February 28, 2021 Pastor Jaqueline Hines “I Love My Faith.

Our scripture lesson is from Romans 4.13-25 the importance of faith.  

13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.

15For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. 16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17as it is written,

‘I have made you the father of many nations’)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.   18Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become ‘the father of many nations’, according to what was said, ‘So numerous shall your descendants be.’

19He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.

22Therefore his faith ‘was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ 23Now the words, ‘it was reckoned to him’, were written not for his sake alone, 24but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification. 

Faith. It is a good thing! Faith is an honorable thing. Faith is a foundation on which our lives are built. Faith is the solid ground on which our communities are stabilized. Faith is the anchor that secures us during the storms of life. Faith gives us courage to get up in the morning, put one foot in front of the other and make it through another day.

When we put our faith in God as a guide, we are given no guarantees that God will take us everywhere we want to go. What we do know is that there will be incomprehensible peace in every valley. There will be comfort and kindness in our afflictions. There will be infusions of joy, from time to time, unspeakable joy to drown out our sorrows. There may even be miracles that make up for our messes.

When we look back and wonder how we got over to the other side of our troubles, we will also see that we are not alone. Goodness and mercy have been following us all the days of our lives.

Even when we have had no clue as to how a story would end, we have hoped against hope that things would work out just the way we want them to. Still, no matter which way things go, Romans 8 tells us that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to God’s purpose. As Christians, WE ARE called according to God’s purpose, for God always has a purpose and a plan that is more precise, perfect and precious than we can imagine!

Abraham believed God promised to make him the father of many nations. He had faith in that promise even when he may not have seen himself as anybody’s father, physically or spiritually. The promise was fulfilled, not because he followed the laws of righteousness. He did not become the father of many nations because he did not drink, smoke, lie, steal, or cheat. He was no more perfect than any other person. He passed the test of righteousness and he received the promise because he held onto his faith in God. Verse 22 says “his faith ‘was reckoned to him as righteousness.”

He believed God was going to do what God said God was going to do. He did not know how, he did not know when, but he kept on walking with God and waiting for God and submitting his will to God until he became the father that God promised he would become. When he fell down, he got up, dusted his doubts away, and kept the faith long enough to make it to the next time he would hear a word or experience a situation that convinced him to keep on trusting.

In time, through his son Isaac, Abraham became the father of the nation of Israel. Through his son Ishmael, Abraham became the father of the Muslim nations. As an ancestor of Jesus, Abraham became the father of Christians around the world.

Not many looking at Abraham and Sarah would have expected them to produce much. Faith is not limited to what we can see on the outside. As 2 Corinthians 5 says, “We walk by faith, not by sight.”

The circumstantial evidence surrounding God’s promises to us is not always in God’s favor. As we are preparing for good news, bad news may come and shock us. When we are at the hospital or on the highway hoping for life, death may stop us in our tracks. Just when we are looking to a higher standard, the Church does not always practice what it preaches. In spite of repeating the Lenten journey every year, Christians do not always do the right thing or repent of the wrong thing. However, God is God in spite of the Church. And we are still the Church in spite of ourselves.

So, then, why do we even bother to keep the faith? What makes us show up to services and YouTube and Zoom and give our dollars, and sacrifice ourselves for missions and fundraisers that keep heat in the building and the parking lot plowed, not to mention the extra bonus you give to Bethel staff?

Does God really show up when only two or three are gathered in his name? Have YOU found a friend in Jesus, all your sins and griefs to bear? Have you seen those showers of blessings that people talk about? When did you last sing with enthusiasm, “Victory is mine?”

We know the answer is, yes. Yes. God really shows up when only two or three are gathered in God’s name. Yes, we have found a friend in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. Yes, we have seen showers of blessings and sung “Victory today is mine.”

We have a faith worth keeping because it is a faith with the greatest of all commandments: Love one another. We have a faith worth keeping because it is a living faith. Our savior is alive in our hearts and active in our lives. We have a faith worth keeping because it is a faith that gives us new life that resurrects us though sin has crucified us.

