The one BIG task of Lutheran Schools! Lk 3:1-6

Luke 3:1–6   (Gospel reading for Sunday December 6th 2009)

Ok what sticks out here? A few of my observations:

1. The intricate detail that Luke records in order to pin down the exact period in time when these events occurred. It seems that Luke 3:1,2 have been valuable in this regard for authenticating the biblical timeline in history.
2. The well known line from the song “Prepare ye the way” (GODSPELL) and the strong Advent flavour of that little section.
3. Yet another example of OT prophesy being quoted and fulfilled. From what I can gather, this passage referred to from Isaiah 40, was written around 700 years earlier.
4. An interesting statement in verse 6 “… and all mankind will see God’s salvation”. A face value interpretation of this verse points towards the questionable concept of universalism – the idea that ALL people will be saved. For what it is worth, the following link gives an interesting perspective on the use of the word salvation here http://www.gracecommentary.com/luke-3_1-6/. Scroll down to the bottom to read the comments on Luke 3:6.

What then is God saying to us today as leaders in Lutheran Schools through this passage? Well obviously every one can make up their own mind … and that’s the value of personally reflecting on the Gospel. But just a thought … there is so much of the past in this passage, that it reminded me of the importance of really valuing our roots, our heritage, staying true to who we are and our charter as Lutheran Schools. Are we being reminded to stick to the original script with regard to why we have been established? As we navigate through the complexities of the educational environment in the 21st Century are we not reminded that our one BIG task is to “prepare the way” for our staff, our students, our families for His coming again?

Nev

Last days ... but what's all the fuss about? Lk 21:25-36

Luke 21:25–36


At this time of the year, we hear all of these last days reminders, but what’s all the fuss about? Some might say WHAT FUSS? … and rightly so, as it seems that we do all become blasé about end times and there is no fuss evident in our society these days.

But in this reading Jesus paints a fairly dramatic picture of signs of the end of the age along with the accompanying reminders and warnings. Are these meant to be scare tactics for us TODAY to jolt us into renewed spiritual fervour? Possibly, but another thought has crossed my mind. (In any case, even for people who don’t yet know Jesus, I’m not sure that this type of scare tactic is at all helpful in establishing for them, a relationship with God.)

As we hear these words centuries later, we have the benefit of interpreting them from the other side of the cross and it is especially verse 28 that stands out for me. We need not get hung up on the dramatic signs and warning, or get scared into a state of fear, worried about our salvation, because we now know that it’s a done deal! Today, we have the freedom to just get on with our life of service, secure in the knowledge that we can “stand up and lift up (our) heads, because (our) redemption is drawing near”

I get annoyed when the words of Jesus, which were spoken to sort out a situation THEN, are (in my opinion) incorrectly applied to the completely different context of NOW. We may as well still be living under the law with the OT Jews, if we are unable to relax and take comfort in the “once and for all” death and resurrection of Jesus, which has freed us up from all of that religious piety! So let’s celebrate these post-cross days!

Nev

May as well be hung for a sheep as for a lamb! Jn 5:21-29

John 5:21-29  (Gospel Reading for Sunday November 22nd 2009)

I would have to be honest and say that I have REALLY struggled with this passage. I looked at it for several days leading up to my deadline for posting the weekly gospel reflection and it remained all just too hard. I could not get a handle on any part of this passage to allow me to get started. Not the first time I might add that I have had difficulty trying to work out what John is on about in his Gospel account!

(I did however keep coming back to the very last verse of the reading. A face value view suggests that we could be distracted into thinking of it as a proof text for good works … “those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned” … but we know that not to be the case from many other cross references. Note also the clear statement to the contrary from Jesus in the same passage just a few verses earlier (v24). So, because I didn’t want to get side-tracked into a one-sided salvation debate, which it seems in hindsight is not the main point of the passage, I wanted to persist with a search for some other insights.)

If we use the old rule of first establishing the broader context, a couple of interesting and helpful pointers emerge. Jesus had just completed a controversial healing of the man at Bethesda ON THE SABBATH and further, a statement from Jesus to the Jewish leaders which implies his EQUALITY WITH GOD (see verse 18).

After a bit more digging and rattling around, what came to mind for me was the saying … “MAY AS WELL BE HUNG FOR A SHEEP AS FOR A LAMB.” Or, Jesus did not want to be (literally) nailed for just breaking the Sabbath! Jesus not only justified his disregard of the Old Testament thinking about the Sabbath, but he gave the Jewish leaders a whole new level of reason for angering them.

It seems that in this passage we have one of the very profound statements in John’s Gospel. It gives answer to any one who is ready to accept Jesus as a good bloke, great teacher and super role model, but has difficulty going the all important next step of accepting his claim to be God (and the associated implications of that.) What unfolds is a whole host of reasons why we should honour the Son (or why Jesus is God).

What does this have to say to us as leaders in Lutheran Schools? Other than restating the obvious … a reminder to us about who Jesus is, and the implications of that, I am wondering if it is not also a warning about a watered down approach to the God stuff? I am conscious of the fact that “spirituality” is an in word and that it can be a comfortable word for people to use when they can’t come to us the G word or the J word (God or Jesus). Hence a reminder to us as we strive to help people connect with a God who is relevant for us in the 21st Century, to not in the end allow the God-ness of Jesus to be downplayed. Jesus … more than just a good bloke!

Signs of the End of the Age Mark 13:1-13

Mark 13:1-13      (Gospel Reading for Sunday November 15th)

As you probably know, at this time of the year, the Common Lectionary takes us into a Last Days theme. Jesus has quite a bit to say on this topic and indeed, this passage is recorded in triplicate in Mt Mk and Lk.
Can I have a go at paraphrasing this account to highlight some of my observations, incorporate a bit more of the tension of the moment and annotate it with some important contextual points?

The widow’s generous offering Mark 12:38-44

Mark 12:38–44          (Gospel Reading for Sunday November 8th)

OK I’ll get my cynical point out the way first! Is this a very strategic placement by whoever put together the lectionary, of a reading at a time of the year when congregations are struggling to meet budgets and/or approve new ones? Maybe if we are made to feel guilty we will be nudged out of complacency/selfishness to give more?

I suspect that most of us over the years have interpreted this text with a stewardship slant, but cynicism aside, do we read more into this text than is actually there?