1^st  Sunday in January (Week 1) (Luke 13:22-30 and 15:11-32; Habakkuk 2:1-4 and 3:17-19; Luke 13-15 and 18, and Romans 12)

Overview

Luke 13:34  ³⁴ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!

Jesus’ lament is a motivating corrective to the rather dreamy quietude that is often encouraged at Christmas. It’s a good way to being the New Year of God’s mission to redeem the world. The reality is that peace and justice have not been realized for most people. Especially in North America, fewer people attend worship or connect with Christ than ever before. The promise of abundant life is no nearer, and perhaps further away. Yet God’s love and power continues. Replace the reference to Jerusalem with the name of the country, city, town, organization, church, or family for whom your heart bursts. Plan now to reach them in the name of Christ.

Team Meditation

Growing churches are clear about their mission and motivated by a great vision. Whatever the vision is, it will be about justice, redemption, and new life. Yet it is hard for western Christians with a habit of instant gratification to wait for a vision. Waiting requires persistence and patience, in the face of adversity, and with little apparent success, to struggle on toward the goal. Americans in particular are unreliable for the long haul. We give generously to acute emergencies … but quickly move on to other more glamorous goals and fail to continue our support for an given project for very long. That must change. Visionary churches will be known for their dogged loyalty to a single, great hope. Are you in it for the long run?

Worship Theme

Resentment is one of the most human of attitudes. The younger son resented the restrictions imposed on him by his father; the older son resented the forgiveness given to the returned prodigal child. One imagines that even the servants resented the extra labor caused by the turmoil in the master’s family. Only the father was free of resentment … and he could easily have been angered by rejection, disobedience, and the selfishness of both his children. Yet he was free of resentment. He was divine.  

The opposite of resentment is unconditional acceptance. It is the ability forget one’s own grievances in the joy of a renewed and deeper relationship. Jesus tells Peter that he should not only be willing to forgive his brother seven times, but “seventy times seven” (Mat. 18:22). This story of the prodigal child is not a “stand alone” or “once in a lifetime” experience … it is to be repeated over and over again. God is constantly forgiving us … and we imitate him by constantly forgiving others.

Small Group Discussion

Read carefully each of the parables in Luke 13-15 and 18, and see how many ways, and how many times, Jesus describes God’s forgiveness toward sinners, and how many times Jesus commands us forgive just as generously. Judgment presupposes that we are in a position of superiority to judge others, and Jesus reminds us again and again that in the eyes of God we are in no position to cast stones. And even God … who is in a position to righteously condemn or forgive … chooses always to forgive. Are we greater than God? If we could investigate the daily life of the father of the prodigal child, we would likely see that his daily behavior is described by Paul in Romans 12. Take this challenge: List all of the positive attributes in Romans 12 … and add all of the positive behavior patterns revealed in the parables … and then evaluate yourselves on a scale of 1-10. Just how capable are we in forgiving one another?

Ancient Christian commentator (4^th-6^th centuries) interpreted the parable of the Prodigal Son allegorically. For some, the younger brother represented the gentiles and the older brother the Jews, each of whom found redemption in different ways. For others, the younger brother represented lapsed Christians who fell away during persecution and later returned, much to the resentment of church veterans. Augustine and Ambrose come closer to more modern interpretations, namely, that the worldliness tempts Christians who are not spiritually disciplined away from the household of God. They starve for lack of proper nourishment in scripture, and follow self-destructive habits, but the Spirit pursues them to repent and return. For Ambrose, the real key to the parable lies in the image of the Father running to embrace the repentant child. Ponder this quote:

