Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Pentecost 3

Today's lessons are continuations of the texts we studied last Sunday. We continue the theme of Christian responsibility. Indeed the alternate OT Lesson is the passage that has God testing Abraham by requiring that he sacrifice his only first-born son, a custom not that unusual among his neighbours at that time. A rather dramatic test of obedience.

In Jeremiah we have a spat between two prophets. The Babylonian Captivity was seen as God's Judgement on his people Israel for their unfaithfulness. Jeremiah is saying that his rival's prophesy of hope is premature. Only a return to Godly living will redeem Israel.

Psa 89:14  Your kingdom is founded on righteousness and justice; love and faithfulness are shown in all you do.
Psa 89:15  How happy are the people who worship you with songs, who live in the light of your kindness!
Psa 89:16  Because of you they rejoice all day long, and they praise you for your goodness.
Psa 89:17  You give us great victories; in your love you make us triumphant.

The Epistle continues the theme begun last week. We may be justified by faith, but we are sanctified to live lives free from sin. It ends with the famous:

Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The passage in Matthew is part of a chapter that begins with the calling of the Disciples. The remainder of the chapter constitutes instructions on how to behave and what to expect when they are sent out as missionaries to spread the Gospel. One can infer that we as Christians also have a responsibility to witness to our Christian Faith.

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