Entering the promise through a sacred place 5th Nov 2023 Pentecost 23A Proper 26A

 2023 11  05     PROPER 26A  Pentecost 23A

Joshua 3:7-17 and Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37  •  1 Thessalonians 2:9-13  •  Matthew 23:1-12

 

 

A common thread in the readings today is the concept of being, “Exalted” or humbled.  In our first reading, God says that He will exalt Joshua in the site of the Israelites.  In our Gospel we find that the Pharisees were exalting themselves and Jesus teaches His followers that all who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.  Jesus also says that the greatest among them will be their servant.  Jesus was among them, serving them and He is the greatest.  He lived the example for us to follow.

 

Saint Paul was originally known as Saul, and he was a man exalted among his peers.  He was both a Roman citizen and a Jew, and he was exalted in both communities as a man with high intellect and learning, who kept the law – both of God and man.   As Saul, this man was proud and passionate, to the extent that he zealously sought out the Christians to destroy them.  He thought he was righteous in his actions.

 

On the road to Damascus Saul encountered the risen Lord Jesus and the light of that encounter struck him temporarily blind.

 

There is a subtle and important difference between receiving God’s word and receiving God’s word as if from God himself.

 

If there is anyone who knew that difference between receiving the word of God, as from God himself, and receiving the word of God, as from humans, it was Saint Paul.  In Saint Paul’s pre-Christ encountered life, he lived according to the word of God as if it were an intellectual and lifestyle choice – one which he believed zealously.  After he encountered Christ, Saint Paul realized that he had encountered the living God and it made all the difference.

 

The Pharisees of Jesus time had the same problem as Saint Paul before his encounter.  They received and taught the word of God, but they didn’t actually follow it all, because it was more an intellectual, cultural and lifestyle choice.  As much as they believed what they taught, there was a sense that they hadn’t grasped the reality and magnitude of God.  Without this … we could say “Fear” of God, they manipulated the word of God so that it suited themselves.  I suspect that most of them didn’t mean to do anything wrong by God, simply that, without that sense of God’s reality and presence, they tended to work the interpretation of the commands of God to suit themselves. 

 

In all of this we need to understand that this Gospel is written as a warning to it’s readers, us, to not fall into that same error.  Therefore, we need to be examining how this might look in our own context.

 

The scriptures and the commandments from God give us great guidelines for wholesome living.  Many people on the streets will tell you that they agree, the commandments of God are good, and many will tell you that they live by them, but a quick look at their lives will tell you that they have a loose and personal interpretation of those commandments. 

 

When Jesus is asked which is the greatest commandment, he says; “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. ' This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”

 

We tend to give lots of attention to the second commandment, not really being sure what to do about the first.  I’d go so far as to say that we have built a good society on those commands – those about loving our neighbour.  In fact, many Australian laws are drawn from our Judeo-Christian heritage, as contained in the Bible.  The culture that most of us has grown up in, is one that acknowledged the values of the commandment of God to love your neighbour as yourself.  Not every culture has this.  For example, in places where the caste system is part of their culture, it is quite acceptable to have no pity for your neighbour, because that is their Karma.  In their belief it is Karma that a person is suffering.  -Meaning, that in the past life that person had done some evil and so it is only right that they should suffer now.

 

It is a fact that the Gospel has had a huge impact on society – whether it is acknowledged or not, and it must also impact our life…and not just our intellect and private life.

 

One of the impacts of the Gospel, needs to be on our attitude.  There is a really important message in our Gospel.  The Pharisees were allowing themselves to receive honour.  They were called “father” and “teacher”.  Jesus says – don’t do this.   But we do.  So, what is going on?

 

These terms were terms of honour and they were used in Jesus’ time and they are still used in ours.  It is not the actual terms which are a problem, but that the people in those positions were desiring the honour rather than desiring to do the will of God.   We all feel good when people treat us with honour… and it goes hand in hand with respect.  Jesus didn’t put down the fact that people were to treat the pharisees with the honour/respect of being on the “seat of Moses”.  Jesus was simply speaking about the pharisees out of proportion sense of themselves.   Somewhat like a child’s drawing of a person with a super large head. 

