Proper 26
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
This is the first of two selections from the book of Ruth. The
story is laid in the time of the Judges, a time of violence.
However, at the time of Ruth, there was peace between Israel and
Moab. Because of a famine in Israel, a husband takes his wife and
two sons to Moab. In the course of time the husband and sons die,
leaving three widows: Naomi, Ruth and Orpah. In this passage,
Ruth refuses to leave Naomi and they both return to Bethlehem.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 9:11-14 (C)
In Hebrews 9, the earthly and heavenly sanctuaries are
compared. When Christ came, he entered the holy place with his
own blood which earned for us eternal redemption. Before Christ
only the flesh was purified. Since Christ, our consciences are
purified that we may worship the living God.
Gospel: Mark 12:28-34 (C, E, L, RC)
Today's gospel ends the period of Jesus' answering questions.
The public ministry comes to a climax with this final answer
before the passion begins. A scribe honestly and sincerely asks
Jesus which is the most important commandment. Jesus' answer is
approved by the scribe who agrees that loving God and neighbor is
far more important than ritual sacrifices. Jesus makes love of
God and neighbor one commandment, but love of God precedes love
of neighbor. We have a dual agreement: The scribe agrees with
Jesus' answer, and Jesus agrees with the scribe's answer. Yet,
the scribe was close but not in the kingdom of God because to
enter takes more than knowledge.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 146 (C) -- "I will praise the Lord as long as I live."
(v. 2)
Psalm 119:1-16 (E, L)
Prayer Of The Day
"Lord, when the day of wrath comes we have no hope except in
your grace. Make us so to watch for the last days that the
consummation of our hope may be the joy of the marriage feast of
your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
Hymn Of The Day
"Lord Of Light, Your Name Outshining"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Mark 12:28-34 (C, E, L, RC)
1. Asked (vv. 28, 34). The lection begins and ends with asking
questions. At the beginning, a scribe who is a scholar of the
Bible, asks Jesus which is the greatest law. At the end,
272
no one had the nerve to ask him any further questions. The scribe
really should have known which was the greatest commandment in
the Bible. But perhaps the more we know of the Bible, the more
complex and confusing it can be. It takes a genius like Jesus to
gain a perspective enabling one to separate the important from
the non-important. The question was a sincere one; thus Jesus
without hesitation answered it. This is the only recorded time
when a scribe agreed with Jesus and Jesus agreed with him. So
well did Jesus answer questions that no one dared to ask another,
for their questions were designed to trap him.
2. All (v. 30). It is all or nothing. We are for Christ or
against him. We are commanded to love God with "all" that is in
us. It is not only an "all" for one part of our beings, but the
whole person: body, mind, heart, soul, strength. In other words,
religion is not something that is added to one's life. It is not
one area of life. It is not an extra-curricular activity of life.
The Christian religion is all of life. It is the center of one's
being, and all other things, interest and activities are related
to it.
3. Commandment (v. 31). The word is singular even though two
commandments were given. The first is to love God and the second
is to love the neighbor. The singular is used to indicate that
these two are one. To love God is to love the neighbor. To love
neighbor without loving God is self-centered humanism. To love
the neighbor truly and fully is to love God first.
4. Far (v. 34). How far is "far?" A miss is as good as a mile.
A thousand-mile trip does not end until the last mile is covered.
You are not home until you enter the door. Unless this final step
is taken, all that preceded it is lost and wasted. Knowledge does
not go far enough to enter the kingdom. Morality is not enough.
The ultimate is faith which issues in surrender and commitment to
Christ.
Lesson 1: Ruth 1:1-18 (C)
1. Bethlehem (v. 2). Bethlehem is a very important city. It
was the birthplace of David and the Son of David, Jesus. At the
time Elimelech and Naomi left Bethlehem for Moab because of a
famine in Judah. "Bethlehem" means "house of bread." Now the
house was bare of bread. Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem,
for now the city lived up to its name. When Jesus was born in
Bethlehem, the world was given the Bread of life.
2. Moabite wives (v. 4). When Elimelech and Naomi settled in
Moab, their two sons married Moabite women. Apparently at this
time intermarriage was permitted. In the time of Ezra and
Nehemiah, Israelites with foreign wives had to divorce them. The
Book of Ruth was probably written to defend the practice of
intermarriage, for Ruth bore a son, Obed, who became the
grandfather of David. In Matthew's genealogy, Ruth is one of four
women listed as ancestors of Jesus.
