November 16, 2020 — The Pulsing Tremor of Raw Energy

“Then the Lord said to Samuel, “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle.” 1 Samuel 3:11

“…a certain slave minister…, on occasion, held secret religious meetings with his fellow slaves. How everything in me quivered with the pulsing tremor of raw energy when…(he) would come to the triumphant climax…: “You—You—you are not slaves. You are God’s children.” This established for them the ground of personal dignity, so that a profound sense of personal worth could absorb the fear reaction.” (Howard Thurman. Jesus and the Disinherited (p. 50). Beacon Press. Kindle Edition.)

I have not been to many rock concerts, but the few that I have been to have left me with the same malady – a ringing in my ears. On some occasions, the ringing extended into the following day. Of course, the obvious reason for the ringing was the volume level of the music – it was always too loud. And I have never understood the reason for the extreme level of the volume. Personally, I do not mind feeling the reverberation of the organ on Sunday morning, but I do not need to hear ringing in my ears from a rock concert for days; but I guess the rock musicians feel differently.

The Lord tells Samuel that what he is about to do will leave a ringing in the ears of anyone who hears of it. What is he about to do? The Lord is going to punish the house of Eli because his sons were blaspheming G-d — and Eli did not restrain them.

My friends, the Lord is able to do amazing things in our lives. Some of them leave us tingling all over; others just hit us in the ears. But the Word of G-d has the potential to make us quiver – to feel as Howard Thurman writes, “the pulsing tremor of raw energy.” I find that when I hear a congregation singing in four-part harmony, my ears tingle, and my body has a slight tremor. And when I hear a great sermon, my ears ring with joy. When I hear a brother or sister say “I am sorry” or “Let me pray with you”, my ears sing.

How has the Lord made your ears ring this week?

Pastor Dave

“When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them.” Mark 2:1ff

“The core of the analysis of Jesus is that man is a child of God, the God of life that sustains all of nature and guarantees all the intricacies of the life-process itself. Jesus suggests that it is quite unreasonable to assume that God, whose creative activity is expressed even in such details as the hairs of a man’s head, would exclude from his concern the life, the vital spirit, of the man himself. This idea—that God is mindful of the individual—is of tremendous import…” (Howard Thurman. Jesus and the Disinherited (p. 49). Beacon Press. Kindle Edition.)

Oh to enter into the Nave of the church on a Sunday morning to see that every pew is filled – that there is no room even to stand – and that the crowd continues into the Narthex – even out the door. I know in this day of Covid-19, such a scene seems to be completely out of our reach. And yet, as a pastor, it warms my heart to think that one day this might become the reality in our congregation. And yet, this is not why we preach the word — to develop a huge following – to preach to standing room only crowds every week. We preach the Word because so many in our society need to Hear the Word – need to have some contact with Jesus.

In the text mentioned above, there was a man whom his friends determined needed to see Jesus – and these friends were “determined”. The news of Jesus and his healings had spread so rapidly that wherever Jesus went, a huge crowd followed. When it was reported that he was at home, or in a home, the locals came out “en masse”. Being blocked from getting access to Jesus, the friends “Un-roofed the roof” (that is what the Greek says). Once inside, the man benefited from seeing Jesus, hearing Jesus, being with Jesus.

Do you have a friend who “needs” Jesus? Do you know someone who would benefit from hearing, seeing, or being with Jesus? You can “be” the Word simply by living out the life of a Christian. Or, you can invite them to come to Church – Pray with them – share the Word with them. Sometimes we all need a friend who is willing to “Un-roof” our lives and let the blessings from Jesus flow down.

Pastor Dave