Prayer of Approach:
Gather us in, the brokenhearted and the joyful. Gather us in, the weak and the strong. Gather us in, the fearful and the brave. Gather us in, the young and the old. Gather us in, to study of God’s word. Gather us in, to follow your mission. Gather us in, to wonder and deepen. Gather us in, to know of your love, Amen
READ Isaiah 40:21-31
This chapter contains some of the most famous quotes of Isaiah – from The Messiah by Handel, to Advent readings, to funeral readings, to the more contemporary favourite: flying eagles.
Chapter 39 just prior gives the historical context:
King Hezekiah is a silly king! – a hypochondriac and extremely egocentric
He is too worried about his own welfare and self-image to think of the security of God’s people.
The Babylon king sends visitors to see Hezekiah. He is so flattered, he shows them how wealthy he is. Isaiah tells him “prophecies” (or perhaps sound political insight!) that Babylon will come and take everything, even his sons. Hezekiah really only cares that this will happen after his death, he has no concern for the fate of his people.
Then Isaiah shares a message of hope for Israel’s people. Looking to the long-term solution rather than the quick fix, however! Ultimately, he asks, who is the creator – who will have the last word?
In verses not in the lectionary passage (18-20) – Isaiah compares living God to an idol made of human hands.
The refrain: Have you not known, have you not heard? Is used twice, it recalls history/cosmology, and reminds the people that God’s perspective is infinite. “Princes” and “rulers” have no real power, they are less important than grass. Who is God’s equal?
But because God is great it does not mean that we are unimportant, we are “numbered” and not lost.
Jacob and Israel speak for the people (same person – 2 names) – they cry out in suffering: “God can’t see us!”
Refrain returns – affirmation of God’s perspective. God is infinitely involved in the lives of the people, especially those who despair. Transforming their situation. All in all a reminder that Yahweh is greater than any foreign God. Isaiah expresses the belief that human rulers and human heroes will not succeed, the people must participate in God’s master plan.
Question for Reflection: Are their times in your life that you have had to accept the notion that God has a plan and we can only wait and work it out with time?
READ 1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Corinth a community with many competing interests – between different leaders, factions - some clearly out for their own gain.
Ultimately Christians are free to make choices – but that freedom should not lead to immorality or abuse, but to responsibility, freedom from addiction. Also, choices are made for the good of the community – the strong may choose something because it strengthens the weak
The boasting Paul criticizes is not confidence, but showing off (think Hezekiah!), motivated by what one can “earn”either in concrete or spiritual achievement.
Paul says it is not for profit: “woe to me if I do not” – the gospel is for sharing.
Paul contrasts reward vs commission – whole or only partial gain depends on how fully we enter into the spirit of sharing. “Rights in the gospel” are given up, the mission is “Free of charge” – the gospel is not for personal gain, but for community health.
“Slave” to all – like our word “public servant” – his needs are lower priority than the needs of those who are just learning, growing in Christ. He becomes “all things to all people” – not duplicity or speaking out of both sides of his mouth; but in the sense of understanding what the other needs and responding with the gospel to that need.
What Paul describes here is not the simple relativism or mere assimilation. Becoming "all things to all people" does not require losing one's self. Instead, he describes a radical way of life in which he walks alongside all kinds of people in order to draw them to God. The weak do not yet understand that idols are powerless, that meat sacrificed to them ought not affect the believer. Paul does not lord this knowledge over them but walks with them in their weakness "that I might by all means save some" (verse 22). Again, therefore, Paul returns to the central exhortation of 1 Corinthians: "...be united in the same mind and the same purpose" (1 Corinthians 1:10).Eric Barreto, WorkingPreacher.org
Question for Reflection:
What does this mean for congregational life? How might we raise up the needs of the newcomer beside (ahead of?) the needs of the familiar, long-time supporter?
READ Mark 1:29-39
In 11 verses there are 19 verbs assigned to Jesus: left, entered, came, took her hands, lifted her up, brought to him, cured, cast out, would not permit demons to speak, got up, went, prayed, go on, proclaim, came, do, went, proclaim, casting out. Such a busy man! And so easy to define him by what he DID!
Contrast between healing/casting out demons and Jesus’ need to prepare for proclaiming. Are they opposed? Does his teaching mean he has less time to see people? Does his long line of clients mean he has less time to prepare for proclamation?
The two are one and the same: healing/casting out demonstrates the truth or nature of what he came to proclaim – God’s kindom is about restoring people to the work of God’s kindom.
Watch words in verse 31: Peter’s mother in law is “raised up” using same word as Jesus’ resurrection in Ch 16; Matthew and Luke don’t use the same word, they are stingy with references to resurrection! She “served” is the same as to minister, Jesus’ own ministry. Instead of dying, she is restored to an active mission of hospitality.
Only Marks says “the whole city”on the doorstep, it is more descriptive, and applies not just to those who were sick but to EVERYONE. They needed to see Jesus at work and understand his proclamation.
Jesus would not allow the demons to speak because they knew him – heal first, let the understanding emerge?
And that deserted place sounds so good, it is a small group that finds him, instead of “everyone” the crowd of the other gospels. Jesus says its time to move on “for that is what I came out to do.”
Jesus' followers have an immediate and worthy need that should be attended to. It is something they have already done - with great success - and could do again - also likely with great success. Very tempting. But it is not, "What I came out to do." David Ewert, Holy Textures
Question for Reflection: How do we get stuck in doing what we do well, instead of responding to what needs to be done?
Closing Prayer: Based on Psalm 147 –
We thank you, O God! That we have fine words and fitting melodies to praise your name!
We thank you, O God! That your abundant love delights in us.
We thank you, O God! That you have built up what is broken, that you have gathered into your own family those who were outcast by society.
We thank you, O God! That broken hearts are healed and our wounds are cared for.
We thank you, O God! For you know the number and name of every light under heaven.
Great is our God! Let us sing a song of thanksgiving, a song of praise.
Amen
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