Loving God, you have given us the freedom to make our own choices, which means that many times you are calling us to come and return to you.  Help us to discern the true freedom that comes with faith in Jesus Christ, for in his name we pray.  Amen.

            Once again, we have traveled a very long way since last week.  Last week we were out in the wilderness at Mt. Sinai as the commandments and the covenant were initiated through Moses.  This week, over forty years have passed, and the Israelites have crossed over the Jordan River and are now in the promised land.  Moses has died, and Joshua, who succeeded him, is now at the end of his life.  And so, in the reading that we have heard today, Joshua reminds the people of their history and of what God has done for them, and invites them to renew the covenant.

         To many of us, when we hear Joshua telling them to choose whom they will serve, it seems like a no-brainer.  After all, wouldn’t you think that people who had seen how God had saved them at the Red Sea and had experienced other miracles along the way – wouldn’t you think they would know the power of God and would want to worship the Lord?

         However, all through the Old Testament there is this tug-of-war between worshiping God and worshiping idols.  In fact, even Abraham and his family served other gods when they were in their homeland (Josh. 24:2).  It was only once God had called Abraham that he came to know the Living God.  And even the people who are there with Joshua in the promised land still have idols among them.   When the people respond that they will serve the Lord, Joshua says, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you” (Josh. 24:23).

         In some ways, this seems quite unbelievable, since the very first commandment is, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Ex. 20:3).  However, once we realize that choosing to serve God means choosing God-pleasing behaviour, perhaps we see why some find idols more attractive.

         Just to give one example, the Canaanites, who were in the land along with the Israelites, practiced a fertility religion.  They believed that it only rained when the gods were having intercourse.  Thus, when they needed rain for their crops, it was customary to visit a temple prostitute out in the open where the gods could see you. In this way the gods would be reminded to send rain.  Can you see why some people might find this religion attractive?...

         On the other hand, the prophets often spoke to the people about drought and famine, and said that God allowed these things because the people were neglecting the covenant (cf. Ezek. 5).  The solution was not to worship other gods, but to practice the justice and mercy that God required of them. Then the land would be fruitful for them, and they would live in peace.   To at least some, however, obedience seemed much more difficult than exploring other options.

         Today, of course, people still choose other gods.  For some, their god is money.  For others, it is sports that is their primary concern.  For some, video games or even staring at their phone are the number one things in their lives.  For others, their god is their stuff.  And some quite simply serve themselves.  Keep in mind, our god is whatever comes first in our lives.

         As with worshiping the Living God, each false god has a certain kind of behavior that goes with it. I have heard people say that they don’t want a “Lord.”  They don’t want anybody telling them what to do with their lives.  In fact, in most cases when it comes to idols, people simply want to do whatever they want to do.  This is the “me first” kind of world in which we live.  However, as with all idols, they will be found to be sorely lacking in the end.  For it is only the Lord of heaven and earth who gives life and love and salvation.

         Just as Joshua began by reminding the people of all that God had done for them, so our relationship with God begins with all that God has done for us.  We could probably make a pretty long list, that might go all the way back to being created in the image of God, given the breath of life, and given the creation in which we live. However, any list would reach its apex in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, who was sent not only for our sake, but for the sake of all people.  It is through Jesus that God offers us salvation and forgiveness and eternal life.  It is through Jesus that we find life in all its fulness.  It is through Jesus that we receive the Holy Spirit and all of the gifts that the Spirit brings.

         However, just as with God’s covenant people in the Old Testament, accepting these gifts of God also brings a certain kind of behavior with it.  Worshiping God means loving and serving one another.  It also means turning our hearts to the world that God loves. Our attention moves outwards, rather than just focusing on ourselves.  Worshiping God means striving to be in a right relationship with God, and with other people, and even with all of creation.  It also means valuing and practicing justice and mercy and peace.

         Just as with the Israelites, though, truly serving God means putting away all other gods that might creep into our lives.  As Jesus quotes in today’s gospel, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him” (Mt. 4:10).  This is not because God wants to curb all of our freedoms and stop us from having any sort of fun.  Rather, it is because when we serve God and put our trust in Jesus Christ, that is when we discover life in all its fulness. Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Pentecost 21 (NL 1)                                    Joshua 24:1-15

October 14, 2018                                         Matthew 4:8-10

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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