Hospitality and Healing: Embracing Community and Christ
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound connection between hospitality and healing, emphasizing the importance of community and the presence of Christ in our lives. We began by acknowledging the significance of communion, a reminder of God's unconditional love and acceptance for each of us. This love is symbolized by the equality stoles we wear, representing that all are welcome in this sacred space.
Reflecting on personal experiences, I shared a recent visit to my family's gravesite, which led to a discussion about the healing power of community, particularly through a grief group that has provided immense support and acceptance. This group exemplifies true hospitality, offering a space where individuals can express their emotions without judgment or the pressure to be "fixed." It is in this environment that we find healing, as we share our stories and bear one another's burdens, realizing that we are not alone in our grief.
We delved into the story from the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus heals Jairus' daughter and a woman suffering from a long-term illness. These narratives highlight the power of faith and the presence of Jesus in the face of suffering. Jesus' actions remind us that healing often involves restoring relationships and community, transcending physical ailments. The story challenges us to redefine miracles, seeing them in everyday moments and interactions, and to trust in God's presence even when healing does not occur as we expect.
The sermon also addressed the harmful notion that a lack of faith is to blame for unanswered prayers, emphasizing that God's grace is not something we can earn or claim. Instead, we are called to be the presence of Christ for others, offering love and support through simple acts of kindness. By doing so, we mirror the face of Jesus to those in need, providing comfort and companionship in their struggles.
As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the miraculous presence of Jesus within us, empowering us to be vessels of His love and healing in the world. Let us embrace this calling, opening our hearts to the miracles around us and carrying the presence of Christ wherever we go.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Community in Healing: True healing often occurs within the context of community, where individuals can express their emotions freely and without judgment. This environment of acceptance and support allows us to share our burdens and find solace in knowing we are not alone. [49:54]
2. Redefining Miracles: Miracles are not limited to dramatic events but can be found in everyday moments and interactions. By broadening our understanding of miracles, we can recognize God's presence in the simple joys and connections we experience daily. [55:45]
3. Faith and Presence in Suffering: Faith is not about having enough belief to receive a specific outcome but trusting in God's presence with us through all circumstances. Jesus' presence in our suffering offers comfort and healing, reminding us that we are never alone. [59:18]
4. The Gift of Touch and Presence: In a world where touch is often misunderstood, the simple act of reaching out can convey profound healing and love. Jesus' example of touching those in need teaches us the importance of being present and offering physical and emotional support to others. [01:02:18]
5. Being the Presence of Christ: We are called to be the presence of Christ for others, offering love and support through simple acts of kindness. By doing so, we mirror the face of Jesus to those in need, providing comfort and companionship in their struggles. [01:06:02]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction to Communion and Community
- [02:30] - Personal Reflection on Grief and Healing
- [05:15] - The Role of Hospitality in Healing
- [08:00] - Exploring the Gospel of Mark
- [12:30] - The Story of Jairus' Daughter
- [15:45] - The Healing of the Woman with Bleeding
- [19:00] - Redefining Miracles in Everyday Life
- [22:15] - The Presence of Jesus in Suffering
- [25:30] - The Power of Touch and Community
- [28:45] - Being the Presence of Christ for Others
- [32:00] - Communion and the Presence of Jesus
- [35:15] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 5:21-43 - The story of Jesus healing Jairus' daughter and the woman with the issue of blood.
