Loving God, you reveal yourself to us through Jesus Christ and then ask us to come and follow and experience abundant life. Help us to see you clearly this day and to answer your call to follow and to serve; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

One of the things that happens in the Scriptures is that we are introduced to Jesus. Regularly in our readings we are given little glimpses - little hints about who Jesus is and what he's like. Today - although many might miss it at first - we are given a glimpse of Jesus' sense of humour.

Jesus encounters a woman close to Tyre. It helps us to know that this is Gentile territory, and Jesus is a Jew, and normally Jews do not associate with Gentiles. However, Jesus isn't concerned with what the norm is, but only with the mission that has been given to him by God. And so, where others might have turned away, he doesn't hesitate to speak with the Gentile woman who comes and begs him to heal her daughter. In fact, Jesus responds to her with a smile, quoting a popular proverb which might even be insulting if somebody else were saying it. The gist of the proverb is that Jesus' mission is first and foremost to his own people - the people of Israel.

Yet, this woman also has a sense of humour and dares to speak back to Jesus. She says, "Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs" (Mk. 7:28). For Jesus' part, he actually seems pleased to lose the argument with this woman. Still smiling, he tells her, "good answer," and that her daughter has been healed.

We then hear about another healing, which also takes place in Gentile territory. There is a man there who cannot hear or speak, and Jesus lays his hands on him and commands him to "be opened" and heals him. Once more there is a touch of humour, as this man who previously was unable to speak is told by Jesus not to tell anybody. He says the same thing to those who witnessed this man's new found speech and hearing. But of course, the more Jesus tells them to keep quiet, the more zealously they spread the word about what they have seen and heard. You can almost see him smiling once again. Sometimes people don't even listen to Jesus!

And so we catch a glimpse today of Jesus' sense of humour, and of his power to heal. We also catch a glimpse through Isaiah of who Jesus really is. You see, Isaiah tells the people that God himself is coming to save them, and when God comes, here's what is going to happen:

"Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy." (Isaiah 35:5-6)

People in Jesus' day commonly believed that these events and others described in the prophets would herald the time of the Messiah - the anointed one - the Saviour. And so, when messengers come to Jesus from John the Baptist and ask him who he really is, Jesus refers to those same verses from Isaiah. He says,

"Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them" (Mt. 11:4-5).

In other words, "God is here. The Messiah is here. God has come to save his people."

And so we, too, are reminded of who Jesus is and of how he shows us what God is like. We are reminded of his power to heal, of his love for all people, and of his mission as Son of God and Saviour of the world. We are reminded that he approaches us with the same sense of humour, the same healing power, and the incredible love that allowed him to give his life for ours. We are reminded of all this today, and then we are asked through the letter of James about our response to Jesus.

You see, the question that James is asking is, "Do you really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ?" (Jas. 2:1). It's an important question, for the Scriptures promise that all those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life (Jn. 3:16). A number of other promises are also given to believers, like rivers of living water flowing out of their hearts (Jn. 7:38), or the forgiveness of and freedom from sin (Acts 13:38-39). Faith in Jesus Christ is proclaimed as the source of inner peace, and abundant life, and salvation or healing and wholeness. Is it not worthwhile to have such things? And so, do you really believe in Jesus Christ?

James is writing to a particular group of people and is pretty much saying to them, "You say you believe but really you don't." He's saying, "You don't love your neighbour as yourself. You don't treat the poor as if they are precious in God's sight. You welcome people based on their money and not on their heart. You figure you can ignore some parts of the law but not others. You tell people to go in peace and keep warm but don't give them the food and clothing that they need. Do you really believe in Jesus or not?" It's not just a question for people from the first century. It's a question for us.

I've actually lost count of the number of times that I have heard people speak sentences that begin with, "I believe, but..." Often what they really mean to say is that they believe but they don't do anything about it. "I believe, but I don't go to church." "I believe, but I'm busy right now." "I believe, but I don't like people always asking for money." "I believe, but I don't like reading the Bible." "I believe, but I don't really like putting myself out."

What James was telling people, and what we also find in the gospels is that there's no such thing. There's no such thing as believing in Jesus Christ and not doing anything about it. There's no such thing as believing but not worshipping. There's no such thing as believing but not following Jesus' example. There's no such thing as believing but not showing love for God and for the people around us. There's no such thing as believing but not giving. Having faith in Jesus Christ means living according to his teaching and example (Jn. 14:12), and we are empowered to do this by the Holy Spirit, who lives within us -- within God's temple.

And so, today I would like to give thanks for all those who do not start their sentences with "I believe, but..." I would like to give thanks for all those who say, "I believe, and here's what I plan on doing about it." I give thanks for those who live out their faith both within and outside of the congregation. I give thanks for those who prepare and set up for worship each week, for those who clean up afterwards, and for those who participate as leaders and ushers and assistants. I give thanks for those who make it possible for fellowship to take place after worship each week - those who prepare and provide the food and drink and those who clean up afterwards. I give thanks for those who prepared for the corn & wiener roast today - those who are outside cooking right now, and those who will clean up afterwards.

I give thanks for those who teach our children in Sunday school and for those who give of their time to work with the youth of our congregation. I give thanks for those who lead, whether as small group leaders or as council members. I give thanks for those who gladly fill in when somebody else isn't able to be here. I give thanks for those who gladly give offerings for the work of this congregation and for ministries which go way beyond the walls of this building. I give thanks for those who care for and maintain the church building and grounds and for those who show up with their mops and rubber boots whenever the basement floods (again!). I give thanks for those who take care of the bookkeeping and the bill paying and the counting and the finances. If we did not have all of these people, there would be no congregation worshipping here.

Yet, people do not live out their faith only in the congregation. I give thanks for those who live out their faith at the food bank and at the prison and at the hospitals and at the personal care homes. I give thanks for the people who hear about somebody in need and say, "Sure - I can help!" I give thanks for those who give generously, wherever it is needed. I give thanks for those who live out their faith in the workplace and share the love of Christ with as many as possible. I give thanks for those who support refugees and who help the shut-ins and who visit those who are lonely or ill. I give thanks for all those who say, "I believe in Jesus Christ, and here's what I'm going to do about it."

And so if you see somebody today who deserves some thanks, say "thank you." We are not asked to serve just to receive others' thanks, yet it always helps to receive some. We are also not asked to serve out of guilt, but out of our faith in and love for Jesus Christ and according to our gifts. May all of us be set free this day to be able to say, "I believe in Jesus Christ, and here's what I'm going to do about it." Amen.

Proper 18(B) Mark 7:24-37
September 10, 2006 Isaiah 35:4-7a
St. Luke's Zion Lutheran Church James 2:1-17
Pastor Lynne Hutchison Moore
? 2006 Lynne Hutchison Moore All Rights Reserved