 

Jesus tells them, “The greatest among you will be your servant.  All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

 

How do we keep a proper balance so that we stay properly proportioned?  Easy!  We seek to do God’s will most of all, and God will arrange it so that he keeps us balanced.

 

Joshua was the leader of the Israelites after Moses died.  He was quite a unique character in that he was a leader in battles, but also the servant of Moses for many years.  In our reading today the story begins with the word of God to Joshua; “The LORD said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so that they may know that I will be with you as I was with Moses.”

 

Why did God exalt Joshua? 

 

Moses had been the people’s leader and they had many times grumbled against him and criticised him.  Right from the start of Moses’ interactions with the people, God was performing wonders through which he proved that He was with Moses, and yet we mostly see those wonders as God’s work for the people and not as a means to exalt Moses.

 

It is said that Moses was a most humble man.  Numbers 12:23 tells us; “Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” 

 

Joshua was the epitome of a perfect servant.  He was faithful and courageous.  He and Caleb were the only ones who brought back a good report of the lands around them when they and others were sent to spy on the land.  They only difference being that they trusted in God’s promise to give them the land.

Joshua was humble, but not meek.  I think sometimes we get a bit confused with what humbleness looks like.  Joshua had complete trust in God.  This is where his courage came from and this is also where his humility came from. 

 

Moses and Joshua both experienced the majesty of God.  In fact, so did Saint Paul.  The experience of God, changed their lives and shaped who they became.

 

I love the story of our first reading.  It was Moses who led the Israelites out of the slavery of Egypt, but it was Joshua who led them into the promised land.  Both of these events involved the miraculous parting of waters.

 

A Jewish commentary about the splitting of the waters explains that there is an implication in these events beyond and deeper than the incredible miracle.  The waters conceal those things beneath and symbolize a spiritual realm that is inaccessible.  When God parts the waters, he is inviting the nation of Israel to enter into a spiritual place – a sacred place.

 

These events also, symbolize a baptism.  In baptism we become one with God.  We enter into a spiritual and sacred place formally unknown. 

 

“Since water conceals everything beneath its waves, the sea represents the realm of that which is hidden, a spirituality so distant from ours that it is hidden from us. Splitting the sea and revealing the dry land on which the Jews could walk expresses the idea that the hidden realms become in some way revealed and accessible.” https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/246647/jewish/Parting-of-the-Red-Sea.htm

 

That nation on the banks of the Jordan entered a mass baptism.  Probably the only one ever where no one got wet…. However, all must have known the symbolism of God taking them into his sacred, and formally unknown place.  God was, in that act, taking them into the secret place only known by God.  God was taking this nation into His confidence.  The people were not “Storming” heaven… or breaking in.  This was God’s doing… God’s invitation and there could be no doubt about it, or misunderstanding.  These people were figuratively passing through the valley of the shadow of death and fearing no evil because it was God leading them/ encompassing them.

 

 

What impact would an event like this have on the people?  This was a little different from the Red Sea, where the people were in fear of their life and desperate for rescue.  This was an invitation to enter into a reality.  The reality of the Kingdom of God.

 

To enter into the Kingdom of God requires us to say “Yes” to God’s invitation.  To enter into the Kingdom of God involves stepping out in faith, trusting that God will protect us.  To enter into the Kingdom of God is to step into the holy place of God and answer God’s call to become the person, the people, the nation that God originally intended us to be.

 

We can not be the people that God intends us to be without stepping into the river.  By this, I mean that those Pharisees were living in a comfort zone where they and their comfort, and honour from humans was the most important factor.  They didn’t step out to help the people, except to make a show of how great they were.  

 

 

Joshua wasn’t a showy person.  He simply followed the call of God.  It is the call of God that matters and God has called us also.

