Knights, Gunslingers, and Slaves (a Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

Did God have slaves? It seems impossible. The very idea is disturbing on several levels. And yet, this week's Lectionary selection from Acts talks about God's slaves. Peter explains to the crowd that they are not hearing gibberish from drunkards, but the word of God from his anointed servants, fulfilling a Biblical prophecy:

"In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy." (Joel 2:28-29a NRSV)

And there is the troubling phrase: "Even upon my slaves...." So troubling, in fact, that most modern versions render the word as "servants."

Well, which is it, servants or slaves?

Neither. We don't actually have a word in modern English that directly corresponds to the original language in that passage. The closest we can come is "Bondservant," a person who intentionally attaches themselves to a master (sort of an indentured servant). But even that isn't exactly right.

So, then, what is it like?

More like Batman and Don Quixote* and Stephen King's "Gunslinger" Roland Deschain ... Knights, that is. Though, of course, fictional Knights, they are versions of something that harks back to a time when actual knights swore an "Oath of Fealty" to their King. They went on quests, did as the King asked, and were easily identified as representatives of their King. They pledged to never do anything that reflected badly on the King, and to always do the right. In other words, knights committed themselves to serve their kings, faithfully.

Which brings us back to Israel.

At the time God gave the Law to the Israelites, there were many practices in the world that we would find repellant. As with many of these, God's requirements relative to slavery were intended to begin the process of shaping the fledgling nation in the right direction, to mitigate the worst aspects of the practice within Israel, not eliminate it from the world. "An eye for an eye" was a significant improvement over "a death for an eye."

As part of this, God gave special instructions about slaves who were also Jews. God required that Jews be released from slavery after six years, regardless of the reasons they became slaves. No Jew was enslaved to another Jew for life.

With one exception.

A Jew could elect to refuse release at the end of six years. To make this happen, he or she had to state before community leaders, "I will not go out free." At this, the master would pierce the slave's ear as a sign the person had elected to be permanently in the master's service. It was this kind of so-called "slave" being referenced by God in Joel's prophecy; men and women who had committed themselves to lifetime service to the Lord.

If you are one of these whose "oath of fealty" is to God, someone on whom the Spirit has been poured out, scripture says you "shall" prophesy. You, then, must not wait. You must not withhold God's word.

Peter and the eleven spoke as they were moved by the Spirit. What is stopping you?
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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Day of Pentecost (May 15, 2016)
First reading
Acts 2:1-21 or Genesis 11:1-9
Psalm
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Second reading
Romans 8:14-17 or Acts 2:1-21
Gospel
John 14:8-17, (25-27)
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* Why not take a break and listen to a song that captures this state of commitment so perfectly? There are many versions of "The Impossible Dream" on YouTube. Here is a link to one of my favorites: Jim Nabors (as Gomer Pyle) sings it in his true voice. (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r5KeGccP9Jk&autoplay=1)

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This is the time of year we celebrate Pentecost, the launching of the church in Jerusalem. We would love it if you could join our group of believers at Lectionary Breakfast on Friday morning. We read the scripture and the Spirit instructs us. The hour starts at 8:00 and includes a meal, the Bible, and an enjoyable time together. We still meet at the Waco "Egg and I" restaurant.

Enjoy the week!
Steve

The Cowboy Coming to You (a Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

There was a bit of a commotion in our Central Texas community the other day.

It happened about the time everyone was headed back from lunch.

The bull, lighting out for the territory ahead, was giving it his all as he sprinted down a very busy street. Behind him, lasso and whip at the ready, raced a man in a red pickup truck . . . followed by three (or possibly four) police cars.

It WAS a sight.

As entrancing as that parade was to local drivers and the folks finishing their burgers and fries, the most interesting part of the story came at the end.

That's when two "animal control cowboys" arrived to corner the fella and wrangle him into a trailer. His flirt with freedom at an end, the bull was returned to his owner, only a little worse for the wear.

And as one local police sergeant noted, “The good thing about living in Texas is that it’s not too long after you call a cowboy that you get one coming to you.”

That brings us to two of this week's Lectionary scriptures: the Exodus 17 passage where the children of Israel tested God, and Psalm 95 which refers to that event. When Exodus 17 opens, the Israelites have experienced the wonder and power of God again and again and again: the ten plagues on Egypt, including the miracle of the Passover; the pillar of cloud and the pillar of flame; the dry crossing at the Red Sea and the destruction of the Egyptian army; undrinkable water cured; free meat every evening to feast on and manna every morning with which to make bread.

And yet, after all of that, when they grew thirsty, they insulted God by complaining as if they had never witnessed a single miracle. They had seen His power, LIVED it, but acted as if none of it had ever occured.

Is it any wonder that God came to loath them?

The police in my community called on animal control cowboys when faced with the need to round up an errant bull. They made that call because they KNEW those cowboys were available and ready to accept the challenge. There was every confidence that a cowboy would soon be coming to do what needed to be done.

That's because we live in "cowboy country." We know they are there, that they are capable, and that they can be depended on in time of need. We have seen their abilities and have no concern about them handling our needs. Our experiences with relation to cowboys has led to our faith in them to address our cowboy needs.

In the same way, the Israelites lived in "God Country." They had been living there for some time; yet, when the need arose, they couldn't muster a tiny bit of faith, even with all their experience with Him, to trust God for their need.

If you have seen the power of God in your life, imitate our local police in your faith; trust that when you need God's help that He already knows and has an answer on the way.

You have a cowboy coming to you.

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We're rounding everyone up Friday morning at 8:00 for feed and a little scripture grazing. Join us if you can. We'll be at the Waco "Egg and I" restaurant.

Cow folk welcome.

Enjoy the week!
Steve

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http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu

READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Third Sunday in Lent (March 23, 2014)

Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 95
Romans 5:1-11
John 4:5-42