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 Bathshebas 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. Davids reaction to Nathans story
is a declaration of death for the culprit. Nathan, undoubtedly looking into Davids 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
. Davids own verdict
is countered by Gods 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,
thats 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 Lords 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 Gods grace.
(The verses which follow this selection are also very powerful. The Psalm is presented as written
as a response to Nathans story to David, and expresses the authors 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 authors plea on the Lords 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!)
Lets 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 Gods 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 Davids 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 Johns 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:
- With thanks to CAM.
- I cant 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, Youre the man,
with a pause before going on to the rest of Nathans message.
- My apologies, almost a Tom Swifty; http://www.fun-with-words.com/tom_swifties_history.html
- Syn-optic: having a common view, noting how different they are from John.
- 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.
- 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.)