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From forgiveness to love: 1 Kings 21:1-21a; Luke 7:36—8:3

In 1 Kings, the storyteller sets the scene simply. Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of King Ahab of Samaria. We have already been told a lot. We know that Naboth calls this beautiful valley home, that its name defines him and that he is Naboth the Jezreelite. In contrast, Ahab and his palace entourage are only here for the season from the colder Samaria hill country to the south.

Universal need: 1 Kings 17:8-24; Luke 7:11-17

As we struggle to stay alert to the constant demands of the needy, we pastors sometimes forget that we take for granted others in our congregations who seem strong and whole. This applies particularly to those men and women whom we instinctively count on as the backbone or the core of the congregation. Their presence on committees and boards, projects and task forces, and their willingness to serve—sometimes at great cost of time to themselves—can blind us to their needs.