God Rolls Away Disgrace – 27 March 2022

Luke 15:1–3, 11b–32

All of chapter 15 is dedicated to a defense of Jesus’ ministry. The beginning of the chapter notes how tax collectors and sinners responded to Jesus, which caused the Pharisees and scribes to complain. They regarded Jesus’ willingness to share table fellowship with people who did not keep the commandments as approval for transgressing the law. Jesus replied with three parables about the joy of finding something that was lost (the lectionary skips the lost sheep and coin). . .

The third parable, about a lost son, is a different sort of story, and the differences make it much more interesting. Instead of objects that have little or no say about being found, the lost son must decide to return. Instead of the shepherd and the woman who seek for their lost objects, there is a father who waits and watches until the son returns, and then casts dignity aside to welcome him. And instead of friends and neighbors who gather to rejoice about what has been found, there is the older brother who complains bitterly that he has been mistreated by his father. These changes in the story shift the focus so that it becomes less a direct defense of Jesus’ work and more an invitation to repentance on the part of those within the religious establishment who disapprove of the welcome Jesus extends to outcasts and outsiders. –– Aaron Couch

Joshua 5:9–12

This brief text marks a huge transition for Israel. The years in the wilderness have come to an end. As the story continues, the people will take possession of the land God had promised to the patriarch Abraham. It is appropriate to note how the Deuteronomic writers present the fulfillment of God’s promises. Others may find the text provokes troubling questions. What about the Canaanites who planted the crops? If the biblical text seems to give divine authorization for conquest, occupation, and even genocide, how is one to evaluate its witness to the character of God? –– Aaron Couch

2 Corinthians 5:16–21

A primary theme through the first several chapters of 2 Corinthians is Paul’s work to serve the life-giving power of God expressed through Christ. Because of Paul’s sometimes prickly relationship with the congregation in Corinth, one can sense Paul making a case for his ministry, attempting to dispel criticism and capture his audience’s hearts to be part of God’s work to renew the world.

One of the images that shapes the verses in today’s reading (and their larger context) is of a great “exchange.” Though Christ shares in the unending life of God, he took on death so that the human family, subject to death, might live a new life. Though Christ was sinless, he took on human sin so that the human family, which is righteousness-less, might become righteous. Paul declares that [it] is no longer possible to view the world according to ordinary human categories.

Because of God’s deep love for the world, God in Christ has reached out to embrace all, overcoming estrangement to gather creation into fellowship with God. Paul sees his work as that of an ambassador, announcing God’s intentions and calling for the reader to receive the gift God offers. –– Aaron Couch

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

Homily Service 43, no. 2 (2009): 37–45.