Proper 13, Pentecost 11, Ordinary Time 18
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII, Cycle A
Object:
Seasonal Theme
The teaching and ministry of Jesus the Christ.
Theme For The Day
God's blessing from our troubles and the kingdom's invitation to share with others.
Old Testament Lesson
Genesis 32:22-31
Jacob Wrestles At Peniel
The Jabbok is a small creek in the middle of a large ravine which is often dry. Still at night time in the Gileadite hills, unable to sleep, Jacob waded across the sometimes dangerous ten yard wide ford returning to the north bank confident he could send his family and attendant across safely. This left him alone for prayer. Then came this unknown person to oppose his entrance into Canaan. Jacob engaged him with all his mental energy and his physical tenacity. Unable to shake him, the stranger touched his femoral joint which became dislocated.
Many scholars call this stranger "the angel of the covenant" who seemed to appear to defend the pious servant of God. Many call this Jacob's vision considering the bodily exhaustion of Jacob, his mental anxiety, the kind of help he asked for, and the former vision of a stairway to heaven. Regardless, his confidence in the divine promise remained steadfast and his prayer for its fulfillment as strong as ever.
It is a passage of great encouragement to Jacob and to us. It says if we meet our trials, God gives victory through his grace. Jacob was not going to lose this opportunity to receive a blessing (v. 26)!
Verse 28 tells us of a change in name. Jacob stood for the old dishonorable part of the patriarch's life. Israel can mean "man who sees God," or "warrior or soldier of God," or best of all "wrestle with God." A royal priesthood was conferred upon Jacob there at Peniel. This name given by Jacob for the place means "Face of God." No doubt Jacob's lameness was to keep him mindful of this experience.
Verse 32 gives expression to Jacob's surprise that the experience did not kill him. It was believed then to see God's face, one could not survive. Some compare this experience with Exodus 4:24-26 and Moses' experience. The whole thing seems to mirror the entire history of Israel with God as the struggle continues even today.
New Testament Lesson
Romans 9:1-5
Adoption By God
The next two chapters of Romans we'll be reading "in course" are written by a heart-sick Paul whose sister and brother Jews, God's chosen people, have crucified one of their own, Jesus. In these verses, he begins his explanation of their rejection of the Christ. Paul claims he would have lain down his own life (v. 3) to win the Jews for Jesus. He would accept even anathema, which means separation from God.
So Paul says of the Jews, his own people, that they had:
1. adoption by God into God's family,
2. God's glory,
3. the promises of God,
4. God's law,
5. worship in God's temple, and
6. they had a glorious history with God (vv. 4 and 5) and the anointed one of God in verse 5b.
So no wonder Paul's (and God's) heart is broken. God had loved them in so many ways and yet they rejected God when God came as the Messiah in Jewish flesh.
The Gospel
Matthew 14:13-21
Feeding The 5,000
This story of sacramental symbolism and human sharing is recorded in all four Gospels. It is so filled with symbolic elements, it is hard to discern fact from symbolism. There have been many explanations over the years. I like best the theory of a century ago which said they had all brought food but failed to share it until the small boy did (John 6:9).
Two special symbols: the loaves which were part of the early Eucharists and the fish (ichthus) which was an early symbol for "Jesus Christ God's son, Savior." When John tells this feeding story, he links it directly with the discourse on the bread from heaven.
The gathering of the extra leftovers is not only good stewardship but a connection with Elisha's feeding of 100 men in 2 Kings 42:43b. Most would say here we have a demonstration that in Jesus' hands our little becomes very much. In two ways it becomes much: in caring for human need and in the use of human resources. Paul's declaration about Jesus follows in 16:3. So perhaps here is also a sign of the kingdom as Luke seems to believe.
There may be a flip side to the story.
1. Who do we consider sending away as the disciples wanted to do? (v. 1) and
2. When you share, the most profound effect is on the one doing the giving away.
The story illustrates the dangers and challenges which face the church in a land where there are still crowds of people ready to flock to it.
The miracle of multiplying bread and fish God does all the time -- but with a little more time. With soil, seed, wheat, harvest a little seed is multiplied into flour and bread. With a male and female fish, eggs, and gestation, many fish are reproduced and begin to mature.
