Scripture Text (NRSV)
Jeremiah 1:4-10
1:4 Now the word of the LORD came to me saying,
1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I
consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
1:6 Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a
boy."
1:7 But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a boy'; for you shall go to
all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you,
1:8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD."
1:9 Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me,
"Now I have put my words in your mouth.
1:10 See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull
down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."
Comments:
Behold, here is a great opportunity. For the next six Sundays we enter the hear of this great prophet. I know, at least in my parish, the congregation knows so very little about the prophets.
I wonder what Jeremiah would say to the world regarding all the things going on in the life of the church and the world. As you remember he was so torn by his obedience to Yahweh and his
love for God's people: it pained him to speak out against his own people.
The call of the prophet Jeremiah is a reminder that age is not an obstacle to being a witness for God. Jeremiah's difficult ministry in the years before the Babylonian exile is part of a plan God made before Jeremiah was born. God will give the prophet the words he needs to say.
I was wanting to connect this passage with back to school. Everyone is called - youth, adults, of all ages - by God to share His Love.
I would like to encourage those who will start back this upcoming week of the many opportunities God has for them to express the gospel - to look for those opportunities & to be thankful for those opportunities.
Also would like to do an anointing prayer for them.
any one have any suggestions? It's early in the week & I'm just starting to put all the pieces together with the grace of God.
MZ in WV
NO excuses. Most times God calls someone the first response is, "I cannot do it." Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Mary (the mother of Jesus), JOnah - although Jonah pretty much just runs for it without bothering with the excuses. It's not just about age, that's just where Jeremiah goes in his rush to get outo f it (although one might joke that 'I'm only a boy' is about his gender, not his age -- in Hebrew or English). People seem to instinctively know how tough it is to be called by God, or to answer that call.
Brian in MN
MZ in WV,
How about blessing the children's backpacks? Or provide them with a back to school pack that contains some school supplies and a relatively cheap Faith Sharing New Testament and Psalms (only about $4.50/book)? Including this easy to carry book will enable them to have God put the words into their mouths, just like Jeremiah.
Shalom,
RB in PA
Wow, we can relate to Jeremiah, as we minister to others. To think God, knew me, before I was in "Rebeccas womb" in 1964-5. He knew I was a preacher. Wow moment.
Although, later my mother did tell me stories about how that she promised God, that if he gave her a baby, she would raise it, dedicate it to him...A Hannah prayer?
I love the timelessness of this passage. God knew from the beginning the purpose of our life. Without getting into the predestination thing, it is a wonder to me that I was, am and will always be a thought in the mind of God-- Being called, loved and accompanied in my life journey. God's promise in this passage (assuming it is for us and Jeremiah) is gift- words to speak, no fear of fear, companionship from day to day, and the power to accomplish what we are called to do.
TB in MN
PS I love the blessing the backpacks idea- we'll be doing that for the kids before school begins!
I was thinking of the "moves" I will make in this sermon. First, God knows us and loves us before we are. What a great time to talk about Prevenient Grace! Secondly, God does away with our excuses. Abraham is not too old, Jeremiah is not too young. I wonder what excuses we use? Thirdly, those whom God calls, God equips. It is not to be Jeremiah's words, but God's words. Finally, God calls and equips each of us for a ministry. The promise is that God will be with us, and use us, to build the kingdom.
Jeremiah was more than a bullfrog!
Jim in GA
Jim in GA wrote: Abraham is not too old, Jeremiah is not too young. I wonder what excuses we use?
I was thinking of the same question; also, why do we use the excuses? Fear? We see what happens to people -- like Jeremiah -- who answer God's call. More often we make/use the excuses of time and family and practicality as if these were more important than sharing God's love. We need to attend to our investments now, before the market turns again. We only get to experience our children growing up once. If we aren't on a career track we'll never amount to anything...
Brian in MN
Greetings!
This is a very specific call story. Part of what I'd like to do is get folks to consider their particular calling - but most of the time that question is too easily dismissed... I'm not called to be a prophet or preacher, therefore I am not called...
I live in Florida in an area, thankfully, only lightly brushed by Hurricane Charley. But we are very closely connected to communities that were hard hit. The media is filled with stories of neighbors helping neighbors, strangers helping strangers, communities/neighborhoods working together, people cooking their food and feeding entire neighborhoods before their food spoils (no refrigeration).
I think this is our calling - how we are supposed to be all the time - instead of hiding inside our houses glued to our TVs or computers.. grasping at possessions. We are to be connected - sharing our resources - sharing and BEING the Good News.
I think this is the calling of all Christians. It is God's desire for all people to live in relationship with God and with one another. But I'm worried this isn't particular enough and that this calling, too, will be dismissed.
