Bible Study: Pentecost 17 (B) – September 15, 2024

RCL: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 116:1-8; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38

Isaiah 50:4-9a

In this reading, one of his “servant songs,” Isaiah adopts the voice of God’s suffering servant, the Messiah. He is to be a teacher, dedicated to relieving his people with a new lesson. He will be obedient, even through suffering and injustice. And he is resolute, leading and saving his people from perdition.

Early in the school year, Isaiah reminds us what it is to teach. Teaching is a noble profession, of course, but also a noble undertaking that those of us outside the classroom can do. Just as our Lord is obedient to his Father, we can be, too. Just as he sustains the weary, wherever he finds them, we can, too. Just as he commits himself to teaching God’s truth to a world rarely receptive to it – we can, too.

• Who taught you about Jesus?
• Where in this song do you hear foreshadowing of Jesus’ ministry on earth?

Psalm 116:1-8

This psalm is so reassuring. Just like the psalmist, we have this compassionate guardian who watches over us, even as the grave reaches out to ensnare us. While we must accept that we will be brought low in life – probably as often as anyone! – God has given us himself and each other to help us back on our feet. Thanks be to God that we can rest secure in this knowledge!

• It can be hard to hear these praises and still see death and destruction around the world – and even closer to home. What do you think God would have you or your congregation do to confront death in all its forms?

James 3:1-12

James’ imagery in this piece is stunning and comes alive to us. His lesson rests on our tongues – signifying our ability to communicate with others based on our thoughts and feelings. And those thoughts and feelings, as we all know, can take a number of forms. They can be kind and generous; they can be cold and rational; they can be brave and noble; they can be cruel and biting. We are blessed with the power to use our language to build great empires, to tame the wilderness, and to raise up the downtrodden – but we are cursed with the power, used too often, to break spirits, to mock and denigrate, and to destroy the very world.

• Does James come off as too harsh in this reading?
• Where have you seen carefulness with words build something great?

Mark 8:27-38

Our readings once again show the power of language and teaching. Peter – who bumbles along like the rest of the disciples – gets things right; there is one answer above all for who Jesus Christ is: The Messiah. This Jesus, whose words are eternal life, whose teachings point us to the good life, whose way is narrow but open to all, this Jesus whose love encompasses those we despise – he is the Messiah. One of the greatest things we can undertake in this life is to confess this truth: he is not merely a good guy, a great teacher, a prophet, a desert philosopher, a victim of political and religious oppression – he is those things, of course – he is Lord of all.

• Do you remember when you were first convinced that Jesus Christ is Lord?

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