3. Clung (v. 14). Though Naomi urged her daughters-in-law to
return to their homes, Ruth "clung" to her and insisted upon
going with her to Bethlehem. She so loved Naomi that nothing
would separate her from Naomi. Love clings and gives birth to
loyalty. In spite of Naomi's sound reasoning and logic, Ruth
stayed on. Love and loyalty go beyond what is reasonable.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 9:11-14 (C)
1. Once for all (v. 12). Jesus on the cross entered the holy
of holies "once for all." It may mean once for all time. No other
sacrifice was needed. It was a one-time only experience. "Once
for all" could mean "once for all people." The sacrifice on the
cross was not only for the faithful in Jesus' time. His death was
for all people for all ages to come. This does not mean that all
people are automatically saved. Only those who repent and accept
Christ are saved.
2. Blood -- (v. 12). In Hebrews much is made of blood. This
may be offensive to some sophisticated people in the 21st
century. Yet, today blood transfusions are common practices to
save lives. Blood represents life. When Christ shed his blood, it
means that he died for us out of love for us sinners. "Without
the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins."
273
Blemish (v. 14). The sacrificial Lamb of God had to be
without blemish. His blood had to be pure, without the taint of
sin. Polluted blood can give the recipient the disease of the
donor. Some get AIDS innocently by blood transfusions tainted
with the HIV virus. Jesus was the perfect lamb whose blood was
pure. That is the reason for the teaching that only the blood of
Christ can remove sin and restore us to God.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES Gospel: Mark 12:28-34 (C, E, L, RC)
1. The great commandment. 12:28-31
Need: It seems as though there are two commandments: love God,
love neighbor. But, Jesus puts the two into one: "There is no
other commandment greater than these." This is not a grammatical
error! "These" refers to the two commands, but Jesus uses the
singular: "Commandment." The two really are one. To love God is
to love neighbor; to love neighbor calls for prior love of God.
This subject is needed today because many claim that their
religion consists of doing good to the neighbor. Thus, they
excuse themselves from affiliating with a church and
participation in religious practices such as prayer, worship,
etc.
Outline: The commandment is one because --
a. To love God is to love neighbor.
b. To love neighbor is to love God first.
2. How far is not far? 12:34
Need: Are we Christians because we come close to the kingdom?
A boy got within five feet of his home's door when he collapsed
in a blizzard and froze to death. We can be so close to the
kingdom and yet so far from it. An inch away is as good as a
mile. It is the last mile that counts in reaching a destination.
This sermon gives the preacher an opportunity to persuade those
sitting on the fence or hesitating to join the church to make a
full commitment.
Outline: You are not far if you have only --
a. Knowledge -- scribe (Mark 12:28-34).
b. Character -- rich young ruler -- Mark 10:17-22).
c. Opportunity -- Agrippa (Acts 26:28-29).
3. The question to end all questions. 12:28, 34
Need: In today's gospel Jesus answers his last questions. When
the people heard his answer, they dared to ask no more. The
scribe asked a sincere and sensible question, and Jesus gave him
an appropriate answer. The scribe agreed with the answer and
Jesus agreed with the scribe's evaluation of the commandments.
When you get the answer to what a person's ultimate
responsibility is to God, you need ask no more questions.
Outline: Why do you ask no more questions --
a. You do not know enough to ask a question?
b. You fear that it is a foolish question?
c. You have the answer in Christ?
Lesson 1: Ruth 1:1-18 (C)
1. Love knows no boundaries. 1:1-5
Need: Today many love only their own kind: race, nation or
family. We need to see and then practice the kind of love that
knows no boundaries just as in the story of Ruth, Orpah and
Naomi. Orpah and Ruth were foreigners to Naomi. Today ethnic
rivalries are causing much bloodshed and destruction.
Outline: Love knows no boundaries --
a. Love is color blind.
b. Love crosses national boundaries.
c. Love sees beyond status.
274
2. Love transcends reason. 1:6-18
Need: Naomi had excellent reasons for the two daughters-in-law
to go to their homes. Orpah was convinced that it was the
sensible thing to do and she left. We can rationalize what we do
or do not do. If love exists, it goes beyond logic and sensible
reasons. We may then be called "crazy" for doing what we do. This
was demonstrated by Ruth. We need to follow our hearts and not
always our minds.
Outline:
a. The reasoning of Naomi -- vv. 6-14.
b. The love of Ruth -- vv. 15-18.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 9:11-14
1. Once for all. 9:12
Need: There are things that happen once in a lifetime. You may
only once get to walk on the moon or win a million dollar
lottery. Hebrews refers to Jesus as a "once for all" that won
salvation. We need to seize every opportunity because it may
never occur again.
Outline: Jesus is our "once for all" --
a. Once for all -- time.
b. Once for all -- people.
2. A blood that saves. 9:12-14
Need: Blood is as precious today as always. Bad blood will
spread disease or cause death. Good blood restores health. Good
blood must be pure. We need the precious blood of Jesus for our
redemption.
Outline: The blood of Jesus --
a. Is his own blood -- v. 12.
b. Obtains our redemption -- v. 12.
c. Is without blemish -- v. 14.
