Monday Thoughts on the Readings for Sunday, March 31st, 2019

This Sunday will be the fourth Sunday in Lent.  Traditionally, the fourth Sunday in Lent is set aside as a morning of celebration and joy instead of Lent's usual tone of penitence, sorrow, and impending death.  On this fourth Sunday, we put away the purple paraments in favor of the rose (do not call them pink) paraments and allow the positive tone in worship to lift our spirits.

Also, I am writing this post on March 25th, the day the Church celebrates "The Annunciation."  This liturgical festival commemorates the Lord sending Gabriel to Nazareth.  In Nazareth, Gabriel appears to Mary and announces to her that she will give birth to Jesus, the Son of God.  Though this will not bear directly on our Bible passages for Sunday, it is an occasion worth marking and celebrating today.

I invite you to read these passages from Joshua, Psalms, 2 Corinthians, and Luke with me as I prepare to preach this coming Sunday.  What images and questions come to mind as you read these passages?  What do you remember from previous times you studied these passages?  What is something new that you found within the passage?

I will share my first impressions by writing in italicized text.  I invite you to share your first impressions in the comments below!


Joshua 5:9 - 12

 9 The LORD said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt." And so that place is called Gilgal to this day.

 10 While the Israelites were camped in Gilgal they kept the passover in the evening on the fourteenth day of the month in the plains of Jericho.  11 On the day after the passover, on that very day, they ate the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain.  12 The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land, and the Israelites no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year.

- The “disgrace of Egypt” likely refers to their status as slaves in Egypt after the line of Pharaohs forgot the history of Joseph and the Israelites.

- We started this season of Lent with Deuteronomy 26, which proclaimed the ritual for the people to present their first fruits of the first harvest in the Promised Land.  Joshua 5 proclaims that the people have now brought in and eaten from the first harvest, and so the manna is no longer necessary for the survival of the people.

Psalm 32

 1 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

 2 Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

 3 While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.

 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

 6 Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.

 7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah

 8 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

 9 Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you.

 10 Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD.

 11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

- Psalm 32 continues the Lenten theme of confession, repentance, and forgiveness.  Here, the psalmist proclaims that those who are forgiven are happy and speaks to his own confession and forgiveness.

2 Corinthians 5:16 - 21

 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way.  17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!  18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.  20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

- On Ash Wednesday, our reading from 2 Corinthians began with 5:20b: “we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”  This week, we get the verses that led into this plea from Paul and his companions.

- Those who are in Christ are new creations now; they are not waiting to become new creations.

- We are given the ministry of reconciliation and called to share the message of reconciliation.  Is this the message you usually hear from pastors and evangelists?

Luke 15:1 - 3, 11b - 32

 1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.

 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."

 3 So he told them this parable:

 11 ..."There was a man who had two sons.  12 The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them.  13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living.  14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need.  15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs.  16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything.  17 But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger!  18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands."'  20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.  21 Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'  22 But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe-- the best one-- and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate;  24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate.

 25 "Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.  26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on.  27 He replied, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.'  28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him.  29 But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends.  30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!'  31 Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.  32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found."

- In Luke 15:4 – 10, the verses that fill the gap in our reading, we find the parable of the lost coin and the parable of the lost sheep.

- The “share of the property that will belong to me” is slated to be the younger son’s inheritance after the father dies.  The younger son has decided that he cannot wait that long and asks for his inheritance now.

- To be stuck feeding pigs, which Jews regard as “unclean” animals, was one of the most humiliating jobs for a Jew.

- The son may not be worthy of being called the father’s son, but the father welcomes him without regard for his worthiness.  Similarly, the Lord welcomes us without regard for our worthiness.

- In his indignation, the older son overstates what he has done for the father, claiming that he (the older son) has been working “like a slave” for his father.  He also disassociates himself from his brother by referencing him as “this son of yours.”

Monday Thoughts on the Readings for Sunday, March 24th, 2019

On the Third Sunday in Lent, we see several themes.  We continue last week's "covenant" theme with a mention of the Lord's covenant with David.  We also see multiple references to confession, repentance, and forgiveness.  But the biggest claim we see within these passages addresses a common struggle among people who wrestle with their faith: are terrible events a sign of God's punishment?

In the italicized text below, you can find my reactions and first impressions to these readings from Isaiah, Psalms, 1 Corinthians, and Luke.  I invite you to share your reactions, questions, and comments below, especially those regarding how we understand the relationship between sin, tragic events (such as the current flooding in Nebraska and the mass shooting at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand), and the Lord.


Isaiah 55:1 - 9

 1 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
 2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
 3 Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.
 4 See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples.
 5 See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.
 6 Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near;
 7 let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.

 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

- How do we define “everyone” in Isaiah 55:1?  Does “everyone” include the nations we do not know that we shall call and receive because of the Lord our God (55:5)?

- Day laborers earned enough each day for the family to eat and not much more, if any more.  To work for another purpose would mean sacrificing meals.

- Notice that the Lord invites us to confession so that the Lord may give us mercy and forgiveness, and not just a lesser punishment.

Psalm 63:1 - 8

 1 O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.

 5 My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips

 6 when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.

 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. 

- The imagery, especially the reference to rich foods, in Psalm 63 suggests a high level of fulfillment and satisfaction if one receives the Lord’s covenant promises.

1 Corinthians 10:1 - 13

 1 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,

 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.  5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness.

