Why Do You Come to Church?

 

This week we focus on Frank, the synagogue leader, and his response to Jesus’ visit to his synagogue.  

Luke 13. 10-17 (NIVUK)

On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all.  When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, ‘Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.’ Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

 Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, ‘There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.’

The Lord answered him, ‘You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?  Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?’

When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

From Rev. Donna:

Frank’s focus was on the law whose interpretation was clear and plain to him.

Keeping the Sabbath holy meant that no work should be done. 

No work.

I was raised with that interpretation as well, with some additions.

No TV.  

No playing games. 

The Sabbath was to be different.  This is God’s will.

Let’s consider Ruth Haley Barton’s words as we prepare for worship this week.

What is your response to her focus?

For many of us, though, knowledge of God’s will is a subject fraught with doubt and difficulty. Is it really possible to know the will of God? we wonder. How do I know whether I have “discerned” God’s will or if it is just a good way to justify what I want? How do I make sense of those times when I thought I understood the will of God but it ended up being a mess? 

For the Christian person, the choices we make are always about love and which choice enables us to keep following God into love. There may be other factors to consider, but the deepest question for us as Christian people is, What does love call for in this situation? What would love do? 

From Susan:

When I read this story again this week, I imagined that I am Frank.  I know my Torah, and the Torah clearly says that there are six days for work, and that on the Sabbath we should not do any work.  I am indignant that Jesus should disobey the law, and in my anger, I can't stop myself from pointing out his error. 

When Jesus calls me a hypocrite, he reminds me that there is more to this commandment than simply the prohibition of work.  Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. (Deut 5.15)

Sabbath is the day we celebrate our liberation. Jesus freed Rhoda from her captivity that day.  Wow. 

Although I am humiliated at being corrected by Jesus, I have learned something today.  Isn't learning one of the reasons we come to synagogue?

Why do you come to church? 

Last week's circle conversation was rich. We are learning to notice and to find words for experiences and feelings we have during worship. Was it scary?  Not at all…we talked about everything from an Eagles Concert to the Camino Trail and being called by the Lord of Sea and Sky.  We also, of course, talked more about Rhoda and Frank.  We are learning that there is more than one way to read any single scripture passage…there is no single right answer.  Our lives inform how we interpret things, and God’s Word is truly alive.

Donna is inviting us back this week for more conversation. I hope to see you there after worship.

Susan

PS.  We continue to keep Patrick, Monisa, Carmen and Jeremy in our prayers, since Elisa announced the sudden and grave illness of her brother-in-law, Patrick.  Ruth Haley Barton’s words (above) ring ever more true to me now.