A153 - Pentecost 23 (Josh 24, 1 Thess 4, Matt 25:1-13)

This week preachers are invited to think about taking the opportunity to talk about resurrection and what happens at “the end” through the parable of the ten wedding attendants in Matthew (25:1-13), which is a way to talk about entrance into the future kingdom of heaven, or Paul’s assurance to the Thessalonians (1 Thess 4:13-18) that even the dead will be included in the resurrection. We combat some of the bad rapture theology often associated with this passage too. Joshua 24 invites reflection on  how communities remember, recommit to God, and ritualise those commitments. The invitation to choose God in response to being chosen is a reminder of the radical grace of YHWH in these texts, yet the setting invites critique and naming of the problem of colonisation.  We refer to this commentary by Craig Keener. https://www.amazon.com.au/Gospel-Matthew-C-Keener/dp/0802864988 and to the Brazos Theological Commentary on Thessalonians 1 & 2 by Douglas Farrow 1 & 2 Thessalonians (Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible)