THE BIBLE – TODAY’S TREASURE HUNT
COMMENT FOR PENTECOST 20 – 22-10-06
Job 38: 1-7, 34-41
With enormous power the voice of God now takes the stage. Nothing Job and his three friends have said is mentioned. Rather they are challenged to think about the world, its beauty and variety, and acknowledge the mysterious power of the creator. Perhaps Job, as a mere human, does not have the right to question God about His justice or compassion. If so, what then does this mean for the nation still suffering from the exile experience?
Psalm 104: 1-9, 24, and 35c
The covenant worshipper is addressed in this beautiful Psalm and invited to join with all creation in praise of the wise and loving creator. The spirit of post-exilic times has a world view in which there are “parallels in Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek and Nordic mythologies” (Artur Viser, The Psalms, p.666) However. heartfelt praise is invited.
Hebrews 5: 1-10
This book is not so much a letter as what we would call a paper or a sermon. It is an appeal to the Hebrew people who value sacrifices in their religious experience. The writer argues that as Christ lived a human life and was appointed by God, he is priest for ever, invoking the ancient order of the King of Salem who blessed the young Abram, the Hebrew. (Gen.14:18, Psalm 110: 4)
Mark 10: 35-45
Getting and using power has endless fascination. Two disciples decided to move ahead of the others. Jesus could see that they would be leaders in the mission of the kingdom of God when they understood its meaning and message. The tension in our age, however, is more directed to the financial, political and military power moves, while the poor and the homeless just do the best they can. All through the centuries the church has struggled with this issue. Even today, most churches and religious faiths make leadership a male preserve!
webmaster@mosm anuniting.org
MOSMAN UNITING CHURCH