We are like Mary’s lamb. We are faithful. Just as Mary’s lamb follows her everywhere, we follow the Good Shepard, Jesus.

A number of themes run through today’s readings. I chose to focus on faithfulness because of the faithfulness I have witnessed in this church, in you.

In our Old Testament reading, we see the prophet Elijah meeting a widow in Zarephath. This is an area under Queen Jezebel, a worshiper of Baal. Not a safe area for those who worship Jehovah, the God of Israel. Yet this is where God has sent Elijah, and faithful Elijah goes.

The widow is gathering sticks for a fire to prepare the last of her food for her son and herself. Then they will wait to die.

As a widow, she has no man to provide for her. As a woman, she has almost no means to provide for herself and her son. A drought has caused wide-spread famine. There is no food to spare, anywhere.

Elijah asks the widow for water. Middle-eastern custom demands hospitality to travelers. As she goes to fetch the water, Elijah asks for something to eat. This is an awkward moment – hospitality demands compliance, but she has almost nothing to eat.

The widow, a believer in Jehovah, explains this to Elijah. Elijah tells her "Fear not," just make a small cake for him first, then prepare one for herself and her son.

Why first? As a demonstration of faithfulness to God through His servant Elijah. Jehovah speaks through Elijah and promises the flour and oil will not fail until after the rains come.

The widow, acting on faith, did as she was told. And though Elijah stayed for many days, they continued to eat, for God was faithful in His word.

The New Testament passage discusses the nature of the sacrifice made by Jesus. The High Priests of the temple must make repeated sacrifices in a man-made structure. New sin requires new sacrifices.

Jesus died once, sacrifice for all our sin for all time. We will recall when Jesus last prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. He sweat blood. He knew what was coming. He wanted no part. Yet, as He said "Not my will, but your will be done." He was unceasingly faithful to his Father in Heaven.

Jesus suffered and died because He was faithful, not only to God in Heaven but faithful to us, out of love for us. "No greater love has a man than to give his life for another." That’s faithful!

In our Gospel reading, we see two demonstrations of faithfulness. In the first, Jesus warns us to "Beware of the Scribes," those highly visible temple leaders. They wear long robes, seek public acclaim and preferential treatment. They give long public prayers to show how close they are to God.

Yet, they are not faithful to Jehovah, but to the idol Mammon – money. They faithfully serve wealth and power.

The second example of faithfulness is a poor widow. As you recall, life was hard for widows. Yet this poor woman, acting in faith, has contributed to the temple not a tithe, but two mites:"all her living" to aid the poor. Her faith in God would carry her through.

So what does this mean for us? What can we learn here? We have seen the faithfulness of God and God’s servants. Do we have this kind of faithfulness?

From what I have seen at King of Peace, and what I hear you are doing, I would have to say this church is very faithful to the will of God, for His honor and glory.

This, of course, makes if difficult for me. A deacon’s sermon differs from that of a priest because of our differing calls. A deacon’s role is to bring the needs of the world to the church and the gifts of the church to the world. So normally at this time I would focus on a need, then urge you to go into the world with the gifts God has given you and address that need. But you already do that so well.

Instead, I will simply make some observations and ask you to pray about them and see what the Holy Spirit would have you do.

Just as Mary’s lamb faithfully followed her everywhere, we follow the Good Shepard everywhere. Your contributions to the Kingdom of God have, in my opinion, earned you a "Well done, good and faithful servant."(Mat 25:21) So until Jesus tells you Himself, let me say "Well done!" and may God bless each and every one of you.

Amen