Mercy
Luke 18:9-14
This past Sunday we looked at the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector. The story gives a shocking verdict to its original hearers: the righteous pharisee did not leave justified before God, but the tax collector did. For the original hearers of this word, the pharisee was the good guy while the tax collector was evil. In our many years of christian history in interpreting the text, we have lost this underlying presupposition. Instead, we try to perform interpretive acrobatics to reason our way into thinking why the tax collector would receive mercy while the pharisee didn’t. Many attempts in hermeneutical work try to show that the pharisee was secretly evil while the tax collector was secretly good. Why? We love to have a reason for why God acts the way he does. And the human condition presses this simple rule into our relationships and interactions: people should get what they deserve. But grace flies in the face of such a verdict. Grace is scandalous. Grace should make us leap up and say, but that’s not fair!
Forgiveness is never fair. Forgiveness is mercy.
When we are pressed into thinking of dishing out the usual verdict onto our fellow humans (they should get what they deserve), may we instead have the Holy Spirit press the hard doctrine of grace upon us. May we look to our savior who from the cross, knowing the hearts and minds of the crowd, was adamant in praying, “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do.”
Announcements:
Invite any youth to attend the 9:45 Youth Group on Sunday Mornings. Daniel and Emily Mendez are leading this.
We are working on creating an Advent Devotional Book written by our church for our church (as well as anyone else that would like to read it). If you are interested in writing a 1-2 page devotional for this advent season, please contact Pastor Steven. We would love to have as many people involved in this as possible.
Coming Soon! Children’ s Christmas Musical! More information will be provided as we get closer to the Christmas season.
Adult Sunday School Classes - 9:45
Youth Sunday School Classes -9:45 (Up stairs)
Mitchell and Sarah Davidson are hosting a weekly Bible Study at their house on Thursdays (6-8)
Their address and number are listed below
Trail Life 2-3pm each Sunday
Ask Pastor Steven or Damon Hargraves for more information
Church Weekly Schedule
Sunday worship at 11am
Sunday School at 9:45am
I am teaching through the Gospel According to Matthew
Youth Group! Daniel and Emily Mendez are heading up the Youth Group Bible Study at 9:45
Wednesday Prayer Posse 12pm
Thursday Bible Study with Mitchell and Sarah 6-8pm
Mitchell’s cell number: 907-942-0381
address: 1815 E Rezanof Dr.
Trail Life each Sunday from 2-3pm
Pastor Steven’s Office Hours 8-4 Mon-Thursday
I have an open sign (if it is on, I am here)
If I am not in the office at these times, I am meeting with someone
Call or text me 972-921-2516
Email steven@kodiakcbc.org
