30 August Part 2
Read. Romans 12:9-21. As we read this passage today we are once again struck by the call to live life at the command of God. Genuine love touches all people equally, for it excludes no one. We notice however that the call to love is at the same time linked to the giftedness that Jesus gives to his followers. Together the followers of Jesus make up a body which acts together in a multitude of ways according to the gifts that are given. Whatever gift a member of the body has been given, that gift is to be exercised with love. Using the gifts that Jesus gives brings a harmony with in the community of believers. The love a believer is to show does not judge and so all people are loveable. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 (NRSV) This is no easy task and demands that we love one another without exception. A person’s genuine love hates the evil that is within: An antidote is to hold fast to what is good and allows the good to thrive. It is not an injunction to hate evil in others for the essence of Christianity is that we recognise only Jesus can deal with evil and so we love by relying on what Jesus has done for us as well as those with whom we meet. It reminds me of the American Indian saying that within a person lives two wolves, a good wolf and an evil wolf. The wolf that survives is the one which is fed!
Cutting through all of that is Paul’s reminder that it is God alone who judges, our challenge is to love. Indeed Paul seems to be implying that when we presume to judge we impede the perfect judgement of God. Instead of judging we are to live peaceably with others and in order to do that we need to be at peace with ourselves. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NRSV)
Prayer. Lord, teach us to truly and whole heartedly love our enemies. Help us to fix our gaze on you and so love because of who you are not who we or they are. Let us look on the need not on the deeds others have done. Let us honour you by serving you in ways which demonstrate your extra ordinary love for us. You have touched us with your life changing love, may we live out that new life showing genuine love to all we meet. Amen
Read. Matthew 16:21-28. Matthew sets out this great call to radical discipleship in three sections beginning in ch. 16:13f, where Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah who was destined to bring restoration to the nation of Israel. Matthew then quickly moves on to the rebuke of Peter as Jesus reveals to them that he is going to Jerusalem to die. Scholars are divided about what Jesus knew at this time but it is certain that Jesus knew that in Jerusalem he would enter into conflict with the Chief priest and his cohort. Then the question is, ‘Did Jesus know that he would rise again on the third day?’ We need to struggle with that thought. I know that I will catch the train into the city to morrow, but until I actually arrive I do not really know, it is therefore a strong belief based on experience. In one sense Jesus did “know” that he would rise but in another sense he had to trust that God would act. Trust is important in the whole amazing transaction. It is this trusting that God would act that is important not only for Jesus but for every believer. Then Matthew introduces the challenge of radical discipleship. The cross was not a symbol of anything but death in its biblical setting. Once you set out carrying your cross it could only end in death. Cross bearing means that only the end objective is kept in mind. The end objective of course is to exchange death for life which is a neat way of describing the choice in following Jesus. Life without Jesus leads to death whilst life with Jesus leads on to life in all its fullness and as Matthew is reminding us life with Jesus is worth the suffering. Matthew then has laid out the story: Jesus is the Messiah, the one who is to restore Israel,: he will do this through his death and resurrection; in view of that we are called to follow him regardless of the cost.
Prayer. Truly Lord we believe that you are the answer to a world gone sadly wrong. You are the one on whom we can fully rely. Our hearts are heavy for those who have lost hope, those who have experienced brokenness; those who have no homes, no family and no sense of belonging anywhere. Pour out your Spirit upon us Lord and by your power come to guide and direct our mission and ministry. Lift those who have fallen, restore those who are shattered, bring new hope to those who have lost their sense of direction. May we see a renewal of faith within our congregations and a new love for those who still have not heard or responded to your offer of forgiving love. Lord may we be true disciples of your gospel. Now and always. Amen
Collect. Descending God, your Son faces the cross, and bids his followers to come. Help us to turn from false desires which keep us from following the Saviour in whose name we pray. Amen.
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