We show up because we believe God. We have faith that God is going to do what God promised to do – to love us, lead us, guide us, and somehow, some way fulfill a wonderful purpose and plan in our lives. We know and we believe that there is still plenty of evidence in God’s favor. We as the church are, in essential ways, practicing what we preach, and as Christians, we are repenting of the wrong and we are doing plenty of the right things. Can I get an “Amen!”

Some days, like it was for Abraham in verse 18, faith is a struggle. We hope against hope. We hope when we see little reason to hope. We still show up. We still sing God’s praises. We still express our gratitude. We still take our time to reflect and meditate in our six-week Lenten journey toward Easter.

The French and Spanish word for Lent is “slow.” This season of Lent is a good time to slow our roll, to relax and let God’s presence soak deep down into our hearts, our minds, and our very souls. It is the time to wait and to listen.

Our faith is worth waiting for, worth nurturing. It is worth keeping, and by keeping the faith, we become the neon sign

to the world that God is good all the time and all the time God is good. For faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. We may not see from a distance into the future to all the good that God has in mind for us, but our faith is a signal that something good is on the way.

Our faith is a valuable asset and worth sharing with our family, friends and neighbors. As verse 23 reminds us, the promises to the faithful were not only for Abraham, but for all of us who believe. In as much as we care about good things being in the lives of others, we want to share the riches of our faith in our circle of influence.

As I said earlier, faith is a good thing! Faith is an honorable thing. Faith is a foundation on which our lives are built. Faith is the solid ground on which our communities are stabilized. Faith is the anchor that secures us during the storms of life. Faith gives us courage to get up in the morning and put one foot in front of the other and make it through another day. We need our faith.

The New York Times reported this week : Ten years ago, a deadly infectious disease killed more than 36,000 Americans. The next year, it killed 12,000 more. And over each of the following eight years, the same disease caused between 22,000 and 62,000 deaths.

That disease is influenza — also known as the flu — and it ranks among the 15 leading causes of death in the United States. Like the flu and other diseases, Covid is here to stay. The only way we can endure times like these is by holding on to each other as we hold on to our faith. Our faith sustains us, assuring us that we have all we need to get by. No matter what our heartache may be, God is greater and bigger than our worst troubles. We need to have faith in the inexpressible, the inexplicable, the seeming impossible. We need to always remember that we serve a creating God who as verse 17 says “gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.” Our faith in God will see us through until we can see with our own eyes and hear with our own ears the wonderful things that are prepared for us. Our faith can calm our hearts and change our circumstances. As John Wesley once said:  "Give me a hundred men who love nothing but God and hate nothing but sin, and I will shake the whole world for Christ." Yes. God’s people change the world and make it a better place for those who need it most. The Apostles summed it up in the Creed that says: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. My last point is regarding the Pew Research Center, a think tank that encourages dialogue about many issues and trends that reflect our attitudes and our faith. The center has over 160 staff members and their president Michael Dimock is a political scientist. Pew has done a lot of surveys around views of Republicans and Democrats, for example. They noticed that at a certain point, people did less talking about their candidates and more whispering. Interesting. Pew data on religion indicates that there is great benefit to exercising our faith by being active in the church. The have fond that it brings health and happiness. Yes. Even the researchers know that faith is a good thing. May we hold onto our faith tight enough that others can share it, too.    Holy God, our faith looks up to you, you who had the foresight to give your all as a lamb led to be sacrificed at Calvary. Now hear us while we pray. Take all our guilt away. Let us from this day be wholly thine. In the midst of deep sorrows and the callousness and chaos of Covid, have mercy upon us and deliver us we pray. With all our heart and mind we give you thanks for you have not forsaken us nor forgotten us, nor left us empty-handed. To you be all the honor and the glory as we pray as you taught the disciples. Our father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. May the God who can, make us new! Next week we go to Psalm 42 and our Bishop Peggy Johnson will bring a message entitled “Observing A Long Lent.” If you would like to make your contribution to the great ministry and mission of Bethel, the website is  Or you can send it to 952 Bethel Church Road, Spring City, Pa. 19475. God bless you!