 

In all the mess of this world, it feels very much like a river in flood.  The Jorden River was in flood when the Israelites crossed over.  It must have seemed like an inopportune time to be crossing that river.  Sensibility would have been to cross when it was in the dry season…. But no… God calls them at this time…. and right now, God calls to us in to the mess of our world and invites us to step out.  BUT we don’t rush in zealously like Saul who persecuted the Christians, thinking he was doing the right thing.  We can be really great people, honoured by our community and still get it really wrong.   So, we first must enter that sacred place where God invites us.  It is a place where we realize the majesty, awesomeness and magnitude of God….. the place of God’s presence …  then, knowing that we walk in the presence of God, we step into all that chaos and we bring the love, the light and the reality of God to our world.  There will be battles against powers and principalities in the spiritual realm as we go, but that is why we really need to know that we are walking in God’s presence.  We step into His sacred place and in this way, as a servant, we enter the promised land.

In the Presence Pentecost 21 A 22nd Oct 2023

2023 10 22 Proper 24 Pentecost 21

• Exodus 33:12-23 and Psalm 99  •  1 Thessalonians 1:1-10  • Matthew 22:15-22

 

Are we a distinct people?  What is it that makes us distinct?

 

The people in the church of Thessalonica were distinct.  Saint Paul sings their praises and reports that in every place, beyond Macedonia and Achaia their faith in God had become known, such that they have no need to speak about it. 

 

Can you imagine if our church here had that reputation?  In our circumstance it might be that the Anglican Church in Mackay has such faith that it is the hot topic in Townsville and Cairns and everywhere!  Up in Ayr they’d be saying, “Have you heard about the faith of the Anglican church in Mackay?  It is clear that they are favoured by God and that God has chosen them.  Their faith is amazing and they spread the word of God to other towns!”

 

The Thessalonians were consistent in living out, the spiritual virtues granted to them in Christ.  A recent meme on facebook said: “Hypocrisy – Church people going about with a mouth full of scripture and a heart full of hate.”  - the point is that, as Christians we ought to be Christ-like.  The fact that there is a meme like this out there, says to me that many churches are not as exemplary as the Thessalonian Church.  The Thessalonians didn’t just give intellectual assent to the moral virtues of Christ and a nod of thanks for His saving sacrifice.  They actually embodied all that a Christian, clothed in Christ, ought to be.

 

Last week’s readings talked about the wedding feast of the King.  The parable showed us that all peoples are invited to Gods Kingdom. Great news!  However, the last line was about someone not in wedding attire who was thrown out.  Our wedding attire is to be clothed in Christ.  Our baptism is where we “put on Christ” – we become so emersed in Him that, like fabric in dye, we become permanently changed. The Thessalonians were living this reality.

 

Saint Paul also says of the Thessalonians, that he knows that God had chosen them.  And he says that the word came to them full of the power of the Holy Spirit and with conviction.  I don’t know exactly what happened at that place, but I think it would have been a mighty exciting place to have been.  That experience of the power and reality of God, permanently shaped the identity of the Thessalonian Church. 

 

One could erroneously think that the Thessalonian church enjoyed honour and privilege in their community, but Thessalonia was a place where Saint Paul faced hostilities and was sent on to Berea.   The Thessalonian church didn’t hide away in fear, however, instead they took on the work of Saint Paul and spread the Gospel to the regions around them.  The Thessalonian Church has been called an exemplary church.  I wonder what our church would look like if we had the same mode of operating as that church?

 

It is one thing to get involved in a lot of church activity, and it is another to be a church that embodies Christ.  But what is it that makes the difference?

 

Moses talked to God about the presence of God.  We read where he says; “In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth."  Moses was not at all keen to move until he had the assurance that God’s presence would go with them.

