June 5 2016 Get Up

June 5   “Get Up ” Psalm 146, Luke *7.11-17 Jacqueline Hines

The gospel of Luke is said to have been written by a doctor. [slide # 1 Luke with book] Ancient physicians like modern physicians had special gifts to observe and heal physical and psychological concerns. Men and women, boys and girls may have gifts of showing compassion and insight when it comes to folk who are not feeling their best and who need a friend. Children who could barely talk have saved the lives of family members by dialing 911.

Even our pets have instincts that lead to healing. You have heard of the cat who perched herself on a leaking gas valve, [slide # 2 sitting cat] and did not leave until the family understood they were at risk. There are service dogs [slide # 3 service dog] who can smell disease and distress well enough for clinicians to diagnose and get us into treatment.

Life is all about staying alive and well enough to complete our God-given purpose and mission. That are limitless resources that help us do what God has for us to do. Every morning we wake up God has a purpose and a plan for us to love someone, to bless someone and to do so as if there were no tomorrow.

In verse 11 Dr. Luke writes that “afterwards” [slide # 4 afterwards….] he and his disciples went to a town called Nain. That is, after a young boy had been healed in verses 1 to 10, Jesus and his disciples went to a town called Nain.

Nain [slide # 5 walled Nain] was most likely a walled city in Southern Galilee inhabited since the Iron Age, which came after the Stone Age and the Bronze Age. Nain was no wilderness. The citizens of Nain were fortified with a military and a watch tower as evidenced by the fact that verse 12 tells us there was a gate.  [slide # 6 Nain gate] It may have been a simple opening in a wall.  The gate was like an outdoor lobby to the town hall. Gate keepers were like the first responders who controlled access in and out of the community, keeping things as safe and legal as possible. Nain was an established city. [slide # 7 pottery]

Jesus and his disciples approached the gate and noticed a funeral procession of a young man who had died leaving his mother all alone, [slide # 8 Jewish funeral procession] for she was already a widow. Leave it to Jesus to come to us a Jehovah Rapha – the God who heals. He comes in our despair and hopelessness, when we are alone, wondering if we have been forsaken.

Verse 13 says “When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He went over to the pall bearers and they stood still waiting to see what Jesus was going to do. [slide #9 man getting up from the dead]He told the dead man to get up. Jesus raised the young man back to life and the crowd was frightened.  [slide # 10 fear on fence] Verse 16 says, Fear seized all of them;” [slide #11 Gandhi ….far quote] and as Gandhi said, “Fear is our enemy.”  [Slide # 12 ….everything we want…other side of fear.]

Life can be just as frightening as death. We may become so preoccupied with the rough patches in this life that, it sometimes shocks us when someone approaches us with compassion and gentleness. Or we may be stunned when Jesus speaks to our hearts, saying, “Don’t cry.”

We know what it is to wipe the tears of a little child who has just fallen and scraped a knee. We have said, “Don’t cry. It is going to be alright.” But, when we have more serious boo boos and grown up grief, we may not believe it anymore. We may not be as quick to trust God in the midst of our pain and believe that everything IS going to be alright. [slide # 13 awesome power of faith]

If we come into God’s kingdom as a little child, [slide # 14 Jesus and the children] we lean on the God who approaches us. God comes in order to put an end to that which has depleted us, demoralized, diminished, and destroyed us. We trust that our tears, though they have not come to an end, will be wiped away. Our tears will be wiped away – gently, tenderly, every time they flow, no matter how long they flow. [slide # 15 toddler wiping tears]

As our vision clears, we will begin to see that everything is going to be alright, that God does make a way when there seems to be no way, that God will provide, and God will guide us to holier, healthier, and happier places when we are willing to go. [slide # 16 man walking toward God’s hands]

Are you willing to go? What is that place in your life today that is unlivable, unresponsive, and unbearable? Whatever it is for us, let us open our hearts [slide # 17 everything is going to be alright] to the one who can save us; [slide # 18 cross star in sky] let us get up [slide # 19 get up] and let the miracles begin speaking for themselves! Amen. [slide # 20 squirrel giving thanks to God]