3 June 2008
Though Jesus was a devout Jew who practiced his faith, he was criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners—the religiously nonobservant. Jesus criticizes the self-righteous and reminds us that mercy is to be at the heart of our religious practices. God continues to be made known in those on the margins of society, like Matthew the tax collector and the hemorrhaging woman. As we gather each Lord's day we receive the healing that makes us well and sends us forth to be signs of God's mercy for the world.
Opening Prayer: O God, the strength of those who hope in you: Be present and hear our prayers; and, because in the weakness of our mortal nature we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, so that in keeping your commandments we may please you in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Hosea 5.15-6.6
Historic background: The prophet Hosea lived in
Chapters 4-11 of Hosea “contain the bulk of Hosea’s oracles against Israelite politics and cult.”[1] Worship of YHWH, the God of Israel, was suffering dilution from worship of other gods, such as the Canaanite gods El, Baal and Asherah. For Hosea, the chasing of other gods by
There are two voices in this reading: the first is the voice of God, speaking in 5.15 and again in 6.4ff. The second is the voice of the people, speaking in 6.1-3. Though these verses come to us together on Sunday morning, the separate voices should not fail to be noted.
Questions for discussion
- The people seem sure that God will heal their wounds and restore them to health in 6.1-3. What was their illness? Do you think God was likely to do as they wished? Why or why not?
- “Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes away early.” What is God saying about the love of
- Hosea 6.5-6 describe God’s harsh work through the prophets. Has anyone ever spoken devastating truth to you? Could you describe the experience for the group?
- What would genuine repentance and redemption look like, according to this reading from Hosea?
- [Ask your own questions here.]
Psalm 50.7-15
9I will not accept a calf | from your stalls,
nor goats | from your pens;
I included the Psalm specifically because of this verse. A variant translation of the first half could read, "I will accept no bull from your house." 'Nuff said. :-)Romans 4.13-25
N.T. Wright suggests that Paul’s letter to the church in
In chapter 4, Paul is arguing that faith, not circumcision, works or especially God’s Law, reckons God’s righteousness unto humanity. Paul uses Abraham as the example for this argument, especially the words of Genesis 15.6: “And Abraham believed the Lord, and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.”
Questions to Ponder:
- There is a lot of stuff here. Take a minute and try to trim the “fat” from the sentences Paul used to construct his argument. Can you restate Paul’s words in simpler form?
- Do you think Paul was being completely genuine in his description of Abraham? Is it possible that a biblical author could be tongue-in-cheek? Why or why not?
- Abraham’s name literally means, “Father of nations.” How many children did Abraham have when he died? What might this suggest about the nature of God’s promise and Abraham’s faith? About God’s promise and your faith?
- [Ask your own questions here.]
Matthew 9.9-13, 18-26
This pericope pulls in four stories, in which the fourth interrupts the third, so holding on to everything that’s happening can be difficult. But the focus of these verses is found in 9.12-13: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
“Matthew 9.1-17 is a single unit. Matthew’s call to discipleship and the resulting dialogue and dispute at the following dinner party are all integrated into one story, forming the second half of the literary bracket begun at 8.18. The broader context makes the general meaning clear: Jesus’ authoritative word and deed generate conflict and the beginning of a new community.”[3]
Questions for Discussion:
- What’s the issue with tax collectors? Why would Jesus calling a tax collector and dining with them be such a big deal for the Pharisees?
- What’s the deal with Pharisees? What do you know about them?
- Jesus said he came to call sinners, not the righteous. Is the synagogue leader a sinner? The hemorrhaging woman? The dead daughter?
- Jesus came for the sick and the sinners: if we assume he also came for the Pharisees, what might be their illness or their sin?
- Who are the “unclean” in your life?
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