Today’s texts from Jeremiah and Matthew talk about the derision, persecution, and violence (up to and including death) that those who bring God’s message to the world can expect from the world. Both texts agree, however, that in spite of the shame and humiliation, God’s servants will be publicly vindicated, and in ways no one expects.

For Jeremiah’s audience, the Babylonian captivity proved that his message of violence and destruction was true. For the disciples, knowing that Jesus would advocate for them before the Father gave them confidence in the face of rejection from their fellow Jews. In our own day, we should expect the gospel to continue to cause division and provoke anger.

Jesus Christ experienced violence, humiliation, imprisonment on false charges, and finally death, but was vindicated in a most unexpected way when God raised him from the dead. Because of this sign, we can live in hope, and proclaim our faith in thought, word, and deed — come what may.

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Readings from 3 Pentecost, Proper 7, Year A, Track 2. Jeremiah 20:7-13; Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39.

Preached by the Rev. Jake Dell on June 25, 2017 at Holy Trinity Church Inwood.

The readings from Exodus and Matthew are talking about the commissioning of Israel and the Apostles to carry out God’s mission to the world. Romans talks about how Jesus completed this mission in a unique and particular way. Together the texts are saying that by obedience to the Father, Jesus is the priest-king Israel failed to be.

Knowing that their ancestors had failed to obey God, the early Christians found hope knowing that Jesus did. Moreover, they found purpose as Jesus commissioned them to help him carry out his mission to the lost sheep of Israel, and, in time, to the whole world. In our own day, we should remember the urgency of evangelism, because judgment will come before everyone can be warned.

Christ comes to us in our weakness with a message of hope. His death proves that even if no one else loves us, God does. In turn, we must share that message of love and hope with the failing world around us, while there is still time.

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Readings from 2 Pentecost, Proper 6, Year A, Track 2. Exodus 19:2-8; Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23).

Preached by the Rev. Jake Dell on June 18, 2017 at Holy Trinity Church Inwood.

The texts for Pentecost Sunday talk about the role of the Holy Spirit in both the Old and New Testament Church, and in the lives of individual believers. The readings tell us that the Spirit is the source of prophesies and visions, and can operate in expected as well as unexpected ways.

For both the Israelites and the community of New Testament believers, the stories from Numbers and Acts reminded them not to limit God’s activity. Under the Spirit’s guidance, people may prophesy in the “wrong” place and in seemingly inappropriate ways; for instance, they may seem drunk! In our own day, if we do not perceive the Spirit at work in our lives, it could mean that we have misplaced expectations.

Jesus, a teacher with no formal training; a religious leader unattached to either the temple or to a sect, himself defied expectations, yet he was God’s choice to save the human race from sin. By faith in Jesus Christ, the misplaced expectations of our hearts can be reset, and where once death reigned, living water will flow.

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Readings from Pentecost Sunday, Year A. Numbers 11:24-30 ; Acts 2:1-21; John 7:37-39.

Preached by the Rev. Jake Dell on June 4, 2017 at Holy Trinity Church Inwood.

In Acts 17 Paul is talking about the idolatry of the Athenians. He is saying that even by pagan logic, the Athenians should know that idolatry is wrong. Peter is talking about the logic behind the suffering of those who do good. He is saying that no lasting harm can come to those who do good, but, in some cases, the righteous suffer as a part of God’s larger plan. Finally, in John, Jesus is talking about the connection between love and obedience. Jesus is saying that those who love him will obey him and therefore nothing, not even death, can separate them from God.

Those few Athenians who heard Paul and believed turned away from their idolatry. Peter’s readers were comforted knowing that God can convert the suffering of the righteous into blessing. The disciples and John’s readers were given instructions for surviving physical separation from Jesus after his death. For us, these texts teach us that God is closer than we think.

Christ is the true likeness of God. Though statues may look very life-like, the resurrected Jesus is actually alive. Jesus Christ points us to God in a way no idol can. In fact, if we keep Jesus’ commandments, he will do more than point us to God, he will dwell in us and reveal God to us.

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Readings from 6 Easter, Year A. Acts 17:22-31; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21.

Preached by the Rev. Jake Dell on May 21, 2017 at Holy Trinity Church Inwood.