 

In the times of Moses, the presence of God was signified in the cloud and we read about the tent of meeting that Moses set up for the people to inquire of God.  A bit later in Exodus we find the explanations of the various areas set up, including the “Holy of Holies”.  Only the high priest was allowed to enter that Holy of Holies.  Where is the Holy of Holies today?  When Jesus died on the cross the curtain that sectioned off the Holy of Holies was torn in two.  On the day of Pentecost the presence of God came to individuals with the coming of the Holy Spirit.

 

Many Christians do good works, because, honestly, that is part of our calling – To be the hands and feet of Christ.  Many non-Christians also do good works.  Therefore, how is the Christian distinct?  It obviously isn’t due to the work that we do, even though these are things common to the people of God.  We are distinct because we have the presence of God.  But are we aware of this?  And are we relying on the presence and power of God?

 

I suspect we forget that we can rely on the Holy Spirit.  We forget to always be aware of the presence of God with us.  When things go wrong, both little nonsense things or major things, with the awareness of the presence of God with us, we will know the peace that passes all understanding and gives us rest. You and I are distinct because of God’s presence.  He is always with us. 

 

God has chosen us.  We are chosen to be God’s own.  Saint Paul told the Thessalonians; “For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you,…”  What a reassurance!  But do we realize that God has chosen us?  We are individually chosen, loved and called for the purposeful plan of God.  Also, we as the Mackay Anglican Church, are chosen, loved and called for a purposeful plan of God.

 

Last week’s Gospel reading ended with the line, “Many are invited, but few are chosen.”  We who have been baptised in Christ – who are dressed in Christ, we are in our wedding clothes and WE ARE CHOSEN.  We are identified as Christ’s, because we walk in God’s presence.  We take up that invitation, walking in God’s presence we are appropriately dressed.

 

The Israelites also needed this same reassurance of God’s love and call.  They were the chosen people and they walked with His presence. 

 

Moses quite reasonably then asks God to teach him His ways…. Moses wants to know what God requires so that he can then teach the people what God requires.  God’s response to this is; “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.” More than anything, this is central to our message.  The emphasis therefore is not on what we do for God, but the gift that God gives to us.  God’s presence is the key.  God’s presence will give us rest. 

 

In our Gospel Jesus was asked about Marriage laws and paying taxes. In regards to the question of taxes, He answers that we should give to God what is God and to Caesar what is Caesar’s.  This is a such a clever answer, but the unspoken implication is the question left unuttered; What belongs to God?   And the answer is an obvious, everything.  The image of Caesar was stamped on the coin, but whose image is stamped on mankind?  We are made in the image of God and so we give to God what belongs to God.   We are challenged to use the free will that God gave us, to freely choose to belong to him.

 

Jesus declared that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are living because they belong to God.  They chose God, but God chose them before they were born… Just as God has loved and chosen us.  Jesus declares that God has power even over death.  This power is God’s and God’s presence is with us.  What are the implications of this?  God’s Holy Spirit with us, is the presence of God and the power of God in us.    There is no reason that we should not be stepping out in faith, walking towards the promised land. 

 

The Christian life is an exciting adventure.  We are called, as the Israelites were, to walk toward the promised land.  It can be a little frightening at times, as we step out in faith to answer God’s call, but we are reassured that we are God’s precious and chosen people.  We are never alone.  We are distinct because we are the people who walk in His presence.

HOLY COW! Pentecost 20A 15th October 2023

 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.

Say "YES" and GO! Proper 21 Pentecost 18A 1st October 2023

2023 10 1  PROPER 21 (26)  Pentecost 18 A

Exodus 17:1-7 and Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16  •  Philippians 2:1-13  •  Matthew 21:23-32

 

Modern life could almost be titled, “The exhausted life.”  There seems to be so many demands.  It is, in many ways, a dry and barren wilderness and we too need to come to the rock of Christ from whom living waters flow.  In this world of so many varied and passionate opinions we need that solid rock of Christ that we can trust in, stand on and rest.  We are nourished by the living waters, Christ’s Holy Spirit, that brings us the life and teaching of Christ.  Yet spare a thought for those Israelites who travelled by stages from the wilderness of Sin to Rephidim.  They were exhausted and they were frustrated.  What’s more, this place had no drinking water.   So, they grumbled.

