WE KNOW BY DOING

TUESDAY AFTER SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT 2015

Today is Mark 5:21-43. In my blog THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR I note this part of the Gospel is often referred to as a Markan Sandwich. This description tries to point out that this section starts with one story, switches to another, and then the first story is finished up. The reason the word “sandwich” is used is that the two stories play off one another, enlivening the flavor of each. Bishop Wright focuses on the “meat of the story”—the woman with the flow of blood. He again does a wonderful job, and he points out something very interesting, and raises a question for us.

The text says that Jesus’ response to the woman is “daughter, your faith has made you well.” Bishop Wright points out that our Lord’s words say it is the woman’s faith that made her well. Most of us would say it was Jesus, God, that made her well. Why does our Lord say her faith made her well? Certainly God is sovereign over everything. We might even muse that God knew she was going to touch Jesus’ robe. But our Lord’s words bring up an important point, that God whenever it is appropriate acts through people. Yes he parted the Red Sea, but it was Moses who was to hold open his arms. Yes he turned water into wine, but it was the servants who first filled the jars. Yes he healed the woman with the flow of blood, but she first reached out her hand.

I tend to think the acts of people, our acts, are a part of God’s grace or God’s Holy Spirit. For example, it took tremendous courage for the woman to enter the crowd and touch Jesus. I would say that courage was a grace from God, or God’s very Holy Spirit leading her. Having said that, we see that our lives as people of faith is not a spectator sport. We do not stand on the sideline and watch…we are in the game. Even when we are alone in our homes, closing our eyes, and saying a prayer for someone far away…that faithful act is us participating.

When you stand on the sidelines as a spectator then your experience is limited. When you enter into the competition you will experience all sorts of things. The struggle, the challenge, the comradery, the commitment, and more. In fact it is through participating that you learn at the deepest level whatever it is you are doing, is all about. Following Jesus, having faith, is the same way. Standing on the sidelines makes you just as prone to criticism as it does to appreciation—but either way you are not really understanding what it is all about. Following Jesus is about living, living not only faith in God, but in very union with him.