“Christ chooses those who stand, Rise and run to the church. Here is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. He who hears you pondering in the secret places of the mind runs to you. When you are still far away, he sees you and runs to you. Jesses in your heart, he runs, perhaps someone may hinder, and he embraces you. His foreknowledge is in the running, his mercy iin the embrace and disposition of fatherly love. He falls on you neck to raise one prostrate and burdened with sins and bring back one turned aside to the earthly toward heaven. Christ falls on your neck to free your neck from the yoke of slavery and hang his sweet yoke upon your shoulders” (St. Ambrose, Exposition of the Gospel of Luke, 7.229-30)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2^nd Sunday in January (Week 2) Jesus’ Purpose (1 Peter 2:1-10; Psalm 27; John 2-5 and 1 Peter 1 and 1 John 4)

Overview

1 Peter 2:1-3  1 Peter 2:1 So put away all malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all slander.  ² Like newborn babes, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation;  ³ for you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

Spiritual growth is a combination of what you do … and what you avoid doing. So the Apostle’s advice to disciples of Christ is that be really and truly sincere. Be sincere in your faith, your commitment to grow, and your passion to be with Jesus in mission. Sincerity is tested by the degree to which we allow ourselves to be sidetracked by malice, political maneuvering (guile), envy, and disrespect (slander). Once sincere, now you are still only just babes in Christ. You are just beginning to explore the depths and mysteries of God, grace, and salvation. Like a little child, trusting absolutely in “Mother’s Milk”, innocent of evil, let the grace of God make you wise and strong and faithful.

Team Meditation

What does it mean to “seek the face of the Lord”? The Psalmist does not see the physical building of the temple or the literal tent that housed the ark of covenant as the true refuge, because these can and have been destroyed. Even so, our church buildings and worship centers are not sacred, no matter how aesthetically pleasing or quieting. It is only in the immediacy of God’s presence that refuge is to be found. One must be close enough to God to “see God’s face”. That is the distance within reach of God’s love, within hearing distance of God’s voice, close enough to feel God’s breath, and smell the scent of God’s presence. But it is also close enough to see the steel in God’s eyes, and experience chastisement at God’s hands. Most Christians only want to see God from afar … but Christian leaders must seek God face to face.

Worship Theme

When it comes to measuring success, God is not that different from a successful business leader. There must be productivity. There must be signs of growth. There must be a means to evaluate at the end of day or the end of a year if God’s mission has been successful or not. This is not a matter of wishful thinking, nor is it open to excuses about “being on the way”. Are we successful at redeeming and changing lives or not? The only way to measure success is to observe behavioral change. If you have truly experienced God’s grace, and if you are sincerely committed to being Christ’s disciple, then there should be observable changes in your daily living and personal habits. You should behave as a different person. You should be a new creation. Some old friends will be lost, and some new friends gained. Some comfortable habits will be discarded, and some new and uncomfortable habits will be acquired. It may seem artificial at first … but persist and soon it will become a “natural” way of life.

Small Group Discussion

God’s way is absolute love, but how that love is applied to various circumstances and relationships in daily living will vary. Study how God’s love is realized through the actions of Jesus toward different kinds of people:

• John 2 describes how God’s love is revealed in Jesus’ relationship with FAMILY;
• John 3 describes how God’s love is revealed in Jesus’ relationship with COLLEAGUES and CHURCH MEMBERS;
• John 4 describes how God’s love is revealed in Jesus’ relationship with STRANGERS;
• John 5 describes how God’s love is revealed in Jesus’ relationship with the BROKEN WORLD.

In every case, there is a distinct, intentional purpose behind this love that is customized to the mission target.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

3^rd Sunday in January (Week 3) Jesus’ Purpose (Mark 4:1-9 and 26-41; Ezekiel 34:1-31; Mark 1-5 and Ephesians 2)

Overview

Mark 4:3   ³ "Listen! A sower went out to sow.”

You are the sowers. Every word and every deed, especially the spontaneous and unrehearsed ones, has the potential to bear fruit among those who hear and observe you. Your life is like a seed bag, filled with seconds and minutes and hours and days. Nobody knows how many seeds are in your personal bag, yet each one is precious not just to you, but to those around you, and to God’s mission. How will you scatter your seed? Carelessly or intentionally? Selfishly or generously? And what fruit will result?