 

February 21, 2021 Mark 1. 9-15 “I Love My Ministry” Pastor Jacqueline Hines First Sunday of Lent

Our lives are overflowing with the aftermath of the clouds and storms. Still we have a place of quiet rest, and in ways great or small, our God has made us glad. For this we give thanks!  

Our gospel lesson is from Mark 1. 9-15. Jesus is being baptized, he goes into the wilderness and leaving begins his ministry of bringing God’s good news.

9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. ¹¹And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ 12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. ¹³He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news^* of God, ¹⁵and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near;  repent, and believe in the good news.’

Last week we met Jesus being transfigured on a mountain with his disciples. They were terrified seeing Moses and Elijah in the flesh after they had been gone for centuries.

If that was not scary enough, they heard with their own ears, the very voice of God affirming Jesus as beloved and directing them to listen to him.

This week, on the first Sunday of Lent, we find Jesus in some type of wilderness.

Have you ever been in a wilderness? Sometimes there are television shows that feature people who go into the wilderness for a journey. They spend their time making fires to ward off wild beasts howling in the night, enduring cold weather, searching for clean water, food, and waiting for light to sweep away the darkness.

It seems the wilderness is a place of special adventures, but we rarely make it our home. The wilderness is usually a place to go through, not to go to.

The founder of Methodism,

John Wesley gave a sermon entitled “The Wilderness State.”* In it he refers to the wilderness not so much as a physical place, but a spiritual state wherein one is distressed, tempted, tormented, conflicted. He notes that the wilderness is a place of hopelessness and powerlessness. It is a place when we have lost faith, lost love, lost, peace. It is a place where we are face to face with monstrous fears and doubts.

Wesley understood that it is good to make our peace with God and find our way out of the wilderness with all its misery and temptation. He said, “We know everyone who has peace with God, through Jesus Christ, has power over all sin.”* His father was a minister, but it seems his mother Susanna had taught him as much or more about the spiritually disciplined life.

Susanna Wesley was the youngest of 25 children. She gave birth to 19 of her own, several of whom died young. Susanna taught her children well to not only think about God but to have a personal relationship with God. She herself was brave enough to think independently. At the age of 12 she left her father’s church and joined the Church of England. Five years later she married Samuel. Samuel was a preacher and on the rode a lot, but Susanna, was equipped with the skill and commitment to be a preacher herself – if women had been allowed in those days. She was intentional about teaching her children.  

In one of her husband’s long absences she wrote this in a letter to him: “I take such a proportion of time as I can spare every night to discourse with each child apart. On Monday I talk with Molly, on Tuesday with Hetty, Wednesday with Nancy, Thursday with Jacky (John), Friday with Patty, Saturday with Charles.”*

It was through that mother mentoring that John and Charles Wesley became God’s messengers and leaders, assuring the church would be kinder and gentler. Their leadership is proof once again that children have to be taught. They have to be carefully taught.

Even as an adult, Susanna would dialogue with John about God in ways that could keep him on a righteous path. In a letter to her son, she writes, "Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off the relish of spiritual things, whatever increases the authority of your body over your mind, that thing for you is sin."

Many Christians and wise parents have had the habit of dialoguing and writing letters to children and grandchildren. It is good to keep the conversation going. At Bethel we are starting Monday Mini Bible studies on March 22^nd in order to have meaningful dialogue. Hopefully, all of you can join us.

John Wesley knew something about the wilderness since his conscience was troubled at times. He struggled to learn that all that he was and all that he had belonged to God. He tells the story of when he was decorating his home with lavish paintings and enjoying expensive cigars, a cleaning woman came to the door. It was winter and she had no warm clothing. John Wesley was filled with compassion, as many of us would be. He reached into his pocket and found no money to give her. He knew God was not pleased that he had spent most of his money on himself.

