Friday, 10th  July 2020

Collect

O God our Savior, you reveal your salvation through Jesus Christ, our wisdom and strength: teach us to shoulder our burdens and give us  the strength to carry each other as you have carried us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Eucharist Readings:

Hosea 14:1-9             Psalm 51:1-11        Matthew 10:16-23

The cause of Israel’s downfall has been their iniquities and now they are recommended to make a specific prayer and statement of their dependence upon God alone. Israel threw themselves upon God’s mercy, resolving to praise him offering the fruit of their lips, renouncing their former trust in two wrong sources, Assyria and idols. They confessed in God alone is there compassion for the weak and the vulnerable. In this passage God responds with a far-reaching promise. The picture of Israel is almost like the garden of Eden, beautiful flowers, olive trees, cedars, such as found in Lebanon, giving shade from the hot sun and a fragrant smell. He will be strong, secure and famous. The promise was fulfilled for many Israelites who joined themselves to Judah and to many who joined themselves to God through Jesus Christ. The promise of God is certain, and everyday we stand in awe of Him and that He never cease to amaze us. Like we would say in Afrikaans, Die Here is maar net die Here.

In this passage of the Gospel reading of Matthew the discourse continues with principles more generally applicable to the disciples facing opposition. The circumstances may be such threatening that the disciples need to count on the help of the Spirit of the Father and therefore not to worry. To follow Jesus is not a route to popularity, influence, power. It leads to a life on the run, a lonely road. Jesus was very honest, and he did not hesitate to tell his disciples what they might expect if they followed him. Also, the promise of Jesus that when they might get arrested, they do not have to worry what to say because the word will be given to them. Once again it is showing us that it does not matter how difficult the circumstances may be, how unsettling the uncertainty might be , the challenges of life we have to endure but when we have God on our side , in our lives we will conquer. The world will offer roses all the way, comfort, ease, advancement, the fulfillment of the worldly ambitions but it will never compare to the Glory and the price which awaits us when we follow Jesus.