Admittedly, I’m odder than some–yet I suspect that we’re mostly geared in our behavior to what we think is expected of us. As a participating citizen of this country/community, I obey the speed limits. (Well, mostly.) I vote and I don’t pilfer stuff from my neighbors’ yards. You get the idea. Why be “good”? Is it out of fear of being caught; or just because I’m such a good guy? Or, is my behavior instilled in me through the expectations of my parents/grandparents/little town where everyone knew my name? Readings for the upcoming weekend challenge the devout to celebrate Grace & Forgiveness, while perhaps expanding their picture of God…
ISAIAH of Jerusalem pictured the analogy of God as a frustrated vine-grower (5:1-7). In this Song of the Vineyard he described the careful preparation, the watchful protection of an owner determined to do everything right…and when it came harvest time, the grapes were wild/sour. Enraged, he planned to tear down the walls and the hedge, to cause it to be a dry wasteland. “For the vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the House of Israel, and the people of Judah are his pleasant planting; he expected justice, but saw bloodshed; righteousness, but heard a cry!” Bitter stuff, but it needs to be said.
The writer of the Letter to the HEBREWS (11:29-12:2) continues the litany of the “great cloud of witnesses”, saintly leaders who’ve received the vision but as of yet haven’t seen the Promise Fulfilled. This cloud calls the contemporary disciple to “lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely” and continue the (human?) race just as God expects. Even in the wreckage of a divinely designed vineyard.
LUKE 12:49-56 does in the “gentle Jesus, meek & mild” picture! This passage needs to be read forcefully, with gritted teeth. Followers of Jesus must accept that there ARE swords and fire and family divisions involved in the Christian affirmation. Grace, of course, prevails; but on the way…sheesh! Jesus expects “the crowd” to recognize the seriousness of the moment: “You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”
These are not scriptures to lull us into a pleasant state of gracious living; rather they’re forceful reminders that God is very serious about the Creation. In a word, God expects Righteousness. Yet financial exploitation and racial profiling continue; millions are spent on sporting events while some folks sleep under bridges; I’m proud of the acceleration of my air-conditioned care at the same time many walk shoeless on the burning pavement… The Good News is that a hopeful God will continue to plant and maintain this vineyard in the expectation of good fruit soon.
In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King
Every Tuesday we look at the lessons for the upcoming weekend, while they look back at us! Join me at horacebrownking.com
My Blog 
Leave a comment