|
||||||
|
Serving God and Sharing Good News |
Weekly Bible Notes
Ordinary 21 - Year B
Liturgical Colour - Green
Introduction
The Shield of Faith
This Sunday is a great one for preachers, we are reminded that Jesus was not a great preacher. At least he was not if we use the criteria of appeal to the listener.
In our reading today we learn that people came to hear him and then walked away disgruntled at what he had to say. Every preacher will know the problem of having to tell the truth, rather than just what people want to hear. Stand in the pulpit and condemn adultery, racism, false piety or a whole range of other things and people will walk away angry.
Preachers who challenge our attitudes and beliefs are not always popular, often we are set in our ways and they threaten our comfort zone.
Each one of us has to be prepared to listen afresh to the words of Jesus and be prepared to be challenged and give up old habits. Such spiritual growth is painful and whilst some will be marvellously changed, others will walk away.
Opening Verses of Scripture Psalm 34:18,22
The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit, The Lord redeems His servants; no-one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned.
Collect Prayer for the Day —Before we read we pray
O God, you declare you almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity; mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace, that we, running the way of your commandments, may receive your gracious promises, and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Common Worship
God of glory, the end of our searching, help us to lay aside all that prevents us from seeking your kingdom, and to give all that we have to gain the pearl beyond price, through our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Common Worship Shorter Collect
Holy God, you liberate the oppressed and make a way for salvation. Unite us with all who cry for justice, and lead us together into freedom; through our Lord and Liberator, Jesus Christ. Amen. Methodist Worship
Merciful God, grant that your Church, being gathered by your Holy Spirit into one, may reveal your glry among all peoples, to the honour of your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Methodist Worship
First Bible Reading Joshua 24:1-2a,14-18
Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. Joshua said to all the people, “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshipped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods! It was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our fathers up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we travelled. And the Lord drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the Lord, because he is our God.”
(Reader: This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God)
Second Reading Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
(Reader: This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God)
Gospel Reading
John 6:56-69
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live for ever.” He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no-one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.” From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
(Reader: This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God)
Post Communion Sentence
Lord of all mercy, we your faithful people have celebrated that one true sacrifice which takes away our sins and brings pardon and peace: by our communion keep us firm on the foundation of the gospel and preserve us from all sin; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Commentary
The events recounted in this morning’s passage from the Gospel according to John, are believed, by most scholars, to have taken place the year before the fateful Passover when Jesus died. The chief components of Jesus’ ministry were already in place by then: according to John’s account, Jesus had been baptised in the Jordan; greeted as the Messiah by John the Baptist; had performed spectacular miracles and had done extraordinary acts of healing. By this time Jesus had attracted a crowd of admirers and hangers-on who followed him wherever he went. What did these followers of Jesus expect and why did some of them fall away?
The Gospel states that Jesus has known “from the beginning which of them
would not believe and which would betray him. We don’t know whether this
means from the beginning of time or from the beginning of Jesus’ encounter
with the disciples. Perhaps exactly when Jesus knew is not important. What
we must pay attention to is the idea that Jesus understood that many of his
apparently enthusiastic followers would give up and go home. In his parable
about the Sower, Jesus warned that some believers would have shallow roots
and wither away. Jesus was a realist about the human beings he loved so
much. He was not a starry-eyed romantic who turned furious when people did
not live up to his illusions about them. Jesus did not show any anger or
surprise when so many of his followers decamped and left. Jesus’ response
was more like a shrug of the shoulders and a sigh of resignation. It is
noteworthy that Jesus did not condemn those who could not believe. He
accepted it as inevitable. Jesus was aware that true believers would need to
be sorted from temporary believers. If, after all they had seen, heard and
experienced, they could not believe then they would have been unlikely to be
able to follow him through the desperate months that led to the Cross. They
would be too unbelieving to brave the persecutions he knew would attack his
followers after the Resurrection. It would take faith to endure and they
simply hadn’t enough.
