2023 10 15 Proper 23 Pentecost 20A
Exodus 32:1-14
and Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 • Philippians 4:1-9 •
Matthew 22:1-14
In our reading to the Philippians we find that there is
such a rift between two ladies that St. Paul needs to address the matter. Rather than get into a debate about who is
right or wrong he urges us all to think
on whatever is true, honourable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent
and worthy of praise…., and to keep doing the things that he, St. Paul, had
taught and was doing, and the God of peace would be with them.
Currently there is more than a little rift between
Israel and the Palestinians. I have been
surprised/ shocked by the Palestinian response to the Hamas attack on Israel…. The
revelry in the street over the body of a dead young Israeli female…. Surely, I thought Hamas was a terrorist group
within the Palestinians and the Palestinians were innocent. But no… the matter is more complex. It appears at this point in time that the
Palestinians are rejoicing in the pain of Israel. Something that should never be. After all, who are we if we take pleasure in
another’s pain? Perhaps we would do best
to be like St. Paul, and not get into the “He said, She said”, but urge the way
of Peace…. And pray for peace.
Israel has been, and is God’s chosen nation. It is a choice made by God, not through anything
that Israel did to deserve it. We, also
are God’s chosen people. It is a sure
fact that we are saved only by His amazing Grace, and not by any good works on
our part. In the reality of this
incredible grace that we all enjoy, we can easily make the mistake of taking God’s
grace for granted and feeling like we can do whatever we want – and still be
God’s favoured people. Today’s readings
remind us, that God is God almighty and His grace comes to us at a great cost,
which we should never take for granted, just as we also should never undermine God’s
greatness.
In our first reading Moses was up on the mountain
receiving the commandments from God. The
people became impatient in waiting and took things into their own hands. At this point, the only thing the people knew
about God, was that they were God’s chosen people. As the children of Abraham, Isaac and Israel,
they belonged to God and God had promised to bring them back into their own
land. The land of Canaan, given to
Abraham, lived in by Jacob, and an inheritance for these children of the
promise. These people had a national and
spiritual identity. It kept them united,
but the Israelites had been living in Egypt for 430 years, and it messed with
their identity.
Consider our own identity. Who are we and why? I consider myself an Australian, connected to
this local area. I often say, “my Grandmother’s
grandmother was married here”, but I don’t actually think that is the reason
for my identity. The real reason is more
a sense that I share the shaping of who I am with the people in this community
with whom I grew up. We share a common story
of our formative years involving cane fires in winter, cyclones and floods in
summer, swimming at the beach or Marian falls on the weekends, picnics and
swims at Finch Hatton and Eungella, Island holidays, playing sport, going to
church, and street parades like the Sugartime festival.
Somehow that sense of community keeps me connected
even though our city has grown and changed.
This community formed me and when I travel to conferences and speak with
others, I’m aware that even my values are formed by my community. The Israelites lived side by side with the
Egyptians. Yes, they knew their
differences, but their children born in Egypt were certainly influenced by the
experience of growing up in Egypt, and this included many generations who grew
up in that 430 year time period.
The bull or calf was a common god in many of the
ancient civilizations, including Egypt.
The bull was known as Apis or Hapi, and he was supposed to have been
born of a virgin cow, rendered pregnant by a moonbeam or a flash of lightning. Many scholars believe that the people didn’t
really think of the animal as the god, but as a representation of the god.
Aaron built an altar in front of the golden calf and
declared a festival to the LORD – LORD in all capitals meaning; to the one true
God, Yahweh. These people thought they
were doing what they should. Aaron
thought he was doing what he should. They
meant well but got it wrong. These
people were worshiping God in the only way that they knew how, from their
experience in Egypt, and to the best of their ability. They meant well but got it wrong and God was
ready to destroy them because of their actions.
we need to be really careful that we don’t make God
into a Golden Calf, an idol made for our convenience, that we use to justify
our actions. Do
we compromise the truth of God for the sake of keeping people happy? Do we also mean well, and worship God
according to our culture and our nation, exchanging the glory of God for
something that is far less than the greatness and glory that God is?
Moses “stood in the gap” and interceded for the people. God hears and is merciful…. Our intercessor
is Jesus. God hears and is merciful to
us also. We rest assured. We stand today, with blessed assurance of our
Salvation yet knowing that though we mean well, we do get things wrong, and
even though we are unconditionally saved, we are called to follow God and “get
it” right.
