Lose Life to Find True Life: 21 June, 2020

Matthew 10:24-39

Jesus sends the Twelve to bring news of the kingdom of heaven to the lost sheep of Israel. . . . These verses contain both warning and promise. The Twelve are to go out like Jesus himself—poor and defenseless, like sheep among wolves. Because Isaiah’s peaceable kingdom has not yet arrived, this way of living requires both practical realism about the world’s hostility to Jesus (be wise as serpents) and a single-minded devotion to the reign of God (be innocent as doves). While the image of the dove may suggest guilelessness, akeraioi (pure, innocent) literally means “unmixed,” suggesting singleness of purpose.

As Jesus’ representatives, the Twelve will also share in the rejection Jesus experienced. . . . Facing such adversity, Jesus calls his followers to be unafraid. No injustice done to them will escape the righteous judgment of God. Knowing that God’s judgment is eternal, Jesus’ representatives would do well to fear God rather than people. They must also remember that there is a terrible element of reciprocity in their relationship with their LORD.

Before the heavenly judge, Jesus will acknowledge those who acknowledge him before their own persecutors and judges, but will deny those who have denied him. Perhaps the reader may find a word of comfort in the story of Simon Peter, who denied the LORD but was forgiven. Better yet, in the time of trial Jesus’ representatives must keep in mind how deeply God loves them, and that life with God is the only life worth having. –– Aaron J. Couch

Jeremiah 20:7–13

Stuck with a message he does not want to deliver, Jeremiah complains bitterly to God. His grief and pain flow out with unmeasured bluntness. He accuses God of enticing (perhaps seducing) him and overpowering him. Jeremiah does not mean that he views himself as a mere puppet, manipulated at God’s whim. Rather, Jeremiah recognizes the compelling character of the prophetic word he has received. The word of God is true. However much he might wish to do so, Jeremiah cannot evade its truth.

Jeremiah laments, but he does not despair. The passage concludes with an expression of deep confidence in God. Jeremiah is certain that God is with him. While his enemies plot to bring him down, the prophet trusts that God will bring them down. Jeremiah knows that he is the “needy one” who depends upon God’s faithfulness. –– Aaron J. Couch

Romans 6:1b-11

Paul begins to work out what it means that salvation is given through Christ as a gift apart from the Law. To receive this gift is to enter the new humanity God is creating through Christ, living in restored relationship with God. God does not set us free for sin, since sin itself belongs to the old humanity that was estranged from God. . . . Paul speaks of baptism as union with Christ. For the baptized the old life under the dominion of sin is broken beyond repair. They are, in fact, dead to that old life because of how God has united them with Christ in his death. –– Aaron J. Couch

Aaron Couch is a co-pastor of First Immanuel Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon.

Homily Service 38, no. 7 (2005): 27-37.