The Children's Sermon: Mark 1: 29-39

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Epiphany 5B
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Gospel: Mark 1: 29-39

Reaching Out

Highlighted Verses: Mark 1: 29-39

As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. ³⁰Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in
bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. ³¹He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she
began to serve them.

That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. ³³And the whole city was gathered around the
door. ³⁴And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak,
because they knew him. ³⁵In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. ³⁶And
Simon and his companions hunted for him. ³⁷When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” ³⁸He answered, “Let
us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” ³⁹ And he went
throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Have you ever noticed that someone needs help - but maybe been too shy to go over and lend them a hand?

This week as I was driving I noticed a car up ahead in the distance that had broken down on the side of the road. As I got a little closer I
watched as another car pulled off to help the man standing there next to it - and it made me think.

I started to wonder whether they knew this man - maybe he'd even called them for help - or whether they just saw that he needed a hand
and decided to act?

It made me wonder whether I would have done the same. He was a stranger, after all, and it was getting kind of dark. It was a choice I didn't
even have to make - but it sure made me think.

In this week's Gospel story, Jesus visits the home of Simon and Andrew. When he got there he learned that Simon's mother-in-law was sick in
bed with a fever - and guess what he does? Jesus goes right to her - this woman he's never even met - and helps to make her well.

If we went over to a friend's house and learned that someone was sick in bed we might just as well stay away to keep from getting sick
ourselves. But not Jesus. He went right in there and helped her - just like the people I watched in the car.

Sometimes it's an uncomfortable feeling - and takes a little bravery - to do the right thing, doesn't it? But Jesus never shied away from doing
the right thing when he was needed. That doesn't mean that we should take dangerous chances where they don't seem like a good idea - but
there are lots of ways to help. Even if I'd decided not to get out of the car myself, I could have made a phone call, right? Maybe let the police
know that there was a man whose car had broken down? That would have been helpful and safe.

In the end, this week's lesson is a good reminder that we should never be afraid to do the right thing. Will you keep an eye out for people in
need this week? Your help could mean a lot to them.

Let's pray.

Dear God,

We know that Jesus devoted his life to making sacrifices for the good of others. Help us to follow his example during the week ahead.

Amen