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Commissioning Service
Luke 7:11-17
May 1, 2013
Luke the physician +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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In Gospel chosen, we have Luke the doctor
speaking
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“Completely
cured” is a medical term as is “sitting
up in bed” which is said of a patient
poignancy of life +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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In story we see poignancy of human life in funeral
processions headed by hired mourners w/ flutes & cymbals, uttering shrill
cries of grief
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And sad announcement, “He was his mother’s only son & she a widow”
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We can speak of our own experience of death: depression,
substance abuse, co-dependency, & being an emotional wreck
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It is the nature of things that we live in the
world of pain & broken hearts
Surviving +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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In ancient world folks survived through Stoicism
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Stoics believed that primary characteristic of
God was apathy, an inability to feel
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Argue if someone could make 1 sad or sorry, glad
or joyful, meant he could influence another person
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If that were so, then, for the moment, he was
greater than that person
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No one can be greater than God; therefore, no
one can influence God; therefore G incapable of feeling
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So in such pain, you survived by a stiff upper
lip
Thriviving ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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To this scene & way to survive, Luke adds
Jesus’ compassion
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J’s moved “to
the depths of his heart”
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Moves to wicker basket carrying body & touches
it
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No matter what the nature of the miracle was,
Jesus claims for life one marked for death
conclusion +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Jesus is not only the Lord of life, he is the
Lord of death who triumphs over the grave
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We have often moved to other side of death: joy,
sobriety, healthy relationships, & physical health
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We have been the hand of Christ that has approached
the casket & claimed a one another for Christ
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Miraculous, but no less true
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