THE BIBLE – LISTENING TO MATTHEW
COMMENT FOR PENTECOST 21 – 5.10.08
Exodus 20: 1-4, 7-8, 12-20
A thousand years have gone by since Abraham migrated south towards the Promised Land. Now the descendants are to receive the ten laws which will identify them as a people. The Law of Moses will follow the faith of Abraham. The event is of such significance that the mystery includes the land as the mountain is convulsed. In an atmosphere of “holy fear” the people learned the laws of unmistakable clarity. Now they were God’s people and now they had to live by these laws.
Psalm 19
In our 21st century world, ruptured by financial deceit and military conflict we listen to the serene words of this Psalm. Beyond the human noise and confusion can be heard the voice of the natural world exulting in the glory of God. That glory is everywhere and like the sun sheds its warmth and power over all. The second part then takes up the praise of the Law of Moses with its intellectual and spiritual demands paramount. The conclusion is the writer’s personal prayer to be an acceptable part of God’s creation.
Philippians 3: 4b-14
After the ten tribes of Israel of the Northern Kingdom were lost to the Assyrians in the latter part of the eighth century BC only the tribes of Benjamin and Judah remained. Only Benjamin of the twelve brothers was born in the Promised Land. But that and every other distinction of his past life is like trash since he found the living spiritual power of Christ. Amongst all the clash of values in Philippi he wants that congregation to experience with him the power of Christ’s resurrection. What does that say to us in the clash of values in our 21st century world?
Matthew 21: 33-46
In the midst of God’s creation the vineyard in Matthew’s stories is a place for humanity to work along with God. There is good development, but even with the best of intention and careful planning disasters occur, because of human frailty and unreliability. Matthew is appealing through his picture of Jesus, for the Jews of his first century world to grasp what the Christ event really means. So they can invest in the hope of the owner of the vineyard. The purpose of the coming of Christ will not be lost, but those who don’t understand will just miss out. So the fruits of all the work of the Jewish vineyard will just go on the Gentiles.
THE BIBLE – LISTENING TO MATTHEW
COMMENT FOR PENTECOST 22 – 12.10.08
Exodus 32: 1-14
We should note the effect of Moses leadership as opposed to that of Aaron. Moses was far ahead of his people and spiritually focused on their future. Aaron was so close to the people he went along exactly with what they wanted – an echo of the Egyptian worship revels. But in doing so they broke the first of the Ten Commandments which they had just been given with such impressive ceremony. Then there is a debate about the question – are they Moses’ people, verses 7 to 10? This is what God is saying. Or are they God’s people, verses 11-13? This is what Moses is saying. Moses wins the debate.
Psalm 106: 1-6, 19-23
We can imagine this Psalm being used during the festivals for the renewal of the covenant. It begins with praise for the faithfulness of their God, but recognizes how quickly they forget that he has been leading them all the way. It is a shame to think people would give their gold to model a calf and mentally go back to their life in Egypt. Were their forefathers unable to understand the seriousness of what they were doing? Moses remains a model for intercession in prayers for mercy and forgiveness.
Philippians 4: 1-9
Paul had a dramatic introduction to life in this Roman colony (Acts 16: 12-40). Now he encourages strategies for peace for the sake of the Gospel. He speaks of the peace of God which is beyond analysis but which can be shared and which will characterize the relationship of the people of God, for this is the gift of the Gospel. He wants them all to leave behind issues and loyalties which may divide and instead concentrate on those values which enrich the heart and soul. This is advice which might be considered in our turbulent world.
Matthew 22: 1-14
Matthew remembers the time in Jerusalem when Jesus was reaching the climax of his ministry. He makes another appeal where God is sending out another invitation to a wedding feast as a further step in the Hebrew story of faith. It is hard to imagine the punitive response to the people’s rejection of the invitation. But we can imagine Matthew using the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD as an example when he is preparing his Gospel for Jewish readers. So the invitation then goes out to all those who never thought they would be included. Then the warning: when you come into the company of God you change, you are a different person.
THE BIBLE – LISTENING TO MATTHEW
COMMENT FOR PENTECOST 24 – 26.10.08
Deuteronomy 34: 1-12
At the end of the Exodus saga Moses knows he will not cross the Jordan River with the people of the twelve tribes (Deuteronomy 31:2). Therefore he gives them his farewell message in song (Deuteronomy 32 & 33) as they get ready for the occupation. From the highest point in the geographical centre he looks from Dan to Beersheba and from the Mediterranean to the Golan Heights – the land once promised. Moses is a towering figure of Hebrew history through his leadership, wisdom and courage. As a Hebrew he embodied the hopes and dreams of his people but lifted them to a more faithful understanding of their God. But as a person he pushed our idea of how to live as one with the caring, Spiritual Creator God.
Psalm 90: 1-6, 13-17
In this great piece of Hebrew writing we immediately affirm a spiritual power that demolishes our pride. Those aware of the fleeting nature of their years may find a refuge in the one who has never ceased to be a refuge. From verse 13 on it is in the turbulent commerce of life where divine mercy and help is sorely needed. The Psalm ends with a heartfelt prayer that honest human work and life will have a place in God’s eternity. Our prayer this week should be for all who suffer from current financial misfortune and for all students undertaking exams in the hope of a better future.
1Thessalonians 2: 1-8
This early letter was written when Paul had moved on to Athens and fills out the account given of his activity in Thessalonica in Acts 17: 1-8. After the trouble in Philippi, Paul had something of a police record. So he worked minimum publicity. He meets the charges against him given in verse 3, and assures them of his loving concern which is the same as when he was there. He wants this small congregation to feel that they are a new community of faith built on the loving purposes of God.
Matthew 22: 34-46
Jesus gratefully responds to a question about the greatest commandment of the law. Everyone is quiet under the spell of his deep sincerity as he speaks the human loving response to God. Then while the focus of all eyes he speaks of the flip side – the love for neighbours across the human race. Now he takes a deep breath and asks the identity of the Messiah. The reply is the usual nationalistic action by a liberator. Jesus quotes the priest/king Psalm 110: where The Lord (God) said to my Lord (Messiah). After his statement on the second commandment the Pharisees could see their role for the Messiah was being challenged, and could make no response. Jesus, however, was to go on and demonstrate that role in terms of sacrificial love.
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