Lectionary for Pentecost 2

Lectionary for Pentecost 2

It is the God who said: ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.    2 Corinthians 4:6

Reading. 1 Samuel 8:4-11, 16-20 Common in both the old and the new testaments is the theme, “be holy for I am holy”. It may not always be expressed quite like that but the principle is that God’s people will not be like other people; they will be obedient to the Lord and allow Him to determine their way. With that in mind this passage from 1 Samuel is revealed for what it is, a desire to be like other nations and push God away. As God says to Samuel, ‘the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them’. 1 Samuel 8:7. NRSV

Though reluctant, Samuel obediently warned the people that having an earthly king over them would be far more costly than the Lord’s rule. Despite the warning the people were determined to go their own way and have an earthly king. It is true that Samuel’s sons did not offer the leadership which gave the people true justice but in their heart the people desired to be free from God’s influence. In other words they preferred to go their own way. That temptation is still as potent today as it was in the days of Samuel. The Christian principle under which we live is that “we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7. NRSV.   Despite that, our natural inclination is to have control of our lives. Trusting God to lead us and guide us in all the decisions we make is not easy but it is the way to have peace and fulfilment in life. Our situation is very different from the one which confronted Samuel but the question still reminds the same; who will be king in our lives?

Prayer. Holy Lord, how easy it is to follow along with the ways of the world and set aside your call upon us. Forgive us for choosing often to go our own way, desiring to have the things that we can see rather than looking to you to provide us with the things that are eternal. Refresh our vision and soften our hearts that we may long for the ways of truth and peace, and also that we would strive with you for justice both now and in the future. Help us to be disciplined in daily living and rejoicing in your providential care may our lives reflect the goodness and grace that comes through you. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reading. Mark 3:20-35. Reading through the Gospel of Mark the dominant theme is; “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” (Mark 1:15) Here in this passage for today we see the struggle as Jesus confronts the rule of Satan. That Jesus is able to cast out demons and heal the sick is on the one hand a sign of the authority of God that Jesus reveals. On the other hand it reveals that through that authority Jesus is able to overpower the authority that Satan has in the world. In that confrontation human divisions emerge even in Jesus own family. This reminds us that Jesus did say that his teaching would divide people. (Matthew 10:34 & Luke 12:49ff)

Mark is reminding us that in Galilee Jesus enjoyed high popularity: his teaching and healing drew crowds of people to him; yet not everyone was moved by his message. Certainly the scribes and the Pharisees who were leaders in the community seem to have opposed his teaching and devalued his healings. It was because of this division that his family wanted to withdraw him to the seclusion of his family home. However, Jesus as he revealed that God’s kingdom was now present had to face the opposition. Mark is helping us to see that it is the message of the Kingdom that divides the community, even causing a separation within Jesus’ own family. In Mark’s account, Jesus makes clear it is those who do the will of God who stand with Jesus. What that really means is not fully explained. As the whole passage in predicated on discerning Satan’s authority over against the authority of God then the knowledge is only available through revelation. That the presence of the Kingdom is not clear to all is what causes the division and indeed perpetuates the division. Thankfully for the family of Jesus, the New Testament tells us that at the end of his ministry, his mother and at least some of his brothers stood with Jesus and his message. Thus this passage gives us pause to think about how we respond to the message of the kingdom and our obedience to live under God’s kingship.

Prayer. Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for the message of the Kingdom which has opened a door for us to find security and peace under the protective care of the One True God, the Great Creator. Through His redeeming power our lives find an eternal significance. Lord God Almighty, What can we do but praise your name as we come to fully realise the gift that is ours through your forgiveness. You alone are holy and only you can forgive us and bring us to a new start in life. And so with thankful hands and hearts we reach out to you and ask that you will fill us with joy again as we acknowledge your forgiveness so freely given. Help us not to presume upon your gracious love but to recognise how costly that forgiving grace is which covers us who are in Jesus Christ. We stand before you only through his merit and so we praise your name not in our own strength but through the power of him who loved us and gave his life for us. May we continue to delight you Lord as we live out the forgiveness we have received. We pray in Jesus name our Lord and Saviour. Amen

Collect. Let us pray (that we may commit ourselves in faith to God’s purposes for us): Almighty and everliving God, increase in us your gift of faith: that, forsaking what lies behind and reaching out to that which is before us, we may run the way of your commandments and win the crown of everlasting joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God of almighty love, your Son was angered by the hardness of human hearts; give us the compassion we need, that your power may be known in works of kindness and justice; in the name of Christ. Amen.