"The
Fringe"
a condensed version of the
sermon delivered by Rev. Kirk Moore on Sunday, June 8, 2008 at Union Congregational Church, United Church of
Christ, in Somonauk, Illinois.
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Outcast
The reality that Jesus showed extravagant love for those who were outcast from society is something we love to talk about. In the United Church of Christ our tagline of "No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey – you’re welcome here," is born out of the understanding of Jesus love that rejects no one. This week’s Bible reading from Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 features Jesus reaction to three who were outcast in society.
In one way or another, each of these people was ostracized. A tax collector was considered a "bottom feeder"; A woman bleeding for years was "unclean" by the standards of the day and she not only should not have been touching a rabbi, but also should have been separated from everyone. Dead bodies should never have been touched at all.
Matthew the tax collector chose what he did for a living. The woman had done nothing to deserve separation. And all the little girl had done was gotten sick -- and now her family was going to be separated because they were in contact with her dead body.
In each case Jesus obliterated the boundary in favor of love.
The societal answer of Jesus’ time: "Don’t talk to the bottom feeders – they’ve made their beds"
Jesus response: "Follow me."
The societal answer of Jesus’ time: "Don’t touch anything dead – you’ll become diseased. You’ll be unclean. Don’t touch anything that has touched anything dead."
Jesus response: "Let me take you hand – and give you life."
The societal answer of Jesus’ time: "Women are unclean for seven days each month. If a woman continually bleeds – she in continually unclean. She must be separated from the community."
Jesus response: "Take heart – your faith has made you well."
In none of the cases did Jesus even acknowledge the rules that were used to separate and ostracize. He did have some less than kind words for the ones who abused the rules in order to keep people out of the community and instead on the fringe.
All three of the people in our reading today were on the fringe. Matthew – the tax collector – called by Jesus. The dead girl – raised by Jesus. The woman – healed by Jesus.
Let’s talk a little more about the woman.
Her situation was absolutely horrendous. She was ill – and had no where to go. She desperately wanted to be part of the community but she was ostracized. She knew what it was to be part of the community. How do I know? Because of what she did.
She risked punishment to reach out to touch the fringe of Jesus’ cloak.
Before she had been marginalized, she would have known about being part of her faith community. When the rabbi would walk through the town or in the synagogue, they would wear their tzit-tzit – tassels with fringe that hung from their sleeves. The people would reach out to touch the tzit-tzit as part of a ritual that gave them a sense of belonging. It gave them hope and some even thought to touch the tzit-tzit was to receive blessing and healing.
And there he was – walking through the streets with those tassels on.
"If I can just reach him and touch the fringe of his cloak. If I can touch the tzit-tzit I know that I will be healed. I will be made whole again. I will be restored!"
I don’t know anything about supernatural powers coming from tassels on a cloak. But I do believe in the healing, restoring, reviving, refreshing and renewing love of Jesus Christ.
This woman was outcast for a reason that should have never been used to marginalize her. Today we wouldn’t ever do something like that.
But we have found other reasons to marginalize people.
We have experienced other reasons to be ostracized.
Jesus didn't marginalize these people. Neither did he set up a timetable for any of the ones he healed or any he called to be his disciples for what changes would happen in their lives and when they would happen. He said, "Your faith has made you well."
Today you may be thinking about people or groups of people you may have treated with disdain or disrespect because of some societal ‘rules’ or because of prejudices that we don’t want to have but are there nonetheless.
And as you reach out to Jesus to touch the fringe of his cloak, he says, "Your faith has made you well."
Today you may be thinking about your life – feeling ostracized, feeling wounded, desperately wanting healing. You may think that as soon as you can get things together Jesus will make you whole. You may think that as soon as you can get things together you can be part of God’s community.
And as you reach out to Jesus to touch the fringe of his cloak, he says, "Follow me, come back to life."
Jesus offers new life. Jesus offers healing, wholeness, restoration, love – life – to everyone. Not only to, but undoubtedly to, those who are, or feel like they are marginalized and ostracized. Jesus healing, wholeness, restoration, love – life – as we look to him and reach out to touch the fringe.
Close with prayer.
© 2008 Union Congregational Church, All Rights Reserved