Lectionary for Pentecost 9 (17)
Be glad and rejoice in the Lord; shout for joy, all who are true of heart. Psalm 32:11
Reading. 2 Samuel 11:1-15 This unedifying story about David reminds us that the bible describes its major players as they really are: the opening sentence sets the scene for what will follow. It was the time that kings went out to war but David did not go. Bathsheba is bathing on the roof of her house, one of the few places that afforded her privacy with her husband away. The kings’ house gave a commanding view of the whole neighbourhood and so Bathsheba’s bathing was observed. What follows is both rape and adultery. These actions are quickly followed by deception and murder.
This incident in the life of David is referred to a number of times but is most often described as a sin against Uriah.( 2Kings 15:5) Uriah the Hittite must have had some status as his property was built next door to the king’s house. He was a man of loyalty and integrity, one of David’s generals, and is mentioned in the thirty mighty warriors of David (1 Chronicles 11:41). David tried to use his position and power to make Uriah the scapegoat who would shield David from his sinful adultery with Bathsheba. In this biblical account Uriah’s integrity is depicted as far superior to David’s even though it leads to his murder. Looking back on this story after three thousand years we might decide that nothing much has changed. The sinfulness of humanity means that the powerless and vulnerable, and women in particular are still exploited. We might also wonder why it is included in the biblical account of David’s reign. It is hard for us to understand the ultimate power that a king like David enjoyed: Everyone was subject to his authority. Equally, it is hard to reconcile that a godly person like David could stoop to such a despicable course of action. Paul reminds us that even the godly can fall away. ( Romans 3:12-23) The story goes from a look, to an action and ends with murder; yet that is not the end of the story. As we follow the story of David and then of the ongoing united kingdom of Israel, things will never be the same again; things will never be as successful again. This reprehensible event has ongoing adverse consequences. How easy it is to become complacent with the blessings that the Lord affords and then how easily the blessings slip away. However, despite all that David had done the Lord’s forgiveness availed for him. Psalm 51 reveals how David threw himself on God’s mercy and did receive the acceptance he craved. Though he was forgiven the consequences of his failure to control the use of his power and authority remained with him. “No one, when tempted, should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it; then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my beloved. James 1:13–16.NRSV
Prayer. Almighty God, you have called us to be your family on earth and have given us good gifts with which to serve you through others. Grant us grace to use our gifts wisely and without favour, so that your blessing may touch all whom we serve. By your power may our work and witness be fruitful and faithful in presenting not our own grand schemes but your good and perfect will. Grant that nothing that we may do or say be an impediment to your saving grace. Forbid it Lord that we would ever presume upon your gracious love or use the gifts you give unwisely. May we see many come to know and love you and find their lives renewed and enriched. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Reading. John 6:1-21. John’s setting is quite different from the other miraculous feedings in the New Testament. In the synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, the miraculous feeding comes at the end of a day’s teaching; here in John the crowd is coming to be taught and to see more of the healing signs that Jesus did. John records specifically that it is the time of Passover. It is set in Jerusalem and not a desert place as are the other descriptions. Due to its location and the festival of Passover, in John’s mind the sign points beyond the miracle of feeding to the one who will supply all the needs of the people. Passover reminded the people of God’s intervention and rescue from slavery in Egypt. It was more than a rescue from slavery it was also a rescue from death to life and the promise of an everlasting homeland. The promise of the coming “prophet” long awaited, quickly comes into the minds of the people and so they want to proclaim him as king. There would have been much emotion stirred by these remembrances. Jesus removes himself so that the crowd does not escalate the situation and precipitate a premature confrontation with the Jewish authorities.
As we read this snapshot of Jesus’ ministry we need to remember that John is writing almost a generation after Jesus has returned to his Father. His reason for writing is not simply to remind the readers that Jesus performed these wonderful signs but to emphasise that Jesus was and is the promised Messiah. The final sentence of chapter 20 makes that very clear: “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and through believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31. The significance of the coming Messiah is perhaps not as meaningful to us as it would have been to the early Jewish converts. With the arrival of Messiah a new dawning for the people of God has arrived. It marks a new beginning for all of humanities’ relationship with God. The New Covenant that was promised through the prophet Jeremiah has come into being. (Jeremiah 31:31ff). John is reminding both Jew and Gentile of this new beginning that is now available through the ministry of Jesus: and it is more than a prompt, it is a challenge to review how that new relationship is working out.
Prayer. Almighty God our Lord Jesus, came among us not to be served but to serve, and through His gracious works we have all benefited. Grant that we having been served by Him are able to serve. Grant Lord that we may do so with joy, knowing that we follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus Christ. Help us to look not to our own needs but to the needs of others, not to our own skills but to your creative gifts, so that what we are able to impart through service may be a true witness to your love and promise of salvation to others. Lord God, forgive the timid nature of our discipleship. We have remembered our own hurts while ignoring the hurts we have caused to others. We confess that we have been hasty in our judgements, thoughtless in our condemnation, and reluctant in our forgiveness. We have allowed the mantle of “Christian” to rest too easily on our shoulders and unlike our Lord, we have not borne one another’s burdens. Grant us new wisdom, insight and courage that we may serve you as you deserve. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
Collect. Let us pray (for the faith to recognise God’s presence in our world):
God our Father, open our eyes to see your hand at work in the splendour of creation and in the beauty of human life. Touched by your hand our world is holy. Help us to cherish the gifts that surround us, to share your blessings with our brothers and sisters, and to experience the joy of life in your presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
or
God our maker, you formed the world and all that is in it, and you desire all people to share its plenty; help us to look for the possibilities you bring, that we may be fed by your justice, for the sake of Christ. Amen.
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