Lectionary for Pentecost 19

Lectionary for Pentecost 19

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.     2 Timothy 3:16

Collect. Almighty and everliving God, increase in us your gift of faith, that, forsaking what lies behind and reaching out to what is before, that we may run the way of your commandments and win the crown of everlasting joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Reading. Jeremiah 31:27-34. This reading marks a pivot point in the saga of the Lord God’s desire to bring the whole of creation back to the state of perfection. In Genesis we read of the Lord God walking through the creation in harmonious relationship. With the fall that harmony was broken but God chose a nation who through obedience would bring back into being the harmony that had been lost. “Abraham shall become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him” (Gen 18:18) Sadly the great nation that emerged failed to live the obedient life that God desired. By their disobedience the tribes that made up Israel were finally to be dispersed and taken captive to other nations.

We remember that the setting for the passage is the siege and fall of Jerusalem and into that sense of impending doom Jeremiah speaks both a word of judgment, namely “ I have overthrown, broken down and destroyed” and then a great new word of hope, “I will build up and plant”.

Jeremiah prophecies to both the kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Judah about the new covenant that God is going to cut with the whole people of God. This new covenant will be on a different basis all together for God himself will fulfill the covenant on their behalf. The covenant is set for a future time however through this new covenant the relationship between God and his people will be permanently restored.

As we read this passage from a Christian perspective we see how amazing and far reaching is the ministry and mission of Jesus. Through his sacrifice he has put in place the whole plan and purpose of God. In one cataclysmic event the cross has won back to God every aspect of his creation. Little wonder that Matthew describes the death of Jesus as an earth shaking event. (Matt 27:51)

Since the resurrection of Jesus and the birth of the Church, Christians have had the opportunity to have a fulfilling relationship with God through Jesus Christ. What a privilege is ours! “No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the LORD,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more”. Jeremiah 31:34.NRSV.

Prayer. Lord we thank you and praise you for Jesus Christ our Lord who has rescued us from destruction and won us back to you. May we live in close harmony with you today and seek always to be a blessing in your name. May your words be on our minds that we may take them into ourselves and so live by them in obedience to your will. This we pray through Jesus your most obedient servant. Amen

Reading. Luke 18:1-8. Jesus is teaching as he purposefully goes on his way to Jerusalem and his final confrontation with the religious authorities. Previously in Luke’s description we have seen Jesus’ power to heal and to restore the lepers and of our need to be thankful for God’s goodness and bounty. In the passage prior to today’s reading Jesus is teaching about the coming kingdom of God and reminding the disciples to be prepared. This preparation will be necessary for after the suffering of Jesus a time would come when people would be absorbed by material things as in the days of Noah. (Just prior to the flood!) In view of all that, Jesus is teaching his disciples to pray and “not lose heart”.

In the ancient world a widow was classed as being among those on the lowest rung of society. Widows often had to rely on others and were often exploited. Having no resources with which to bribe the unjust judge, unjust because he did not fear God, she only had her persistence and determination. Such was her determination that though he was unjust, the judge decided to attend to her case. The judge passed a judgement in order to protect his personal comfort not in order to promote justice.

Jesus is drawing a parallel between an unjust judge and the righteous judge of all the earth. If an unjust judge can respond to persistence, how much more will a righteous judge respond in order to execute justice as quickly as possible.

Jesus is not suggesting that there is a need to pester God in order to gain an answer, on the contrary he is suggesting that God will always hear and always respond because that is God’s essential nature. Hence the teaching that God will always respond, therefore we should pray and never lose heart. God is righteous and always gives righteous judgements.

Jesus question about whether faith will still remain by the time of his return takes us in a slightly different direction. Jesus has implied that his final return will be delayed and so the question of faith is linked not just to belief in God but in the belief that God will be true to his word and bring about the setting up of his kingdom here on earth.

Our reading from Jeremiah prophesied that the kingdom would come and God would once more be known by all the earth. In that coming kingdom God’s righteousness would be both revealed and experienced. Jesus came to fulfil that New Covenant and so Jesus’ question is, will there still be people who are trusting in that prophecy on the day of my final return. We are reminded of that prophetic word each time we pray the Lord’s prayer, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as in heaven”. In order to maintain that kind of faith every disciple needs to pray and not lose heart. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” John 17:17.

Prayer. Thank you Lord that you are not a God who is far away but like a loving parent is always close at hand, always understands, and is always ready to lift and encourage. Grant that we your children may live for your honour, and in all we do point others to how rich is your grace; how faithful your love. Keep us loyal to one another, faithful in our promises and diligent in our service in your name. In all things grant us that success which will please you. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Collect. Faithful God, you teach us to trust in you, and to wait for justice; help us to pray, aid us to seek what is right, and inspire us always to persist; in Jesus’ name. Amen.