May 6, 2021 — Luke 5:12 – 26

“Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do choose. Be made clean.” Immediately the leprosy left him. And he ordered him to tell no one. “Go,” he said, “and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.” But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.” (Luke 5:12-16)

“The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.” (Mother Teresa)

Jesus reaches out to touch the unclean man – without hesitation, without fear, without concern for what others thought. It was culturally and medically repulsive to touch someone with leprosy. But Jesus was not constrained to such practices – to ignore people just because they were sick, or an outsider, or a stranger.

Can we do the same to those in our communities who are “unclean?”  How often are we concerned with the cleanliness of our homes, our clothes, our eating utensils, our hands, so much so that it interferes with doing other things? I am not saying that cleanliness is not next to G-dliness, but cleanliness should not keep us from being G-dly, from being witnesses to G-d and the ministry of Jesus Christ who touched the unclean and showed no concern for risking his own cleanliness. Are we willing to make others clean, to reach out and offer a hand and risk our own cleanliness? 

Pastor Dave

May 5, 2021 — Luke 4:31 – 5:11

“After leaving the synagogue he entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them. As the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various kinds of diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on each of them and cured them. Demons also came out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Messiah. At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him; and when they reached him, they wanted to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea.” (Luke 4:38-44)

“I find it wholesome to be alone the greater part of the time. To be in company, even with the best, is soon wearisome and dissipating. I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.” (Henry David Thoreau, Walden)

Jesus has been busy – teaching, healing, casting out demons. He attempts to go to a deserted place to get away from the crowds, to have some time to think, maybe even to pray. But the crowds find him and will not allow him to leave them. But Jesus tells them that he must go to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of G-d to other cities as well. 

How important quiet time is to us and how necessary it is when we have been stressed by our situations. Henry David Thoreau knew the benefit of time alone. Of course, after 2020 where we were forced to hunker down and spend an inordinate amount of time alone, perhaps we are tired of being alone.

Coming out of the pandemic of 1918 and the end of WWI the world launched head-long into the “Roaring Twenties”. Many people were left with survivor’s guilt because they had lost so many family members and friends to either the war or the Spanish Flu. Many survivors reported sleep disturbances, depression, mental distraction, dizziness, and difficulties coping at work, and an increase in suicide. While we will need to find time each day for quiet reflection, reading, and prayer – we must also be mindful of the struggles our friends and relatives may be struggling with following this pandemic. How much more will people need to hear the good news of Jesus throughout 2021 and beyond.

Pastor Dave