Created to be God's people
Commentary
Object:
A congregation has started a new ministry to work with younger children. At first, there was much enthusiasm about the vision for this ministry. As it is now summer and people are on vacations or going onto other activities, the children's ministry struggles to get volunteers. The church staff is frustrated because it appears as if they will have to hire part-time workers for this children's ministry. The church council complains about the costs, and now there are grave doubts about the very existence of the children's ministry itself. However, other churches in the community are doing a children's ministry, and having much success.
It is summer as a college student is home for break. They dread going back to school in the fall. The degree they are working on promises to be one of the more high paying fields for the times. But the student gets stomach tension just thinking about the upper level courses they are scheduled to take. Even buying the textbooks gives the student a headache.
Meanwhile, down the street a family has bought a huge new home. However, the costs of maintenance of this home are way beyond what the family had budgeted for this summer. They had to forfeit their yearly summer vacation trip. The house is losing its "new building" smell, and now elicits a sour smell and embittered attitudes of the whole family, who see themselves working in the basement and yard work, which seems never ending. Isaiah has identified this with the people of Israel. Well-intended beginnings became "wild grapes" (Isaiah 5:4).
Isaiah 5:1-7
God had created the nation to yield the fruits of justice and righteousness. They were not to be like other nations who exploit their poorer citizens to benefit the wealthier elite of the nation. Jesus would later pick up this metaphor with the parable of the sower in Matthew 21:33-41. Isaiah warns the people of Israel (Judah) that they will be judged because they are not acting in its true character, as God had created them to be -- a priestly nation. To use the above illustrations, they got involved with programs that worked for other groups, but not them. They enrolled in courses they thought would result in a high-paying job, but are now in misery. The nation has overbuilt its home, and now there is unrest from those who wonder if the vision has become a burden.
This is a people who are created to be God's people. This text is a poem that provides a brief metaphorical summary of Israel's unfaithfulness despite God's best efforts to plant, nurture, and provide water for the people or vineyard. After much attentiveness, hard work, investment of energy, and care, there does come a time when the owner will expect to see some signs of production or first fruits. When the vineyard persists in its resistance and stubbornness, eventually the owner gives up on the people. It is similar to the transient family visiting the church to use their restroom and maybe get something to drink from the church kitchen, only to be treated as "intruders." This family could have been God in the flesh! However, more families will visit the church. Will the people show fruits of mercy and care? Isaiah 5:1-6 suggests that eventually the church will gain the reputation of "being cold to strangers and poor people."
The nation of Israel knows better in terms of how to treat people in need, as well as what God's intentions were for the nation to live. The Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 texts are places to begin in living in response to God's liberation of the people from Egyptian bondage. Israel's life has produced bloodshed and exploitation of the powerless within their borders rather than righteousness and justice. The prophet is not merely a mouthpiece of gloom and doom. There is a prescription for hope earlier in the book: "Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow" (Isaiah 1:16-17).
Hebrews 11:29--12:2
This text might be considered as one way to map out a direction toward being the people God created us to become. It answers the questions of "How did we get here and how can we press forward?" One interpretative lens for the book of Hebrews (as well as for the whole New Testament) might be Hebrews 12:1: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us." The text is an invitation to the preacher to explore any portion of Israel's history to explore which chapter might match where the congregation currently is at this time. For example, if the current attitudes seem to be "...All the people did what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 21:25), exploring any Hebrews 11 character in the book of Judges might be in order (e.g. Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, Hebrews 11:32). Is there a time of expansion, yet problems and conflict are just under the surface? Then the times of Samuel and King David are possible directions for a sermon.
This text also provides permission for any congregation to review its history in terms of its origins and what God has done in the life of the congregation into the present. This might suggest a course for the future. The assurance is that great people of faith have had both successes and made their share of mistakes. Hebrews itself addresses a lethargic, tired community of faith who wonders if this whole Christianity faith is worth it. Despite much persecution, setbacks, and hardships, another word from this text is: "Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised" (Hebrews 11:39). This begs the concern of instant gratification and immediate or current measurable results as is often the teachings of the cultural catechistic practices of the day. The church uses a catechism of Christ.
Yet it is always by faith that people leap out of any time of misery or "Egypt." Is the church project, career choice, or highly priced home a modern version of Egypt? If so, what direction or who is God creating us to be as his people? Are there wildernesses we dread that tempt us to remain in Egypt? Again, this Hebrews text gives the preacher permission to interface with any period of Israel's history without fear of doing violence or taking the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) out of context or being accused of "proof texting." Every community of faith may find itself in a differing chapter of Israel's narrative.
