This week we are reading part of the Psalm as the Call to Worship, Exodus reading before confession, Gospel just before this sermon, and Philippians reading before the final hymn.
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I've included all of the lectionary readings today, and we will look briefly at each one of them.
Firstly let’s think about the Exodus reading, when we read this passage what do we think about? It is part of the history that is recorded for us in the Scriptures, it tells us what happened many, many, years ago, we might wonder how much gold people fleeing slavery would have had; why was Moses away so long getting the 10 commandments. But is this only a piece of historical narrative story from a long time ago, or when we read it to we see more than.
Do we see a group of people struggling to follow of God that they can't see, so they fashioned a god. The people were not trying to make a new God, in the absence of Moses they needed something, something they could feel and see and touch; sometimes we too long for God to be present in a way that we can see and feel and touch, something more concrete.
This reading from Exodus also reminds me that even though God has pulled us safely out of whatever has been holding us hostage, there are still times when we rebel and go against God, and God continues to offer us forgiveness.
The reading we just heard from Matthew, the parable of the wedding feast, has a few twists and turns in it, which can make it uncomfortable story. I was talking with another minister this week and they suggested it should really start with once upon a time, and then we would know that it was a story and not history. Most of the stories that we know that start with once upon a time still tell us something, even if they might not be historically accurate. So what does this story tell us?
Given the time it was written it is considered that the first lot of people invited represented the Jews, who didn't respond to Jesus so the gospel was offered to the Gentiles. This is similar to the version in Luke’s gospel. But then Matthew adds the twist at the end, where the guest in inappropriate clothing is thrown out. This isn't about what we should or shouldn't wear.
In the time when this was written when someone sent out a notice that there was going to be a party, you knew that you would get another invitation when everything was ready. You knew to be prepared to stop what you are doing to go to the party. The first group of people were so busy they didn't consider what was being offered to them. The other thing to remember is that when this was written, the host provided special clothing for people to wear. The inappropriately dressed guest had turned up, was eating and drinking, but was not really part of the festivities.
Another way I think about this is that God invites each one of us to the banquet, that is to live in relationship with God through Jesus Christ. God invites us whoever we are and whatever stage of life we are at. Part of being in relationship with God is being transformed, being part of the body of Christ is all-encompassing, and I hear this as a warning: not to think that we can be in relationship with God, without being transformed and changed.
Later in the service will hear the reading from the Philippians. When Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians he was in prison, yet he writes rejoice, rejoice in the Lord always, rejoice; and reminds the people of Philippi to think on those things that are holy and true and honourable.
I included all the readings this week, the psalm being our call to worship, because I wonder what difference it makes to our understanding of these readings if we think of them as part of a bigger story.
If you were to write a book telling your life story it wouldn't document every detail. You might have some dates and details, but I'm guessing most people would include some stories; about a holiday, the first job, death, love, hobbies, etc. When I am unwell, I enjoy reading the books from James Herriot: they record what life is like for a country vet, and for the people that he works with; the farmers and the community; and he does through stories, lots of short stories that paint a more complete picture for us.
In a similar way the Bible tells us about God, about people, about life, by recording stories and songs, history and letters. The technical word is metanarrative. When we read passages from the Bible, we can read them as separate and complete within themselves, or we can read them as part of an ongoing story, a story of God's relationship with people, of people's response to God. I wonder what the overarching story, the metanarrative, of the Bible is.
In the same way that earlier this morning we thought in terms of six words that sum up the life of an individual or congregation, I wonder how briefly and simply we can sum up the story of the Bible?
· God loves, we rebel, God loves.
· Invitation, forgiveness, reconciliation, liberation, sanctification, life.
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I think of the Scriptures, as recorded in the Bible, as weaving together a story: a story of love, rebellion, war, promise, transformation. When we read the Bible, when we listen to it being read, we listen for the Spirit; because our lives are part of the ongoing pattern. God did not stop speaking to and through creation, God did not stop being part of people’s life experience, God did not stop calling people, renewing communities, challenging, inviting liberating, just because the early church decided this was the Bible.
What is the overarching story of God in your life? Where do you fit into the tapestry of God in relationship to all creation?
