Scripture Introductions

Pentecost 9 August 2. 2009 Scripture Introductions by Stewart Clarke
Last Sunday, our first reading told of David meeting Bathsheba. The first reading, this week, continues their story. After she has become pregnant; after the cynical sacrifice of her husband, Uriah, on the battlefield; after Bathsheba’s period of mourning, and after her marriage to David, Nathan, the prophet who has been so close to David, appears at court and confronts David with a story that fires his sense of justice. With little realization that the story is about him, he reacts with horror and declares death and repayment. (For some reason, the last half of verse 13 is left out! This destroys some of the drama, the symmetry of the account, and the focus on grace. David’s reaction to Nathan’s story is a declaration of death for the culprit. Nathan, undoubtedly looking into David’s eyes, says just two words in Hebrew, “You the-Man! [2] He then expands on this, and David, after a more than pregnant [3] pause, answers in contrite confession: “I-sinned!” Again, a pause, and Nathan replies, “You will not die….” David’s own verdict is countered by God’s grace!) (The passage says that what David did displeased “Adonai,” The Lord. But we are not told just what it was that displeased. If we focus on the sexual aspect, that’s what we see. If we think of power and its misuse, we can have another view. In any Eastern court, this behaviour might not be unusual, but King David is responsible to Adonai, The Lord and responsive to the words of the prophet who speaks on The Lord’s behalf! As the story unfolds, the sin question may or may not be as significant as the interactions portrayed. (There is also a question of justice, because, while David loses an infant son, Bathsheba apparently loses her firstborn, and it is the innocent babe who bears the brunt of the judgment that Nathan pronounces! We may ask ourselves if this is the “Abba” to whom Jesus prayed!) Let us listen to the story as it is told in: 2 Samuel 11: 26 – 12: 13a We may hold our acclaim until after the Gospel reading, or we may say something like, May we hear in this a story of real people, of responsibility, of consequences and of grace. Amen.
The Psalm is a powerful rendering of anguish and of trust in God’s grace. (The verses which follow this selection are also very powerful. The Psalm is presented as written as a response to Nathan’s story to David, and expresses the author’s penitence and plea. ) Let us… Psalm 51: 1 – 12, VU 776
In the Epistle reading, the author expresses a vision of life in Christ far beyond rules, or beyond even “What Would Jesus Do,” to an expression of Jesus’ spirit for a style of life and of unity. It speaks of humility, a guide for ourselves, and not a rule to be laid on others, which, immediately, would violate the author’s plea on the Lord’s behalf. (We may want to remember that meekness has often been expected of women, while arrogance was expected of men, we are not called to be pushovers or bullies, but caring, considerate and compassionate, in effect, loving!) Let’s listen as the author almost sings in Ephesians 4: 1 – 16 May we be enlightened and encouraged by this message from long ago.
The Gospel reading (from the Gospel of John, slightly later and more reflective than the “Synoptic Gospels [4]’” of Mark, Matthew and Luke) shows people flocking to Jesus, who recognizes their hunger. He once commented about his being fed by doing God’s will. Now he offers himself as the bread of life! Bread, incidentally, was not only a food, but was used as we might use spoons, and so became the means of nourishment, as well as nourishment itself. [5] (The contrast between David’s “I” expression and Jesus’ “I am” expression can hardly be exaggerated. “I am” sounds like an echo of the personal name of the God of the Jews, whom Jesus referred to as close and caring parent. After hearing the Epistle reading, we may find it the height of chutzpah! We may want to remember that John’s Gospel [6] is more Christology in story form than biography or report.) (It has been suggested that Caperna-um is his own home town.) ( Today, we begin a series of readings on Bread, continuing the message portrayed in the miracle of the loaves and fishes. ) Let us rise to honour and be open to the Good News for us in: (Or: Let us listen closely for the Good News for us in: ) John 6: 24 – 35 May we know and be fed by this Bread of Life.
Notes:
  1. With thanks to CAM.
  2. I can’t help but wonder if any who shout these words at a football or other game have any idea that they are quoting from the Older Testament, and that it is not praise but accusation that is implied in the words! Incidentally, it might be read, “You’re the man,” with a pause before going on to the rest of Nathan’s message.
  3. My apologies, almost a Tom Swifty; http://www.fun-with-words.com/tom_swifties_history.html
  4. Syn-optic: having a common view, noting how different they are from John.
  5. I am having difficulty being sure just how it was done, but: reclining on their left, they would pull off a piece of flat bread that became a scoop which they dipped into a central dish. Did they naturally pass the flat-bread so each could tear a piece? It was also used as we might use a napkin, and I have not figured out, to my satisfaction, the theological significance of that tidbit of information! And I have no idea how this fits into what seems, otherwise, a “picnic” scene! And I am sure that is not the point.
  6. It seems to me that a Gospel is a special category of literature, in which the author(s) witness to what Jesus means to them rather than provide a detailed record of events.
(Comments to Stew at stewclarke@eastlink.ca.)