Third Sunday in Lent

Welcome Statement

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Old Testament Reading - Isaiah 55:1-9

Isaiah 55:1–9 ESV

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

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The Book of Comfort

To setup our context, this is the final chapter of what is called the “book of Comfort” which encompasses chapters 40 through 55 of Isaiah. These specific chapters were written to those in exile in Babylon, in fact, a lot of our current understanding of God in the old Testament is fully realized and finalized in Isaiah’s prophecies and hidden Christology.

Chapters 40-48 of this book is addressed to them in Babylon, while this chapter we find ourselves in, which is a part of 49-55, addresses them when they were allowed to return to Jerusalum by King Cyrus. Despite them making it back to their home in Judah, the city hadn’t been rebuilt since its destruction 50 years earlier, so the economic and social structures of the town were still decimated, to pay taxes and keep up with the demands, many had to borrow money, and also sell children into debt slavery, ie. indentured servitude. This passage can feel relevant, while we certainly live more comfortable lives, with greater access to food, shelter, and medicine, the idea of weak economies, and broken systems feels relevant. The fact that people my age find themselves struggling in this housing market, prices for houses skyrocketing, which is great for me as a home owner, but it hurts the next generation that must make enough to pay not just a house payment but also other bills. Our wallets are stretched thin, between supporting our church, and paying off what is due, it’s no wonder everyone is burnt out in this high speed society. This book of comfort, applies to us. When I find my self sitting on my computer stressing over budgets in Excel, I must remember, I am a part of that Body of Christ, I’ve seen what this Church can do to make these verses realized in people’s lives. God is declaring that his body will indeed feed the hungry, the poor, that the body of christ will indeed support those around them. It isn’t a demand, it’s a proclaimed promise.

Talk about how grace and mercy enter in in practical ways

My family I am privileged to raise

My daughter who shows me how to see the world differently in the light of joy and Christ

My support structures through the Church and Charge, my mentors

My health, the healers God brings in our lives

When those dark moments do show up, that’s when the church shows up most!

Seek the Lord

This then takes us to the second part of this passage, where Christ gives the parable of the fig trees, and also explains a characteristic of God when it comes to sin and pain, and his graciousness.

New Testament Reading -  Luke 13:1-9

Luke 13:1–9 NRSV

At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.” Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

New Testament Point #1

The Galileans and Job, while it is true bad things can happen to bad people, good things can happen to good people

Talk about Christology in Fig Tree representation

The man who owned the fig tree represents the Father, witnessing to the world his justice and glory. That he cannot ignore sin and it must be addressed. We must understand the Father in his glory cannot allow sin, so subsequently he entered the world as a man, so he could be inoculated against sin and be present in the midst of our pain, our weakness, and our missing of the mark.

The Gardner represents Christ pruning our branches, and caring for us, being that advocate before the father, paying the price in our place. He is the one saying, give me one more season to work on this tree, this person. That season is the rest of our lives, its why we must pray

Talk about Shame & Guilt ideas from meeting

New Testament Point #2

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New Testament Point #3

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Closing Statement

If we remember anything from today, let us remember that God has given this time in our lives to turn around towards the Kingdom, agree with him, repent, and find fullness in him. It is not about guilt, it is about no longer ruminating in our sin, it is about turning the bad into good, finding the silver line.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, We thank you for this timeless truth that we don’t have to give up in our darkness, we can cry out to you as Job did, that we can ask you for that milk & honey.

Amen.

Doxology / Benediction / Closing

Here this Encouragement in Paul’s letters to the EpistlesL

1 Corinthians 10:12–13 NRSV

So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

As you go out today, Know that Christ’s Payment is sufficient, that when things seem dark, that is when we are most called to turn around towards the Kingdom, surrender the pain and loss we have, and move on.

May you Have a Blessed Sunday, and rest of your Week! Amen!