Today's readings are 1 Samuel 17.20-47 and Acts 26.24-27.8.
Simple people, simple concepts, simple means. That's what our Lord is using in today's reading from 1 Samuel. We see a simple person. David, the youngest of the sons of Jesse, probably in young adulthood, the kid brother who was staying home to take care of the animals, shows that he may not be a little kid any more. Yet he's not one of the sophisticated trained warriors. He's just a guy. There's nothing special about him. At least, we won't mention anything special about him for now. How about a simple concept? God is out to show that he is greater than the unbelief of the Philistines. Again, this is a very simple concept. God is the great one. The gods of the Philistines are not. Pretty easy to add up. How about the simple means? Rather than using great weapons of warfare, rather than some sort of sneaky ambush tactic, rather than some elaborate scheme, God sends David with a sling and some stones. No doubt David picked up the absolute best sling stones he could fine. Goliath was imposing and David knew he might not have more than one shot. Delivering the stone to its target was important. But a sling and some smooth stones are very simple weapons. David goes to face his opponent without hiding himself, without special armor.
What is the normal guy, David, really armed with? He is bearing the presence of the living God with him. He is subject to God's call. He has been told that God will not abide this infamy against his holy name. In light of that, the sling and stones are almost incidental.
Likewise, as New Covenant believers, we come against the power of Satan, the fallen world, sin, death and hell, and we normal people walk into this conflict with a very simple concept and simple means. What's the concept? Jesus has defeated sin and death by his victory on the cross and his resurrection from the dead. We need no longer die because he no longer dies. That 's a remarkably simple concept, though it is rich and full of implications. Maybe the simplicity of it is exactly what makes it so offensive to our world. What? We don't earn our way to heaven? No, Jesus did it for you. And what are the simple means that we simple people bear? The foolishness of preaching. We use the proclamation of God's Word, which gives life and hope. We use the means of grace, baptism and communion, redeeming and nourishing souls for eternity. How does a little water accomplish salvation? The same way the Word of God accomplishes salvation. The water, used with and according to the Word, creates cleansing. How? We don't know. It's God at work, not us. And how does a little bread and a taste of wine nourish faith? How can that be the real body and blood of our Lord? Again, we don't know. It's God at work, not us. The elements, used with and according to the Word, accomplish what God has said they will accomplish.
So let's watch God at work - using simple people, a simple message, and simple tools.
Simple people, simple concepts, simple means. That's what our Lord is using in today's reading from 1 Samuel. We see a simple person. David, the youngest of the sons of Jesse, probably in young adulthood, the kid brother who was staying home to take care of the animals, shows that he may not be a little kid any more. Yet he's not one of the sophisticated trained warriors. He's just a guy. There's nothing special about him. At least, we won't mention anything special about him for now. How about a simple concept? God is out to show that he is greater than the unbelief of the Philistines. Again, this is a very simple concept. God is the great one. The gods of the Philistines are not. Pretty easy to add up. How about the simple means? Rather than using great weapons of warfare, rather than some sort of sneaky ambush tactic, rather than some elaborate scheme, God sends David with a sling and some stones. No doubt David picked up the absolute best sling stones he could fine. Goliath was imposing and David knew he might not have more than one shot. Delivering the stone to its target was important. But a sling and some smooth stones are very simple weapons. David goes to face his opponent without hiding himself, without special armor.
What is the normal guy, David, really armed with? He is bearing the presence of the living God with him. He is subject to God's call. He has been told that God will not abide this infamy against his holy name. In light of that, the sling and stones are almost incidental.
Likewise, as New Covenant believers, we come against the power of Satan, the fallen world, sin, death and hell, and we normal people walk into this conflict with a very simple concept and simple means. What's the concept? Jesus has defeated sin and death by his victory on the cross and his resurrection from the dead. We need no longer die because he no longer dies. That 's a remarkably simple concept, though it is rich and full of implications. Maybe the simplicity of it is exactly what makes it so offensive to our world. What? We don't earn our way to heaven? No, Jesus did it for you. And what are the simple means that we simple people bear? The foolishness of preaching. We use the proclamation of God's Word, which gives life and hope. We use the means of grace, baptism and communion, redeeming and nourishing souls for eternity. How does a little water accomplish salvation? The same way the Word of God accomplishes salvation. The water, used with and according to the Word, creates cleansing. How? We don't know. It's God at work, not us. And how does a little bread and a taste of wine nourish faith? How can that be the real body and blood of our Lord? Again, we don't know. It's God at work, not us. The elements, used with and according to the Word, accomplish what God has said they will accomplish.
So let's watch God at work - using simple people, a simple message, and simple tools.
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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogger.com
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