Here, you'll find a year of Reflections written by Rev John McCutcheon during 2020-2021.
arranged by the month in which they were written.
They mention the Coronavirus pandemic,
but the situations described in them can relate to any time.
It may be, that as you read through the titles, one speaks to you.
Click on any plus (+) sign to see the reflection for that title.
arranged by the month in which they were written.
They mention the Coronavirus pandemic,
but the situations described in them can relate to any time.
It may be, that as you read through the titles, one speaks to you.
Click on any plus (+) sign to see the reflection for that title.
January
GOD REACHING OUT: THE THINGS YOU DO DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Mark 1:21-28 New International Version
Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit
21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
Reflection
I suspect there are days when many of us wonder if the things we do actually make any difference to the lives of others, or even the life of the church. We might look around us today and wonder “is it worth it all?” Perhaps there were times in your working life when you would work for hours on end to get something done and nobody fully appreciated everything that you had been doing behind the scenes. And at these times it can be easy to become disheartened.
For many of us in the church now, its probably easier to become disheartened than it’s ever been, or at least certainly in our life times anyway; as we look around at more empty pews than full ones, falling church roles, more work to be done than money coming in to deal with them.
Let's all be honest, there are days that drain the body, wear down the spirit, and cause us to question the point and the usefulness of everything that we do.
And then we come to a reading like today's with its demon-possession which is probably beyond the experience and imagination of most of us, which has us wondering of its relevance and how on earth this can address all the worries and concerns that we face.
But once again, it is important that we remember that everything we do matters to someone….in fact for many, it actually matters quite a lot, because the things we say and do still have the ability to transform people and change lives for the better. And so right from the beginning it is important that we all know that irrespective of how bleak things might appear to be for us, that the things we do still carry value and worth.
We read that Jesus's first act in public ministry, according to Mark, is with him dealing with confrontation.
First events can give an insight into the larger themes at play, and that is particularly true when it comes to the Gospels.
For example, in Matthew, Jesus is a teacher and (new) lawgiver in the manner of Moses. In John, Jesus creates unexpected and unimaginable abundance, by turning water into wine. In Luke, He is the one who releases the captives, who heals the ill and infirm, proclaims good news to the poor and the Lord’s favour to all. And in Mark…He picks a fight with an unclean spirit.
Keep in mind that earlier in the chapter, Jesus was blessed and baptized with the Holy Spirit as He heard the promise, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased!” Now Mark contrasts that experience with that of the man who is possessed by an “unclean” spirit, a spirit that is most assuredly not telling Jesus that He is the beloved of God or God-pleasing in anyway. This is a man with an evil spirit; a spirit that is diametrically opposed to God’s will. A spirit that rather than bless, curses; rather than build up, tears down; rather than encourages, discourages; rather than promote love, sows seeds of hate; rather than draw together, seeks to split apart.
Although it also has to be acknowledged that Mark, highlights that this unclean spirit is the first to publicly confess who Jesus is, that He is "the Holy One of God". And the fact that Jesus has the ability to order the spirit to be silent and come out of the man further confirms that Jesus is indeed the Holy One of God.
In a nut shell, prior to this confrontation, Mark recounts Jesus being baptized, tempted in the wilderness, proclaiming the Kingdom of God on earth and now demonstrating it, because the Kingdom of God is a sign that Jesus has come to oppose all those forces that keep God’s people from enjoying the type of life God desires for all. And that message still matters because it is the case for all His people today that God loves us and is here to stand in opposition to all those things that rob us of the joy, community and purpose for which we were created.
Although the man in the reading was possessed by an evil spirit, there are still many things that possess us today and take us away from God and one another; things that have the ability to grab on to us and not let go. But it’s also the truth that God wants the best for us, and to be the One who meets our needs and provide us with those things we need to have lives of purpose and meaning.
That is why when we come here and gather as part of His family we are in a place where we can work and support one another, as we help one another grow, and acknowledge that we have been blessed so that we can be a blessing to others. That we can be a church where the signs of Jesus's grace and mercy flow all around us as love, healing and restoration in all of their many forms are experienced and encountered.
More often than not these things happen, not because of the quality of the preaching, or the hymns we sing, or the prayers we say, instead they come through the pastoral interaction we have with one another and others. They happen through the support we offer one another and in the amount of times we reach out and are willing to get along with those who aren’t part of church life. It happens as we help those for whom the road of life has been tough and messy, and when we see those who are down but don’t tell us. In all of those things we get to see a glimpse of God at work in us and all around us.
