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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2013-07-11, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2013. By Rev. Tom Murray Knox United Church, Belgrave Every morning, as all humans arise; wherever in the world they live, they do exactly the same thing. We get up, take a sponge bath, shower, or bathe, brush our teeth, and then decide what we are going to wear that day. Generally in our world it remains true that “Clothes make the man,” or as a popular website states, “Clothes make the girl.” Got a teen? Then you know what I’m talking about; you know oh-so-purse or wallet- painfully how important it is to have the “right look.” To wear the “right jeans” so you can be the “right dude.” Even if you are not into “fashion,” it’s almost impossible not to be influenced by what the current culture says is “cool” or “hot!” Who doesn’t want to “look good” and so “feel good” about themselves? Every week the tabloids are filled with planted or paparazzi celebrity photos. But whatever shape they’re in, what those celebrities are sporting influences the fashion choices of thousands. Designers count on it, indeed literally “bank” on it. If someone trim, fabulous and famous wears it, they will sell them. The “knock ‘em dead” designs on red carpet runways are instantly copied into cheap “knock-offs” that those with disposable income can look like royalty. Even nations without “royal families” have their “royalty.” But while all of us, whether teen or corporate executive, think our clothes make us, the opposite was true in Jesus’ time. Jesus’ clothing was not what set him apart; what was notable in Jesus was the essence of his humanity. In the story of the hemorrhaging woman and Jairus’ daughter, as told in Mark 5:21-43, believing in Jesus’ divine power, was all that one of faith needed. Both the woman and Jairus were convinced that all they need to have was the touch of Jesus. The woman knew what she needed to do: just touch his clothing! Mark’s text doesn’t tell us the part of his clothing she touched. It might have been the swinging tassels affixed to the traditional garment worn by observant Jews (Num. 15:38-39; Deut. 22:12). Or it might have been the edge of the “seamless robe” that was Jesus’ final possession - disposed of as he hung on the cross. That robe, a prized enough possession to encourage the soldiers overseeing his execution to cast lots for the chance to win it – was unique in its seamless weaving (John 19:23- 24). Whatever it was this sick-to- death outcast woman touched, she was transformed. She felt it instantly and so Jesus did too! The woman felt healed in her body and Jesus felt healing power go out of his body. Despite the urgent, life-saving mission Jesus was on for the sake of Jairus’ daughter, he stops and demands to know! To know who had touched him, and who it was who had been healed? Do you get it? We need to pause here a moment, for Jesus is insisting that healing is not a mechanical exercise. Healing requires a relational encounter with a confession of who had required and received healing. Why? For in Jesus’ healing of another there is restorative power made available to us all, but it requires relationship of two or more. An old saying speaks of small children tied to their mother’s “apron strings.” Not a lot of us wear aprons anymore. But whether it’s a baby back-pack, a super-stroller, or a GPS in our teenager’s car or cell phone - we all want our kids to know they are safely connected to us, no matter what! As she was losing her grip and at the “end of her rope,” the hemorrhaging woman had no shame in grasping Jesus’ hem! She saw and recognized the hem of his garment as the last possible lifeline for her to have presence and joy in her life; freed from what held her in captivity from enjoying life. Like a child clinging to a mother’s leg, or a father’s arm, she knew she had to hold firm to her faith to be healed and held. She knew, there was someone to whom she was connected and that this person would even sacrifice self for her to be safe. By holding onto Jesus she knew she could let go of everything else: let go her illness, her impurity and her inferior status. Let go her childlessness and be free of her outcast identity. Just by holding onto Jesus, she could lose all that baggage. Just by holding onto Jesus, the weight of a lifetime could be lifted off her shoulders. If we hold on to Jesus too, wholly and firmly, we can let go of everything else. If we hold onto Jesus too, we will be free from despair, failure and fear of death. If we hold onto Jesus; Jesus will open us up to a power that is so truly greater than any power of our own. By holding on to Jesus, we will truly be transformed into a new form of wholeness; truly “healed” and “held” life! When the woman with the hemorrhage came to Jesus, she was clothed in shame and rejection and hopelessness. When Jairus came to Jesus, he was clothed in grief and desperation. When Jesus touched them their lives were transformed and their clothing changed. A woman’s life as an outcast was restored as the life of a normal woman with her clothing changed. A father’s life as a mourner became the restored life of a joyful parent, whose clothing in life was changed. Are you ready for a clothes change today? How willing are you to slip your hand into Jesus’ hand today? Are you ready to put your hold onto Jesus; ready to reach out to him and hold on to him for dear life? Ultimately, it’s the only way to feel the power of Jesus that holds onto us; that holds onto us and heals us. Be healed, be held, by Jesus! If you will! Amen! Worship Service & Sunday School at 11 a.m. CORNER OF DINSLEY & MILL STREETS MINISTER Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M. Div. All Welcome MUSIC DIRECTOR Floyd Herman, BA, M. Ed.OFFICE: 519-523-4224 NEW START TIME FOR WORSHIP IS 10 AM ALL WELCOME Worship Service & Sunday School at 10 a.m. BEST LIFE HuronChapel.org 10:30am Every Sunday in Auburn You’re Invited To Join Us In Worship SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00 am Evening Service 7:30 pm BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Hwy. 4, Blyth 519-523-4743 www.blythcrc.ca Minister: Pastor Gary Van Leeuwen We welcome all to our Outdoor Service and Potluck Picnic on Sunday, July 21 at 10:00 am at the Blyth Lions Park Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, July 14 Brussels Business & Cultural Centre at 10:30 a.m. Sunday School for children 4 to 11 years of age at 9:30 a.m. 6:30 p.m. service at various locations for July and August. Childcare provided for infants and preschoolers during the sermon. Coffee & cookies after the morning service For additional details please contact Pastor Andrew Versteeg 519.887.8621 Steve Klumpenhower 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173getlivingwater.org Living Water Christian Fellowship 10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School at 308 Blyth Rd. (former Church of God) Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848 July 14: Lk. 11:1-13 Evangelical Missionary Church “Prayer: Asking, Trusting, Receiving” Community VBS July 15-19 at CRC tinyurl.com/blythvbs2013 250 Princess St., Brussels 519-887-6388 www.bmfchurch.com Pastor Jim Whitehead Guests Welcome Jesus Is Lord! Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Worship Service 10:00 am Coffee & Fellowship MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Elwin Garland SUNDAY, JULY 14 Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available 519-887-9017 10:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship - Sunday School BRUSSELS Sandra Cable, Pastor ~ Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - beunitedchurch@gmail.com Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship United Church Church is closed for the month of July You are welcome to worship at Blyth United or Melville Presbyterian, Brussels From the Minister’s StudyBe healed, held by Jesus says Murray Got Married... 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 Share your news by placing your announcement in The CitizenCall for pricing & details #1 And We Still Try Harder! Recent circulation figures show The Citizen has the highest circulation in the northern part of Huron County, #3 in the entire county. The Citizen Proudly Community- Owned Since 1985 Let Us Help You Make The Rest of Your Life The Best Of Your Life