JUNE 29, 2003
Mark 5:21-43
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Ours is a world in which there are many examples which demonstrate the work of God through process, rather than through instantaneous and miracluous intervention. No example is more evident and important to us than progressive improvement in health care. The desire for survival is inherent in the nature of human life. The human body has many things working against its survival but it also has many things that are working to overcome its enemies and thus continue living. The immune system is only one example. While we might like to depend on the intervention of God to correct all our ills in miraculous fashion, the fact is that life teaches clearly that we cannot count on this kind of supernatural response.
The view of the world at the time of Jesus did not include even a basic understanding of a germ or virus. The idea of organ tranplants was not part of human mentality. If a couple was unable to have children it was assumed that the woman was "barren" and perhaps for a reason brought about by God. Apart of a general understanding of the importance of "seed" there was no knowledge of sperm, sperm count, or human eggs. That which is accepted today as routine in response to need, would then have been considered a miracle involving God's intervention. The fact that most of us do not go to the Chapel as a primary source of meeting health needs is an indication that in reality we know that God works through a process that involves us, our attitudes, and our behavior.
The idea of human beings working with God in a process of acquiring both knowledge and skill in maintaining or restoring health in a dependable manner was not a primary consideration in ancient times. Instantaneous miracles were hoped for, prayed for, and believed in, as basic to healthy religion. The prevailing Judeo-Christian view for centuries has been that religious devotion should encourage persons to be obedient servants rather than reverent and humble partners with God. Until religious institutions overcome a religious philosophy based on antiquated views of the world we cannot begin to understand the wonderful possibilities inherent in a reverent and humble partnership with God. Such a partnership accentuates the process through we and God do our work.
The story of the raising of the daughter of Jarius from the dead is another story told with a two-fold purpose. First, it is an indication that Jesus, as a religious leader coult compete effectively with miracle working leaders of other religions. Second, it emphasized that God is so powerful that when faith is exercised wonderful miracles can result. "All things are possible if we only believe".
We now know of course that persons are often resusicated in ways that appear to be examples of God's miracluous intervention. We have also discovered that persons can sometimes appear to be dead when they are not. Without a doubt, many more people are "raised from the dead" in our world in our day, than were ever believed to be brought back to life during the time and of Jesus. The "miracles" of modern medicine are testimony to the reality of God working through process rather than through instantaneous intervention. We have also discovered that the process which brings about such wonderful results happens because of compounded learning and practised skill. A belief in this kind of "process" encourages a wonderful and exciting view of the importance of what we "give" to life and to the world. It enables us to understand the eternal nature of the contributions of our life to the ongoing and wonderful work of God in the totality of things. What a booster of self esteem! What an inspiration to experience growing "awe" in a partnership with God as our Source and Sustainer!