8 March 2010
Psalm 80; Gen. 44:18-34; 1 Cor. 7:25-31; Mark 5:21-43

Judah, from whose tribe Jesus came, offers himself as substitution for the brother whom he presumes to be guilty. Judah knows himself to be innocent in this matter and can only assume that Benjamin has done what he is accused of doing, all the evidence points to his guilt. In spite of that, and out of love for his father, Judah offers to take the punishment of his brother. Simple and straightforward, in spite of the reality he has just expressed, that his father loves this other son more than he loves Judah. The jealousy that previously infected the siblings seems now to have been accepted as simply the reality of the situation.
As we pick up the story again, Jesus has returned to a more Jewish setting from the healing of the demon possessed man. I remind you that he has come into contact with more ritual defilement than anyone could imagine: demons, among the tombs of the dead, gentiles, pigs, a man with open sores, etc. In spite of this, a synagogue leader comes and asks Jesus to enter his home to heal his son. His desperation overcomes his religious scruples. It is unthinkable that he should have Jesus in his home after all the defilement, but his love for his son is greater than those things. To add to the defilement, a woman with an issue of blood that won’t cease touches Jesus, further contaminating Him, but as with the demoniac, she is cleansed and healed. Now the word comes that this boy is dead and Jesus calls him to not fear but to have faith. The man clearly already believes Jesus, whom the others describe as “the teacher” is more than a teacher and needs to have this word spoken to strengthen his faith. Jesus raises the girl to life again and once again in Jewish territory, instructs them to tell no one. With the gentiles Jesus allows the word to spread, but among the Jews, who have the word and the promise and are looking for Messiah, He insists they come to faith on their own.

Paul clearly believes that the end of the world as we know it is coming to an end in his lifetime. For that reason, he gives particular advice or instructions here concerning how to live in a world that is passing away. We have to re-interpret these instructions for our situation, even though we do live closer to the end than Paul chronologically yet we know not when that hour will arrive. We may and should marry and have children and all the other things we were designed to do, but we are not to be defined by or controlled by these things. Living by the Spirit and following Jesus requires us to lay down our lives and be willing to do as Judah has done if required.

Let your hand be on the man of your right hand,
the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!
Then we shall not turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call upon your name!
Restore us, O LORD God of hosts!
Let your face shine, that we may be saved!