Nobody likes judgment, yet there are many parts of the Bible which talk about it. In this week's Gospel, Jesus talks about a judgment on Jerusalem and its temple. What benefit do we get from hearing these difficult words? How can we find words of judgment to be good news? This sermon explores what Jesus meant to his original audience, but also what he is saying to us today about God's challenge to our way of life.

Scripture references: Luke 13:31-35; Jeremiah 7:1-20

Preached on the Second Sunday in Lent, March 17, 2019 by Rev. Stephen Silverthorne

Sermon Highlights

• Jesus' statements in the Gospel rely on the prophet Jeremiah
• Jeremiah's judgment on the temple is that it would not allow God in
• God was pushed out by their faithlessness
• So, God will come to judge the temple
• Jesus similarly is pushed out by leaders' faithlessness
• So, Jesus comes to judge the temple
• Jesus invites us to ask, where have we pushed him out?
• Must ask if our church faithfully reflects God's mercy
• Must ask if I faithfully reflect God's mercy
• God's challenge is also a mercy
• Accepting the challenge opens us up to His mercy

Further Reading

• Between Midnight and Dawn by Sarah Arthur
• Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

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