SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2020
Below are our lectionary passages for this week in the Church calendar. For those unfamiliar, the lectionary is a resource that churches all over the world use to consistently and uniformly read through the scriptures every week as we gather for worship. The lectionary passages typically consist of a combination of Old Testament readings, a Psalm, a New Testament letter, and a Gospel reading.
We dwell on these passages throughout the week so that when we gather together on Sunday we may proclaim these truths together in worship. We encourage you to find some rhythm of reading and meditating on these passages throughout the course of the week, whether that’s reading through all of the passages daily or reading a single passage a day until you’ve read them all. We have included below some commentary and thought for guided prayer and reflection.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. - Psalm 119:105
EXODUS 16:2-15 (click here for passage)
As we continue on in the narrative of Israel’s liberation from the oppression of Egypt, we find Israel now a nomadic people wandering through the wilderness in search of a new home. Immediately preceding this passage, in chapter 15, is the Song of Moses that reads something like a Psalm in praise of God’s strength, provision, and faithfulness. Ironically, the passages to follow, including today’s reading in Exodus 16, immediately turn to complaint! “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we say by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” How quickly Israel forgets the provision and faithfulness of God. And yet, it is easy to look at any character or group of people in the Scriptures and think that we know better or are somehow not susceptible to the shortcomings that they were. It’s easy to think that because the writer has so clearly marked the faults of Israel and their complaints to God that we, the readers, surely know better than they. But how often do we indulge our own sense of being victimized by the world? The life of the people of God is characterized by gratitude. An attitude that chooses to praise while yet in the wilderness of the exodus.
In the midst of our own exodus, a global pandemic, social unrest; in what ways will we choose gratitude?
PSALM 105:1-6, 37-45 (click here for passage)
This week’s Psalm is yet another hymn of God’s faithfulness to Israel that also parallels our Exodus passage. It begins with the line, “O give thanks to the Lord!” And I don’t think that this is an arbitrary or situational command. As followers of Christ our posture is primarily thanksgiving and gratitude, recognizing that God is the sustainer of our lives. We did not bring ourselves into existence nor our we sustained by our own breath, but rather, by the breath of God’s Spirit. The story of Israel throughout history has been one fraught with tragedy, challenge, and hardship. Like our own lives the story of Israel throughout scripture comes in waves of highs and lows. Yet, through it all we are reminded to begin and end with praise.
What might it look like to start our days with praise?
Philippians 1:21-30 (click here for passage)
Continuing in the theme of praise, we come to our third reading in Philippians. Paul writes this letter to the believers in Philippi from the confines of prison; what seems to be an incredibly difficult season in his life. He writes that he is “hard pressed between [life and death]: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.” He finds himself at such a low place that he confesses that death would be an easier way than to persevere. Yet he perseveres, saying “I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.” Here Paul displays the opposite of complaint, he displays contentment. Paul finds his contentment in the hope of Christ. He even goes as far as to say that God “has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well”. What a radical notion! We have been called to suffer with Christ, and to do so not with complaining but to participate in the ministry of Christ’s redemption with gratitude and praise.
MATTHEW 20:1-16 (click here for passage)
Our fourth and final reading for the week comes in the form of one of Jesus’ parables, The Laborers in the Vineyard. And again, it is a passage that addresses our attitude. In this passage, a landowner pays the same wages to groups of laborers that had worked his field various hours; some fewer, some greater. Those that had worked the longest, yet had agreed to their pay up front, complained at the end of the day when those that had worked fewer hours received the same pay as them. And in a capitalist, utilitarian society like ours, this only makes sense! But the economy of God functions very differently from our own. The economy of God says that the first will be last and the last will be first.
How are we being challenged to participate in God’s economy?
How might our attitudes change if we operated, not out of our personal rights, liberties, and entitlements, but out of Christ’s ministry of reconciliation and gathering, surrendering our rights to follow the will of God?
REFLECTION
In our readings this week we are reminded that the Character of the follower of Christ is completely subversive to the status quo of society. Christians are fundamentally disinterested in pursuing entitlement and personal rights. Our sole right is to the will of God. And in that we find thanksgiving and gratitude. We are reminded in the Exodus passage of God’s provision and we give thanks. In Psalm 105 we reflect on the faithfulness of God and we offer our praise. Paul in his letter to the Philippians encourages us to persevere through trouble and to seek contentment even in life’s chaos. And again, in Matthew’s Gospel, we are reminded to seek contentment for “the first shall be last and the last shall be first.” This week as you find yourself in prayer, maybe you would pray for transformation in your inner life; offering praise and gratitude for the gift of life.
As you dwell and meditate on these scriptures, would they also inform your prayer life. Might these scriptures of the revelation of the Triune God shape how you experience and interact with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
As a church we also support many local, domestic and international ministries that are serving as the hands and feet of Christ. Not only do we support these Faith Promise Partners financially, we have also committed to supporting them in prayer. This week would you be in prayer for Samaritan House of Lima, a homeless shelter for women and their children.
For more information on our Faith Promise partners, click here.