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FIRST VISALIA CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
SUNDAY, April 20, 2008
Worlds Aid Sunday-Mark 1:40-45
Sermon: Rev. George G. Vink
Scripture: Matthew 25: 31-40 & Mark 1:40-45
Sermon: OUR CONCERN FOR OTHERS
Dear Congregation and Friends in Christ Jesus, Our Risen Lord,
When we come to the Lord’s Table, what are we admitting? Let me answer it: When we take that bread and drink the juice, we’re admitting that we had an incurable disease! Please listen carefully. Did you hear it? We “had” a disease that no doctor could cure, no amount of antibiotic could make go away, or no surgery would remove.
The disease came into the world under conditions that should have precluded its introduction. Its consequences have been with us ever since. It’s fairly easy to diagnose and is most often caused by disobedience to what God has directed us to do. It’s simply called sin!
It’s a disease that alienated us from God, led to our expulsion from The Garden, and continues to wreak havoc and make war with God’s design. Jesus, our Host, came because all mankind suffered from its devastation. Jesus is the only hope for those stricken with its deadly, destructive evil.
Our coming to the table says, “I am a sinner! I cannot be healed on my own! I need Jesus Christ!” Our coming admits a need that can only be met by Him who is our Host today as well as our Judge when the blast of the trumpet on the last day summons us all. He calls us to have and express concern and compassion for “the least of these.” It’s something we learn by looking at what Jesus did and continues to do.
Turn with me to Mark 1:40-41 …Let’s read it. What do we see? It’s a man with leprosy, or some similar skin disease that prevented him from being able to associate with others. He was banned to live in a different community, away from the others. He had to announce himself with a little bell or calling, “Unclean! Unclean. Melatz! Melatz!” indicating “There’s a leper on the loose! Watch out!”
People would pull back. Mothers would make sure their children did not touch this creature, this sick person! It’s a hideous disease, taking away your life. You couldn’t go into the temple. You couldn’t go where people went. Isolated, shunned, lepers experienced alienation and isolation. Certainly, you want to make sure you didn’t touch such a person!
Yet, the man came to Jesus, begging Jesus for a change in condition. He wanted to be “clean.” He wanted a normal life. And, what does Jesus do? Don’t miss the gospel here! “Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out...” Jesus was moved deeply. It’s in his bowels. It’s a feeling not to be denied. What does He do? He does the unthinkable! He “touched him.”
He says, “I am willing” and gives a simple order, “Be clean” and it happens! Others may avoid lepers. Others may shun from those with AIDS, but Jesus doesn’t. And, what Jesus does is for us to do. Jesus has the touch of life and the words of life. We have the same! He could have healed from a distance, as He did at times, but now, He touched him.
Jesus reached across social barriers, religious rules, and made him clean. Jesus faced the common fears and compassion won out. Mercy prevailed and Christ’s love ruled. He did it because He was willing.
What are we willing to do to help those with modern leprosy? Do we have a concern, a compassion for others? Jesus said, “I am willing.” Will you say the same? Are we willing to reach across today’s barriers and touch lives with our support of CRWRC’s programs that feed the hungry and assist the orphans?
Are we willing to help remove the stigma and the constant question that often helps us avoid helping, “Why did he get AIDS?” What can we do? There’s a handout on the morality of AIDS available in the foyer.
We must think differently about people with AIDS. Compassion must move us to think of those afflicted as people like us. They’re not “unclean” to be avoided, shunned, or shuttled off to a community on their own. They are brothers sisters with needs. All too often it’s the children, the orphans, who pay the price.
We can support the work of CRWRC through prayers and offerings as well as its teaching about abstinence and safe sex. It supports those who take care of orphans and the dying. CRWRC is helping sex-trade workers to find jobs and escape that terrible bondage. They’re also teaching men and women to read and write, understand social justice issues and human rights. Working together remains an important focus.
With compassion and concern we need to ask, “Am I willing?” and “What can I do?” We do it as those who have experienced the healing, being made clean from a disease that has eternal consequences. With all our considerable resources, educational emphasis, biblical and reformational perspective, we have an obligation and opportunity to share Christ’s love. The call of “help, help, help” from the orphans needs to be heard. We do so for the sake of Him who said, “I am willing!”
The man was cured of his leprosy and told others. You’ve been cured of your disease. What can you do? What will you do? Amen!
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