Bible Study: Proper 21 (B) – 2024

RCL: Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29; Psalm 19:7-14; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50

Note: During the 2024 Season after Pentecost, Sermons That Work will use Track 2 readings for sermons and Bible studies. Please consult our archives for many additional Track 1 resources from prior years.

Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29

In today’s Old Testament reading, the Hebrews have grown weary of manna and are remembering their time as slaves in Egypt with rose-colored glasses. We have a tendency sometimes to think of the ancient Hebrews as people very different from us, perhaps somehow less enlightened. If we think of them in this way, we completely miss the meaning of the story. The stories of the Hebrews always have something to tell us about human nature. The stories of the Hebrews are always about us.

Our passage from Numbers reminds us of how quickly we tend to forget God’s blessings in our own lives, and how tempting it is to think that we somehow know better than God about what is best for us. The Hebrews have chosen to see God’s providing manna for them as a punishment rather than a gift.

We also see Moses experiencing burnout. He is thoroughly tired of trying to lead this group of people, and he even begs for God to end his life. Most leaders, be they ministers, managers, or schoolteachers can probably relate, at least to some degree, to Moses’ feelings of frustration.

God responds by giving some of Moses’ gifts to numerous other elders in the community. Joshua expects Moses to be jealous, but Moses responds with wisdom, humility, and gratitude; he understands God’s action as a gift rather than a punishment.

The last line of our passage, “Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!” can be read by Christians as a foreshadowing of the coming of the Holy Spirit, the gift that God will pour out on Pentecost after Jesus’ ascension.

• Have you ever been in a leadership setting where you have felt at your wits’ end with your group? How did you pray about it?
• Have there been times when your perspective changed on something, when you realized that something you had thought of as a burden or a trial turned out to be a gift?

Psalm 19:7-14

In today’s portion from Psalm 19, the psalmist encourages us to think of God’s law and God’s judgment as gifts rather than as burdens. Verse 8 states that “the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes.” God’s commandments give us hope, clarity, and renewal.

Verse 9 tells us that God’s judgments are finer than gold and sweeter than honey. God’s justice and mercy are more profound than we can imagine. The more we can grow into that understanding, the more we can look toward God’s judgment with anticipation rather than dread. Through a lifetime of relationship with God, we can learn to better trust in God’s judgments and take comfort in them.

The psalmist asks for cleansing from both sins that are done by accident (“secret faults”) and sins committed intentionally (“presumptuous sins.”) There is an awareness in this psalm that it is impossible to follow God’s commandments without God’s help; only God knows our “secret faults.”

• Can you think of a time in your life when an authority figure has pronounced a judgment that brought peace or resolution to a situation?

James 5:13-20

Today’s passage from the Letter of James calls on us to turn toward God, no matter what situation we are in, to pray for help when we are suffering, and to praise God when we are rejoicing.

It goes on to discuss in-depth prayers for healing and the anointing of the sick. This is the primary passage that provides the theological grounds for the rite of healing that we have in our prayer book. Healing of the sick in this passage, as well as in Jesus’ ministry, is connected to the forgiveness of sins. God’s healing of our physical bodies is a sign that points to an even greater spiritual healing, reconciliation with God through Jesus. The passage assures us that prayer is effective. God uses our prayers. We know that our prayers are not always answered in the way that we hope, but scripture assures us of the power of prayer.

This passage also emphasizes the importance of confessing our sins. Confession in this passage is not a private matter to be done only to God or only to our priest, but something we should do with one another. Confession is a way that we can be open with one another about our struggles. Church should not be a place to pretend to be perfect but a place where people can feel safe enough to share their imperfections and grow together.

• Does your church have a healing ministry, such as prayers for the sick, laying on of hands, or anointing with oil? What has been your experience with such practices?
• How can churches help people to feel safe enough to confess to one another?

Mark 9:38-50

In today’s Gospel passage, a man is using Jesus’ name to cast out demons, and the disciples are offended by these exorcisms that they assume are unauthorized. Jesus is unconcerned and tells the disciples to leave the man alone. Jesus has come for everyone in the world, and like Moses in our Old Testament passage today, Jesus is not jealous when God works through others.

Jesus goes on to tell his disciples to take care with those who are less fortunate than they are. In verse 42, he says, “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea.” The “little ones” could be children, but they more generally refer to the poor and those of low status in society. A theme of the Gospels is that those with more have the responsibility to care for those with less. God’s gifts are always meant to be shared.

Jesus continues using strong language in order to capture our attention. He goes on to discuss, using graphic imagery, how sin should be cut off at its root. Thankfully, we are not commanded to literally remove body parts. Instead, we are to avoid or prepare for situations where we are likely to sin. For instance, sometimes neglecting our own needs leads us to strike out with anger at those around us. When we are rested and feeling well, we have better self-control.

Finally, Jesus reminds his disciples that they are to be salt to the world. To do this we must be different from the world, to “be at peace with one another.” We can feel peaceful when we trust that God’s gifts are abundant; there is plenty for everyone.

• What helps you to find a sense of peace within yourself, so that you can be an instrument of peace in the world?

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