From that year, 1731, he began to limit his expenses so that he would have more money to give to the poor. He records that his income was 30 pounds and his living expenses 28 pounds, so he had 2 pounds to give away. The next year his income doubled, but he still managed to live on 28 pounds, so he had 32 pounds to give to the poor. In the third year, his income jumped to 90 pounds. He kept 28 pounds and gave away 62 pounds. In the fourth year, he received 120 pounds. As before, his expenses were 28 pounds, so he gave away 92 pounds. Soon he was living on 30 pounds and giving away nearly 1,400 pounds a year. Although his giving began as a religious practice to help the poor it soon became the habit of a born-again preacher who was evangelizing vast multitudes across the entire nation for Christ.**

It is good to pray about everything. God’s answer is not always the same for each of us. Money matters can easily drag us into a wilderness, whether there is too much or never enough. Our wilderness may also have strained relationships – tempting us to do and say things we regret or, physical and emotional health issues may tempt us to taint our testimony.  Unholy pride in our abilities and discontent with disabilities may from time to time drag us into a wilderness state, as we fall in love with the praises of people, neglecting the praises of God.

The first chapter of James tells us a lot about temptation.

It says that each of us is tempted to do the wrong thing because of the evil desire that has somehow got inside of us, by ignorance or invitation. We are seduced and if we court that desire, we eventually become wed to that desire and soon give birth to sin. When sin is full-grown, it gives birth to death. Lent is an opportunity to walk and talk with God and live an abundant life.

Wesley offers us three questions to ask whenever we find ourselves in the wilderness and far away from being at peace with God.  First, what is the nature of this disease? Secondly, what is the cause?  Thirdly, what is the cure of it?*    In other words, what is it, what caused it, what can fix it?  

When we feel far away from God, it is probably us that has moved, not God. The farther away we are from God, the more at risk we are in every way. The more at risk at risk are those around us. So, we can ask ourselves. What is this person, place or thing that is keeping us far from God, what caused it, what can fix it?  What hurt is coming between us and God? What fear? What rage? What relationship? What attitude? What pride? What dream?

There are two women I heard about this week for the first time. I think of them as having been in a wilderness. The first is Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett,

a lead scientist for the National Institute of Health in the development of a Covid 19 vaccine. It is likely that she has experienced her share of persecution and pressure as well as criticism and competition. She says she made the hard decision to be upfront with her talents rather than be a “hidden figure.” The second woman is FKA Twigs,

a thirty-three year old British musician who recently talked about her abuse at the hands of actor Shia LaBeouf. As she recovers from her hurt, she notes “I gave his dysfunction back to him.”

We can see how, like Jesus, these women have left their wilderness and are proclaiming some good news. Verse 14 tells us that after he left the wilderness, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. It was after spending time in the wilderness, that he was equipped to begin his ministry of bringing good news.

We all need good news in order to survive the wildernesses of life. We all have some good news to share to help somebody else along the way. We love to bring good news.

That’s why we gather, to be and bring good news. It’s our ministry and we love it!

Good news does not just happen. Good news is nurtured and stirred up in our hearts with the help of the Holy Spirit moving in those who care enough to teach us, mentor us, talk to us, and write letters to us, especially as we move in and out of life’s wilderness moments. This was a serious task for Dr. Martin Luther King, his father and his grandfather who were all ministers of the gospel. It was a serious task for Susanna Wesley and her husband Samuel and his father, and his grandfather who also represented three generations of ministers.

However, you don’t have to be a minister to dialogue and keep a good conversation going from generation to generation, to write a letter, to affirm and support someone, guiding them with the good news of God’s love and God’s light and truth for their path, but you do have to be intentional and faithful. You do have to know that you are the good news and that you have good news to share

and that somebody needs the good news that God has given you.

No need to worry about what to say and how to say it. Just tell God you want to be used in any way God wants to use you. Be available.  God will take care of the rest. Amen.

God who is with us in the wilderness, we welcome you into our lives. Show us the way to life. Help us to abandon our evil desires of selfishness and pride and learn to love you. Give us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us. Open our eyes to see your will and your way until righteousness and truth prevail. Have mercy upon those who need you most. Send us to minister with good news and good deeds and good attitudes.

Next week we go to Romans 4.13-25 “I Love My Faith.” If you would like to make your contribution to the great ministry and mission of Bethel, the website is www.bethelumchurch.com. 

