Good Morning Children of God! This message is sent with a prayer for the fullness of God’s blessings in your lives. Give thanks!
August 23, 2020
12th Sunday after Pentecost
Prayer of the Day
O God, with all your faithful followers of every age, we praise you, the rock of our life. Be our strong foundation and form us into the body of your Son, that we may gladly minister to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
First Reading Isaiah 51:1-6
Psalm 138
Second Reading Romans 12:1-8
Gospel Matthew 16:13-20
Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and the Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.
Blessing comes with purpose. This has always been God’s way with the family of faith as Isaiah 51:1-6 explains. That passage was written to the Jewish people who had experienced the Babylonian overthrow of Jerusalem complete with the destruction of culturally important places such as the temple and the exile of numerous residents to foreign lands. In their time of misery, the people were told not to underestimate the power of God to bless them. “Look to Abraham” they were told, and learn.
The story of Abraham is one of God overcoming seemingly impossible circumstances in order to further God’s purpose. “He was but one when I called him, but I blessed him and made him many.” (Isaiah 51:2) The blessing was first realized through the birth of a son to Abraham and Sarah notwithstanding their advanced age. Abraham was “about a hundred years old” (Romans 4:19) and Sarah was not far behind. The birth of Isaac, a miraculous event, was the first of many births that would take place within the family of faith. This was in keeping with God’s promise to Abraham, “I will make of you a great nation.” (Genesis 12:2) And the promise of blessing came with a purpose, “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)
Modern Judaism is grounded in the Babylonian exile of the 6th Century B.C. In a time of adversity, God’s people were blessed with endurance of faith and eventual freedom. In time, Jerusalem was rebuilt and the “great nation” of Abraham continued to grow. And the blessing of rebirth which had fallen upon the exiles and all of Israel had purpose. That purpose included blessing all the families of the earth with another extraordinary birth, the birth of God’s Son, Jesus.
Isaiah foretold the purpose of the promised, blessed release and return of the exiles, “for a teaching will go out from me, and my justice for a light to the peoples. I will bring near my deliverance swiftly, my salvation has gone out and my arms will rule the peoples; the coastlands wait for me, and for my arm they hope.” (Isaiah 51:4-5) Jesus, the word of God in the flesh and the crucified and risen Son of God, is the fulfillment of this promise as well as God’s promise to Abraham that all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
The disruption in life experienced around the world because of COVID-19 is undeniable. It is as if everyone has been marched out of Jerusalem and into exile. Jerusalem in this case is the way life was in 1999. Too many have died, been ill, and will live with the lasting effects of the virus. The education of our children, for the time being, is greatly challenged. There is a certain daunting misery that goes with being unable to live in the way we are accustomed to living. I’m only scratching the surface here.
Today, thanks to Isaiah, we are told that in the time of our captivity we should look to Abraham, remember what God did for him, and have hope. Look to the ancient exiles of Jerusalem, remember how God freed them, and have hope. Look to the Son of God, remember how he gave his life for you, and have hope. Do not underestimate the power of God to bless you in your time of misery and need.
God’s blessing comes with purpose. Consistently over time that purpose has been to be a blessing to others. This is clearly demonstrated in the stories of Abraham, Israel, and Jesus, who form a path through the years for the blessing of all the families of the earth. When you consider the blessings that God has heaped upon you it is important to remember the purpose. Chief among your blessings is that you know Jesus. The purpose is not simply your own personal salvation. There is more to it than that.
The blessing of knowing Jesus is a gift of God. Today’s Gospel makes that point loud and clear. When Peter confessed that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” Jesus was quick to point out the involvement and blessing of God which empowered Peter to make the statement. “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17) Then Jesus addressed the purpose of the blessing of faith. It is the firm foundation of the church that Jesus is building, “on this rock I will build my church.” (v.18) And his church is intended to be a blessing to the peoples of the earth as it successfully storms the prison of hate and injustice that enslaves people. “The gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” (v.18) His church is intended to be love in action for the benefit of all as it proclaims the goodness and salvation of God revealed in Jesus Christ. No power can withstand the assault of love.
When the church is discerning and doing “the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2) it is attacking the gates of Hades. When instead of conforming to the world’s corrupt ways that damage people, it stands for the selfless, sacrificial way of Christ which cares for the lowly, it is battling with evil. The church has been blessed by the Father not to be a curse but rather a blessing. It is tasked with the awesome responsibility of giving people who dwell in darkness the light of faith, hope, and love.
We, as members of the Lord’s church, stand in a long, long line of people who have been blessed by God with the gift of Jesus. “Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8) Amen.
Built on a Rock (Nikolai F.S. Grundtvig)
Built on a rock the church shall stand, even when steeples are falling; crumbled have spires in every land, bells still are chiming and calling – calling the young and old to rest, calling the souls of those distressed, longing for life everlasting.
Surely, in temples made with hands God the Most High is not dwelling – high in the heavens his temple stands, all earthly temples excelling. Yet God who dwells in heaven above deigns to abide with us in love, making our bodies his temple.
Christ builds a house of living stones; we are his own habitation; he fills our hearts, his humble thrones, granting us life and salvation. Where two or three will seek his face, he in their midst will show his grace, blessings upon them bestowing.
Yet in this house, an earthly frame, Jesus the children is blessing; hither we come to praise his name, faith in our Savior confessing. Jesus to us his Spirit sent, making with us his covenant, granting his children the kingdom.
Through all the passing years, O Lord, grant that, when church bells are ringing, many may come to hear your Word, who here this promise is bringing: “I know my own, my own know me; you, not the world, my face shall see; my peace I leave you. Amen.
Peace and blessings with purpose,
Pastor Bill