2 Samuel 7:1–14a
Psalm 89:20–37
Ephesians 2:11–22
Gospel Mark 6:30–34, 53–56
We become cured and made whole only by touching God and our only way to God is through the blood of Jesus.
Mark 6:54 When they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, 55 and ran about that whole country and began to carry here and there on their pallets those who were sick, to the place they heard He was. 56 Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the market places, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured.
What does it mean to know being cured and made whole by touching Jesus?
First being whole means an awareness of knowing you are alive spiritually. That means you are actively participating in a loving relationship with God.
To illustrate consider When your relationship is right with your spouse you can touch your spouse because you are in a committed relationship. You know the importance of Having a good relationship with your spouse; because it offers daily the reassurance of love, peace and unity.
Likewise being at one with God means being secure about yourself. It is not a one time event, when God extends the opportunity for a relationship it is progressive. God respects your free will.
In reading Mark 6:30–34 the timing of that writing follows two different reports being brought to Jesus. The disciples of Jesus are returning with the reports of the success of their mission work. The disciples shared with the Jewish villages the teachings of Jesus. The other report came from the disciples of John. They have brought the news regarding the death of John the Baptist. The focus of Jesus is upon these disciples and their need for some one on one time. He said come away with me and rest awhile.
There are times in our reading about Jesus when his role as the Son of God really stands out. An example would be when Jesus stands in a boat and addresses a squall to be quiet and still. Or when Jesus commands a healing miracle that defies nature. But there are times like this report from today's reading when Jesus reminds us of his human nature. Emotions have a way of robbing our energy, we need our time of rest.
We need to rest with Jesus. We know Jesus is both Son of God and man but how does that play out in God's plan? Jesus has a unity with God that is active daily. The body, soul, and spirit of Jesus are secure in his connection physically and emotionally with God. Jesus came to touch the lives of humankind in a special healing way. A way that allows the presence of God's love to know sinners. This way allows humankind to experience peace in the death to come.
In Second Samuel chapter seven we learn about a time King David was not engaged in warring but instead was enjoying a rest the Lord had given him peace on every side from all of his enemies.
1 Now it came about when the king lived in his house, and the Lord had given him rest on every side from all his enemies, 2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within tent curtains.” 3 Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you.”4 But in the same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying, 5 “Go and say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in?
6 “For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle. 7 “Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’ ” ’
God planned a time of peace and rest for King David before his next task. But King David does a very human thing. David looks at how nice his house of cedar is. And then contrast only a tent covering the ark of the covenant.
It is our human nature to be like King David and the disciples. Our focus is more on our story instead of our role in God's story. King David would have been very comfortable putting God in a box. Opening the box when we face the challenges and struggles of life.
Why did the disciples and the people traveling to meet Jesus wanted to be with Jesus. Because Jesus can take care of you; Jesus can heal. But is that all there is to God's plan and the ministry of Jesus. Consider what God said to King David.
8 “Now therefore, thus you shall say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel. 9 “I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a great name, like the names of the great men who are on the earth. 10 “I will also appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, that they may live in their own place and not be disturbed again, nor will the wicked afflict them any more as formerly, 11 even from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you. 12 “When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 “He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 “I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men,
Consider what King David had reminded us of those human moments when try to put God in a box. It like we want to define God. It is like as the evangelist Ravi illustrated the event that occurred in the garden of Eden. Humankind tried to re-define what is good and what is evil.
In second Samuel chapter seven we find the ten "I Will" statements God makes to King David. God is reminding King David who is in control. God is not available to serve King David's individual story seeking his personal comfort. On the other hand; King David and we are in God's story and God's plan.
Consider what humankind is, we are dead to life sinners. It is God's plan that we will know life everlasting thru the blood of Jesus Christ. God uses the story of King David's life to reflect our a shepherd boy is raised to know a different life.
It is important that we understand Jesus and God. Consider what humankind gains by accepting the relationship God offers through Jesus Christ.
In Ephesians 2:11–22 we find Jesus is for a Gentile in the flesh the only HOPE, and the only way to PEACE with our God.
11 Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands; 12 that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, 15 having abolished in the flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; 16 and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 and he came and preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were nigh: 18 for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father. 19 So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, 20 being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; 21 in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.
We become cured and made whole only by touching God and our only way to God is through the blood of Jesus. Who is like him? Give your praise to Jesus.
Do you want to know the feeling of being secure about yourself emotionally, physically, and spiritually? Praise The name of Jesus. Through his name you can understand what a relationship with God means. You are accepted, the meaning of your life is confirmed, you are loved the way you are when your life is in Jesus Christ.
Consider what King David found in a relay ship with the Lord God.
Psalms 89:20-37
I have found David my servant; With my holy oil have I anointed him:
21 With whom my hand shall be established; Mine arm also shall strengthen him.
22 The enemy shall not exact from him, Nor the son of wickedness afflict him.
23 And I will beat down his adversaries before him, And smite them that hate him.
24 But my faithfulness and my lovingkindness shall be with him; And in my name shall his horn be exalted.
25 I will set his hand also on the sea, And his right hand on the rivers.
26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.
27 I also will make him my first- born, The highest of the kings of the earth.
28 My lovingkindness will I keep for him for evermore; And my covenant shall stand fast with him.
29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, And his throne as the days of heaven.
30 If his children forsake my law, And walk not in mine ordinances;
31 If they break my statutes, And keep not my commandments;
32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, And their iniquity with stripes.
33 But my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, Nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
34 My covenant will I not break, Nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
35 Once have I sworn by my holiness: I will not lie unto David:
36 His seed shall endure for ever, And his throne as the sun before me.
37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, And as the faithful witness in the sky.