Finally, if one is so inclined, the "cloud of witnesses" reference suggests that indeed the past saints of the church, family, and community are among the cloud of witnesses observing how we as Christians are running our race. This idea of being watched by the "cloud of witnesses" could be either comforting or bothersome, depending on how the faith journey is developed along the race. This suggests a possible discipleship theme.
Luke 12:49-56
At face value this text could seem to be intimidating to the preacher who wants to promote community within the church. To retrace back to Luke 12:41, this week's text continues an ongoing appeal by Jesus for the disciples to be vigilant and be ready for any sort of resistance, discomfort, and misunderstanding. This can occur with anybody who has strong conviction related to a calling, cause, or being part of the creation God intended the people to become. The harsh reality is that sometimes people of faith will have to face the possibility of division, disagreements, and misunderstanding from those whom we are closest to -- including families.
With that said, this text should be read in the broader context of Jesus' ultimate mission, "to seek and save the lost" (Luke 19:10). Also, while Jesus reminds his followers that they will anger family and parents, in Luke 18:20-21, Jesus affirms the rich young ruler for honoring his father and mother.
This gospel is an invitation for any community of faith to consider the radical nature of their call to proclaim the gospel. There are numerous authors such as Douglas John Hall, Walter Brueggemann, and many post-modern church writers who suggest that since many mainline and traditional church denominations are marginalized anyway -- why not take risks in challenging various public social ethical policies? Maybe it is now time to take on "city hall" on a particular issue in a community. Possibly this could create divisions in families in communities where "blood is often thicker than (baptismal) water." But Luke reminds all believers to stay with the mission! Luke provides a second volume in Acts to show how this is accomplished.
In Luke's gospel are there numerous examples of reversals of fortune, usually in favor of the poor over the wealthy; the unclean over the traditionally religious leaders. This week's gospel lesson reminds leaders of any community to count the costs of any decisions made during this season of the church's mission or "Pentecost." As this relates to the opening illustrations, "Does one declare that a certain ministry is no longer worth it after so much money, time, and effort has been invested?" Imagine a student informing his or her parents that getting into heavy loan debt for college is not worth it to enter into an occupation that makes them miserable. How many families have had to consider downsizing their standard of living to live within a more realistic budget? What would the neighbors and kids at school say to these decisions? All of these texts affirm that if any person or community strives to be the people God created them to be, then there are certain risks and tests. Possibly there may be errors, wrong turns, and simply bad decisions. The "cloud of witnesses" has experienced this (Hebrews 12:1-2). Jesus' mission results in new life for the lost. However, if division occurs in any given community, sometimes the people are pursuing the right path toward being God's productive vineyard (Isaiah 5).
Application
Has the summer been spent on camps, trips, or ventures, which may or may not have lived up to our expectations? The stores are now posting back-to-school specials. One is expecting Halloween and Christmas decorations to come out pretty soon. Is life simply passing some of us by as the populist culture reminds us to count our possessions, pounds lost from a diet, or money in our investment portfolio (that is, if we even have one!)?
All three of the texts encourage us as a people and community to discover what sort of creation God has created us to be here in this time and season of the church. God never intended Israel to act like a world superpower or arsenal of military power. They were to be a nation of priests, not empire-builders. Not all churches will be growing "transformational" organizations that will "turn the world upside down." Nor were they created to be such. With that said, every community is called to live out its vineyard's productivity in terms of righteousness and justice (Isaiah 5). That is, they can be faithful to the witness of Christ while being engaged in their own way in any given town, city, or rural area. For example, many small towns might have food kitchens once a month for those who struggle with groceries. What kind of comfort does one provide for the college graduate who remains unemployed in late August with no promising prospects in sight (and school loans due soon)? The good news of all three texts is that people of faith are allowed to take risks! There is a history of past risk takers (Hebrews 11). Some folks might have angered friends and loved ones (Luke 12). Trying to be fruitful rather than settling for a comfortable status quo is a preferred witness rather than trying to be like others in the world or trends in corporate models of operation (Isaiah 5).
An Alternative Application
Whose anger are we willing to kindle for a purpose or cause in life? Moses was willing to antagonize the Pharaoh. Isaiah challenged the kings of Judah. Jesus is suggesting that sometimes even those closest to us may not understand what we are about. Is there a cause we are willing to bet the whole farm on and let the chips fall where they might -- be we successful or failure. Consider the case of one Martin Luther, whose father Hans worked both in the mines and in clothing in order for his son to attend law school. Then one day his son came home to announce that he made a promise to Saint Anne to become a monk! The dreams of upward social mobility came crumbling down on Hans Luther. But his son would make the family name throughout history and the world. Hans Luther probably felt like taking the whole Bible -- Luke 12 included -- and smashing it over his son's head to get him to change his mind. Are there other such stories we know of where somebody changed life directions midcourse that resulted in surprising developments and endings? These texts allow us to be creative in preaching in these directions.
