might be, we often come as walking dead. Too may things in the past weeks and years have crushed us and caused us suffering. Many times, we also have brought great shame on ourselves and others, and left us feeling worthless and alone, beyond human help and hope: Even knowing that we are completely unworthy to come into God’s presence.

Yet we know and hear that this Jesus Christ is the only one who truly can help us and give us what we need. So we sneak in the back and sit in those last pews seeking God’s healing, and long for his touch and his power: longing for the freedom to again go forward and live. We tremble with fear at the prospect of going away no better than we came. But we come because we know that it is he alone who can help us.

As we sit, we look up and see the cross: we see that which reminds us of a God who has suffered in our place: who died our death. Yes, here is our God who knows our pain and our hurt. He came to be with us and to help us through.

Then as the Service begins, we are not only reminded of our baptism into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, but here is a reminder that this God is here in our very midst and his name is placed on each one of us.

This surely then makes us very uncomfortable for we are sinful and unclean: unworthy to have God touch us. So, we are entered into a time of confession, so that our troubles are laid bare before God, so that he can deal with them. And he does! Through the pastor he pronounces us forgiven: our sin is removed so that we can live at peace with our God here in this service.

From there he leads us into his Word, so that which he wants us to know, can touch us and encourage us forward. He continually leads us through Law and Gospel to see and know Jesus Christ and all that he has done for us through his life, death and resurrection. He reminds us of the healing, hope and power that he has won for us. He encourages us forward into the coming week to again live and be the people that he wants us to be, so that others in the community around us can see and know the Good News of Jesus Christ also. He wants to touch them through us.

Before he does, however, he invites us to a special feast so that he can touch us in a very real way. He invites us to join with him, the angels and all the faithful who have gone before us. All, so that he can give himself: his very body and blood which he shed on the cross, so that we can know that we are forgiven and that eternal life with God in heaven has been won for us.

Then once again, before we leave, he places his touch on us. Through the Benediction he gives his blessing to us so that we can go forward with confidence and certainty to face the week ahead. Now, no matter how bad things were when we arrived, we now are healed: forgiven and given life and salvation. That which was sick, dead and unclean, has been made whole. Now we are at peace with God; and we can go in peace once again.

Yes, the world out there is still going to be tough. We still have a sinful nature and the consequences of sin will be ever around us. But now we know, God’s touch has the final say in our life. Now we know that we are loved, forgiven and assured of eternal life, no matter what the devil, the world and our sinful self can throw at us. Nothing now in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Who touched me? As we came here to seek his help we have come into contact with his touch, and have been given healing and wholeness. God has again touched us so that we can go in peace. To him again then be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Friday, June 19, 2009

Mark 4:35-41. Jesus calms the storm! 21/6/09

{35) That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." {36} Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. {37} A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. {38} Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" {39} He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. {40} He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" {41} They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

Here this week we have another important message, which builds on the truth that we heard last week. As we think and look at how we live and grow as God’s people, we are to be ever aware that it is first and foremost what God does that helps us to be the people that we need to be. Because he gives life and growth we are to constantly look to him to give us what is required for our Christian life.

So often, we are tempted to think, and are told, that it is up to us; we have to work on and do what is required. And too often, we think we can do it on our own; we have got life in our hands and so set about living as we would like. Then what do we find? We just can’t do it. It doesn’t work out the way we thought it should. Things go well for a while and then all of a sudden for no apparent reason it all falls apart: some storm or disaster comes along and we are in all kinds of trouble.

Like the disciples in our reading, we sail through life with the idea that everything will or should basically go well for us. She’ll be right, the world is a relatively good place, and we’ll get by. Where it is not, we just need to work harder to overcome the problems that arise. We can handle most things: the disciples were fishermen and so they knew how to handle a boat in all conditions: they trusted in their abilities and so do we.

Today it is even worse, because we think that we are much smarter than people of years gone by. We have a much better education system, and most of us have had the opportunity to be involved in higher studies; so we know how things should work. On top of that, we have the technology and the money to get us through life with ease and comfort. So by and large, we are quite confident that we can handle most things, or given time, money, and knowledge will overcome them. We’ll be right mate. We’ve got it all under control.

The trouble is, that the winds and waves of life sometimes dishes out the unexpected, and then we are left floundering. All our experience and knowledge counts for nothing as the troubles, sickness or death threaten to drown us. Even our technology and money can not get us through those situations and we are left helpless and hopeless. Because we have put all of our confidence in ourselves and the things of this world, we are left stranded.

Then what happens when our world comes crashing down around us? We like the disciples then scream out to whoever is within ear-shot; ‘Don’t you care, that we are in trouble?’ We wallow in our situation, and hope that somebody else may then be able to get us out of our mess, and put us back on track. Or at least they can feel helpless along with us. Our world has fallen apart because the things we have trusted in have let us down, and we have got nowhere else to go.

