The Role of Practice and Experience in Growing a Faith

Luke 8:26-39

As we look at the life, faith and ministry of Jesus, it is noteworthy to place it within the cultural, religious and medical practices available in the time in which he lived. Medical knowledge and practice were more advanced than we might assume. For example, Jewish physicians had a good grasp of remedies available to help relieve various health issues. Honey, for example, was used to relieve sore throats, rosemary was used for stomach ailments, a solution of pounded maidenhair fern for tapeworm infection and a poultice of fish brine was given to relieve rheumatism.^. Cupping and blood-letting were also practised along with thermal waters, cauterisation, curetting of wounds, trepanning and caesarean deliveries.

From the Gospel accounts, Jesus had a remarkable ability to heal the sick and to aid people physically and spiritually in an age long before modern medicine. This certainly attracted crowds who sought his help and healing. As his popularity grew, Jesus soon encouraged his disciples to share in this healing ministry:

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.¹

We see a lovely example of this in the healing of the Gerasene Demonic². Jesus brings relief and transformation to each step of this healing account. In the process, he reveals the love and power of God, especially to those who felt lost and trapped in a society which offered them little hope or help.

At the same time, Jesus condemned the religious elite for the way they abused the poor by not practising what they taught! Instead, they 'tied up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on the shoulders of the poor, refusing to lift even a finger to help and care for those who were struggling in poverty'. In contrast, Jesus laments on how he would love to gather the people of Israel to Himself for safety if only they were willing!³

In Luke's Gospel, however, there is a similar healing example. After Jesus had healed the man, he naturally wanted to become one of Jesus' followers. Jesus tells him instead to return home and share the good news of how much God has done for you. The man accepted Jesus' advice and “told everyone he met how much Jesus had done for him.”

I don't know about you, but I find this story incomplete. The man was struggling with three issues: first, his self-destructive behaviour; then his experience of isolation from normal society; and finally, his feeling of being trapped by his condition that he was powerless to change. In many ways, his actions were not unique. We also have our own issues, our own habits and beliefs, which may not be as destructive as the man's behaviour in this story; nevertheless, they may result in limiting or restricting us. I wonder how we deal with our own personal issues? How ready are we to let go of a habit, or a belief, or a personal issue, that is affecting our own growth towards wholeness?

But Doctor Luke has more to say about the way people deal with their personal issues as he introduces two more situations where people seek out Jesus to share their troubles with him. The first need was provided by the leader of the local synagogue. His twelve-year-old daughter was dying. In desperation, he begs Jesus help. However, on the way to visit the man's home, Jesus' journey is interrupted by a woman who had suffered from haemorrhages for twelve long years. The woman also reaches out to Jesus in the hope she might be healed. Jesus senses her need and stops. The result in both cases, the woman and the young daughter are healed. ⁵

While these stories may sound more poetic than historical, they do remind us that the grace and presence of God is never limited by our own faith struggles. This doesn't mean all our problems and illnesses will simply go away if we ask for God's intervention. Even St Paul discovered this when suffering from a limiting physical complaint. He had repeatedly pleaded to God to heal him,  but discovered his prayers were not answered the way he had hoped. In the end, he came to accept that God had not abandoned him and that his situation was not unique.⁶

Religious Faith is not magic. Faith in its essence, is about relationship – our relationship with God, with others, and with the world around us. When Jesus was inviting his would-be disciples to “Come, follow me” he was inviting them to enter into a living, transformative relationship with him. It was a two-way relationship. One that was built on trust, love, and personal commitment. And while the intellectual aspect of faith man provides a foundation, it is up to us to develop a daily practice that allows that faith relationship to truly grow.

Kia Mau te pai ki a koe I to haerenga!

May you find peace and good wiill on your journey!

Phil

___________

1. Matthew:36

2. Luke 8:26-39

3. Matthew 23:1-39

4. Matthew 8:23-27

5. Luke 8:40-42, 49-56

6. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9