Preaching Possibilities
I don't find a strong link between these readings; but I do struggle about which one to bring to the pulpit. Especially Jacob's wrestling and Jesus' feeding are compelling.
A. One could use Jacob's experience along the Jabbok River and Paul's claim that his Jews had a glorious history with God (v. 45) together and then move to the feeding story as signs of how the new Kingdom could be. But that's a stretch!
B. So let's consider for this Sunday two possible outlines of sermon moves and you choose which one you and your people need most to hear.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Old Testament Reading outline
Begin with telling your hearers about a time when you were kept awake far into the night worrying about something you must face the next day. Now move to the story of Jacob at Peniel along the Jabbok River wrestling. Then move to what this story teaches us who will receive it.
1. God is present and active in human form.
2. There are dark nights of our souls when we also must wrestle. God doesn't leave us either.
3. The deceptive things we do now may haunt us in the future.
4. When we are struggling, we must not let go of the situation until God shows us some good from it. Don't let go till it comes.
5. For all Jacob's greatness he still needs a blessing from God and so do we.
6. Sometimes these dark nights can serve to toughen us for future wrestling matches.
Now return to your struggle at night which kept you awake and tell how it all worked out. Then finish with Jacob limping off to meet his brother but better equipped to face life and all its struggles.
B. Gospel Reading outline
1. Tell your hearers about a potluck or a time when folks were all upset wondering if they would have enough to feed unexpected guests or a more than expected turnout.
2. Then retell the story of Jesus and the feeding of the 5,000. (An alternative to the above beginning would be to make up this miracle in a contemporary setting. Say something like a caterer who came prepared to feed 12 and 120 showed up.)
3. Now go to the various ways people have explained the miracle over the years:
a. Simple multiplication by Jesus of bread and fish.
b. The people being convinced to share what they had.
c. The symbolism of the Eucharist when a little is enough.
4. Don't force one or another theory, just move to telling now what each one teaches us.
a. In Jesus' hands our little can become very much.
b. With Jesus' presence and a good example selfish people can be turned into generous people.
c. In the sacrament of communion we have a foretaste of what it's like in the new Kingdom of God.
5. Then look at the flip side of the miracle:
a. Talk about who we are tempted to "send away" from Jesus' presence, and
b. The one most affected when we share with others is we who do the sharing.
6. Now close by telling the part about gathering up the leftovers, and how the leftovers from communion or our abundance might be shared here as well. Return to the joy and relief when there was more than enough in your opening story.
Prayer Of The Day
Give to us today a taste of your kingdom, O God, and teach us to share. And when we enter into these dark nights of worry and struggle, don't leave us till we are blessed. We thank you today for the abundant blessing of having so much and pray to you for the motivation and skill to be good stewards of your kingdom, In the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Possible Stories
A very powerful #10 typhoon named York came to the mountain called Tau Fong Shan where our international seminary is located. No power, no way to the dining hall, and no meal provided. When the winds calmed during the eye's passing over, we all gathered in the little common room bringing with us anything edible out of our dorm rooms. Before too long, there was a banquet before us and plenty to pack away left over in case we must return there again.
Close to Des Moines, a fire was reported north of Ames, Iowa, and close to Fort Dodge. A satellite spotted it even before it was reported to the local fire department. From way up in the heavens trouble was seen even before those on earth nearby took notice of it. God in the heavens knows our troubles and wants to help.
In 1991 Newsweek did a story on economic hard times. The following were three responses in the letters to the editor: "It takes an enormous amount of gall for the administration to try to solve the problems of others when our own country is going down the drain." "What next -- serfs and peasants?" "Hard times," wrote one, "free us to discover what we truly value in life." It was the same situation seen by different people. I don't believe God gives us hard times so we learn from them; but God surely helps us make the best result out of our hard times.
Professor Robert Smith told of his family being at a wedding. While the homily was being preached, a little granddaughter fed all the family in her pew Cheerios and had them join hands during the prayer. The preacher was talking about it and this little girl was doing it. Feeding and bringing together, ministry indeed!