 

God had already feed them with quail meat and bread from heaven, but the people are grumbling again.  They have good reason to grumble, but they are so slow to learn that they only need to ask.  They are God’s chosen people and he WILL provide.  We also, are God’s chosen people.  What is the message for us? God will provide.  In all our confusion of modern life, Christ is our rock.  His ways are life, and from Him flow living waters.

 

The number of Israelites who left Egypt was about 600 000.  I say, “about”, as it is unclear whether this number included women and children.  Mackay’s current population is under 138 000.  These people needed leadership, and the feeding and watering of them was also no small feat. 

 

The people questioned; “Is the Lord among us or not?”  In times that test our faith, we too cry; “Is the Lord among us or not?” – I do.  I confess, I’m no better than these quarrelling Israelites.  When there is a need, no matter what it is, we tend to become anxious and question whether God really does care for us. – Or is that just me?

 

God has proven himself over and over again, in our lives and in the stories that we read.  God’s love for His people is such that He provides, even though there is quarrelling with Him.  Last week we read about God providing the quail meat and manna in the desert.  What can we learn from these ancient interactions with God?  If nothing else, these stories speak so loudly about the faithfulness and provision of God.

 

As an individual, do we have a need, that we are thinking can’t be provided?  What is God saying to us?  As a church, do we have a need, that we are thinking can’t be provided?  What is God saying to us as a church about this?

 

Last week we discovered the provision of God – He sent the manna, but the people still had a work to do… they had to collect it and make it into bread.  Yet God also provided for them so that they were not just nourished, but could enjoy a time of rest. Last week I left us all with a question.  What is the work that God is calling us to do?  I would like us all to continue prayerfully contemplating this question, as we place ourselves in the shoes of the two brothers mentioned in our Gospel reading, asked by their father to do some work for him.

 

To recap; Jesus is asked what his authority is for the healings he performs.  Jesus was getting quite a following and the more established groups saw him as a threat.  Jesus’ teaching came from God.  John the Baptist’s teachings were from God also.  Jesus answered their question with his own question, making it clear that the baptism of John and Jesus’ own authority were both from God himself.

 

John the Baptist and Jesus had a God given role.  They fulfilled that role perfectly.  All God’s people are called to fulfill a God given role.  Those Pharisees were called to fulfill a God given role.  The nation of Israel was called to fulfill a God given role.  As God’s chosen nation, Israel was to be a light to the nations around.  They had the law and ways of God that would be a standard of goodness and good life.  Those things included caring for the widows and the poor, providing impartial justice and caring for the land such that even the land enjoyed a time of rest each 7^th year.  This way of living included a year of freedom for slaves and a year of Jubilee.  Many good things!!

 

Much like the son who said, “Yes” to his father’s call to work in the vineyard, the nation of Israel said yes to being the chosen nation of God, and “Yes” to following the law with it’s many traditions, but they didn’t actually follow through to present the mercy, grace and goodness of God to the rest of the world because, although they kept the letter of the law, they followed their own self interests instead of God’s call to love and mercy.

 

The first son said, “No” to the father.  Basically, No, I don’t want to do the work – I want to go my own way and do my own thing.  Jesus explained that this “Son”, represents those who were the religious outsiders, the tax collectors and prostitutes.  These initially rejected the ways of God, but later, upon reflection from the teaching of John the Baptist, realized that God’s way was a better way and they accepted.  They accepted God’s truth, they repented and were baptised by John.

 

“Repent” – there is a word loaded with connotations of sin and sorrow!  However, to repent simply means to change your mind and go in the other direction.   The Pharisees and the religious of Jesus day didn’t see that they had anything of which to repent.  They believed they were the keepers of God’s ultimate truth and they were following God.  They kept the law of God, gave sacrifices and kept the Sabbath as a day of rest.\  They kept the letter of the law but failed to understand the spirit of the law.  The Spirit of the law is not a New Testament idea.  In the book of Micah it clearly states that what God requires is simply this; (Micah 6:8) “ He has Showed You, O Man, What is Good. and What Does The Lord Require of You? to act justly and to Love Mercy and to Walk Humbly with Your God.”

