Category: 2014 Lectionary Ramblings

Categories
2014 Lectionary Ramblings Lectionary Ramblings

July 23rd 2014: Luke 20:1-8

Read Luke 20:1-8 here

This morning we return to the chronology of our previous story, and find Jesus teaching about the Kingdom of God in the Temple. He is challenged by the Teachers of the Law – what authority does He have to be teaching here and in this way? We should remember that this is the same Jesus who has already claimed that the power to grant freedom to captives has been given to Him. The Pharisees know who they think Jesus thinks He is. They are trying to trap Him in to blasphemy so that they might capture and silence His troublesome ministry. Jesus, in His own enigmatic way, is far too clever for them, rhetorically running rings round them, keeping Himself alive and free (for now) to speak the truth of the Kingdom and, I would imagine, impressing His audience with the speed of His mind and wit.

We live in an age which is obsessed with rights. What gives us the right to do this or that? What gives the government to look here or demand this of us there? We know that Jesus’ authority was clear and special – He was God, come from God to complete the task that the Father had set before Him, and He would not be denied. This was victory on a cosmic, eternal scale, not merely an earthly one, played out before the eyes of an unsuspecting and uncomprehending world. These days it seems to be much the same. What right do we have to believe that God exists, that He is love, that He’s worth taking notice of and, more than that, that we think everyone should take note of Him and the life offered in Jesus? It’s an easy time to be spiritual. An easy time to be dogmatic, to spring to judgement, as society, each one of us, consistently colludes in remoulding and reshaping the moral codes by which we live in such a way as to make ourselves feel as superior (or even just adequate) as possible. Check yourself and how you think today. We all do it, I promise.

But here’s the exciting thing for today. Jesus knew who He was, what He had been called to do, and that He was going to complete the task set before Him, so when He was challenged, He answered without answering. Our commission to go and make disciples is not from this world, it is from Heaven. As we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, love ourselves and love our neighbours, let us constantly make sure that our first priority is God and the families and communities He has placed in to our care. With this focus in mind, questions like the one asked of Jesus here become a lot less important or powerful. We have all the authority we need. You have all the grace, mercy, love and peace you need, available to you today. Go out in to all the world and share it. I dare you

Categories
2014 Lectionary Ramblings Lectionary Ramblings

July 22nd 2014: Luke 8:1-3

Read Luke 8:1-3 here

Today, thanks to the vagaries of the Lectionary, our gospel reading jumps from the rather exciting Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem of yesterday to the beginning of Luke 8, and the pre-amble to the parable of the sower. In 3 verses, we’re told quite a lot:

Jesus is travelling from village to village proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

There are a lot of people with Him, including some women who have been cured/delivered of all sorts of things.

These women are supporting the men from their own means.

What is the meaning of the women supporting the men of their own means I wonder for us today? I think it speaks of the way that ministry in whatever form or sense, is a team sport. Jesus and the Disciples were the ones who were, perhaps, up front, but without the crowds who followed and supported them, continued ministry, perhaps even existence, would not have been possible. In all the fashionable arguments we find ourselves involved in about the validity of ministry of different sorts by different people and social groups, it is easy for us to forget that we need each other for this task of partnering in the growth of the Kingdom of God, the task with which we have been entrusted. In the diaconal role taken on by the women in this passage, we see Jesus turning upside down, as usual, the social conventions of His time and His culture. What a shame, if we as contemporary Christians become so pharisaical about our traditions and wonts that we forget the simplicity of giving our lives to, literally or figuratively, to travel from village to village proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring?!

Categories
2014 Lectionary Ramblings Lectionary Ramblings

July 21st 2014: Luke 19:28-40

Read Luke 19:28-40 here

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” Today’s reading gives us a stark picture. Jesus has his disciples steal a colt (it seems) as He and His followers come in to Jerusalem. No-one seems to mention whether or not this is morally ok!

Jews knowing prophecy might well have perceived His entering of Jerusalem on a donkey as fulfilment of prophecy (Zech 9:9). It’s likely that the crowd who cried “hosanna” were expecting a powerful political or militaristic saviour to wrest control of Jerusalem from the Romans. The disappointment and resentment the Jewish authorities were able to stir up a few short days later as Jesus was handed over to Pilate may well stem form the subverting of expectations which Jesus’s “triumphal” entry in to Jerusalem almost certainly would have been. Jesus came not as an all-guns-blazing political usurper, but as a servant king. Even though this was not what Israel wanted at this point, it was what it, and the whole world, needed. Jesus “failed” in order to succeed. He did so whilst remaining in complete control of Himself and what He was doing, and trusting His Father with His life.

