Lectionary reading for Pentecost 13
O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely. Psalm 139:1-2, 4
Collect. Lord of the ages, you have called your Church to keep watch in the life of the world and to discern the signs of the times. Grant us the wisdom which your Spirit bestows, that with courage we may proclaim your prophetic word, and as faithful disciples and witnesses of the cross may finish the work you have given us to do; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reading. Jeremiah 18:1-11. With today’s reading many churches may choose to use the worship song. “The Potters Hand” which expresses a lovely sentiment about personal devotion. However this reading is saying much more, for this passage recounts a time when God speaks through the prophet to his people directly: Thus if taken seriously the message and in particular the final verse could fill us with joy or it could equally fill us with terror. The Lord directs Jeremiah to go down from the temple and watch the potter at work. The text paints a vivid picture for anyone who has seen a potter working clay on a wheel. On this occasion the clay does not mould easily under the potters hand and so the fine pot the potter intended is reshaped into something of inferior design: it is the potter’s second choice! It is then that the Lord speaks through Jeremiah to his people.
As Christians we often read the bible in a more personal way as we consider our own relationship with God but this passage reminds us that God speaks to his people in a collective way, he is addressing the nation. God is reminding the people that he can do with them as the potter has done. God had a first choice for his people but he can also change that choice to something quite different. Just as the clay needs to be malleable in the potter’s hands so the people need to be obedient under God’s hands. Thus the catalyst that would be instrumental in avoiding God’s second choice is for the nation to live a life in obedience to God’s commands and desires. The prophecy has a directness that is quite clear, obedience will bring blessing; while disobedience will bring disaster. The warning to the nation is crystallised in the final verse; as a potter the Lord is planning to reshape the future of the nation not for good but for ill. The consequence of their disobedience is about to bring disaster. Still the warning contains the prospect of hope for if the nation turns from its ungodly ways then the Lord will once more bring his blessing to the people.
How do we as Christians grapple with this passage? Through Jesus Christ, God deals with us both personally as well as collectively. Through the cross we are each personally forgiven and then as forgiven people we are linked in relationship with each other; we become God’s people. As God’s people in Jesus we too are called to live a life which honours God. “he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love” (Ephesians 1:4.)
Jeremiah would have delivered his prophetic message to the leaders in the temple for they were the ones who having heard the warning had the opportunity to change the direction of the nation. Jesus himself reminded his disciples that they were to be the salt and light in their society. (Matt 5:13f) Thus all those who hear the prophetic message are challenged to live in obedience to God and encourage others to do the same.
Prayer. This reading brings to mind an old Breton fisherman’s prayer “O God, thy sea is so great and my boat is so small”.
O Lord you have called us to walk in obedience to you and be light and salt as we call upon your name. Yet Lord the world can sometimes seem so dark and our light seems very dim. It is only your walking with us that gives our light the brightness that can dispel the gloom and bring the dawning of a new day. Through the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, grant us the power to live each day drawing our strength from Jesus our Saviour. May all we do honour his name and bring you praise and glory. Only through him can your gracious will be done and so in all things we humbly look to him, for without him we can achieve nothing of lasting worth: Grant that in all things we may live only to serve you. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Reading. Luke 14:25-33. Luke has changed the setting of this portion of his gospel for once more he is on the road heading for Jerusalem and surrounded by a throng of would be disciples. The suggestion that we “hate” others sounds strange to our ears and yet in biblical terms the word does not have the same connotation but means “to love less”, or perhaps place me after others. Therefore what is clear is that to be a true disciple of Jesus is to place him first in everything. Further, Luke is reminding us that Jesus is riding a wave of popularity and so his demand that disciples take up their cross is a reminder to the crowd that he is on the way to his death. The enthusiasm that they hold for him is built on a false premise unless they understand that he is journeying to Jerusalem in order to die. Unlike today when a cross is used as an ornament by many different people in the Roman world the cross was a shameful symbol of torture and death; not even mentioned in polite company. Despite the popularity Jesus is presenting a very different picture of himself to any who still choose to follow. Being a disciple of Jesus cuts across many of today’s human objectives particularly the need to independent and self sufficient. Jesus asks us to rely on him and his way to live out life.
The illustrations used to count the cost are informative for a tower was built in order to protect against the enemy while the king negotiating is similarly action gauged to bring peace and safety. What our passage is reminding all disciples is that to follow Jesus is to abandon self protection and trust fully in the resources that Jesus brings. The whole passage continues to stress that to follow Jesus will be a costly action at least in worldly terms and so should not be undertaken without serious thought. Nonetheless if your treasure is in Jesus then to follow in his way is what you will do. Years ago one of my children gave me a little card with the quote, “Work for the Lord; the pay is terrible, but the fringe benefits are out of this world”. One of the things we are reminded of when we choose to accept Jesus’ call to follow him is that we take account not only on the costs in this world but in the benefits in the world still to come.
Prayer. Almighty God, on this new day set our hearts on fire again for love of you. In your mercy you have sent your Son, Jesus Christ to be the Saviour of all humanity. We thank you for your gracious gift for in him and through him we live as your children Let this day be for us a transforming day when we draw even closer to you and grow to an even deeper awareness of all that your forgiving love has done for us. Grant by your grace the will be a community who love and forgive those around us. In our refreshed love for you, help us to love and serve with new diligence and energy, so that your gospel of grace will be more effectively proclaimed. Grant to us the courage to live each day through his strength alone. May our Lord Jesus Christ be at the very centre of all we do. For this we pray in his name. Amen.
Enkindle, we beseech thee, O Lord the light of our understanding and pour forth love into our hearts that we may be able to love thee worthily. Create a clean heart within me O God, so that it may become thine abode and the resting place of the Holy Spirit. I know, O Lord, I know indeed that thou art beautiful and so it is presumptuous of me to invite majesty so great into the dwelling of so defiled a heart; but I invite thee in order that thou mayest cleanse it, and afterwards, I beg thee if it please thee, depart not from me, and even unto old age and grey hairs leave me not. Amen. (from an ancient Celtic order of Holy Communion)
Collect. All-sufficient God, help us to count the cost of being disciples of Christ; and help us more and more to count on him, our helper, guide and brother; in Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
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