Hearers of the Terrible Words
Commentary
If one is not careful, she can so focus attention on the terrible judgmental words of the selections for this week that she is blinded to the word of grace.
I once invited a friend of mine to come and be the preacher for a week of special services at the church I was pastoring. Every night he drummed the terrible and the negative. He would get out his whip and lash into the congregation without fail. Near the end of the first week I quizzed him about his approach and he replied by assuring me that people liked to hear the word of judgment because it made them feel better. Well, it wasn't making me feel better and, in addition, I felt that he was misrepresenting the Good News that we have to share.
I begin each week's sermon preparation by reminding myself that those who come to church each Sunday already have enough troubles and some to spare. Some of them I know about, and I grieve each communion Sunday when the people come in small groups and I am reminded of the old couple who may be kneeling together for the last time, or of the one who comes with newly diagnosed cancer and nobody with whom to share, or of the mother and daughter who are sharing a bit of hell together and cherish this moment of reconciliation and peace. One could go on and on. I am very much aware of judgment and of the proper time for its proclamation. But I do the best I can to remember that even when God comes to us in judgment he comes as a God of grace hoping that the judgment may bring us to our senses and turn us toward him once more.
So, be watchful, and be sensitive. Don't let the terrible words overshadow the message of the Good News which is ours to share.
OUTLINE I
Making All Things New
Isaiah 66:18-23
Introduction: I would suggest that you read at least the first part of the 66th chapter before trying to comment on the verses for this day. It is clear that what we have here is a contrast between the hope and new things that God will offer his new Israel and the judgments that will come upon those who are his enemies or the enemies of his people.
Judgment. Verses 15-23 give a stark picture of those who follow false gods (verse 17). Look at the description of the idolaters. These are they who are not cleansed by God's forgiveness but go through rituals of cleansing with water and then follow some leader into some beautiful garden, eating the forbidden swine's flesh and, horror of horrors, fondling mice. What a good description of idolaters.
B. Blessing. There is plenty to deal with here. One is reminded of God's promise to bring judgment to the third and fourth generation and his grace to thousands (of generations). What an extraordinary picture of the boundless nature of God.
Conclusion: Once again, when one considers the context one learns that God's grace far outstrips his judgment, that even his judgment is the instrument of his grace and meant to turn his people back to him.
So, offer that dimension of grace to your hearers and let them know of its being freely given. It may surprise you just how many persons in the pews labor from day to day under a burden of guilt and judgment that we seldom imagine. They come to church with enough troubles and with hope. We ought not to burden them further and to proclaim the message of the love and grace of God that is offered to all.
OUTLINE II
Having It Better Than the Hebrews
Hebrews 12:18-24
Introduction: One can certainly see at the outset of considering today's selection that without some knowledge of the Old Testament one is lost. You can check it out for yourself in the book of Exodus. Find the selection that describes the coming of Moses and his band of slaves to the foot of Mount Sinai, there to be addressed by the God that has led them out, to receive his commandments and make a covenant. Verses 18-21 will then come clear.
A. Verses 18-21. To make it brief, coming into the presence of this God of Mount Sinai was a terrifying experience. I can never forget the portrayal of Moses by Charlton Heston as he sought to keep his balance on that mountain and at the same time dodge all the fiery darts that were coming toward him. You can do your own imagining for your congregation. You need not worry about exaggerations since the Bible writer didn't.
B. Verses 22-24. See how much better the New Testament people had it than those slaves. A heavenly city, innumerable angels, a festal gathering, the assembly of the first born, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and sprinkled blood that speaks more graciously than the blood of Abel.
Does the author here ever reach for all the hyperbole he can muster! You may wish to take time to consider each of these symbols and share your thinking with your hearers. You might as well have a good time with it also.
Conclusion: Just as the writer contrasts the threatening times experienced by Moses and the slaves with that of those first born in the church of Christ, so the interpreter must do his best to draw this contrast and to focus on the word "gracious." It is the gracious God who makes this new offer to his people. Then be sure to mention Psalm 103 and Micah 6 and the like.
OUTLINE III
A Terrible Word
Luke 13:22-30
Introduction: Do you sometimes get the curious feeling that what you are reading may not have been Jesus' words? Can it be that some writer is taking words arranged differently by another gospel writer and using them to suit his own purpose? Both Luke and Hebrews have these terrible kinds of passages and it is not possible for us to understand them unless we take time to understand the times to which Luke was speaking.
Domitian is demanding that all call him Lord or die. The Jewish synagogues have an evangelistic campaign going with the purpose of recovering lost members and gaining others. Check out these days and remember that the Synod of Jamnia at which the Hebrew Bible was canonized was in A.D. 90. Some new insight then will come.
A. The statements with which this passage begins and ends are harmless enough and can be understood by anyone. But take a look at the materials in the middle.
B. Verses 25-28. Who can be the target of such words? One is reminded of Luke's very last words in the book of Acts. Could it be that he is hurling these epithets at Jews who imagine that they, by keeping the law, have a lock on heaven while others less worthy are lost forever. Surely this is the case and what Luke writes is meant to be bad news for some and good news for others. Those who imagine that they are the in crowd are being told that people from all over the globe will enter the kingdom before they do.
Conclusion: Help your hearers know for whom these words are meant. Teach them to know how they can apply them in our day. It is not fair to use them as if they were written just for us and ignore that there were the first readers of what Luke has to say.
