Genesis 22: 1-14: The Old Testament reading relates the story of the sacrifice of Isaac, or perhaps more appropriately, the testing of Abraham. On one level this may be a story rooted in the Hebrew rejection of the Canaanite practice of human sacrifice, particularly child sacrifice. On a second level, it is a "testing." However, there is more to the story that merely denouncing human sacrifice, or God testing Abraham. Three times Abraham stands before the Word, before God, and each time Abraham responds immediately and faithfully, "Behold, here I am." The critical part of the text is found in verse 8, where Abraham declares "God will provide." Abraham trusts God's way, rather than his own way. Of even greater import, he is prepared to act on that trust in a concrete manner, even though he doesn't fully understand it. The assertion that "God will provide" affirms that God, and none other, is the source of life.

Romans 6: 12-23: In the letter to the church in Rome, Paul continues the theme of God as provider. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Eternal life is not a payment, but rather a free gift of God. Again, God alone is the source of life.

Matthew 10: 40-42: The lectionary breaks up the final portion of Jesus' mission discourse. Last week we heard the call to commit one's self to Christ; to love Christ more than one's life. This Sunday's reading contains words of promise. Whoever receives, shows hospitality to Jesus' disciples also receives Jesus and "the One who sent me." This "sending Christology" is more fully developed in John's Gospel. It leads to an understanding of the Christian life as a chain of mission. The Father sent the Son; the Son sends the disciples.

God, and none other, is the source of life. Abraham trusted that promise and acted upon it. Paul trusted that promise and acted upon it as the apostle to the Gentiles. We also, are heirs of the promise. We receive God's gift of life, freely offered. May we respond as Abraham and Paul, "Behold, here I am," and go into the world to love and serve God.

God's peace,

Bill +