Dealing with Shingles

Mark 7:24-30

By Rev. Dr. Scott Seidler, Senior Pastor

I’ve had chicken pox.  I understand shingles are much worse.  These are not the shingles I want to talk about.  Nevertheless, the shingles I have in mind can be equally burdensome and painfully itchy.

These particular shingles are the ones which figuratively hang on the side of our lives.  Having these out invites others to come in, sit a spell, and unload their burdens upon our ears and hearts.  As human beings, we have to be especially self-centered not to have at least at times “our shingle out.”  The very fact we are community-based beings requires us to be sympathetic to others and their tales of woe at least some time.

But what about when you are tired of having your shingle out?  What about when you need to find a shingled soul who will listen to you and help you unburden the weight of your worries?  What about when the person calling on your shingled status repulses you, even if their particular problem isn’t really that problematical?  Or, what about when you’ve tried every way to put someone off, but they just keep coming back to you?

In Mark 7:24-30 a repulsive shingle-seeker came questing for Jesus.  Her daughter was sick and Jesus was tired.  His shingle was shuttered for just a bit as he caught up on some much needed Sabbath.  To no avail.  The mom just kept coming and coming until finally Jesus acclaimed her faith and spoke healing to her daughter.

Two points to keep in mind.  Jesus’ shingle is always out inviting us to come and unload on Him.  Repulsive as our sin makes us, we nevertheless have full access to Him and His power because of His grace.  His death and resurrection are our entry fee to his shing-ular service. 

More, his invitation enables our shing-ular mission to touch people with Jesus Christ for healing and for service.  We can leave our shingle out longer, and tolerate even the most repulsive of people in light of how Jesus perseveres with each of us.