Weekly Bible Notes  Ordinary 24

Year C, Colour = Green

Introduction

Does God really rejoice more over one sinner who repents than 99 who are righteous? I doubt it, but it is a lesson which we all need to hear. Jesus is making an important point, we tend to be critical of the lost, and somewhat resentful that they can just walk back and say sorry. God is never resentful, he rejoices without any feeling of bitterness. If the lost knew that when they returned they would receive rebuke and criticism, then they might be less likely to come home in the first place.

Imagine how the father of the prodigal son must have felt when his son asked him for his inheritance and went off to squander it on the wrong sort of lifestyle. The poor father must have had so many conflicting emotions, sadness at the lack of wisdom shown by the son, perhaps some resentment or even anger. We will never quite know, but we do know that he let the son go. He did not try and make him stay, or change his mind. He knew that the son had to go and find out for himself, so he allowed him to make his mistakes. Sometimes this is the only way that we can really learn, from our own mistakes. Frequently parents see children make mistakes and they know that these are exactly the kinds of things which they themselves did! Sadly we cannot put old heads on young shoulders. All that we can do is to be there when they come home, perhaps realising the error of their ways, and make sure we don't say I told you so.

This is how God is with us. God allows us to make mistakes, even big mistakes, we learn the hard way. The God is there for us and welcomes us back without the hint of recrimination, just love and forgiveness. The readings this morning show that God cares deeply for those who are lost and far from him. God isn't resentful when they are found or angry that they strayed, rather God rejoices. Are we able to rejoice in welcoming back the lost or would we be more likely to tell them that is was their own fault. 

Opening Verse of Scripture  Psalm 96:3

Proclaim the glory of the Lord among the nations, His marvellous deeds to all peoples: great is the Lord and worthy of praise.
 

Collect Prayer for the Day —Before we read we pray

God our Redeemer, who called your church to witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: help us so to proclaim the good news of your love that all who hear it may be reconciled to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.Methodist Worship

Gracious God, like a mother you give us new life, and make us your children in Jesus Christ. Look on us in your love, and bring us to the inheritance which you promised. Grant this through Jesus Christ, your Son.Amen. Methodist Worship

God, who in generous mercy sent the Holy Spirit upon your church in the burning fire of your love: grant that your people may be fervent in the fellowship of the gospel that, always abiding in you, they may be found steadfast in faith and active in service; 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. Common Worship

Lord God, defend your church from all false teaching and give to your people knowledge of your truth, that we may enjoy eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Common Worship Shorter Collect

First Bible Reading  Exodus 32:7-14

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.' "I have seen these people," the LORD said to Moses, "and they are a stiff-necked people. Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation." But Moses sought the favour of the LORD his God. "O LORD ," he said, "why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, 'It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth'? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.' " Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened. (Reader: This is the word of the Lord - All: Thanks be to God)
 

Second Reading  1 Timothy 1:12-17

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Reader: This is the word of the Lord  -  All: Thanks be to God)

Gospel Reading   Luke 15:1-10

Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbours together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."  (Reader: This is the word of the Lord  -  All: Thanks be to God)

Post Communion Prayer

Keep, O Lord, your Church, with your perpetual mercy; and, because without you our human frailty cannot but fall, keep us ever by your help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. 
 

Commentary

Does God really rejoice more over one sinner who repents than 99 who are righteous? It sounds as though Jesus is making a point, but perhaps one which should not be taken literally. Nevertheless it is a lesson which we all need to hear. We all tend to be critical of the lost, and somewhat resentful that they can just walk back and say sorry. God however is never resentful, he rejoices without any feeling of bitterness. If the lost knew that when they returned they would receive rebuke and criticism, then they might be less likely to come home in the first place. There need be no such worry where God is concerned, he always welcomes.