The teaching and ministry of Jesus the Christ.
Theme For The Day
God's blessing from our troubles and the kingdom's invitation to share with others.
Old Testament Lesson
Genesis 32:22-31
Jacob Wrestles At Peniel
The Jabbok is a small creek in the middle of a large ravine which is often dry. Still at night time in the Gileadite hills, unable to sleep, Jacob waded across the sometimes dangerous ten yard wide ford returning to the north bank confident he could send his family and attendant across safely. This left him alone for prayer. Then came this unknown person to oppose his entrance into Canaan. Jacob engaged him with all his mental energy and his physical tenacity. Unable to shake him, the stranger touched his femoral joint which became dislocated.
Many scholars call this stranger "the angel of the covenant" who seemed to appear to defend the pious servant of God. Many call this Jacob's vision considering the bodily exhaustion of Jacob, his mental anxiety, the kind of help he asked for, and the former vision of a stairway to heaven. Regardless, his confidence in the divine promise remained steadfast and his prayer for its fulfillment as strong as ever.
It is a passage of great encouragement to Jacob and to us. It says if we meet our trials, God gives victory through his grace. Jacob was not going to lose this opportunity to receive a blessing (v. 26)!
Verse 28 tells us of a change in name. Jacob stood for the old dishonorable part of the patriarch's life. Israel can mean "man who sees God," or "warrior or soldier of God," or best of all "wrestle with God." A royal priesthood was conferred upon Jacob there at Peniel. This name given by Jacob for the place means "Face of God." No doubt Jacob's lameness was to keep him mindful of this experience.
Verse 32 gives expression to Jacob's surprise that the experience did not kill him. It was believed then to see God's face, one could not survive. Some compare this experience with Exodus 4:24-26 and Moses' experience. The whole thing seems to mirror the entire history of Israel with God as the struggle continues even today.
New Testament Lesson
Romans 9:1-5
Adoption By God
The next two chapters of Romans we'll be reading "in course" are written by a heart-sick Paul whose sister and brother Jews, God's chosen people, have crucified one of their own, Jesus. In these verses, he begins his explanation of their rejection of the Christ. Paul claims he would have lain down his own life (v. 3) to win the Jews for Jesus. He would accept even anathema, which means separation from God.
So Paul says of the Jews, his own people, that they had:
1. adoption by God into God's family,
2. God's glory,
3. the promises of God,
4. God's law,
5. worship in God's temple, and
6. they had a glorious history with God (vv. 4 and 5) and the anointed one of God in verse 5b.
So no wonder Paul's (and God's) heart is broken. God had loved them in so many ways and yet they rejected God when God came as the Messiah in Jewish flesh.
The Gospel
Matthew 14:13-21
Feeding The 5,000
This story of sacramental symbolism and human sharing is recorded in all four Gospels. It is so filled with symbolic elements, it is hard to discern fact from symbolism. There have been many explanations over the years. I like best the theory of a century ago which said they had all brought food but failed to share it until the small boy did (John 6:9).
Two special symbols: the loaves which were part of the early Eucharists and the fish (ichthus) which was an early symbol for "Jesus Christ God's son, Savior." When John tells this feeding story, he links it directly with the discourse on the bread from heaven.
The gathering of the extra leftovers is not only good stewardship but a connection with Elisha's feeding of 100 men in 2 Kings 42:43b. Most would say here we have a demonstration that in Jesus' hands our little becomes very much. In two ways it becomes much: in caring for human need and in the use of human resources. Paul's declaration about Jesus follows in 16:3. So perhaps here is also a sign of the kingdom as Luke seems to believe.
There may be a flip side to the story.
1. Who do we consider sending away as the disciples wanted to do? (v. 1) and
2. When you share, the most profound effect is on the one doing the giving away.
The story illustrates the dangers and challenges which face the church in a land where there are still crowds of people ready to flock to it.
The miracle of multiplying bread and fish God does all the time -- but with a little more time. With soil, seed, wheat, harvest a little seed is multiplied into flour and bread. With a male and female fish, eggs, and gestation, many fish are reproduced and begin to mature.
