27 September Part 2
Reading. Philippians 2:1-13 Paul is encouraging the Christians at Philippi to realise that being a Christian makes a difference to how they live and relate to each other. If we look at Jesus Christ from the perspective of being the second Adam {1Corinthians 15:47}, then we realise how different is the dispensation which Jesus inaugurates. Adam and Eve were separated from God because they longed to be as God. {Genesis 3:5} Jesus reverses that grasping desire by not striving to be as God but by living out his obedience to God with humility. Jesus allowed God to lead him rather that making his own way and doing his own thing. Paul is reminding the believers that they are a community of the redeemed who recognise that Jesus Christ their redeemer is Lord and has established a different way. This calls them to love one another and Paul is urging them to understand that love takes the form of a servant. Together they share love, joy and peace; they bear one another’s burdens with compassion and sympathy. While still identifying with a world of sin and pain they keep working at reconciliation with Jesus Christ at their very centre. They are to be hand in hand with Jesus Christ and with one another. Paul longs to see the action of the Spirit bearing fruit in all believers to the glory of God. “make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:2-3 (NRSV)
Prayer. Father, the call to love is strong and clear; help us to be loving in both thought and action. May our whole life be one lived in unity with you and with all your people. Prepare us, 0 Lord, to receive with true humility the lessons of your Holy Word; and let your Spirit teach us to walk always in the ways of your truth; may we work to maintain a unity of fellowship with all believers. Give to each of us a watchful, and a humble spirit; that we may seek in all things to know your will for us; and when we know it, may we serve perfectly and gladly, to the honour and glory of your Name; Into your care we commit ourselves today praying that by your grace we may walk with confident steps before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reading. Matthew 21:23-32 When Jesus is questioned about his authority to preach and teach the answer seems to be quite equivocal. “If you will answer my question then I will answer your question”. This sends the questioners into a flurry for they see the adverse consequences both of their answers could evoke. Rather than being obscure Jesus is forcing the leaders to think a little deeper about what he is teaching. When we link the question with the parable of the two sons, verses 28 to 32, we might ask ourselves who is it that is questioning Jesus’ authority? We see that it is those who are sure of their status before God, the religious leaders. In the parable Jesus draws out some telling points for his questioners which we need to recognise. By the time of Jesus, the connection between the father and the son(s) reminded the religious leaders of the covenant God had made with Israel. “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the more they went from me;” Hosea 11:1-2 (NRSV) The setting of the parable being in a vineyard was also seeped in prophetic literature. “You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it”. Psalm 80:8 (NRSV) From the vine that was Israel, God wanted only good fruit. Jesus’ parable brings many references of God’s kingdom, with which the religious leaders would have been very familiar; it also reminded them of the need to produce good fruit by being actional in the kingdom! While the parable did not answer the authority question it did force the questioners to look at the way they had responded to the teaching of John the Baptist: How had they responded to the prophetic call of John?
It was a challenge for them and as we read this passage it is a challenge for us. How have we responded to the message that scripture has brought to us. Have we given mental assent to God’s call to love and serve and yet done nothing to change. Or have we heard God’s call and responded by recognising that God is at work in our world and calls us to obedient service. A true son or daughter serves God in obedience and by doing so recognises the authority of Jesus!
Prayer. Most Gracious God, whose goodness and mercy have followed us every moment of our lives; We bless and thank you for goodness to us, for you are slow to anger and bear with us in all our frailties. Give to us we pray a clear direction of the path we should take to serve you in our changing society. May we be productive by your power to work as in your kingdom. We pray for those around us, some who we know, others we only hear about; comfort all those who are troubled by isolation or restrictions caused by the present virus, those who are desolate and separated from family and friends, may your powerful presence give health instead of sickness, joy instead of mourning, and rest instead of sleepless nights; may we all have the confidence to look ahead with hope trusting in your faithfulness as Sovereign Lord; all this we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.;
Collect. God of superabundant mercy, you offer forgiveness to each and all; the poor and needy gladly receive your grace. May we be counted among them, never despising your mercy, nor those who find it; for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
ericjkirkham.com 