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THE BIBLE – LEARNING FROM MARK

COMMENT FOR PENTECOST 22 – 1.11.09

Ruth 1: 1-16

This short story is a wonderful comment on the social conditions about 1150BC. There were three women widows: an Israeli with her two Moabite daughters-in-law. One decided to stay with her people but the other, Ruth, would make her home with Naomi in Bethlehem. In a beautiful statement of friendship Ruth ignores the differences of country and culture and becomes a member of the Elimelech family in Bethlehem. It is a lesson in how people can welcome strangers, and one for us all to think about as climate change bites. For these three women, widows, could starve if there were no room for their intelligence and resourcefulness to be expressed.

Psalm 146

There is a simple truth at the heart of this Psalm which the uncertainties of life cannot touch. God is forever, and the skill is to find the way his truth works in our world. There is something very topical in the references to princes and mortals in times of economic and political uncertainty, as we see what institutions survive and become part of what gives hope in the future again. From verse 5 we are called to think how our lives can be measured by what is spiritual and praise the creator who offers life and hope.

Hebrews 9: 11-14

Our 2009 world is very different from that of the first century of our era. So that is the first step we have to note, for the writer is talking about the actual processes of the sacrifices that the people could see before them. We are a long way from the awe inspiring structure of the temple and the role of the High Priest. For us the action of Jesus of Nazareth in surviving the hate and confusion of the crucifixion to be found alive and offering the presence of the living God on Easter Day answers the question raised in verse 14.

Mark 12: 28-34

Jesus was generally not accepted by the Jerusalem religious elite, but this time there was some courtesy in the scribe’s question. So Jesus gave a full reply quoting Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God the Lord is One. This is the Shema and has been called the real creed of Judaism. But to the surprise of the scribe he goes on to link it with Leviticus, 19:18: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” The scribe wants to think this over, so he repeated what Jesus had said, trying to make sure he understood it which gave Jesus the chance to make the last word. There seemed to be genuine warmth. However, Jesus had taken a further step, for the second part, referred only to Hebrew neighbours but Jesus makes it refer to Gentiles as well.

THE BIBLE – LEARNING FROM MARK

COMMENT FOR PENTECOST 23 – 8.11.09

Ruth 3: 1-5; 4: 13-17

The story of Ruth is a major thread tracing the awareness of God from the time of the Judges to the monarchy under David. Ruth, the young Moabite widow needs security, and Naomi, her Israelite mother-in-law explains her strategy to see her safely married to Boaz, whose lands provide work for the young during harvest time. Through such a fragile connection, a foreigner of integrity is included and becomes an instrument in God’s unfolding plan for the human race.

Psalm 127

The Pilgrims sing as in the providence of God they come to the great House, the Temple, where the spiritual warmth of their faith enlivens the annual festivals. There is meaning also for the daily lives of the people in their own houses, and for us all as our lives become a part of the good purposes of God. Disappointingly in the last three verses, women are represented as wombs, their daughters ignored, while sons are described as arrows in the hand of a warrior protecting the father against any public slander. But for us, we see how cultural practice denies the faith emphasis of the first two verses.

Hebrews 9: 24-28

The Hebrews were familiar with the part of the High Priest in the ritual sacrifices. So in this closely argued statement where the High Priest enters the Sanctuary with the sacrifice asking forgiveness for the people, the Christ of the Cross, himself Priest and sacrifice entered Heaven itself to appear on our behalf. This is no annual event but a “once for all” event. And remember how Jesus is described in Ch. 1 v. 3 as “the exact imprint of God’s very being” so it is God himself who is Creator, our Redeemer and Judge.

Mark 12: 38-44

National feeling intensified as Passover time approached. So we hear Jesus objecting to the cultural emphasis where the display of religious practice was of prime importance. Inevitably the weakest members of the community suffered – they were the widows. The disciples as usual were a bit hard to convince. So Jesus takes them to where people were making their offerings for the temple sacrifices. There, a widow gives an example of what loving God really means. She has become the symbol of all those people, rich or poor, who, through all the ages since, support as best they can what they believe God is doing in the world.

THE BIBLE – LEARNING FROM MARK

COMMENT FOR PENTECOST 24 – 15.11.09

1 Samuel 1: 4-20

Hannah is childless because of God’s judgement on her, so says the other wife and that is also popular opinion. But she has a sense of her worth as a person and strikes a deal with God knowing she can fulfil her part to make her male child a nazirite from birth. Early in the morning in the sanctuary she makes her prayer. Eli, the priest, supports her and gives her his blessing. She leaves a changed person firmly believing her request will be granted. In due time a child is born and she names him Samuel. There is no doubt Hannah will keep her part in the bargain.

1 Samuel 2: 1-10

This is a song of a truly happy person for the significant meaning and purpose of what has happened comes out of her faith in God. There is a strength and dignity in what she says and does because she feels God guarantees her worth and integrity. So it is a song for the vulnerable and powerless, because here is a God who can reverse the positions of the rich and poor, the strong and weak and the greedy with their weaponry. A new way, replacing the old opportunistic way, is thus created. Think ahead one thousand years to Mary’s song.

