Can't make it to church - Sunday 29th October 2017

We've done with the vineyards and grapes and today we draw to a close the religious guys trying to trip Jesus up with their questions and set up: seems Jerusalem wasn't an easy place for Jesus to find Himself in, doesn't it? But He wins through with his turning the questions back on His questioners and by putting those who opposed Him in the spotlight so everyone could see who they really were and who He was!

And He used the Word of God (what we call the Bible)  - the law and the prophets - to provide the answer, for nothing about Jesus ever contradicts what's in the Bible (the OT being the law and the prophets just in case you've missed the hints thus far). It's the Bible, the law and the prophets, that Jesus comes back with in our Gospel reading as the final shot in the battle regarding the greatest commandment. Then, job done, Jesus decides to return fire as He opens up with a question regarding the Messiah and whose son He is.

But back to the 'greatest commandment', here Jesus nails it:
The greatest commandment? Surely it it to love the lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind (Deuteronomy 6.5 - the words of the shema, the 'Hear O Israel' that features on a daily basis with the religious Jews even today) and the second is: to love your neighbour as you love yourself (Leviticus 19.9).

What a great answer - the 'law and the prophets' prove the answer and the validity of Jesus' teaching and the next bit - the Messiah is whose son question - well the answer to that is in the same place (Yep, it's the Bible, innit it?).

Who is the father of the Messiah? The Bible tells us that He is of the house of David, and is called 'David's son' - but ultimately and absolutely, His father is God Himself! The pointing to Psalm 110 - where Lord (YHWH) says to David answers it once and for all.

The Messiah is the Son of God. Arguments over and the truth made known once and for all!

"So whilst you Sadducees are here - a little question for you!"

And it is to Leviticus 19 we return as we consider the words, "You shall be holy . . .," and the entreaties and commands as to how we should live if we are to live rightly. Holiness is something we don't talk about much these days, instead we talk about commitment and the like, but holiness is the key to living right.

"Good it is that you should be," the words of St Yoda of the Starwarish - and in the overrated series of films of that people, the battle over good and evil is to be found as strongly as it is in theBible!

Today is no different for us in these 'modern and enlightened times' and the call of Leviticus and Deuteronomy and the whole of the Bible (the law and the prophets) draw us onto right living and victory in, and through, Jesus the Christ.

Being holy is tough and relies upon us relying upon the indwelling and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Jesus (the living word - Logos) and the Bible (the written word- logos). It results in results that other can see, and by their experience understand the Love of the invisible God made visible in their own lives.

Look at the Christians in Thessalonica and see that although there was persecutes and ill-treatment for those who sought to make Jesus known, there was also perseverance and the integrity and honesty and that won converts and made disciples. This is what today's readings are all about.

We look to God, not to man to praise us, and we live according to the word of God (the law and the prophets) to make Christ known.

And we do it not counting the cost - looking to be pleasing to God.

We look to give and not receive, for we have been given back our lives through the 'once and for all - for all' sacrifice of Jesus, the Christ and that, and the eternal life that comes with it, is surely motivation enough.

So how you doing with all this, and how are you making Christ real through the holiness you display?

The Collect
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: help us so to hear them,
to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word, we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Leviticus 19.1-2,15-18
The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
“‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbour fairly.
“‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people.
“‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbour’s life. I am the Lord.
“‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbour frankly so you will not share in their guilt.
“‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 2.1-8
You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. Instead, we were like young children among you.
Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

Matthew 22.34-46
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord.

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied.
He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’?
For he says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’
If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Post Communion Prayer
God of all grace, your Son Jesus Christ fed the hungry with the bread of his life and the word of his kingdom: renew your people with your heavenly grace, and in all our weakness sustain us by your true and living bread; who is alive and reigns, now and for ever. Amen.