Proper 21 (C, E)
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VI, Cycle B
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 (C)
Those of you who possess Bernhard AndersonÍs indispensable book, Understanding The Old Testament, may wish to turn to page 504f for an explanation of the very complicated political situation underlying the encounter we have here between Queen Esther and King Xerxes. It reads like a soap opera, and is based on history with liberal elements of fiction intermixed. From this series of events came the Jewish festival of Purim. Esther, the biblical book, makes no mention of God nor of religion in general. Anderson presumes this was to avoid any profanation of the name of God during the festival celebrations.
The question you and I face is this: what does this say to us Christians today? This story displays the problem of anti-semitism of the time, a tragic bias which persists throughout history, reaching devilish proportions in Germany during the Í30s and Í40s of the twentieth century. I canÍt really find any other preaching values in these passages, except to admire Esther for risking her life for her people, and to comment about the evils of anti-semitism. Educationally, it does further our understanding of the Jewish use of festivals and holy days to celebrate their history.
Lesson 1: Numbers 11:25-29 (RC); Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 (E)
Lesson 2: James 5:13-20 (C)
There are several preaching themes in this section of James. The opening line is one: ñIs anyone among you in trouble? He should pray.'' Or the phrase which follows: ñIs anyone happy? He should sing praises.'' James also urges that anyone who is sick should ask the church elders to pray for him or her, and further along assures us that ñthe prayer of a good person has a powerful effect.'' So intercessory prayer is commended to us. Also, confession of sins to one another is recommended. I would disagree on that point unless people have changed a great deal since those days. Confess to a completely trustworthy and trusted individual, yes. Not to each other, however. There is also an evangelism theme here. ñWhoever turns a sinner back from his wrong way will save that sinnerÍs soul from death....''
In combination of these possibilities we could say that through prayer illnesses can be healed, troubles overcome, and wayward friends and loved ones sometimes called back home. By the way, I canÍt believe James recommended that we can successfully pray for rain. As I write, thousands of folks down in Florida have been doing that for weeks while their crops and more than a hundred homes have burned through lack of rain in that state. Meanwhile a flood has done great damage in the eastern part of the country while many a devout soul has prayed for weeks that the incessant rain would let up.
Lesson 2: James 5:1-6 (RC); James 4:7-12 (13„5:6) (E)
Gospel: Mark 9:38-50 (C); Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 (RC, E)
The sentiment which immediately attracts me in this passage is the promise that any small kindness shown to another person is also pleasing to Jesus. Since Jesus is not here in the flesh, and thus able to perform such a kindness as giving a man a drink of water when the man is thirsty, it is my job to do this for Jesus.
The later portion of the passage emphatically urges that any hurtful habit or practice must be dealt with quickly and ruthlessly. Of course the references to cutting off a hand or foot are to be understood as ancient symbolism. Only an ill-informed fanatic would actually do that, though it is not unheard of. The real summary of this passage is that God is pleased at even the simplest service we perform in ministering to another personÍs need, and conversely, God is displeased at anything we do which hurts other people.
By the way, the opening reference to driving out demons reflects, as we all know, an ancient lack of scientific knowledge of the cause of disease. Ancient man supposed that all illness resulted from the evil work of demon spirits which could only be overcome by stronger spirits. I usually leave that one alone in preaching beyond remarking as stated here.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: See Below
Text: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
Theme: Quite frankly, I wouldnÍt preach on this passage. It could be used with an advanced Bible study group wishing to understand Jewish history and some of their wonderful festival celebrations. But this complicated historical situation would bore a congregation to distraction long before you could get it explained. I mean no disrespect toward my Jewish friends, nor do I deprecate the Old Testament in any way. But we have two fine themes to choose from in the other passages „ intercessory prayer in James, and everyday human kindness in Mark.
Title: ñShould We Pray For Others?''
Text: James 5:13-16
Theme: Intercessory prayer. Like most of you, I pray each day for my loved ones and for certain other people with special needs. But there are some logical arguments against the efficacy of such prayers. I believe in the effectiveness of intercessory prayer, but it might be well to show awareness of the negatives. Why would God wait for my prayer in order to help someone else? What right have I to interfere in the destiny of another person? If praying for someone benefits me as well, is there not a bit of self-interest in such prayer?
Still, I pray for others because the Bible tells me to, and because I understand that my logical mind is really that of a small child when it comes to understanding God and GodÍs ways.
