Happy Rainy Saturday Children of God,
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11
Here is your Sunday Message.
June 14, 2020
2nd Sunday after Pentecost
Prayer of the Day
God of compassion, you have opened the way for us and brought us to yourself. Pour your love into our hearts, that, overflowing with joy, we may freely share the blessings of your realm and faithfully proclaim the good news of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
First Reading Exodus 19:2-8a
Psalm 100
Second Reading Romans 5:1-8
Gospel Matthew 9:35-10:23
Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and the Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.
Apparently, God did not think it would be enough to tell us that he loves us. Instead, God proves his love. As it is written, “But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
The death of Jesus proves God’s love. The bearing of the Israelites on eagles’ wings for the purpose of freeing them from Egyptian slavery proves God’s love. In countless other ways from Adam and Eve to children yet unborn, God’s love has been, is, and always will be subject to proof. God appears to abide by the wisdom that actions speak louder than words.
God proves his love in the way he provides. Through Jesus God has provided us with a path to eternal peace. We have been graced with forgiveness of our sins and the promise that we will live beyond death. It is the way that God provides our salvation that reveals his love. For “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)
God’s love for Israel was proven in the mighty way his people were delivered from the injustice and indignity of slavery. With eagle-like power they were whisked away from their oppressors. As a free people they were made to feel as though they were soaring high above the troubles of the past.
Like many other people, Kathy and I have survived this time of pandemic, in part, by bird-watching. I never realized so many different kinds of birds could be found in central Ohio! They are all special but high on the list of spectacular sightings are the ones involving eagles. We have seen them in Grandview and in Pickerington. We have seen them in flight and perched near a nest.
To watch an eagle in flight is a wonderful experience. It gives one a better appreciation for God’s words to the Israelites, “I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” (Exodus 19:4) It is as if to say that a whole army of eagles was employed to bring the people to God. Such is God’s power and such is God’s relentless, unstoppable love.
God’s love for the world was proven in the mighty way Jesus sacrificed his life on the cross. Tremendous faith and strength were required for the one who knew no sin to become sin for the sake of the forgiveness of the world. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Through the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection we have been lifted up on eagles’ wings and delivered from our slavery to sin, death, and the devil. We have been brought to our Father that we might be his children.
God’s love for us is proven in the mighty way that God enters into our personal suffering and helps us to endure, grow, and exhibit hope. The book of Job is dedicated to this understanding of God. Suffering is common to us all. So also, is the power of the crucified Christ whom we adore. His death reminds us that God has entered into human suffering and stands with us in our time of need. As Job learned, the presence of God is powerful, redemptive and gives reason for hope. By God’s grace, those who suffer are lifted on eagles’ wings.
God’s love is like a magnet. We are drawn to the one who loves us. The life we live is our response to his grace. When the Lord brought the Israelites into his presence at Mount Sinai he told them “you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:6) In other words, amongst all the people of the earth, they were being set apart to serve the Lord and his world. When Jesus brought his disciples into his presence, he prepared them to be set apart for service to God and the lost sheep of the house of Israel and later in time to the nations. The pattern which we see in the stories of the Bible reveals that people who are drawn to God are also sent by God to be his servants in the world.
When Jesus sent out his disciples their purpose was to “proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’” (Matthew 10:7) According to Jesus signs of God’s kingdom include serving the sick, the dead, and those oppressed by demonic powers. When the kingdom of heaven comes near, people are helped, not hurt. They are lifted up on eagles’ wings, not trampled under-foot. The nearness of God’s kingdom is good for people, not detrimental.
In preparing his disciples for their mission, Jesus informed them about the environment in which they would serve. “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) They were sent to serve a world which could be hostile and dangerous. They were to do so with wisdom and in peace.
We have been drawn to Jesus. Those who are drawn to him are also sent by him. Our mission is to love God for the world, and to love the world for God. Serving the world is a challenging task as Jesus warned his first disciples. His instructions have not changed. We are sent to proclaim the good news of God’s love with our eyes wide open to the devilish ways of the world. We are sent to share God’s love by helping others, not hurting them.
Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful.” The world remains that way today. There is no lack of people who are longing for good news especially given the challenging times in which we are now living. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for rising to the occasion as you serve Jesus and others with loving hearts. You were made for such a time as this and you are supported by the one who mightily lifts up his people and bears them on eagles’ wings. God’s love for you is proven. He will not let you down. Amen.
On Eagle’s Wings (Michael Joncas)
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
who abide in this shadow for life,
say to the Lord: “My refuge,
my rock in whom I trust!”
Refrain
And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of his hand.
The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
and famine will bring you no fear;
under God’s wings your refuge,
with faithfulness your shield. (Refrain)
You need not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day;
though thousands fall about you,
near you it shall not come. (Refrain)
For to the angels God’s given a command
to guard you in all of your ways;
upon their hands they will bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone. (Refrain)
Peace and blessings,Pastor Bill
Good Morning Pastor Bill,
Just a quick note that I visited the St. Paul website today. We in the Synod office have been visiting different churches online each week. It was good to read through your message for the day. I have fond memories of visiting St. Paul back in the day when Pastor Rosenthal was there and later when Pastor Larry was there.
On a side note, I’ll mention that I do you miss you on Synod Staff…especially at staff meetings. 🙂
Gary