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The themes of barrenness / exulting prayer / encouragement / and dire warnings of the immediate future form this Sunday’s lessons. Such a wide array of themes and stories require a discerning reading of the passages. The sorrow that comes from barrenness could form a connection between the 1st Samuel passage (1:4-10) and the words of Jesus in Mark 13. Sorrow over the barrenness of a womb and the sorrow over a religious system that has lost focus and compassion. The proclaimer might also see theological connections between the first part of the Hebrews 10 passage and Mark’s gospel as well. Mixed or served individually as the main entrée, these lessons offer much for reflection and worship.

1 SAMUEL 1:4-20-BARRENNESS

This is a story about barrenness and how it impacted one woman. The woman is Hannah of whom the narrator says, "Pennah had children, but Hannah had no children" (1:2). The lesson describes the anguish that barrenness creates: stigma (for it was believed that God caused barrenness: "the LORD had closed her womb," v. 5); Hannah also became the object of cruel and unceasing taunts by the other of Elkanah’s wives, Pennah (v. 6-7); she had sorrow and loss of appetite (v. 7-8), and finally she calls out to God in desperate prayer (vs. 9-10). A new development occurrs in the story that removes Hannah’s barrenness. Hannah prays for a son and vows that if God answers her prayer and grants her a son, she will give her son up to serve God alone under the nazirite vow-the boy would be separated from his family of origin and consecrated to God under the care of the priest Eli at Shiloh.

1 SAMUEL 2:1-10-HANNAH’S PRAYER

God answers Hannah’s prayer and she keeps her word and leaves young Samuel with Eli. The prayer that forms our lesson reflects a woman’s heart that has been vindicated, favored by God, and elevated over her enemies. Such words will also form another woman’s prayer of praise many years later (Luke 1:46-55).

HEBREWS 10:11-14 (15-18), 19-25-JESUS THE EXAMPLAR

With a summary statement or perhaps the "and in conclusion" part of this sermon that begins in chapter 9, the pastor/writer reaffirms that Jesus as High Priest has offered himself as sacrifice in a once-for-all gift and now reposes in the divine heavenly presence until even enemies will submit themselves to his sovereign rule. Vs. 15-18 provide proof texts that corroborate the pastor/writer’s statements about Christ’s current role of making people holy before God. The final section (vs. 19-25) moves in a completely new direction-a paranesis based on Christ’s great self-giving. Christians have boldness to go before God with full assurance that we are forgiven and acceptable and accepted by God. Resourced with such great Christ-givings these believers are urged toward "outbursts of love and good works" by mutually encouraging each other with presence and resources.

MARK 13:1-8-THE END OF THE WORLD

Jesus, having commented on the m/o of certain scribes and noting the widows offering in the temple area, now leaves. As a parting word, a disciple comments on the temple itself-its architectural beauty which illicits one of the darkest comments that Jesus will utter. Jesus predicts its total demise. Maybe it takes awhile for the words to sink in, but sitting opposite the Temple, the disciples urge Jesus to clarify this dark saying. Jesus obliges them with more words about the future-false claimants to Messiah, inter-country wars, and natural catastrophes. Such signs will be but the beginning of the end.