Week of 7 Pentecost - C
This is a Three-Year Lectionary based on the Lutheran Book of Worship 3-year Lectionary (for public worship), "Prayers of the Day..." (Propers), p. 13-41, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978. It is based, with only minor variations, on the Revised Common Lectionary, used by many denominations, including the Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches:
http://www.commontexts.org/
and:
http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/usage.html
The daily readings are the Propers (Lections) for the following Sunday, so that the daily devotions can prepare us for worship. Additional Lections are from Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church, "Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers," United Lutheran Church of America, General Rubrics VIII. Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers, p. 299 - 304, Philadelphia, 1918.
The previous 2- year Bible Study based on the Lutheran Book of Worship, Daily Lectionary for personal devotions p.179-192, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978, is available at:
http://shepboy.snow.prohosting.com (Please bookmark this link).
Journalspace.com, my former 'blog host is being reorganized under new ownership. I no longer publish there. I have also lost mypodcast.com, my podcast host. This 'blog is mirrored at:
http://shepboy.multiply.com/
.mp3 Podcasts via Linux Festival Text-to-speech are available at:
Daily Walk 3-Year C Weekly Lectionary
Please Note: I will post weekly by Saturday, noon, (God willing), Pacific time (UTC-8:00) for the week of the Church Season which begins on Sunday. Please scroll down for the desired day, or save the week to your desktop/hard drive.
Podcast Download: Week of 7 Pentecost C
Sunday - 7 Pentecost - C
First Posted July 11, 2010;
Podcast: Sunday 7 Pentecost C
Isaiah 66:10-14 – Rejoice with Jerusalem;
Psalm 66:1-11, 14-18 – Hymn of Praise;
Galatians 6:1-10, 14-16 -- Exhortations;
Luke 10:1-12 (17-20) – Mission of the Seventy;
Isaiah Paraphrase:
Let all who love Jerusalem rejoice and be glad for her. Let those who mourn for her rejoice in great joy, that we may be suckled and nurtured in her bosom; that we may drink deeply from the abundance of her glory.
The Lord declares that he will give her prosperity like a great river and the wealth of nations will come to her like an flooding stream. She will suckle us, carry us upon our hip and fondle us on her knee. The Lord will comfort us in Jerusalem as a mother comforts her child.
Our eyes will see, our hearts rejoice; our bones will flourish like grass. All will know that the Lord's hand is upon his servant and against his enemies.
Psalm Paraphrase:
Let all the earth make loud rejoicing to God; let them sing glory to his name and give him glorious praise! Tell the Lord that his deeds are awesome! His enemies cringe before his great power. All the earth will worship and sing praises to the Lord and to his name.
Look and see what the Lord has done; his deeds among people are awesome! “He turned the sea into dry land; men passed through the river on foot” (Psalm 66:5-6).
Then his people rejoiced in him who rules forever by his great power. His eye is upon the nations- let the rebellious not exalt themselves!
Let all people bless our God. Let his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and has not let us stumble. The Lord allowed us to be snared by the net; he allowed us to experience affliction.
I will fulfill the promises I made when I was in trouble. I will offer sacrifices of rich things: fat rams, bulls and goats.
Let me declare what the Lord has done for me, all you who fear (have appropriate awe and respect for the power and authority of) God. I cried aloud and praised him with my voice. If I had cherished evil in my innermost self he would not have listened.
Galatians Paraphrase:
If a brethren is ensnared in temptation, those “born-again” mature Christians should restore him gently. We must be alert, remembering that we, too, are vulnerable to temptation. We are to fulfill the law of Christ to love one another and one way is to share one another's burdens. We must not think that we are better than we are, or we will be just deceiving ourselves. We should examine our own deeds so that we will have a realistic idea of our own spiritual growth, not based on a comparison of others, because we will each be accountable for our own deeds.
Let those who are taught the Word be generous to their teachers.
