Day 4--Matthew 19-24
What a range of ideas in this selection. I was struck with how many different sermon ideas, and how many ideas that I really don't want to hear--especially the "Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" Getting a little close here, Jesus!
I was hit with the undercurrent of humility. So many people--both inside Jesus' band of disciples and without, are working so hard to get positions of respect and power. James and John even have their mother, or maybe this is the first incident of a "pulpit mom," work to get them a cushy position in the kingdom. And isn't that what all the Pharisees are doing?
And to all them, Jesus gives an object lesson. He puts a little child in the midst. "Be like this one." In that day children were the least of the least--like many in our own world. They had no rights, could be bought and sold into slavery. Be like this one!
Forget that! How happy are we when we get moved from the Children's Table at Thanksgiving Dinner?!
It is also obvious that life isn't fair! (Wow, what a great idea for a Youth Retreat!) Nothing is fair in this section--people who work all day get paid the same thing that those who show up in the last hour make. People who are forced to come to a wedding feast are thrown out because their clothes aren't right. Where is the grace in all this grace?
But the distractions! That is what I will remember this morning! As I was listening, Anita had to leave; I had a phone call; got 3 text messages that needed a response; emails flashed on the screen; the dishwasher needed emptying; I really need to finish the sermon--now what was Jesus saying about what is important?
2 comments:
I'm with Savannah, I'm about ready to be done w/ Matthew! If I were doing PR for God, this is not the book I would use. Most of Jesus's stories make God out to be a pretty scary person, and like you said, not fair at all. It's an image that makes me very uncomfortable, too close to the hellfire and brimstone God I've heard at too many other churches.
My one comfort is to see that Jesus is as emotional as I am. He even gets grouchy when he's hungry! I've never cursed a fig tree, but I've wanted to curse some drive-thrus that weren't open when I was traveling late at night.
The violence in the parables is disturbing to me, especially the part about being cut up in pieces and thrown into the outer darkness. This is not a book to read before you go to bed at night.
There was a LOT in this section that caught my attention- so I'm going to number them.
1) I never knew Jesus was walking on water at night! I must say, when I listen to this story seriously, Peter's decision making makes no sense to me. He sees someone, walking on water in the middle of the night. He probably can't really see the person, but he can hear him. This would be my thought- "I hope that's Jesus, and I hope he gets in this boat. But if that isn't Jesus, maybe if we keep really quiet, he won't notice us." Never. Never never would I think... hmm, I should join him! And then- after literally ASKING to walk on water, once he starts- it's as if he realizes what he has just done... This story drove me crazy.
2). Right after he walked on water, the disciples say- surely you are the son of God. Did they just now figure that out? Aren't they supposed to be the disciples? They've been following him around for quite some time now- who have they thought they've been following?
3). In Matthew 17, Jesus starts to rebuke everyone- "You're a faithless generation! How long do I have to be with you?" This completely threw me off. Isn't the wonder of Jesus that he came to earth and was one of us? This, however, seems more like he's very much set apart from everyone else. For example- it seems more like Jesus is some spy sent into a foreign land and can't wait to finish the mission and get out than a person who is moving into that land to learn about it and make friends. I'm not for it.
Dad- As for the distractions you were talking about... I'm sitting in Atlanta Bread Company with my roommate, Sarah, and rather than being distracted from doing this, I'm using this as a distraction from writing a paper. So I can understand the problem with getting the priorities and such. Have fun unloading the dishwasher!!
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