Naked Strangers

Matthew 25: Sheep and Goats: Redux
Pastor Dave did a wonderful job of reorienting our questions with his sermon on Matthew 25:31-46. How are we the "least of these"? And how does this recognition move us to care for the "least of these" in our communities and in our world? I'd like to offer a few more reflections on the text.

1.) I sometimes wonder if we put too much weight on this text as the reason why as Christians we are charged to care for the poor, the weak, the suffering, etc. We have an even greater warrant than this particular passage: the whole Old Testament! In fact, the whole of Scripture describes God's care and heart for the poor, the orphan and the widow. If you are not convinced, take a look at the Poverty and Justice Bible, which highlights all the references in Scripture to the poor.

2.) As Christians we begin with caring for the least among us. This does not mean we do not reach out to all--of course we do--but we learn what it means to care for the "least" by caring for the least among us. In this way, we are trained and equipped to care for all those whom the world calls "least." Charity begins at home, not in a self-centered way, but rather because if we cannot learn to care for the weakest among our own families, among our brothers and sisters in Christ, we have little hope of being able to care for the "least" of the world.

3.) Did you notice the connections to our Christian baptismal journey in the text? The "least" are described in three sets of pairs: the hungry and thirsty, the stranger and naked, the sick and imprisoned. So too with us! We come to God hungry and thirsty, completely impoverished and longing for the food, the Bread of Life, that is only God's to give. We hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). We are strangers, for we are the Gentiles, the outsiders, who are brought near only by the blood of the Lamb. We are also naked, for we stand beside our sinning parents, Adam and Even, naked and embarrassed after having eaten of the forbidden fruit. The only "clothing" we have is Christ's righteousness, which comes as sheer gift. Finally, we are the sick and imprisoned. We are literally sick to death with sin, which infects the very depth of our soul. We are also the imprisoned, held in the grip of sin, only released by Christ who sets us free. In other words, these words paint a picture of us before Baptism and along our baptismal journey until our baptism is completed only in death.

Bethlehem: What's in a Name? City of David
Occasionally I like to offer some reflections on our mission and ministry together as a congregation using our name, Bethlehem, as a touchstone.

Bethlehem (Hebrew: House of Bread) is the city of David. So King David bears our close attention. Early in our reading through the Scriptures with the Bible in 90 Days program, we read through the books of Kingdoms (1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings) and through a retelling of that story in the two books of Chronicles.

What struck me this time reading through these texts is how much David was a man, literally, "after God's own heart." He was not perfect (see his adultery with Bathsheba, for example), but again and again we find David reflecting to us God's mercy in his own person. He refuses to slaughter King Saul, the Lord's Anointed, even when he has the chance. He consistently refuses revenge on his enemies who have wronged him, even in his own house, even when his advisers think and recommend otherwise. He weeps over the deaths of those close to him, even when they have done him wrong. And he gives us a model for repentance when he is accused of his sin with Uriah's wife (see Psalm 51).

We often remember David for how he slew Goliath, but in fact I think the consistent witness of the Old Testament, which longs for the fulfillment of the promise of a Messiah-King from David's line, is that he is a Shepherd "after God's own heart." This longing is fulfilled in Christ, born in the City of David, born to be our Bread of Life in the city that is appropriately named "House of Bread."

May we who bear the name of King David's city, learn from his example and witness, being men and women "after God's own heart."

Advent
Our Advent devotions are now available online and as a booklet (from the church office). Join us this Sunday (11/3o) as we prepare for Christmas and for our Lord's second coming during these weeks of Advent. You may want to consider buying a simple Advent wreathe and using this booklet for evening devotions.

Events and Such
Thanksgiving Day worship is 9 am this Thursday (11/27). Please join us in giving thanks to the Lord. President Bush's proclamation for the National Day of Thanksgiving is available here.

The women of the church gather this coming Sunday (11/30) for their winter fellowship gathering. Join us at 2 pm for a program, "Putting Your Best Foot Forward."

Decorating for Advent and Christmas will be this Saturday (11/29). If you are up for heavy lifting, that begins at 8 am. Everyone else is invited to join us at 9 am.

Advent offering boxes were distributed to Sunday school students this past Sunday. This school year, 100% of the money collected through these Advent boxes and 30% of the general Sunday school offerings will be given to Heifer Project International.

Caroling will be Sunday, December 7 (7pm) with the youth and Monday, December 8 (6pm) with the Priscilla women's Bible study group. Come, let us sing to the Lord!

Our Bible in 90 Days group has crossed over into the New Testament. Why not join us for the last 21 days. Begin on day 68 this schedule.

Revival is coming to Bowling Green on Friday evening, December 5 and Saturday, December 6. For more information on this Lutheran Revival and to register, see the synod website.