Sometimes it is easy for us to demand of God that He show the strength of His arm, that He gives us victory, superiority, vindication or anything else. Jesus was due these things and more as the perfectly righteous God-man. And yet. And yet, He chose to give Himself for us all. God has given us everything we could possibly need. We are not called to run society, not given the right to be heard, to be powerful or anything else of that ilk. We’re called to serve, to humble ourselves and put the needs of others before ourselves, as Jesus ultimately modelled for us in the final week, which begins with this story. As we begin a new week, let’s ask God to bless us with the courage to humble ourselves and serve, so that He might be served and glorified.

Categories
2014 Lectionary Ramblings Lectionary Ramblings

July 20th 2014: 1 Peter 3:8-18

Read 1 Peter 3: 8-18 here

Two parts of this passage really jumped off the page as i read this passage this morning. The first is verses 8 and 9: “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. “

In our society there is a lot of talk about compassion, particularly at the moment. What we seem to have taken it to mean currently is that we take a view as to what the best kind of life we can imagine for ourselves and one another, and seek that for others, politically, economically, ethically, morally and so on. This is, in a sense, empathetic, but it could also be borne out of fear of difference. We far a narrative that we’re all supposed to be equal or the same, but we can only be so in the eyes of God. Our society, in this age, is not built, does not wish and will not allow, actual Kingdom equality to take place. So, instead, how are we to be compassionate? I think verses 17 and 18 at the end of this passage might hold something of the answer:

For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

Annoyingly for us who don’t ever want to suffer or to see suffering, it is a part of life. We can go round and round the mulberry bush about whether God causes, allows, abhors or even ignores our suffering. Everyone has a different perspective. In a sense though, in spite of the narrative at play in our culture at the moment I’m not sure it matters who is the agent causing the suffering. Here, Peter is saying that, if we follow God’s way, and (unsurprisingly) suffer in whatever sense, it is better to do so for doing good. So, returning to my earlier question, I believe compassion in our culture is to unstintingly and unfailingly seek to do good, good not in the eyes of culture or society, but good in the light of the life, death, resurrection and love of Jesus Christ. He suffered for us, not so that we don’t have to, but so that the final victory of peace, joy, hope and love is won for all. We are not showing true compassion to anyone, in any sense, in my view, unless something of how we are and how we live points them to the life and love of Jesus Christ. Don’t misunderstand me though, good works are crucial in all of our lives, and we are, it seems to me, regularly given opportunities to undertake them. The point I think Peter is driving at this morning though is that good works alone are not enough, everyone can do those. Let’s find ways to be known as people of love, grace and compassion today.

Categories
2014 Lectionary Ramblings Lectionary Ramblings

July 19th 2014: Luke 19:11-27

Read Luke 19:11-27 here

The Parable of the Talents is today’s reading, yet another “hard saying” of Jesus. He is, as usual, uncompromising in His denunciation of those who do not build on the gifts and responsibilities they have been given. I can imagine this parable being told theatrically and with much gesticulating as the point is rammed home. The investment that God has placed within each one of us is expected to grow, flourish and bear fruit. Fortunately, we are not alone in seeking to do this. We have God, for us, with us, within us, and we have one another, the Church to journey with. This is why it is so important that we do not isolate ourselves, particularly over issues like doctrine and ethics/morals. We have a hope, we have joy and peace to enjoy and to share, but we also have a responsibility not to rest on our laurels and let the deposit of the Spirit go to waste. We cannot earn our salvation. Only God can give. Only God can ever take away. We can, though, waste the opportunity of a lifetime. We are to love God with everything we have, love our neighbours and love ourselves. Without love it is impossible to please God, and so, out of the love that God has lavished on us and continues to lavish upon us, so let us be people who lead people to Jesus. We might be able to lead with words, or songs, but it’s much more likely that people will be led to Jesus be who we are and how we live.

What talents has God given to you? How can you use them to show people that He loves them today?