 6 Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did.  7 Do not become idolaters as some of them did; as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play."  8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.  9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents.  10 And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.  11 These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come.  12 So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall.  13 No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

- Paul claims that Christ was present in the manna in the wilderness and water from the rock in the same way as Christ is present within our spiritual food and drink.  The connection to Holy Communion is apparent; it is less clear whether the water from the rock is meant to connect to the waters of Baptism or the wine of Holy Communion.

- Paul references several moments during the Exodus where the people fail to follow the Lord’s directions and they are punished severely for it.  Why is Paul, the resident expert on the Lord’s grace, suddenly focused on the Lord’s punishment for disobedience?

- Verse 13 is likely the biblical justification for the phrase “God does not give us more than we can handle.”  That’s a misunderstanding of Paul’s claim here.  But the passage does suggest that the Lord does not intend to overwhelm us if/when the Lord challenges us.  Of course, there are many more who can challenge us, and they will not show any restraint when it comes to finding and breaking our limits.

Luke 13:1 - 9

 1 At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  2 He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans?  3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.  4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them-- do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem?  5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did."

 6 Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none.  7 So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?'  8 He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it.

 9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"

- Is the claim “you will all perish just as they did” a threat to kill us or an observation that death without connection to the Lord is true death?

- How many people need to hear that their current afflictions or the death(s) of their loved one(s) are not punishments from the Lord because of their past sin(s)?  How many people are struggling with their faith because someone they trust told them that their troubles are either punishments from God or signs that they do not have enough faith?

- A quick Google search reveals that it can take up to six years for a fig tree to mature and bear fruit.  

Monday Thoughts on the Readings for Sunday, March 17th, 2019

We are now on the road to Holy Week.  This past Sunday, Jesus was tested by the devil and proved that he truly is the Son of God.  As we study the Gospel of Luke, Jesus' journey is, in large part, an intentional journey to Jerusalem...and Jesus knows exactly what Jerusalem is.

I have a lot of first thoughts and impressions regarding this set of readings assigned by the Revised Common Lectionary.  You can find my first thoughts in the italicized text below.  If you have any questions about what I have written or if you want to share your thoughts and questions about these passages, I invite you to share them in the comments below!


Genesis 15:1 - 12, 17 - 18

1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great."  2 But Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"  3 And Abram said, "You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir."  4 But the word of the LORD came to him, "This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir."  5 He brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your descendants be."  6 And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness.

 7 Then he said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess."  8 But he said, "O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?"  9 He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon."  10 He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two.  11 And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

 12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.

 17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.  18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates..."


- This is the second time that the Lord has appeared to Abram and promised many descendants and a land to call their own.  The first occasion happened 15 years prior (Genesis 12).  Also, this will not be the last time (Genesis 17 – 18).

- This ritual to seal the covenant was common in those days.  By walking through the trough filled with blood, the ones agreeing to the covenant were symbolically saying “I pledge to fulfill my obligations within this covenant.  If I fail to uphold my obligations, my blood may be spilled and my life may be forfeited.”

- What are Abram’s obligations under the covenant?  As far as we can tell, he has not pledged to do anything.

Psalm 27

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

 2 When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh-- my adversaries and foes-- they shall stumble and fall.

 3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident.

 4 One thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock.

 6 Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.

 7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!

 8 "Come," my heart says, "seek his face!" Your face, LORD, do I seek.

 9 Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!

 10 If my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will take me up.

 11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.

 12 Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and they are breathing out violence.

 13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

 

- In the face of any and all opposition, the psalmist remains confident in the Lord’s protection.

- The psalmist professes a belief that he will see “the goodness of the Lord” in this lifetime.  In much of the Old Testament, there is no mention of an afterlife, and death meant both the end of life and our separation from God.

Philippians 3:17 - 4:1

 17 Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.  18 For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears.  19 Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things.  20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  21 He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. 4:1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. 

- If I recall correctly, the belly was believed to be the source of desires.  Therefore, “their god is the belly” means that they are ruled by their desires, whether desires for food or for other material goods.

- Paul claims that our citizenship is in heaven even as he took advantage of his citizenship in the Roman Empire on several occasions.  Though he was a Roman citizen, Paul places his citizenship in heaven over and above his citizenship in the Roman Empire.  We may be citizens of one of today’s nations, but for Christians, this citizenship should mean less to us than our citizenship in heaven.

- Here is another occasion where Paul emphasizes the resurrection of the body.  Our bodies that can be (and are) corrupted will be transformed into bodies that cannot be corrupted.

Luke 13:31 - 35

 31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you."  32 He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.  33 Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.'  34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!  35 See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

- It may be true that Herod wants to kill Jesus, but it’s easy to read between the lines and see that the Pharisees are invoking Herod for their own desires to kill Jesus.

- Jesus’ accusation that Jerusalem kills the prophets sent to it reminds me of the story of a landowner sending servants to ask for his cut of the harvest from the people renting and tending to the land.  The people assault the servants, killing some of them.  In response, the landowner sends his son, thinking the renters will respect his son; instead, the renters kill the son, hoping to inherit the land when the owner dies (or perhaps is killed by the same renters.

- This comparison of Jesus to a mother hen is significant as it is one of a few feminine images of God.

- “Your house is left to you” takes on new meaning when we remember that the Gospel of Luke was written around 85-90 AD, 15-20 years after the destruction of the Temple.