All the disciples, not just the ones who went home must have been shocked by
the words that Jesus had spoken. He introduced the hideous notion that in
order to have eternal life they would have to feed on his body and blood. It
is worth remembering that some Romans reported hearing that the new
Christian sect practised cannibalism. The poor disciples must have flinched
away from such a revolting and strange idea. When he saw that they were
struggling Jesus responded with kindness “The spirit gives life: the flesh
counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are
life”. Jesus was reassuring them that his words were to do with the
spiritual nourishment that his body and blood would bring. No cannibalism
was required! Jesus’ meaning would eventually be made more clear at the Last
Supper, when he said those strange words again. But not every mystery in our
faith is revealed and belief must sometimes take priority over full
understanding. Joan Crossley
Meditation
The Gospel this morning is concerned with faith and lack of faith. The text
implies that believers cannot believe unless God makes it possible for them.
I take this to mean that some people have the gift of faith and find that it
comes easily to them, while others find it harder. Their dispositions and
cultural backgrounds make it very hard for some to listen and understand.
Some have an “ear” for religion as some have an ear for music. This analogy
does not imply that everyone cannot believe, just that some find it comes
more naturally than others. Faith, like musical ability, can be encouraged,
fostered and worked at. Much of our church ministry with children and young
people is aimed at allowing them to hear the story of Jesus and giving them
the freedom to follow Jesus or go home. We are not in the business of
brainwashing or threatening in order to gain converts. We believe that the
Gospel speaks for itself and can be witnessed in action. That is why I am
asking both churches to put our work with children high on their agendas and
for all of us to support it in whichever ways we can. “How are they to
believe who have never heard the Good News?” Joan Crossley
Hymns
Hymns for Sunday (Family Worship) Mission Praise
-
152 For the beauty of the earth
-
Lord of the Dance (on Partnership News)
-
495 O for a heart to praise my God
-
624 Take my life and let it be
-
327 Immortal, invisible God only wise
Prayers for Sunday and the week ahead
Prayer is a plant, the seed of which is sown in the heart of every Christian,
if it is well cultivated and nourished it will produce fruit, but if it is neglected, it will wither and die
Heavenly Father, help us to be vigilant in our own lives, so that either by
word nor actions may we be guilty of causing others to fall.( Women at
Prayer, Rachel Stowe)
Lord of life, your life embraces me on every side. I open my arms to greet
you. God, grant me a clearer vision of the many-splendoured thing, your
presence in and through all things, that I may be on with your mind of love.
(Richard Harries)
The guarding of the God of life be on you. The guarding of the loving Christ
be on you. The guarding of the Holy Spirit be on you, every night of your
lives. To aid you and enfold you each day and night of your lives. (Carmina
Gadelica)
Additional Material
Verse of scripture
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole
armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil. Eph 6:10
Collect Prayer for the Day—Before we read we pray
Let your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of your humble
servants; and that they may obtain their petitions make them to ask such
things as shall please you; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is
alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.