Categories
2014 Lectionary Ramblings Lectionary Ramblings

July 18th 2014: Luke 19:1-10

Read Luke 19:1-10 here

Zacchaeus, so the song goes, was a very little man. What he lacked in stature he appears to have made up for in cunning, taking from the poor, storing up treasure for himself and caring not a jot for anyone else. Yet he was drawn to climb a tree to see Jesus. But even Zacchaeus was shocked when Jesus invited Himself around for the evening. It seems to be the one thing that Jesus needed to say to get His attention. Cutting right through to his heart, and to the heart of the matter. Instantaneously, it seems, Zacchaeus is transformed, a changed man, seeking to make amends with all he has wronged, and throwing in his lot with Jesus. Even as this life-changeing, town-changing event was taking place, and Zacchaeus was doing himself out of a nice little earner, many were grumbling, criticising Jesus for consorting with sinners, even tax collectors.

It’s easy for us to try and keep ourselves, or the Church, pure. We try to stay away from things that will damage us. We sing the right songs, read the right books, eat the right food and so on and so on. We can be prone to criticising others who do not approach God, life, faith, moral and ethical issues in the way that we do.We can walk under a cloud of righteous indignation, thinking that we are making all right around us, when actually we are the ones who suffer when we live in such a pompous and arrogant fashion. Jesus cuts through all social convention in declaring that salvation has come to the house of Zacchaeus, but he does not care. He does not care about anything apart from that another one has been added to the Kingdom. Oh that we would commit ourselves to the discipline of living with this attitude.

What’s the one thing Jesus could be saying to you today, trying to get your attention? Can you remember the first time it happened? Are you willing to open up your life and let the light shine in, so that the light of God might shine out today?

Categories
2014 Lectionary Ramblings Lectionary Ramblings

July 17th 2014: Luke 18:31-43

Read Luke 18:31-43 here

As Jesus predicts His death for a third time (31-33) we see clearly His mastery of the situation that He was in the process of willingly submitting Himself to as He set His face towards Jerusalem. Perhaps He didn’t know what it would sound or feel like, perhaps He did, but He knew very well that He was willingly striding towards His destiny and purpose, His willing sacrifice of Himself for all mankind. It seems obvious that doubts and sufferings travelled with Him as we see later in the narrative of the Passion but, for now, Jesus seems secure and focused in His mission. As opposed to a couple of days ago, Luke is explicit that the meaning of Jesus’ words was hidden from the Disciples. It must have been quite a thought to realise what He had explained about Himself in hindsight in the months and years to come!

Verses 35-43 are dominated by the story of the blind man on the road to Jericho who recognised the Son of David, who in having mercy on him could give him what he most needed. For me, the key point to the whole exchange is not that Jesus was able to restore the man’s sight – this should come as no surprise to anyone who has been reading the gospel accounts – nor is it that the man, upon receiving his healing glorifies and praises God – this is the purpose of Jesus’s healings, to reveal God and something of His kingdom and to bring people in to relationship with Him. No, it all rests on the simple question “what do you want me to do for you?” It’s easy for us to see people in need or suffering and “divine” what we think they want or need, assuming that what is presented obviously to us is the deepest issue. I believe that Jesus saw that the barrier between this man and relationship with God was the lack of his sight, but that it was important that the blind beggar himself articulated it. What if he had said something else, such as “help me to love my neighbour more” or “help me to bring resolution in my family life”? I believe Jesus would do that too. The compassion of Jesus leads Him not to force Himself upon us, but to let us come to Him and ask for what we desire. I believe He gives us the things we need that keep us moving forward on the journey of faith, whether they be big or small. So it is not just about healing, or lengthening limbs, or gold teeth, it is about being drawn ever deeper in to the wonder of relationship with God.

What do you want Jesus to do for you today?

Categories
2014 Lectionary Ramblings Lectionary Ramblings

July 16th 2014: Luke 18:15-30

Read Luke 18:15-30 here

“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” says Jesus. Does this mean leaving our brains at the door or coming unthinkingly to Jesus? I don’t think so at all. A lot of the children and young people I know are highly discerning about the people they “let in” or trust. They are not indiscriminate and without sophistication. Rather it is what flows out of their hard-won trust; loyalty, obedience when necessary, willingness to learn, to be stretched and challenged, which marks a child-like faith. Are we willing to be obedient, to learn, to be stretched and challenged, or do we want to argue every point of our lives, circumstances and theology tooth and nail with Jesus until we are satisfied He has met our conditions of acceptance? We should remember we have already met His, as He welcomed us as adoptees in to His family.