Don't deceive yourselves. God is not fooled; whatever a person sows, that is what he will reap. Those who sow to the flesh will reap fleshly corruption; those who sow to the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let's not become tired of doing what is right, for we will reap in due time, if we don't give up. So then, at every opportunity, let let us do good to all people, but especially to our Christian brethren. Let us not seek glory in any thing other than the Cross of Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to us and us to the world by the cross. Circumcision (keeping the Jewish religious laws) won't save us; and not keeping them will not condemn us. What matters is “rebirth; a new creation. “Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God.
Luke Paraphrase:
Jesus was heading for Jerusalem where he knew he would be crucified. He appointed seventy of his followers to go two-by-two into all the villages along the way that Jesus would pass through. Jesus told them that the harvest was plentiful but there weren't enough laborers. He told them to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborer into the harvest.
Jesus warned them that they would be going out like lambs into the midst of wolves. They were not to take money, or extra clothes or shoes. They were not to sidetracked from their mission by socializing with other travelers on the road. Whenever they entered a house they were to bid peace upon it, and if the household was peaceable, the peace would remain upon them. If not, the peace would return to the disciples. They were not to go door-to-door but stay and accept the hospitality of whatever household welcomed them, because laborers deserve compensation for their labor. They were to eat whatever was provided, to heal the sick, and to proclaim that the kingdom of God has come near to them. When they enter a town that will not welcome them they are to shake the dust of that town from their feet in the street as they leave as testimony against that town, warning that the kingdom of God has come near. Such towns will fare worse in the Day of Judgment than Sodom (which was destroyed by God with fire from heaven; Genesis 19:24).
The Seventy returned rejoicing that even the demons had been subject to them in Jesus' name. Jesus replied that he had seen Satan cast down from heaven to earth. Jesus has given his disciples authority over all serpents, scorpions, and the enemy. But the real reason to rejoice is that the disciples names are recorded in heaven.
Commentary:
The true Church is the New Jerusalem, and Christians are the New Israel, the New People of God. There are areas of the nominal Church which are not yet cleansed and purified. We mourn for those shortcomings, but can be assured that she will be restored without blemish at the Day of Jesus' return.
The true Church is the heir to the wealth of nations. The Church is the only source of spiritual nurture, comfort and love. It is obvious to the spiritually discerning that the hand of the Lord is upon his servants and against our enemies, but is camouflaged by mix of false churches and false teachings mixed among the Church.
There is a day coming when everyone will glorify the Lord and acknowledge his great deeds (Philippians 2:10-11). In that day it will be too late to change our eternal destinies (John 5:28-29). We will realize that he is great but we may not be allowed into his eternal presence in paradise. It would be so much better to learn of his great deeds now, so that we can accept him as our Lord and be spiritually “reborn” to eternal life.
The Bible is the record of God's dealings with his people Israel. The central act of salvation is the Exodus. This recorded historical event is deliberately intended by God to be a parable, a metaphor, for life in this world.
We are all in bondage to sin and death in the “Egypt” of this present world order. Jesus is the unblemished Passover lamb who provides the passover feast, whose blood marks us as God's people to be passed over by the destroying angel. Jesus is the New Moses who leads us out of Egypt, separates us from our spiritual enemies through the water of baptism into Jesus Christ, and who leads us through the wilderness of this lifetime by the the Holy Spirit which is the spirit of fire and cloud (Exodus 13:21-22).
Jesus is the New Joshua (“Jesus” is the Greek equivalent of “Jesuhua;” the post-exilic form of “Joshua”). Jesus leads us through the Jordan River of physical death on dry ground; physical death doesn't taint us) and into the eternal Promised Land of God's eternal kingdom in heaven; Creation restored to perfect paradise.
God taught his people that there was no forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood, leading up the the ultimate sacrifice, once for all time and all people who are willing to receive it by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ. Jesus introduced a New Covenant on the night of his betrayal and arrest. There is now no other sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of sin but Jesus' death on the cross. The sacrifice that God desires from us is the sacrifice of obedient trust in his Word.