And even though we haven’t been able to do a lot of these things for the best part of a year now, I think you know what I am saying.
Our reading is also the reminder that God is still at work in those places and people where we would least expect to find Him. A few weeks ago He was there in the baptism of Jesus; He is there at the end of Jesus earthly ministry as well in the piercing cry of despair from the cross, where the only one to recognise God’s presence was the one, or at least one of the ones who put Him there and crucified Him.
God reaches out to us all, in His own particular way, to show that the things we do really do make a difference, that is why He is a God for the broken, and calls on His church to be a fellowship of the needy. That’s pretty much all it takes to be a disciple of Jesus; it is in recognising our deep needs and the needs of those around us then trusting and believing that Jesus is willing and able to meet those needs.
In the brokenness, disappointment or fear that fills our lives, Jesus has come to help us through our challenges and problems. He draws close to His people because of their problems rather than going out of His way to avoid them.
God is still at work, through his Spirit and through us, attempting to cast out all those things that separate us from Him.
The stories we read, such as today’s, are not there so that we are able to acknowledge everything that Jesus did in the past; they are there so that we may discover all that He is still able to do today and to know that nothing is impossible for us when we remain focussed on Him.
That is the Good News that we are encouraged to give others, the Good News that says our lives have meaning and are of value.
And so, in these moments when we wonder if the things that we do really make a difference, may we be assured that God continues working in our lives and in His world, enabling us to experience His unconditional love that still has the capacity to set people free and lead them from brokenness to healing, oppression to restoration, love and meaning.
Let us pray
Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit
21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
Reflection
I suspect there are days when many of us wonder if the things we do actually make any difference to the lives of others, or even the life of the church. We might look around us today and wonder “is it worth it all?” Perhaps there were times in your working life when you would work for hours on end to get something done and nobody fully appreciated everything that you had been doing behind the scenes. And at these times it can be easy to become disheartened.
For many of us in the church now, its probably easier to become disheartened than it’s ever been, or at least certainly in our life times anyway; as we look around at more empty pews than full ones, falling church roles, more work to be done than money coming in to deal with them.
Let's all be honest, there are days that drain the body, wear down the spirit, and cause us to question the point and the usefulness of everything that we do.
And then we come to a reading like today's with its demon-possession which is probably beyond the experience and imagination of most of us, which has us wondering of its relevance and how on earth this can address all the worries and concerns that we face.
But once again, it is important that we remember that everything we do matters to someone….in fact for many, it actually matters quite a lot, because the things we say and do still have the ability to transform people and change lives for the better. And so right from the beginning it is important that we all know that irrespective of how bleak things might appear to be for us, that the things we do still carry value and worth.
We read that Jesus's first act in public ministry, according to Mark, is with him dealing with confrontation.
First events can give an insight into the larger themes at play, and that is particularly true when it comes to the Gospels.
For example, in Matthew, Jesus is a teacher and (new) lawgiver in the manner of Moses. In John, Jesus creates unexpected and unimaginable abundance, by turning water into wine. In Luke, He is the one who releases the captives, who heals the ill and infirm, proclaims good news to the poor and the Lord’s favour to all. And in Mark…He picks a fight with an unclean spirit.
Keep in mind that earlier in the chapter, Jesus was blessed and baptized with the Holy Spirit as He heard the promise, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased!” Now Mark contrasts that experience with that of the man who is possessed by an “unclean” spirit, a spirit that is most assuredly not telling Jesus that He is the beloved of God or God-pleasing in anyway. This is a man with an evil spirit; a spirit that is diametrically opposed to God’s will. A spirit that rather than bless, curses; rather than build up, tears down; rather than encourages, discourages; rather than promote love, sows seeds of hate; rather than draw together, seeks to split apart.
Although it also has to be acknowledged that Mark, highlights that this unclean spirit is the first to publicly confess who Jesus is, that He is "the Holy One of God". And the fact that Jesus has the ability to order the spirit to be silent and come out of the man further confirms that Jesus is indeed the Holy One of God.
In a nut shell, prior to this confrontation, Mark recounts Jesus being baptized, tempted in the wilderness, proclaiming the Kingdom of God on earth and now demonstrating it, because the Kingdom of God is a sign that Jesus has come to oppose all those forces that keep God’s people from enjoying the type of life God desires for all. And that message still matters because it is the case for all His people today that God loves us and is here to stand in opposition to all those things that rob us of the joy, community and purpose for which we were created.
