January 13

Genesis 27:1-28:22

There has never seemed a more appropriate time than to quote that famous Shakespearean maxim “liar, liar, pants on fire” (at least I think it was Shakespeare; maybe it was Dickens).  Poor old Esau’s biggest sin seems to have been that he looked a bit like Chewbacca, whereas Jacob is just a big fat liar.  And yet it is Jacob who God chooses to bless.  What the heck is going on here?

Well, it seems to me that behind the initial appearance of things, there was a clear reason why Jacob was attractive to God and why Esau wasn’t.  More important than how hairy they are or even of how deceptive they are being, was the question of which direction their hearts are orientated.  Esau had already shown he didn’t care a bowl of lentil soup for the inheritance God had prepared for him (see yesterday’s reading) where as Jacob earnestly desired the blessing of God.  God sees people who are seeking him and he loves them, blesses them and uses them to bless others, even though they may still be a bit of a train-wreck themselves.  So does this mean that it is OK to be deceptive and sinful as long as we are seeking God? A sneak peak at tomorrow’s reading suggests otherwise - God has committed himself to Jacob and promised to bless him; and that involves God teaching Jacob the pain caused by deception (Laban deceives Jacob into marrying Leah).  God turns to people who seek him, but he doesn’t leave it at that - he then leads them into whatever situations are required to teach them the beauty of his holiness.

Matthew 10:32-11:15

The bit about hating your son or daughter, softened in this translation to “love them more than me” is one of the bits of the bible I have agonised over more anything else.  I mean I love my 3 boys more than anything.  If Jesus asked me to give up Starbucks 2-shot vanilla lattes I would struggle but just about cope. But is he really asking me to reduce my affections for my boys just so he stands out even further??

You’ll be relieved to know my conclusion is “no”.  I think what Jesus is doing here is speaking into the Jewish concept of family as being the primary determinant of both your current identity and your future hope.  I believe Jesus was saying "I am  more important than your family heritage. No matter that your family have always owned this land, if I ask you to sell it you better do so.  No matter that your family are fishermen, if I call you to fish for people you better put down them nets".  And, in the same way, if you choose to walk away from the Lord’s call on your life so that you can build a crack-a-jack inheritance for your children through their schooling, extra-curricular activities and a trust fund (not bad things of themselves), then Jesus would say (a bit harsh this!) that you are not worthy of him.  Jesus never claimed that his road was comfortable, but he did show that to all who do choose it, the rewards will be incredible.

Psalm 9:1-6

Can someone look up the tune of “The Death of a Son” (see instructions at the top of the psalm), it sounds like a nice uplifting melody.  Maybe we could start using it in church?