Listen here.
Welcome to Devotions for Worship where we meditate on the
appointed Scripture readings for the upcoming Sunday. Thank you for being with
me today.
I am Pastor Eric Tritten from Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in
Hudson, OH.
This coming Sunday is the 13 Sunday after Pentecost. I’ve
mentioned in the past that after Pentecost our focus shifts from the events of
the life of Christ – the salvation story – to a closer look at Jesus’ teaching.
Sometimes people complain that because the Bible is so old it is no longer
relevant to modern people like you and me … frankly, they usually say that
about parts they don’t like and are more than willing to remind everyone of the
parts they like, or that support their views. However, our Epistle reading this
week has a lot of practical application to life today.
This passage has some profound things to say to at least two
major issues that are in our news these days. It speaks to the violence and
racial tension that we’ve been experiencing here in the United States, and it
also calls for a response to the needs of the people in Texas who have been devastated
by Hurricane, and then Tropical Storm, Harvey.
Let’s read the lesson and then dig into it a little more
afterward.
The Reading: Romans 12:9-21 – I will be reading from the
English Standard Version translation.
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold
fast to what is good.
10 Love
one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
11 Do not
be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
12 Rejoice
in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
13
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless
those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
15 Rejoice
with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
16 Live in
harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.
Never be wise in your own sight.
17 Repay
no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of
all.
18 If
possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
19
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is
written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."
20 To the
contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him
something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his
head."
21 Do not
be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:9-21 ESV)
Comments
Do you hear all the things this passage says about violence
and racial tension? First the passage is set in the context of love. I repeat
myself on this point, but love is often misunderstood in our culture. We think
of love as romance or as some kind of positive emotion. The Biblical concept of
love – what they called agape – is desiring
God’s best for someone and working to bring it to them. Love is not niceness,
but it is sincere and leads us to abhor – now that’s a strong word, isn’t it? –
abhor what is evil, holding fast to what is good.
While as U.S. Americans we might talk about free expression
and the right to assembly, as Christians there is no room for hatred of others
or for violence against others. What is more we see that violence only begets
more violence. We are urged to bless those who persecute you, bless and do not
curse them. Now, to be sure, these words are specifically speaking to people who
were persecuted for the Christian faith, nevertheless, the call to live in
harmony, to repay no one evil for evil, and to, if possible, live peaceably are
powerful actions in our day. Yet we might wonder how we can tolerate such hurt
and sorrow. It is because we know that God will settle the matter. “Vengeance
is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” We will certainly speak out against
violence and hatred, but we will allow God’s justice to fall upon those who
participate in such things.
Paul tells us, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome
evil with good.” Such words are highly counter cultural, and difficult to live
by. We are so enamored with power. We insist on our rights, call for bans and
boycotts, we may even protest and insist on arrests and punishments. We forget
Jesus’ action at the cross, where he lovingly accepted the nails and prayed, “Father
forgive them.” Our moral outrage will not change the hearts of racists and violent
people. The love of Jesus will though.
As for those who are suffering from Hurricane Harvey, did
you notice verse 13? “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
I am encouraging people to help people in Texas by supporting LCMS Word Relief and Human Care. Part of
the reason for supporting them is the way they work through local congregations
to help all the people in the community. They will help members of churches in
Texas – people affected in the same way as the rest of their community - so
that they can show hospitality to their neighbors and help meet their needs.
But helping our brothers and sisters in Texas help their neighbors, we help
them show the love of Jesus to others.
To be clear, LCMS World Relief and Human Care helps anyone
and everyone who needs help. But they also point people to our local
congregations where anyone and everyone can receive a treasure that no flood
can sweep away – the forgiveness of sins and the everlasting life won by Jesus
on the cross for us.
Letting love be genuine is rooted in knowing Jesus’ love for
us. His love and forgiveness impacts the way we love our brothers and sisters
in Christ and all of our neighbors. It turns our hearts outward - toward our neighbors – to do good for them
in Jesus name.
Prayers
Father in Heaven, you loved us and gave Jesus to die and
rise for us saving us from sin and death. Because you have loved us so
profoundly, we ask that you would help us to love others. Lord, we lift before
you all the people who have been touched by racism, violence, and natural disasters
this week. Help us to do good for them. At the same time, we ask that you would
be with our brothers and sisters in Christ who find themselves in these
situations and that you would use them to shine your light into the dark times
they face. Help all of your children to love one another, to love their
neighbors, and to love their enemies. Help us to trust you in all things and
make us confident to do the good you call us to do even in fearful and
difficult situations. Use us to bring your love to others. We pray these things
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Thank you so much for using Devotions for Worship, I pray
that our time together has blessed you and given you something to meditate on –
some reminder of God’s grace to rattle around in your brain – for the rest of
the day.
One of the things we can do to help us meditate on God’s
word is to memorize it. Psalm 119:11. Memory Verse: Matthew 16:25 - For whoever
would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will
find it. (Matt. 16:25 ESV)
Would you do me a favor? If you got something out of this
devotional time, would you like and/or share it on Facebook, Twitter, or wherever
you do social media? That would help me get the word out, and hopefully help
these devotions be a blessing to others.
God bless you!
Comments