The Unauthorized Homily

By Bill Dunn

A commentary on the Scripture readings from the Sunday Lectionary

(Scripture readings for Sunday, June 28th: Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24; 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mark 5:21-43)

DON’T WORRY, BE FAITHFUL

In this week’s gospel reading, a synagogue official named Jairus approached Jesus and begged Him to heal his 12-year-old daughter who was at the point of death. As they traveled to Jairus’ house, news arrived that the young girl had died. Scripture says, “Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, ‘Do not be afraid; just have faith.’”

What a great sentence: Do not be afraid; just have faith.

Jairus’ friends encouraged him to let Jesus leave. “Why trouble the teacher any longer?” they reasoned, convinced it was too late for a healing to occur. But Jairus ignored their advice and pressed on toward his home, most likely clutching Jesus by the elbow and walking as fast as possible, even dragging Him along while breaking into a trot.

Jairus did what Jesus commanded. He had faith. (Although I can’t imagine he successfully followed the first half of Jesus’ command, “Do not be afraid.” He was probably terrified and on the verge of hysteria. At least I would be, if in the same situation.)

Jesus’ key sentence, “Do not be afraid; just have faith,” was not merely for Jairus. It applies to all believers throughout all of history—including, and maybe especially, those of us living today. If you had to pick one sentence to summarize God’s dealings with mankind, from Adam and Eve to the 21st century and beyond, you wouldn’t go wrong choosing, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

To some observers, Jesus’ statement is no different than that goofy song, “Don’t worry, be happy.” Many people think the heart of Christian living is to ignore our problems and pretend that everything is fine. “Pie in the sky, by and by,” as the secular critics say. Or as Karl Marx cynically sneered, “Religion is the opiate of the masses.” (I wonder how ol’ Karl’s soul is faring right about now, 126 years after his surprising discovery that atheism is not true.)

Christians are accused of mindlessly and irrationally ignoring the hardships of life, using religion as an emotional crutch, and all the while pining for those heavenly mansions promised to us by Jesus after our death.

Although I’m not sure about Bobby McFerrin’s motivation for writing, “Don’t worry, be happy” (I suspect it may have been a few bong hits and/or a pitcher of margaritas), the attitude expressed by the song—and the countless people who use it as a philosophy of life—is rather mindless and irrational.

The difference between the song and the Scriptures is the foundation of each. “Don’t worry, be happy” is based on…nothing. Ignore your problems. Why? Well, just because. Be happy. Why? Well, just because. As experience teaches us, ignoring problems usually makes them worse, and trying to force ourselves to be happy is the surest way of becoming miserable. Without a foundation, without a valid reason for not worrying and for being happy, it just won’t work. (Although the weed and the booze can offer temporary relief—take my word for it—the worries and the unhappiness will be multiplied in due course.)

Jesus’ words do work, however, because of the foundation on which they are based: the eternal power and glory and love of God Almighty.

Jesus tells us not to be afraid. Why? Just because? No, because God is God and because He is in control of every molecule in the universe, from the beginning of time and for all eternity; that’s why. Jesus tells us to have faith. Why? Just because? No, because faith can not only move mountains, it is also our ticket to eternal life in Heaven with God; that’s why.

Jairus had faith in Jesus’ words, however weak and tentative his faith might have been. And his faith was rewarded, as Jesus raised the little girl from the dead with the words, “Talitha koum.” (The Bible explains this expression means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” I always thought it meant, “You ain’t seen nothing yet!”)

If Jesus had told Jairus, “Don’t worry, be happy,” and then walked away, do you think Jairus would have been suddenly filled with serenity and joy? I don’t think so. His daughter still would have been dead.

If the advice to ignore our problems and put on a big smile is backed up by nothing but hot air (despite a soothing Caribbean rhythm), we’re not likely to break out into the happy dance anytime soon. Only when that advice comes from Christ, who backed up His words by conquering death once and for all on the first Easter morning, can we be assured that there is truly nothing to fear. Only when we put our faith in Jesus can we expect to hear, as Jesus told the hemorrhaging woman whom He healed on His way to Jairus’ house, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

©2009