Genesis 21:8-21
One of the promises of God to Abraham and Sarah was that they would have family – a big family, but for a long time that promise was not fulfilled. Sarah had realized how important having a son, especially, was to Abraham so she had suggested that since she was not able to conceive that Abraham take one of her servants, Hagar, to bear him a son. Abraham eventually concurs and a son is born to Abraham and Hagar. His name is Ishmael. God look with favor on Ishmael, but announced that he would not be the heir to the covenant. God’s plan was for the son of Abraham and Sarah to inherit the covenant, for God had made the covenant with Abraham and Sarah! After some time, Sarah does conceive and bears a son who is named Isaac. All is well until Sarah observes Ishmael, the older brother, picking on his younger brother. She is infuriated and decides that her earlier plan was not so good and demands that Abraham dispel Hagar and Ishmael. Abraham is caught in a dilemma: he loves Ishmael and does not want to separate from him. God tells Abraham not to be distressed about Ishmael, for God will take care of him. Note: Sarah’s plan to dispel is based on jealousy and fear that Ishmael will take away the inheritance of her son, but her negative motives fit in with God’s plan to continue the covenant through her son, Isaac. Eventually Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael off into the desert where God provides for them. God also makes a covenant with Hagar and Ishmael with a promise that he will produce a new nation.
Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17
This a psalm where the prayer asks God for help. While the psalm is attributed to David, read this psalm and imagine that is offered by Hagar or Ishmael or Sarah or Abraham. Do you hear the prayer any differently depending on who the one offering the prayer is? When in your life might you be the one offering this prayer?
Matthew 10:24-39
This lesson is a part of a larger teaching in Matthew 10. This chapter opens with Jesus sending his disciples out to the “lost sheep of Israel.” See vs. 6. Jesus continues his instructions to the disciples by reminding them of some key lessons for them to hold onto if they are to follow his example of being teacher to others, sharing the essentials of the faith.
Starting in vs. 24 Jesus reminds them of humility and expectations that they will take on this journey to the “lost sheep of Israel.” One of the challenges that he acknowledges is fear. Imagine yourself one of the disciples, what fears might challenge you? What fears do you hear Jesus addressing? They may have been afraid of Satan or Beelzebub, afraid of being harmed, afraid of letting Jesus down, afraid of conflict, pressure from family and friends.
This reading ends with vs. 39: Whoever finds his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. This is not a new teaching for most of us. How do you understand this teaching?
Romans 6:1b-11
One of the questions that Paul deals with in the Roman letter is what happens for us spiritually after we become disciples of Jesus Christ? Paul asks in vs. 1 Shall we go on sinning so that God’s grace may increase or be made manifest in us? His answer is found in what has happened or changed in us since we are forgiven, redeemed people of God. Paul says that we are dead to sin and alive to Christ. Whatever has previously been the separation between us and Christ, should be cast aside and we should seek what is making us alive in Christ. Vs. 6 talks about the old self being crucified and the new self that comes because of the freedom given through Christ. How would you tell another person you changed when you became of confessed disciple of Jesus Christ? If there was no change, what difference does becoming a disciple make? If there is a change what do you name? Is there any sin that temps you presently? Is there any sin that has found its way into your life that you need to confess and let die? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is stronger than that sin?
Prayer: Lord God, just as you put into Abraham and Sarah the hope and promise of a child, you also chose to use the waiting time to show your power and your grace. Just as Jesus modeled the role of teacher, he also modeled obedience to God even to the point of suffering and death. When we accept Jesus as Lord, we accept the newness that he brings into our lives. Give us wisdom and courage to be fully alive in Jesus Christ and dead to sin. Make that real in our lives every day. Amen.