Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22
I like people saying I’m a good bloke. I also like telling other people they are good blokes - its what I’ve spent a lot of my Christian life doing. The problem is that one of the fundamental teachings of the bible is that I and they are rebellious, stiff-necked and wicked. And, if I’m honest, I know there is more truth in that than in my “good bloke” facade. This passage rams this home. We hear Moses’ end of term report card for the Israelites and it’s not one that would make many parents happy; the catalogue of misbehaviour and detentions would probably have resulted in expulsion from any self-respecting secondary school. And I know that my report card would be equally wretched - broken promises, arrogant self-delusions, deliberate deceit, monumental sins... The bible doesn’t give us much wriggle room to develop a good self-image on this score. But, remarkably, despite the despicable record of the Israelites we actually see them prospering and advancing, growing exponentially in numbers and claiming some of the most valuable territory around. We see God loving them and providing for them, calling them the object of his affections and reassuring them that they are deeply special to Him. And this is the miraculous paradox of our faith - that even through we are deeply wicked, we are comprehensively loved - that even though we are disgustingly sinful, we are treated as if we are wonderful. There is a Good Bloke somewhere in this equation, but I’m pretty sure I ain’t it...
Luke 12:1-34
One of the distinctives of Jesus followers that Luke is particularly keen on is detachment from material possessions. Luke, more than Mark or Matthew, selects story after story of Jesus teaching about the folly of earthly riches and the danger of money. If we just had the gospel of Luke and none of the rest of the New Testament I think it would be pretty difficult to own much at all and feel happy that you were in keeping with Jesus’ desires. The root at the base of all of this is the knowledge that God has numbered every hair on our heads and that all security can be found in him. Luke ferociously advocates a life completely free from worries about bigger barns, new wardrobes or weekly shops. He sees followers of Jesus as being so convinced of His value and of the reality of eternity that they are willing to bet everything on the treasure He is keeping for them. It really makes you think, if I really believed that would I do anything different?
Psalm 42:6b-11
“Your waves and breakers have swept over me” - Now that is something I can get excited about!!
