When John the Baptist sent his disciples to ask Jesus whether He was the One
who was to come, Jesus responded by saying, "The blind see and the lame
walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and
the poor have the Gospel preached to them." This was a laundry list of Old
Testament signs that pointed to the promised Messiah. Immanuel would reveal
Himself in part through these works of mercy. And here in the Gospel
appointed for today, we see Jesus starting to draw check marks next to the
items on that list and saying, "Done." We heard today about two healings.
The first person healed was a leper; and the second person healed was the
servant of a centurion who was paralyzed and tormented. Both were healed by
the power of the Word of Jesus.
The world would have us ask, "What is it about these people that makes them
worthy of Christ's healing?" St. Luke also records the account of the
healing of the Centurion's servant, and he tells us that the elders of the
Jewish community came to Jesus and told Him about the worthiness of the
centurion. By the earthly standards of these representatives of the Old
Testament faith, this centurion had proved his worthiness by building a
synagogue for the Jews. For the Jews to speak well of a Gentile in any way,
well, you can be sure that this must have been a good man, worthy of
anything the Lord could do for him. But the unnamed centurion looked at
himself differently. He said to Jesus, "I am not worthy that you should come
under my roof." And then, showing this was not some sort of false humility,
he commented on the nature of authority-that he was under authority, and
that there were those under his authority. And if his word is enough to make
those under him obey, lowly centurion that he is, surely the Word of Jesus
is that much more powerful to bring to an end the torment afflicting the
servant. Jesus praised the centurion's faith, saying that He hadn't seen
such faith "even in Israel"-that is, even among those who lived in the hope
of the promised Messiah.
But what does that mean for us? We're supposed to be amazed with Jesus by
the faith of the leper and this centurion who trust the power of God's holy
Word. But isn't that exactly what we do? At least the leper and the
centurion with their own eyes could see Jesus in the flesh; should it not be
so much better for us who live by faith? Should not the miracles be a raging
torrent of healing and mercy? 'Lord, I believe, too. I trust the power of
Your Word, too. Why am I still afflicted? Why are my family and friends and
co-workers still troubled?' But those afflictions remain. The trouble
persists. Just look in the bulletin this morning. We've got our own laundry
list: people who are sick in body or mind, people recovering from surgery or
who face surgery soon, people who are in danger because of the situation of
the world today. Illness, pain, suffering, bullies, unemployment, divorce,
even persecution and death-these things continue to befall Christians. Where
is the Word from heaven to deliver those who are afflicted by the cares of
this world?
We find our answer in the faith of the leper. This man was an outcast from
his society, considered ritually unclean because of his disease. If he was
bold enough to approach Jesus in spite of his disease, why was he not bold
enough to just ask for healing? Instead he says, "If you are willing, you
can make me clean." This leper fully believed that Jesus had the power and
authority to cleanse him both physically and spiritually. But he left his
healing up to the gracious will of Jesus. It's as if he is saying, "Lord,
You can heal me. But if, in your wisdom, it is better for me to remain
diseased, if in my illness you will bestow on me a better grace or a richer
blessing than my healing would give, then may Your holy will be done."
My brothers and sisters in Christ, that is true faith: trusting in the good
and gracious will of God, whatever it is that you face, however long you
face it. This is not easy-nor did the Lord promise you that your lives would
be easy. It is hard to walk the narrow way. It is hard to live by faith. The
way of the cross is full of suffering; if it were easy, it would not be the
way of the cross. You carry grief and loss with us; that is your lot in this
life. You've been dealt terrible blows-deadly diseases, crushing
difficulties, the loss of parents, the loss of children. But even in the
midst of sorrows, God is gracious to you. He does not leave you to bear
these burdens alone. He is Immanuel, God with us, revealing Himself through
His great mercy. After all, who knows the burdens of the cross better than
the One who bore the cross to His death for all people? The Christ bears
your burdens with you, suffering with you and, more than that, sustaining
you in the midst of your suffering through His own suffering and death .
The gifts of God are His, and He bestows them where He will. Even in the
midst of suffering, you know that. Is the sin you were born into so filthy
that the waters of Holy Baptism could not wash it away? Certainly not! You
have been cleansed like the leper, washed whiter than snow. Have you sinned
so much that there is a word of Holy Absolution that is not sufficient for
you? By no means! Christ speaks His Word to you, and your soul is healed and
made whole. Is there any spiritual hunger so great that the body and blood
of Jesus cannot satisfy it? Don't even think it! The body and blood of
Christ you receive in the Holy Supper sustains you in the true faith in both
body and soul unto life everlasting.
Let me repeat for you the words of the last stanza of the hymn we just sang:
What God ordains is always good: this truth remains unshaken.
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine, I shall not be forsaken.
I fear no harm, for with His arm He shall embrace and shield me;
So to my God I yield me.
No matter what your hardship is, no matter how heavy, no matter how long it
lasts, the will of God is always good; for in everything God works for good
for those who love him. In the meantime, don't stop praying for miracles,
for God in His mercy hears your prayers, and in His great love He answers
them in the way that is best for you. In the name of the Father and of the
Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and
minds in Christ Jesus always. Amen.
--
Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.
Pastor, St. Peter Lutheran Church, Campbell Hill, IL
[email protected]
http://pastoralkorn.blogspot.com
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