Pentecost 4

June 21 - 27

Proverbs, Joshua, Gospel of John, Book of Acts

Proud and unjust rulers. Doubting Thomas. Peter the denier. Saul the persecutor. These aren’t exactly what we picture when we think of leadership. According to the wisdom of the world, that kind of unfaithfulness should be met with severe punishment and dismissal. There is no place for such things in the work of the church.

The Lord of our church is different. He himself calls his disciples into his own ministry, guiding and teaching them. He responds to Thomas’ incredulity with a lesson in what true faith looks like. To Peter’s denial of the Christ he brings restoration and admonition. The darkness of Saul’s false piety is blinded with divine light. And then, Jesus sends them into a frightening and dangerous world. Imprisonment, harrassment, and death are all in the cards for those whom Jesus has called, and they will surely suffer with him. 

But persecution, suffering, doubt, unbelief, and denial are no match for the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who strengthens and sustains those bearing the Gospel. Jesus’ Ascension Day promise of his constant presence rings true, carrying the echo of his assurance to Joshua: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified or overwhelmed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

That should make us hopeful in the truest sense, even in this chaotic, corrupt, and bloodthirsty world. Nothing reverses the work Jesus has done for us, so nothing overcomes the work he has called his church to do, no matter how feeble or unworthy our efforts may seem. The land is ours. The LORD has promised it. He will bring us home. So, for now, we labor on in joyful anticipation of the world to come, restored and blessed by his grace.

Pentecost 5

June 28 - July 4

Book of Joshua, Book of Acts

On the bank of the Jordan sits a memorial of twelves stones, one for each tribe of Israel. Joshua has followed the LORD’s command to establish it as a remembrance. Just as their fathers had escaped Egypt on dry ground, so they now enter the promised land in similar fashion. And when they enter, their enemies melt before them. The promise to God’s people is being fufilled.

More than 1200 years later, some in the early church are concerned about who is actually crossing over. Peter appears to be associating with the ceremonially unclean, a Roman centurion, and Hellenists – not the holy people of God.

But Peter issues a forceful reply, forged in his own spiritual struggle: Jews, Greeks, Romans, and all others face the same enemy of sin, and the work of Christ carries everyone across the river to the promised land. So, if the same Spirit is at work in the crossing, who are we to stand in the way? Would we plant our feet on the miraculously dry ground between the desert and the promised land, convincing people God has made holy that they are not holy enough?

Today, every tribe and nation has a place among those twelve stones, as the Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached around the world, and the Holy Spirit continues to work in the hearts of people everywhere. The stones now commemorate something even greater than escape from Egypt or the wilderness: the liberation of the human race from sin and damnation.

You have a place among the stones. So, cross the river and rejoice in the repentance that leadsto life. Live in the land God has given to you in Jesus. Strive for the kingdom to come - and, by the Spirit, lead others to it.