Readings for Tuesday, August 20       

Tuesday, August 20        Pentecost 13

Psalm 120
God saved me from those who lie and rely on deceit. Even though I am committed to peace, those around me still seek war.

Psalm 121
Confidence that God will watch over us to protect us from natural calamities and everyday situations.

Psalm 122
Joy at entering Jerusalem to worship in the temple. Prayers for Jerusalem.

Judges 18.1-15                           What’s Judges about?
The Tribe of Dan has no territory of their own, and in exploring the surrounding area, five men of an advance party discover the silver idol and the Israelite priest who has become its servant. They enquire of the priest if God will bless their exploration. The priest says that God will bless their exploration, and indeed they find a fertile region ideal for their tribe. They return home and six hundred warriors accompany them to conquer the peaceful city they had discovered. On the way they prepare to steal the idol and its priest.

The story-teller is describing how God remains faithful to the Israelites even when they, and a priest, turn to idols.

John 5.30-47                           What’s John about?
We are likely overhearing the discussions that went on in John’s time regarding the significance of Jesus. John understands Jesus to have anticipated these issues and to have described his significance in these series of passages.

Jesus first says that his decision to break the sabbath commandment comes not from himself but from God. Secondly, that he points out that he should not be believed if he is defending himself, but since it is God who is speaking of him, through John the Baptist, that testimony is reliable. However, since the leaders dodn’t believe John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus, that proves the leaders weren’t listening to God and so their critique is not valid. Third, the leaders believe that the scriptures contain God’s word, but they don’t believe the scriptures which testify that Jesus is from God—Moses wrote about Jesus, but the leaders don’t accept what Moses wrote.

Taken at face value, we likely don’t find these arguments to be convincing. But what lies behind them—the claim that Jesus expresses the foundational character of what is ultimately real, that is, God—remains a decision that we must make. Does the priority Jesus gives to healing and enacting the wedding celebration of God’s kingdom trump the claims of society and religion? Even if that priority will cost Jesus his life? John, the gospel writer, argues that if we do see that significance in Jesus, we are already part of God’s triumphant kingdom.

This week’s collect:

Almighty God,
you have broken the tyranny of sin
and sent into our hearts the Spirit of your Son.
Give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service,
that all people may know the glorious liberty
of the children of God;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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