The parable of the two sons, Ian Pollock

The size of these obnoxious sons reminds me of Paul's admonition to humility. The pharasees in the gospel serve as a negative example of the value of humlity.

My wife is preaching this week, but I will still do some study to help her our. As usual check periodically for updates.

The Last Shall Be First

Is everything in God

Is everything in God’s hands?  How hard is it to see disaster as God’s sweet and perfect will for us?  What do we do when the sovereignty of God doesn’t seem fair?

Hannah Whitall Smith writes:

To my own mind, these Scriptures, and many others like them, settle forever the question as to the power of second causes in the life of the children of God. They are all under the control of our Father, and nothing can touch us except with His knowledge and by His permission. It may be the sin of man that originates the action, and therefore the thing itself cannot be said to be the will of God but by the time it reaches us, it has become God's will for us, and must be accepted as directly from His hands. No man or company of men, no power in earth or heaven, can touch that soul which is abiding in Christ, without first passing through Him, and receiving the seal of His permission. If God be for us, it matters not who may be against us; nothing can disturb or harm us, except He shall see that it is best for us, and shall stand aside to let it pass.

Mercy and unforgiveness

Steadfast (Proper A19)

The LORD works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known
his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The LORD is merciful and
gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always
accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according
to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

The psalmist sums up this week’s readings with a worshipful poetry. Moses and all of Israel see the mercy, grace and steadfast love of God in their deliverance from the Egyptians. What deeds! What marvelous works! Oh, but my words fail me, if I am to describe his works on Sunday, I would pray the words of the Psalm.

When Israel went out from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language,
Judah became God's sanctuary, Israel his dominion.
The sea looked and fled; Jordan turned back.
The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.
Why is it, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?
O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like lambs?
Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water.

Joseph shows the mercy of God. He forgives his brothers and promises to take care of them. Though they feel like his enemies he seems to say ‘Don’t you know that you are forgiven?’ The tears they share give us a glimpse, a revelation, into the emotions of God. How lovely you are to me my dear Lord!

Paul reminds us that we too should be slow to anger and not pass judgment on our brothers and sisters. They will one day stand before the judgment seat of God. He is very good at vengeance as the Egyptians know, and very good at unearned rewards as the Israelites know.

Jesus tells Peter that since God is so gracious a forgiver of men we too aught to forgive each other. We not only should pay God back with love and worship, but his gift is so massive that we aught to pay our fellows in kind as well.

Sitz.

I wondered what situation precipitated Jesus’ talk about conflict resolution for this week’s gospel.  At ministerial we took a look at it.  At the top of chapter 18 we found the answer.  

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

Peter, James and John come down from the mount of transfiguration and as the Glory fades in their minds, an argument arose among the disciples.  Who is the greatest?  Apparently Peter is offended in the argument because in next week’s text he asks “"Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?”

Jesus tells them who is really important in the kingdom and the importance that not one is lost. Then we come to our text for this week.  It is in this context that Jesus gives some of his most practical instructions: conflict resolution.  

In the end if they still resist they are to be treated as sinners and tax collectors. But wait! Remember how Jesus treated them!  He loved them and welcomed them.  That does not mean though that they were numbered among his disciples.

Bill pointed out a correlation from his counseling experience.  Just like an abused woman, or friends of an alcoholic, we may have to remove ourselves from their lives in some ways.  This last step is usually final and tragic.

Jesus promises his presence in these interventions as heavenly witness.  What ever is decided is bound on earth and in heaven by his power.  If we can choose reconcile and forgive, the rest he will accomplish in his grace.