Imagine how the father of the prodigal son must have felt when his son asked him for his inheritance and went off to squander it on the wrong sort of lifestyle. The poor father must have had so many conflicting emotions, sadness at the lack of wisdom shown by the son, perhaps some resentment or even anger. We will never quite know, but we do know that he let the son go. He did not try and make him stay, or change his mind. He knew that the son had to go and find out for himself, so he allowed him to make his mistakes. Sometimes this is the only way that we can really learn, from our own mistakes. Frequently parents see children make mistakes and they know that these are exactly the kinds of things which they themselves did! Sadly we cannot put old heads on young shoulders. All that we can do is to be there when they come home, perhaps realising the error of their ways, and make sure we don't say I told you so.

This is how God is with us. God allows us to make mistakes, even big mistakes, we learn the hard way. God is there for us and welcomes us back without the hint of recrimination, just love and forgiveness. The readings this morning show that God cares deeply for those who are lost and far from him. God isn't resentful when they are found or angry that they strayed, rather God rejoices. Perhaps we should all ask ourselves, ‘are we able to rejoice in welcoming back the lost or would we be more likely to tell them that is was their own fault?’ 

It is hard for us to be prepared to accept people when they seek forgiveness. It is a human trait to be critical and willing to judge, we naturally think God wants people to be punished. To err is human but to forgive is divine. Its hard for us to forgive, it has to be conditional; and measured and not to freely given in case it encourages bad behaviour. We tend to think like public utility companies and we want every drop of God's grace metered and paid for. It's hard for us to forgive, forgiveness has to be earned in some way, even if it is only by asking for it properly. Forgiveness however is easy for God, it is God's nature.

Jesus tells us about going in search of the lost sheep. Why does the shepherd search for the lost sheep? Is it because it is a favourite sheep? Is it because the sheep is a special sheep? Or because it has a woollier coat than the rest of the sheep? No! The only qualification the sheep has which justifies leaving the other sheep and going off after it, is that it is lost. So too Jesus cares for the lost, because they are lost and seeks them out. We so often get concerned about our qualifications for God, are we good enough for him to bother with us? And perhaps the church has and still does reinforce this, making hurdles over which we have to cross before we are good enough. I think of the teaching that you can't have communion because you're not confirmed yet. Does Jesus, who shares his last meal with the disciples only come after those who have passed the test?

As a priest my task is to reassure people of God's forgiveness and as Christians that is something which we should all do. God calls you to share in that priestly task, it is your job too. Jesus shows us from the cross that he forgives even when people do not ask for it. The Christian faith teaches us that God cares for all of us and especially the lost, we are never beyond redemption, we are never so far from God that he gives up on us. The further we have fallen, the deeper God's grace to rescue us.

Self righteousness and begrudging attitudes are alive and well, they didn't die out in 1st century Palestine. There are those who like the brother of the prodigal son will resent the fact that God is so forgiving. For many people recovery of the lost means that we are only happy when people decide that they want to join us and be like us. For Jesus recovery of the lost meant taking time to befriend and to associate with the lost. Even if it meant getting his own reputation tarnished. Think of the stories and gossip which there must have been about Jesus as a result of the company which he kept. 

We can sometimes begrudge the mercy of God being so freely given to the undeserving. We don't like people who threaten us, who appear different, who don't measure up to our standards. So it is that Jesus tells these two stories from our lesson this morning to show that God has time for each one of us. Even when the rest of the world thinks that we are too far gone, Jesus comes after us and carries us home.   Charles Royden

 

Meditation

Hymns

1. All earth was dark

2. 151 For I'm building a people of power
3. 178 Go forth and tell
4. 359 Jesus calls us o'er the tumult
5. 784 Ye servants of God

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

Lord, you have consecrated the world by sending your Son into the midst of it and by making all things new in Him. We ask you to give us and all your people the courage and power we need to share fully in His mission to the world and to further His kingdom in the lives of all people to the honour and glory of His name. Amen

O God, you have called men and women from every land to be a holy nation, a royal priesthood, the church of your dear Son: unite us in mutual love and care across the barriers of race and culture, and strengthen us in our common task of being Christ and showing Christ to the world He came to save. Amen

Draw your Church together, O God, into one great company of disciples, together following our Lord Jesus Christ into every walk of life, together serving Him in His mission to the world, and together witnessing to His love on every continent and island. Amen.

