They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.” Mark 1:21-28

“First events give insight into the larger themes and, particularly, a distinct understanding of Jesus’ mission and character in each of the Gospels. In Matthew, Jesus is a teacher and (new) lawgiver like Moses. In John, he creates unexpected and unimaginable abundance. In Luke, he is the one who releases those held captive, heals the ill and infirm, and proclaims good news to the poor and the Lord’s favor to all. And in Mark…he picks a fight with an unclean spirit.

Mark’s Gospel, that is, starts with a confrontation. Whatever dramatic value beginning with a fight scene might initially promise, however, there is little doubt of who will win this showdown. The spirit protests Jesus’ very presence, and Jesus casts him away with a command as authoritative as it is succinct. And because of Jesus’ bold teaching and power over this spirit of oppression, his fame spreads quickly. Keeping in mind the importance of first events, we can read this scene as Mark’s signal that Jesus has come to oppose all the forces that keep the children of God from the abundant life God desires for all of us. And that message matters because it is still the case: God wants the most for us from this life and stands in opposition to anything that robs us of the joy and community and purpose for which we were created.” (First Things First, David Lose, …in the meantime website, January 26, 2015)

Jesus came into the world to set the world ablaze with the spirit, and his teachings were radical – love your enemies – turn the other cheek – you know, teachings that the people of his day had not heard before – Blessed are you who are poor – blessed are you who are hungry – blessed are you who mourn – blessed are you when people hate you and revile you on account of the Son of Man – the first shall be last – take the seat at the back of the table, not at the front.  But his teachings have authority because they have the authority, a personal authority from G-d to heal.

Maybe that is why the man with the unclean spirit is there as well.  He knows who Jesus is, though the others clearly do not – even his own disciples will struggle with who this “Rabbi”, who this teacher is.  The demon spirit knows that Jesus is the “Holy One of G-d” – Jesus is G-d.  And Jesus heals him.

Look, we all have come today with some “unclean” spirits clinging to us – hanging onto us, or we to them.  And these unclean spirits carry authority over us taking away our trust in G-d because we grant them that authority – taking away our ability to put complete trust and faith in Jesus who has the authority, because he is G-d’s only Son.  And he comes to us again, and again, and again through the Word of G-d and the Sacraments to cleanse us again and again through the waters of our baptisms – and the table that nourishes and strengthens us.

My friends come to the table – you who mourn, you who feel reviled, you who feel unclean, unwanted, unloved – come.  Listen to Jesus Christ – your sins are forgiven – hear the words of the Lord that carry the power to heal and to love – be amazed at the inclusivity of his teaching – let is confound you, let it astound you – let it change your life – Come, be healed, and be made clean.

Pastor Dave

“On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:11-19

{“My father is a skilled CPA who is not great at self-promotion. So when an advertising salesman offered to put my father’s business placard in the shopping carts of a supermarket, my dad jumped at the chance. Fully a year went by before we got a call that could be traced to those placards. “Richard Larson, CPA?” the caller asked.

“That’s right,” my father answered. “May I help you?” “Yes,” the voice said. “One of your shopping carts is in my yard and I want you to come and get it.”}

Self promotion – the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Politicians are usually experts at getting people to notice them. People who are desperate sometimes are really good at reaching out to friends, neighbors, churches and family for help. But I have known too many good, honest, faithful people who have had desperate times in their lives, but were too proud to reach out or ask for help. The Ten Lepers in our lesson today were great at self-promotion. When they saw Jesus coming toward them, they immediately shouted “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” I am sure there were those around Jesus, or from the community, who were scolding them for shouting at Jesus. There are other examples from the bible where people shouted at Jesus or tried to approach him and others were telling them to stop, or go away. (see Mark 10:46-52) But the Ten Lepers are rewarded for speaking out – crying out – shouting out to Jesus. But notice, only one comes back to thank him.

Sometimes our self-promotion will come across as arrogant, or pretentious, but I am a firm believer that Jesus will not see us that way. I believe that Jesus wants us to turn to him often when we are in need, in pain, suffering in any way. After all, the squeaky wheel does get the grease – and the disciple who turns to G-d will see greater things. But be sure to say thanks, often, and always – thanks be to G-d!

Pastor Dave