Luke 9: 37-43, Psalm 27, and Philippians 3: 17- 4:1
Today’s Gospel of Luke includes Jesus’ various intentions for us. Among them, I see Jesus coming down from the Mount of Transfiguration and rebuking the disciples and the Boy’s father for their lack of faith. Verse 41 also has significant meaning. Through these words, Jesus foretells that he will not be with the Israelites long. Of course, it is not enough to precisely interpret that there was a prediction of Jesus’ passion and resurrection. However, through these comments of Jesus, we can realize that Jesus knew God’s will and plan more clearly during prayer. The third thing is that Jesus rebuked the impure spirit. By the power of God, demons were driven out. What can we learn from this very brief, dramatic scene?
First, we can imagine the situation in Israel at that time. We remember that Jesus performed many miracles. Among them, the ministry of casting out demons appears everywhere. Even today, casting out demons occurs in some countries. However, these places generally lack medical facilities. This phenomenon is common in societies suffering physically and mentally from war, famine, and poverty. At this time, it is natural to invite the highest religious leader in the society to seek a solution. Looking at Israel’s situation at the time, it was a colonial life under the continuous rule of the Babylonian Empire, the Persian Empire, and Rome. In the meantime, some people resisted for the country’s independence. However, what came back was an even more devastating military suppression. The lives of people ruled by other countries are tough. Politics and economy are unstable. There isn’t enough food either. Also, taxes are very high. There is no strong friend country that stands on Israel’s side. This is the sorrow of a weak country. Citizens of these countries suffer from diseases big and small. It isn’t easy to receive treatment in time. Not only are there a shortage of doctors, but there is also a shortage of medications to prescribe them. So there were no groundbreaking alternatives other than basic methods such as applying olive oil or keeping clean. There must have been a lot of resentment built up in the hearts of these people. Even if they resist social problems, they cannot solve them. Some of them are physically ill and fall into wrong thoughts. Sometimes they have delusions and even threaten people. What they need more than anything is plenty of food, comfort, love, and hospitality.
The case is a little different, but a guest who wasn’t familiar with the Soup mission came to visit last week. And he ate soup with us. Under the guidance of a church member, he went down to the lower hall and ate soup. I don’t know how many bowls he ate. He also had some tea and a snack and left quietly. I remember his face before he came to church and when he left the church. At first he seemed very tired. It was hard to feel vitality in his face. However, after eating together and being welcomed by church members, I saw him leave with great confidence on his face. Although it is a tiny thing, our church is doing these things. Although we are not Jesus and cannot drive out the impure spirit, we can drive out the darkness in a person’s heart. It is through faith and love. And we too can handle the Lord’s ministry and have the Lord’s hope. We know the service you do throughout Red Deer. In addition, I remember and bless your precious spirit of service and support through the church. And we experience that the light of hope can shine into a person’s life through us. That’s how we become miracle makers. This is possible through faith in God.
How about David who wrote Psalm 27? Before becoming king, he had to fight on the battlefield. He received both jealousy and threats from opposing forces, including King Saul. He suffered enough to record wicked and enemies in the Bible. But he was not discouraged. Instead, he relied on and trusted God more. As verse 1 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?” The Lord, who is light, guided David. And Creator leads us. Let us now shine the light we received back into the world like a mirror. Let us trust like David in the Lord, who is the power of life. Ultimately, we will experience verse 13. “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”
Recently, the president of a country offered to sell a gold card that would lead to citizenship for $5 million. Of course, I don’t know if it’s worth it. However, citizenship defines where I belong and my identity. As I spoke during my recent visit, Canadians, Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese take pride in their countries. Many countries in East Asia are not friendly with each other. Among Westerners, military strategists often worry that China, Japan, and South Korea might ally. But that is not possible. Cooperation is difficult because both parties have extreme pride and self-esteem. What power does citizenship have? The country begins with protecting its citizens. Canada’s strength comes from projecting its capabilities to rescue its citizens when they are in trouble abroad. During the coronavirus pandemic, when citizens on a cruise in Japan were detained, a charter flight was sent to rescue them. It also rescued Pastor Hyeonsu Lim of Toronto, detained while traveling to North Korea.
What is the power of heavenly citizenship? It is the peace of knowing that I am under the influence of God’s kingdom. It is a belief that God protects me with his almighty arms. It is the joy that She gives me as a gift. You don’t have to worry about this happiness being taken away from you. There is no need to be anxious. Therefore, we need to understand the kingdom of heaven and how it defines us. As citizens of heaven, we learn and use the language of heaven. It is the language of love. It is a language of encouragement. It is a language that cares for and saves our neighbors in need. Also, as citizens, we must follow the law. What are the laws of the kingdom of God? It’s simple. This is how to love God and love your neighbors. And it was refined into 10 detailed provisions.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, stand firm in the Lord in this way! The Lord, who is light, will heal us all, give us strength, and guide us all on His path. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Amen.