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Weekly Bible Notes  Ordinary 23

Year C, Colour = Green

Introduction

Over the past two thousand years there have been times and places where being a Christians brought pain and suffering. The earliest disciples suffered terribly and many were martyred for their faith. Obedience to Christ meant certain death for so many of the earliest converts. Things changed when Constantine the Roman Emperor became a Christian about 312. Over the coming years the tide turned and people became Christians because they knew that was the way to gain status and material wealth.

Today you may or may not suffer persecution for your faith, it will depend upon where in the world you live. However one thing is clear, Jesus calls us all to obedience and following Jesus is something which we should do knowing that we might be challenged to take on things which we would rather avoid.

This is the teaching which Jesus gives in the passage we read this week from Luke's Gospel.  He tells his followers that they must put everything and be single-minded if they wish to follow him.

Opening Verse of Scripture  Philippians Chapter 1:21

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

 

Collect Prayer for the Day —Before we read we pray

Almighty God, whose only Son has opened for us a new and living way into your presence: give us pure hearts and steadfast wills to worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ you 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

Merciful God, you Son came to save us and bore our sins on the cross, may we trust in your mercy and know your love, rejoicing in the righteousness that is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  Common Worship Shorter Collect

O God, you bear your people ever on your heart and mind. Watch over us in your protecting love, that, strengthened by your grace and led by your Spirit, we may not miss your way for us but enter into your glory, made ready for all in Christ our Lord.  Amen.  Methodist Worship

Go before us, Lord, in all that we do, with your most gracious favour, and guide us with your continual help, that in all our works, begun, continued and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name, and finally by your mercy obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. Methodist Worship

First Bible Reading  Deuteronomy 30:15

See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (This is the Word of the Lord  -  Thanks be to God)

Second Reading  Philemon 1:21

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul--an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus-- I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
I am sending him--who is my very heart--back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favour you do will be spontaneous and not forced. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good-- no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back--not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.  (Reader: This is the word of the Lord  -  All: Thanks be to God)

Gospel Reading   Luke 14:25-33

Large crowds were travelling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. (Reader: This is the word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God)

Post Communion Prayer

Lord God, the source of truth and love, keep us faithful to the apostles teaching and fellowship, united in prayer and the breaking of the bread, and one in joy and simplicity of heart, in Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Commentary

The letter in the New Testament, entitled ‘Philemon’ was written by Paul, whilst in prison in Rome in about AD 60 – 62, to his good friend Philemon and his friends who met as a church in Philemon’s home. It is one of Paul’s shortest letters recorded in the Bible, being just one chapter and only twenty five verses. None the less there is much depth in this letter, as there is in all of Paul’s letters. As has been said in the past, in many ways we learn as much about what it is to be a Christian from Paul’s letters as we do from what is recorded of Jesus’ words and actions.

Philemon, we can assume, was converted to Christianity by Paul and has become a fellow worker with Paul and others for Christ. Through this conversion they have developed a deep and loving relationship based on their common bond in Christ. It is because of their close bond that Paul can write as he does to Philemon pleading with him to give Onesimus a warm welcome when Paul sends Onesimus back to him.

Onesimus, whose name means useful or profitable, appears to have stolen something from Philemon when he was his slave and then escaped from slavery and turned to Christ. Not surprising then that Paul, who has a big favour to ask, is very careful how he words his letter to his friend. How would we respond if we were asked to accept someone back into our household who had stolen from us? Paul begins by emphasising how pleased he is with Philemon’s life of faith and what joy that has brought Paul. He then makes his appeal ‘confident of Philemon’s obedience’ (v 21). Confident of his obedience, not to Paul, but to God.

Paul himself is acting out of obedience to God in returning Onesimus to Philemon. He would much rather keep Onesimus with him as he regards him as a son and to help him while he is in prison. It was a wrench that he was prepared to bear for the sake of the Gospel. Onesimus, who Philemon might regard as a useless slave, will become useful to him not as a slave but as a ‘brother in the Lord’. Through entreating his friend, rather than ordering him, to accept Onesimus back Paul reflects how God calls us to obedience to his wishes.

Paul makes no judgement here on the practise of slavery, the ending of which is being commemorated this year. Rather he demonstrates what a transformation from slave to fellow worker there can be if all those concerned are in a loving relationship with our Lord from which flows a desire to act as he would have us act. Perhaps though this letter might just nudge us to reflect on how we treat today’s ‘slave’s’; workers abroad who are paid a pittance, child workers, those entrapped by poverty and exploitation into prostitution, and even women and children locked up on our doorstep in Yarlswood.  Wendy Waters

 

Meditation

Poverty, Chastity, Obedience, these are the vows that many called to a way of life that might commonly be called ‘holy orders’ are required to take. Today that calling may range from living in an enclosed community to living in and serving the wider community, but nevertheless those ‘called’ always live by a ‘rule’ usually requiring them to take on these three commitments. For many the call to obedience might be the most challenging. Not surprising when there is so much emphasis in society on the rights of the individual. ‘My will not yours’ is more commonly expressed in words and deeds than perhaps those of Jesus’ ‘Your will not mine’. Only a slight change in word order brings about a massive change in ‘world order’.

