(~) Faith Casts Out Fear

[Ninure Saunders]

(~) Faith Casts Out Fear
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 8
July 2, 2006

Lamentations 3:22-33
(or Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15; 2:23-24)
Psalm 30
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Mark 5:21-43

Faith Casts Out Fear

The writer of Mark's Gospel often interrupts an account and inserts
another story between the two parts. It is in these fillers that Mark
makes the points he wants his readers to grasp. Mark 5.21-43 is an
example. Jairus, an official of a local synagogue, asks Jesus to come with
him and heal his gravely ill daughter, which Jesus does. But the story is
interrupted by the account of a woman who had been bleeding severely for
twelve years, and it is in this story that Mark makes several important
points.

First, note that the woman heard about Jesus. Repeatedly in MARK, it is
how people respond to what they hear, not to what they see, that shows
whether they are part of God's kingdom or not. In response to what she has
heard, the woman has enough faith to believe that if she only touches the
hem of Jesus' garment she'll be healed.

Second, it is her faith that brings about healing, as Jesus makes clear to
her: "...your faith has made you well" (5:34, NRSV). In Mark's Gospel,
faith is always the prerequisite of healing, not the result. People do not
have faith because they are healed, but they are healed because of their
faith. The healings are the tangible results of faith.

What is the opposite of faith? Fear. This is the third important lesson.
When Jesus confronts the woman, her fear is visible, but yet she had had
enough faith to overcome that fear. This is the point Jesus makes to
Jairus when MARK returns to the Jairus account.

Messengers now come to Jairus to say his daughter is dead. But the story
of the healing of the woman has made the point that healing comes through
faith, and that faith casts out fear. Jesus says to Jairus, "Don't be
afraid; only believe." And as Jairus responds in faith, Jesus is able to
heal his daughter.

This week's Reflection was prepared by Dr. Philip C. Stine, a retired
United Bible Societies translator and administrator. He presently serves
as President of Stine & Associates, a consulting company.

-----------------
--
Pax Christi,
Ninure Saunders aka Rainbow Christian

Jesus is my Shepherd and He knows I'm Gay
http://Ninure-Saunders.tk

My Yahoo Group
http://Ninure.tk

Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches
http://www.MCCchurch.org

The Bible Site - help provide free scripture
http://www.thebiblesite.org

To send e-mail, remove your hat

[Matthew Johnson]

Post by Ninure Saunders
(~) Faith Casts Out Fear
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 8
July 2, 2006
Lamentations 3:22-33
(or Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15; 2:23-24)
Psalm 30
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Mark 5:21-43
Faith Casts Out Fear

This title is based on a _misquotation_ of St. John. He said, "PERFECT love
casts out fear (1 Jn 4:18)".

The difference is vital.

It is also vital to remember that Scripture _also_ speaks of a fear of the Lord
that is NOT cast out even by perfect love, namely:

the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring FOR EVER;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether. (Psa 19:9 RSVA)

But with your blanket dismissal of fear, you cast out what Scripture says is for
ever. Bad idea!

[snip]

Post by Ninure Saunders
What is the opposite of faith? Fear.

NO! If this were so, Jesus would not Himself have shown the fear of death in the
Agony in Gethsemane. And yes, it was _fear_ of death. He showed fear, but He was
not terrified, which, as St. John of the Ladder points out, "shows clearly the
distinction between the two natures [human and divine]".

[snip]