God the Sender, send you; God the Sent, go with us; God the Strengthener of those who go, empower you, that you may go to do His will; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen

Gracious God, like a mother you give us new life, and make us your children in Jesus Christ. Look on us in your love, and bring us to the inheritance which you promised. Grant this through Jesus Christ your Son. Amen. (Methodist Worship)

God our Redeemer, who called your Church to witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: help us so to proclaim the good news of your love that all who hear it may be reconciled to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Additional Resources

Readings, Notes and Prayers

Opening Verse of Scripture, Philippians Chapter 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

Collect Prayer for the Day-Before we read we pray

God our Redeemer, who called your Church to witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself; help us so to proclaim the good news of your love that all who hear it may be reconciled to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

First Bible Reading, Jeremiah Chapter 4:11-12, 22-28

At that time this people and Jerusalem will be told, "A scorching wind from the barren heights in the desert blows toward my people, but not to winnow or cleanse; a wind too strong for that comes from me. Now I pronounce my judgements against them."

"My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good." I looked at the earth, and it was formless and empty; and at the heavens, and their light was gone. I looked at the mountains, and they were quaking; all the hills were swaying. I looked, and there were no people; every bird in the sky had flown away. I looked, and the fruitful land was a desert; all its towns lay in ruins before the LORD, before his fierce anger. This is what the LORD says: "The whole land will be ruined, though I will not destroy it completely. Therefore the earth will mourn and the heavens above grow dark, because I have spoken and will not relent, I have decided and will not turn back." (This is the word of the Lord—Thanks be to God)

Second Bible Reading, Luke Chapter 15:1-10

(We Stand. After the Gospel is announced we say 'Glory to Christ our Saviour')

Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, `Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbours together and says, `Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Post Communion Prayer

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

Commentary

Chapter 15 of Luke contains three different stories about finding lost things, lost sheep, lost coins and a lost (prodigal) son. It also tells us about the celebrations that take place when these lost things are found. As it does, it picks up one of the great themes of Luke, the joy of blessings showered on God’s faithful people as a result of repentance and finding new life. But the passage in Luke is not just about getting people to repent and finding new life; it’s also about valuing people as people, even when they’re lost. One of the ways Jesus shows those around Him that He values people is that He enters into close relations with them, even if they are people that the established religious order would never reach out to, the tax collectors and sinners, people of low repute. Jesus meets them on their terms. He is not prepared to write them off, as his critics did, or to say, as they would have: I will value you and welcome only if you repent. Jesus seeks out the lost, evens the lost who don’t know they’re lost, and values them as they are. He seeks out those who society may have written off as losers, no hopers, wasters, and gives them life and hope. Jesus seeks out the large and the small to redeem and value. In our own lives, He seeks out those areas which we may have written off; areas that we prefer to hide and not speak about, habits we have we wish we didn’t, areas of our lives we hope no one sees. He seeks them out because He wants to redeem those too and give us hope in the ‘no go’ areas of our lives.

God also wants to use us to seek out the lost and the hopeless and give them His hope and His direction. Part of our mission activity is exactly that, seeking out situations that seem hopeless and giving hope; through our prayers, time, effort, resources and money whether at home or abroad. God calls out to the lost people and places in our lives and in our world and values them for who and what they are, and who and what they can become. As He does, so should we.

And once the lost are found, we should rejoice and celebrate. Because in being found, in turning around and repenting, in discovering true value, all creation comes that little but closer to being restored to the way God intended it to be. And as we celebrate and rejoice, Heaven does too. Sam Cappleman.
 

Commentary

Our usual commentary has been suspended this week. Instead we publish the following statement

"We and all people of good faith and goodwill-whatever their religious, ethnic or racial background-are appalled by these terrible attacks on American cities. Such evil deeds have no place in the world we seek to build and share.

