I really work hard at trying to understand the Scripture. I realize how important, how central it really truly is – to put everything in its “original context.”
The problem is with interpreting “the word.” And of course, “interpreting” is what we all do, each and every one of us!
I say it means “one thing.”
The “Bible banger” down the block says it means another.
The person in the pew, thank God, “thinks for themselves”… and goes with – whatever they like…ANY HOW!!!
Which one do you believe? Who is right? Is it possible that we are both right? Is it possible that in some way we all are right?
It is “the same word.”
The “same context.”
But “our interpretations” can vary greatly.
The ELCA takes one stance…Missouri another and Wisconsin or WELS another.
Some prefer law…some prefer gospel…some prefer both.
Pulpit pounders like law.
Yep, you’re all going to hell…minus the hand basket! End of story.
The “gospel guy” shy’s away from hell and prefers to talk about the goodness and the grace and the bliss that is heaven.
The guy who tries to encompass both agrees with Paul and says, “Well we all fall short of grace…so can Hades be far off?” But thanks be to God, Jesus came and saved us – in spite of our sins which, as YOU KNOW-are MANY!
People in the north, see things one way.
People in the “Bible-Belt” look at things differently.
It can get pretty confusing for some…
But I like to think, that God through his Holy Spirit – is always speaking to someone.
“Someone” out there – is getting the message they are supposed to receive on any given day.
So, it’s like this text before us today…
Supposing the guy preaching is a misogynist…he really does not like women…or he just went through (or is going through) a god-awful divorce…and he is blaming everything on WOMEN. Now he gets up to preach on this text about two women who happen to be sisters… Yikes!
Or what if a Feminist gets up to preach on this text? How will she interpret the story of these two sisters?
And will she come down on the side that there really should be no rivalry between women, but you should all support and uplift one another?
Women have to stick together, you know?
I tell you – the word varies based not only on the preacher, but on the interpretation.
I read the Gospel narrative before us and I think about hospitality and serving others, having company and being gracious.
But you know what? My house is a mess. No excuses. I am getting ready to repaint. Taking stuff off the walls….taking them down…
I am embarrassed to say, it has only been painted twice in 20 years and it is indeed over-do…you might even say it is looking a little nasty.
But guys can overlook “a lot of stuff.”
Dust, dog hair, a little dirt…it is all good. The dog has this love/hate relationship with the vacuum sweeper. She loves it when I bring it out, so she can “search and destroy it.”
When stuff is on your walls – 25 feet up in a loft, it is hard to clean and dust. So, you do the best you can.
I am “that guy” on TV running around with the Swiffer…and thinking, I’m done!
During his travels, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha was “super hospitable.”
Martha had a sister named Mary, who’s sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to his instruction and hanging on to his every word…
Meanwhile, Martha’s “all worked up” because of all of the housework, cooking, cleaning and serving she’s doing. Martha “complains” to Jesus that her sister’s not doing ANYTHING, and the burden of hospitality has fallen squarely on HER shoulders, alone!
She requests Jesus to “demand” that Mary help her. In reply, Jesus tells her that she’s “too distracted” by “worries.” Jesus praises Mary’s choice and says this cannot be taken away from her.
Moral of the story: never do housework, again. I read this text and that is “my interpretation of it.” And for the record, I am sticking to “that interpretation.”
Amen.