Post Communion Prayer
God of our pilgrimage, you have willed that the gate of mercy should stand
open for those who trust in you: look upon us with your favour that we who
follow the path of your will may never wander from the way of life; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Commentary
Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-24 (the reading has been extended to include some extra
important verses) The book of Joshua concludes with another covenant
ceremony - - this one at the ancient shrine of Shechem. This is where Jacob
ordered all the "foreign gods" (handily portable stone idols) harboured by
members of his household to be "put away" (see Genesis 35:1-4). The
confiscated stones were then buried under the oak at Shechem. Joshua is not
concerned with the people hearing and promising to obey every jot and tittle
of the Law. Now, near the end of his life of leadership and service, Joshua
desires to hear a much more basic commitment from the people. Joshua is
speaking to a selected audience of "the elders, the heads, the judges and
the officers of Israel" -- in other words, the elite of leadership, the best
minds and hearts of Israel. Nevertheless, after delivering a quick
historical synopsis of all the Lord has already done for Israel (vv.2-13),
Joshua challenges these leaders to "choose this day whom you will serve"
(15)
His words suggest that some of these high-ranking Israelites had already been observed worshiping the gods of their ancestors or the local Amorite deities. In verse 2 Joshua introduces the brief history he gives with "thus says the Lord" -- an indication that the following are not Joshua's words but God's. Though old and weary, Joshua is still the Lord's chosen mouthpiece to the Israelites. With this in mind, it is easy to see what a tremendous influence Joshua's assertion in verse 15, "as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord," had on his listeners. And perhaps that is also why, despite the impressive confession of loyalty the Israelites make in verses 16-18, Joshua reveals he is still not convinced (v.19). The words sound too much like what an eager-to-please people might mouth to their respected leader. The people demonstrate remarkable awareness of all God has done for them. Yet their promise to serve appears to be based only on a sense of tit-for-tat -- God does good things for us so we will serve him. Joshua's bitter response to these sweet-sounding words still shocks readers today -- think how stunned the Israelites must have been as he threw these words in their faces: "You cannot serve the Lord for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins" (v.19). God is not some celestial meet-your-needs sugar-daddy for the Israelites -- God is God, and that is why God should be served. Furthermore, Joshua continues, there can be a definite downside to swearing service to this jealous God. Faced with disloyalty and disobedience, this God will "turn and do you harm" (v.20), regardless of the good God has done before. It is not out of a sense of full-bellied well-being that the people confess their service to the Lord once again (v.21). Joshua's sharp words have reminded them of the consequences that lie behind their words. Yet Joshua's response is ambiguous -- it is still not clear whether he is convinced that this confession will hold. When he declares the people to be "witnesses against yourself," Joshua still seems to be challenging the people's conviction. It is not until verse 23 that Joshua finally indicates what might have been the whole impetus behind this dialogue. After the people glibly agree that "we are witnesses," Joshua drops his bombshell: "Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel." Despite all their confessions, both these Israelites and Joshua know that lurking in the backs of their tents, lying underneath their pillows, there are stone idols, which are being worshiped in secret. The conclusion of this scene is strangely unsatisfying -- for there is no gathering of these foreign gods, no record of their burial. Instead, the people simply confess their intended loyalty once more, and Joshua now makes "statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem" (v.25). Perhaps Joshua realized that while he can be a leader and example for his people, he cannot be their conscience or their nursemaid. In the end, both the people's ability to serve only the Lord and Joshua's ability to trust their words are matters of faith.
Commentary 2 - Making Tough Choices
In both of the bible passages today we see that God wants any decision to follow Him to be a completely free choice, not one born of guilt, obligation, or half-interest. As Joshua makes clear, the Israelites were free to choose idols and false gods if they wished: "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve …".
In the end, the Israelites do choose Yahweh, who liberated them from slavery; the one who is "close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit". The God who had led them into the Promised Land. Perhaps it was an easy choice for them, a no-brainer as the American’s might say. But choices are not always easy. No one knew this better than Jesus, who met the doubt of his followers with sober acceptance: "The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there some of you do not believe". And as some of the Israelites must have done, some followers of Jesus opt out of the call to discipleship. The choice, or its implications, was just too tough.
Part of our responsibility as Christians is to make sure we are presenting the same choices that Jesus makes clear in the gospels to our society today. Choices that will lead some to the cross and discipleship, and others to turn and walk away. The ‘roles and responsibilities’ are distinct, although we sometimes find it hard to separate them. Ours is the responsibility to present the choices; the people who then make decisions must take the responsibility for them; and God will take the responsibility for the eternal outcomes. So often we feel responsible for the outcome of a choice of faith that someone else has taken rather than leaving it to God. It’s right that we feel concern and compassion for others in their decisions, especially when we see close friends or family making what we believe to be a wrong choice. But ultimately choice is a personal thing, especially when it comes to personal destiny. Joshua presented the choices to the Israelites and then led by example. For Simon Peter the choice was very stark. He realized that if He didn’t follow Jesus there really wasn’t anywhere else to go. It was only Jesus who offered any hope for the future, the words of eternal life.