1. The Bible tells us to pray for people in need.
2. True, there are logical arguments against this.
3. Clearly, such prayers often seem unanswered, as do those for our own needs.
4. Pray anyway. We have all seen remarkable things happen in the lives of others when they have been prayed for.
Title: ñKindness Is The Nature Of Love''
Text: Mark 9:41
Theme: I was out for a walk one day. A middle-aged man jogged past me. Just then, a little boy about five years old lost a ball with which he was playing. It rolled down a bank, then down a side street for fifty or so yards, and ended up under a car. The jogger did a fast turn, went down the side street, crawled under the car and retrieved the ball, then trotted over to the little fellow, tossed him his ball, and continued his run. A little thing, yes. But isnÍt that what love is all about? Being kind in the little things of life?
This is my theme. Jesus, when he was here, performed acts of thoughtful kindness. HeÍs gone now, and charges you and me to take over in the kindness department. Of course true love sometimes pays a great price. But in a normal day we have a hundred, sometimes a thousand opportunities to be kind. A sincere compliment to a friend. A kind word to a harried waitress. One friend of mine picked up a young woman who was walking away from a stranded car, drove her several miles to a filling station, bought her a can of gas, returned her to the car, then waited to make sure that can of gas would start it. Then with a wave, he was off.
1. What a wonderful world this would be if we all looked for ways to be kind to someone several times a day.
2. Kindness fulfills JesusÍ request that we love one another. I have quoted it several times in this book but let me do so again: Bishop Fulton Sheen said there are three characteristics of Christian love: kindness, kindness, and kindness.
3. Sometimes this isnÍt easy. It requires some discipline to control our patience. It means we have to set aside biases and instinctive criticisms.
4. If the 120, or 400, or 1,000 (or whatever number) people here were to perform ten acts of kindness tomorrow, that would add up to thousands of small ways this world has become a better place. And the witness this constitutes might just lead some wayward cynic back to the right way.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
Leslie Weatherhead told of the time he and some church members arranged to take a group of children from very poor homes on a trip to the seaside, which none of them had ever seen. They had arranged a day away from school, had packed their lunches, and excitedly boarded the buses that would take them on their wonderful holiday. It immediately began to rain. The rain poured down all day as the children watched through steamy bus windows, rain slanting across a gray sky onto a drenched beach. Finally, an unused schoolroom was found in which they could play some boring games, eat their meals, then ride home from a disappointing day at the beach. Prayers for a break in the weather went unheeded, but the next morning, Dr. Weatherhead reports, the weather was sunny and beautiful as the children reported to school.
____________
Surely God would not leave each of us isolated from each other spiritually, after joining us together in physical and emotional ways. Jesus taught us in ñThe LordÍs Prayer'' to say ñOUR Father ... Give US this day ... as WE forgive''(Matthew 5:9f). ñOur,'' ñus,'' ñwe.'' IÍm convinced that in profound ways we can only sense through prayer, we are bound together in this life and the next, to those we love and care about. Somehow, in ways I only dimly sense, I believe I am joined to my dear ones through God and that such a linkage occurs with friends and others in those moments when I pray for them. IÍm also convinced this bond reaches beyond death.
____________
Columnist Lee Whiston was in his eighties when he wrote of the time he and his wife were sitting at the breakfast table drinking coffee. His hand started to tremble and he dropped a nearly full cup of coffee all over the table and onto the floor. He said he looked over at his wife and thought, boy, IÍm in trouble now. But she smiled and said, ñLee, I guess weÍre getting old and shaky now. WeÍll just have to put up with it, and with each other.'' Quietly, she went to the sink, got a towel, and cleaned up the mess. I remember the last line of WhistonÍs column: ñI had tears in my eyes.''
____________
A news article told of something that happened in a Wal-Mart type store last Christmas. A young mother came in with a little boy of about three. He had a balloon with him and, just as he entered the store, the string slipped out of his hand and the balloon ascended to the ceiling. The little fellow began to cry and the mother explained that she was sorry, but the balloon was too high for anyone to reach. However, a woman cashier, seeing the situation, said, ñWait a minute. Let me see if I can help.'' She got on the intercom phone and called a maintenance man. Soon, two men arrived carrying a large step-ladder. They were able to return the balloon to the now-happy little boy, and the article concluded by reporting that soon, all the people in the store were back to pushing and shoving, so to speak, since it was the Christmas rush. But, the reporter said, now they had smiles on their faces.
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 124 (C) „ ñIf it had not been the Lord who was on our side....''
Psalm 18 (RC) „ ñI love you, O Lord, my strength....''
Psalm 19 „ ñPraise the Lord.''
Prayer Of The Day
Cleanse our minds and hearts of prejudice, we pray. Erase, if you will, the negative ideas and attitudes we bring from childhood. Make us Christians in the depths of our being where we secretly judge. In JesusÍ loving name we pray. Amen.
