Lectionary for Sunday 29

Lectionary for Sunday 29

Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool. Holy is God! Psalm 99:5

Collect. Let us pray (to the Lord who bends close to hear our prayer): Lord our God, Father of all, you guard us under the shadow of your wings and search into the depths of our hearts. Remove the blindness that cannot know you and relieve the fear that hides you from our sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reading. 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10. Thessalonica was a Roman colony and anyone born there was considered “free-born” and so a Roman citizen, an important status to have in the ancient world. Paul preached in Thessalonica and a number of Jews and Greeks and some of the leading women from the town became Christians. Paul’s coming and the power of the Gospel caused quite an uproar and he had to rush away because of the opposition from the Jewish leaders. (Acts 16 & 17) Though Paul only stayed a short time in Thessalonica the gospel seems to have quickly taken root and flourished, bringing the believers to a maturity which was not always present in other congregations linked with Paul’s ministry. (1 Corinthians 3:2)  Paul greets the church along with Silvanus and Timothy. These three had been the team who had first brought the gospel to the region. Though Paul has been forced to abandon his part in the mission Silvanus, (Silas) and Timothy had stayed on and so would have been well known by the believers.

As is usual each church founded by Paul is constantly on his mind and in his prayers and this letter both encourages and teaches in a most gentle and warm hearted way. Paul makes no claim to apostleship or to his authority as is often present in many of his letters. He greets them as he is in an open and loving way. This form of greeting reveals to us the spirit of the church at Thessalonica which had begun to influence the whole region with the power of the gospel.

Paul’s greeting to them of “Grace to you and peace”, is very powerful and not just a throwaway line. Everything that comes from Jesus Christ comes to us through grace, (John1:14). Similarly, peace is not simply the absence of chaos but carries a sense of serenity and harmony among the fellowship as they live and worship together. The picture is of a wholesome gathering of believers witnessing powerfully to all God through Jesus Christ has done for them.

This witness stems from Paul’s assertion that the gospel came to them not simply in words but in power. They had seen that the integrity with which Paul, Silvanus and Timothy lived out their lives was consistent with the teachings of the gospel. Their open hearted acceptance of what God had done in the three apostles had produced a change in their lives and in their relationships with one another. This came because it has formed a change in their personal relationships with God as their Father.

As we read this passage the joy that Paul is expressing comes through loud and clear. Here is a group of believers who have truly received Good News and that Good News has not only changed their lives but has been an influence for good with those around them.

Prayer. O God, whose will it is that all your children should be one in Christ. We pray for the unity of your church. Pardon our pride and lack of faith, of understanding and of charity, which are the causes of our divisions. Deliver us from narrow-mindedness, from our bitterness, from our prejudices. Save us from considering as normal that which is a scandal to the world and an offence to your love. Teach us to recognise the gifts of your grace among all those who look to you and confess the faith of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (From the Liturgy of the Reformed Church of France)

Reading. Matthew 22:15-22. The Pharisees were those who followed the law of Moses rigorously while the Herodians were ready to compromise with king Herod and the ruling Roman authorities. These two groups were natural adversaries and so Matthew, by bringing them together, is signalling that the opposition to Jesus and his teaching is gathering strength. With their question they are plotting to entrap Jesus and so there is no sense that they are open to learn anything from Jesus or even debate with him. They begin by flattering Jesus but he sees through that obvious ploy and calls them out for their insincerity. A hypocrite was an actor who wore a mask to depict a different character. Thus Jesus is seeing them for what they are, always in opposition against him.

Despite this Jesus’ response takes the question seriously. To the Herodians any refusal to pay taxes to Rome was unthinkable, since they favoured Roman rule, while the Pharisees insisted that of first importance was one’s duty to God.

Jesus’ answer showed that he felt no need to take sides with any group, especially since neither took its total obligation seriously. The Roman coins of the day stated that Tiberius was the Son of the Divine Augustus. This implied that Tiberius was worthy of some degree of worship. The point that Jesus is making is that if there is an obligation to Caesar, meet it. In the same way, the obligations to God must not be set aside. Jesus’ Jewish understanding would have recognised two kinds of Kingdoms, the kingdoms of this world and also God’s kingdom. The Jews well understood the difference between the two kingdoms for they had experienced in their history both the violence of Rome and the generous grace of God. So while the question was set as a trap, Jesus’ answer opened up a whole new area of debate for he used the answer to ask a further question. It was not just a question of material versus spiritual, but it was about kingdom versus kingdom. The Romans sustained their kingdom through violence, oppression and slavery, Bombs and bullets will never provide peace. God’s kingdom was and is  built on justice, mercy and peace. The Pharisees’ question was both devious and clever but Jesus’ response hangs waiting for an answer right up to this day. “Whose kingdom do you want to support”? All through the Hebrew story was the theme of how the Creator God was working to deal with the evil and corruption in the creation, and establish a kingdom where all would be in harmony and God would reign as king. Centuries before Joshua had challenged the people when they began to settle in the Promised Land, “Choose this day, who you will serve!  If it is God then follow God”. (Joshua 24:15) Jesus response faced his adversaries with the same question, whose kingdom will you serve? It is a question we will all have to face.

Prayer. Holy Lord in your service is perfect freedom, for as we serve you we serve ourselves with all that is good for us and for others. Teach us to keep on loving you, and Lord we pray that the love we have will overflow into our relationships with all other people. Today Lord, we pray for our world which seems poised once more ready to pursue violence and oppression. Though we do not know how to pray, we turn to you and ask that your hand will protect and guide so that all nations may live in harmony and peace. In our small way guide us into those situations where we can best serve you, demonstrating our love for those we meet, remembering always your greater love for us. We ask through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God for evermore. Amen.

Collect. Jesus, in the midst of deceit, you deal truthfully; confronted by fickleness, you are faithful. Show us how to give all we are and have to God, for you are sovereign Lord, now and for ever. Amen.