Taken By the Hand and Lifted - Mark 1 - Epiphany 5B

Taken by the Hand and Lifted

Tony E Dillon Hansen

Sermon based upon Mark 1:29-39 ; Psalm 147; Isaiah 40: 21-31

Opening Prayer

Jesus “took her by the hand and lifted her up.” I want us to think of this for a moment.

When my mother was in the hospital, it was a day with a blizzard on the way. My son and I went to see her.  We went in the room and she was happily surprised. Tyler hugged her and asked how she was doing. I walked up the side of the bed then and hugged her as well. She began talking and I took by the hand. 

As we were talking I noticed that her strength was rising. She was holding on tighter and tighter. Not that she was squeezing, but that strength was returning and you could see her whole body show a sort of relief. Moments later, the doctor came into the room to tell her she can go home.

Similarly, when I serve food to the homeless, I try to introduce myself, “Hi my name is Tony, what’s your name? Have you had supper tonight?” I will reach out with a handshake. It seems many times that the people are bit astounded that someone is willing to even talk to them without cursing them and then to reach to shake hands is way unexpected.

For this one fellow named John, who had issues with his eyes, but he could see me in my bright pullover. I reached out to shake hands and to hand him the food. He just opened up to me - like dark clouds around him were lifted. He told me his story. - how he was having trouble with his eyes, and but that he was starting work. He was telling me he thinks he can make it now. He had hope. I was celebrating this little moment with him.

I am no Jesus, but I think there is significant value in seeing people and especially in touch. 

Now, some peoples’ traumas warrant caution with touch. Yet, when we feel alone or lost, if someone offers a sincere touch, we notice that. Almost more than words, it is like a lifeline thrown out for us to catch. If we are willing to receive it, we can find strength and we can find celebration.

It is worth noting that is wholly different from needing help and refusing the offer. And don’t we need it?  God is there to help, calling to you and listening to you.

I think that is bit of what is happening here in Mark’s story.

Jesus comes in with divine presence to help and lifts the woman both physically and spiritually. She may not know anything about Jesus.

Let’s read in-between the lines some here. Jesus comes in this room and goes to her. We don’t know what they said to each other. Much like John not knowing me and just opening up, it seems that if a person meets Jesus, one might have a conversation. 

She must be questioning a few things, but somehow amazed. I can almost see her eyes and her expression that someone was paying attention to her in her misery of fever - that someone even sees her.

Jesus does the unexpected and reaches out to her. We can almost feel the joy in that someone was willing to touch and to be with her. 

The fever breaks and her spirit rises. She is healed this day, and thanks be to Jesus.  

For this scene reminds us of the power of not only the touch, but love, compassion, seeing people, reaching out and simply being with people.

Who around us need someone to just be there?

Commentators suggest we meet Jesus in private moments like this private moment with this woman. Isn’t that really the truth?

I can say all of the things I want to say about Jesus or God, but one has to experience divine grace. That is: I have to be willing to experience divine grace - the lifeline thrown out to me. Set aside ego, pain and question. 

It is right there for me and for you.

Recognize it, Grab onto it, hold it and let God lift me. “The time is fulfilled”, and realm of God is near!

Yes, God is reaching out to you with grace, love and peace - no judgement - no stipulations. God is present and reaches to lift you. 

Let God take you to new life and new heights. Let God open your heart and heal you (from whatever troubles you in your journey). Let God be with you this day 

We return… mother celebrates the experience by serving.

For those in our lesson, evening comes, Sabbath is done, and the whole town comes to witness. As the mother serves, one commentator suggests, she serves like an angel serving Jesus in the wilderness.

Jesus meets us in private and in public. God reaches out to us privately and invites us to heal and to see. Then God turns us into angels. God wants us to share the Good News - to serve the community.

** segway here: Jesus does all of this, and in the morning, Jesus gets up to pray alone. I can relate to this because I pray and write better when I can collect my thoughts in peace. Even Jesus takes time for the self - to meditate, to collect oneself and to talk with God. 

Thus Beloved, recognize the power that is around you today. Recognize Jesus reaching for you. 

Grab on, hold on and be lifted. Feel God touching your heart, feel the grace of someone seeing you in your place, in your vulnerability, in you being you.

Meet Jesus in private spaces, talk with him. Let Jesus know what is on your mind, what åß you, what scares you and what tickles you. Then, let Jesus lift you.

When you do, you will be like angels serving with the grace of God by your side. When you do, you will understand why crowds come to visit.

That Beloved is…

Thanks Be to God