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Jairus take when he approached Jesus, and what does this reveal about his faith? [55:45]
2. How did the crowd react when Jesus said the girl was not dead but sleeping, and what does this tell us about their understanding of Jesus' power? [55:45]
3. Describe the interaction between Jesus and the woman who touched his cloak. What was significant about her approach and Jesus' response? [55:45]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of community in the healing process, particularly in the context of the grief group? [49:54]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does the story of Jairus' daughter and the woman with the issue of blood challenge traditional views of faith and healing? [55:45]
2. How does the sermon redefine the concept of miracles, and what implications does this have for understanding God's presence in everyday life? [59:18]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between faith and unanswered prayers, and how does this perspective affect one's spiritual journey? [01:02:18]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of being the presence of Christ for others, and what are some practical examples given? [01:06:02]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced healing within a community. How did the support of others contribute to your healing process? [49:54]
2. Consider the everyday moments in your life. How can you become more aware of the "miracles" that occur around you? What steps can you take to cultivate this awareness? [59:18]
3. How do you respond when prayers seem unanswered? What practices can help you trust in God's presence during these times? [01:02:18]
4. Think of someone in your life who is currently suffering. What simple act of kindness can you offer to mirror the presence of Christ to them this week? [01:06:02]
5. How can you create a space of hospitality and acceptance in your own community or family, similar to the grief group mentioned in the sermon? [49:54]
6. Reflect on the role of touch and presence in your relationships. How can you offer healing and support through these means in a way that respects boundaries and fosters connection? [01:02:18]
7. What specific action can you take this week to embody the presence of Christ in your workplace, school, or neighborhood? [01:06:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Healing Through Community
In the journey of healing, community plays a pivotal role. It is within the embrace of a supportive community that individuals find the freedom to express their emotions without fear of judgment. This environment of acceptance allows for the sharing of burdens, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding. When people come together, they create a space where healing can occur naturally, as they realize they are not alone in their struggles. The power of community lies in its ability to provide solace and strength, reminding us that we are interconnected and supported by one another. [49:54]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to today to offer support and understanding in their time of need?
Day 2: Discovering Miracles in the Ordinary
Miracles are not confined to grand, dramatic events; they are woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. By broadening our understanding of what constitutes a miracle, we open our eyes to the divine presence in simple joys and daily interactions. Recognizing these moments as miracles allows us to see God's hand at work in the ordinary, transforming our perspective and deepening our faith. It is in these seemingly mundane experiences that we can find profound meaning and connection, reminding us of the constant presence of the divine in our lives. [55:45]
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)
Reflection: What ordinary moment in your day can you view as a miracle, and how does this change your perspective on God's presence in your life?
Day 3: Faith in the Midst of Suffering
Faith is not about having enough belief to achieve a desired outcome; it is about trusting in God's presence through all circumstances. In times of suffering, the presence of Jesus offers comfort and healing, reminding us that we are never alone. This understanding of faith challenges us to rely on God's grace and presence, even when our prayers seem unanswered. It is through this trust that we find strength and hope, knowing that God walks with us in our struggles and offers solace in our pain. [59:18]
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God's presence more deeply, even when the outcome is uncertain?
Day 4: The Healing Power of Touch and Presence
In a world where touch is often misunderstood, the simple act of reaching out can convey profound healing and love. Jesus' example of touching those in need teaches us the importance of being present and offering physical and emotional support to others. This act of presence and touch can break down barriers and create connections that foster healing and understanding. By being present for others, we embody the love of Christ, offering comfort and companionship in their struggles. [01:02:18]
"Then he put out his hand and touched him, saying, 'I will; be clean.' And immediately the leprosy left him." (Luke 5:13, ESV)
Reflection: How can you offer the healing power of presence and touch to someone in your life today?
Day 5: Being Christ's Presence for Others
We are called to be the presence of Christ for others, offering love and support through simple acts of kindness. By doing so, we mirror the face of Jesus to those in need, providing comfort and companionship in their struggles. This calling challenges us to embody the love and grace of Christ in our interactions, creating a ripple effect of healing and hope. As we carry the presence of Christ with us, we become vessels of His love, bringing light to the world around us. [01:06:02]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)
Reflection: What simple act of kindness can you perform today to reflect the presence of Christ to someone in need?
