Locusts, Comparison, and Knowing What Will Last
(Free Version)- Joel 2:23-32; 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18; Luke 18:9-14
Find this week’s readings here. This week, in our “Deep Dive,” we look at the background of the Old Testament reading, including Joel’s “locusts” and how the event relates to generational trauma. We look at Tertullian’s defense of “the flesh” and how he engages this reading. In the epistle reading, we look at the history of the practice of “pouring one out for the homies” in 80s and 90s rap culture and how it connects with Paul’s view of his life. We look at Eastern Orthodox wedding practices, and illustrations about “rewards” in the kingdom of God. In our gospel reading, we look at how the tax collector’s prayer relates to Christian prayer throughout the centuries.
Our readings this week provoke a question: what has lasting power? What is it that we do or participate in now that will actually mean something at the end of our present age? Or even at the end of our lives?
Our Old Testament reading (Joel 2:23-32) reminds us that God’s faithfulness will last. That which has been snatched away by the locusts will be repaid. Rain will fall. We are promised in this reading that God will pour out his Spirit upon all flesh, a promise fulfilled at Pentecost (Acts 2). Far from being repelled by humanity, God desires to dwell in our midst in fullness: speaking, working, judging, and healing every brokenness. God will remain faithful, and everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
Paul, writing near the end of his life, reflects on what will last (2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18). He says that his life is being “poured out” as a sacrifice to God. He has run the race and will receive a crown. These are not the same rewards as those which the world values. They are not precious jewels that can be cashed in or that will make us look more sparkly than everyone else. Instead, when we submit ourselves to God’s Lordship, when our words and hearts center on “God” rather than “I,” we are learning to speak the language of heaven.
In the end, what other people value will not matter. God is the ultimate judge and he is our only rescue. Comparison robs us, not only of joy, but of focus and of mission.
This does not mean that our good deeds will not last into God’s new world. There are “rewards” that are organically connected to what we do now. Every act of faith, hope, and love is like the process of building a house that will be lived in forever. To be more accurate, we may be more like the 8-year old assistants to the builder. He allows us to put hand to hammer, but he is the one who really builds the house.
In our gospel reading (Luke 18:9-14), we hear that humble trust in God will last into God’s new world. Jesus tells the story of a Pharisee and a tax collector, both who approach the temple of pray. The Pharisee is a good man, but he has given in to pride. The tax collector, by contrast, has no good works to stand on. He simply prays, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” He can only lean on God, but that is all that matters anyway.
Paul says in the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians that three things will remain: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love. Whatever we do in this life that is rooted in faith… empty-handed trust; whatever we do in this life that is rooted in hope…the longing for God’s kingdom to come, his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven; whatever we do in love in the way of Jesus will last. And, that is all that will last.
God is building something in our midst. A new world has dawned and is being formed. We can trust that the rain is already here and God’s Spirit has been poured out. May we run the race well. May we be willing to be “poured out” for the sake of God’s Kingdom even if it means that everyone else abandons us. And may we constantly look to the righteous judge and anticipate the reward of His kingdom where all is made right.