Eighth Sunday after Pentecost July 6, 2008
Scripture	Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 16“But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, 17 ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; 19 the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” 25 At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Devotional	The three previous lection readings were Jesus’ instructions to disciples. He has given instructions to the disciples who are being sent out in mission. What about those who did not respond? Jesus calls the disciples to be in mission but he is not satisfied with those who do not respond. This is one of Jesus’ sayings that we could easily omit. In fact the lection does omit verses 20-24 which include a tough saying. Jesus describes those who reject his teachings as like little children playing a happy game or a sad game and complaining that other children will not play the game they are playing. This generation is simply playing out life. They are unable to see the real life before them. A group that is impossible to satisfy. John came neither eating nor drinking and they say his has a demon. Jesus came eating and drinking and they call him a glutton, a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors, and sinners. Does this remind us of ourselves when we reject the teachings of discipleship? The fault is with the teacher not us. This is one of those scriptures which are easy to pass over in order to reach something more favorable. We could not be included in this group of self-absorbed people who want everyone to play their game. Spiritually we see others as this sort of folks but never ourselves. George Hunsinger describes this group some what different but reaching the same conclusion: It is the heresy of those who believe that the resurrection has already happened, that the life of the redeemed is one of unrelieved blessedness which removes them from the sufferings of the world… For who would not prefer a theology of glory to a theology of the cross? Who would not rather have a theology of success than a theology of brokenness? 1 Jesus calls all to discipleship. Some will become disciples. Others will continue to play their games of name calling, fault finding, and dividing the faith community. We choose one or the other but not both. 1 http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj7810&article=781035&mode=sermon_prep&week=A_Proper_9#PTWproper9A