 

*http://www.wordsofwesley.com/libtext.cfm?srm=46&hl=31626

**http://www.limerickcitychurch.com/blog/john-wesley-1703-1791

February 14, 2021 Mark 9.2-9 “I Love My Mountains” Pastor Jacqueline Hines

On this Transfiguration Sunday, we are remembering Jesus’ mountaintop experience. When we take the time to go away, to have a day apart, a retreat, a Sabbath, a vacation, or whatever, we expect to be refreshed and blessed. A mother with several small children was seen sitting down in her kitchen, her apron covering her head. She said that was her way of getting away, getting some calm, gaining perspective in the midst of life’s pressures and challenges.

Getting away helps us keep ourselves together. Stepping out of our routine makes us better people. Mark tells us that Jesus took with him Peter and James and John. He took them to a mountain. It was not just any mountain. It was a high mountain. Tradition suggests it was Mt. Tabor. So, a Greek Orthodox monastery and a Catholic monastery have been built there as a way of getting close to a place Jesus was known to have been and soaking up some of his divine essence.

It does not matter what mountain they went to. It does not matter if it was Mt. Moriah where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac, or Mt. Sinai –also called Horeb - with its lightning and thunder of judgment, or Mt Carmel where Elijah’s contest of fire with false prophets was held, or the Mount of Olives where Jesus met with his disciples and prayed. What matters is that it was a “high” mountain. The emphasis is on distancing themselves from their normal activity in order to experience something that would fortify and nurture them, mind, body, soul, and spirit. Perhaps Jesus has led you to a place apart. Perhaps you have been on a retreat or set aside a time of prayer and bible study.

When they reached the top of the mountain, they saw Jesus, but he looked different. Remember those large family bibles? The pages were overlaid with gold. The artwork was beautiful. The pictures captivated one’s imagination and made the stories come alive. The exquisite art helped us to see Jesus for ourselves. We could feel the love.

As we grow in our faith, we see Jesus in different ways. When we make our commitment to Jesus, we see him as savior. When we go to him for answers to life’s predicaments, we see him as a friend who walks alongside us. When we realize we have been protected from dangers, seen and unseen, we see him as our shield.

We may not thoroughly understand all that happens in our life, but we understand enough to bow below Jesus and not above him. We know things happen that are beyond us, higher than us, greater than we are, of another world and another kingdom

The disciples saw Jesus as they had never seen him before. His clothes were whiter than any earthly source could have made them. What happened was incomprehensible. Who can imagine a brightness that is brighter than any brightness that we have ever known? 

Old Testament scholar Rev. Dr. Deborah Appler will be with us for a couple zoom sessions in the upcoming Monday Mini Bible Study series coming up in a few weeks. She suggests that Jesus had such a heavenly glow that it shone right through his clothes. That thought reminds me of what happens when we put our cell phones in our pockets and they shine through our jeans.

Anything glowing or shining is sure to get our attention. A heavenly glow invites us to a new and wonderful experience with God that we have not had before. A holy light shining beckons us to go to higher heights of holiness and deeper depths of spirituality.

There was Jesus, with a heavenly glow, gathering with faithful disciples - Peter, James, John, Moses the giver of God’s law and Elijah the miracle-working prophet preacher. What can be better than that?

Moses and Elijah had been gone for centuries, yet there they were in the flesh. They had something in common. Both had already spoken to God on the mountains. They were both known for their courage to speak the truth to the powers that be, bringing justice to those being oppressed.

We can certainly understand what verse 6 means when it says the disciples were terrified when they saw these centuries’ old elders talking to Jesus.

Peter did what Christians so often do when we are terrified. He started talking about big ideas and making plans that were out of this world. No Peter, no church, we do not need another mountain of ideas or a mountain of money, for – as the songwriter says: There are mountains and hillsides enough to climb. What the world needs now is love, sweet love. That’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.

Even more frightening for the disciples was what happened next. A dense cloud came over them like a thick fog out of nowhere. Still, God was not through with them yet. With their own ears, they heard the voice of God speaking affirming words about Jesus. “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!”