I once invited a friend of mine to come and be the preacher for a week of special services at the church I was pastoring. Every night he drummed the terrible and the negative. He would get out his whip and lash into the congregation without fail. Near the end of the first week I quizzed him about his approach and he replied by assuring me that people liked to hear the word of judgment because it made them feel better. Well, it wasn't making me feel better and, in addition, I felt that he was misrepresenting the Good News that we have to share.
I begin each week's sermon preparation by reminding myself that those who come to church each Sunday already have enough troubles and some to spare. Some of them I know about, and I grieve each communion Sunday when the people come in small groups and I am reminded of the old couple who may be kneeling together for the last time, or of the one who comes with newly diagnosed cancer and nobody with whom to share, or of the mother and daughter who are sharing a bit of hell together and cherish this moment of reconciliation and peace. One could go on and on. I am very much aware of judgment and of the proper time for its proclamation. But I do the best I can to remember that even when God comes to us in judgment he comes as a God of grace hoping that the judgment may bring us to our senses and turn us toward him once more.
So, be watchful, and be sensitive. Don't let the terrible words overshadow the message of the Good News which is ours to share.
OUTLINE I
Making All Things New
Isaiah 66:18-23
Introduction: I would suggest that you read at least the first part of the 66th chapter before trying to comment on the verses for this day. It is clear that what we have here is a contrast between the hope and new things that God will offer his new Israel and the judgments that will come upon those who are his enemies or the enemies of his people.
Judgment. Verses 15-23 give a stark picture of those who follow false gods (verse 17). Look at the description of the idolaters. These are they who are not cleansed by God's forgiveness but go through rituals of cleansing with water and then follow some leader into some beautiful garden, eating the forbidden swine's flesh and, horror of horrors, fondling mice. What a good description of idolaters.
B. Blessing. There is plenty to deal with here. One is reminded of God's promise to bring judgment to the third and fourth generation and his grace to thousands (of generations). What an extraordinary picture of the boundless nature of God.
Conclusion: Once again, when one considers the context one learns that God's grace far outstrips his judgment, that even his judgment is the instrument of his grace and meant to turn his people back to him.
So, offer that dimension of grace to your hearers and let them know of its being freely given. It may surprise you just how many persons in the pews labor from day to day under a burden of guilt and judgment that we seldom imagine. They come to church with enough troubles and with hope. We ought not to burden them further and to proclaim the message of the love and grace of God that is offered to all.
OUTLINE II
Having It Better Than the Hebrews
Hebrews 12:18-24
Introduction: One can certainly see at the outset of considering today's selection that without some knowledge of the Old Testament one is lost. You can check it out for yourself in the book of Exodus. Find the selection that describes the coming of Moses and his band of slaves to the foot of Mount Sinai, there to be addressed by the God that has led them out, to receive his commandments and make a covenant. Verses 18-21 will then come clear.
A. Verses 18-21. To make it brief, coming into the presence of this God of Mount Sinai was a terrifying experience. I can never forget the portrayal of Moses by Charlton Heston as he sought to keep his balance on that mountain and at the same time dodge all the fiery darts that were coming toward him. You can do your own imagining for your congregation. You need not worry about exaggerations since the Bible writer didn't.
B. Verses 22-24. See how much better the New Testament people had it than those slaves. A heavenly city, innumerable angels, a festal gathering, the assembly of the first born, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and sprinkled blood that speaks more graciously than the blood of Abel.
Does the author here ever reach for all the hyperbole he can muster! You may wish to take time to consider each of these symbols and share your thinking with your hearers. You might as well have a good time with it also.
Conclusion: Just as the writer contrasts the threatening times experienced by Moses and the slaves with that of those first born in the church of Christ, so the interpreter must do his best to draw this contrast and to focus on the word "gracious." It is the gracious God who makes this new offer to his people. Then be sure to mention Psalm 103 and Micah 6 and the like.
OUTLINE III
A Terrible Word
Luke 13:22-30
Introduction: Do you sometimes get the curious feeling that what you are reading may not have been Jesus' words? Can it be that some writer is taking words arranged differently by another gospel writer and using them to suit his own purpose? Both Luke and Hebrews have these terrible kinds of passages and it is not possible for us to understand them unless we take time to understand the times to which Luke was speaking.
Domitian is demanding that all call him Lord or die. The Jewish synagogues have an evangelistic campaign going with the purpose of recovering lost members and gaining others. Check out these days and remember that the Synod of Jamnia at which the Hebrew Bible was canonized was in A.D. 90. Some new insight then will come.
A. The statements with which this passage begins and ends are harmless enough and can be understood by anyone. But take a look at the materials in the middle.
B. Verses 25-28. Who can be the target of such words? One is reminded of Luke's very last words in the book of Acts. Could it be that he is hurling these epithets at Jews who imagine that they, by keeping the law, have a lock on heaven while others less worthy are lost forever. Surely this is the case and what Luke writes is meant to be bad news for some and good news for others. Those who imagine that they are the in crowd are being told that people from all over the globe will enter the kingdom before they do.
Conclusion: Help your hearers know for whom these words are meant. Teach them to know how they can apply them in our day. It is not fair to use them as if they were written just for us and ignore that there were the first readers of what Luke has to say.
