Now look. I’m a United Methodist clergy, and on the liberal/progressive side of that. I’ve always maintained that Grace prevails over Sin, and that a loving Creative Parent continues to rejoice over and welcome even we who’ve been “Bad”. I’m not going to drop that understanding–but the readings for this coming weekend could certainly lend themselves to a “better watch out, better not pout” sort of theology. So we’ll tiptoe forth, finding Grace where we can.
Several different lectionaries present possible Old Testament readings; I have Micah 3:5-12 before me today. Micah spoke almost 800 years before Jesus: the glory years of David & Solomon had passed into rival kingdoms, and graft & corruption prevailed among both secular and priestly rulers. “Its rulers give judgment for a bribe, its priests teach for a price, its prophets give oracles for money…” (v.11) Worse, they claim Divine protection despite their abuse of the poor and needy. “Because of you Zion shall be plowed as a field…” The prophet said that they were not living a life worthy of God.
Paul refers to some human images in his letter to the Thessalonians: “As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead A LIFE WORTHY OF GOD, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” (I, 2:12) My own sainted father would often admonish me not to do anything that would bring shame to the family; I suppose that I’ve said similar things to my two boys.
Memo from God: “Try not to screw up!”
But we do, of course we do. Matthew recalls Jesus telling the crowds, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach.”(23:2-3) The religious leaders evidently courted the honors and privileges of their office, yet expected others to engage in spiritual acrobatics and guilt-trips to prove their solidarity with God. So what should they do, to live a life worthy of God? “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.” (v.12)
So maybe “worthiness” isn’t so much what we do as it is our state of mind which keeps us humble. If I were preaching this time around, I think that I would tell folks that a connection with Jesus as servant is Worthy, as it also reminds us that God is God…and that we’re not!
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My Blog 
Our worthiness begins and ends with our constant communication and fellowship with God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We will always be worthy when we trust Him as Savior and Lord and live that way.