 

Every single one of us who are called to be God’s people, are called to work in God’s vineyard.  We all have a God given role.  For each of us the call is different, but we know from the many great characters in the Old Testament that age, gender, occupation and social standing is no barrier to the call. 

 

In some way, shape or form, God is calling each of us today, to some action today.  God also calls us collectively as a church.  The Anglican church acknowledges this and has this thing called the five marks of Mission.  These five are:  1.         To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom  2.        To teach, baptise and nurture new believers   3.            To respond to human need by loving service   4.            To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation   5.       To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.   The church may collectively say “yes” to the calling, but the church collective is made up of many individuals who also need to be saying “Yes”, otherwise we are the son who says “Yes” and does nothing.   

 

Saint Paul’s letter to the Philippians urges the believes in how they ought to live and the attitudes and values he encourages are attitudes and values for a mission-based church, as he encourages them; “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.  Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.”

 

When there are conflicts in organisations, you can bet the root of the problem will be that one of more of those involved is striving to put themselves above others.  And the most difficult offenders do this out of selfish ambition and conceit, usually because they feel that no one will treat them with respect unless they grab hold of that little bit of perceived power.  The Christian counter-culture encourages us to regard others as better than ourselves.

 

It was drummed into me as a little girl, that none of us should think poorly of ourselves – the nuns taught us, that is false pride.  Each of us are so valuable to God, that Christ willingly came, suffered and died for us.  BUT, along with this we were taught that others are also, so valuable to God that Christ willingly came, suffered and died for them.  Do you recall the parable of the lost sheep, where he leaves the 99 who are safely together and seeks out that one that is lost.  We need to understand that we are meant to have this heart of God.

 

When I celebrate a baptism, I tell a story, and part of that story speaks about how, just as we look to see who a new baby looks like… we later notice parts of their personality that might echo members of their family also.  But NOW, as a baptised child of God, we expect that with God’s Holy Spirit alive and working in us, we hope that people might look at us and say, “Oh look, they are just like their heavenly Father!” 

 

When we say, “yes” to God’s call- and put that “yes” into action, we allow God’s spirit the freedom to grow in us and mould us into His image.  Saint Paul encourages the Philippians; “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

 

This doesn’t mean that we have to work to earn salvation, but there is a meaning lost in the translation.  Our salvation was made sure by Christ.  It is a done deal, accomplished once and for all by Christ.  However, as we live, carrying out our God given role, we know that it is God at work in us, enabling us to will and work, and as we do, that God in us… in the inner part of our being, is worked outwards so that the God in us becomes obvious to others. 

 

In fact, we are the rock in the wilderness of a thirsty and exhausted modern world. We stand as a firm witness to the goodness of God.  That goodness of God in us needs to be worked out so that the water of the Holy Spirit can flow and bring nourishment to our community.  We each have a God given role in this life.  For all of us, there is a call to allow that Holy Spirit, living water to flow.  If we are exhausted, we may need the gift of God in each other to nourish us, or to spend time at the rock of Christ and to be refreshed by the Holy Spirit, but we are also called by God to work in his vineyard.   Will we say yes and not go?  Or will we actually go out into the world God loves, reflecting His love and offering the living water?    

 

In our post communion prayer, we actually say yes to this call.  But are we saying yes and not following through?  Father, we offer ourselves to you as a living sacrifice through Jesus Christ our Lord. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory.  Our modern world needs this living water that comes from the rock of Christ – Can we say, “Yes” and go?