Note that there are conditions to answered prayer. God is under no obligation to hear and answer our prayers if we are unwilling to hear trust and obey his Word in the Bible and in Jesus Christ (see Conditions for Answered Prayer, sidebar, right).
The Church is called to be spiritual teacher. We have been given God's Word, the Bible as the textbook. Jesus taught and demonstrated the method of teaching: discipleship. We are to become “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) “disciples” of Jesus Christ by spending time with him in his word and being mentored by mature “born-again” Christian disciples. As new believers are discipled to spiritual rebirth by the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit we are called to testify to what the Lord has done for us, and to go and make other born-again disciples and to teach them to repeat the process.
Paul (Saul of Tarsus) is deliberately intended by God to be the prototype and example of a modern. Post-resurrection, disciple (student) and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel) of Jesus Christ. Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9), being discipled by Ananias (Acts 9:10-18), his subsequent discipleship of Timothy (Acts 9:20-22, 2 Timothy 1:6-7) and teaching Timothy to repeat the process (2 Timothy 2:2), is the example the Church is to follow.
Has that been your experience? Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus' disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Monday - 7 Pentecost - C
First posted July 12, 2010
Podcast: Monday 7 Pentecost C
Psalm 25:1-9 b -- Deliverance from Enemies;
Paraphrase:
I lift up my soul to thee O Lord; I trust in thee, my God. May I never be ashamed; may my enemies never exult over me. May not any who wait for thee be ashamed; may the wantonly wicked be ashamed.
Teach me thy paths, O, Lord and help me to know thy ways. You are my God and my salvation; Lead me into thy truth and teach me; I wait upon thee all the day long.
In your mercy remember me, and your steadfast love for me, for they have been eternal. Don't remember the sins and transgressions of my youth; but in your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.
Commentary:
This lifetime has intentionally been created to be our opportunity to seek, find, and have fellowship with God our Creator. This Creation is intended to be our opportunity to learn to trust and obey God's Word.
God has revealed his purpose for Creation in his Word, the Bible, and in Jesus Christ, the “living Word,” the Word of God fulfilled, embodied, and exemplified in Jesus Christ (John 1:1-5. 14). His intention has always been to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly trust and obey God's Word.
God has given us his Word in the Bible and in Jesus Christ. He wants us to learn his ways and walk in his paths. This lifetime is our opportunity to learn to follow the teaching and example of Jesus Christ and to become spiritually “born-again (John 3:3. 5-8) sons and daughters of God by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17).
The Lord wants us to trust the promises of his Word, so that he can fulfill them and show us that his promises are faithful and true. This is the way that we grow to spiritual maturity.
The Lord is abundantly willing and able to forgive and forget the sins of our youth and our not-so-youthful sins, if we are willing to trust and obey Jesus.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus' disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Tuesday - 7 Pentecost - C
First posted July 13, 2010;
Podcast: 7 Pentecost Tuesday C
Deuteronomy 30:9-14 – Covenant Renewal;
Background:
Deuteronomy means “second law,” the renewal of the Covenant of Law. The Covenant of the Book of Exodus was reinterpreted in contemporary terms.
Text Paraphrase:
God's promise is that he will prosper us in the yield of our bodies and the yield of our possessions and our land as he prospered our fathers, if we will trust and obey the Word of the Lord our God, which is recorded in the Bible, and demonstrated in Jesus Christ; if we will turn to obedient trust in the Lord with all our hearts and souls.
The Commandment of the Lord which he gives today is not too difficult or too far off for us to do. We don't have to ascend into heaven to bring it down, nor beyond the sea, that we must send someone to fetch it. The Word is very near to us; it is on our lips and in our hearts, so that we can do it.
Commentary:
Jesus is the New Covenant, the Covenant of Grace (unmerited favor; a free gift) which is in our hearts and on our lips. Jesus gave us the Commandment of Love (Matthew 22:36-40) to replace the Commandment of sin (disobedience of God's Word) and [eternal] death.
The Old Testament is the record of God's dealing with Israel. As God's people trusted and obeyed God's Word, God prospered them with children, possessions and inheritance in the Promised Land. God promises to do the same things for us.
