26 December 2009
Psalm 28, 30; 2 Chronicles 24:17-22; Acts 6:1-7

I don’t really know why there is no Gospel reading today.

How can God’s people abandon Him? God sends the prophet Zechariah to admonish them and call them to return to the Lord and their response, stone him. Jesus told a parable that clearly had this sorry episode in mind, the parable of the landowner who planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants who beat those who came to collect the rent and finally killed the son when he came. The prophet is trying to call them to their God and they decide the only good prophet is a dead prophet and his death presages what they will do to Jesus. From the beginning of Jesus’ life, the end was in view.

Some need to be set aside for the preaching of the Word. It is important, always has been, for some to devote themselves to the Word. Even today all the evidence points to the need and importance of pastors being devoted to the task of preaching. Those churches which are most evangelistically are those where the preacher spends 20 hours a week working on sermons. The task of preaching is vitally important but it takes more than a gifted speaker and a great illustration, it requires immersion in the Word and the realization that neither the gift of public speaking nor the illustration is the power, but the Word itself carried by the Holy Spirit. In order for the Body of Christ to reach its potential, clergy must primarily be devoted to the ministry of the Word and the laity must attend to most of the pastoral needs of the congregation and they must use their gifts to minister in the congregation and carry the burden of outreach, just like in the early church.

Blessed be the LORD!
For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.

The LORD is the strength of his people;
he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.