Lectionary readings for Pentecost 7
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it. Psalm 24:1
Reading. 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19. The normal human reaction to the death of Uzziah is to feel that a great injustice has been done. Surely his intention was simply to save the Ark from falling and being damaged! Perhaps if we think that way we should remember the old adage that, “You can’t win an argument with God!”. The Ark was lost to the Philistines because of the people’s disobedience. This disobedience was emphasised with the behaviour of Eli’s sons who ignored the Law and so led the people astray. The loss of the Ark demeaned God’s sovereignty for the Ark was not simply an object, it represented God’s covenant with His People. There were proscribed laws which governed the treatment and reverence that the Ark demanded. The Ark was not to be carried on a cart, not even a new cart. A high status Lady and Gentleman would not be expected to ride on a cart! Similarly it was inappropriate for the Ark of the Covenant to be moved by ox and cart for it did not show the respect the Ark of the Covenant demanded or deserved. There were proper procedures set down for the transport of the Ark. (Exodus 25:13-15) Similarly there were people from the priestly line who were set aside to be the ones who carried the Ark. Respect for the Ark had always translated into respect for God and his Law which kept Israel safe. If you have continued to read to this point you may still not be convinced the punishing of Uzziah was warranted. However the relationship between God and his people was vested in the Law and by living under the Law it had to be all obeyed not just a few parts of the Law. If the laws set down had been followed the need to “save” the Ark would never have arisen! Indeed it would not have been lost in the first place. We might notice that as the Ark returned the second time David organised that the Ark was carried as required by the law. Yet as Christian readers what are we to make of this passage? One thing that becomes clear is how different our faith is because of what Jesus has done, for we no longer live under the Law but under grace. What a privilege it is to know Jesus as Lord and Saviour! Even so the passage also reminds us that we should in no way take God for granted. As Paul says in Romans. “Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness toward you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off”. (Romans 11:22). The passage helps us rethink our own relationship with God.
Prayer. Lord you call us to walk a narrow way, yet you do not call us to walk alone but in the company of all your people. Forgive us from the feelings of self pity which place us always as the victim; help us to recognise your sovereignty in all situations and not presume upon your goodness and grace; in every case help us to take hold of your hand and draw from you strength for the journey. Then Lord, being so strengthened help us to help each other, that we may walk in grace and forgetting what was behind strain forward to what is still to be. As we journey on may we be more and more aware of your companionship and take greater comfort from your eternal presence. Amen
Reading. Mark 6:14-29. Mark recalls the death of John the Baptist in great detail. The Herod mentioned here is Herod Antipas 11 and was named Tetrarch in Jerusalem. He was the son of Herod the Great by his first wife. The Herodians were known for their vindictive and irrational behaviour. Anyone who was a threat either real or imagined was simply crushed, sons, wives, close relatives, no one was exempted. The popular saying was, “It is better to be Herod’s dog than his son!” The Herodians were from the family of Esau, (Jacob’s brother). As Edomites they were Jews by conversion and were universally disliked and distrusted by the Jews. As Mark describes, John was arrested by King Herod after he had censured him for divorcing his wife Phasaelis and then unlawfully marrying Herodias, the wife of his brother Herod Philip I. The foolish behaviour which led to the death by beheading of John was perfectly in keeping with King Herod’s behaviour. Despite the brutal ending Mark is at pains to relate that Herod was afraid of the pronouncements that John was making and did consider him to be a prophet. As we consider this story we might wonder why Mark in his rather brief Gospel has chosen to relay this sordid scene in such detail. This passage marks the death of John the Baptist, while Jesus lives on. John had been recognised by the people as a prophet after the style of Elijah. Elijah was, like John, a forerunner who announced the coming kingdom of God which is a significant theme in Mark’s Gospel. So in this passage Mark is reminding his readers of the contrast between the kingdom that Jesus is presenting and the kingdom that is presented by the world and Herod. Herod’s kingdom promoted injustice, intolerance, and disobedience to the Law: whilst the kingdom that Jesus inaugurates is exactly the opposite. The Kingdom of God promotes justice, healing and wholeness for all sections of society. Mark is presenting a choice between the way of the world, represented by Herod, or the way of God, represented by His Son, Jesus Christ. For Mark it is no contest, as he immediately goes on to describe the feeding of the Five Thousand.
He said to them, “Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. … 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him.” Mk 9:12–13.
Prayer. Almighty God we thank you that in Jesus Christ, the kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our Lord and that his reign will never end. Though we know that Jesus has won the victory, never the less Lord, we confess that mostly we hope that life will be easy and we will not have to face the hard situations of life. Forgive us Lord for our wish to shy away from life’s realities. Help us to take the hand that you offer and drawing our strength from you face each day with a confidence that reflects your powerful love in our lives. When we face difficulties may we experience the powerful sense of your presence. Lord without you we are lost, and yet we know that you have promised always to be with us as we face the rigours of life. We thank you that you are a faithful God, one in whom we can place complete trust. In every way, forgive and cleanse us and make us ready to receive our Lord when he comes again. Amen
Collect. Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you. May we find peace in your service now, and in the world to come, see you face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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God our refuge and strength, you call us to give ourselves to Christ, whether life is long or brief; ground us in your love and anchor us in your grace, that we may find peace and joy in knowing you; this we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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