The Israelites were unable to keep all of the Law of Moses, all of the time, so had to offer continual sacrifices for the forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God's Word). Jesus, on the night of his betrayal and arrest, introduced the New Covenant of Grace (unmerited favor) to be received by faith. Jesus became the one and only sacrifice acceptable to God for all time and all people willing to receive it, for the forgiveness of sin.
Jesus made it possible for us to be cleansed from sin so that we could individually be temples of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit within us is the Word of God written on our hearts and on our lips. The Holy Spirit makes it possible for us to fulfill the requirements of God's Commandments (Romans 8:1-13), provided that we live in obedience to the Holy Spirit.
Only Jesus gives the gift (“baptism”) of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). It is possible to know with certainty for oneself if one has been spiritually “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-8; Acts 19:2).
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus' disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Wednesday - 7 Pentecost - C
First posted July 14, 2010;
Podcast: Wednesday - 7 Pentecost - C
Paraphrase:
Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ by God's will,. Timothy was Paul's proteje, whom Paul had discipled, and who became a pastor and fellow missionary with Paul. Paul greeted the Church at Colossea in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), which had been founded by the preaching of Epaphras, a Colossian whom Paul had sent there with the Gospel message.
Paul greeted the congregation with the grace (unmerited favor) and peace of God. Paul rejoiced and gave thanks to God for the faith of the Colossians in Jesus Christ and their love of the Saints (all who are dedicated to God's service), because of the hope of eternal life in heaven that is theirs through the Gospel. That Gospel had been growing and bearing fruit in them as it had in the whole world (throughout the Roman Empire). Epaphras, a fellow Colossian, had been sent by Paul to first proclaim that Gospel to them, and had reported to Paul their love which they had through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Since then, Paul and his fellow missionaries had continually prayed for the Colossian Church, that they would be filled with the knowledge of God's will, and with all spiritual knowledge and understanding, so that they could lead lives that would glorify and please God in every respect, and that they would bear fruit in good works, and grow in the knowledge of God.
Paul's prayer for them was that they would grow in strength, and endurance, with patience and joy through God's power within them, giving thanks to God the father for qualifying them to share in the inheritance of the saints in [the kingdom of] light [of righteousness], since he has transferred us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of his Son, through whom we are redeemed by the forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God's Word).
Commentary:
Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was an apostle equal to the original Eleven remaining apostles designated by Jesus during his physical ministry. Paul was deliberately intended by God to be the prototype and example of a modern, post-resurrection, “born-again (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple (student) and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel) of Jesus Christ, as each of us can and should be.
Paul was converted on the road to Damascus by the conviction of the risen and ascended Jesus, was discipled by a “born-again” disciple, Ananias, until Paul was “born-again.” Then he began proclaiming the Gospel and making disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 9:1-22), in fulfillment of the Great Commission which Jesus gave to his disciples (Matthew 28:19-20) to be carried out after they had been “born-again” (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8).
Timothy is an example of Paul's disciple-making ministry. Paul discipled Timothy until Timothy was “born-again” (2 Timothy 1:6-7) and then taught Timothy to repeat the process (2 Timothy 2:2). Epaphras was a Colossian disciple whom Paul had probably “discipled” and then sent to establish a Church in Colossae.
Paul discipled Epaphras, and then Epaphras discipled the Colossian Christians. Paul prayed and Epaphras worked to lead the Colossian believers to grow spiritually in the knowledge of God's will, and in the personal knowledge and understanding of God, so that they could learn to please and glorify God, by good works.
Christian discipleship is a spiritual growth process toward Christian maturity at the Day of Christ's return. We need to learn to discern God' will for us personally, and this is only possible through daily Bible reading with prayer and meditation, As we begin to seek God's personal will for us, with the commitment to doing it, he will reveal it, one day at a time.