Team Meditation

You are NOT a shepherd. God is the Shepherd. Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd. You cannot take the place of God as a pastor or as a worship leader. It is better to see yourself as the herd dog … barking encouragement or warning, nipping at the legs of the sheep to keep them moving, running round about keeping the flock together or guiding them toward nourishment. The herd dog must be trained to obey the Shepherd’s commands without hesitation and without question, even if it places you in harms way. Are you unhesitatingly obedient? Are you listening to the Shepherd’s commands?

Worship Theme

Jesus compares himself to a sower, whose seeds may or may not flourish depending on the quality of the soul. The Gospel may or may not bear fruit depending on the life and circumstance of the hearers. Some have hope, but no real self-surrender. Some are indifferent. Some are attentive, eager, and disciplined. Jesus himself emphasizes the relatively small size of the “seed” … no bigger than a mustard seed. The Gospel often seems laughably small, irrelevant, unimportant, and powerless. Yet the hidden power of the Holy Spirit can cause even the smallest word or deed to grow into a significant presence in the mission field.

Small Group Discussion

The ancient Christian commentators were particularly interested by the fact that the humble mustard seed grew into a might tree “in which all the birds of the air” could make nests in its branches. The mustard seed was a symbol of the paradox of incarnation. Christ was born in humility, made flesh and vulnerable to suffering, seemingly an unimportant rabbi. Yet he was then raised to become a veritable tree of life, that would draw all people to God. Thus, Paul writes: Ephesians 2:17-18   “And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” Peter Chrysologus describes the growth of the mustard seed in a manner that we today might describe as the “discipling process”. The seed is sown from heaven as faith; is receive in hearing; takes root in belief; grows upward toward hope. It is shared by called Christians, mentored through virtuous behavior, and welcoming to all seekers searching for spiritual insight.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

4^th Sunday in January (Week 4) Jesus’ Purpose (Mark 6:30-52; Deuteronomy 10:10-11:7; Mark 6-9 and James 1)

Overview

Mark 6:41-42  ⁴¹ And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all.  ⁴² And they all ate and were satisfied.

The metaphor of hunger and food has multiple layers of meaning, from the literal starvation of poor nations and the potential of food from wealthy nations, to the spiritual starvation of humanity and the immediacy of Christ to give hope. The point is that God’s purpose is that all people will eat and be satisfied. God’s love is universally inclusive. He does not divide and distribute grace according a system of priorities. You don’t have to pass a test. God simply wants to redeem the entire world, and every man, woman, and child, and indeed every creature on earth. Come! Eat!

Team Meditation

The nearest Christian equivalent to the rite of circumcision was the Medieval practice of tattooing or burning the image of the cross into one’s flesh before going on pilgrimage (or crusade). “Taking the cross” was not a matter of wearing special symbols on clothing or jewelry, but of literally scarring the body to experience in some measure the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ. No pain, no gain. So many church leaders and church members respond to God’s call to discipleship on their own terms. They take leadership when it is convenient, and set it aside when they are “too busy”. Christ expects a higher standard of commitment.

Worship Theme

The story of the feeding of the 5000 is not simply an example of generosity. It is reported as a genuine miracle, and the specificity about numbers of people, loaves, and fish suggests that there is symbolic or spiritual significance hidden in the story. The food is clearly intended to symbolize the Word of God, which Isaiah declared would be sent out and not return empty … hence the basket of leftovers (see Isaiah 55:10-11). Moreover, it points toward the sacrifice of Christ, and the sacrament of sharing his “body” and “blood”. In other words, the 5000 strangers are not only sharing food, but participating in the spirit of Christ, and anticipating the satisfaction believers will experience at the Lord’s table at the end of time.