Even with choices some things never change. Despite what the world might desire it is only Jesus who ultimately offers eternal life, if we choose to accept His offer.
Meditation
Not all of Jesus’ teaching is easy. We are free to choose God or
not, but Jesus makes clear that we must be ready and prepared for the enormity
and the eternal implications of that choice.
Prayers for Sunday
Lord, send us prophets in the church
today, as in the days of old, to make known your living truth in the power
of the Holy Spirit. Give them a clear vision of your purpose for the life of
the world; enable them to peak the word with boldness; and through their
words and their actions recall your people to simpler discipleship, holier
living and to more dedicate
d
service for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
Help your servants Lord to be people of God, people of reconciliation,
people of truth and people of prayer. Keep them
ever humble in your service for your mercy’s sake. Amen
Lord of all good life, be with those who are now absent from us, seeking
rest and change on holiday. Keep them in safety and renew their strength
that they may return refreshed in body mind and spirit. Amen
The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds
in the knowledge and love of God, and of His son Jesus Christ our Lord; and
the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be
among you and remain with you always. Amen
Govern all by your wisdom, O Lord, so that my soul may always be serving you
as you will, and not as I may choose. Do not punish me, I beg you, by
granting what I wish or ask if it offends your love which should always live
in me. Let me die to myself, so that I may serve you; let me live for you,
who in yourself are the true life. St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Lord our God, all truth is from you, and you alone bring oneness of heart.
Give your people the joy of hearing your word amid the din of human noise,
and of longing for your presence more than for life itself. May all the
attractions of a changing world point us to the peace of your kingdom, a
peace which this world does not give. We ask this through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
O God, stay with us; let no word cross our lips that is not your word, no
thought enter our minds that is not your thought, no deed ever be done or
entertained by us that is not your deed. Malcolm Muggeridge (b.1903)
Dr. Martin Luther's Sacristy prayer, "O Lord God, Thou hast made me a pastor
and teacher in the Church. Thou seest how unfit I am to administer rightly
this great and responsible office ; and had I been without Thy aid and
counsel I would surely have ruined it all, long ago. Therefore do I invoke
Thee. How gladly do I desire to yield and consecrate my heart and mouth to
this ministry ! I desire to teach the congregation. I, too, desire ever to
learn and to keep Thy Word my constant companion and to meditate thereupon
earnestly. Use me as Thy instrument in Thy service. Only, do not Thou
forsake me, for if I am left to myself, I will certainly bring it all to
destruction. Amen. "
God of the Spirit of kindness,
in the glory of the earth and the sea and stars,
in the kaleidoscope of colour and shade and shapeliness,
in the patterns of humour and tenderness and touch,
we celebrate your generosity.
Forgive us when we forget the gift in our every breath,
the care that sustains our every moment,
that grace that can transform our every day.
Set us free from the prison of grudging hearts,
mean desires,
resentful spirits,
give us courage to act with justice and generosity,
and draw us into love that does not calculate or keep scores.
- Jesus the name high over all, 385
- God is good, 185
- Thou art the way, 695
- As the deer pants for the water, 691
- Fill thou my life, 146
- All people that on earth do dwell 20
- Make Way 457
- Come down O love divine 89
- Thanks be to God (on notices– tune Lobe Den Herren)
- Come let us worship Christ 96
- I am aware that it might have been a good idea this week to have included 'Will you come and follow me if I but call your name', it fits well with the Joshua reading
- Come let us sing of a wonderful love 691
- Come on and celebrate (in Partnership News)
- O love that will not let me go 685
- Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine 668
- Dear Lord and father of mankind 673