Lectionary Reading July 26 Part 2
Read. Romans 8:26-39. The idea of predestination is for many people hard to grasp yet in reality it is perfectly logical. The God who is Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end), will of course know both how things begin and equally how things will end. There is also another aspect to predestination which is most helpful, it gives an absolute assurance that what God says will come to pass. What God has determined will come to pass: as for example in the beginning God spoke and it was so. What God says comes into being; And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8:30 (NRSV) This verse reminds us that those who will be glorified by God will firstly be called by God. It seems that the greatest objection to predestination is that it implies that there will be some who are not called and therefore are not glorified. It begs the question, “Do all want to be called?”, “Do all love God and want to walk in obedience to God’s commands?” The answer to those questions is undoubtedly that not everyone wants to submit their lives to God. Scripture reminds us that even those who do want to obey God find that a difficult task. (Romans 7:19) So in a sense through perfect knowledge God is allowing those who do not wish to be under his control or to rely on him have their wish. On the positive side and more importantly is the message that those who do want to be in harmony with God can be assured that by God’s grace they will be called, justified and glorified. Jesus during his earthly ministry reminded his followers that he called them to follow, they did not choose to follow him. (John 15:16) This has always been the case. Through predestination we can and do know that if God calls it will end with him glorifying all those who are called. This reception by grace seems eminently acceptable.
Prayer. Lord your word guides and corrects all that we do. Forgive us when our lives do not follow your guidance, forgive us when our relationships with one another do not measure up to your planned purpose. Help us to focus more and more on your plan for our lives. Teach us to rely fully on you. When we find things hard to bear, strengthen us and bring to our minds your great love for us. When things are going well, help us to keep close to you, for it is when we feel strongest that we most often stray. Grant to us your strength and wisdom so that all we do will honour you. We pray in Jesus Name. Amen
Read. Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 These few verses mark the end of Matthew’s record of Jesus’ parables about the kingdom. In the first two parables we are reminded that though the kingdom starts from a small beginning it grows to support the whole of creation. In the kingdom even the birds find a home. Like the leaven it keeps working until the whole is affected and begins to work as it should.
In the final three parables we read of the kingdom’s value but also of the kingdom’s action in cleansing until all that remains is pure. The kingdom of God is like finding a pearl of great price: it is a treasure for all those who find it, because in the kingdom is perfect security and a place for everyone. There have been many kingdoms, so have achieved great things but all have found maintaining justice difficult and have resorted to coercion to quell the internal power struggles. These earthly kingdoms have all faded away. God’s kingdom will never fail because it is built on perfect justice. The same rules will apply to all and all will receive the same godly forgiveness. It will be a kingdom of perfect equality because God will rule supreme and there will be no competition from other rulers. When God is the ruler we can be free to get on with a life dedicated to praising God. Perfect justice brings with it, perfect peace. What a different experience of life it will be when God’s kingdom is finally ushered in and the New Creation is revealed. In the mean time we remember that Jesus has established this amazing kingdom and we as servants of the kingdom live out our lives displaying kingdom values.
Prayer. Gracious Lord we thank you for the kingdom that Jesus announced and by his death and resurrection established: May we as obedient children of the kingdom, present to the world a foretaste of that kingdom by living out our lives in obedience to your will. Under the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit may we fulfil your plan and purpose trusting in the righteousness that Jesus Christ has won for us. Renew our faith and trust in you during these troubled times; May we look to you to bring into being the peace and justice that will surround every one of your children. May our lives reflect our love for you and our service bring you praise and honour. We pray in Jesus name. Amen
Collect. God our rock, constant through change; open our eyes to the signs of the kingdom: people regaining human dignity, walking in freedom and living without fear. Help us to hope for that great day when your will shall be done on earth through Christ our Saviour. Amen.
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