Although the man in the reading was possessed by an evil spirit, there are still many things that possess us today and take us away from God and one another; things that have the ability to grab on to us and not let go. But it’s also the truth that God wants the best for us, and to be the One who meets our needs and provide us with those things we need to have lives of purpose and meaning.
That is why when we come here and gather as part of His family we are in a place where we can work and support one another, as we help one another grow, and acknowledge that we have been blessed so that we can be a blessing to others. That we can be a church where the signs of Jesus's grace and mercy flow all around us as love, healing and restoration in all of their many forms are experienced and encountered.
More often than not these things happen, not because of the quality of the preaching, or the hymns we sing, or the prayers we say, instead they come through the pastoral interaction we have with one another and others. They happen through the support we offer one another and in the amount of times we reach out and are willing to get along with those who aren’t part of church life. It happens as we help those for whom the road of life has been tough and messy, and when we see those who are down but don’t tell us. In all of those things we get to see a glimpse of God at work in us and all around us.
And even though we haven’t been able to do a lot of these things for the best part of a year now, I think you know what I am saying.
Our reading is also the reminder that God is still at work in those places and people where we would least expect to find Him. A few weeks ago He was there in the baptism of Jesus; He is there at the end of Jesus earthly ministry as well in the piercing cry of despair from the cross, where the only one to recognise God’s presence was the one, or at least one of the ones who put Him there and crucified Him.
God reaches out to us all, in His own particular way, to show that the things we do really do make a difference, that is why He is a God for the broken, and calls on His church to be a fellowship of the needy. That’s pretty much all it takes to be a disciple of Jesus; it is in recognising our deep needs and the needs of those around us then trusting and believing that Jesus is willing and able to meet those needs.
In the brokenness, disappointment or fear that fills our lives, Jesus has come to help us through our challenges and problems. He draws close to His people because of their problems rather than going out of His way to avoid them.
God is still at work, through his Spirit and through us, attempting to cast out all those things that separate us from Him.
The stories we read, such as today’s, are not there so that we are able to acknowledge everything that Jesus did in the past; they are there so that we may discover all that He is still able to do today and to know that nothing is impossible for us when we remain focussed on Him.
That is the Good News that we are encouraged to give others, the Good News that says our lives have meaning and are of value.
And so, in these moments when we wonder if the things that we do really make a difference, may we be assured that God continues working in our lives and in His world, enabling us to experience His unconditional love that still has the capacity to set people free and lead them from brokenness to healing, oppression to restoration, love and meaning.
Let us pray
WILL YOU COME AND FOLLOW ME, IF I BUT CALL YOUR NAME
Mark 1:14-20 New International Version
Jesus Announces the Good News
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Reflection
What would make you drop everything and pursue an entirely new life? It would maybe be a great job offer or moving somewhere with better weather; maybe it would be the opportunity of going to another part of the world where you could use your skills and make a huge difference in the lives of others. And thousands if not millions of people have made these major life and career changes for themselves throughout the years.
But how would we react to the potential life or career changing decision if it was being offered by a stranger on a shore who was simply calling out “Follow me” and that the Kingdom of God was at hand?
That’s essentially the scene that Mark describes in today’s reading. And I think it’s probably fair to say that when we make big decisions in our lives we like to give them a bit of thought; of weighing up the pro’s and con’s of doing something that is going to involve major upheaval for ourselves and our families.
I might be wrong, but I think that if we had been the would be disciples in our reading today and even the ones that were called in our reading from last week, not many of us would have responded to Jesus call in the way that they did.
But as is usual with many of our Bible readings, there are also many things that we don’t know about our reading or with the background to it.
For example, when Jesus walked into Galilee and started proclaiming the Kingdom of God, we don’t know how long after His baptism and time in the wilderness this was; we don’t know whether Simon and Andrew, James and John already knew each other or whether they had heard Jesus before, or if one of them had heard Jesus, and that He was therefore already the topic of conversation amongst them, thus making it easier for them and perhaps a bit more understandable for us to appreciate why they would drop everything and follow Jesus. We simply don’t know.
What we do know is that there was something compelling enough about Jesus and His message that prompted these four — and later many others — to follow Him, and become His disciples, students of the teacher and servants of His mission.
