1 Pentecost 3rd After A 2011 Pastor Dena Williams Denver, Colorado Notes--Zechariah 9:9-12 The text begins with

celebratory joy as the King comes, but ends in suffering as war resumes. Even then, God promises hope and restoration. Notes-- Romans 7:15-25a We have all seen or been the child on the sidelines of the game, wanting to enter, not sure what the rules might be, not trusting our skills, afraid to participate, angry with others and ourselves, in pain. Who will rescue us, invite and help us to enter the life-giving game? Thanks be to God . . . Jesus Christ Our Lord! The Holy Gospel according to the Community of St. Matthew in the 11th Chapter Glory to you, O Lord Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 11:16 "But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, 11:17 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.' 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon'; 11:19 the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds." 11:25 At that time Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things

2 from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 11:26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 11:27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 11:28 "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ Games Children Play I remember June and floods and sand bags and huge river rats all part of growing up along the Mississippi River. Eventually the waters recede leaving rot and mold and mildew in their wake. It takes until Fall to erase the high water marks, dry out homes and businesses, replant fields, and restore order. I remember long July days in the small town in Illinois where I spent my childhood the newness of summer washed away with the floods. It is hot and humid, sunny and buggy. We, a half dozen school age girls from the block sit in the dust at the base of the giant elm tree in the neighbors front

3 yard. Dutch elm disease and air conditioning have yet to reach the middle of the country. By mid-afternoon, boredom has taken on new meaning. One of the girls suggests we ride our bikes across town to the swimming pool. Too far. Too many hills. Too hot and besides, Marys bike has a flat tire. Longing for books and air conditioning, I suggest we walk downtown to the library. If its too hot to ride to the pool, its too hot to walk to the library. The whine of insects and children breaks the afternoon stillness. It is a hot, dusty, summer day in a small Judean town. The children gather around the edges of the square, in the narrow strip of shade provided by small shops and houses. The children on the west side call over to their friends on the south edge. Matthew has a flute. Come on over and well play pretend wedding! Its too hot to sing and dance! Well, then, lets cover ourselves with ashes and play pretend funeral. Elizabeth will be the dead one. If its too hot to celebrate, its certainly too hot to wail and mourn! The writer of Matthew divides the sheep from the goats, the tares from the wheat, those willing to enter the game from those who refuse to play. A reluctance to enter the game, a reluctance to participate in community comes not only to bored children. John the Baptist came with dignity and reserve, as one might come to a funeral.

4 The people called him names. Jesus came with joy and celebration, as one might come to a wedding. The people called him names and made fun of his friends. When we reject invitations to participate in community, to laugh or cry, we miss opportunity to enter loving relationship. Like truculent children, we resist that which is life giving in favor of wallowing in misery. Relationships with others, with God, call us to enter the game, to come to know and respect ourselves and one another, renew our dreary existence, refresh our spirits in the light of Gods redemptive love for us. The stillness of the heavy afternoon air is broken as the twins mom steps out on the porch and calls, Angela, your mother called. She wants you home to help with supper. Why dont the rest of you come inside where its cooler? Bye, Angie. See you tomorrow. With a bit of new energy we head inside to the dim coolness of the living room. There are cartoons and crayons and card games. We wrench ice from metal trays, plug in the oscillating fan, and engage one another in quiet play. It is not long before the factory whistle blows and the time comes to wander home. Soon the men will return from the factories to the neighborhood; supper will be ready. We go home to our families where we find varying degrees of redemption, refreshment, and renewal.

5 Though essential to our well-being, entering into human community always comes with risk. Some relationships, even or especially within families, prove more life-giving than others. It is not so with God. The promise of life-giving relationship comes to us in the second part of this story from Matthew. God overcomes our child-like petulance with this invitation: Come to me, enter into relationship with me and you will find rest, for I am gentle and humble. So God welcomes us to enter the game, to play, to love and be loved, to find redemption, refreshment, and renewal. Gods love calls our communities of faith to invite all people to enter the game. The rules of the game include unconditional welcome, support, encouragement, the accompaniment of others who come with joy and suffering. Our individual and churchly mission as Christians centers on giving and receiving love that reflects Gods love for us. Amen

Exegetical Notes on Matthew, Chapter 11

Jesus often uses parables to enhance and encourage theological understanding or to bring to light a community problem. The parable is more than a simple story. Insight into the meaning of a parable requires careful thought. The mental exercise of puzzling out a meaning can bring understanding of the theology and spiritual growth. This is especially apparent in parables that have, at least in the present, a seemingly obscure meaning. The Parable of the Riddle of the Children calls for thoughtful interpretation.

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Jesus is comparing to the children playing in the marketplace, those who did not respond to the ministry of John the Baptist and those who have not responded to his ministry. This parable might be interpreted several ways. The ministries of John and Jesus were markedly different. The riddle itself may, then, refer to two groups of children. One group offers to play two very different games (pretend wedding and pretend funeral), but the second group will not join in either game. Those who would not respond to the ministry of either John or Jesus are like obstinate children who refuse to join in either game.1 Jesus uses common human experience to draw sharp attention to the lack of response on the part of some hearers of The Gospel.

Culpepper, R. Alan, The Gospel of Luke from The New Interpreters Bible, Volume IX (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995), p 166.
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