Turns Out, the Older Brother Was Right

Luke 17:1-10
Remember the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son? Remember how, when his younger brother had come crawling back from a life of dissipation, their father threw the young man a party? The older brother was furious. “Listen!” he told his father. “For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” (Luke 15:29-30). If, like me, you have always felt a sense of solidarity with the older brother, then you will probably be challenged by Jesus’ words from today’s gospel reading. “Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, 'We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!'" (17:9-10). To me this sounds a lot like what was expected of the older brother. And this is where the gospel––good news that it is––becomes very difficult for some people––even Christians––to accept.

When have we done enough? Is doing what we are told the limit of God’s expectations for us? Well, as the people of God we are told to go the extra mile, turn the other cheek, give up our coats as well as our shirts (Matthew 5:38-41). The older brother may have worked like a slave, but that was his job description. And it is ours as well. To live lives of faithful obedience as disciples of Jesus Christ is to put all we are into doing the work of the kingdom, is to recognize that everything we have belongs God and to God’s purpose for it, is to accept the challenge of doing for others regardless of the personal cost. In short, it is hard work. But it is what Jesus did, and it is what our Lord challenges us to do as we follow him. Why would anyone accept such conditions? The simple answer is that we have been called to serve and set aside by God to do things that not everyone can or will do. We’d love to have the party, but it waits for another day. Now our joy comes from realizing that what we do serves the greatest purpose imaginable. We are agents of God’s word set to work in a world that desperately needs good news. We might think of it in terms of slavery, but we might also see ourselves as doing God’s work simply because it needs to be done.

The older brother was right in what he said to his father. But the father spoke a greater truth, one to which Jesus returns later in Luke. If we are to serve God faithfully, we must find our joy in that work. For that work itself produces greater joy than we could ever find on our own.

Prayer: Lord, give us the strength we need to serve you all the days of our lives with everything we are and everything that we have. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Fairness of Creation

Matthew 5:38-48

In the midst of the gospel reading for today Jesus offers a familiar teaching. “…(God) makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good,” he says, “and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45b). These words are intended to encourage believers to treat all people with love just as God does. But if we listen carefully we will also find profound insight into our lives of faith.

If sinners and the unrighteous receive sun and rain (essential in an agricultural society and therefore essential to life) then the opposite is also true. Those who are righteous will experience disasters like drought and pestilence right along with everyone else. Of course, we knew that already. We’ve seen it happen over and over again. Now with Jesus’ help we know better than to make easy assumptions about one another, or even about God. If God is withholding judgment until the proper time, perhaps we, too, should withhold our judgment, perhaps we, too, should go about our lives blessing instead of cursing one another. Elsewhere in Matthew Jesus tells of a field of wheat and weeds growing side by side. It is only at the time of harvest, says Jesus, that they are to be separated (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43). The message is not only for us to live in accordance with God’s will, but also for us to allow God to act when and how God chooses. If Jesus can turn one loaf into many, just think how many weeds God can change to wheat with sunlight and rain.

Prayer: Lord, creation is yours. Help us trust you to be at work through in it as you will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Radiating Blessedness

Matthew 5:1-10

This passage in Matthew contains most of the Beatitudes. Their title refers to the state of utmost bliss or supreme happiness which is what Jesus promises to those who live within their parameters. If you wish to achieve happiness then you should concentrate on these certain characteristics, Jesus is saying. As we know these sayings are centered on individuals. There is a formula at work here. Those who do certain things or face certain situations (i.e. mourning, mercy, purity, persecution) receive God’s favor in particular ways (i.e. being comforted, seeing God, becoming children of God, inheriting the kingdom of God, receiving mercy). But how do these words relate to such passages as Matthew 25 with its explicit call to offer justice and compassion to those who suffer? Do the Beatitudes really point to a community faith, or merely to personal piety?

The Beatitudes point to a state of being that cannot be suppressed or hidden. To represent the kingdom of heaven, to live as children of God, to see and therefore know the will of God, to be filled with righteousness, all of these examples lead to a shared reality. These are like lamps on their lampstands, like a city on a hill. To be blessed in these ways leads one to practically radiate blessedness to others. Jesus speaks to a community of faith about what it means to reach out to others. The gospel is to be shared, not horded. So when one is blessed in the ways that Jesus identifies, all are blessed. And that in turn demonstrates that the reign of God is drawing near.

Prayer: Lord, as you bless us, allow and encourage us to bless others. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Shine On

Philippians 2:12-30

While exhorting the Christians at Philippi to follow the example of Christ, Paul encourages them to live as “…children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15). The reference to stars shining in the world is compelling and resonates with other passages from scripture. One such passage is found in Matthew 5 where Jesus says, “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16).

What an incredible opportunity we are given to shine with the light of God, to help others see, and to demonstrate the possibilities of faith. And what a contrast to the modern use of the word “star,” a term used to describe anyone who is famous (or infamous?) because of their talent or beauty. I’m sure that Paul would remind us that the light of such “stars” leads nowhere while the light we share-the light of God-is the true light and by it goodness is shown to conquer evil and hope to transcend despair.

So why do we so often feel like flickering matches compared to the worldly spotlights all around us? Why do we seem always to be outshined, our faint glimmer so overwhelmed? I’m sure that Paul would tell us to keep shining because only the true light will last while the gaudiness of the world will burn itself out in time. Those who are called “stars” come and go, but the light of God is everlasting. The opportunities we have to show what faith can do remain, and by God’s grace our lights offer hope and comfort to those in need.

Prayer: O God, bless us with the strength we need to live in faith even when we feel most discouraged, that our lights may be a source of hope for others. In Jesus name. Amen