Lesson 1: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 (C)
Those of you who possess Bernhard AndersonÍs indispensable book, Understanding The Old Testament, may wish to turn to page 504f for an explanation of the very complicated political situation underlying the encounter we have here between Queen Esther and King Xerxes. It reads like a soap opera, and is based on history with liberal elements of fiction intermixed. From this series of events came the Jewish festival of Purim. Esther, the biblical book, makes no mention of God nor of religion in general. Anderson presumes this was to avoid any profanation of the name of God during the festival celebrations.
The question you and I face is this: what does this say to us Christians today? This story displays the problem of anti-semitism of the time, a tragic bias which persists throughout history, reaching devilish proportions in Germany during the Í30s and Í40s of the twentieth century. I canÍt really find any other preaching values in these passages, except to admire Esther for risking her life for her people, and to comment about the evils of anti-semitism. Educationally, it does further our understanding of the Jewish use of festivals and holy days to celebrate their history.
Lesson 1: Numbers 11:25-29 (RC); Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 (E)
Lesson 2: James 5:13-20 (C)
There are several preaching themes in this section of James. The opening line is one: ñIs anyone among you in trouble? He should pray.'' Or the phrase which follows: ñIs anyone happy? He should sing praises.'' James also urges that anyone who is sick should ask the church elders to pray for him or her, and further along assures us that ñthe prayer of a good person has a powerful effect.'' So intercessory prayer is commended to us. Also, confession of sins to one another is recommended. I would disagree on that point unless people have changed a great deal since those days. Confess to a completely trustworthy and trusted individual, yes. Not to each other, however. There is also an evangelism theme here. ñWhoever turns a sinner back from his wrong way will save that sinnerÍs soul from death....''
In combination of these possibilities we could say that through prayer illnesses can be healed, troubles overcome, and wayward friends and loved ones sometimes called back home. By the way, I canÍt believe James recommended that we can successfully pray for rain. As I write, thousands of folks down in Florida have been doing that for weeks while their crops and more than a hundred homes have burned through lack of rain in that state. Meanwhile a flood has done great damage in the eastern part of the country while many a devout soul has prayed for weeks that the incessant rain would let up.
Lesson 2: James 5:1-6 (RC); James 4:7-12 (13„5:6) (E)
Gospel: Mark 9:38-50 (C); Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 (RC, E)
The sentiment which immediately attracts me in this passage is the promise that any small kindness shown to another person is also pleasing to Jesus. Since Jesus is not here in the flesh, and thus able to perform such a kindness as giving a man a drink of water when the man is thirsty, it is my job to do this for Jesus.
The later portion of the passage emphatically urges that any hurtful habit or practice must be dealt with quickly and ruthlessly. Of course the references to cutting off a hand or foot are to be understood as ancient symbolism. Only an ill-informed fanatic would actually do that, though it is not unheard of. The real summary of this passage is that God is pleased at even the simplest service we perform in ministering to another personÍs need, and conversely, God is displeased at anything we do which hurts other people.
By the way, the opening reference to driving out demons reflects, as we all know, an ancient lack of scientific knowledge of the cause of disease. Ancient man supposed that all illness resulted from the evil work of demon spirits which could only be overcome by stronger spirits. I usually leave that one alone in preaching beyond remarking as stated here.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: See Below
Text: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
Theme: Quite frankly, I wouldnÍt preach on this passage. It could be used with an advanced Bible study group wishing to understand Jewish history and some of their wonderful festival celebrations. But this complicated historical situation would bore a congregation to distraction long before you could get it explained. I mean no disrespect toward my Jewish friends, nor do I deprecate the Old Testament in any way. But we have two fine themes to choose from in the other passages „ intercessory prayer in James, and everyday human kindness in Mark.
Title: ñShould We Pray For Others?''
Text: James 5:13-16
Theme: Intercessory prayer. Like most of you, I pray each day for my loved ones and for certain other people with special needs. But there are some logical arguments against the efficacy of such prayers. I believe in the effectiveness of intercessory prayer, but it might be well to show awareness of the negatives. Why would God wait for my prayer in order to help someone else? What right have I to interfere in the destiny of another person? If praying for someone benefits me as well, is there not a bit of self-interest in such prayer?
Still, I pray for others because the Bible tells me to, and because I understand that my logical mind is really that of a small child when it comes to understanding God and GodÍs ways.
