THE BIBLE – TODAY’S TREASURE HUNT
COMMENT FOR PENTECOST 3 - 25-06-06
1 Samuel 17: 32-49
This is a brilliant story of the victory over the Philistines which re-ignites the fire of the Abraham dream for the Hebrew people. We. however, put aside the cultural cruelties of the story and look for the treasure. Here is the beginning of the shepherding tradition which gives us “the Lord is my Shepherd” of the psalm, then “I am the Good Shepherd” of the Gospel.
Psalm 9: 9-20
In the Hebrew covenant worship this psalm begins by remembering what God has done for the nation and for the individual. Then it asserts that as time goes on help will also come for the one in trouble. This is because the help – judgment- of God will reveal the reality of God to the whole world. Therefore the nations will know that before the God of Israel they are only human.
2 Corinthians 6: 1-13
There are spiritual energies that keep Paul going in his shepherd-like ministry to the Corinthian church. They are different from the explosive spiritual energy of young g David in his faith journey. Like the Psalmist, Paul believes he is working with God for a result very different from the values found in contemporary culture.
Mark 4: 35-41
This little gem comes from Peter, the big fisherman, who gave his story to Mark. After the exhausting round of teaching Jesus is asleep in the stern of the boat caught in a sudden violent storm as they crossed the lake. Alarmed, the disciples wake him. The deep peace and stillness of the spirit of this Son of Man/God quietens the disciple’s fears. Then to their astonishment the quiet voice of this man stills the chaotic elements of the natural world.
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