A website caught my eye this week. It was labeled “Best Churches in Spring City.” I scrolled down just long enough to notice that there were comments about everything we could ever want to experience in a church, but there was nothing about Jesus. In order to be the best church or at least for each church to be its best, Jesus has to be there somewhere. Yes, we need to look good and be good. We need to be profitable and comfortable as well as mission-oriented. But, we need to do so for Christ’s sake first, not first for our sake.

We need a personal relationship with the king of kings and the Lord of Lords. Just because we call ourselves Christians does not mean we have surrendered our life to righteousness, peace and joy in the Spirit.

Don’t get me wrong. It is good to be good. It is good to do good, and there are a million ways to do good in this world, and God is blessed when God’s children are blessed. But, if we want to be like Jesus, if we want to save the lost, love the least, and lift up the last, we need to walk and talk with Jesus.

As suddenly as it came, the cloud left, no longer enveloping the terrified disciples. The voices hushed and they were once again alone with Jesus. In due time they returned to the valley, for where there are mountains, there must be valleys. It was time to take all that love and light they had experienced on the mountain top, down to the valley and everywhere else Jesus was sure to send them.

Again, Jesus ordered them in verse 9 not to tell what they had seen, until after the Son of Man – another name for Jesus - had risen from the dead. We can understand Jesus’ gag order. They were constantly stalked by hostile witnesses seeking to frame him and crucify him. Speaking the wonders of God’s presence after word of the resurrection got out was sure to weaken all arguments and make the case for following Jesus much stronger.

There is a time to speak and a time to refrain from speaking, as we mentioned last week. Surprise parties and gender reveals have a definite time to speak their secrets. Having the answers for a test before the test is given makes the test null and void. Knowing the end of a movie plot or a joke, is a spoiler alert. Words have power and are to be shared very, very carefully.

In one way or another, Jesus invites all of us to a place that is higher than we have ever been before. May our hearts sing like Peter, James, and John’s hearts must have sung: Where you lead me, I will follow! I’ll go with you, with you all the way. Amen.

God of high places, we bow below you and not above you. Hear our humble cry, and if we are not humble, humble us we pray. Thank you for your constantly and gently guiding us to the place that we should go. Forgive our resistance to your will. Soften our hearts that we might love you and your people. Deliver us from the coronavirus and on this Valentine’s Day, deliver us from domestic violence and keep our hearts ever true to you.

 

 

February 7, 2021 Mark 1.29-39 I Love My Mother-in-Law Pastor Jacqueline Hine

 

February 7, 2021 Mark 1.29-39 I Love My Mother-in-Law Pastor Jacqueline Hines

Family dynamics never fail to perplex, frustrate and entertain us.  You are all familiar with those silly mother-in –law jokes. Here’s one for you that Mike, our master humorist, has probably heard a million times. It goes like this:  As I was picking up my mother in law from the airport, I asked her,

“So, how long do you think you’ll be staying with us?” She answered, “Well... for as long as you like.” I answered, “Not even for coffee?”

I am glad for the many Bethel stories that I have heard about mothers-in-law who are such a blessing. God helps us get along as best we can when there are those inevitable tensions in a family. 

The gospel of Mark tells of the mother-in-law of one of Jesus’ disciples, Peter, a fisherman by trade.  Peter was hanging out with Jesus and a few of the other fisherman who had just decided to follow Jesus as we see in the beginning of this chapter. It was the Sabbath, so they had been to worship. Jesus had been teaching, so they also had bible study or Torah study - on the Sabbath – something with which we also are familiar. 

Before the mother-in-law story, Mark gives us a bit of news that had to be the talk of the town for several days or at least it had become a prayer request. During their time in the synagogue, there was a man whom everyone could not help but notice. His behavior was odd.  He did not fit in. Something was wrong with him. Some thought this man may have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed. They might have wondered if intoxication was the reason he was loud and out of order. Others could understand and relate to his crazy ways because they too had fallen off the deep end after being traumatized and injured at some point in life. This man needed Jesus in the worst way, and unlike so many in desperate need, he came to Jesus. No one else knew what to do with him. Jesus changed his life immediately, and no doubt, gradually and permanently. Hallelujah. How wonderful it is to have Jesus’ help!

