“Isolation and Opening Up”
4/26/20 42 day of corona-virus time; Lev. 13:45-46, 4-6; Lk. 5:12-16;
Jn. 11:35-46
Leviticus 13- If
the spot on his skin is white but does not appear to be more than skin deep and
the hair in it has not turned white, the priest is to put the infected person
in isolation for seven days. On the
seventh day the priest is to examine him, and if he sees that the sore is
unchanged and has not spread in the skin, he is . to keep him in isolation another seven days,
On the seventh day the priest is to examine him again, and if the sore has
faded and has not spread in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean; it
is only a rash. The man must wash his
clothes and he will be clean.
Luke 5:12-16 12While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell facedown and begged Him, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 13Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14“Do not tell anyone,” Jesus instructed him. “But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 15But the news about Jesus spread all the more, and great crowds came to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray.
John 11:35-46 35Jesus wept.
36Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” 37But some of them asked,
“Could not this man who opened the eyes of the blind also have kept Lazarus
from dying?”38Jesus, once again deeply
moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the
entrance. 39“Take away
the stone,” Jesus said. “Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the
sister of the dead man. “It has already been four days.”40Jesus replied, “Did I not tell you that
if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus lifted His eyes upward and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42I knew that You always hear Me, but I say this for the benefit of the people standing here, so they may believe that You sent Me.” 43After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”44The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. “Unwrap him and let him go,” Jesus told them.
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41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus lifted His eyes upward and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42I knew that You always hear Me, but I say this for the benefit of the people standing here, so they may believe that You sent Me.” 43After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”44The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. “Unwrap him and let him go,” Jesus told them.
*****************************************
How do you
identify a person if they cannot speak or communicate? Geeta was a deaf-mute who could not read or
write. She was separated from her Indian
family when they wandered across the militarized border with Pakistan. A Pakistani muslim charity cared for her while
she looked for her family. When India
found out about it- it actually softened tense relations between the two
countries. There are literally millions
who have lost their identity in our world.
Human trafficking is a modern form of kidnapping and slavery. The UN estimates 40.3 million victims globally. That is eight times the population of South
Carolina. In the army the wear “dog tags”
that identify their name, rank, and serial number. There are DNA tests that tell us that someone
may not be related to someone else- but often they do not give the true
identity- but it can confirm a true identity.
Dental records- broken teeth, cavities filled, implants identify
people. Scars from an accident can help
too. We are identified by the pain we
have had the missing teeth, the cavities, the scars.
When Jesus died and came back to the disciples- Thomas wanted to see the scars to identify him- I want to see the nail marks and side piercing- and maybe touch them. So when Jesus appeared- he asked Thomas to touch his scars. No one would put such scars on themselves for fun.
Some of the staff was talking about this graduating class- that they were born when 911 happened, and when they were seven the 2008 Great Recession happened, and now this- Caronavirus depression occurs. There is no steady state. They have been scarred, and it will effect the way they think, the way they turn or not turn to God, the way they pray and worship. All of us, listening today have been scarred somewhat by this coronavirus thing. I don’t have to rehash it- but sometimes it is good to name the demon- some have lost jobs, some have lost their graduation, some have lost their retirement savings in the stock market- or at least taken a huge hit, some have lost their cool- trying to live with family members without enough space, some have lost months of grandchildren or grandparent time, some have lost making and being with friends. We are all seeing the limits of social media, facetime, and online things. We miss human touch and shaking hands and hugging. By the way, this is not new. Where did we get the idea of isolation for two weeks? In our passage Leviticus 13 it speaks to this.
But Leviticus 13 and even 1300 years later in the time of Jesus, there are standards for cleansing and opening back up. Someone (in this case the priest) examines the victim of the infection and declares they are clean. They are to wash, wash their clothes and offer a sacrifice.
Now I want us to think about what this will be like we reach a point to come out. It will not be when the virus is totally eradicated- that will not happen- even with a vaccine. If you think of a vaccine- don’t think about a polio type vaccine that will totally keep it away- think of a virus vaccine like the flu that will help prevent and will keep the symptoms from being overwhelming. So because it will not totally eliminate this dreaded sickness, many will just not come out. . But I want to encourage Christians to be courageous but cautious. Be brave but do not be fool-hardy.