As we begin to trust and obey him he will show us that his will is our best interest and is absolutely trustworthy and true. This is how we grow in faith in his will to spiritual maturity
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus' disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Thursday - 7 Pentecost - C
First posted July 15, 2010;
Podcast: Thursday - 7 Pentecost - C
Luke 10:25-37 – The Good Samaritan;
Paraphrase:
A lawyer asked Jesus what one must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus asked him what the law said, and the lawyer replied that one must love the Lord with heart, mind, soul and strength; and his neighbor as himself. Jesus told him that he had answered correctly and that by doing what the law commanded he would live eternally.
But the lawyer wanted to justify himself, so he asked who he was to regard as his neighbor. Jesus replied with the parable of the Good Samaritan. He said that a man was going from Jerusalem to Jericho and was attacked and robbed, and left for dead. A priest passed by and saw and avoided the man, and so likewise a Levite (assistant to the priest). But a Samaritan (a person of mixed race and religion; not a true Jew in either race or religion) saw and attended to the injured person. He gave him first aid and took him to an inn on the Samaritan's own animal, where he arranged for him to be cared for at the Samaritan's expense. Then Jesus asked the lawyer which of these people proved to be the neighbor of the victim. The lawyer supposed it was the one who had shown the victim mercy. Then Jesus told him to go and do likewise.
Commentary:
The lawyer (scribe; teacher of the Law of Moses) knew what the Law said. His question was how to apply it. The issue was who is one's neighbor. Everyone we come in contact with is our “neighbor.” The issue is whom we will choose to regard and treat as our neighbor.
The lawyer was trying to justify himself (to make himself appear to be guiltless), while avoiding fulfilling the law. He wanted to fulfill the law, but only in certain circumstances which he defined.
The priest and the Levite were officially commissioned by God to care for God's people. They were God's representatives to do God's will, but chose to serve their own will rather than God's. In contrast, the Samaritan was regarded as corrupt genetically and spiritually, and yet the Samaritan fulfilled God's law, and the “men of God” did not.
Jesus taught in parables: fictional stories of common earthly experiences used to teach spiritual truths. The parable illustrated the spiritual reality of Judaism at the time of Jesus' physical coming, and it is also true of the Church and Christianity today. The Jewish leaders were to be “shepherds” of God's people on God's behalf, but were using their position for their own benefit. They enjoyed their status in the community without fulfilling the obligations of their office.
In too many instances today the nominal Church is in the same position. Ministry is a career choice. Leaders are enjoying the benefits of their office without fulfilling their responsibility to make disciples of Jesus Christ. They have settled for making church members and building church buildings.
Disciple-making requires effort on the part of both “discipler” and disciple. Discipling requires concern for the condition of the discipleship candidate and personal cost for his care. And often the candidate would prefer an easier alternative. I personally have experienced individuals who had to be continually encouraged to finish reading the Bible, and to read it daily. I have personally encountered individuals who would rather speculate on “End Times” (Matthew 24:3-44; compare Acts 1:6-7; 1 Timothy 1:4-7; 2 Timothy 4:3-4) than to learn the discipline of obedience to God's Word.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus' disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Friday - 7 Pentecost - C
First posted July 16, 2010
Podcast: Friday - 7 Pentecost - C
Romans 6:19-23 – Two Slaveries;
Paraphrase:
Paul used earthly analogies to teach spiritual truths, because we find it hard to understand what is spiritual, since we have not previously experienced it in this life. We were once slaves of sin, and yielded ourselves to more and greater sins, but now we should consider ourselves slaves of righteousness for the goal of sanctification, which is the process of becoming entirely devoted and consecrated to God.
When we were slaves of sin we were free of obligation to righteousness, but now we are ashamed of the sins we committed, and realize that the end result of sin is [eternal] death. Now we have been set free from slavery to sin and have become slaves of God, but in return, we receive sanctification which yields eternal life. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Commentary:
Paul was following the example of Jesus, who taught in parables, which are common earthly experiences used to teach spiritual truth. We tend to think that the physical world in which we live is real and substantial, whereas the spiritual world seems the opposite, but this physical world will pass away and only what is spiritual will remain.