Can you imagine what it must have taken to make that kind of decision;
to stop everything that you were doing and head off into an unknown future;
to effectively cancel the plans you originally had, and the dreams that maybe drove you,
and to head off on a whim because an itinerant preacher told you to do so.
And this is probably where it gets messy for a lot of us because we can’t imagine this being part of the story of our lives. We can’t imagine turning our backs on our family, friends, future and all the rest of it, to venture into such an uncertain future. And it may well be that we look and listen to the story and begin comparing it with the story of our walk of faith, and we give ourselves a hard time because we may not have done anything as outrageous as what Jesus’ first disciples did.
We may believe that when we compare our stories with today’s, and the stories of others, that we haven’t lived up to the calling that has been placed on our lives; we may see ourselves as lesser Christians or even as failures in the faith.
But if any of us ever get such feelings especially after reading a story like today’s, it is always worth reminding ourselves that these same disciples didn’t always get it right either. There were times when they disappointed, denied and abandoned Jesus at various points of the story. There were times when they were stung by the words of Jesus. There was that time when, and I paraphrase, Peter asked Jesus, “what have we given up our lives for?”
But to be honest, I don’t think the purpose of today’s reading or any of the stories from the Bible are there as a means of discouraging us. Instead, I think what Mark is trying to say to us is that following Jesus in our lives ought to be something that inspires us and others. Whilst the story of the four fisherman and everyone else who followed Jesus is their story, the story of our discipleship and following of Jesus is our story. We don’t need to give up our jobs or walk out on our families to be disciples of Jesus. It doesn’t make us less than anyone else.
After all, if we all stopped what we were doing, who would keep the wheels of production turning? The Bible is clear that whilst Jesus did call some to follow Him there were also others who He told to go back to their communities and tell of all that had been done for them.
We all follow Jesus in our own particular and distinct ways that may or may not be like the first disciples. And that, I think, is the point that the Gospels and the entire New Testament teaches us. Perhaps some of us follow by becoming teachers; perhaps we follow by volunteering somewhere; perhaps we follow by caring for people either at home or in care homes; perhaps we follow by doing a job we hate but which contributes to supporting our family and helping others. Perhaps we follow by being generous with our wealth and with our time. Perhaps we follow by listening to those around us and responding with encouragement and care. There are any number of distinct ways that we can follow Jesus.
What lies at the heart of discipleship is the ability to follow Jesus in all of our different situations and circumstances, by doing things in exactly the same way as He would—doing them as imitators of Jesus, so to speak—which simply means treating others with the same regard, love and patience as He did; of reaching out to all and sharing and showing the Good News especially to those who find themselves forgotten by society; it means trying to live and treat others as Jesus did by embracing the values of inclusiveness, love, forgiveness, and healing.
We simply do what we do, in the situations and lives we have been called to, with hearts that are motivated by love. “We love because He first loved us” as John writes in his first epistle. Then what follows is a life lived in discipleship and love.
The theologian, Albert Schweitzer wrote:
“He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lake-side.
He came to those men who knew Him not.
He speaks to us the same word: “Follow thou me!”
and sets us to the tasks which He has to fulfill for our time.
He commands.
And to those who obey Him, He will reveal Himself
in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings which they shall pass through in His fellowship,
and, as an ineffable mystery,
they shall learn in their own experience who He is”.
The call to discipleship isn’t a call to give up everything and follow, instead it’s a call to know and experience more of Jesus in our lives. It isn’t a call to do something drastic and perhaps hurtful to others, instead it’s simply a call to turn our eyes to Jesus, and to live and benefit more fully from the identity which Jesus has already called us in to.
And as we respond to that call may we continue to experience Jesus’ love more deeply
and may we continue growing with confidence in our role
as His disciples, and followers,
no matter where we are and
irrespective of the jobs and tasks we are asked to undertake.
Let us pray
come and see
John 1:43-51 New International Version
Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael
43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee.
Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”
44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.
45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him,
“Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”
49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”
50 Jesus said, “You believe[a] because I told you I saw you under the fig tree.
You will see greater things than that.”
51 He then added,
“Very truly I tell you,[b] you[c] will see ‘heaven open,
and the angels of God ascending and descending on’[d] the Son of Man.”