How wonderful it is when we leave church having seen with our own eyes that Jesus showed up as promised and good things happened.

As soon as they left the synagogue, they did not go to O’Grady’s for lunch. They went to Peter’s house. They may have been expecting a nice Mediterranean meal with some fresh sautéed vegetables, seafood steamed or fried, oven baked bread, maybe some grapes, cheese and the finest wine fishermen could afford. There was Jesus, Peter and his brother Andrew with James and John – otherwise known as the sons of thunder. Every church has a son or a daughter of thunder who draws a lot of attention for various reasons. These five men showed up after worship and Torah study, ready to eat, and there was the probable host - Peter’s mother in law - sick in bed with a fever. The agenda changed in a moment’s notice. Instead of dinner, it was time for soul food.

They barely got into the house when they heard the news. That’s love. Hallmark used to have a commercial that said, “When you care to send the very best, send a hallmark card.” The folks in the house loved this mother in law well enough to bring attention to her important need. Somehow, they knew Jesus and her husband and the other fisher guys would care. They shared her need to those of the very best character and good will, to those who loved and cared for her.

Jesus took her by the hand. He took charge of her. He knew what to do and he did it. The fever left. She got out of bed. She got on her feet. She served them. All was well again.

So what does this passage tell us? Mark tells us 5 things. If we want to be like Jesus, we ought to follow him to a place of worship and study and when he leaves, we should go with him. That’s the first thing. Secondly, when Jesus extends a hand to us we do well to take it.  He is the one who takes the heat off of us, to get us back on our feet so that we can serve somebody.

The third lesson we find in verse 32. It says, That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. ³³And the whole city was gathered around the door. ³⁴And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons;

The Greek transliteration suggests a broader understanding of those who were sick. It not only describes those who came to Jesus as ill and not well, but those that were miserable, insulted, and abused. They were sick and miserable for a variety of reasons, not just those that come quickly to mind. Verse 34 says Jesus cured those who were sick. The Greek transliteration also suggests a broader understanding of being cured. What Jesus did was THERAPEUO. He provided a therapeutic intervention, a cure, a healing, a restoration of health – perhaps beginning that moment and concluding over some time. I appreciate one biblical reference that indicated that being healed meant being able to worship (John 5.10). 

Jesus healed the sick and he cast out demons, too. Sickness makes us miserable. Sickness is one of the many evils in this world that the bible says we wrestle against. But, demons are a whole other story. Demons, it seems to me, is when the devil himself has shown up to fight us and to separate us from the goodness of God and God’s people.

Dia-bolos is the Greek word for Devil. It means ‘the one who divides’. It is rooted in the verb diabellein, which means “to split,” as Max Lucado says, “The devil is a splitter, a divider, a wedge driver. He divided Adam and Eve from God in the garden and has every intent of doing the same to you.”

Mark’s first lesson is to be with Jesus in the synagogue and follow him when he leaves. The second is when Jesus extends his hand to you, hold onto it. The third lesson is that when an ailment or demon is making us miserable, if we are far away from God’s will or God is calling us to draw close to a brother or sister, we need to go where others have been healed, like Peter’s beloved mother-in-law, and others whom Jesus has put back on their feet.

The fourth lesson is, words matter. Jesus asked the demons not to speak because they knew him. They were hostile witnesses. Anything they said could be used against Jesus. Jesus asking them not to speak also reminds us that words spoken in a timely fashion matter a lot. Surprise parties and gender reveals are examples. If you know the end of a movie plot or a joke, speaking too soon is a spoiler alert. A very tall and handsome man moved into a certain town. People were curious about the newcomer until someone found out he had just come out of prison after many years. We have to be careful with words so that others can be judged in a fair and Godlike manner, if it is ours to judge at all.

The fifth and final lesson is in verse 35 that tells us that very early while it was still dark, Jesus prayed in preparation to go out and do all the good he was called to do. Mark teaches us that following Jesus means praying – talking to God about everything and anything.

As we gather for communion, may our hearts get ready to follow Jesus to a place that is good for everyone. Amen.