Ordinary Time Week 4

Psalm: Psalm 5:1-8 or Psalm 32

Old Testament: 1 Kings 21:1-10, 11-14, 15-21a

 or 2 Samuel 11:26-12:10, 13-15

Gospel: Luke 7:36-8:3

Epistle: Galatians 2:15-21

This week we have four really good passages. Each one really deserves their own series of posts. I hope you have time to read all of the passages this week. I am actually going to say a few words about each passage which is something I haven't done in quite awhile.

Starting in 1 Kings, we have one of many episode's surrounding King Ahab. King Ahab commands six chapters in Kings. That means he was either really good, or really wicked. Unfortunately it was the latter. Ahab was the seventh king of the northern kingdom of Israel, and like the six kings before him, he failed to follow the Law and ways of the Lord. But Ahab acts as kind of an archetypal character and the worst example of a king failing to live up to covenant faithfulness. When he is introduced the text reads, "Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord more than all who were before him." (1 Kings 16:30) And in our passage today, "There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord." (21:25) But in our passage today, the first thing I was struck by was how similar this story was to the incident with David and Bathsheba. In both cases an entitled monarch covets something that belongs to someone else and then commits murder in order to steal it. Three Commandments were broken. Additionally, both David and Ahab were confronted by their sins and repented. However, whereas David’s life was viewed was as mostly righteous with a few mistakes, (the Bathsheba episode chief among them) Ahab’s life was viewed as almost entirely wicked with this one moment of repentance. Regardless, both David and Ahab faced consequences for both themselves and their descendants due to their transgressions. Big picture, both David and Ahab showed that the kings of Israel/Judah continually failed to live up to the covenant and in faithfulness to the Lord. Thus there was a need for a Messiah to come and save God’s people.

All I will say about Psalm 5 is that it presents the classic themes of the Lord hearing the prayers of the righteous and a call for his justice to come upon the wicked. There is some graphic and evocative image at play here as one would expect in a Psalm or poem in general.

Our reading from Luke concerns another “sinner” much like David and Ahab. We don’t know why she was considered a sinner, but just that the pharisee Simon, whose house Jesus was eating at, considered her to be a sinner and not one with whom Jesus should be interacting. Jesus tells Simon, the woman, and all present a parable about about two debtors who had their debts forgiven. One owed about a year and half’s salary, the other owed about a month and a half’s. Jesus asked the poignant question, “Which of them will love [the debtee] more?” Of course all listening knew that the one who had the greater amount forgiven would. The message was clear to all listening, the sinful woman had much to be forgiven and when Jesus offered it to her, she was drawn to love Jesus more than the pharisees. The Pharisees didn’t come and anoint Jesus’ feet in adoration, but the woman showed great affection.

Connecting Luke to our reading from 1 Kings, we can say that both David and Ahab had the opportunity to recognize the great sin they had committed and the forgiveness extended by the Lord. David took that opportunity, recognizing what the Lord had done for him and responded in love. Ahab on the other hand, continued in the path of unrighteousness and failed to recognize the grace extended to him.

Finally, our reading from Galatians 2. As with all of Paul's words they make the most sense when read in their entire context. Paul makes dense arguments and flows his ideas together across each letter. In chapter 2 he is making arguments concerning the Law, sin, and grace. Righteousness comes from Christ he says, "for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing." (2:21) This passage also has that classic yet challenging line, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." (2:20) This is what Christianity means after all--being "little Christs." Those who interact with us throughout our day are to see Christ in us. Whether they even recognize it or not, Christ is to be who we represent and bring to any interaction.Yet at the same time, this is easier sad then done. This is a daily struggle which can only be done under the power of the Spirit, not under the regulations of the Law. I hope you take the time this week to read Galatians ch. 2 at least. There is some good stuff there.

Well, I have no idea how to wrap this up this week. Ideas of sin and grace are both present. Jesus' forgiveness are on display and Paul tells us to live as Christ lived. So I guess I can say we are to forgive as Christ did and to extend the grace we received from him.

May we be faithful to this task, through the help of his Spirit, to the glory of the Father.

Grace and Peace.