Text study

Anticipation

/ The Pastor

The scripture texts for this coming Sunday (March 25) are: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:4b-14; and John 12:1-8.

As I read these texts in preparation for my weekly text study, with a dozen or so other pastors, I can’t help but think of one word — anticipation.  Isaiah talks about making a way in the wilderness…so the people might declare the Lord’s praise.  The Psalm makes mention of "restored fortunes".  Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, says he is still pressing on toward the goal for a prize.  And the Gospel text in John contains the account of Mary anointing Jesus with oil in preparation for His burial.  So…what are we to make of these texts?

In all the texts there seems to be an anticipation of something: A way home; restored fortunes; a prize; and the cross.  And as we wind down this Lenten season there is something exciting about this.  Easter is a couple weeks away.  The Good News of the resurrection is going to slap us across the face.  But yet I am forced to wonder…do people sit in anticipation for this or is there something else people anticipate more?  Do I get more excited about the New Life Jesus came to bring or do I get more excited about my team winning in the NCAA basketball tournament?  Do I take more joy in the fact that my sins are forgiven or does my joy come from a good cup of coffee in the morning?  Maybe this is a question we need to ask ourselves…where do we find joy?  I know how I would answer now, but in the heat of the moment, where do we instinctively go…to God or somewhere else? 

Hmmm…

Just some thoughts to get us thinking.  Take care and God bless. -edh-

The Prodigal Father

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

The Gospel text for this coming Sunday is from Luke 15 (see my post titled Wild Forgiveness).  The parable Jesus is telling is commonly called "The Prodigal Son".  When looking up the definition of "prodigal" I come up with "wasteful".

I wonder…maybe I should title my sermon for Sunday "The Prodigal Father".  After all, wasn’t the father in this parable being wasteful with his forgiveness and mercy?  Aren’t we called as Christians to be "wasteful" with the Good News of forgiveness; boldly proclaiming this to everyone and anyone…even people we deem unworthy?  Maybe we have something to learn from this "wasteful" Father of ours.  God sent Jesus to die for the forgiveness of our sins.  Are we worthy?  Thank God for wastefulness.  -edh-

Text study

/ The Pastor

Starting with today’s post, Wild forgiveness, I am going to start a little text study with anyone who would like to participate.  It is a chance for us to ponder out loud (or on the keyboard) about the upcoming Sunday texts.  If you feel so moved to offer any insights, I (as well as others) would love to hear (or see) them.  Then on the following week you are invited to check out my sermon blog and see what I preached.  The link to this sermon blog is in the left side bar titled Pastor Eric’s Sermons. 

Text study has always proved to be very valuable to me personally/spiritually and as a pastor preparing sermons.  If nothing else I will have a chance to engage in a discipline of writing down my ponderings in preparation for Sunday.

God bless you this day and always and I hope to see you again soon.  Take care. -edh-

Wild forgiveness

/ The Pastor

The Gospel text for this coming Sunday (March 18) is from the 15th chapter of Luke — the Prodigal Son.  The younger son in this parable gets sick and tired of living at home.  He is tired of working for his dad and tired of the rules.  So in his "infinite" wisdom, he decides to go it alone.  He asks (or rather, demands) for his part of the inheritance.  Essentially, this younger son is slapping his father in the face through this strange request and basically considers his father dead.  But the father does something surprising; he gives his son what he asked for and the son takes off.  The father is devastated.  The son goes and wastes his money on reckless living and then quickly falls on hard times.  After a period of time slopping pigs, this prodigal son finally comes to his senses and decides to throw himself on his father’s mercy; hoping to be treated as one of his hired workers.  The son rehearses his speech and heads for home, not knowing exactly what to expect, but hoping for something better than living with swine.

Meanwhile…back at home the father is sitting on his porch, looking down the road and waiting anxiously.  People tell him to give up but the father refuses.  His son maybe gone — lost — but he still holds out hope that he will return.  Then…off in the distance the father sees a familiar silhouette.  It’s his long lost son.  Without batting an eye, the waiting father jumps off the porch and runs to meet his son; a completely undignified act.  And before the prodigal son has a chance to run through his rehearsed speech, the father begins doting on him and plans a party, much to the chagrin of the older son; the one who has always stuck by his father’s side.  The father’s mercy and forgiveness is too wild for the older brother.  Maybe too wild for us.

Three characters — three completely different people.  Many messages — many possibilities. 

So…who do you relate to?  Is that even a question to ask here?  What is the point of this parable?  Where do you find hope in the parable?  I find myself pondering these questions as I consider what to preach this weekend.  Should I talk about the prodigal son…that is the title of the parable?  Should I talk about the older brother; who is resentful towards his wayward brother?  Or maybe, just maybe, I should talk about the gracious father who showed wild forgiveness. 

So many messages — so many possibilities.  How does this parable speak to you?  Hopefully God will place the answer to this question on my heart by Sunday.  In the mean time…how does this parable speak to you?

Praise God always and forever…AMEN! -edh-