Third Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, June 13th, 2021click here for past entries
Loving God, you give each person different gifts and call us to use them to share your love in the world. Make us aware of your Spirit’s presence and power, and renew us in your love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Between last week and this week, we get to hear the story of two very different people who are both chosen to be king of Israel. Saul, it seems, was the prototype and didn’t work out very well. In fact, close to the beginning of today’s reading, we hear that God “was sorry that he had made Saul king over Israel” (1 Sam. 15:35). We are also introduced today to version 2.0 of the king, who is David, son of Jesse. He is chosen, we are told, because of his heart, among other things.
It is entirely likely that you have heard a lot more about King David than you have about King Saul, and so, let’s compare and contrast for just a moment. Saul was from a wealthy family, and David was a humble shepherd. Saul was tall and handsome, but David has a good heart – even though he is also described as handsome and with beautiful eyes (1 Sam. 16:12). Saul runs and hides when it is time to anoint him king, but David does not object to the anointing in the midst of his brothers. Also, while the Spirit of the Lord does come upon both of them, with Saul it seems to be just a one-time occurrence (1 Sam. 10:9-13). However, none of this explains why Saul was so disappointing for Samuel, and for God.
As the story unfolds, it seems that Saul has a penchant for making rash decisions. Once, when Samuel is delayed in coming, Saul goes ahead and offers sacrifices without him – ignoring God’s commands in this regard (1 Sam. 13). At another time, he makes an oath that almost results in his own son being put to death (1 Sam. 14). And then, he ignores God’s commands once again regarding the Amalekites (1 Sam. 15). As time goes on, Saul becomes more and more paranoid and is always convinced that David is trying to kill him. His heart remains divided and fearful, and he never seems to have enough confidence or faith in God to be comfortable in his own skin.
David, on the other hand, exhibits a strong faith at a young age – something that we will hear more about next week. In spite of the fact that he is practically ignored by his brothers and father, David shows great courage in protecting the sheep from predators. He is young, he is humble, he is treated like the “least of these” by his family – which makes him a perfect candidate for the small beginnings that God seems to prefer.
As we hear about Saul and David and some of the other people who are part of the biblical narrative, we will always find some people that we can relate to more than others. Today, as we hear about two different people who were anointed as king of Israel, we might immediately think that we have nothing in common with them. After all, they were chosen by God, anointed by Samuel, and acclaimed by the people.
However, sometimes we forget that we, too, have been chosen by God, and anointed, and given the Holy Spirit. In the gospel of John, Jesus says the following to his disciples, and also to us:
You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name (Jn. 15:16).
Just like in baptism, God is the one who acts through Jesus. God chooses us, adopts us as children, unites us with Christ, and anoints us. “You have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.” And the Spirit of the Lord comes upon us from that day forward.
Of course, we are not all given the same gifts, and we are not all given the same calling, or vocation. Within the body of Christ, many different gifts are needed – and only all of the different members of the body working together under Christ, who is the head, allows the body to thrive and to grow. In fact, even those of you who think that you only received the very tiniest of gifts need not fear, for the mustard seed reminds us of how much God can do with something small!
And so, keep on using the gifts that God has given you. Keep on listening for the direction in which God is leading you. Keep on planting seeds and bearing fruit – particularly the fruit of the Spirit. For, even when you feel as though you are very small and insignificant, God is just waiting to do great things in and through you, by the power of the Spirit. For, you have been chosen by God, anointed in the name of Christ, and given the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Lectionary 11B 1 Samuel 15:34 – 16:13
June 13, 2021
St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church
Pastor Lynne Hutchison
© 2021 Lynne Hutchison All Rights Reserved
|