Sadly, again and again we try to live life by our own thinking and resources and something happens and it all falls apart. We so often fail to first of all consider that because we live in a sinful world, things will time and time again throw difficulties and storms our way. Secondly, and most importantly, all too often we will not look to and trust that God has the where-with-all to get us through.

So today, we need to hear, what this Jesus did, out there on the lake, and at another telling point in history, so that we can have confidence in the very worst of situations. Here on that lake Jesus simply stood up and rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. With a simple word, Jesus here did what we with all our knowledge, strength, technology and money cannot do. His simple words controlled the very worst that nature or anything else can throw at us. Yes, even the wind and the waves obey him!
At that, we too, along with the disciples, can only be terrified: ‘Who is this Jesus?’ ‘Who is this one who can even make the wind and the waves obey him?’ Is he just the figment of someone’s imagination; a fairy tale in an old dust-covered book, or is he who he really says he is, and who does have power to even control the wind and the waves? Is he God’s very own Son come into our world to help us out or not?

Let us also remember that at another point in history this very same Jesus, who did miracle after miracle and yes, even told the wind and waves what to do; he allowed himself to be strung up on the cross, and to die. His power and his love meant that he willingly took on himself all of our sins; all of our failures; all of our being less than perfect: our very rebellion against God himself. He took it all on himself, and there on the cross, allowed his Father to punish him for all of our sin, so that we might be forgiven and accepted once again into God’s family. Then he rose again from the dead three days later to be Lord of life and death: and so that we can be sure that we have life and salvation.

“Who is this Jesus?’ He even loved us that much, that he was prepared to take the full brunt of God’s anger against our sin, onto himself, so that we might have forgiveness of sins and the absolute certainty of life and salvation. Here is our saviour who loved us so much that he made sure that nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from his love.
To top it all off, he gave us baptism, so that each one of us personally can be incorporated into his love for us: his death and resurrection. So that we can know that he has forgiven us and accepted us into his family. Then he also gave us Holy Communion so that week after week we might receive his very body and blood which he shed on the cross for us, so that we can be sure that we have forgiveness of sins, life and salvation, and that our Lord himself goes with us throughout our lives.

“Who is this Jesus, who has done all of this for us? Surely this is a holy and awesome God, who can do all of this? He has immense power. He has absolute control over all things, so that even the winds and the waves obey him. He created all things and he keeps it all going.

However because we have chosen not to obey him and live in that close loving relationship with him, we have brought all kinds of difficulties and evil into our lives. We now have to suffer many and varied hardships, and we cannot blame them onto God. It is because of our sin that these are part of life for all of us.

But, now we have God’s assurance that he will not let them harm us. He will watch over us, and see to it the nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God. Yes, he will allow difficulties and even disasters to come our way, but he assures us that he is now using them for our good or for the good of others. Even if we should lose everything in earthly terms; even our life; we know that nothing can take away the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation that the Lord Jesus has won for us.

So now there is no need for us to be afraid, when even the most difficult of circumstances comes our way. We know that they cannot destroy us. We now can have faith. We can go forward with a confident hope. But now, not in ourselves and the things of this world, but in the Lord Jesus Christ and what he has done for us and continues to do for us. We can trust him in every situation, for we not only know that the wind and the waves obey him, but that he loves us so much that he came into our world to die on the cross for us, so that we may have forgiveness of sins, life and salvation as a guarantee.

‘Who is this Jesus? He is God almighty himself: the second person of the Trinity. He is Lord and Saviour! He is our all important one who we can look up to and trust. He is THE one that we truly can rely on in life, and especially when the going gets tough. So let us put our faith in him alone, and then go forward confidently to live and be the people he wants us to be in the midst of this life.

To God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, alone be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Mark 4:26-34. How does the Church grow/live??? 14/6/09

{26) He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. {27} Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. {28} All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. {29} As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come." {30} Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? {31} It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. {32} Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." {33} With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. {34} He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

This mornings reading highlights the very idea that I have been forced to consider in these past few weeks: What makes the church and we as Christians grow and live? What is the reason and purpose of me being laid up for an extended period when I have just entered a new parish with so much that seemingly needs to be done? Along with that is the whole issue for this congregation; how do we grow and become the congregations that we should be? These things were constantly on my mind through these last weeks. Here this morning our reading here reminds us of the same conclusion that was impressed on me.

The kingdom of God grows and lives without being dependent on what you and I do. While I was flat on my back for ten days without being able to move in any reasonable way, I was totally dependent on God and what he had provided for my total existence. Not only was I enabled to stay alive, but I was provided healing and growth; even spiritually. My life was lived and grew even though I was not able to contribute toward it. God was at work through every different facet of those days. For this I am deeply thankful.

