The reward for accepting Him is the joy of knowing freedom, and then to accept His command to work in the vineyard, to feed His lambs – not with empty words, but with deeds.

Praying Together 30th June 2024
Collect for Trinity 5
2 Corinthians 8: 7 – 15
Mark 5: 21 – 24, 35 – 43
If Jesus healed Jairus’ daughter, why didn’t He heal my Grandad?
I try to encourage questions about our Bible readings and the message they contain – but this one, from a child, is perhaps the one I dread most. The passage seems to teach a straightforward lesson about Jesus’ power over Illness and death, as do many other stories – the woman with the haemorrhage, Lazarus and many others. So if them, why not me? Why does Jesus’ healing appear selective? Anyway, why does a loving God allow suffering, illness and death at all?
The answer deserves a reply – but the question and its reply has been around for two thousand years. It involves consideration of human free will, sin and the existence of evil as well as the more practical aspect of death being essential part of the human condition – there would be no room left on earth if everyone were immortal. And the debate continues to this day. Despite having heard and read many such discussions, in truth, for me, I would still have to say I don’t really know the definitive answer. Even Paul didn’t know, actually – he writes of our knowledge being incomplete, like a dim image in a clouded mirror.
But I do know this: that if there were no sadness, I could not know joy: if there were no illness, I could not know health: if there were no hatred, I could not know love: if there were no death, I could not know life. If God fixed all my problems on my behalf, I would be no more than a puppet, not a person with choices. And the Bible teaches that I do have. I can choose love – but am also able to deny love. God gives us that freedom.
So what lesson does this scripture tell us? I suggest it is about faith in the midst of despair. Jesus’ healing is a signpost pointing to the culmination of His divine mission, that encompasses His suffering and torture, His death, His triumph over sin through His cross, and the defeat of evil in His resurrection. So in the face of my uncertainties, I trust Him; and one day, I will know the answer to all the hard questions.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelation 21:3-4
Previous Posts
Praying Together 1st October 2023
Praying Together 24th September 2023
Heavenly Father, help us to work to accomplish your will for us according to our individual gifts without comparing ourselves to others. Help us to acknowledge our own failures and avoid condemning others for theirs.
Praying Together 17th September 2023
And when it comes down to it, I will always need forgiveness – as do we all. For all of us have sinned and fallen short.
Praying Together 10th September 2023
Yes of course we have a responsibility to address sin – but before we criticise others, we need to start with ourselves.
Praying Together 3rd September 2023
‘Those who want to save their life will lose it’, said Jesus, but though people hear Him, they don’t actually listen.
Praying Together 27th August 2023
In the end, it is Peter, once again, who takes the step that faith demands. Thousands since that day have proclaimed the same. And so do I.
Praying Together 20th August 2023
As are we all, whoever we may be – Jew, Greek, slave, free, man, woman. One in Jesus, the Christ. That’s the important bit.
Praying Together 13th August 2023
Once in a while, we might close our earthly eyes and leap over the side. There is nothing that Jesus asks us that we can’t achieve.
Praying Together 6th August 2023
The prophecy is fulfilled, the light has come, the day will dawn and the morning star will rise in our hearts. Hallelujah.
Praying Together 30th July 2023
The treasure is there – it just needs to be found. We search for truth, and realise that Jesus is the truth; the way; and the life.
Praying Together 23rd July 2023
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
Praying Together 9th July 2023
‘What do I have to do to be free?’, they ask. What will it cost me?
Just believe, He says. I’ll buy it for you. On a cross