Jesus taught that we will serve one of two masters: we will either serve God, or we will serve Mammon, “the god of riches,” the present ruler of this world, who is Satan (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13). Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, offering him all the riches of the world if Jesus would worship Satan (Matthew 4:8-9), and Jesus resisted the temptation by quoting Deuteronomy 6:13: that we are to worship the Lord our God and serve him only (Matthew 4:10).
We are all sinners who fall short of God's standard of righteousness (doing what is good, right and true, according to God's Word, the Bible; Romans 3:23). The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus died on the cross as the one and only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sin (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17), so that we wouldn't have to die for them ourselves. Jesus ransomed us from slavery to sin, so that we could choose to serve God in gratitude for his sacrificial love for us (see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right).
Jesus asked what good it would be to own all the material riches in the world, but lose one's eternal soul (eternal life; Matthew 16:26)? All these material things will ultimately pass away, but we are eternal beings. We will all either spend eternity with the Lord in paradise restored in heaven, or we will spend eternity in hell, which is the total absence of God and every good and necessary thing.
We are all born into this world physically alive but spiritually “unborn.” This lifetime is our only opportunity to be spiritually “reborn” to eternal life (John 3:3, 5-8). Spiritual “rebirth” is by the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17).
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus' disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Saturday - 7 Pentecost - C
First posted July 17, 2010;
Podcast: Saturday 7 Pentecost C
Mark 8:1-9 – Feeding Four Thousand;
Paraphrase:
During Jesus' Galilean ministry, great crowds came to Jesus in the wilderness to hear him teach. They had apparently consumed whatever food they had brought with them and were hungry, having spent three days listening to Jesus teach. Jesus called his disciples to him and told them that he was concerned for the people, who might not have the strength to return to their homes without being fed. Jesus' disciples asked him how they could feed this large crowd in the wilderness. Jesus asked them what food they had and they told him they had seven loaves of bread and a few fish. Jesus took loaves and fish and having blessed them and given thanks to God, he broke them up and told his disciples to distribute the pieces to the people. The people ate as much as they wanted, and the disciples collected seven baskets full of leftover pieces. About four thousand people had been fed.
Commentary:
Jesus cares about the physical needs of people as well as their spiritual needs, and taught his disciples to do likewise. James taught that it is not sufficient to pray and believe that God will clothe the naked and feed the hungry, without providing what physical resources they can (James 2:15-16; compare 1 John 3:17).
In America in recent years, government has cut back on welfare programs, and in some cases has tried to shift responsibility for poverty assistance to the Church. Neither the Church nor the poor are the cause of poverty; it is the disproportionate distribution of resources, caused by business and economic activity, and the failure of government to regulate those activities, as witnessed in the recent “economic meltdown.” The Church needs to hold the government accountable for regulation of the economy and for welfare assistance.
In an Associated Press report on June 26, 2009, the California Budget Project said that he gap between the middle class and the wealthiest one percent of Californians is growing, and that it is part of a long-term pattern.* This is not just a California phenomenon; it is nation-wide.
In too many instances nominal Churches and church members are anti-welfare. I have personally experienced congregations who don't want to know and hear about poverty. Their attitude about Social Ministry (concern for the physical needs of people) is that it should be an “inreach” to benefit church members, and that evangelism should be the “outreach.” That very attitude indicates that there needs to be more evangelism within the nominal Church.
Jesus used miracles of physical healing, feeding and resurrection to show that he is also able to heal, feed and resurrect spiritually. For the same reason, he taught in parables, which are common earthly experiences used to teach spiritual truths. The Church is to carry on that ministry. We are physical people in a physical world. Material things seem so much more substantial and real that spiritual things, but God declares that the physical world is passing away, and that only what is spiritual will remain (Matthew 5:18; 2 Corinthians 4:18; 1 John 2:17; Revelation 21:1).
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus' disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
*Income Gap Widens.... http://www.cbp.org/pdfs/2009/090906_labor_day.pdf, p.11-13 (thumbnails 13-15)
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