Lectionary for Pentecost 3
Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us, and gave himself up for us. Ephesians 5:1-2
Collect. O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reading. Galatians 5:1, 13-25. This passage can be split into three distinct sections. Firstly there is the freedom that Jesus Christ brings to us to love and be loved through the power of his salvation. The freedom that Jesus brings means that Christians are not constrained by any law as if by obedience they could make themselves somehow better or more worthy. However as the passage says the freedom Christians enjoy enables us to exercise discipline as we live out the Christian life. Thus the second aspect of the passage is discipline. It is the discipline to live in God’s way rather than in a selfish, self centred way. This way shows love to family, friend and neighbour alike and so avoids those destructive things Paul warns us about. Finally there is the fruit that the Spirit produces in us. Thus, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things”. Galatians 5:22–23. Who would not want to have a gift package like that; but then that begs the question how might we get the spiritual gifts that produce this beautiful spiritual fruit?
Let us first consider; “what is the purpose of receiving spiritual gifts?” The answer is quite simple, spiritual gifts like everything else in the bible are given to bring glory to God. Gifts are never given to aggrandize a person. The gifts are given to enable ministry, God’s ministry. We need to remember that giftedness is not a competition. As we are active in ministry so we find spiritual gifts appearing. Being active in ministry using the gifts we have, we find the spiritual fruit will also appear. The fruit of the Spirit just like the fruit of our gardens comes through activity. As we are active in ministry spiritual fruit begin to appear. Do I hear you thinking, I have no ministry, or at least what could possibly be my ministry? Firstly, Scripture makes no differentiation between sacred and secular employment. That is a product of our modern era. Furthermore it was once the Gospel which directed every aspect of Western civilisation. Our laws, our business ethics, the way we deal with each other in commerce, indeed every aspect of life were all critiqued through the gospel. Now much of that has gone. Why? Because we have managed to separate secular from the sacred in our lives and have made an artificial distinction which now is difficult to bridge. Still for Christians the fact remains: There is no distinction, and where I am and the life I lead and the opportunities I have are all a part of my ministry. As we live out the Christian principles that Jesus taught, loving one another, then we begin to grow for we are accompanied by Jesus. We remember his promise that as we serve in his Name he is with us. “teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end”. Matthew 28:20.
The passage encourages us to live out our freedom, be disciplined in our living and enjoy the fruit that such a life will bring!
Prayer. Almighty God, before you nothing can stand and yet you have chosen a humble path for your Servant Jesus. Help us to understand this message more clearly each day and so be more gentle and caring with others as we desire to share your love and offer a witness to your goodness and grace. Empower us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we need in order to accomplish what is your desire for us. Grant that we may be faithful in our work and fruitful in our harvest as your servants. May our joy be in serving you, knowing that you are the way, the truth and the life. This we pray through the merits and mercies of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, that he may hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. Psalm 77:1-2
Reading. Luke 9:51-62. This passage begins the section in Luke which is found in no other gospel, although fragments of it do appear in both Matthew and Mark, thus these next ten chapters of Luke are unique. The clue to what is going on in this whole section of the Gospel can be found in verse 51. “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. Luke 9:51. NRSV.
“Taken up” reminds us of the ascension when Jesus was received victorious into the presence of God once again. It is a powerful reminder that Luke does not see the cross as the end of Jesus ministry, but rather the triumph of Christ Jesus the Messiah who on returning to God has won the victory over sin and death. This then is a marvellous introduction to Luke’s story of the emerging early church. (c/f Acts 2:32ff)
So set is Jesus to get to Jerusalem the first Samaritan village does not accept him. Luke is once more showing that the disciples do not understand the redeeming purpose of Jesus’ mission. The disciples wish to bring retribution rather than redemption to the village. In the refusal to accept Jesus we see again the single-mindedness that he showed to reach his desired goal.
Though one Samaritan village rejected him others are still attracted to his way of salvation. However, knowing the enormity of what he has to face Jesus reveals quite forcefully the cost that following him brings.
Luke’s description of the verbal exchange between would be disciples, reminds us that what Jesus is undertaking calls for an all consuming change. Isaiah the prophet presented Israel with a radical change of living out their faith when he said; “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19.) In Jesus Christ the old way is being replaced by a new way and this new way is fully dependant on the work of Jesus on the cross. To let anything get in the way of that reliance on the cross devalues what Jesus has accomplished. Jesus did not turn back. Only when we grasp the full mission of Jesus can we understand the challenge to never turn back.. On the cross Jesus won the victory over sin and death but his mission was not fulfilled until he took his place with God, having been accepted by God back from the dead. In the same way each believer keeps on looking forward to the final victory that each one will achieve by faithfully following right up until their own personal end. “ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7–8.
Prayer. Lord we admit that trusting in you alone seems hard, and we often wonder if we will be strong enough to risk our all for you, never looking back. And yet Lord in our hearts we know that only what you supply is everlasting, only what you give us will sustain us day by day. We know that worldly security can be lost in a moment and like Job we can be cast aside from the world of commerce and family. So Lord help us to keep a clear perspective as we turn to trust in you. In our reflective moments Lord we know that with you all the riches of the world are at our disposal and through trust in you we find a bounty that surpasses anything we could think or dream of. Like Jesus help us set our face towards the future and trust in the goals that you have set for us and all human kind. So Lord we will put our trust in you and rejoice at the paths along which you will lead us as we serve in Jesus name. Amen.
Collect. You claim us, Lord Jesus; you call us to follow, and to give our lives in your service. Fit us for the reign of God, and grant us the zeal only for love, now and for ever. Amen.
Prayer. Lord Jesus Christ, you alone are God’s answer to a world of human need. In you alone we find true freedom from all that would hold us back or pull us down. From you alone comes the vision that gives us hope in the future and so Lord it is only natural that we should turn to you for help and strength. May our path be selected by you today as we journey along. May our life be an active demonstration of our trust in you. By the power of the Holy Spirit help us to stay close to you, listen to your voice and walk in obedience to you. We ask this for our own health and comfort and above all, for love of you. Amen.
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