Proper 17 (Pentecost 14)

Pentecost 14 - Proper 17

 Series A 

Jeremiah 15:15–21
Romans 12:9–21
Matthew 16:21–28

The Glory of God Is the Passion and Cross of Christ Jesus

After Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, our Lord, “began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (Matthew 16:21). Upon hearing this “theology of the cross,” Simon Peter stumbled into a satanic “theology of glory.” But the glory of God is revealed in the Passion and cross of His incarnate Son. 

The faithful prophets, such as Jeremiah, suffered persecution and rejection in anticipation of Jesus’ cross. Yet the Lord did not abandon them; He remembered them, and He was with them to deliver them (Jeremiah 15:15–20). By His cross Jesus has redeemed the world, and in His resurrection He has vindicated all who trust in Him. Thus, the Christian life is a discipleship of self-sacrificing love. Since Christ Jesus has reconciled us to God, we “live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18). By the certainty of His cross and resurrection, we “rejoice in hope,” and we are “patient in tribulation” and “constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

Not mere prescriptions which would be Law.

We are marked in baptism any suffering we endure will be vindicated by the Lord.

We share Christ to the world.

See John Pless article "Liturgy after the Liturgy" in Logia 

This is what you are given to do. The focus must be on Christ to avoid going back to the Law. This is the death we experience in baptism fascination with self.  

We live in humility and faith before God as well as in love for our neighbor. It is the Gospel which drives us. 

NB watch the verbs used in preaching. Instead of this is what you need to do, this is who you are. This is how you now look.  

The new man still needs guidance. Thus the 3rd use of the law.

Good works are always ambiguous but never arbitrary.

1. This is shown by “serving the Lord.” V. 11

A. Rejoice in hope. ἐλπίδι 

1. Rejoice with patient perseverance with those who rejoice. V. 15a

2. Weep with those who weep. V. 15b

B. Be patient in tribulation.

1. “Bless those who persecute you.” V. 14a 

2. “Bless and do not curse them.” V. 14b

C. Be constant in prayer.

1. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. V. 17 

2.If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. V. 18

2. In the reverent fear of God. We do no harm to our neighbor.

A. “Let love ἀγάπη be genuine. V. 9 This love. Typically refers to divine love. What God prefers. A description of who we are in Christ not prescription. 

1. This love. Abhors. Detests. Hates. ἀποστυγοῦντες What is evil.

2. This love. Holds fast to what is good.

B. Love φιλαδελφίᾳ one another. V.10

1. With brotherly affection. Give preference. “For you have been taught by God how to love one another.” This love. Is self-evident. Constant. It simply exists.

2. Outdo one another in showing honor.