As children begin to explore their own identity they begin to express their will by screaming and refusing to do as they are told by those responsible for them. This is often referred to as ‘the terrible two’s’. As they grow and develop through the different ages and stages of life young people will find other ways to express ‘their will', including through clothing, hairstyles, music and perhaps body piercing. Through these stages they too may struggle with being obedient. How the adults responsible for them respond to this resistance will greatly influence how they eventually develop and mature as adults.

Learning to be obedient is common to us all whether we are children, young people, adults, Christians in the community or those in ‘holy orders’. What may not be common is what we think obedience means. The Latin derivation of the word’ obedience’ suggests that to equate it with slavish submission or the misuse of power is a mistake. It is not about compliance, power wielded by one over another. Neither can it be assumed to be automatic. Rather it is rooted in listening, an act which is rooted in listening, can only take place in a relationship. It is as we grow into a deeper relationship with our loving God and listen to Him that we will learn that true obedience free us not enslaves us.   Wendy Waters

Hymns

1. MP 445 - Lord the light of your love is shining

2. MP - 501 - O Jesus I have promised

3. MP - 3 - Abba Father

4. MP - 302 - I want to walk with Jesus Christ

5. MP - 440 - Lord of creation
   
    

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."

Prayers for Sunday and the week ahead

O most gracious Redeemer and King, come and dwell within us and reign where you have the right to reign. By your Holy Spirit take possession of our souls and lead us in the ways of righteousness and peace; through Christ our Lord. Amen John of Kronstadt, 1829-1908

Lord God you came as a neighbour to humankind in Jesus. Give us eyes to see you in other people and make us instruments of your care to all., that everyone may become true neighbours in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, whose glory the heavens are telling, the earth your power, the sea your might, and whose greatness all the hosts of heaven proclaim; to you belongs all glory, honour, majesty and praise; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages Amen. Liturgy of James, 5th century

Living God, inform and inspire the way we look at your world, that we may see strangers and notice in them the potential for friendship; that we may see people of faith, observing how we can work together; that we may see fellow Christians, and with them reveal the marks of service; that we may see ourselves, with all our imperfections, as loved by you; that, looking to Christ, we may see with the eyes of his love. Amen. Heather Noel-Smith.

Opening Verse of Scripture Psalm 139 :2

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

Collect Prayer for the Day-Before we read we pray

Almighty God, who called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the cross, and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

First Bible Reading, Jeremiah Chapter 18:1-11

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message." So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the LORD came to me: "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it. "Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, `This is what the LORD says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.'  (This is the word of the Lord—Thanks be to God)

Second Bible Reading, Luke Chapter 14:25-33

Large crowds were travelling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters yes, even his own life he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, `This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' "Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.  (This is the Gospel of Christ—Praise to Christ our Lord)

Post Communion Prayer

God our creator, you feed your children with the manna, the living bread from heaven: let this holy food sustain us through our earthly pilgrimage until we come to that place where hunger and thirst are no more; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Commentary

Hate my family? Does Jesus really expect his followers to hate those they love the most?  Clearly none of us is going to go home and start hating our family for no reason. We might read the words of Jesus and say that they are not meant to be take literally, after all Jesus does sometimes use really strong words to make a point. He once said to chop bits off our body that cause us to sin, he never meant that literally either. But be careful. All of the above might be true, but the fact is that Jesus wanted to make a really serious point, that was why he used strong words to shock and bring attention to certain parts of his message. There is a powerful message here today which Jesus is making and we need to take it equally seriously. 

I remember in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s it was hard being a Liverpool supporter. Liverpool endured seven years in which they never won a cup. Things got better of course, they won the UEFA Cup in 1972/73, followed by the FA Cup again in 1973/74. But during those dark days only the true supporters stood by their team. The weaker and less committed fans fell by the wayside and some even turned to follow the false promises of team like Everton. Strange but true.

We know with the benefit of hindsight that when Jesus spoke these words he was on his way to Jerusalem and certain death. But equally we also know that nobody expected him to go through with such a suicidal mission. The moral of this story is simple. People like winners and they like to back the favourite, hoping to be able to bask in reflected glory. The disciples and those who followed him saw miracles and a man who appeared in control. Jesus could argue his point with the finest religious minds and he was not afraid of anything or anyone visible or invisible. It must have been tempting to tag along with Jesus knowing that he was a real winner, the favourite.

