Pastor John Wright

I'm a little late, and need to get the study outlined. I spent the day writing an op/ed piece for the San Diego Union-Tribune that I've just learned will be published, most likely in Friday's paper. It is relevant to these Scriptures because it was in response to the indefinite delay of opening up the Winter Shelter downtown. Many of those that we know from the Bread of Life count on such housing as protection from the winter elements.

It is easy to look at the failure of the SD City Council to open the shelter as scheduled with condemnation. Yet the passages bring the question back to us. To start with the Isaiah passage, and move to the Gospel as central, and then 2 Thessalonians as the end.

Isa. 1:10-20

While we tend to interpret the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah in sexual terms, the Genesis passage actually speaks of the lack of hospitality. What is it that they are doing? Who are they?

Discuss the significance of Israel as the elect here. The church has read Israel as a type of the church, not a nation-state or local government. What happens when we read this passage as a prophetic word for a congregation rather than a governmental agency of various levels? What is the positive call fo the passage?

Luke 19:1-10

Pastor Deron laid out a good setting for tax-collectors last Sunday. Jericho itself was a wealthy area about 15 miles out of Jerusalem. It is kind of like the Palm Springs of Judah -- believe it or not, studies have compared bones of this area to bones from Jerusalem and found that the life span in Jericho was substantially more because of weather and living conditions and the wealth of those who lived there. Why is it so offensive for Jesus to meet with Zacchaeus? What would be an equivalent today?

What comes to Zacchaeus' house that is the "salvation" that has come. What is the sign of this salvation? Why is this a sign of Zacchaeus' salvation?

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Describe the congregation in Thessalonica? Why does it elicit Paul's thanksgiving? What is a sign that they are being faithful? What is Paul's ultimate hope/goal for the Thessalonicans?

Maybe it might be good to discuss how Jesus' presence brings salvation to us and the relationship between the distribution of goods encouraged in Isaiah, experienced in Luke, makes a difference for the congregation in 2 Thessalonians. How might God make us worthy of our call?