Are We Seeking To Live In A Season Of Wisdom As Evangelists and Apostles?
Good Morning Friends,
The Bible says that we are all to be of one body, even though we serve different functions in that body. We affirm this in the breaking of bread where the one loaf is distributed to the believers, each a part, yet confessing that the body of Christ is one and whole. And if we serve as this called out assembly of God, in unity, it would seem that we are therefor to share in Christ’s priesthood as ministers and as Apostles much like Paul beyond the walls of earthly facilities. Here Jesus’ brokenness, our brokenness in the face of disaster and evil is, in the mystery of it all, the means of our unity in the body of believers we call the church. We all collectively are to be the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Friends, we must be disciples and servants but in unity there is something more. And so in contemplation of today’s lectionary I ask: Are We Seeking To Live In A Season Of Wisdom As Evangelists and Apostles?
Scripture: Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:1-7 (NRSV)
When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!
Luke 11:29-32 (NRSV)
When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, (fame due to the name of the Lord), she came to test him with hard questions. She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices, and very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. When the queen of Sheba had observed all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his valets, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her. So she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your accomplishments and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. Not even half had been told me; your wisdom and prosperity far surpass the report that I had heard.
1 Kings 10:1-7 (NRSV)
Message: Today’s passages of scripture presents the truth that it is the condition of the hearers heart, and not the speakers ability or stage, that matter most in the conversion of believers. Jesus was doing all kinds of signs in his ministry that indicated he was the Messiah, He turned water into wine, He created food when he fed the five thousand, he healed lepers and the blind and yet He said He would do no sign. And I think Jesus said that because no matter what He did the earthly religious power base still would not believe. The story of His life and how the power hungry ultimately sought to murder Jesus bears that out. People saw signs, they just did not want anything to do with Jesus, unless He fit what they wanted. Jesus is saying that the problem is not with me, but you. He illustrates that two ways. First with Jonah. You see, Jonah was an uncaring, worthless preacher. He ran from the call of God, He preached one message and one message only. He preached a harsh judgmental message. He did not give away money, or have a great music program to build up the emotions of the crowds, he showed no compassion for the people he was sent to minister to, he did not try to win them with love, he did not give bikes away or candy or school back packs or shoes if they would only somehow join him. His message was harsh, rough, and delivered in an uncaring way, and yet the whole city state of Nineveh repented. To show you how bad and uncaring he was the scriptures say He got mad when they were not destroyed. And Jesus says that the men of that generation will condemn the current generation, because they repented at the preaching of a terrible preacher, and you got the best one there has ever been and you are not repenting. Friends, it is not about the messenger, God’s word is like a seed that can flourish anywhere the soil will receive it. Next Jesus goes on to talk about the queen of Sheba and how Jesus is greater than Solomon. Whereas Solomon brought water to the city, Jesus brought living water. Solomon built with stone and brick that were destroyed but Jesus builds with living stones hewn from the rocks and foundation of our faith that will never decay. Sheba found out that Solomon was more than she heard and so too Jesus exceeds all any of His disciples could ever say about Him.
Pray we have ears to hear. Pray we realize that Jesus is greater than any earthly king. Pray the Holy Spirit evokes more wonder in our hearts than any marvel of human work. Pray we realize that Jesus is eternal and united as one with the Father. Pray we are more interested in the King than the Kingdom. Pray we realize that our actions cannot earn salvation. Pray God use us to bring unity. Pray the Holy Spirit inspire us to follow God in a unity that honors Jesus.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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