Sermon Blog: August 10, 2010 Rahab the Prostitute
Luke 12:32-40; Joshua 2
The Gospel Lesson last Sunday was about watchfulness, it was found in Luke 12. We had to ask ourselves, “be ready and watching for what?” Jesus says for service, “Be dressed ready for service.” He says, “You also must be ready, because the Son of man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” If you believe in the resurrection of Christ, that his death on the cross was for your personal salvation, you are certain he will return but the time is anybody’s guess, then you also understand the rest of this story in Luke when Jesus says, “Do not be afraid little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in Heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This is how we are to live our lives, not running around trying to see how much money we can make or how noteworthy we can be. If this is hard for you to believe you are not the only one who thinks so. Scripture says that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” This was written by Paul in the bustling, port city of Corinth where every other man on the street believed he had the solution to humanity’s problems.
Not much has changed and the story of Rahab the prostitute shows us what watchfulness looks like in a life otherwise unprepared to meet God. In a split second Rahab has to move into action putting her life at risk by hiding the Israelite spies because as she describes it, “I know that the Lord has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in Heaven above and on earth below.” Sunday we looked at the story of Rahab the Prostitute and asked if we too were not at times in our own lives beggars and prostitutes. We asked if we are this day ready, watching for God in our lives …or is the plan for our lives OUR plan. Being ready to “let go and let God” requires watchfulness.
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