It is summer as a college student is home for break. They dread going back to school in the fall. The degree they are working on promises to be one of the more high paying fields for the times. But the student gets stomach tension just thinking about the upper level courses they are scheduled to take. Even buying the textbooks gives the student a headache.
Meanwhile, down the street a family has bought a huge new home. However, the costs of maintenance of this home are way beyond what the family had budgeted for this summer. They had to forfeit their yearly summer vacation trip. The house is losing its "new building" smell, and now elicits a sour smell and embittered attitudes of the whole family, who see themselves working in the basement and yard work, which seems never ending. Isaiah has identified this with the people of Israel. Well-intended beginnings became "wild grapes" (Isaiah 5:4).
Isaiah 5:1-7
God had created the nation to yield the fruits of justice and righteousness. They were not to be like other nations who exploit their poorer citizens to benefit the wealthier elite of the nation. Jesus would later pick up this metaphor with the parable of the sower in Matthew 21:33-41. Isaiah warns the people of Israel (Judah) that they will be judged because they are not acting in its true character, as God had created them to be -- a priestly nation. To use the above illustrations, they got involved with programs that worked for other groups, but not them. They enrolled in courses they thought would result in a high-paying job, but are now in misery. The nation has overbuilt its home, and now there is unrest from those who wonder if the vision has become a burden.
This is a people who are created to be God's people. This text is a poem that provides a brief metaphorical summary of Israel's unfaithfulness despite God's best efforts to plant, nurture, and provide water for the people or vineyard. After much attentiveness, hard work, investment of energy, and care, there does come a time when the owner will expect to see some signs of production or first fruits. When the vineyard persists in its resistance and stubbornness, eventually the owner gives up on the people. It is similar to the transient family visiting the church to use their restroom and maybe get something to drink from the church kitchen, only to be treated as "intruders." This family could have been God in the flesh! However, more families will visit the church. Will the people show fruits of mercy and care? Isaiah 5:1-6 suggests that eventually the church will gain the reputation of "being cold to strangers and poor people."
The nation of Israel knows better in terms of how to treat people in need, as well as what God's intentions were for the nation to live. The Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 texts are places to begin in living in response to God's liberation of the people from Egyptian bondage. Israel's life has produced bloodshed and exploitation of the powerless within their borders rather than righteousness and justice. The prophet is not merely a mouthpiece of gloom and doom. There is a prescription for hope earlier in the book: "Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow" (Isaiah 1:16-17).
Hebrews 11:29--12:2
This text might be considered as one way to map out a direction toward being the people God created us to become. It answers the questions of "How did we get here and how can we press forward?" One interpretative lens for the book of Hebrews (as well as for the whole New Testament) might be Hebrews 12:1: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us." The text is an invitation to the preacher to explore any portion of Israel's history to explore which chapter might match where the congregation currently is at this time. For example, if the current attitudes seem to be "...All the people did what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 21:25), exploring any Hebrews 11 character in the book of Judges might be in order (e.g. Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, Hebrews 11:32). Is there a time of expansion, yet problems and conflict are just under the surface? Then the times of Samuel and King David are possible directions for a sermon.
This text also provides permission for any congregation to review its history in terms of its origins and what God has done in the life of the congregation into the present. This might suggest a course for the future. The assurance is that great people of faith have had both successes and made their share of mistakes. Hebrews itself addresses a lethargic, tired community of faith who wonders if this whole Christianity faith is worth it. Despite much persecution, setbacks, and hardships, another word from this text is: "Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised" (Hebrews 11:39). This begs the concern of instant gratification and immediate or current measurable results as is often the teachings of the cultural catechistic practices of the day. The church uses a catechism of Christ.
Yet it is always by faith that people leap out of any time of misery or "Egypt." Is the church project, career choice, or highly priced home a modern version of Egypt? If so, what direction or who is God creating us to be as his people? Are there wildernesses we dread that tempt us to remain in Egypt? Again, this Hebrews text gives the preacher permission to interface with any period of Israel's history without fear of doing violence or taking the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) out of context or being accused of "proof texting." Every community of faith may find itself in a differing chapter of Israel's narrative.
Finally, if one is so inclined, the "cloud of witnesses" reference suggests that indeed the past saints of the church, family, and community are among the cloud of witnesses observing how we as Christians are running our race. This idea of being watched by the "cloud of witnesses" could be either comforting or bothersome, depending on how the faith journey is developed along the race. This suggests a possible discipleship theme.
