A Voice We Had Not Known--July 28, 2018

[From Aug. 3, 2006 archive]

We hear a voice we had not known,

a voice that promises relief from our burden.

What voice is this?

Is it like the sugary voice of Jael to Sisera,

who offered the warrior a rug to hide under and warm milk to ease his fear,

then while he slept hammered a tent stake through his temple?

Or like the voice of Judas, whose love for Jesus

did not preclude his serving as a guide

for the arresting party?  

No, it is more like the voice of women who followed Jesus

and provided for him all the way from Galilee to crucifixion,

then stayed with him even after.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 143; 147:12-20; 81; 116

Judg. 4:4-23

Acts 1:15-26

Matt. 27:55-66

           

Selected Verses

Ps. 81:5c-6

I hear a voice I had not known:

“I relieved your shoulder of the burden;

            your hands were freed from the basket.  …  ”

Judg. 4:18

Jael came out to meet Sisera, and said to him, “Turn aside, my lord, turn aside to me; have no fear.”  So he turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug.

Acts 1:16

“Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus…”  [Peter, to the believers]

Matt. 27:55

Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him.