Hebrews 10: 11-14, 19-25

The Hebrews are invited to reflect on how their system of sacrifices has demonstrated their faith story. Behind it all was the terrifying presence of a Holy God, and in the Holy of Holies a sacrificial animal was sprinkled for the sins of the people. Now with the death of the Christ of the Cross we are invited to enter the presence of God because forgiveness can be personal and real. The word “sacrifice” takes on a whole new meaning and has an important part in the human story. We might reflect on how that word “sacrifice” is used in the Remembrance Day setting of November 11.

Mark 13: 1-8

One of the disciples is fascinated with the huge stones of the temple building. But Jesus, with his mind full of the conflict to come at Passover time, warns about what happens when people and nations allow conflict and hate to grow. Nothing is safe or sacred. The people of Mark’s generation would experience the bitter and brutal Roman – Jewish conflict and the destruction of the temple in 70AD. To Jesus it was obvious and inevitable that their rejection of him and the loving Kingdom of God would leave the people to the cruelties of conflict and famine. But even then he gives a message of expectation and hope, for this is his last word.

THE BIBLE – LEARNING FROM MARK

COMMENT FOR CHRIST THE KING – 22.11.09

2 Samuel 23: 1-7

The books of Samuel cover the Kingships of Saul and David. In 1 Samuel 8 the prophet advised against Kingship, saying that Kings developed their own priorities, and wasted the resources of the people in conflict and war. But the people went on with their request because they wanted to be like everyone else. After the disappointment of Saul, David becomes God’s choice through the prophet Samuel. He recognises that ruling with justice, good government and keeping the Covenant with God were what brought blessings, not military victories. At his best influence David went on to see that keeping the Covenant was what kept the country strong.

Psalm 132: 1-12 (13-18)

This would be a popular festival Psalm. It begins with a prayer remembering the Kingship of David which expressed the heart of the Covenant with the “Mighty One of Jacob”. So the congregation recites the significant events which establish a home for the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem. Assurances of God’s blessings are given, the people – the faithful – shout for joy as the blessings come through your servant David’s sake (v 10). But this is followed by a very big “If”. The promises of 2 Samuel 7 will be remembered if future kings (as it is before the Exile) will be faithful over the long years in the future.

Revelation 1: 4b-8

The dramatic language of the opening chapter indicates the importance of the message to the marginalised and vulnerable Christians in those early years. Society was dominated by the influence of Imperial Rome, Greek culture and Judaism. But the message is from “the One who is, who was, and is to come” and “the Alpha and Omega” who was the faithful witness” standing on trial like them before the authorities. They were to remember also that in Christ’s resurrection power there is a promise of a further exercise of power that will sweep all other forms into submission.

John 18: 33-37

One has to feel sorry for Pilate as he takes Jesus through the charges made against him. Jesus is asking nothing but simply tries to make Pilate understand the purpose of his life on earth. Once the charges are dealt with and Jesus is found to be no threat to Roman authority, the next question is about the nature of Jesus’ “kingship”. Jesus explains what it is not – political or power based on state authority. Rather it is a life direction finder, a patient search for what is true, always allowing for one question to lead to another of greater significance. Paul Tillich described the process in his book: “Ultimate Concern” or Dialogue with students.

THE BIBLE – LUKE’S GOSPEL STORY

COMMENT FOR ADVENT 1 – 29.11.09

Jeremiah 33: 12-16

Jeremiah had lived and breathed the misfortunes of Judah’s people most of whom were the work force of the Chaldeans in Babylon in the 6^th century B.C. He had the prophet’s love and concern for this Hebrew remnant. Now he looks ahead to a recovery before it happens because he could not believe that God would have no further plans for the Hebrew people. There had to be an alternative to this disaster. In his writings he tries to get that message across to the people of Judah in exile. Family life will thrive in the hills of Judah and justice and righteousness will be part of the everyday experience of the people.

Psalm 25: 1-10

The first seven verses are the personal prayer of one who has been hurt by his/her experiences in the real world. Finally the writer comes to God for that renewal that can transform life. There is a prayer for forgiveness because being honest with God was found to be the way to a new understanding relationship with the God of the future. It is getting right with God that begins the hope for a life of faith trusting in the God of the past and the future.

1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13

Paul had a stormy introduction to the reception of his message in the Greek world. Acts 17: 1-10 describes the trouble in Thessalonia. The uproar followed his message in the Synagogue and he had to leave town at night. Imagine then the concern for the newly formed congregation. This would be among Paul’s earliest letters where he is acutely conscious of the new way of living in the faith of Christ while letting go of the habits that made life distinctly Jewish. For the distinctly different life of faith was building a new community of loving fellowship.

Luke 21: 25-36

The tension is building in Jerusalem as crowds grow in the temple each day. Jesus is sensitive to the undercurrents of suspicion and hate and he explains to the disciples the processes of anger and hate which can erupt in sudden deadly conflict. He is explaining how people have turned away from his message of the Kingdom of God, and he then will become the victim of their hate and suffer death on the Cross. But that is never the last word; for the final verdict is always with God and that means the renewal of the resurrection. It is to the renewal of hope and life that Advent points. And here he gives the beautiful example of the fig tree’s springtime growth as the Advent promise.