As I prepare for my sermon this upcoming Sunday, these are my initial thoughts and reflections on this week’s lectionary passages.
Jeremiah 23:1-6
This passage clearly paints a picture of hope for the Israelites, one that we now know to be a picture of Christ as the Good Shepherd.
What sticks out to me, though, is how serious the consequences are for shepherds who do not shepherd God’s people. It’s a sobering passage to read as a vocational pastor, a reminder that I’m not just responsible for myself. I’m responsible for those in my “flock,” to be a good shepherd to them.
Psalm 46
What a wonderful psalm of praise for God’s power to save! The psalmist paints a picture of the greatest disasters befalling the world: natural disasters and wars both. But even in the midst of all this, he paints a picture of a God who is mighty to save, who can be trusted to sustain us even when the worst happens.
I cannot help but think of the grief many I know are experiencing in this season. While the loss of a loved one isn’t earth-shaking, it can certainly leave a person feeling like the world is shaken. This psalm speaks to me in my own grief. Even in the moments when it feels like it will swallow me up, I can be still and trust that God is God.
Colossians 1:11-20
The Colossians passage doesn’t hold back, even from the first words! The first two verses speak powerfully to the struggles of both daily life and intense hardship. We’re reminded that God strengthens us so we can have endurance, patience, and joy. Those first two verses alone could be a sermon all in themselves!
The passage goes on to share a hymn of praise to Christ. This hymn reminds us of who Christ is: the firstborn of all creation, the one who reconciles all things to God. We don’t just get strength and power from God, but this intimate relationship with Christ, who has done all these things because of his great love for us.
Luke 23:33-43
Luke brings a familiar story to us: that of Jesus’s crucifixion. Luke’s telling of the story is particularly detailed in the ways that others mocked Jesus. The cruelty and humiliation of his death are painted in vivid hues in this passage.
The contrast between dark and light is particularly stark here. While Christ is dying, others are casting lots for his clothes while onlookers, including another crucified man, mock him. Yet Jesus offers forgiveness to them, even in a moment when no one would blame him for speaking condemnation.
Conclusion
While I still want to pray more about the direction my sermon will take this coming Sunday, I’m particularly drawn to the passage in Colossians and will likely preach on that. Because the Luke passage fits so well with it, I’ll probably draw heavily on that as well.
What are your thoughts on this week’s passages? If you’re a pastor who preaches the lectionary, which passage do you plan to preach this Sunday?