1. The Bible tells us to pray for people in need.
2. True, there are logical arguments against this.
3. Clearly, such prayers often seem unanswered, as do those for our own needs.
4. Pray anyway. We have all seen remarkable things happen in the lives of others when they have been prayed for.
Title: ñKindness Is The Nature Of Love''
Text: Mark 9:41
Theme: I was out for a walk one day. A middle-aged man jogged past me. Just then, a little boy about five years old lost a ball with which he was playing. It rolled down a bank, then down a side street for fifty or so yards, and ended up under a car. The jogger did a fast turn, went down the side street, crawled under the car and retrieved the ball, then trotted over to the little fellow, tossed him his ball, and continued his run. A little thing, yes. But isnÍt that what love is all about? Being kind in the little things of life?
This is my theme. Jesus, when he was here, performed acts of thoughtful kindness. HeÍs gone now, and charges you and me to take over in the kindness department. Of course true love sometimes pays a great price. But in a normal day we have a hundred, sometimes a thousand opportunities to be kind. A sincere compliment to a friend. A kind word to a harried waitress. One friend of mine picked up a young woman who was walking away from a stranded car, drove her several miles to a filling station, bought her a can of gas, returned her to the car, then waited to make sure that can of gas would start it. Then with a wave, he was off.
1. What a wonderful world this would be if we all looked for ways to be kind to someone several times a day.
2. Kindness fulfills JesusÍ request that we love one another. I have quoted it several times in this book but let me do so again: Bishop Fulton Sheen said there are three characteristics of Christian love: kindness, kindness, and kindness.
3. Sometimes this isnÍt easy. It requires some discipline to control our patience. It means we have to set aside biases and instinctive criticisms.
4. If the 120, or 400, or 1,000 (or whatever number) people here were to perform ten acts of kindness tomorrow, that would add up to thousands of small ways this world has become a better place. And the witness this constitutes might just lead some wayward cynic back to the right way.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
Leslie Weatherhead told of the time he and some church members arranged to take a group of children from very poor homes on a trip to the seaside, which none of them had ever seen. They had arranged a day away from school, had packed their lunches, and excitedly boarded the buses that would take them on their wonderful holiday. It immediately began to rain. The rain poured down all day as the children watched through steamy bus windows, rain slanting across a gray sky onto a drenched beach. Finally, an unused schoolroom was found in which they could play some boring games, eat their meals, then ride home from a disappointing day at the beach. Prayers for a break in the weather went unheeded, but the next morning, Dr. Weatherhead reports, the weather was sunny and beautiful as the children reported to school.
____________
Surely God would not leave each of us isolated from each other spiritually, after joining us together in physical and emotional ways. Jesus taught us in ñThe LordÍs Prayer'' to say ñOUR Father ... Give US this day ... as WE forgive''(Matthew 5:9f). ñOur,'' ñus,'' ñwe.'' IÍm convinced that in profound ways we can only sense through prayer, we are bound together in this life and the next, to those we love and care about. Somehow, in ways I only dimly sense, I believe I am joined to my dear ones through God and that such a linkage occurs with friends and others in those moments when I pray for them. IÍm also convinced this bond reaches beyond death.
____________
Columnist Lee Whiston was in his eighties when he wrote of the time he and his wife were sitting at the breakfast table drinking coffee. His hand started to tremble and he dropped a nearly full cup of coffee all over the table and onto the floor. He said he looked over at his wife and thought, boy, IÍm in trouble now. But she smiled and said, ñLee, I guess weÍre getting old and shaky now. WeÍll just have to put up with it, and with each other.'' Quietly, she went to the sink, got a towel, and cleaned up the mess. I remember the last line of WhistonÍs column: ñI had tears in my eyes.''
____________
A news article told of something that happened in a Wal-Mart type store last Christmas. A young mother came in with a little boy of about three. He had a balloon with him and, just as he entered the store, the string slipped out of his hand and the balloon ascended to the ceiling. The little fellow began to cry and the mother explained that she was sorry, but the balloon was too high for anyone to reach. However, a woman cashier, seeing the situation, said, ñWait a minute. Let me see if I can help.'' She got on the intercom phone and called a maintenance man. Soon, two men arrived carrying a large step-ladder. They were able to return the balloon to the now-happy little boy, and the article concluded by reporting that soon, all the people in the store were back to pushing and shoving, so to speak, since it was the Christmas rush. But, the reporter said, now they had smiles on their faces.
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 124 (C) „ ñIf it had not been the Lord who was on our side....''
Psalm 18 (RC) „ ñI love you, O Lord, my strength....''
Psalm 19 „ ñPraise the Lord.''
Prayer Of The Day
Cleanse our minds and hearts of prejudice, we pray. Erase, if you will, the negative ideas and attitudes we bring from childhood. Make us Christians in the depths of our being where we secretly judge. In JesusÍ loving name we pray. Amen.
