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God is the vine dresser and Israel the vine in psalm 80 and Isaiah 5; what can we learn from that relationship that can help us to be fruitful in God’s garden. In the epistle lesson, we join an increasing procession of faith-filled people who now urge us to keep our focus on Jesus in our journey. The gospel lesson contains sobering words of division and pain that disciples may experience in their journey with Christ.

 

PSALM 80:1-2; 8-19-BRING US BACK

The repetitive phrase "bring us back" (tev v. 3; 7; 14; 19) provides the theme for this psalm-a prayer for the nation’s restoration. In our section-vv. 8-19-the psalmist uses the metaphor of a grapevine to describe Israel. God has planted the little vine that has so grown that its runners extend out to the Mediterranean Sea on the west and the Euphrates on the east. But the story of the grapevine goes south-its demise-is now sketched out with "wild hogs" that "trample it down" (v. 13). The psalmist again pleads with the Almighty to turn also even as Israel needs to be turned God-ward.

 

ISAIAH 5:1-7-SOUR GRAPES

Like our psalm here also we have the controlling metaphor of the grapevine / vineyard. In this case we are supplied with information that is missing from the psalm. While the psalm just notes that God broke down the fences around the vineyard, thus allowing wholesale looting by passersby and destruction by enemies, the prophet Isaiah focuses on the unproductiveness of the grapevines-"every grape was sour" (v. 2). The prophet further rips off the thinly veiled allusions to Israel as the unproductive plant and condemns the people who have rejected their God-Gardener.

 

HEBREWS 11:29-12:2-JOINING THE CROWD OF FAITH-HEROES

The Hebrews writer winds down the list of illustrations of faith-filled lives and actions. The final specific examples are the crossing of the Red Sea-by faith-and the faith that made the walls of Jericho come a tumblin’ down-not to mention Rahab’s saving faith (vv. 29-31). The rest of the chapter moves to more general brush strokes of faith . Bottom line-none of the faith-contenders actually achieved the promise, for we also are links in the same chain of faith-events that is only completed with our active role in faith. So we continue to look to Jesus who is the author and architect of our faith; in him the promise will be realized.

 

LUKE 12:49-56-HARD SAYINGS OF DISCIPLESHIP

Strong words come from the gospel lesson as Jesus warns of the division that his advent has brought and will continue to bring to society. Perhaps the strongest words of warning and upheaval that he will cause families and communities. "Fathers will rise up against their sons . . . mother will be against their daughters . . . etc. (vv. 49-53). The second part of the lesson shifts us to the timeline of God-signs in nature warn us of impending storms. Yet, Jesus scolds his listeners, "don’t you know the meaning of this present time?" (v. 56).