SERMON 222 - SUNDAY 24 AUGUST 2025 - TRINITY 10

Sermon at Joint Service at All Saints’ Church, Winterslow - 10th Sunday after Trinity –Sunday 24 August 2025

Luke 13:10-17

May I speak in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and may these words be those of you, Lord, and may they be a blessing to all who listen and hear them.

In this morning’s gospel passage taken from Luke’s gospel, 13:10-17, we are presented with the story of Jesus healing a woman who had been crippled for 18 years. This passage is filled with powerful themes of compassion, healing, liberation, and the clash between religious legalism and the compassion of Jesus.

The story begins with Jesus teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath. This was a common practice for Jesus, as he often used these opportunities to share important truths with those who were gathered to worship. On this particular Sabbath, Jesus noticed a woman who was bent over and unable to straighten up. This woman had been afflicted with this condition for 18 years, a significant amount of time to be suffering from such a debilitating ailment.

It is important to note that in Jewish culture at the time, physical ailments were often viewed as a result of sin or divine punishment, just as today, some of the prosperity gospel preachers use this as a way of extracting money from those who are suffering from disabilities and ailments. Therefore, this woman may have been marginalized and looked down upon by society due to her condition. However, Jesus does not see her as a sinner or someone deserving of her affliction. Instead, he is moved with compassion for her and reaches out to her, saying, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment" (Luke 13:12).

This act of healing demonstrates the power and compassion of Jesus. By healing this woman, Jesus not only physically restores her but also frees her from the burden of her affliction. He brings liberation and wholeness to her life, showing those around her, and us today, that his ministry is not just about words but about tangible acts of compassion and healing. This demonstrates Jesus as a caring and loving healer who is willing to reach out to those who are suffering and in need of his touch.

However, not everyone in the synagogue is pleased with Jesus' actions. The synagogue leader, who represents the religious authorities of the time, becomes angry that Jesus has healed on the Sabbath. In Jewish law, work was prohibited on the Sabbath, and healing was considered work. Therefore, the synagogue leader accuses Jesus of breaking the Sabbath law by performing this act of healing.

Jesus responds to the synagogue leader's accusation by pointing out the hypocrisy of the situation. He notes that even the religious leaders themselves would untie their animals and lead them to water on the Sabbath, showing compassion for their needs. Yet, they would deny this same compassion to a daughter of Abraham who had been suffering for 18 years. Jesus exposes the legalistic mindset of the religious leaders who prioritize rules over compassion and love for their fellow human beings.

Through this interaction, Jesus challenges the narrow-minded interpretation of the Sabbath law and redefines the true meaning of Sabbath. He shows that the Sabbath is not just a day to refrain from work but a day to show mercy and compassion to those who are suffering and in need. Jesus demonstrates that true Sabbath observance is about fulfilling the spirit of the law, which is love for God and love for neighbour.

In the end, Jesus' actions are vindicated, as the people rejoiced at the miraculous healing of the woman. They recognize the goodness and power of God at work through Jesus, and they glorify God for the wonderful things they have seen.

This passage therefore, invites us today to reflect on our own attitudes towards compassion, healing, and legalism. Are we like the religious leaders, who are quick to judge and condemn others for not following the letter of the law? Or are we like Jesus, who shows compassion and love to those who are suffering and in need?

As Christians, we are called to follow the example of Jesus and embody his compassion and love in all our dealings with others. We are called to prioritize mercy and justice over legalism and rigid adherence to rules. We are called to be agents of healing and liberation in a broken and hurting world, just as Jesus was for the woman in the synagogue.

As we look around us at the broken world today, where bigotry and prejudice seem to be on the increase, where communities and cultures are becoming split between “them and us”, we need to examine ourselves in this context – are we showing lack of mercy and compassion to those who are not like ourselves, or are we embracing the differences?

This passage also challenges us to examine our own attitudes towards Sabbath observance. Do we view the Sabbath as a legalistic obligation or as a day of rest and renewal? Are we willing to follow Jesus' example and challenge the status quo in order to bring healing and liberation to those who are suffering?

In conclusion, Luke 13:10-17 is a powerful and challenging passage that invites us to reflect on our understanding of compassion, healing, and legalism. It reminds us of the transformative power of Jesus' compassion and love, and calls us to emulate his example in our own lives.

Let us pray

Father God, may we be inspired by this story of the woman in the synagogue, being mindful of the words and teachings of your Son; may we show mercy and compassion to those who are suffering and in need, and help and guidance us to always prioritize love and justice over rigid adherence to rules and regulations so that we may truly be like Christ and worthy of your love. Through Jesus Christ our Lord,  Amen

 

 

                                                                                            MFB/222/21082025

SERMON 221 - SUNDAY 10 AUGUST 2025

Sermon at St. John’s Church, West Grimstead - 8th Sunday after Trinity – Sunday 10 August 2025

Genesis 15:1-6; Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16; Luke 12:32-40

May I speak in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and may these words be those of you, Lord, and may they be a blessing to all who listen and hear them.

Did you notice how both our First and Gospel Readings began this morning? On both occasions the Word of God/Jesus started with the phrase “Do not be afraid?”. In fact, that phrase, and words with the same meaning, occurs in the Bible, it is said, 365 times – once for each day of the year but, as I have never counted them, I can’t say for certain that this is true. It does appear, however, more times in the Old Testament than in the New.  Whatever the numerology, it is a phrase which is encouraging to us all reminding us that if we have a belief in the Trinity, we have nothing to fear but fear itself as a previous United States President once stated.