Now we here need to reflect on that same truth for our congregation and our own Christian lives. Let me say here right at the beginning, this congregation and each of you in it, are very important and have a very important role to play here in this corner of Adelaide and the wider church and world as well. From here The Lord is looking to produce a great harvest; and for us to be a shelter in which others can perch in its shade. God’s kingdom is here and it will grow.

‘But – but – but we are so small; so insignificant; and in the world’s eyes we are near on dead!’ We ourselves, so often feel that we do not have what it takes to grow and be what we are told we should be. We just can’t do it. So if it is to be done, pastor, it is up to you. Then the pastor gets laid up in hospital and can not do a thing to help himself, far less grow the church.

However, listen again to the parable A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."

The grain of wheat can do nothing by itself. It is dead! Useless! It is only as the seed is placed in the soil and receives the needed nutrients and moisture that it grows and becomes a fruitful plant. Each of us can do nothing by ourselves. We as a congregation can not grow on our own. It is only as we are surrounded by what God gives that we can live and grow as God’s people. This thinking is the next important thing for us to see as basic to our existence. We began by, and need always to understand Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection as central to who we are as God’s people. He and who he is and what he has done is all important. And now as we focus on us and the Christian life and growth we need to forever be aware that it is God and what he does that makes us alive as Christians and who helps us to grow.

Today in a world and ‘christian’ scene which focuses very heavily on us as individuals and what we must do to live and grow both as individuals and as a church, we need to be critically aware of what Jesus is saying to us here. We can do nothing by ourselves. It is only as we are placed in a suitable environment that we are able to gain life and to grow and produce the fruit required. It is God’s water and nutrients alone that will be of any help to us. I could not have got the help and healing that I needed had I stayed at home lying on the floor; or by the power of positive thinking or what ever. It is only by being taken to the hospital that I could get what I needed.

The Christian life is no different. God uses this church to give life and growth to us and those around-about us. Here he makes available that which is needed. Here alone people are given life and growth.

For it is here that baptism is central to our being given life as Christians. Baptism is God’s work of placing us into that which gives us life. The waters of baptism gives life to that which was dead. Here God himself joins us to himself and his family, Here God’s Holy Spirit is placed in our lives so that we get the true help that we need. Here we are connected by God to Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection for us; So that forgiveness of sins, life and salvation can be ours. Here we are placed within the realms of his Church so that we can be fed and nurtured throughout the rest of our lives.

So being placed in the Church we are then fed with God’s Word on a regular basis. Here the truth of God’s Word which focuses us on Jesus Christ and what he has done for us is what gives us that which is needed for life and growth. Teaching through Sunday School, Confirmation, youth and Adult Bible Study along with the reading and preaching of God’s Word where our focus is continually drawn to that which is important is alone what will sustain and grow that life. Just as a meal once or twice a month will not sustain our human life; so also our Christian life will not grow if we do not regularly feed it [and not just with a few lollies and ice cream]. We need to feed on good solid food, which centres on the things that are important. It is only as we trust in what Jesus Christ has done for us that we have any real hope for the future and for our salvation and life.

Here Scripture makes it very clear to us that Holy Communion is also central in the sustenance and growth of our Christian life. Week by week as we kneel at the Altar rail Jesus gives us his very body and blood, which he shed on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. Here then we are given that which enables us to live and grow knowing for sure that we do have forgiveness for all our sin, and with that have salvation and eternal life as a guarantee. Along with that, we have the assurance that Jesus himself goes with us and lives with us as we go about our daily life.

All this is what is given to us in order for us to gain life, growth and fruit. As we simply receive these gifts then we find that certainty and confidence that enables us to go forward knowing that we are a part of that which is truly important. This is God’s kingdom: God at work sustaining and growing his people. It all happens here, even though we may not always see it.

Here let us remember that the results then are in God’s hands; not ours. As long as we faithfully allow God to work through the truth of his Word and the right administration of the Sacraments, God will be at work. At the same time, be aware that God himself tells us that numbers are not the criteria for life. In fact he says broad is the road with many people on it, that is going to hell. Many people will choose not to avail themselves of the gifts that God has for us; instead choosing to do what that want to do with their lives. However, God will continue to maintain and grow his kingdom through this congregation and our lives as we allow him to give us what he wants for us.

So now then, surely we can go forward with confidence and certainty, for Jesus Christ himself is telling us these things. God’s kingdom: God working in and through us, will produce the growth and the harvest that he wants. That surely encourages us to continue to regularly gather together here week by week to allow God to do what he wants in our lives. It also encourages us to hold fast to that which has been passed down through the history of the Church as that which will help give life to, grow and produce the harvest that God is looking for and has given down through the ages.

To our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, again then, be all glory and honour, now and always. Amen.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish