Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for the week following the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity is taken from the First Epistle of Peter, Chapter 5 verse 7, “Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you,” (NRSVB). Scholars believe that the Apostle Peter wrote this pastoral letter to the congregations in Asia Minor around the year 63 After Christ, possibly from Rome, where they were being persecuted. The Apostle used the wrote reference “Babylon”, which was a possible code name for Rome, reminding of the Babylonian Captivity of the Israelites. Initially the Roman Empire tolerated the Christian Community, but under Nero the communities were persecuted in Rome. By the end of the first century, under the rule of Domitian, the Christians were persecuted throughout the entire Roman Empire. It is believed that the Apostles Peter and Paul suffered martyrdom and death in Rome.
The aim of this letter of Peter was to encourage the Christians to cling to their faith and suffer the trials and tribulations that they faced, as Christ suffered in this hostile world. The Christian community is given the future hope, the assured hope of attaining life everlasting, following their suffering on earth. While suffering pain and persecution, one needs to keep the eyes on Christ, throwing the anxieties of the current situation on the Lord, who promises to care for us. The Apostle quoted from Psalm Fifty Five verse Twenty Two, “Cast your burden on the Lord, for he will not allow the righteous to be moved.” He encouraged the believers to keep the faith despite the present tribulation. As God promised King David that he would cause his foot not to slip, and his faith not to be shaken, so Christ promises the faithful that he will carry them in their time of anxiety. He will not allow them to be snatched from his hand.
Our watchword for today is taken from Psalm Ten verse Fourteen, “Lord, you do see! Indeed you note trouble and grief, that you may take it into your hands,” (NRSVB). In this psalm the psalmist calls on God to come to the aid of the righteous person, for the wicked opposed the just at every turn; they think that their evil deeds will not be punished. They are brazen in their opposition to the laws and the paths of righteousness. The psalmist encourages all those who are oppressed and who are persecuted to remain patient, and to keep on doing what is right, for God sees, and will not let the righteous fall and be tempted into renouncing their faith. God will strengthen those who obey him and see that justice will prevail; their trouble will come to an end.
When the father of the sick child came to Jesus, he was ever-hopeful that Jesus would heal his son, and he said, “But if you are able to do anything, have pity and help us,” as we read in the Gospel of Mark, Chapter Nine verse Twenty Two, (NRSVB). Jesus told him that all things are possible when one believes in the help that comes from God. The father tearfully asked Jesus to strengthen his faith, “Lord, I believe! Constantly help my weakness of faith!” (Amplified Bible). Jesus affirmed the faith of the father and healed the sick boy. When his disciples asked Jesus why they were not able to heal the child, Jesus told them that faith and spiritual power come from constant prayer and fasting, thus denying oneself the things that one rightfully should or may enjoy. In times of suffering and persecution people endure that their liberties and rights are taken away from them. They suffer detrimental conditions, even their very lives are under threat. God does not turn his head away, but he intervenes. He comes to save. God cares of us, we can come and cast our cares on him. He will not disappoint us. He will perfect that that concerns us. He will take our situation in his hands.
Father, we thank you that you keep your eyes on us, and come to our aid. We thank you that you strengthen our faith and bring us safely to a place of rest, amidst tribulation, Amen.