Sermon – 07-07-24 – Proper 9 – Cycle B
Scripture: Ezekiel 2:1-5; Psalm 63; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13
Sermon Title: “Can Mercy and Power Exist Together?”

Today, I am using grace and mercy interchangeably. A longer version of this sermon is available at ScriptureComingAlive.com

Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord and bowed with his face to the ground. The Lord spoke and Ezekiel jumped up quickly to learn what his assignment is to be. This is power without mercy since the Lord is sending Ezekiel to some very ornery people.

Ezekiel is sent by the power of the Lord, without mercy. He is being sent to ornery people.

In our 2 Corinthians reading, Paul has an affliction but God’s power will not heal the affliction. Instead the Lord says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul carries on, saying, “Whenever I am weak, then I am strong.” And Paul carried on, spreading Christianity far and wide using God’s grace and mercy that became power but there is no healing, no relief..

When Jesus preaches in his hometown and heals a few people, his growing-up neighbors are amazed, but displeased. Isn’t he Joseph the carpenter’s son? Where did Jesus get this power? It can’t be real. We don’t believe. Because of this unbelief by the growing-up neighbors of Jesus, Jesus does not have the power that he has in other places where people believe.

Now Jesus calls his disciples and separates them into teams of two. Here is a possible conversation between two disciples as they walk along, having been sent by Jesus with specific instructions. Thaddaeus says to Thomas, his partner for this adventure, “Aren’t you afraid we will be assaulted when we approach homes?” Thomas replies, “Well, we were given power by Jesus. How do you suppose power will save us on this journey; will we need to fight? Is that how we will use the power? Thaddaeus chimes in, “Oh dear, are we following Jesus just so that we can prove we can defend ourselves if challenged?”

Thomas says, “I think we have it wrong. If someone slams the door in our face, we shall just walk away after shaking the dust from our sandals. Who wants to carry unfriendly dust around?” “Well then, why do we have this power?” Thaddaeus asks. “What are we supposed to do with the power? I don’t even feel especially powerful at the moment!” Thomas says excitedly, “now I remember. We are supposed to heal people who are friendly to us.” “Oh,” says Thaddaeus, “we’re supposed to knock on the door and announce ourselves as healers, do the healing quickly and run to the next house.” “Wait,” demands Thomas, “there is something missing. That does not seem to be the way Jesus would want us to do this healing. Healing is as much for the soul as it is for the body. What is the word I am wanting to use? I think Jesus wants us to enter the home if we are welcome and have friendly conversation, more listening than talking on our part. If there is sickness we should show – what is that word?” Thaddaeus catches the cue and says, “Are you wanting the word ‘mercy’?” “Mercy – that’s it – mercy, tenderness, compassion,” muses Thomas. “Yes. We shall do this gently. Our power shall be gentle but it will be effective. Our power will be a healing force.”

Then Thaddaeus stirs and challenges the word ‘force.’ “Healing force! Sounds less than gentle to me.” “Oh, certainly you have a point, says Thomas. “How about ‘healing power; gentle, healing power?” “Now you have the right attitude. The Spirit of Jesus is with us” claims Thaddaeus. “But is the Spirit of Jesus going to feed us? I am hungry. How about you, Thomas? What did Jesus say about food when he sent us out?” “I am hungry,” says Thomas. “When do you think we will find a home to test this challenge? If the home is a friendly home, I think we should expect food. Don’t you think Jesus would be merciful enough to care if we have some food along the way and water? We were told not to carry anything!” Right, just the clothing on our backs. Mercifully, Jesus did say we could wear sandals.”

Now Thaddaeus says excitedly, “Oh look, the people in that house are waving to us. They are saying, ‘Come in!’ Thomas states, “Oh, thank the Lord, I smell food baking! God is merciful. Now let’s be good guests and politely listen and observe how this family is doing.” Thaddaeus replies, “Then we will tell the story of Jesus coming to earth to teach and to heal. I sure hope the power I am supposed to have will kick in if someone needs healing.” “Me, too,” says Thomas. “We just need to have faith. Power works best with faith.” “Who needs to have the faith” says Thaddaeus? “Does the person with power need to have faith or does the person being healed need to have faith?” “I don’t know,” confesses Thomas. Then Thomas suggests, Why don’t we pray to Jesus and the Father to give us enough faith to have our power work well even if it is just to bless the home when we leave. We would be showing mercy and grace.

As their journey continued, Thomas and Thaddaeus were able to heal people and bring people to believe in Jesus. The other teams had the same success. Jesus was very pleased to hear their stories when they returned.