THE BIBLE – TODAY’S TREASURE HUNT
COMMENT FOR PENTECOST 4 - 02-07-06
2 Samuel 1: 1, 17-27
David has lived for some time in the household of King Saul, and formed a deep friendship with his son Jonathon. Now he composes “the Song of the Bow”, a eulogy for the King and his son. He honours the ideals of kingship and, deeply affected, he gives us two lines which are still in current use – “How the mighty are fallen!”, and “In life and in death they were not divided.”
Psalm 130
This pilgrim song is a great penitential Psalm. A favorite of Martin Luther, it is the confession of a God-fearing man who comes out of the depths of alienation, of half-truths in a world where deals are made in order to survive. But in the sacred place – the temple- he shares in the worship of the covenant community There he is not lost but found, and receives God’s grace and forgiveness.
2 Corinthians 8: 7-15
Paul feels that the love of God in Christ is the greatest gift of his life. So he hopes that like the Macedonian churches, those in Corinth will make giving to those in need an expression of their life in Christ. Our world this week has been cheered by the gifts of three people who have combined much of their wealth and intelligence in a programme for the welfare of children, and the relief of those suffering from life threatening diseases.
Mark 5: 21-43
The whole community has gathered. Then a man of high status with a name approaches Jesus directly, while a woman with no status or name creeps up behind him. But both have a desperate need of his help and receive it without question. Mark wants us to see in this whole event that this is the Kingdom of God in action, and there is no better model for the church in action today.
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