Quotes
"I feel kind of like the angels who speak to the women who go to the tomb and say, why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here. So for me, I experienced my parents' presence and my brother's presence with me in multiple ways. And so going to a graveside doesn't necessarily help me remember them. In fact, in some ways, it reminds me of the finality of them not being here anymore." [00:46:39] (32 seconds)
"No one tries to minimize what you're going through. No one has any of these, you know, platitudes that we hear. In fact, we've joked about one of our sessions, we're going to eat lunch together afterwards and share some of the worst things that people have said to us after our grief. And, you know, but no one does that in this group. There's just an openness. And because of that, as we share our stories, we get to witness, and we get to share one another's burdens. And the most beautiful part is that we then experience that we are not alone." [00:48:29] (37 seconds)
"And in accepting my grief and the fact that God did not heal my son, I've begun to see miracles in a much broader definition. I've begun to see miracles in every person I speak to. I've begun to see miracles in the sunrise this morning, in my cat and my dog as they lay next to me and don't want me to get out of bed, in the hugs that I receive, in the healing of relationships that I've experienced." [00:50:38] (34 seconds)
"There is so much miraculous all around us. And so, although I'm not sure that I think you just have enough faith and you'll be healed, there is something beautiful about God's promise of healing and about having faith. Because having faith is trusting that God is going to be there with us, that we are not alone. And so, just like, you know, we share in this grief group this sense of we bear one another's burdens, having faith means we get to experience the presence of Christ in our midst. And that is a healing power." [00:51:27] (44 seconds)
"And so, he heals her and then restores her to community. And so much of our healing, the healing that we need, is in relationships. We need healing in our communities. We need healing in relationships within families. We need healing in friendships. We need healing in relationships in our nation, which is so divided. And we hate each other so much. We desperately need God's healing. And so, Jesus is helping us to see that we can be restored even to community." [00:54:31] (36 seconds)
"And Jesus looks at Jairus and says, the thing that angels say all the time, do not be afraid, only believe. Do not be afraid. Boy, if we could take fear away from everyone, we would be restored to community because I guarantee you the hatred that we feel towards one another is all based on fear, all of it. And Jesus says, do not fear, only believe." [00:55:45] (32 seconds)
"But the second thing that I think Jesus does that we too often shy away from is he touched her. He reaches out his hand, he takes her by the hand and he invites her to get up. I think our society has probably over -sexualized touch to the point where we're afraid to put a hand on somebody's shoulder, right? And yet, how many of us have been healed by a warm embrace, by someone, you know, taking us by the hand, by praying with each other, holding hands, by a reassuring hand on your shoulder. You got this." [00:58:10] (39 seconds)
"What does it mean to be the presence of Jesus? We're about to take communion where we are reminded that the presence of Jesus is in this place. It's in us. And when we take the body and the blood into our bodies, we are reminding ourselves that Jesus lives in us. So wherever we go, we bring the presence of Christ with us. What an amazing privilege to be the presence of Christ for each other and for other people who don't even know who Jesus is." [00:59:18] (43 seconds)
"And she talked about the things that people said to her. Because she had done all this research, she had all of these people that she knew from around the country, and, you know, people tried to minimize it. They would say, oh, don't worry, you're going to get through this. And you know what? If you don't, you're going to a better place anyway. So don't worry about it. Or they would try to teach her. They would try to say, you know, this is going to be the greatest test of your faith ever." [01:01:24] (34 seconds)
"And she said, but what happened was when it no longer was there, there was an imprint on my very soul that the presence of an unbidden God had been with me. She said, that never left. And of course, she had a young son and she was married and she, you know, felt like her whole life was ahead of her. And yet, she experienced this amazing presence of God in the midst of it all." [01:04:08] (32 seconds)
"You see, that's what happens when we are willing to face our own fears and to go to be with others in the midst of their suffering, is that we mirror to them the amazing, loving, healing face of Jesus. And they know that they are not alone because of our simple acts, our simple acts of a card of encouragement, of flowers, of warm socks, of meals, of, you know, phone calls, of all sorts of things that we do when we surround people who are hurting. We become the presence of Christ for them. We mirror back the very face of Jesus." [01:05:18] (44 seconds)
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