Preaching the Scriptures

  The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Jonah 3:10-4:11 What we like (and dislike) about God   I’m a priest; my wife is a pastor; my children are PKs twice over; and so we have, in our home, a number of Children’s Bibles.   And all of them include the story of Jonah.   Well, excerpts from the story of Jonah; definitely not the whole story.   Most of them begin with Jonah running in the opposite direction; they always include the big fish, from belly to beach; and they typically conclude with the happy ending of the book: when the people of Ninevah repent and are saved – because of Jonah. They never include this part of the story: the part where Jonah is mad because God refuses to kill all the people.   The true ending of Jonah, what we heard this morning, never makes the cut.   This is, admittedly, not Jonah’s finest moment; he does not make a great impression in today’s passage – which is the conclusion of the book that bears his name. Finally, there is no redemptive moment for Jon

  The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Matthew 18:21-35 Forgiveness   It is a great question – asked in just the right way.   This Peter, he knows what he is doing.   “How often should I forgive?”   That's a pretty pious inquiry.   But he doesn't stop there.   “As many as seven times?”   Not one.   Not two.   Not three.   Not four.   Not five.   Not six. But seven times.   I mean, a good man might forgive once.   What about one who would forgive seven times?   That person would have to be pretty extraordinary.   And so you see, it is a great question.   Every pupil wants to impress their teacher.   Peter is no different.   He wants Jesus to be impressed with him – impressed with the depth of his kindness and goodness.   And so he asks the question, just knowing the answer will, of course, be something along the lines of: “Seven times. Well, Peter that is above and beyond.   I was going to say once is enough.   Your generosity astounds me.   I mean, seven times!”   Peter