October 11, 2021 — Romans 2:17–3:8

“…a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart—it is spiritual and not literal. Such a person receives praise not from others but from God. Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much, in every way. For in the first place the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Will their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Although everyone is a liar, let God be proved true, as it is written, “So that you may be justified in your words, and prevail in your judging.”

But if our injustice serves to confirm the justice of God, what should we say? That God is unjust to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world? But if through my falsehood God’s truthfulness abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? And why not say (as some people slander us by saying that we say), “Let us do evil so that good may come”? Their condemnation is deserved!” Romans 2:29, 3:1-8

Romans 2:29a: “real circumcision is a matter of the heart – it is spiritual and not literal.” The emperor Claudius had expelled Jews from Rome in 49 CE (AD) due to the preaching of Christ among Jewish synagogues. It resulted in disturbances from the Jews against the Roman government. While the Jews were out, the churches in Rome became increasingly Gentile. When the Jews began to return in 54 CE, there would have been increasing tensions between the Gentiles and the Jews in Rome. Therefore, Paul is writing (in response to the obvious tension that existed) to first claim that both the Jew and the Gentile are “guilty” and unable to receive salvation apart from the grace of G-d through Jesus Christ. It is against this backdrop that Paul has said things like “in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself” (2:1) and “There will be anguish and distress for everyone who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek.” 

All of these words will lead Paul to his great statement in 3:23-24: “since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

The one thing that makes us all the same — that makes us all equal in the eyes of G-d is our need for the Grace that comes through the cross of Jesus Christ.

Let Us Pray,

Lord Jesus, since we have all sinned and fallen short of G-d’s glory, give us the love and the trust to live faithfully in the knowledge that Jesus redeems us all. Amen.

Pastor Dave

October 10, 2o21 – Pentecost +20B

“As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” Mark 10:17-31

“You Lack One Thing?” Jesus says to the rich, young man. Which raises the obvious question: what does he lack? He is rich, he is young, and he is a ruler – according to another Gospel. And, according to the young man, he has been keeping the following commandments since his youth:

He has not committed Murder – he has not committed Adultery – He has not stolen anything – he has not lied about his neighbor – He has honored his parents – and he has not defrauded or coveted – he sounds like the model son and Jew – a true winner. So, let’s look a little closer….

In terms of honoring his parents, defrauding anyone, or committing murder, which by the way are commandments 4, 5, 9 and 10, well, it is true that he has not killed anyone. But his possessions, which are many, were not earned by following all the rules. He has had to step on some people on his way up the ladder of success, which means he has ruined a few careers. His business dealings have not always been legal or above board. And, the need to have these items, this wealth, well it has a Genesis. He is a rich young ruler – and as such he has watched his parents and seen their process of assembling their acquisitions. He has honored his parents by having the same insatiable desire for things – possessions – for his stuff. But, who’s watching, right?

According to the Gospel of Mark, persecutions are to be considered a part of our best possessions. That doesn’t seem like a great possession, but as I see it, when we are persecuted, either for our age, gender, faith, or differences, these persecutions, as difficult as they are, well they help us appreciate our blessings. And they remind us that we will have difficulties in this life – and often these difficulties come because of our faith – not because of our lack of faith. And that is not a popular teaching in our society – because we do have so much. Persecutions should teach us to lean on our faith, not abandon our faith.

“You Lack One Thing?” Jesus says. What one thing do you lack today? Whatever it is, whatever you consider you lack, either in your faith life, in your relationship with Jesus, or your relationship with your neighbors, perhaps it is time to give some things up – give more to G-d – and give more thought to how we are living for and loving G-d, through Jesus Christ – and not just living for ourselves.

Pastor Dave