Reflections...

A sermon preached at Kowloon Union Church on 30 June 2024, by Rev. Ewing W. Carroll, JR . The scripture readings that day were Psalm 30: -1 and Mark 5: 21-43.

“Our Bridge Over Troubled Waters”

First a word of personal privilege.  Thank you Pastor Maggie for that nice introduction.  The only time I’ve ever had a nicer one was once when I introduced myself!  May I take a moment and wish KUC and Happy Centennial. KUC was a 13-year old teenager when I was born.  Since 1966 I’ve known all KUC’s pastors except for the Barksdales.  I have been blessed to be a part of :this “touching place”   On another note, I preached my first ever sermon 64 years ago this Summer - in my hometown church.  The title was “Life’s Greatest Bargain”.  Today’s sermon is from a different scripture but a similar meaning. God in Christ is the central point of our lives.

 

Last Sunday in Dr. Hope’s sermon “Lord of the Storm” we followed Jesus and his Disciples across The Sea of Galilee to “the other side ”.  A place of differences and disagreements between Jews and Gentiles . There, a sleeping Jesus awoke to calm a raging storm and the frightened hearts of his Disciples and others nearby.  His words Peace!  Be Still.  were a command to the sea and comfort to the people.

     Both last week and today’s Gospel lessons speak about troubled hearts and turbulent minds. When first reading through today’s Gospel lesson, two songs floated through my mind.  First, the nursery rhyme “Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream, Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily Life is but a dream.” Or some of you may have sung this version:  “Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream, if you see a crocodile don’t forget to scream.

     The second was Paul Simon’s 1960s song “Bridge Over Troubled Waters”. When you're weary, feeling small, When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all. I'm on your side.  When times get rough and friends just can't be found, Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down.  When you are down and out when you're on the street… Like a bridge over troubled waters, I will lay me down.  

 .  Today, the Disciples are back in a boat and again “crossing to the other side’, to more troubled waters.   Two people of former or current high ranking social status and wealth, ignore religious tradition and “political correctness”.  Jairus, a senior synagogue official, fell on his knees and begged Jesus to heal his 12 year old daughter.  In the middle of this situation an older woman did the unforgiveable – she interrupted and begged Jesus to heal her from 12-years of bleeding and then TOUCHED his clothes.

     Their social status, money or medicine had proved useless.   In desperation and confidence they both sought Jesus’ healing.  Oh, and don’t forget Jesus’s cultural no-no – touching a supposedly dead person. Jesus’ reply to questioning onlookers was “Relax folks. The little girl is not dead.  She’s just sleeping.”  Mark’s pretty clear. both child and older woman were miraculously healed.  

     We Christians easily fight verbal battles about miracles.  Some argue and debate “was the little girl reallydead?  Or was she just sleeping? One side focuses on method; the other on meaning.  Miracles include both.  Their significance is not what Jesus could or couldn’t do.  Not what God can or cannot continue to do. Rather, what is our Christian faith response to God’s miraculous acts of healing: ordinary or extraordinary; simple or profound; believable or unbelievable.   If we take seriously today’s Gospel lesson there’s a very simple one word answer:  TRUST. 

       KUC is like a mini United Nations.  I believe we have people here from every Continent except Antarctica! Whatever your Mother language or country of birth, there are probably still old fashion style banks there that include the words savings and trust.  Simply put, IF you had any money to deposit or save, you could trust that bank to care for it;  confidence, reliability.  

     Trust involves two sides; two parties;  one seeks; the other provides. You may remember the story about a man climbing a high mountain alone.  Nearing the top, he slipped and started falling to certain death.  Fortunately, he grabbed the limb of a small tree.  While hanging over empty space, he cried out several times, “Help!  Someone please help me.” Silence.  Then he heard the voice of God, “I’m here my son.  Let go and I will save you.”  More silence. Then, unable to let go and let God he again cried out “Help me, someone please help me.”   .Trust offered, trust refused.

     .  Mark notes the onlookers were amazed and astonished at what Jesus did.  Not so, Jairus or the woman!  Their response was “letting go and letting God”. Confident faith – trust in Jesus.   As we sometimes sing, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey.”.

     Our question should NOT be “Do we believe in miracles?’  It’s not what do we think about Jesus.  It’s do we trust God and Jesus Christ’s healing love.    Full stop. Even if/when the outcome strongly differs from our hope.  Jairus sought Jesus with hope.  The woman with hopeless hope.    Both left with grateful hearts. Through fear, pain, agony and trust, they discovered how God in Jesus Christ is our bridge over troubled waters.

      Thomas A. Dorsey is known as the father of Gospel music.  He lived through most of the 20^th Century.  His life was filled with troubled waters – professionally and spiritually. He suffered two nervous breakdowns and finally, the tragic death of  his wife and son during childbirth.  Devastated, Dorsey locked himself into a room for three days.  He refused any human effort of comfort, solace or food.  During that time of painful isolation and sadness, his time of troubled waters, Dorsey sought and then felt God’s miraculous healing hands.  On the third day, he left that painful isolation with a new life  - and this new song:

Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand

 I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;

 Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light:

When my way grows drear, Precious Lord, linger near,
When my life is almost gone, Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall:

When the darkness appears, And the night draws near,
And the day is past and gone, At the river I stand,
Guide my feet, hold my hand:  

Take my hand, precious Lord, Lead me home.

How about you?  What kinds of troubled waters surround you? [Pause].   You don’t need three days.  Take our hands precious Lord, lead us on, you who are our bridge over troubled waters.  Amen.