Texts: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27; Mark 5:21-43

1.        David laments for King Saul and his son Jonathan. He does not gloat, even though Saul would have killed him. Easier perhaps to exult in the victory and the throne that he could now claim. But he does not choose the easy way.

2.        Big news story this week: another “King” died: Michael Jackson, “The King of Pop.” Gian Gomeshi commented on the CBC National News that we ought not to focus on Jackson’s recent life and all its troubles, but on his real achievements, mostly in the ‘80’s.

3.        Death comes to everyone, even to great people—the “Kings” of this world. Both Kings died trying to hold on to what they believed was theirs. Saul tried to hold on to a kingdom against both internal and external foes. Michael Jackson was attempting to reclaim his standing by making a comeback. Both attempts were cut short.

4.        Every death merits our grief, for we are diminished by every loss. Saul may have been his enemy, but David still revered him—and he loved his son (however we interpret that!)

5.        Michael Jackson may have been a strange and deeply troubled person, but his music captured the attention of billions of people. We ought not to underestimate the joy he created through his work.

6.        This week, I heard someone say about a funeral they had attended, that it was a pretty good event, because “everyone held up OK—hardly any tears.” And yet we have seen the tears of mourners for Michael Jackson on our TV screens…

7.        Grief in today’s world is often regarded with distaste—a private affair. In the Biblical world it was very public, remaining so in modern Judaism. When Jesus came to Jairus’ house, he was met by public grief.

8.        Honest grief, whether for a death or any other loss, is always appropriate. The church needs to honour it, and make space for it.

9.        We also need to remember that grief can be misplaced: “The child is not dead but sleeping.”

10.     David dealt with his grief by lamenting openly, and directing people to learn the same song.

11.     Jesus invites us to deal with our grief just as openly and honestly, and leads us beyond—to the healing of all.

Text: Isaiah 6:1-8; John 3:1-17

1.     Vision of God—even a partial vision is overwhelming.

2.     Vision first calls forth a sense of personal unworthiness.

3.     God acts to cleanse—to forgive, to blot out the prophet’s sins. Isaiah does not ask for it.
It is God’s initiative.

4.     When God calls, the prophet responds in a “heroic” fashion. “Here am I. Send me.”

5.     God’s self-revelation calls forth costly human commitment.

6.     Story doesn’t end with verse 8. Vss. 9-13 give the job description…

7.     When we enter the waters of baptism, we don’t know where God will lead us. We embark on a life of discipleship—born from above through God’s action.

8.     God’s glory fills the earth—through the wonder and might of creation, and through the faithful discipleship of his people.

9.     God reveals his presence. We bow before him, and accept his forgiveness, and say “Yes” to his call. May God be glorified in all who hear these words.