The resurrection, is kind of a type of what it will be like when we finally are coming out. I specifically have Lazarus’s resurrection as our scripture today to learn some lessons. So Jesus wept at Lazarus’ problem. It is important to know God cares about our problem. Almost all Christians believe that. Some believe that God is weeping because we have gone so far from Him and we need to come back. Some just believe God is weeping because of his sympathy. But all believe God does not laugh at our misery. Nowhere is this derisive laughing of God found in scripture. Jesus weeps at our coronavirus time and the misery of human beings. But not everyone believes God can or will help. I believe God can and will. Some of it is in the tools God gives us. All the medicines we develop use parts that God has created. All the vaccines that will come will use things that God has made no one creates stuff ex-nihilo (out of nothing) to help us. In fact, a study by the National Laboratory of Homeland Security tested the virus with various treatments and it appears the very best treatment is sunlight or UV rays. So what I am saying is that God has given us tools- and some of what we do is like finding an Easter Egg- we are looking for tools God has already put in creation to help us. But also, God works through His Spirit- and prayer. God comforts and strengthens with His presence. When no one else is holding the patient’s hand- God is right there for those who believe in Him. So Jesus came to Lazarus’s tomb and comforted His family with hope- but that was not all He did. Surprisingly some well meaning relatives told Jesus to not come around. After all it is unpleasant to deal with sickness and death- “there is an odor” Martha tells Jesus- because he has been dead for four days. Jesus could have been afraid of the odor- it is unpleasant. Jewish laws say that you can’t get near a dead person for cleanliness reasons. Jesus didn’t listen. He comes to us when we are sick, when we are miserable, when we are hard to be around and brings His love and comfort.
Jesus called to Lazarus to “Come Out.” The amazing thing is Lazarus was raised and heard the voice. Now Lazarus could have decided not to come out. After all he was wrapped all in grave clothes. It was hard to walk. He couldn’t move his arms to take off the cloth wrapping off his face. He could have yelled back “I can’t!” He could have said, “I’m afraid I’ll get hurt if I try!” But I imagine if you have been raised from the dead you are not that afraid of getting hurt. It probably took awhile for Lazarus to walk out- but he did! Lazarus did come out and then Jesus’ second command was to unwrap him.
When we finally do come out of this corona-virus time- it will be like a resurrection. We have been confined, we have been isolated, we have been alone. Jesus will call us to come out- and then we should. But just as Jesus rose from the dead with scars, and just as Lazarus came out with grave clothes all wrapped around him, so we will come out different than before. The grave clothes- that hold us down- the restrictions will be with us when we first come out- but they will have to be taken off. The scars on our hearts will be there. They will identify us.
My parents and my in-laws had lived through the Great Depression when they could not buy new clothes, fresh food, and they went around hungry and making the most of what they already had. So my mother and my mother-in-law kept every pair of shoes they had ever bought, and were hesitant to throw away clothes that they no longer wore. Some still hid money in the ground or under bed mattresses for years because they were afraid the banks would fail. They were scarred. Our nation is scarred. We have a lot of debt to pay, a lot of people unemployed, a lot of businesses will be closed forever, and it is time to re-think things. But do not be afraid- to come out.
Kind of a funny thing- but I think it is leftover in part from previous times in the lowcountry when disease was rampant. You know Malaria was around SC until the early 1950s. So my last church, when they had communion would cover the elements with a cloth. The reason why is that they used to have to open the windows of the church and flies and mosquitos would light on the bread and cup- so they covered the elements. Today with air conditioning- they still cover the elements with a kind of a pall- and a solemn part of communion was folding up the cloth before we partook. Old habits die hard. How we emerge from this will form habits for years to come. So maybe we go back to drinking communion from small cups; So maybe we don’t have a passing of the peace; So maybe if they say we can only have a certain number in the sanctuary we add another worship service- maybe at LMPC Fellowship Place? So maybe our ushers don’t hand you bulletins. Maybe a little while we will wear masks but I hope not for very long- seeing peoples’ faces and smiles is important.
I want to end with a reference to the Luke 5 passage that we read that I have so far ignored. A leper- who was supposed to shout publicly “Unclean,unclean” came to Jesus. He said, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” This is something we should say to God- “Have mercy on us- heal our land- be willing to cleanse us Lord.” Jesus not only said He was willing, but He touched the leper. Now you are not ever supposed to touch a leper or you may yourself become unclean. I remember visiting a leper colony in South Korea and we had to stay about ten feet away. But Jesus the Healer healed the leper with His touch. God comes to our uncleanness and touches us and makes us whole. I believe He will do this again. Then Jesus says, go show yourself to the priest to prove you are clean and be set free. It is not just “You are free to go” but do the protocol. So we, out of respect and care should do the protocol and listen to the health and governmental authorities. They will make mistakes and we will make mistakes in how we try to fulfill their requests- there will be confusion- it will be ginger- like sticking a toe in freezing water for the first time this year- but let us try to keep the protocol.