What we have received, however much or however little it may have been, will pale in to the insignificance of a speck of dust compared to the inheritance we are promised in the age to come. Hold on to that, whether you love your stuff and your wealth, or you struggle to put food on the table every single day. the life, the world, the circumstances we have now, will surely all be changed at the coming of the next age. All of us will be and have the same, we’ll have God, who is love, physically in our midst as we are physically in His. Unimaginable joy. Let it be something of a fuel for us to get through the coming day.

Categories
2014 Lectionary Ramblings Lectionary Ramblings

July 15th 2014: Luke 18:1-14

Read Luke 18:1-14 here

There are two parables today. I have to admit that I have never really understood the Parable of the Persistent Widow, so if anyone can enlighten me I’d be glad of the help! I think it is instructive that Luke feels the need to explain the parable in verse 1, as being to ensure that the disciples pray continually and don’t give up. It is quite rare for the parables to be explained, either by Jesus or the gospel writers. This must have been a particularly hard message! God’s justice will be brought to bear through persistent trust and prayer, trust and obedience, perhaps. It is for us to learn as we live what God’s justice looks like in each situation in which we find ourselves.

The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector which closes out today’s reading would be easy to gloss over as being far more simplistic and straightforward. The Pharisee is caught being proud of himself and his righteousness under the law, whereas the Tax Collector understands what it is to desperately require the grace of God. That is an important message in itself. We need to remain aware that we are who we are because God has called us and loved us. That might well be enough but I think something else has jumped out at me on this reading: that is that it is easy for us to think that we are living with God as the Tax Collector does: full of actual humility, contrition and thankfulness, but actually living more like the Pharisee, comparing and contrasting ourselves with others, scoring our righteousness higher than that of others. Sure, we might be doing all the right things, but what does our heart look like? As Bill Hybels asked once, who are when no-one’s looking? I can be both arrogant and conceited on the one hand and downtrodden and “woe is me” on the other, however I might come across in public. I think we are called to be the same person behind closed doors and from atop whatever platform we are given. Again, this is a hard thing to do, but God’s challenge to us today is to flee from arrogant righteousness and fling ourselves afresh upon His mercy.

Categories
2014 Lectionary Ramblings Lectionary Ramblings

July 14th 2014: Luke 17:20-end

Read Luke 17:20-end here

Continuing our ramble through Luke 17, we begin the working week with a look at the coming of the Kingdom of God. “The Kingdom of God is in your midst!” says Jesus in verse 21. Is he referring to Himself as the embodiment of the Kingdom? Perhaps, as He spoke He was right in front of them. So too, the Kingdom of God is in our midst today as Jesus lives within and amongst us by the Holy Spirit. It is not enough for us to spend our lives seeking “signs of the kingdom”, as tantalising and sometimes helpful as those might be. Jesus, in whom all the fullness of God was and is, has inaugurated the Kingdom through His victorious life, death, resurrection and ascension. The Kingdom of God is not (just) miracles, signs and wonders, captives set free, caring for the poor, it is Jesus, Himself, who through the kind of love and mercy I will never understand calls us to draw near this morning and every day. We are to keep looking to Him, not being distracted by the shiny “new” appearances of the Kingdom over here and over there. Love and relationship between God, us and one another is the ultimate goal and outworking of the Kingdom, so that God is glorified and given His rightful due in worship.

33-36 is another fairly well-known passage. Again, as in other parts of Luke, it seems to me that Jesus is fairly cantankerous here. I often wonder what kind of tone of voice these words were delivered in. “Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it”. What? What are we to hold on to? All this metaphor and hyperbole hurts my brain on a Monday morning (sorry Lord). I think though, that it might be a continuation of a verse we looked at last week, Luke 16:13, where Jesus tells His hearers that we cannot have two masters. So too, here I think, Jesus is uncompromising in His rhetoric and call. Do we love our life and our stuff more than we love God? Do we love ourself more than we were meant to? Conversely, do we love ourselves too little to see the true value we have in the eyes of God and to trust Him to bring through His desire and plan for us? Much easier in words than in practice, let’s try and trust God more today than we did yesterday and be thankful for the life, love and hope of Jesus.