Lectionary for Sunday 13
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. Psalm 13:1, 5
Collect. Pour forth upon us, Father, the power and wisdom of your Spirit, that we may walk with Christ the way of the cross, ready to offer even the gift of our lives to show forth to the world our hope in your kingdom. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reading. Romans 6:12-23. We most often equate sin as not acting morally but for Paul sin is a much deeper aspect of life than simply morality. (However, let’s be clear, a Christian who is immoral is a contradiction in terms!) For Paul the central point is, who or what is ruling your life? The grace of God has set us free from the guilt and shame of the past when we were obedient to that which was other than God. In verse 6 Paul has reminded us that the old life has been put to death. God in Jesus Christ has prepared for us a better way. Now by God’s grace we are obedient only to him. It is because we are free from the guilt of the past that Paul is now here discussing the matter of our will. Through Jesus Christ we are free to choose to follow ways of living which are godly. Thus how we exercise our will is of vital importance. From Paul’s perspective we are either slaves to God or slaves to that which is ungodly. We are reminded by Paul that how we choose to respond to the gift of freedom will have far reaching consequences. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The Christian life is not based on “brownie points”, by doing good things, it is based only and always on the salvation that Jesus Christ has won for us. By God’s grace Jesus Christ has done all that needs to be done to complete our salvation. We can’t build up merits to offset our failures. Therefore, every day in every way we are to live in obedience to God and if we fail to do that we ask for forgiveness through the merits of Jesus Christ alone. The freedom that we have is a freedom to trust in Jesus Christ and live our lives accordingly.
Prayer. Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we consider the message from Saint Paul, we recognise again how great is your mercy, how effective your forgiveness. With humble hearts we give you all thanks and praise that through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ you have won for us a most perfect redemption and graciously called us to be your children. Before you from whom no secrets are hidden, we admit with shame that we have often failed to live as your children; we have been slow to speak up for justice and mercy and have been quick to notice the faults in others while excusing our own failings. Draw us back to the forgiveness of your holy presence and strengthen us through the grace of your Spirit that we in obedient love may live our lives for you alone. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, the one true Saviour. Amen
The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him! Exodus 15:2 NLT
Reading. Matthew 10:40-42. There is a story from the reign of David which gives an interesting insight to this short passage taken from Matthew. It can be read in 2 Samuel Chapter 10. In brief King David sent envoys to encourage Hanun the new king of the Ammonites. With Nahash the previous king and Hanun’s father, David had enjoyed a good working relationship and so had sent his envoys in the hope of continuing those solid relations. Sadly Hanun disgraced David’s envoys and had therefore directly disgraced David himself. It was a slight that could not be ignored. This story shows how seriously the Jews held on to the understanding that to receive a visit from an envoy or an ambassador was to receive the dignitary themselves. This understanding had a double implication for the disciples; it reminded them that how they were received was a direct response to Jesus himself and it also reminded them that as they were presenting themselves they were presenting Jesus in a personal way. Their manner and demeanour had to be nothing less than Christ like. Jesus then goes on to remind the disciples that there are rewards and consequences to the way they are received. This gives added weight to Paul’s description that “we are ambassadors for Christ”. (2Corinthians 5:20)
This passage then reminds us of how important the task is of being an ambassador for Jesus Christ, as William Thoms once wrote (1803-1885), “Be careful how you live; you may be the only bible some people ever read”. All Christians are called to witness to Jesus Christ but some are also called to leadership and positions of power and privilege in the church. As Paul says, “ And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues”.1 Corinthians 12:28 The life we live as an ambassador must always exemplify the goodness and grace, the mercy and forgiveness of God himself.
However not everyone is called to be in a position of power or privilege but that does not mean they are in any way disadvantaged or neglected when it comes to the blessing of God for all are included in the reward system that God advocates!
A friend of mine used to say “In the Christian life we are all learners on a journey”. In that case there will be times when we are called to speak up for Jesus Christ and there will be times when we are called to listen to Christ’s ambassador and receive the message. In both cases how we respond is important.
Prayer. Gracious Lord, give us ears to hear and hearts to respond to you and to your call upon our lives. Help us to show hospitality to those that you send into our lives, guard us from failing to listen to you for there are many other calls upon our lives. Give us the discernment we need in order to be serving only you. Above all give us hearts that are courageous when you give to us the opportunity to speak out for you. May nothing in us drive others away from your saving grace. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord. Amen
Collect. God of life, you call your Church to be a sign of grace to the world; may we be gracious to others, that welcoming them, we may also welcome you; in Christ’s name. Amen.
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