When we look at our New Testament reading we find
ourselves in the story. There are three
groups represented in the story; 1- the invited guests, 2- the slaves or
servants of the King, and 3- the people in the streets, including the good and
the bad.
Jesus tells us, "The kingdom of heaven may be
compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son.” He is telling us about the Kingdom of God and
He is the Son. We are ALL called. Many are called but few are chosen.
When this parable was told, the religious people had a
fair idea that the group in the story, representing them, were the invited
guests. God’s chosen nation had a
history of mistreating the prophets. The
prophets and proclaimers of God’s message are represented by the slaves, or
servants. When Jesus came, he made it
clear that the Good News of this invitation to the wedding was for all people and
ultimately all would be invited.
That invited
group is us, the church! We are God’s
chosen people, invited to the wedding feast, but to come to the feast means to
make that feast our priority. In the
story these people didn’t think the Kingdom of God was worth more than their
work on the farm or their business… it was secondary to their own interests and
some even mistreated the messengers who tried to impress upon them that they
needed to act now. The implication? This
group will miss out, regardless of their favoured status unless they make Jesus
their number one priority.
Wow! That is a sobering message. But wait… there is more. The slaves are sent into the streets
to invite everyone. Everyone is invited
in the end. AND the slaves will most
certainly be at the wedding. We are
called to be the slaves of God, inviting all to the wedding feast of the
King. We are also the outsiders,
both good and bad. We are non-Jews,
people on the streets and we are called, invited to enjoy the hospitality of
the King.
Regardless of where we see ourselves in the story,
there is still one more important aspect; The one found who was not dressed in
wedding clothes. Whether we are the
chosen, favoured and invited guest, the slave or the outsiders on the streets,
we need to be appropriately dressed for this celebration. What is meant by this?
Galatians 3:27 tells us that all who are baptized have
been clothed with Christ. Romans
13:12-14 to.. put on the Lord Jesus
Christ,…” In our baptism we are
emersed in Christ… “baptism” meaning to be emersed such that we are permanently
changed, just like a cloth that is dyed takes on a different identity. To put on our wedding clothes, we need to be
clothed in Christ. We need to be
willingly identified as Christ-coloured.
More important than my identity as an Australian, or Mackay-ite is the
need to be identified first and foremost as Christ’s, and my opinions and
values need to reflect HIM.
When our time comes to meet with Christ, he won’t be
impressed by the one who says, I identify as Jewish or Christian therefore I’m
an invited guest…. If you are not in wedding clothes you will not be allowed
in. If we are basing our invitation on
anything other than our identity in Christ we are exchanging the glory of God
for an idol– Ultimately, no matter any
of our physical identities, only one thing matters - that we are clothed in
Christ.
Moses reminds God; “Remember Abraham, Isaac, and
Israel, your servants, …..'" And
the LORD changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his
people.” It appears that God is so angry
with their behaviour that he is ready to destroy them. But what is really happening, is that God is
giving Moses, God’s own heart for his people.
Their behaviour is wrong, but God desires someone who will care for
them, such that even when they are doing everything wrong, that person will
implore God on their behalf.
We are called to be this for others, and our call is
to share the message about the invitation to the wedding, remembering to pass
on to each one that the only requirement be, that we are clothed in
Christ. Being clothed in good intentions
is not the wedding attire. Being clothed
in good deeds wont work either. Being
clothed in a Jewish identity – An Anglican, Catholic, Protestant, Pentecostal,
Australian, French, Maltese or any other identity won't cut it either. These things are Golden Calves - mere representations or counterfeits when
only the genuine article will do. The
only way to the father is through the son.
Do we desire to belong to God? We
must come to him through the cross – The only acceptable sacrifice. We identify with Christ and put on Christ -We
are clothed in Christ.
Now that we are clothed in Christ, who stood in the
gap and interceded for us, we need to do likewise and intercede for others…. After
all, clothed in Christ, we must have the attitude of Christ, the heart of
Christ for others, the care of Christ for those who are vulnerable, because our
identity in Christ is the real wedding garment.
Come… we are invited… and the feast will be the wonderful celebration of
God’s salvation.
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