Preaching Possibilities
I don't find a strong link between these readings; but I do struggle about which one to bring to the pulpit. Especially Jacob's wrestling and Jesus' feeding are compelling.
A. One could use Jacob's experience along the Jabbok River and Paul's claim that his Jews had a glorious history with God (v. 45) together and then move to the feeding story as signs of how the new Kingdom could be. But that's a stretch!
B. So let's consider for this Sunday two possible outlines of sermon moves and you choose which one you and your people need most to hear.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Old Testament Reading outline
Begin with telling your hearers about a time when you were kept awake far into the night worrying about something you must face the next day. Now move to the story of Jacob at Peniel along the Jabbok River wrestling. Then move to what this story teaches us who will receive it.
1. God is present and active in human form.
2. There are dark nights of our souls when we also must wrestle. God doesn't leave us either.
3. The deceptive things we do now may haunt us in the future.
4. When we are struggling, we must not let go of the situation until God shows us some good from it. Don't let go till it comes.
5. For all Jacob's greatness he still needs a blessing from God and so do we.
6. Sometimes these dark nights can serve to toughen us for future wrestling matches.
Now return to your struggle at night which kept you awake and tell how it all worked out. Then finish with Jacob limping off to meet his brother but better equipped to face life and all its struggles.
B. Gospel Reading outline
1. Tell your hearers about a potluck or a time when folks were all upset wondering if they would have enough to feed unexpected guests or a more than expected turnout.
2. Then retell the story of Jesus and the feeding of the 5,000. (An alternative to the above beginning would be to make up this miracle in a contemporary setting. Say something like a caterer who came prepared to feed 12 and 120 showed up.)
3. Now go to the various ways people have explained the miracle over the years:
a. Simple multiplication by Jesus of bread and fish.
b. The people being convinced to share what they had.
c. The symbolism of the Eucharist when a little is enough.
4. Don't force one or another theory, just move to telling now what each one teaches us.
a. In Jesus' hands our little can become very much.
b. With Jesus' presence and a good example selfish people can be turned into generous people.
c. In the sacrament of communion we have a foretaste of what it's like in the new Kingdom of God.
5. Then look at the flip side of the miracle:
a. Talk about who we are tempted to "send away" from Jesus' presence, and
b. The one most affected when we share with others is we who do the sharing.
6. Now close by telling the part about gathering up the leftovers, and how the leftovers from communion or our abundance might be shared here as well. Return to the joy and relief when there was more than enough in your opening story.
Prayer Of The Day
Give to us today a taste of your kingdom, O God, and teach us to share. And when we enter into these dark nights of worry and struggle, don't leave us till we are blessed. We thank you today for the abundant blessing of having so much and pray to you for the motivation and skill to be good stewards of your kingdom, In the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Possible Stories
A very powerful #10 typhoon named York came to the mountain called Tau Fong Shan where our international seminary is located. No power, no way to the dining hall, and no meal provided. When the winds calmed during the eye's passing over, we all gathered in the little common room bringing with us anything edible out of our dorm rooms. Before too long, there was a banquet before us and plenty to pack away left over in case we must return there again.
Close to Des Moines, a fire was reported north of Ames, Iowa, and close to Fort Dodge. A satellite spotted it even before it was reported to the local fire department. From way up in the heavens trouble was seen even before those on earth nearby took notice of it. God in the heavens knows our troubles and wants to help.
In 1991 Newsweek did a story on economic hard times. The following were three responses in the letters to the editor: "It takes an enormous amount of gall for the administration to try to solve the problems of others when our own country is going down the drain." "What next -- serfs and peasants?" "Hard times," wrote one, "free us to discover what we truly value in life." It was the same situation seen by different people. I don't believe God gives us hard times so we learn from them; but God surely helps us make the best result out of our hard times.
Professor Robert Smith told of his family being at a wedding. While the homily was being preached, a little granddaughter fed all the family in her pew Cheerios and had them join hands during the prayer. The preacher was talking about it and this little girl was doing it. Feeding and bringing together, ministry indeed!
