Pentecost 3

June 14 - 20

Proverbs, Gospel of John

In the book of Proverbs, there is no shortage of comparisons between the foolish and the wise. The foolish work in futility for the things that fade, and their end is destruction, while the wise live a full life that ends in growth and vitality.

For many readers, this comparison can be troubling. When we look around, we see the wicked not only backbiting and slandering, but gaining reward for it. It is enough to make a believer wonder: I thought I was one of the wise. Why doesn’t God reward me? But Scripture has an answer to this exceptionalism: whatever we are in the eyes of the world, not one of us can make his heart pure before the LORD.

In John’s Gospel, as the shadow of Jesus’ suffering looms, he continues to teach us who he is – and what he makes of us foolish sinners. He uses many metaphors, but perhaps most strikingly, Jesus tells his disciples that they will no longer be servants, but friends. The fools of this world may seem to be friends of all the right people, but in the end, when they stand before the Father, the deeds, the money, the reputations they have earned for themselves are all melted by the heat of his wrath.

Not so for the wise. Those in Christ Jesus are now friends of the Almighty, a title earned by Jesus’ innocent death on the cross, the supreme demonstration of love for others. This unmatched sacrifice hasn’t simply deflected God’s anger for a time, but has satisifed it. Therefore, the Father doesn’t simply withhold his anger; he himself loves us.

Still, the spiritual fools of this world continue to mock the wise. They don’t see a Savior. But they look in the wrong places. His Spirit carries the truth into calloused hearts and destroys the wisdom of this world. He remakes the wise with Jesus’ words and his body, spoken from the pulpit and shared among friends. The Father longs to make friends of them, too. His Son has atoned for them. May his Spirit work among us to fearlessly confess what he has done for us, so that we can all be friends in the life to come.

Pentecost 4

June 21 - 27

Proverbs, Joshua, Gospel of John, Book of Acts

Proud and unjust rulers. Doubting Thomas. Peter the denier. Saul the persecutor. These aren’t exactly what we picture when we think of leadership. According to the wisdom of the world, that kind of unfaithfulness should be met with severe punishment and dismissal. There is no place for such things in the work of the church.

The Lord of our church is different. He himself calls his disciples into his own ministry, guiding and teaching them. He responds to Thomas’ incredulity with a lesson in what true faith looks like. To Peter’s denial of the Christ he brings restoration and admonition. The darkness of Saul’s false piety is blinded with divine light. And then, Jesus sends them into a frightening and dangerous world. Imprisonment, harrassment, and death are all in the cards for those whom Jesus has called, and they will surely suffer with him. 

But persecution, suffering, doubt, unbelief, and denial are no match for the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who strengthens and sustains those bearing the Gospel. Jesus’ Ascension Day promise of his constant presence rings true, carrying the echo of his assurance to Joshua: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified or overwhelmed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

That should make us hopeful in the truest sense, even in this chaotic, corrupt, and bloodthirsty world. Nothing reverses the work Jesus has done for us, so nothing overcomes the work he has called his church to do, no matter how feeble or unworthy our efforts may seem. The land is ours. The LORD has promised it. He will bring us home. So, for now, we labor on in joyful anticipation of the world to come, restored and blessed by his grace.