Sunday, November 3, 2019

31^st Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 26/21^st Sunday after Pentecost

First Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4
Psalm 119:137-144
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12
Gospel Reading: Luke 19:1-10

The liturgical color for the day is: Green

From the Leadership Development Bible Study – Unit 1 on 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

A word about our own context.  We should not construe the decline in membership and position of the mainline church in North America with the suffering and persecution of the early church.  In reality, we in the church today have always enjoyed a position of privilege and comfort.  As we consider material in scripture that deals with judgement against those who would harm the church, we must read from the perspective of the original church and not impose our own circumstances that are very different. 

The movement from First Thessalonians to Second Thessalonians demonstrates a movement in our own time and experience as the church.  As the church becomes more established it must look beyond only the vantage point of internal growth and development, and it must grapple with the influences that are beyond its doors.  Grappling with influences beyond the doors of the church is a salient issue for discovering what God will do with those inside the church.

From the Leadership Development Bible Study – Unit 1 on Luke 19:1-10

Jesus calls (“you come down”) and Zacchaeus joyfully responds (“happily welcomes him” in Luke’s terminology).  The saving grace of God always invites a human response.  Zacchaeus responds in joy to the invitation of Jesus and demonstrates his commitment to the new life by pledging half of his possessions—50% is well beyond a tithe.  Additionally, he promises that he will make amends for any whom he has defrauded by repaying that one four times more than they had lost. 

Wee little man that he is, there is no question that Zacchaeus is a changed man.  There is also no doubt, as Luke makes it clear, “for the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” 

• Luke makes clear the purpose of Jesus – “to seek and save the lost.”  To what extend does this purpose influence the direction of your church?  How does it direct you as a disciple?  What does it mean in terms of how you lead the people of God?