275
story is laid in the time of the Judges, a time of violence.
However, at the time of Ruth, there was peace between Israel and
Moab. Because of a famine in Israel, a husband takes his wife and
two sons to Moab. In the course of time the husband and sons die,
leaving three widows: Naomi, Ruth and Orpah. In this passage,
Ruth refuses to leave Naomi and they both return to Bethlehem.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 9:11-14 (C)
In Hebrews 9, the earthly and heavenly sanctuaries are
compared. When Christ came, he entered the holy place with his
own blood which earned for us eternal redemption. Before Christ
only the flesh was purified. Since Christ, our consciences are
purified that we may worship the living God.
Gospel: Mark 12:28-34 (C, E, L, RC)
Today's gospel ends the period of Jesus' answering questions.
The public ministry comes to a climax with this final answer
before the passion begins. A scribe honestly and sincerely asks
Jesus which is the most important commandment. Jesus' answer is
approved by the scribe who agrees that loving God and neighbor is
far more important than ritual sacrifices. Jesus makes love of
God and neighbor one commandment, but love of God precedes love
of neighbor. We have a dual agreement: The scribe agrees with
Jesus' answer, and Jesus agrees with the scribe's answer. Yet,
the scribe was close but not in the kingdom of God because to
enter takes more than knowledge.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 146 (C) -- "I will praise the Lord as long as I live."
(v. 2)
Psalm 119:1-16 (E, L)
Prayer Of The Day
"Lord, when the day of wrath comes we have no hope except in
your grace. Make us so to watch for the last days that the
consummation of our hope may be the joy of the marriage feast of
your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
Hymn Of The Day
"Lord Of Light, Your Name Outshining"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Mark 12:28-34 (C, E, L, RC)
1. Asked (vv. 28, 34). The lection begins and ends with asking
questions. At the beginning, a scribe who is a scholar of the
Bible, asks Jesus which is the greatest law. At the end,
272
no one had the nerve to ask him any further questions. The scribe
really should have known which was the greatest commandment in
the Bible. But perhaps the more we know of the Bible, the more
complex and confusing it can be. It takes a genius like Jesus to
gain a perspective enabling one to separate the important from
the non-important. The question was a sincere one; thus Jesus
without hesitation answered it. This is the only recorded time
when a scribe agreed with Jesus and Jesus agreed with him. So
well did Jesus answer questions that no one dared to ask another,
for their questions were designed to trap him.
2. All (v. 30). It is all or nothing. We are for Christ or
against him. We are commanded to love God with "all" that is in
us. It is not only an "all" for one part of our beings, but the
whole person: body, mind, heart, soul, strength. In other words,
religion is not something that is added to one's life. It is not
one area of life. It is not an extra-curricular activity of life.
The Christian religion is all of life. It is the center of one's
being, and all other things, interest and activities are related
to it.
3. Commandment (v. 31). The word is singular even though two
commandments were given. The first is to love God and the second
is to love the neighbor. The singular is used to indicate that
these two are one. To love God is to love the neighbor. To love
neighbor without loving God is self-centered humanism. To love
the neighbor truly and fully is to love God first.
4. Far (v. 34). How far is "far?" A miss is as good as a mile.
A thousand-mile trip does not end until the last mile is covered.
You are not home until you enter the door. Unless this final step
is taken, all that preceded it is lost and wasted. Knowledge does
not go far enough to enter the kingdom. Morality is not enough.
The ultimate is faith which issues in surrender and commitment to
Christ.
Lesson 1: Ruth 1:1-18 (C)
1. Bethlehem (v. 2). Bethlehem is a very important city. It
was the birthplace of David and the Son of David, Jesus. At the
time Elimelech and Naomi left Bethlehem for Moab because of a
famine in Judah. "Bethlehem" means "house of bread." Now the
house was bare of bread. Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem,
for now the city lived up to its name. When Jesus was born in
Bethlehem, the world was given the Bread of life.
2. Moabite wives (v. 4). When Elimelech and Naomi settled in
Moab, their two sons married Moabite women. Apparently at this
time intermarriage was permitted. In the time of Ezra and
Nehemiah, Israelites with foreign wives had to divorce them. The
Book of Ruth was probably written to defend the practice of
intermarriage, for Ruth bore a son, Obed, who became the
grandfather of David. In Matthew's genealogy, Ruth is one of four
women listed as ancestors of Jesus.