Luke 12:49-56
At face value this text could seem to be intimidating to the preacher who wants to promote community within the church. To retrace back to Luke 12:41, this week's text continues an ongoing appeal by Jesus for the disciples to be vigilant and be ready for any sort of resistance, discomfort, and misunderstanding. This can occur with anybody who has strong conviction related to a calling, cause, or being part of the creation God intended the people to become. The harsh reality is that sometimes people of faith will have to face the possibility of division, disagreements, and misunderstanding from those whom we are closest to -- including families.
With that said, this text should be read in the broader context of Jesus' ultimate mission, "to seek and save the lost" (Luke 19:10). Also, while Jesus reminds his followers that they will anger family and parents, in Luke 18:20-21, Jesus affirms the rich young ruler for honoring his father and mother.
This gospel is an invitation for any community of faith to consider the radical nature of their call to proclaim the gospel. There are numerous authors such as Douglas John Hall, Walter Brueggemann, and many post-modern church writers who suggest that since many mainline and traditional church denominations are marginalized anyway -- why not take risks in challenging various public social ethical policies? Maybe it is now time to take on "city hall" on a particular issue in a community. Possibly this could create divisions in families in communities where "blood is often thicker than (baptismal) water." But Luke reminds all believers to stay with the mission! Luke provides a second volume in Acts to show how this is accomplished.
In Luke's gospel are there numerous examples of reversals of fortune, usually in favor of the poor over the wealthy; the unclean over the traditionally religious leaders. This week's gospel lesson reminds leaders of any community to count the costs of any decisions made during this season of the church's mission or "Pentecost." As this relates to the opening illustrations, "Does one declare that a certain ministry is no longer worth it after so much money, time, and effort has been invested?" Imagine a student informing his or her parents that getting into heavy loan debt for college is not worth it to enter into an occupation that makes them miserable. How many families have had to consider downsizing their standard of living to live within a more realistic budget? What would the neighbors and kids at school say to these decisions? All of these texts affirm that if any person or community strives to be the people God created them to be, then there are certain risks and tests. Possibly there may be errors, wrong turns, and simply bad decisions. The "cloud of witnesses" has experienced this (Hebrews 12:1-2). Jesus' mission results in new life for the lost. However, if division occurs in any given community, sometimes the people are pursuing the right path toward being God's productive vineyard (Isaiah 5).
Application
Has the summer been spent on camps, trips, or ventures, which may or may not have lived up to our expectations? The stores are now posting back-to-school specials. One is expecting Halloween and Christmas decorations to come out pretty soon. Is life simply passing some of us by as the populist culture reminds us to count our possessions, pounds lost from a diet, or money in our investment portfolio (that is, if we even have one!)?
All three of the texts encourage us as a people and community to discover what sort of creation God has created us to be here in this time and season of the church. God never intended Israel to act like a world superpower or arsenal of military power. They were to be a nation of priests, not empire-builders. Not all churches will be growing "transformational" organizations that will "turn the world upside down." Nor were they created to be such. With that said, every community is called to live out its vineyard's productivity in terms of righteousness and justice (Isaiah 5). That is, they can be faithful to the witness of Christ while being engaged in their own way in any given town, city, or rural area. For example, many small towns might have food kitchens once a month for those who struggle with groceries. What kind of comfort does one provide for the college graduate who remains unemployed in late August with no promising prospects in sight (and school loans due soon)? The good news of all three texts is that people of faith are allowed to take risks! There is a history of past risk takers (Hebrews 11). Some folks might have angered friends and loved ones (Luke 12). Trying to be fruitful rather than settling for a comfortable status quo is a preferred witness rather than trying to be like others in the world or trends in corporate models of operation (Isaiah 5).
An Alternative Application
Whose anger are we willing to kindle for a purpose or cause in life? Moses was willing to antagonize the Pharaoh. Isaiah challenged the kings of Judah. Jesus is suggesting that sometimes even those closest to us may not understand what we are about. Is there a cause we are willing to bet the whole farm on and let the chips fall where they might -- be we successful or failure. Consider the case of one Martin Luther, whose father Hans worked both in the mines and in clothing in order for his son to attend law school. Then one day his son came home to announce that he made a promise to Saint Anne to become a monk! The dreams of upward social mobility came crumbling down on Hans Luther. But his son would make the family name throughout history and the world. Hans Luther probably felt like taking the whole Bible -- Luke 12 included -- and smashing it over his son's head to get him to change his mind. Are there other such stories we know of where somebody changed life directions midcourse that resulted in surprising developments and endings? These texts allow us to be creative in preaching in these directions.