With this in mind, each of our three readings this morning reminds us of God’s awesome, and at the same time, inexplicable or supernatural power.

Of course, I love our First Reading from Genesis – that occasion when God, in a Vision, informed an elderly man, Abram (as he was then known), that despite his age and childlessness, he would found a dynasty – that he would have descendants more numerous than the stars in the sky.  Abram is asked to count them, if he can, and today we know that there are at least 100 billion stars in our Milky Way Galaxy with a further several trillion galaxies in our known Universe.  How awesome is that?  To put it in context, the stars of the cosmos far exceed the grains of sand on every beach in the world!

Abram had been disappointed and fearful that he had no issue of his own and that it would have to be the descendants of one of his slaves who would inherit his wealth – for Abram, we read, was an exceedingly wealthy man. We read that he and his wife, Sarah, were in their eighties and so it seemed a biological impossibility that they could have children. Of course, we know that God’s message to Abram came good and his wishes for a family was answered.

In our second reading, the author of Hebrews, who, for a number of reasons, we do not believe was Paul but probably one of his acolytes, is writing to the Jewish Christian followers, mainly in Jerusalem, who were being persecuted by orthodox Jews and being tempted to give up following Jesus and return to traditional Judaism. For many biblical scholars and general Christians this is the most important epistle after Paul’s letter to the Romans and is a great book to read at times when our faith is being challenged or we have doubts.

The essence of Hebrews is to remind the reader that what has gone on before in the Old Testament is a prophecy and places the New Testament in the context of the history of the Jewish Faith – a continuation and therefore not at variance with Jewish tradition.  Jesus reminded his followers that he had not come to overthrow the Old but to fulfil it.  

The writer, in the passage read out this morning, is reminding his Jewish recipients of his letter of the events portrayed in our First Reading and by Faith and Obedience, Abram/Abraham he received all that had been promised to him and therefore his original fears had been overcome.  Towards the end of the passage, the author reminds his readers that Abraham and his family and followers had also to be treated as strangers and foreigners when they left their homeland but because of their faith and obedience and would reach a better heavenly one.

So here we see again the message of trusting in God and thus overcoming our fear even if the tasks may seem fearful and impossible.  We are to take our faith beyond our small parochial orbit, so to speak, and realise and appreciate the vastness and awesomeness of God’s kingdom.

Our Gospel reading is quite a familiar one but I think it does need some explanation.

Again, the passage begins with Jesus telling his disciples not to be afraid. He is telling them that whatever might happen to them here in Earth, because of their love and generosity and readiness to trust in God, they can receive the Kingdom of Heaven where nothing passes away, nothing rots, (where no moths can destroy as he puts it) unlike here. He is setting the tone to trust and rely on God and not earthly efforts.

In fact, this passage encourages all who believe to detach themselves from material possessions and to invest in heavenly treasures; to live in anticipation of the Lord’s return for, as he says, where your heart is, there you treasure will be also.  To invest in the material world of today is to invest in all that will disappear and not what will endure.  My grandfather in Norfolk worked for the local carpenter and funeral director and he had a very simple life, not storing up riches but by enjoying God’s creation in the countryside around him.  He never had much money or many holidays but simply soaked up the wonderful scenery where he lived.  He once told me that the reason for this was that during all the time he had been working for the funeral director he had never seen pockets in a shroud.  “You can’t take it with you” so he chose not to spend his time on gaining material wealth.  My grandfather indulged in focussing on spiritual riches in his loving and compassionate manner rather than material wealth. As a result, he became my favourite grandparent.  A simple but, in his way, very spiritual man.

Jesus, also in this passage, reminds us, with his analogy of the servants waiting for the return of their master, to be ever vigilant about Jesus’s own return. We must be ready and not found wanting when he does return.  We should practice those virtues which he taught us in the gospel and for this purpose we have the Holy Spirit to assist us in that life of readiness and vigilance expecting his return at any time; not to be complacent or indolent but alert and ready.

Finally, in this gospel passage, Jesus is promising that those who wait and serve will themselves be waited upon and served by the master, highlighting the theme of humble service and turning social hierarchy on its head.  Our humble service will lead, in other words, to God’s graciousness.

In essence, therefore, the three takeaways from our three readings today, and in particular our gospel reading are as follows:

·       As Christians we should trust in God’s provisions for us and not be afraid

 

·       We should prioritise spiritual wealth over material possessions and live with generosity and compassion towards others

• Be ready for Christ's return through a life of service and faith.

So, what is your action plan going forward? Which of these will you prioritise and how will do it?  If you are doing it already, how can you improve upon what you are doing?

A good start is, of course prayer, so let us pray:

"Father God, I come before you acknowledging your awesome power and sovereignty. I recognize that you are the source of all strength and comfort. Help me to replace my fear with your peace, knowing that you are with me always. Help me to be ever ready for your return and to be there for all those in need of your grace and compassion; to be a channel of your love for all creation. Finally, thank you for your unending love and for being my refuge. Through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and ever-present Saviour." 

Amen                                                                                                    MFB/221/06082025