3. Clung (v. 14). Though Naomi urged her daughters-in-law to
return to their homes, Ruth "clung" to her and insisted upon
going with her to Bethlehem. She so loved Naomi that nothing
would separate her from Naomi. Love clings and gives birth to
loyalty. In spite of Naomi's sound reasoning and logic, Ruth
stayed on. Love and loyalty go beyond what is reasonable.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 9:11-14 (C)
1. Once for all (v. 12). Jesus on the cross entered the holy
of holies "once for all." It may mean once for all time. No other
sacrifice was needed. It was a one-time only experience. "Once
for all" could mean "once for all people." The sacrifice on the
cross was not only for the faithful in Jesus' time. His death was
for all people for all ages to come. This does not mean that all
people are automatically saved. Only those who repent and accept
Christ are saved.
2. Blood -- (v. 12). In Hebrews much is made of blood. This
may be offensive to some sophisticated people in the 21st
century. Yet, today blood transfusions are common practices to
save lives. Blood represents life. When Christ shed his blood, it
means that he died for us out of love for us sinners. "Without
the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins."
273
Blemish (v. 14). The sacrificial Lamb of God had to be
without blemish. His blood had to be pure, without the taint of
sin. Polluted blood can give the recipient the disease of the
donor. Some get AIDS innocently by blood transfusions tainted
with the HIV virus. Jesus was the perfect lamb whose blood was
pure. That is the reason for the teaching that only the blood of
Christ can remove sin and restore us to God.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES Gospel: Mark 12:28-34 (C, E, L, RC)
1. The great commandment. 12:28-31
Need: It seems as though there are two commandments: love God,
love neighbor. But, Jesus puts the two into one: "There is no
other commandment greater than these." This is not a grammatical
error! "These" refers to the two commands, but Jesus uses the
singular: "Commandment." The two really are one. To love God is
to love neighbor; to love neighbor calls for prior love of God.
This subject is needed today because many claim that their
religion consists of doing good to the neighbor. Thus, they
excuse themselves from affiliating with a church and
participation in religious practices such as prayer, worship,
etc.
Outline: The commandment is one because --
a. To love God is to love neighbor.
b. To love neighbor is to love God first.
2. How far is not far? 12:34
Need: Are we Christians because we come close to the kingdom?
A boy got within five feet of his home's door when he collapsed
in a blizzard and froze to death. We can be so close to the
kingdom and yet so far from it. An inch away is as good as a
mile. It is the last mile that counts in reaching a destination.
This sermon gives the preacher an opportunity to persuade those
sitting on the fence or hesitating to join the church to make a
full commitment.
Outline: You are not far if you have only --
a. Knowledge -- scribe (Mark 12:28-34).
b. Character -- rich young ruler -- Mark 10:17-22).
c. Opportunity -- Agrippa (Acts 26:28-29).
3. The question to end all questions. 12:28, 34
Need: In today's gospel Jesus answers his last questions. When
the people heard his answer, they dared to ask no more. The
scribe asked a sincere and sensible question, and Jesus gave him
an appropriate answer. The scribe agreed with the answer and
Jesus agreed with the scribe's evaluation of the commandments.
When you get the answer to what a person's ultimate
responsibility is to God, you need ask no more questions.
Outline: Why do you ask no more questions --
a. You do not know enough to ask a question?
b. You fear that it is a foolish question?
c. You have the answer in Christ?
Lesson 1: Ruth 1:1-18 (C)
1. Love knows no boundaries. 1:1-5
Need: Today many love only their own kind: race, nation or
family. We need to see and then practice the kind of love that
knows no boundaries just as in the story of Ruth, Orpah and
Naomi. Orpah and Ruth were foreigners to Naomi. Today ethnic
rivalries are causing much bloodshed and destruction.
Outline: Love knows no boundaries --
a. Love is color blind.
b. Love crosses national boundaries.
c. Love sees beyond status.
274
2. Love transcends reason. 1:6-18
Need: Naomi had excellent reasons for the two daughters-in-law
to go to their homes. Orpah was convinced that it was the
sensible thing to do and she left. We can rationalize what we do
or do not do. If love exists, it goes beyond logic and sensible
reasons. We may then be called "crazy" for doing what we do. This
was demonstrated by Ruth. We need to follow our hearts and not
always our minds.
Outline:
a. The reasoning of Naomi -- vv. 6-14.
b. The love of Ruth -- vv. 15-18.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 9:11-14
1. Once for all. 9:12
Need: There are things that happen once in a lifetime. You may
only once get to walk on the moon or win a million dollar
lottery. Hebrews refers to Jesus as a "once for all" that won
salvation. We need to seize every opportunity because it may
never occur again.
Outline: Jesus is our "once for all" --
a. Once for all -- time.
b. Once for all -- people.
2. A blood that saves. 9:12-14
Need: Blood is as precious today as always. Bad blood will
spread disease or cause death. Good blood restores health. Good
blood must be pure. We need the precious blood of Jesus for our
redemption.
Outline: The blood of Jesus --
a. Is his own blood -- v. 12.
b. Obtains our redemption -- v. 12.
c. Is without blemish -- v. 14.
275
