Don’t Throw Jesus Out with the Deconstruction Bathwater

Mark, in his redactor’s comments, observes that the disciples’ hearts were hard and, thus, they were amazed at Jesus’ power and presence. He sites, as a reason for their hardness, as well as a result, that they did not understand the meaning of the feeding of the 5000.

So, that raises a very important question: What is the meaning of that moment?

What does it say about Jesus’ compassion, his presence, his attention, his power, and the difference he makes in our lives and in the world?

Consider Jesus, compassionate and suffering with us when we are without direction, hurting with us when we are alone at sea in a storm, patient with us when our hearts are hard, present with us working mighty wonders.

Don’t throw out Jesus in your deconstruction and reconstruction.

Consider Jesus. Touch the edge of his clothing if nothing else.

Great things can happen all in one day.

Mark 6:30–56

Wherever He Went

And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole. — Mark 6:56

There was a typical response wherever Jesus went. When he entered a village, or a city., people congregated.

Then, they brought him their friends and family who were sick or afflicted.

They brought these folks with the confidence if they could just get near him, just make some contact with him, the sick would be healed.

Proximity to Jesus is what the church offers the world. The body of Christ is the physical and visible presence of Christ in the world. The presence of Christ is the very presence of God for Immanuel reminds us that God is with us.

So, to follow this flow, the presence of God becomes the possibility of healing, grace, forgiveness, deliverance, and hope.

Light shines in darkness. Life flows from death. Joy comes from sorrow.,

The very hem of his garment was close enough for so many. He was one man in one place on earth. It would have been impossible for him to personally touch or speak to everyone, but his presence was sufficient for those who could not get his attention.

It is different today. He is not with us in the flesh, but he inhabits the flesh of multitudes. He has expanded his ministry, as he said he would, through his people, the church.

We can go everywhere and bring proximity to Jesus. We can even be the presence of Jesus in places where we cannot physically go because of technology that is increasing our capacity family.

The same hope and healing is available in a broken world if we will be the presence of Christ for others and let his love flow through us.

That is the meaning of the church in the world. We carry the light into the darkness. We embody Christ himself to the world. We expand the presence of Christ who fills all things. We offer our voices so that he may speak.

And people congregate.