Song: This is the day that the Lord has made.
This is the day, that the Lord has made | Lyric video - YouTube
Story: Hezekiah and Sennacherib.
There is no one bible reading which does justice to the story of Hezekiah and Sennacherib, but it can be found in:
First book of Kings; chapters 18 And 19
Book of Isaiah; chapters 36, 37 and 38
Second book of Chronicles; chapter 32, verses 1 to 21.
A more detailed version which uses historical records as well as the bible accounts, can be found here:
The Bible, Hezekiah, Sennacherib and History (covenantepc.org)
Lord Byron wrote a poem “The destruction of Sennacherib” which ends with the lines;
“And
the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword,
Hath
melted like snow in the glance of the Lord!”
The full text of the poem can be found here:
The Destruction of Sennacherib - Wikipedia
The important point to draw from the story is that Hezekiah decided to trust in the Lord in his situation, and even when the situation seemed hopeless, he was delivered as a result of his faith.
Reading: Book of Nehemiah, chapter 8, verses 1 to 10
Song: Glorious things of Thee are spoken,
Reading: Luke’s gospel, chapter 4, verses 14 to 21
In the reading from Nehemiah, we hear that when the works to build the new walls had been completed, the people celebrated. Their celebrations included the reading of the law. But most importantly, the reading was accompanied by interpretation, an explanation of what had been read, so the people understood.
The interpretation of what has been read is the task of the preacher, and it is a necessary task. But it does ask the question as to why the people wept?
For a long time, they had lived under oppression. This will always get people down, as certainly now as as it did then. The completion of the works meant that this strain had lifted, the oppression was over.
At the end of the American civil war, General Lee offered to surrender to General Grant. Among the officers of General Grant there was rejoicing, and one jumped on the table to offer “Three cheers”. He only got as far as one, when he, and many others broke down in tears. It was all over.
The people felt safe now that the walls were completed. If we were to preach in the street, we might not feel safe; there could be hostile passers by who would detract from our message and faith. In our own buildings we feel safe. This feeling of safety is often denied to our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world.
Compare this with our current situation. We have been oppressed by the recent Covid pandemic. Now, we are taking the first steps to some sort of normal. We are starting to rebuild; our lives, our way of life, our “walls”.
Have we come to worship today because we are grateful to God?
The people wept because of a conviction of sin. When the law was interpreted to them, they realised how far they had strayed; that it was this straying that had caused their problems in the first place. Because of their straying, they had become separated from God, and therefore, se3paratede from their land. They wept because of the realisation of how merciful God had been, and how little they had deserved it!
The preaching (interpretation) had received a response.
The Sabbath is a day for celebration, not a day to go round being miserable, and making other people miserable.
In Nehemiah, we read of the duty to share blessings with those for whom nothing had been prepared. Similarly, we have a duty to share our bounty with those who have nothing: to share what we know with those who know nothing of the Saviour, who are suspicious of the church.
A saying attributed to St Francis is “Preach the gospel to all, use words if you have to”. Rejoice, we are children of the gospel, children of the good news.
In our reading from Luke’s gospel, Jesus quoted Isaiah to say what the good news is. These groups he identifies are not far away. This is not something that is going to take a lot of searching to do. When he says to0 proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour, he is referring to the year of Jubilee. Every 50 years, debts were cancelled, bonded slaves were set free, and set up with supplies to live their new free lives. When he says that today in you hearing this has been done, he is saying that everyday we have the opportunity to do this, to set someone free.
Today is the day of Jubilee for everyone who hears the word of God interpreted so that they can understand it. The Holy Spirit will lead them to make a response. They can rejoice, and we rejoice with them.
A door has been opened. It makes Sense!
Song: Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus Christ You have come to us - Living Lord Hymn - Lyrics Video - YouTube
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