Lectionary for Sunday 12.

Lectionary for Sunday 12

Hear me, O God, and act, for I am poor and needy. In the day of my trouble I call on you, for you will answer me. Psalm 86:1, 7

Collect. Let us pray (for release from anxiety): Grant us, Lord, not be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those things that shall abide; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reading. Romans 6:1b-11. Paul’s gospel proclamation is centred around the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the cross. For him it was this physical action that changed his whole attitude to how the Lord God dealt with his people. Paul understands that the work of Jesus Christ changes a believer in a spiritual sense and also in a physical sense. When a believer is baptised into Christ there is a disconnection from the old life without Jesus to the new life fully surrounded in the new life that Jesus gives. (2 Corinthians 5:17) We now live in that New Creation and indeed we are a part of the New Creation. To continue to live in the ways of the old life with its old values is to deny all that Jesus has done on our behalf.

The old life leads us away from God while the new life in Christ draws us ever closer to God, indeed as we walk in this new life we find that we do begin to change. Our views and our aims become tenderer: tender towards God for we recognise all that he has blessed us with: and also tender towards each other for we more readily understand the struggles that life presents. It is the cross of Christ that changes us for it draws us into all that God has planned for His restored creation.

The change that Jesus brings also allows us to step free from the past with its mistakes and failures and perhaps more importantly look forward to the future with a growing sense of excitement. Just as Jesus Christ lives and reigns so one day he will return and claim the whole creation for God. It is the anticipation of Christ’s return that gives us hope, hope that despite the chaos that life often presents, God is continuing the work of restoration. God is a faithful God and one day his glory will be revealed. Those in Christ, who have been baptised into his death and so raised again to new life will share in this glorious revelation.

As we reflect on all that Christ has done and all that we have received in blessing it is no wonder that Paul advocates that all believers should, “consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus”

Prayer. We thank you Lord that life is good, and that in it we receive so many blessings. Forgive us for the times when we dwell too much on the doubts and the downside of life. Forgive us when we neglect to see how your hand has shielded and guided us so faithfully. Once again we ask for the wisdom and courage to trust you for all that lies ahead. Grant that we may use the gifts you give and so deal with each part of today in the loving and grace filled way that you desire. Save us from seeking to honour ourselves; in all we do may we first honour you. May you be at the centre of all our words and deeds. This we ask through the saving name of Jesus our Saviour and Lord. Amen

Reading. Matthew 10:24-39. In this section of his gospel Matthew brings together several very sobering thoughts! The disciple is not above the teacher, in other words if they abuse the teacher they will also abuse the disciple. Previously Matthew has recorded that the Pharisees had accused Jesus of being aided by the Devil. In the ministry of Jesus this was a most destructive accusation for it could turn people away from the assistance that was needed and ultimately turn them away from the truth about God. The disciples would have to face the same accusations as Jesus.

Jesus’ message to the disciples is that the power and purpose of God will not be hidden and so they should not be afraid no matter what opposition or accusations are levelled at them. The God who is creator of all is also Master and redeemer of all and so the message of Jesus needs to continue to be proclaimed no matter what the opposition.

Though the disciples are not to fear the events of life there is a need to have a sense of awe when considering the sovereignty and holiness of God. Only God has the power to destroy both body and soul! To counter that supreme authority the word of Jesus is that not even a sparrow falls without the knowledge of God and this emphasises that God’s eternal nature is to love and care for all.

Although the message of Jesus is one of peace with God and with all of creation, (Ephesians 4:13, 1Peter 3:8) yet that same message also creates division for it demands that we all come under the Lordship of Jesus. This change goes against the desire of human nature to be independent. A choice for Jesus and his sovereignty must be made.

Matthew ends the section by reminding all disciples that Jesus must be first over all things. We should not be surprised at the absoluteness of this challenging section for the First Commandment states that principle very clearly, “no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3) Through the words of Jesus Matthew reminds us that it is in placing Jesus first in all situations we find true Life.

Prayer. Lord You know the secrets of every heart and still by your grace our lives are transformed. Let us step out with joy on the new life that you give us through our baptism; by the power of the Holy Spirit bind us more closely to your way; through your power let our lives be released to fuller service and more effective witness. May your greater glory be served by all we are and all we do. With humility we bring you the sins that are so obvious that everyone knows about them, our hasty words, our neglect of duties, our failure to put you or others first. We bring you those sins that no one knows, the words and thoughts and deeds that lie buried deep within us. We bring you those sins that have been part of us for so long that we have accommodated them into our pattern of living and thinking and therefore no longer remember they are not according to your will. Lord we also bring those sins which are known only to you. The sins we no longer recognise, the things we have left undone because of our failure to listen or to obey. In bringing all these we bring our very selves, openly, remembering that nothing is hidden from you. Touch our lives and make us whole. Release us from those things which cause us pain and distress and by your forgiving power enable us to start again today as new creations under your control and direction. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Deliver us, 0 God, from a lazy mind, all lukewarmness of heart, and all depression of spirit. We know that these must deaden our love for you; mercifully free our hearts from them all. And give us such a lively, fervent and cheerful spirit that we may vigorously perform whatever you command, thankfully suffer whatever you choose for us, and always be eager to obey your holy love in all things; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (A prayer of John Wesley, 1703-1791)

Collect. Your loving care extends to everything, O God; help us to care as you do, trusting in the strength of your Holy Spirit, and the power of the name of Jesus, in which name we pray. Amen.