God provides what we need ~ including storms and shade that lasts not long at all.
We are the Light on the Ridge proclaiming the love of Jesus in thought, word, and deed
We are the Light on the Ridge proclaiming the love of Jesus in thought, word, and deed
Sermons on Matthew (Page 2)
Jesus doesn’t command us to follow him to financial wealth and material riches. Jesus commands us to follow him as we carry our cross. Our own cross. The cross, a device of death. This taking up our cross and following Jesus carries with it certain implications.
Isaiah reminds the exiled Israelites that they were hewn from rock. Dug from a quarry. The rock and the quarry that is God. The Israelites in exile have God’s strength. God’s toughness.
The events of this week and the reaction of Jesus to the Canaanite woman prompt the question, who is worthy of God’s care?
Oh, it would get worse for them. Way worse. But for now, it was bad enough. The fear. The wondering if any help would come. If they would live to see the morning. The word they used was “tortured.” That is what it was like. Not trouble. Not blasts. Torture.
The kingdom of heaven is like a sigh that contains all our sorrows and wonderings and heart-hurts, but is still heard by God as the most eloquent prayer.
In today’s gospel Jesus speaks again of seeds. Good seeds that the farmer, the one who represents the kingdom of heaven, has planted; only the farmer’s workers have discovered that there are weeds sprouting among the wheat sprouts.
God sends the rain and snow to water the earth to accomplish God’s great purpose: providing food. Seeds for those who sow seeds, which grow into plants and fruits and grain, harvested and made into bread for us who eat.
Plenty of sin to go around. More than enough of, as Paul put it, “this body of death.”
We who are God’s people have special responsibilities to the truth: to seek it out and to speak it. Kindly, if at all possible.