Jesus will have none of this easy going, pick a winner discipleship. He is on his way to Jerusalem and a cross, not the crown which the crowd thinks he will achieve. They consider Jesus a "winner," and follow him so that they  might win too. Jesus teaches them that discipleship carries a high price tag.  Those who aspire to follow Jesus need to count the cost before signing on the dotted line. Jesus demands commitment, an unpopular word these days. As we read the passage from Luke this morning we are challenged to be disciples who are willing to walk with him through good times and bad. Jesus never tries to disguise the cost of discipleship, God demands first place in our lives and those with real commitment are willing to pay the price. Charles Royden

Commentary

Whilst preachers concern themselves with love and 'holiness' they are seldom likely to offend. However when they start to work out the implication of what this means in terms of daily living there is going to be a riot. Jesus was prepared to speak his mind about what real love for God and holiness entailed and there are unpleasant side effects. The charismatic Jesus is now prepared to say that the consequences of following him were going to be sacrifices of friendships and yes, even families. The passage today is one of those really difficult ones, harsh in its radical edge. Following Jesus demanded people who were out of the ordinary, it was not a 'soft option,' it was hard work.

In the passage today there are difficult words for everybody 'if you don't hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters yes, even life itself you can't be my disciple.' The word hate doesn't sound right on the lips of Jesus, indeed it is contrary to the teaching of Jesus himself to love. It offends against the values which most people hold dear. Worse than that, it offends against the love commandment by enjoining hate. What was Jesus up to? It is shocking and doubtless intended to be shocking. So why does Jesus use words which are such dynamite? What could possibly justify, or require, such a blast? Clearly the assumption is that the object to be dislodged will take some moving. That object is family power. Families can imprison people from the very womb, instead of being safe places to grow and develop and realise our full potential, the family can just as easily become a cage a prison of power and control. Families can pass on to us the deepest prejudices and distorted ideas about ourselves and others, it takes a great deal of intellectual strength to challenge those assumptions which have been passed on from one generation to another in the sacred institution. It is sometimes assumed that Christianity automatically considers families to be marvellous, Jesus makes it clear that they are not. Families are not sacred or necessarily safe, they can do great damage and we must be aware and question all of the influences which affect us. Alternatively, but equally dangerous, the family can also be a comfortable escape, a secure place in which to turn aside from one's potential and the world's challenge.

So Jesus uses harsh words like 'hate,' and we find it hard to listen. What are we to make of it? When Jesus said that we must cut parts of our body off if they have cause to offend, he was not speaking literally. He was using language to make a very clear point. So too in this episode we will miss the point if we think too long about hating our families. But such shocking rhetoric recognises that families can devour us like wolves. Jesus understands that families can constrict growth, become oppressive demons, and bring death rather than life. According to Mark, Jesus' own (family) thought he was mad and sought in their terms to rescue him (3:20-21, 31-35). They would have been much happier if he had built his dreams on being a clever carpenter 'Jesus the Joiner,' he was speaking form personal experience.

This is not a call to fanaticism akin to that seen in groups which attract young people away from their families, but there is a challenge for each of us to be prepared to stand up for our faith and Christian principles, to be counted and face the consequences. There may be times this week when we have to do just that, even with our own families . Charles Royden

Meditation

Becoming a Christian requires repentance, a word that in the Greek means more than sorrow for sin; the picture is a soldier doing an about-face – turning to face a new direction. Jesus makes it clear that becoming a Christian means a turning toward God and a turning away from concern for possessions.
 

Prayer

Glory to you, O Champion of all Loves, who for our sake endured the cross, encountered the enemy and tasted death. Glory be to you, O King of all Kings, who for our salvation wrestled with principalities and powers, subdued the forces of hell and won the greatest of all victories. To you be all praise, all glory and all love; now and for ever. Amen. Thomas Ken, 1637-1711

Father, all loving and most tender, we confess the hardness of our hearts and our want of compassion for our neighbour. Grant us the grace of > pity, the ministry of compassion and the gift of consoling the broken-hearted. Teach us to love with your own forbearance and never harshly or unlovingly to judge another; for your own mercies' sake. Amen Johann Arndt, 1555-1621

Lord, in times of large opportunity and fast-changing circumstances give us the big vision. May your work not be curtailed by past ways of ministry; give us clean, focused aims and the grace to leave the outcome to you. Amen.

To my weariness, O Lord, grant your rest; to my exhaustion, your strength and to my tired eyes, your healing light. Guide me, guard me and shelter me within the shadow of your wings and quicken me in your service with the brightness of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Lancelot Andrewes, 1555-1626

Gracious God, in our vulnerability point us to the cross, in our struggle for faith assure us of your presence and in our arrogance melt our hearts by your love. Amen. Stuart Burgess, Chair, York & Hull District

Hymns (Hymns and Psalms)

1. O worship the Lord 28, 2. If any man will follow (on notices) , 3. Knowing you Jesus (799 Mission Praise -on notices), 4. Will you come and follow me (70 Glory to God- on notices), 5. I cannot tell 238

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