Reflection
“Come and see.” Just take a moment and reflect on those words and the effect they may have on you. What would they mean to you if someone invited you to ‘Come and see,’ right now? I am sure they might create a certain sense of excitement, they may generate a degree of interest and curiosity, or perhaps they would offer a sense of gratitude that someone wants to include you in their plans.
Come and see—words of acceptance and affirmation which generate a sense of warmth, welcome, community and the opportunity to be part of something.
Come and see, in essence is the core of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. When you break our faith down, at its roots, it really is quite simple; whilst for some it might mean having a theological insight that leaves the rest of us bewildered and dumb-founded, and for others the importance of their faith gets summed up through the particular denomination that they belong to, and others still, affirm their faith through the amount of Bible verses that they are able to quote to you, but at the heart of everything we believe, is the ability to affirm others and give them an opportunity to come and see for themselves the things that we believe and to see the One who we put our faith and trust in.
Talking about our faith and saying “come and see” is not an opportunity for brow beating or ramming our own views down the throats of others. Instead, our faith is the opportunity of holding out a welcoming hand to those we know and those we don’t
and giving them the chance to come and see.
Our task is not to “prove” the truth of the Christian faith, although many scholars have written persuasively of this throughout the generations.
Our task is not even to persuade others to become Christians.
Our task is to simply say, “Come and see.”
It is the offer, the invitation, to embrace a great mystery and undertake a grand adventure, which may be confusing, difficult, and unclear at times. But it also comes with the caveat that as we walk the winding Divine path, God is never far from us.
Come and see…These words… this invitation, form the heart-beat not simply of the opening scene of our reading, but they lie at the core of John’s Gospel. His Gospel is structured around the encounters that people of his time had with Jesus. Again and again, from the early disciples, to a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a Samaritan women at the well, the man born blind, and many more besides, different characters throughout John’s Gospel meet with and are encountered by Jesus.
And whilst Jesus reaches out to and meets different people in different situations,
they in turn, all offer a different response to the offer of “come and see.”
Across the pages of John’s Gospel there are women and men, Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, powerful and vulnerable, people of all shapes and sizes who Jesus meets.
And to each one, in one way or another, He says the same thing: come and see.
Come and see God doing a new thing;
come and see as your future opens up in front of you.
Come and see the grace of God which is accessible and available to all.
And in response, some took up that invitation and followed, some not only followed but also invited others to do the same, while others still were puzzled, confused, or simply did not accept Jesus’ offer.
In essence, the words, “come and see” was all that was needed to stoke interest in something new and different.
“Come and see”. This is how the greatest story ever told began. It was passed from one person to another. Jesus ministry and as a result the Christian faith was simply a few words of encouragement passed from one person to another; “Come and see”, that’s how it started and that’s how it’s been going for the last 2,000-plus years.
However, what was it about Jesus that caused people to believe in Him and follow Him with no evidence to back up everything that He said? We don’t know. But the one thing we do know is that there was something about Him that aroused curiosity, because when an invitation was given people did tend to go and see for themselves.
Prior to meeting His would-be disciples, John the Baptist had already painted a picture of Jesus by saying that He was the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. And then when they saw Jesus the following day, they begin to follow Him. Andrew found his brother Peter and brought him to Jesus; Jesus then went to Galilee and called out to Philip to “follow me.” Philip not only did so, but then encouraged Nathaniel to do the same. And in the space of a few verses, we see people being invited to come and see and then when they did it changed their lives. Not only did they go and see but for many thereafter they became faithful followers.
But as simple and as non-threatening as these words are, I am sure that for many if not most of us we struggle with them; we find it hard speaking about faith, or even simply asking others to come and see, and come to church. In part it’s understandable because we live in a time when talking about church or faith isn’t encouraged, it can be uncomfortable, especially when we are in a minority and perhaps we don’t want to be seen as religious zealots. Perhaps we have invited people in the past and they never showed up or perhaps they did come and something happened and they never came back. There are so many reasons why we don’t go out on a limb and ask people to “come and see.”
But the truth is that just as Philip said to Nathaniel, “Come and see,” and someone else said to someone else “come and see” that is really the only way by which the church locally and nationally will grow and survive.
The future of the Church depends greatly on ordinary, everyday people such as us, taking a risk and inviting someone to come and see, and then hoping and praying that they will. And then when they come, they too will see, feel and understand why Jesus and the Church are still so important for many of us today.
Throughout the years there have been many surveys carried out as to why people come to Church; some of the reasons offered include:
the size or the reputation of the church, or that it was a beautiful building.
