Do not weep

 

 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region. 

 

- Luke 7:1–17 

 

Yesterday we read the final reading in the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus told a parable:  "Can the blind lead the blind?  Will they not both fall into the ditch?  A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye?  Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye.  For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  For every tree is known by its own fruit.  For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.  For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.  But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?  Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:  He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.  But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.  And the ruin of that house was great." 

 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.  My study Bible comments that this centurion, who is a Roman Gentile, is unusual in his devotion to the Jews.  It's important to note his characteristics:  he has compassion, a love for God and God's people, humility, and also great faith. 

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.   This is one of three resurrections performed by Jesus that are recorded in the Gospels.  See also Luke 8:41-56; John 11:1-44.  My study Bible suggests that they confirm the promise given to the prophet Ezekiel that God will one day open the graves and raise all the dead (Ezekiel 37:1-14).   It notes that there are may who have exercised authority over the living.  But only the Son of God "has power over both the living and the dead" (quoting from the Orthodox funeral service).  While Christ has power even through His word alone (John 11:43), here He also touched the coffin, which shows that His very body is life-giving.  Moreover, this event prefigures His own Resurrection.  My study Bible notes the commentary of St. Ambrose of Milan, who writes that as Mary would weep for Jesus at the Cross, yet her tears would be turned to joy by the Resurrection, here a widow's only son is raised form the dead, which puts an end to her weeping.  

In the two stories coupled in today's reading, Jesus restores to two people a person who is dear to them, a beloved one.  In the case of the first story, that of the centurion, what we're told is that this is a man of authority who clearly recognizes the authority in Jesus.  The centurion's servant, we're told, was dear to him.  The word translated as dear has as its root a word that means "honor."  That is, the servant is highly honored, valued, precious to the centurion.  In modern Greek usage, it has come to mean trustworthy, another important aspect of what it is to be a valued and precious servant.  The centurion clearly does not want to lose him.   Let's note that the centurion himself is also valued in the community, and considered honorable and trustworthy by the people, who praise that he is "deserving, for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  In turn, he trusts in Christ, clearly having faith in the authority apparent to him in Christ.  Jesus says, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  We remember that the word for faith has at its root the word for "trust."  These are important things to observe and understand about the centurion, and a key to how Christ views our own faith.  How do we view Christ's authority?  Do we trust in it?  The second story is about the woman called the widow of Nain.  This story appears only in Luke's Gospel.  In this case, the person at the center of the story is as far away from the centurion in terms of social status and power as one could get.  She is a widow, and not only is she a widow, but she has lost her only son, the sole source of her support in the world.  The crowd is with her, presumably mourning, and Christ is -- as He is many times in the Gospels -- moved with compassion for her.  He tells her, "Do not weep."   These actions are also found in echoes in the story of the raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-44); Jesus is moved by this weeping woman, He has compassion for her, and seeks to comfort and take away her weeping.  Notice the tender movement in this healing, almost understanding:  rather than healing from a distance or merely with a word, Jesus first came and touched the open coffin,  and only then did He give a command, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  And the sound of Christ's voice and command is truly a scene that reminds us of the ultimate, universal resurrection, when this young man sits up and begins to speak.  So we have both the universally astonishing -- and yet the tender also -- in this resurrection story, for of course, the widow has back her precious son, a deeply intimate joy.   Each one rewarded in the particular way he and she are found by Christ.  In Psalm 18, we read:  "With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; with a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; With the pure You will show Yourself pure; and with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. For You will save the humble people, but will bring down haughty looks."   With the authoritative, He is authority; with the tender, he is merciful; but in each case restoring life and giving what is precious back to one who loves and who mourns.  "Do not weep," Jesus says to the widow of Nain.  In so doing, He gives us all cause for joy, and the recognition of His authority of life over death.

Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it

 From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden.  For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet.  The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.  But Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs."  And she answered and said to Him, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs."  Then He said to her, "For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter."  And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.

Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee.  Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him.  And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue.  Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened."  Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.  Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it.  And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well.  He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."

