Readings for Sunday 26th July 2020:
Genesis 29:15-28 Psalm 119:129-136 Romans 8:26-39 Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
The usual recommendation to those beginning their preaching journey is to stick to three main points. Except that the Gospel reading today has five separate parables:
- The mustard seed (vv 31-32)
- The leaven (v 33)
- The treasure in the field (v 44)
- The pearl of great price (v 45)
- The dragnet – (v 47-50)
And even by condensing these into three headings three headings – parables of growth, of discovery, and of final judgment – it still leaves quite a diverse range of matters, grouped loosely under ‘parables of the kingdom’. So instead, we are going on a little metaphorical ‘searching’ by concentrating on just the verses around treasure and pearls.
In the parable, both are precious items, but the storyteller gives us two approaches to this gem: the first one comes as a surprise, and the second is searched for. The hidden treasure is discovered by accident in a field and the finder sold everything to buy the field. The life’s work of the merchant, on the other hand, has been to track down, the very best specimens for the collection. But isn’t that just like the Christian journey? Sometimes we are surprised by the presence of God; and there are other moments when we seem to have been seeking and longing to discover the will of God for our lives.
Both events can be equally precious and bring great joy.
And both require and investment.
- Treasure in the Psalms (Psalm 119:129-136)
Psalm 119 is known for its exceptional length! It is an acrostic poem and each stanza starts with one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The whole poem belongs with Psalms 1 and 19, as poetry in praise of Torah.
This was the week when we put first put face masks to go to the shops. It was not a comfortable experience, but at least it was only for a few moments (and not a full shift in hospital or hospice). It is now the law to wear face coverings in shops, but oddly not in church – although I highly recommend their use, should you be in the position of being able to attend live worship. I have used the Hebrew word ‘Torah’, because it is somewhat richer that our English word ‘law’, which is often part of our English translation: ‘Oh, how I love your law’. However, the poet is so taken with God’s word that there are no less than eight separate terms in use in this one chapter:
| law | verse 1 |
| decrees | verse 2 |
| ways | verse 3 |
| precepts | verse 4 |
| statute(s) | verses 5 & 8 |
| commandments | verse 6 |
| ordinances | verse 7 |
| word | verse 9 & 11 |
Of course we don’t like rules and regulations, especially when they are inconvenient to us, even though we recognise they are there for our common good. Because we also appreciate that sometimes the law can be complex, difficult and expensive. So perhaps in our extremely individualistic society there are few who might relish reciting a poem in praise of the law.
Yet what the Psalmist is writing about is God’s law, which is straightforward, easy and freely available to all. And best of all, it is designed for human flourishing. What an amazing treasure!
A gift
In fact, in Deuteronomy 30:15, it is described as a gift:
If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I am commanding today, by loving the LORD your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees and ordinances, then you shall live…
David Bartlett wrote about lecture classes at Yale Divinity school, where the tutor reminded the students ‘that the fact that God demands obedience is in itself good news. God gives us Torah (and the sermon on the Mount, and the Great Commandment, and the Parable of the Good Samaritan) because our activity, our obedience counts deeply with God. Torah matters because we matter.‘ (from Feasting on the Word, Year A vol.3 [ed. David Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor]. (Louisville: Westminister John Knox, 2011), 275
Devotion and longing
At a time when we cannot go to church to worship, or share in services of Holy Communion, we have been forced to try other ways and means:
Online worship (should we keep something going for those who cannot physically return in September?)
For others it has meant a deeper engagement with Scripture, searching, exploring how God’s word (Torah) can help us through life – just like the merchant seeking out fine pearls. Nicholas Brady and Nahum Tate encapsulate much of the Psalmist thinking in this hymn:
Through all the changing scenes of life, in trouble and in joy,
the praises of my God shall still my heart and tongue employ.
O magnify the Lord with me, with me exalt his name!
when in distress, to him I called he to my rescue came.
- Pearls from St Paul Romans 8:26-39
That great hymn reflects words from the Psalmist, but it also places an emphasis on one of the most remarkable descriptions of God’s grace in book of Romans, which describe the reason why praise is appropriate through those changing scenes of life:
For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below — there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.
And when we grasp that, and when we begin to live in that love, we have all that we need to sustain meaningful life – however, odd everything else around us may seem.
St Paul did not write from the comfort of an armchair, but from the discomfort of personal experience. So this is no mere theory but real practical Christianity, worked out amid some of the most difficult circumstances: affliction, hardship, persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger or sword. – just as listed in this passage! (v 35)
We are assured that there is nothing sentimental in this view of God’s love, for this hymn of praise rises to ever-greater heights: we are summoned, enlisted and commissioned to a task, which is our response of love to God who loves us. Here is the basis of a relationship with God. It is greater than feeling or a sentiment, but a firm promise that there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.
A prayer
Lord God, keep us faith and true, even when we are overwhelmed by the storms of life. Remind of this great promise: that there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us.
We pray especially for all who struggle to make sense of life, those dealing with disappointment, all whose livelihoods are at risk.
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us.
We give thanks for the joy of family reunions, for greater freedoms, and all that is life affirming. Especially we pray for those of our churches who have been open for public worship during the past few weeks.
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us, in the name of him who loved us. Amen
Worship at home 