Our hearts go out to the people of America and all those who grieve and mourn. We pray for them and with them. We remember the dead, the bereaved, the injured, and the missing, and all those working to save life.

As Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders, we believe that it is vital amid so much anguish and suffering to nourish all that we hold in common and to resist all that would drive us apart. We share a belief in God's compassionate love and a commitment to cherish and respect our common humanity. We pray that at this time of tragedy, we may be worthy of that gift and that challenge." This joint statement has been issued by: The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster The Chief Rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sacks Dr Zaki Badawi, Principal of the Muslim College, and Chairman of the Imams and Mosque Council of the United Kingdom And endorsed by: Rev Anthony Burnham, the Free Churches Moderator Rev Joel Edwards, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance Rev Christina Le Moignan, President of the Methodist Conference

Meditation

In times like this we realise how weak and inadequate we are, and our greatest need is to turn in repentance and faith to the God of all mercy and the Father of all comfort. If ever there was time for us to turn to God and to pray as a nation, it is now, that this evil will spread no further. It is also a time for us to remember the words of the Psalmist: 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea ... He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still and know that I am God ... The Lord of hosts is with us.'" (Ps 46:1-2, 9-11) Billy Graham

Prayer

Grant, O God, that we who are one in our need of your forgiveness, may be one in our acts of compassion. May we who are made one in your love become one in our common life. May we who speak many languages dwell together as one race, in unity with our one heavenly Father; and this we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Holy and Gracious God, Blessed Trinity, in your Son you have taught us that nothing in life or death is able to separate us from your love. We pray for the people of the United States of America, and people of other nations, affected by the terrorism in America in these recent days. May our world leaders be led by your wisdom. Comfort those who have lost loved ones. Support the injured and those near death. Inspire the emergency services. Lighten the darkness of those who are near despair. Do not let threats multiply or power be used without compassion. Rekindle hope in our lives, so that we may not walk alone through the valley of the shadow of death, through Christ our Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace, we pray. Amen.

God, who gave us birth, you are ever more ready to hear than we are to pray. You know our needs before we ask, and our ignorance in asking. Give to us now your grace, that as we shrink before the mystery of death, we may see the light of eternity. Speak to us once more your solemn message of life and death. Help us to live as those who are prepared to die. And when our days here are accomplished, enable us to die as those who go forth to live, so that living or dying, our life may be in you, and that nothing in life or in death will be able to separate us from your great love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Teach us, O Lord, to love you, to trust you and for ever to praise you. Let us exalt your name both in the day and in the night. Let us serve you both in the house of prayer and in the world about us. Let us ascribe to you with all your saints both wisdom and majesty, both honour and glory, world without end. Amen. Henry Vaughan, 1621-1695

Our loving Father, we give thanks for your goodness and love; for the joy of home and family, and the companionship of friends and neighbours; for the strength that supports us and the love that surrounds us, both when our joy is complete and when it is touched by pain. We give thanks for your Son Jesus Christ: the glory of his humble birth, the graciousness of his selfless life, the obedience and trust that led him to the cross, and the triumph of his resurrection and ascension. We give thanks for your Holy Spirit at work in your Church and in our hearts, revealing your truth, renewing our lives, and bringing us to your eternal Kingdom. Alexander Siatwinda, Zambia/Halifax

God of light and love, visit this land with your healing power. In your compassion restore wholeness to communities blighted by disease, destruction, and loss of hope: have mercy on your whole creation, and guide us to wise stewardship of your beautiful world, that all your creatures may live in peace and health. We ask this in the name of him in whom all things are made new, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Michael Cruchley, Secretary of the Cytun Rural Network, Wales

Hymns (Hymns and Psalms)

1. We rest on thee 735, 2. O let the Son of God 3. The Servant King 4. O God our words cannot express (On notices) 5. Lord Jesus Christ 435

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