There are millions of people who do not know who they are. They have lost their identity. They think that they are here randomly and chaotically with no purpose. They do not know who their heavenly Father is. We should not be afraid to claim our Father publicly in a world that has lost their identity. Identify with the One who has scars. You will have scars too. Your tough times and scars and pain will mold and shape you to a certain extent. Going through this coronavirus time will shape your identity too. How you respond to it- is important. Instead of simply withdrawing, look for ways to bring healing- sending cards, doing something for someone who can’t. Maybe your elderly neighbor cannot get out, or needs help fixing something and cannot get a fixer to come help them. But more than this simple stuff- let me give you a deeper identity challenge. Identify with the One who has the scar marks in his hands and side. Claim Him. Proclaim Him. In a world that does not know what to do- do not be ashamed of identifying yourself with Him.
When Jesus died and came back to the disciples- Thomas wanted to see the scars to identify him- I want to see the nail marks and side piercing- and maybe touch them. So when Jesus appeared- he asked Thomas to touch his scars. No one would put such scars on themselves for fun.
Some of the staff was talking about this graduating class- that they were born when 911 happened, and when they were seven the 2008 Great Recession happened, and now this- Caronavirus depression occurs. There is no steady state. They have been scarred, and it will effect the way they think, the way they turn or not turn to God, the way they pray and worship. All of us, listening today have been scarred somewhat by this coronavirus thing. I don’t have to rehash it- but sometimes it is good to name the demon- some have lost jobs, some have lost their graduation, some have lost their retirement savings in the stock market- or at least taken a huge hit, some have lost their cool- trying to live with family members without enough space, some have lost months of grandchildren or grandparent time, some have lost making and being with friends. We are all seeing the limits of social media, facetime, and online things. We miss human touch and shaking hands and hugging. By the way, this is not new. Where did we get the idea of isolation for two weeks? In our passage Leviticus 13 it speaks to this.
But Leviticus 13 and even 1300 years later in the time of Jesus, there are standards for cleansing and opening back up. Someone (in this case the priest) examines the victim of the infection and declares they are clean. They are to wash, wash their clothes and offer a sacrifice.
Now I want us to think about what this will be like we reach a point to come out. It will not be when the virus is totally eradicated- that will not happen- even with a vaccine. If you think of a vaccine- don’t think about a polio type vaccine that will totally keep it away- think of a virus vaccine like the flu that will help prevent and will keep the symptoms from being overwhelming. So because it will not totally eliminate this dreaded sickness, many will just not come out. . But I want to encourage Christians to be courageous but cautious. Be brave but do not be fool-hardy.
The resurrection, is kind of a type of what it will be like when we finally are coming out. I specifically have Lazarus’s resurrection as our scripture today to learn some lessons. So Jesus wept at Lazarus’ problem. It is important to know God cares about our problem. Almost all Christians believe that. Some believe that God is weeping because we have gone so far from Him and we need to come back. Some just believe God is weeping because of his sympathy. But all believe God does not laugh at our misery. Nowhere is this derisive laughing of God found in scripture. Jesus weeps at our coronavirus time and the misery of human beings. But not everyone believes God can or will help. I believe God can and will. Some of it is in the tools God gives us. All the medicines we develop use parts that God has created. All the vaccines that will come will use things that God has made no one creates stuff ex-nihilo (out of nothing) to help us. In fact, a study by the National Laboratory of Homeland Security tested the virus with various treatments and it appears the very best treatment is sunlight or UV rays. So what I am saying is that God has given us tools- and some of what we do is like finding an Easter Egg- we are looking for tools God has already put in creation to help us. But also, God works through His Spirit- and prayer. God comforts and strengthens with His presence. When no one else is holding the patient’s hand- God is right there for those who believe in Him. So Jesus came to Lazarus’s tomb and comforted His family with hope- but that was not all He did. Surprisingly some well meaning relatives told Jesus to not come around. After all it is unpleasant to deal with sickness and death- “there is an odor” Martha tells Jesus- because he has been dead for four days. Jesus could have been afraid of the odor- it is unpleasant. Jewish laws say that you can’t get near a dead person for cleanliness reasons. Jesus didn’t listen. He comes to us when we are sick, when we are miserable, when we are hard to be around and brings His love and comfort.