God Provides! Pentecost 17 or Proper 20 A 24th Sept 2023

2023  09  24  PROPER 20 (25)  Pentecost 17  Year A

Exodus 16:2-15  Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45    Philippians 1:21-30  •  Matthew 20:1-16

God Provides!   Today’s readings could be a newspaper heading where the subject is the goodness of God and the response of His people.   You and I are called to respond to God’s grace.

In our Old Testament reading, we find that the Israelites who had been rescued miraculously from Egypt are once again grumbling against their leaders, Moses and Aaron.  God provides!  The people Grumble!

Would we be any different?  Are we any different?  We grumble at our own leaders.  It doesn’t matter if it is the Government, the Mayor, our School Principal, or the President of our organisation, we just seem to be really good at grumbling.  Are we fair to grumble against them?  What I know about one organisation that I have been a part of is that, one of the biggest grumblers became the secretary and then realized that the job was much bigger than could be handled, and the resignation was handed in before the year was done.

Moses made it clear to the Israelites that it wasn’t actually him that they were grumbling against, but God himself.  Then, as the group was spoken to about the issue, God showed up.  The people looked towards the wilderness and the glory of God was seen in the cloud.  It amazes me that these people constantly had the goodness of God and the presence of God with them and yet they still grumbled.  Are we any different?  God provides – We…. Still grumble.

Regardless of the attitude of the Israelites, God lavishes them with good things.   And God does this with us also.  God’s grace is abundant!  I know of people who rave about the tastiness of quails.  Then there was this other stuff, which they called “Manna”  - the bread from heaven.  Each day there was enough bread for the day, but on the day before the Sabbath there would be twice as much, so that nothing needed to be gathered on that day and the community could rest.  In God’s abundant gift, there is even provision for resting.

Can we trust God that he will provide for us?  God clearly states that with this bread from Heaven He would test the Israelites to see if they would trust him and only collect the correct amount.  What do you think?  Did they pass the test?  Spoiler alert – No!  The weirdest thing was that if they collected too much so that they had left overs, it was rotten the next day, BUT not on the Sabbath.  God cares for our needs and can provide us with exactly what we need for today… and if we need a time to rest, I believe He will provide us with a way to cover that also.  

There are some pretty depressing things about the world at the moment and it seems like a downward spiral where even children are growing up without a sense of hope.  Into this picture of the future God interrupts us with a message about the delicacy of quail meat and exquisite bread from Heaven.

The Israelites were in a land that was barren.  They were in the wilderness of the desert for forty years, but they were fed by God himself who gave them the work of gathering their food without allowing greed, and yet even gave them a provision for rest each week.  In this world, we need to be a people of hope… prophets of hope… declaring the word of the Lord, who declares that He will provide for us - abundantly.  Yes, we may be in a wilderness and there may be danger on every side.  Yes, we may feel dispossessed, not knowing the security of our former ways, but God can and will provide all that we need for today… and on the 6th day He will provide double, so that we can rest.

Saint Paul, knew the contentment of one who trusted completely in God.  He wrote to the Philippians from prison.  He didn’t know if he was going to live or die.  The Philippians knew this, and were worried for him also.  What is St. Paul’s response?  “For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.”

Saint Paul had to face the fact that he might be going to be put to death and he came to terms with it in this way; To live is Christ and to die is gain.  Saint Paul had met Jesus in a most dramatic way.  He knew the provision of God.  What’s more Saint Paul knew, beyond any shadow of a doubt that death was not, as is many think, an end to our life and the entering into nothingness.  

I love the way that Shakespeare mirrors this quote from Paul and then expands it for his character’s own musings and understanding.  In the play of Hamlet, he says; “To be, or not to be, that is the question:  Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles And by opposing end them. To die—to sleep, No more; and by a sleep to say we end The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to:”  Shakespeare’s character goes on to realize that death is not the end.  The quote from Hamlet goes on to muse how in death, it may be likened to sleep and in sleep we dream, and the question is posed, “To sleep, perchance to dream—ay, there's the rub: For in that sleep of death what dreams may come, When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause—there's the respect That makes calamity of so long life.”  

