22 November 2010
Psalm 106.1-18; Zech 10.1-12; Gal 6.1-10; Luke 18.15-30

The deliverance of God and the restoration of the nation is announced. We have been brought into that deliverance and salvation through the blood of Jesus. We participate in the glorious inheritance of the chosen ones not through any merit of our own but because of the goodness and greatness of the Lord, extending His mercy to us. We can celebrate the coming of His kingdom and the establishment of the new Jerusalem, the heavenly city. There are images here that sound very much like the final battle in the book of the Revelation. The Lord announces his anger with the shepherds of Israel, those who have led the people astray to false gods who are no gods at all. In our day we see the shepherds frequently leading the flock astray and denying the Lord and His anointed with a belief that there are other ways to God. Some things never change but we have been given the Word and the Spirit and if we lean on those then we will persevere to the end in spite of worthless shepherds.

Is Jesus satisfied with our level of commitment? This man has kept the commandments since he was a youth and yet he knows that it isn’t enough. Jesus says to do what the other disciples have done, walk away from everything and then follow me. The man wanted heaven less than he wanted earth and walked away not from everything but from Jesus. We gripe about the tithe and this man would have done that and more if he truly kept the law. Jesus gave the standard here, be willing to give me everything if I ask for it. Do we even dare ask Jesus this question of what he requires of us?

We are called to bear one another’s burdens but told that each has to bear his own load. The difference is that a load was a reasonable expectation and a burden was over and above that amount. It is important that we as the body be in relationship with one another if we are to know when another is burdened but it is also important that we be prepared to carry our load. Often in the church the problem is that some aren’t willing to carry their load and that then becomes a burden to others. We have to give an accounting of what we have done with the talents we have been given. What we do here matters. We have been given the gift of eternal life, what are we making of the life we have been given here?

Save us, O LORD our God,
and gather us from among the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name
and glory in your praise.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting!
And let all the people say, "Amen!"
Praise the LORD!