June 27, 2021
Pastor Terry Hagen
Sermon Open Wide Our Hearts
Scripture Psalm 96, Lamentations 3:22-33, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 5:21-43
The First Reading
Psalm 96 what a wonderful way to begin our message of “Open Wide Our Hearts.” We repeated see reference to a reminder that we proclaim God’s salvation and to him be the glory. Such uplifting and inspiring words can’t help but cause us to “Open Wide Our Hearts.” So many references to the Glory of God – His omnipotence – His majesty and his justice. His justice is just.
Psalm 96
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Who would have guessed that we would have found such a gem of God’s great grace as seen in Lamentations. The reading begins in verse 22 which extols the Lord’s grace: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed for his compassions never fail. All these virtues that we ascribe to the Lord – such as his faithfulness, our hope in Him. We are called to wait quietly for salvation.
The Second Reading
Our second reading is from the Book of Lamentations. When we read Lamentations we expect to find lament, but in this passage we find a reminder that is seem elsewhere in Scripture and that is to “wait patiently,” for our salvation. We find more wonderful words in this passage they are words of compassion and of hope and love. These words echo God’s great grace. Once again how can we not open wide our hearts?
Lamentations 3:22-33
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him. Let him bury his face in the dust— there may yet be hope. Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace. For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.
Our Third Reading
In our third reading we are able to hear what Paul had to say about God’s grace as well. Verses 1-2 I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
It is in verse 11 that we see the reference for the title to today’s meditation. Is this not reason for us to “Open Wide Our Hearts.”
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Verses 1-2
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. Verse 11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.
Our Fourth Reading
Again in the Gospel of Mark we see the heart that is truly “Open Wide” to all who will listen. It is the heart of Jesus as we see in all of his miracles such great grace and in all of his teachings such great truth. Two miracles are recorded here. The healing of the woman with bleeding. Not only physical healing but Jesus sends the woman on her way and give the gift of peace as only Jesus could give. The second miracle in the raising of Jairus daughter. We remember that with Moses came the law but with Jesus came me truth and grace. Compassion and mercy in healing.
Mark 5:21-43
When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.
ALL GLORY BE TO THEE AMEN.