Small Group Discussion

Ancient Christian commentators believed that Old Testament experiences anticipated Christ’s revelations in New Testament days … and that New Testament experiences deliberately recalled Old Testament truths. The feeding of the 5000 reminds us of Moses feeding the Israelites with Manna in the wilderness; the five loaves remind us of the five books of the Torah that instructed the faithful. Consider this early Christian hymn recorded by Prudentius:

“Place”, he said, “in these twelve baskets all the fragments that remain.”

Thousands at that feast reclining, with abundance has been fed,

On the five loaves they had eaten and two fishes multiplied.

You, our bread, our true refection, never-failing sweetness are.

He can nevermore know hunger, who is at yhour banquet fed,

Nourishing not our fleshly nature, but imparting everlasting life.”

(Prudentius (348-410 AD), Hymns for Every Day, 9.58-63

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

5^th Sunday in January (Week 5) Jesus’ Purpose (Mark 10:13-34; Isaiah 11:1-9; Mark 10-13 and Romans 8)

Overview

Mark 10:23-27  ²³ And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!"  ²⁴ And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!  ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  ²⁶ And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who can be saved?"  ²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God."

Most people do not think that Jesus is speaking to them. Most people do not think themselves “wealthy”. They always can compare themselves to someone else, and by such comparison consider themselves “poor” or at least “poorer”. So they do not take Jesus’ warning seriously. All it takes to be “wealthy” is to possess one thing that is treasured more than God. It doesn’t have to be a zillion dollars. It could be donkey. It could be a computer or a pencil. Wealth is whatever takes you away from absolute dedication to God … and how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Team Meditation

God’s purpose is to bring justice to the poor and meek … bringing wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord. There are two implications for worship leaders. First, it is our obligation to preach it, teach it, and reveal it. Do not hold back. Do not blunt the force of this proclamation. Since worship participants will identify both with the oppressors and the oppressed, the message will bring consternation and you will need to off counseling and guidance. The second implication for worship leaders is that judgment belongs to the Lord … not to you. It is your job to proclaim the message and issue the call, but not to play God and decide who is righteous and who is not, or what proportion of righteousness and unrighteousness lies in the hidden hearts of the people. You are not the judge; Christ is the judge.

Worship Theme

“Threading the eye of a needle” is a proverb in modern life that describes a task that is very difficult to do. Yet the original words of Jesus are not intended to describe a difficult task … but an impossible task. It is simply NOT POSSIBLE for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. That is why the young ruler (or call him the young middle class executive, or the young suburbanite, or the young college graduate!) went away sorrowful. He had already demonstrated his willingness to undertake hard work and big risks. But even this is not enough to enter the Kingdom of God. He must dispose of ALL that he has. EVERYTHING must be staked in obedience to Christ. Therefore, entering the Kingdom of God can only be a miracle. It can never be an accomplishment.

Small Group Discussion

The sadness of the rich young ruler, the command to sell ALL for the sake of Christ, and the call to radical poverty as a sign of obedience, is hard not only for westerners, but for all people. Even the poorest person would hold something back … some precious thing, or relationship, or commitment that would be protected at all costs from the call to discipleship. Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD) said: “Suppose two men had to stand naked. The one took off expensive clothes while the other put off only what was cheap and easy to get. Would not the pain of the nakedness be equal in both cases? As far as regards obedience and good will, those who had different circumstances and yet practiced equal readiness and willingly sold what they had must be placed on an equal footing with the rich” (Commentary on Luke, Homily 124).

How curious it is that so many modern Biblical commentators want to read all scripture literally … except this passage! This passage alone is treated metaphorically, to escape the extreme demands of the Gospel. Yet ancient Biblical commentators, who often read scripture allegorically, treat this particular passage literally! This passage encouraged the radical self-denial of hermits and monks and nuns, and called on clergy and laity to sacrifice both luxuries and necessities for the sake of a greater unity with Christ. How far are you willing to go? Really?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++