For some it was the service times or the style of worship, or quality of the music, the preaching of the minister and so on.
But in nearly every study the main reason someone came to Church
was simply because someone took the time to invite them personally
“Come and see,” three little words that can make a big difference.
“Come and see,” an invitation that is offered rather than being a summons to attend
Come and see the wonder of life and the beauty of God being revealed.”
Come and see what Jesus has done and is doing for you!
Come and see, for God is working in us and through us
for the nurture, care, and growth of God’s people and His church
Come and see ourselves as God see us:
as priceless creations filled with potential and goodness,
witnesses to the grace of God which is available to us in Jesus.
Come and see one another as valuable and loved
so that all may have a better understanding of who Jesus is
and who we all are in relation to Him.
Come and see because God through Jesus has chosen
to be found, known and experienced by us,
in the easiest and most intimate way possible.
Amen
Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael
43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee.
Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”
44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.
45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him,
“Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”
49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”
50 Jesus said, “You believe[a] because I told you I saw you under the fig tree.
You will see greater things than that.”
51 He then added,
“Very truly I tell you,[b] you[c] will see ‘heaven open,
and the angels of God ascending and descending on’[d] the Son of Man.”
Reflection
“Come and see.” Just take a moment and reflect on those words and the effect they may have on you. What would they mean to you if someone invited you to ‘Come and see,’ right now? I am sure they might create a certain sense of excitement, they may generate a degree of interest and curiosity, or perhaps they would offer a sense of gratitude that someone wants to include you in their plans.
Come and see—words of acceptance and affirmation which generate a sense of warmth, welcome, community and the opportunity to be part of something.
Come and see, in essence is the core of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. When you break our faith down, at its roots, it really is quite simple; whilst for some it might mean having a theological insight that leaves the rest of us bewildered and dumb-founded, and for others the importance of their faith gets summed up through the particular denomination that they belong to, and others still, affirm their faith through the amount of Bible verses that they are able to quote to you, but at the heart of everything we believe, is the ability to affirm others and give them an opportunity to come and see for themselves the things that we believe and to see the One who we put our faith and trust in.
Talking about our faith and saying “come and see” is not an opportunity for brow beating or ramming our own views down the throats of others. Instead, our faith is the opportunity of holding out a welcoming hand to those we know and those we don’t
and giving them the chance to come and see.
Our task is not to “prove” the truth of the Christian faith, although many scholars have written persuasively of this throughout the generations.
Our task is not even to persuade others to become Christians.
Our task is to simply say, “Come and see.”
It is the offer, the invitation, to embrace a great mystery and undertake a grand adventure, which may be confusing, difficult, and unclear at times. But it also comes with the caveat that as we walk the winding Divine path, God is never far from us.
Come and see…These words… this invitation, form the heart-beat not simply of the opening scene of our reading, but they lie at the core of John’s Gospel. His Gospel is structured around the encounters that people of his time had with Jesus. Again and again, from the early disciples, to a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a Samaritan women at the well, the man born blind, and many more besides, different characters throughout John’s Gospel meet with and are encountered by Jesus.
And whilst Jesus reaches out to and meets different people in different situations,
they in turn, all offer a different response to the offer of “come and see.”
Across the pages of John’s Gospel there are women and men, Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, powerful and vulnerable, people of all shapes and sizes who Jesus meets.
And to each one, in one way or another, He says the same thing: come and see.
Come and see God doing a new thing;
come and see as your future opens up in front of you.
Come and see the grace of God which is accessible and available to all.
And in response, some took up that invitation and followed, some not only followed but also invited others to do the same, while others still were puzzled, confused, or simply did not accept Jesus’ offer.
In essence, the words, “come and see” was all that was needed to stoke interest in something new and different.
“Come and see”. This is how the greatest story ever told began. It was passed from one person to another. Jesus ministry and as a result the Christian faith was simply a few words of encouragement passed from one person to another; “Come and see”, that’s how it started and that’s how it’s been going for the last 2,000-plus years.
However, what was it about Jesus that caused people to believe in Him and follow Him with no evidence to back up everything that He said? We don’t know. But the one thing we do know is that there was something about Him that aroused curiosity, because when an invitation was given people did tend to go and see for themselves.