The aftermath of the hurricane provides a lot of momentum towards making changes in our lives, and I want to use that. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Amma in FLA
My sons (ages 11 & 15) both enjoy acting and narrating. One of them will be Jeremiah, while an offstage voice will be the voice of God. The text can easily be divided into sections for two or three readers. My eldest son is awed that Jeremiah may well have been no older than he is now.
Anyway, as I try to organize my thoughts, I want to talk about how each person, not just the clergy, has a call on their lives. We were born to live out our call. We learn that our experiences and our gifts will ultimately point us to our call. Then, we realize that while we provide the energy, God provides the message.
-Dale in Chatanooga
Buenos Dias to all!
Personally, I see the clear connection between all these lectionary readings as God's call on our lives - God's speaking and our resonse as disciples.
The Jeremiah passage is God's call to speak God's Word, and our response, like Jeremiah's, is often to make excuses. What's your excuse this week for refusing God's call? What's our excuse for refusing to speak God's word of love and mercy (and justice and repentance) this week? You're not "comfortable" talking to people or reaching out or feel somehow inadequate? Get over it. It's not about your comfort - It's about God's call and God's promise given to Jeremiah and to us: "Do not be afraid...for I am with you." There is an element of freedom here too, as many posts have mentioned. "If God has called us, and is for us, who is against us?" (yes, a few liberties with Paul). Man that is freedom - freedom from fear.
The Epistle reading is God's call to answer, not just in faith, but in worship - "acceptable worship with reverence and awe." Worship has become optional for so many people, even professing Christians; and I'm sure we might all disagree over what makes "acceptable" worship. To quote William Temple, "All life ought to be worship, and we know quite well there is no chance it will be worship unless we have times when we have worship and nothing else." Worship is our high calling, but it is to be freeing rather than binding for people - contrary to the "form over substance" of the Gospel's synagogue leader. But the emphasis in the epistle is still on God's call, God's speaking and our response: "See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking" - good word's to the synagogue leader.
Finally, the Gospel lesson is God's call to value people over institutions. Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath - "woman, you are set free from your ailment!" This reminds me of a woman who came to me for counseling about divorcing her "ne'er do well" husband. In my most non-judgmental tone...he is a snake (yes, and a child of Abraham) and he has subjected her to verbal and financial abuse their whole marriage. She told me with her first words, "I know God doesn't want me to get a divorce...". While none of us favor divorce, I explained to her my belief that the entire Gospel message is that God values people (her) over insitutions (marriage) and that God does NOT desire for his children to be in abusive relationships. (Boy, bad theology can really hurt people sometimes). The point is, she had been bent over for years by a husband and marriage from which she needed to be set free.
How often do we in the church keep people bent over by our hypocrisy? The Good News of Christ Jesus is that you - as you are - are a child of Abraham; you are set free.
Oh, that we might hear God's call...and have the courage to respond, the courage of Christ.
Grace and Peace and Blessings,
RevKinOK
Checking in here, MZ in WV, where are you from, I am thanking you for posting the Blessing of the School Kids thing, am borrowing it and adapting it.
I am a hillbilly too. Fayette County, Meadow Bridge Charge, my home church... I am in West Ohio Conference UMC seminary attendee and SLP...
Clerically Blonde in WO
As a UM pastor the word that caught my attention in this passage was "appointed." Having recently been appointed to a new appointment (for you non UM's that tranlates as church) I could somewhat relate to Jeremiah. And I can understand why he argues with God about the appointment...! His appointment is " to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow..." Not one any of us would want! In spite of his resistance he eventually agrees and does what needs to be done and as we look at this story UM or not we all have appointments to be God's people. We all have appointments to love God and to love our neighbor. Just a few thoughts on a Friday afternoon.
Mark in WI
What ever God appoints us to, we have no reason to be afraid. Nancy-Wi
I would be interested in any who are starting a series w/ the Jeremiah lections... where are you heading? what string will hold these pearls together?
These passages are so rich, and I've never tackled them before as a unit.
This Sunday, "No More Excuses!" will address not only our prevenient relationship, but what the young in our midst have to tell us of their experience of and need for faith in Christ.
We have been creating "safe" space in our church (all viewpoints heard and respected), and are finding that "sacred" space (for our newer/younger folks) results.
In the mid 70s I was in a "Yokefellows" study group. I remember in the forward of the book, a thought about the deepest human need is to be known by another. This passage speaks to that... but it is already an accomplished fact! To be fully known and not rejected for who we really are deep down... that's awesome; that's grace.
Blessings! Rev.Pam
