“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

“Of the people of Judah, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war: those listed of the tribe of Judah were 74,600.” Numbers 1:26-27

“There is much discussion concerning what seems to be an increasing restlessness among people. This restlessness takes many forms. Sometimes it appears in easy irritation over matters of little or no consequence. Sometimes it results in the sudden rupturing of old ties of family, job and friends. It may be a general instability making for an unwillingness to assume responsibilities and to fulfill obligations. In its simplest and often most crucial form, it makes concentration on anything difficult because of an apparent futility. One of the reasons for this restlessness is not far to seek. During the past decade, the world has gone through a series of tremendous social upheavals, upsetting the equilibrium of the daily lives of millions of people everywhere. What has happened in Russia, Europe, Asia, the Orient and the United States has been more than the mind could adjust to without leaving in its wake a residue of impending uncertainty and, perhaps, even doom. In addition, there is upsetting of the balance in nature, whose children we are, by the far-reaching effects of atomic research and developments. This development has undoubtedly communicated to the physical organism a subtle unbalance creating overtones of ill-at-easeness in the mind and in the consequent behavior of us all.” (Howard Thurman. Deep Is the Hunger . Ravenio Books. Kindle Edition.)

When I take a walk in my neighborhood, I try to count my steps as I move along on the sidewalk. Why? Well, through the process of counting, not only does the time seem to slip by a little quicker, but I find that I can accurately determine the half-way point of my walk – just by counting the steps. It is a tedious process, but I find it helps me get to the end.

Another area of our lives that can benefit from counting is our faith journey. When was the last time you took a few days and counted your blessings – each and every moment of each and every day? Not possible? Think about the census taken of the Israelites – a census of the people as directed by G-d. How long would this “accounting” have taken? Think about the counting process that is currently happening (as I write this devotion) for the 2020 Presidential Election – which continues without a clear winner.

Taking an accurate count is so important in many areas of our lives: balancing our checkbooks, having enough bulletins for worship, even counting the number of votes for a candidate. Through counting we ensure that all is right: with our bank account, with our worship materials, and with our elections.

G-d directed Moses to take a count of the people while they were in the wilderness no matter how long it might take them. Through taking a count, G-d would ensure that all the people were accounted for and taken care of.

Now don’t you think G-d would want you and I to take a “count” of our blessings often? You do not know what you have until you take an accounting. And if we count our blessings, well it just may help us get to the end of each day, and the end of our most pressing concerns. Remember my friends, anything is possible with G-d.

Pastor Dave