Jesus called to Lazarus to “Come Out.” The amazing thing is Lazarus was raised and heard the voice. Now Lazarus could have decided not to come out. After all he was wrapped all in grave clothes. It was hard to walk. He couldn’t move his arms to take off the cloth wrapping off his face. He could have yelled back “I can’t!” He could have said, “I’m afraid I’ll get hurt if I try!” But I imagine if you have been raised from the dead you are not that afraid of getting hurt. It probably took awhile for Lazarus to walk out- but he did! Lazarus did come out and then Jesus’ second command was to unwrap him.
When we finally do come out of this corona-virus time- it will be like a resurrection. We have been confined, we have been isolated, we have been alone. Jesus will call us to come out- and then we should. But just as Jesus rose from the dead with scars, and just as Lazarus came out with grave clothes all wrapped around him, so we will come out different than before. The grave clothes- that hold us down- the restrictions will be with us when we first come out- but they will have to be taken off. The scars on our hearts will be there. They will identify us.
My parents and my in-laws had lived through the Great Depression when they could not buy new clothes, fresh food, and they went around hungry and making the most of what they already had. So my mother and my mother-in-law kept every pair of shoes they had ever bought, and were hesitant to throw away clothes that they no longer wore. Some still hid money in the ground or under bed mattresses for years because they were afraid the banks would fail. They were scarred. Our nation is scarred. We have a lot of debt to pay, a lot of people unemployed, a lot of businesses will be closed forever, and it is time to re-think things. But do not be afraid- to come out.
Kind of a funny thing- but I think it is leftover in part from previous times in the lowcountry when disease was rampant. You know Malaria was around SC until the early 1950s. So my last church, when they had communion would cover the elements with a cloth. The reason why is that they used to have to open the windows of the church and flies and mosquitos would light on the bread and cup- so they covered the elements. Today with air conditioning- they still cover the elements with a kind of a pall- and a solemn part of communion was folding up the cloth before we partook. Old habits die hard. How we emerge from this will form habits for years to come. So maybe we go back to drinking communion from small cups; So maybe we don’t have a passing of the peace; So maybe if they say we can only have a certain number in the sanctuary we add another worship service- maybe at LMPC Fellowship Place? So maybe our ushers don’t hand you bulletins. Maybe a little while we will wear masks but I hope not for very long- seeing peoples’ faces and smiles is important.
I want to end with a reference to the Luke 5 passage that we read that I have so far ignored. A leper- who was supposed to shout publicly “Unclean,unclean” came to Jesus. He said, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” This is something we should say to God- “Have mercy on us- heal our land- be willing to cleanse us Lord.” Jesus not only said He was willing, but He touched the leper. Now you are not ever supposed to touch a leper or you may yourself become unclean. I remember visiting a leper colony in South Korea and we had to stay about ten feet away. But Jesus the Healer healed the leper with His touch. God comes to our uncleanness and touches us and makes us whole. I believe He will do this again. Then Jesus says, go show yourself to the priest to prove you are clean and be set free. It is not just “You are free to go” but do the protocol. So we, out of respect and care should do the protocol and listen to the health and governmental authorities. They will make mistakes and we will make mistakes in how we try to fulfill their requests- there will be confusion- it will be ginger- like sticking a toe in freezing water for the first time this year- but let us try to keep the protocol.
There are millions of people who do not know who they are. They have lost their identity. They think that they are here randomly and chaotically with no purpose. They do not know who their heavenly Father is. We should not be afraid to claim our Father publicly in a world that has lost their identity. Identify with the One who has scars. You will have scars too. Your tough times and scars and pain will mold and shape you to a certain extent. Going through this coronavirus time will shape your identity too. How you respond to it- is important. Instead of simply withdrawing, look for ways to bring healing- sending cards, doing something for someone who can’t. Maybe your elderly neighbor cannot get out, or needs help fixing something and cannot get a fixer to come help them. But more than this simple stuff- let me give you a deeper identity challenge. Identify with the One who has the scar marks in his hands and side. Claim Him. Proclaim Him. In a world that does not know what to do- do not be ashamed of identifying yourself with Him.
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