- Mark 7:24-37

On Saturday we read that the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Jesus, having come from Jerusalem.  Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.  For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.  When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.  And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.  Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?"  He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:  'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'  For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."  He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.  For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban" -- ' (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down.  And many such things you do."  When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand:  There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"  When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.  So he said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also?  Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?"   And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

 From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden.  For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet.  The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.  But Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs."  And she answered and said to Him, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs."  Then He said to her, "For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter."  And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.   As Jesus has recently been under attack by the Pharisees and scribes (see Saturday's reading, above), He withdraws to the Gentile region of Tyre and Sidon, north of Galilee (see this map).  The text makes note for us that Jesus could not be hidden.  It is another important understanding and effect of His ministry, and the working of the Holy Spirit, and God's presence.  This is a story which teaches us, among other things, about the importance of persistence in our faith.  Jesus has not come to this region to preach; as a human being, He wishes to withdraw from the conflicts in Israel, and has no intention to carry on preaching in this Gentile region, as the text makes evident by telling us that He wanted no one to know that He was there.   But God's work and divine will draw this Gentile woman to Him, and she persistently endures even the obstacles Jesus names (such as that He was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, as reported in Matthew's version; see Matthew 15:24).  Her persistence wins her favor, and expresses her faith.  In particular, Jesus responds to her resilience in dialogue with Him, which she does in a sense that also conveys her complete humility.

Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee.  Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him.  And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue.  Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened."  Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.  Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it.  And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well.  He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."  My study bible makes note of the fact that Jesus sighed.  It says that this is a sign of divine compassion for the sufferings of our fallen human nature.  Again, also, we note that despite Jesus' best efforts to avoid more conflict with the authorities, word of what He does spreads despite Himself:  the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it.   My study bible says that Christ's example shows that we mustn't seek acclaim or praise when we do good to others.  However, Theophylact upholds those who disobey Him in this circumstance, and sees them as a good example, as we should proclaim those who have done good to us even if they do not want us to.  Indeed, it is one sign of gratitude.

Let us consider Jesus' work in today's reading.  He goes even where He has not intended, in order to escape from the beginnings of conflict with the authorities who begin to pursue Him, and yet, the ministry follows and is everywhere.  Even this foreign woman demands His help, and reveals her true faith.  The Decapolis is another region with many Gentiles, a place whose name means "Ten Cities" in Greek.  It was a region of much influence of Greek and Roman culture, mixed with the Jews.  And there, too, His fame spreads despite His best efforts.  "Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it."   Jesus' ministry spread despite Himself, His healing spreads far and wide, despite Himself.  It's important, I think, that we understand this aspect of ministry, because without it, there is an important reality we don't come to know.  It is not only true that He is here for everyone, that He has been sent into the world not simply into the best of circumstances, but into the worst, and through all things.  He is sent to be with us.  But faith isn't for the nominal few who form some elite or elect group.  What today's readings show us is that Christ faith is that which gathers "the least of these," those who are outside, those for whom every other avenue of help might not be possible or available.  And this is one aspect of our particular faith that we cannot forget.  Jesus defines family, in an earlier reading, by saying, "Here are My mother and My brothers!  For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother."   This does not mean that He rejects His own family, nor family on worldly terms.  But it does define something essential for our understanding of our faith that surpasses and transcends all things.  It means that there is essentially no one left out of possibilities of belonging.  It is simply faith that is the power to bind together, and to heal.  It means truly that Jesus is present even in the places where we think people are left out of the nominal "group."  God expands this ministry beyond even where Jesus' human expectations go; but the chosen are those beyond even Jesus' human understanding of the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  Or perhaps we could more truly say that those belonging to this House are far and away beyond all boundaries we expect or imagine.  Jesus reminds us that no matter how great our understanding of what and where our nominal group is, there are always outsiders, and God is always present to them too.  The only requirement is faith.  Every boundary is to be opened in the realm of faith, hope, and belonging in this House;  every expectation of limits to God's love and grace befuddled and astonished.  All are gathered to this House.  The psalm tells us, "Though my mother and father forsake me, the Lord will take me up" (Psalm 27:10). Let our eyes and ears be opened, and our mouths be full of praise.  God's hope will not be stopped.