I wish that we could get back to a society that, in the least thinks like Shakespeare.  We have incredibly high suicide rates.  We don’t hear about them, as they are not publicised.  We have an unprecedented number of organisations educating us all on how to speak with and support those who are contemplating suicide, but none of them comes from a position like Shakespeare who certainly also believed in a life after death and asks the question about what may come.   Shakespeare makes it known to his audience that there is a life after death and therefore his character is unsure if it is better or worse than living.

God gives us our physical life.  He calls us into being and provides for us.  The Bible tells us that the blessing of God is a long life and so we know that the life that God intends for us, is a good and long life.  The Israelites in the desert, still had to go out and collect their provisions and work to turn it into the bread that they ate.  But God ensured that it was there and it was good.

Saint Paul had a calling, a God given work, to spread the Good News of the Gospel.  His life did not enjoy such a length, where as Saint John did.  For both of them to live was Christ and to die was to be with the Lord.  In giving their life to Christ they gained an abundant life such that, unlike Hamlet, who contemplated the lessor of two evils, Saint Paul contemplates the better of two goods.  He concludes that God still had some value in his earthly life and so he knew he would continue.

The life that God gives us, is not just about whether we have God’s work here to do, but that God delights to give us this life and He desires for us to rejoice in it.  He shows us in the readings today, just how we should think about that life so that we can enjoy it and today’s readings reenforce the message that God is good and in trusting his provision, he will not disappoint, but will surpass our expectations. 

Our Gospel reading begins with a worker gaining employment for the day, agreeing to the wage of 1 denarius.  This amount was the standard for a day’s wage and was enough to provide for an average family.  Think about this; Dad works and earns enough for Dad, Mum and the rest of the family.  The average family in those days was four to eight people.  That is a generous wage!  God provides!  In many ways this is the same as the Israelites gathering enough Manna for one day.

Those workers who were hired later still received one denarius; enough to provide for their families for one day.  They hadn’t worked the whole day, but they were in the market place prepared to work.  No doubt, all of them needed to provide for a family – they all received what they needed, regardless of time worked.

Some were jealous.  … the people grumbled!!  They thought they deserved more.  Who do these people represent?    In the church denominations there is often Jealousy.  Why is it that the new church is growing while those who’ve been here doing the job of keeping the faith through all kinds of trials seem to be just getting by?  This is just one example and I’ll leave you to contemplate other applications.  What matters is the message that Jesus is teaching us; God will give us what we need.  God provides!

I often think of this scripture in regards to those who may think that Heaven is a matter of gold brick houses and they are working to have a better house in Heaven.  Heaven does not work that way.  The best prize we could ever have, is the love of God, and you cannot have more of that, than you already have. 

The love that God has for us is so amazing, that he came as one of us and died for us, so that nothing need ever separate us from that love… even if at some point we rejected him.  Jesus is the bread from Heaven.  God provides….  

Saint Paul, knowing that he might not see the Philippians again leaves them with this advice; “… live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ,..”  

We can be thankful when we don’t suffer for Christ, but we need to so feed on Christ, the bread of Heaven that we become totally secure and aware of God’s love.  Only then can we be prepared to stand up for the Gospel values regardless of what people think of us.  In all that we do we strive to live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ –   We live to please God first and foremost.   And God is good.  We can never have more of his love than we already do.  Grasping this reality, we will find the strength to live our lives working for God’s purposes.  

We can choose to grumble about the state of the world, but we are actually called to be the prophets of hope.  Secure in the love and salvation of God, we cannot loose, but out there in the world are people who don’t know this hope and they desperately need to know that God loves them and has provided for their eternal salvation.  They will only come to know this hope through us.  We don’t need to get too far ahead of ourselves, worrying about not having the resources for tomorrow, but we do the work God calls us to today, and trust God for his provision in tomorrow.  God provides!

Resting in the amazing love of God, let us pray for God’s direction as we labour in his vineyard…. Where is God calling us to be working today?