Monthly Archives: February 2015

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 5:08 am on February 8, 2015  

“New Life” – Rev. David J. Schreffler

February 8, 2015
Sunday

“And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.” Mark 1:34-35

I often hear people ask the question, “Why did Jesus heal so many in the bible, and so many today are not healed?” I think this is a legitimate question. Often we hear that someone is miraculously healed, and the thought crosses our mind “Why didn’t G*d heal my mother, daughter, sister, brother, etc?” If we look at a strict reading of the lesson above, notice that it does not say that Jesus healed all of those who were sick – but he did heal many. In practical matters, there would be no way that Jesus could heal everyone who came to see him. We have just a few healings that are mentioned in the bible to give us the confidence that Jesus was able to heal. We even have an example where Jesus needed to do some “healing” twice on a man who was born blind. We also have the example of Jesus’ inability to heal many in his home town because of their “lack of faith”. And yet, it would not be practical for Jesus to heal everyone with a disease or infirmity because there would not have been time for him to do anything else. And, physically and emotionally, it would have taken a tremendous toll on Jesus – even though he was the Son of G*d. And it did take a physical and emotional toll. This is why he went away to a deserted place to pray – it was his way of getting away from the people so he could find strength and solace from his Father.

Today, Jesus continues to heal. There are healings that come through divine intervention – and through human interaction including the medical arts and sciences. And still today, not all people are healed. In Jesus’ time, it just would not have been possible for him to physically meet and touch everyone with a disease. Today, it is a matter of practicality – is it possible to live in a society where no one dies of disease, disaster, accident or injury? That is what heaven will be like – does this earth look like heaven? But just because there continues to be disease, illness and death in this world, does not mean divine intention does not play out through healings and miracles. We never want to see our loved ones die – either from old age or from accident or disease. And yet, not everyone is going to live for ever – it is not practical, it is not part of G*d’s plans for everyone to live to the same age, with the same health, and with the same protection.

But G*d does promise us eternal life – as well as “new life” right now. And Jesus did not come to earth just to be a “miracle man”. Jesus came to proclaim that the kingdom of G*d had come to earth – that the veil between G*d and man was finally ripped apart. So new life was important for many, but the chance for eternal life – priceless. And that should enable us to use our time on this earth following Jesus’ example: to seek to be a healing presence in people’s lives, to love unconditionally, and to find time to pray.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 5:01 am on February 7, 2015  

Less Than Perfect – Rev. David J. Schreffler

February 7

“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” Mark 10:35

“Jonah said “So now, Lord, kill me instead, because I would rather die than live!” Jonah 4:3

Many often say “What do I have in common with people of the Bible?” One thing I can confidently say that we all have in common with the people of the bible is that we have all tried to figure G*d out. Some have lamented why G*d is absent at different times; some have tried to change G*d’s mind; some have questioned G*d’s ways; and some have demanded certain things from G*d. Since the beginning of time people have prayed to G*d, shouted at G*d, cried to G*d, praised G*d, and worshipped G*d. AND, people have tried to tell G*d what to do. James and John, and Jonah were trying to tell G*d what they thought G*d should do. James and John wanted a special place in G*d’s kingdom. They figured that, if Jesus had chosen them to be part of the inner circle in their earthly family, maybe Jesus would choose them to be in the inner circle in G*d’s kingdom. Jonah, on the other hand, felt G*d had no business offering forgiveness to a people whom he thought could or should not be forgiven.

That is the great thing about the bible. All throughout its pages, and in fact all throughout the history of the Church, we can find people who think, feel, and act like we do. And yet, these failed people were still a part of G*d’s plan of salvation and working in this world. Blaise Pascal (1623 – 1662) writes:

“What spoils comparisons between the state of the Church in former times and its present situation is the fact that we usually regard St. Athanasius, St. Theresa and the rest as crowned with glory and years, judged almost divine before our time. Now that time has cleared things up, that is what it looks like, but at the time when he was being persecuted this great saint was just a man called Athanasius, and St. Theresa just a woman. Elijah was a man, subject to like passions as we are… St. Athanasius was a man called Athanasius, accused of several crimes, condemned by such and such a council…”

You may feel that you have nothing in common with all of our Biblical brothers and sisters, and those lifted up by the Church for their faith, but if you read carefully, you will find many “less than perfect” people. And many of those people are some of the G*d’s greatest disciples. Everyone has a place in G*d’s plan of salvation, no matter how glorious or imperfect.

Pastor Dave