The 12th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 16C), Aug. 22, 2004
Isaiah 28:14-22; Psalm 46; Heb. 12:18-19, 22-29; Luke 13:22-30
“The cards speak for themselves.” That’s a poker expression for when the betting stops and the cards are turned over. No matter what the holder wants the others to think, the hand is no better and no worse than what the cards reveal.
We should keep that in mind as we approach these lessons. The teachings are hard. They may not hold our own views, but that is not the point of the exercise. We must let the cards — the texts — speak for themselves.
They address the question, “Who can be saved?” Each lesson destroys assumptions about ourselves, and each shines light on something unexpected about God.
1. God will not be trifled with. Why do we think that we can show up only when things get tight, and then expect God to deliver an extraordinary escape? What gives us the right to complain and cry “Unfair!” when things don’t turn out happily? Why do we think that we can pick the time to show faith and commitment, as if God will wait forever?
The writer to the Hebrews tells us we can’t trifle with God. He is not a pushover. God is a consuming fire! The writer goes on with terrifying logic: If we neglect the invitation of Christ while we are on earth, why should we think we can escape when we face the Lord of heaven? (Heb. 12:19, 25).
2. God finds our sin intolerable. Isaiah calls sin a covenant with death, an agreement with hell. After all, it is our deliberate choice of finding pleasure and satisfaction apart from God.
The cornerstone that God announces lays out righteousness and justice against which our actions are measured. If we think that God deals lightly with sin, Isaiah dispels that. Hail will ravage our lies, and raging waters will sweep away our security (Isaiah 28: 14, 16, 17).
3. Before God, our outward status might count for nothing. Jesus gives us a possible conversation between heaven and us:
God: “Why should I let you into heaven?” Our replies: “We are Episcopalians, baptized and sealed!” Or, “We were in worship week after week.” Or, “You will remember my teaching or my service.” To which God may reply: “I do not know you and have no place for you in heaven.”
Then he talks about surprised people being accepted in, and other surprised people facing weeping and gnashing of teeth (Luke 13:24, 27).
Tough lessons, tough love, and a tough God. The texts must speak for themselves.
Look It Up
How would we rewrite these judgment scenes? How would that alter the nature of God?
Think About It
What opens the narrow door or the gate to the sheepfold?
Next Sunday
The 13th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 17C), Aug. 29, 2004
Ecclus. 10 (7-11) 12-18; Psalm 112; Heb. 13:1-8; Luke 14:1, 7-14
