This week I've been planning ahead a sermon series on the Book of James. Martin Luther called it an "epistle of straw" because unlike Paul's letters he felt it emphasized works over faith. I see James' book differently. He simply has another emphasis - how those who have a friendship with Christ and a walk with God can live faithfully. In James 5 he speaks of a special tradition of the Church -- anointing with oil for healing.
Sometimes Christians get busy in everyday life and our prayer life falters. When crisis comes we turn to God in prayer. At other times, the gift of prayer is one of the ways we can show our concern for a friend in crisis. The service of Christian Healing is an outward sign of the ultimate sovereignty of God where in faith we turn our brokenness over to the Lord and trust in his gracious care and providential will. Sometimes miraculous things happen and the hoped for changes occur immediately. Sometimes, God is asking us to be patient in bearing our burdens. At other times, the healing may be God's spirit teaching us how we can accept our weakness and persevere in faith. Whether the healing is immediate, over time, or of spirit rather than body -- each is a miracle of God's grace in its own way.
Likewise, physical brokenness is not the only concern we can bring to the Lord for healing. Sometimes our spirit is flagging, our mental state in turmoil. At other times we might seek help from God for the healing of a broken relationship. But when we humbly come before God in prayer we admit our weakness and trust that when we are weak, God can remain strong.
Why not just prayer -- why the symbol of anointing with oil. Certainly God can heal whatever God wishes without this symbol but from ancient times holy oil was a powerful symbol of faith. Remember how the prophets anointed the Kings of Israel an outward sign of God's favor and presence. To receive the anointing however, the King was admitting his weakness that the strength he relied on was not his own physical prowess or force of arms, but God's wisdom, grace and guidance.
So too when we kneel and receive the anointing we admit that when we are weak, God's strength can still be shown in our life. Too often we like to think that we can handle things but in reality whatever wisdom or skills we developed to deal with our problems -- they are gifts from God. We trust physicians for our physical issues, but in reality whatever knowledge they have is a gift from God as well. Receiving the anointing does not replace the help of physicians, counselors, pastors, or even our own abilities. But when we receive the anointing it is an outward sign of the spiritual grace that the healing of any brokenness has it's basis in God's grace. Whatever else we use to help, it is just an instrument God uses to make his grace felt in the world.
Are there still miracles today? A biblical scholar once said that miracles were really mighty acts of God that show signs of God's rule and reign. Whether the healing is in an instant, as the result of a long series of treatments, or an inner healing of peace in spite of infirmity, they are all mighty acts of God showing God's rule and reign. So yes many miracles happen, but we may not always have the eyes to see them -- or may only realize it in long hind sight. The tradition mentioned in James 5 of anointing with oil for healing is important because in it we demonstrate our faith to trust in God's gracious care and providential will.
In my parish once again on September 30 we will be having a special service of Christian healing as we study James 5 in our Sunday sermon. I hope my congregation can have the eyes of faith to see the many miracles that can happen when we admit our weakness, trust in God's strength and give ourselves over to God's grace and providential will.
No comments:
Post a Comment