The 11th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 15C), Aug. 15, 2004
Jer. 23:23-29; Psalm 82; Heb. 12:1-7 (8-10) 11-14; Luke 12:49-56
He promised fire and trial, discipline and division, as tools of interpreting the times (Luke 12:49). If we do what he expected us to do, we would be able to get a fix on what is happening as we live under these experiences of God.
The lessons give us two interpreters. There may be more, but in these lessons we have fire and trials. Fire burns, consumes and purges. Trials uncover, strengthen or break down. Both can either destroy or make way for new life. And Christ is involved in each action. Hence the division of the households (Luke 12:52,53). If we can ride out the effects of fire and trials and come out unscathed, all that says is that we have sat out the life of faithfulness.
According to Jeremiah, God would have us distinguish between his revelation and our dreams. One is straw, one is wheat. His word is a hammer which breaks rocks. God’s word has the full capacity of fire. It can transform, change, alter, rearrange, or we can reject and abandon what he wants to call forth. In his grace he has given scorching heat to tear down what is not of his mind and will, and he will replace our dreams with his eternal truth.
Jesus promised to send fire as his legacy on earth. Why should we be surprised? He is king of all rulers, the protector of widows and orphans, the head of the Church, the key to all wisdom, and the only way to the Father. Do we not see gaps? If he is the Holy One of Israel, should we not see consuming fire? We should and we shall. He promises.
Discipline holds hope in all this. Jesus does not send what we call wild fire. His heat goes out of his mouth, and he holds the lightning bolts in his hands. Therefore the writer to the Hebrews can speak of God’s discipling ways — through fire and trials. God loves us, and he wants to see “the glorious liberty of the children of God” displayed in us. For that he wants to move us to lay aside the sin which so closely clings and so subtly destroys (Heb. 12:1). The faith which Jesus pioneered and perfected for us will bring to us joy and to others a harvest of righteousness.
Beyond the cross, the shame, and the agony, Jesus saw his joy and the right hand of the throne of God. For some, as we follow his vision, this brings a lift to drooping hands and weary feet. For others in the same household, this will bring disappointed hopes and a failed savior.
Jesus expects us to interpret the times. He doesn’t mean today’s news streaming across the bottom of our TV screens. He means all times, all history, all of life. Fire and trials divide. What keeps some growing and others leaving? Only as we understand God’s ways can we even slightly accept this as the hand of a loving Father. Only as we hear his word and absorb it do we gain hope and find peace in the midst of fire and trial.
Look It Up
What images other than a hammer does Jesus use to describe the power of God’s word? (2 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 4:12.)
Think About It
If we omit the fire of Christ’s teaching, what are we omitting about Christ himself?
Next Sunday
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