Prior to meeting His would-be disciples, John the Baptist had already painted a picture of Jesus by saying that He was the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. And then when they saw Jesus the following day, they begin to follow Him. Andrew found his brother Peter and brought him to Jesus; Jesus then went to Galilee and called out to Philip to “follow me.” Philip not only did so, but then encouraged Nathaniel to do the same. And in the space of a few verses, we see people being invited to come and see and then when they did it changed their lives. Not only did they go and see but for many thereafter they became faithful followers.
But as simple and as non-threatening as these words are, I am sure that for many if not most of us we struggle with them; we find it hard speaking about faith, or even simply asking others to come and see, and come to church. In part it’s understandable because we live in a time when talking about church or faith isn’t encouraged, it can be uncomfortable, especially when we are in a minority and perhaps we don’t want to be seen as religious zealots. Perhaps we have invited people in the past and they never showed up or perhaps they did come and something happened and they never came back. There are so many reasons why we don’t go out on a limb and ask people to “come and see.”
But the truth is that just as Philip said to Nathaniel, “Come and see,” and someone else said to someone else “come and see” that is really the only way by which the church locally and nationally will grow and survive.
The future of the Church depends greatly on ordinary, everyday people such as us, taking a risk and inviting someone to come and see, and then hoping and praying that they will. And then when they come, they too will see, feel and understand why Jesus and the Church are still so important for many of us today.
Throughout the years there have been many surveys carried out as to why people come to Church; some of the reasons offered include:
the size or the reputation of the church, or that it was a beautiful building.
For some it was the service times or the style of worship, or quality of the music, the preaching of the minister and so on.
But in nearly every study the main reason someone came to Church
was simply because someone took the time to invite them personally
“Come and see,” three little words that can make a big difference.
“Come and see,” an invitation that is offered rather than being a summons to attend
Come and see the wonder of life and the beauty of God being revealed.”
Come and see what Jesus has done and is doing for you!
Come and see, for God is working in us and through us
for the nurture, care, and growth of God’s people and His church
Come and see ourselves as God see us:
as priceless creations filled with potential and goodness,
witnesses to the grace of God which is available to us in Jesus.
Come and see one another as valuable and loved
so that all may have a better understanding of who Jesus is
and who we all are in relation to Him.
Come and see because God through Jesus has chosen
to be found, known and experienced by us,
in the easiest and most intimate way possible.
Amen
I see you, I love you and I value everything you do.
Mark 1:4-11 New International Version
4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with[a] water, but he will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit.”
The Baptism and Testing of Jesus
9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Reflection
Amongst the many things that the coronavirus pandemic has brought to the fore are the issues of well being, value, worth and how it can be very easy for a person to feel isolated, alone and left with no self-esteem whatsoever.
Of course these things aren’t new, they have been with us for generations, in fact they have probably been there since the beginning of time but perhaps it has taken a virus of world wide proportions for us to grasp the importance of seeing the other and affirming their significance, and reminding them that the world would be a poorer place without them in it. Everybody, needs to feel loved and affirmed at some point in their lives
We live in a culture of affirmation. I love many aspects to social media, but the feeling and need of affirmation is probably one of its major down sides, especially for younger people, though that may also be true for others as well. For example, Facebook gives us the chance to “like” things such as posts that we and our friends put onto our timelines. And the need for affirmation means that some will get upset if not many of their Facebook friends, like or reply to their posts. “What was wrong with it when hardly anyone acknowledges what we have just posted”, we might ask ourselves?
And who are all these people we call friends who are on our various social media platforms? More often than not they are people we don’t even know in a physical manner. Instead, they are just names with a profile picture who crop up on our timelines on a regular or infrequent basis.
One of the reasons I think digital platforms, and social media in particular, are powerful is precisely because they creatively offer affirmation. And while this affirmation may be somewhat superficial, it’s at least better than nothing.
We crave that recognition and interaction because we are, at heart, inherently social people. Almost every element of our being reflects God’s observation in Genesis that it is not good for us to be alone, and so the affirmation, that social media offers, creates the perception that we are liked by so many others – indeed, that we are surrounded by a community of like-minded, and like-able, people who value us.
And that is one of the key messages that Mark is explaining to us in today’s reading; the importance of value and worth in a person’s life. That’s the way that the Gospel writer treats the baptism of Jesus; it’s not simply about the repentance of sins but its also about the worth of the individual, and of the one who offers that affirmation.
We notice that once Jesus has been baptised the Father speaks to Him with words that are personal, poignant, and powerful. “You are my beloved son. With you I am well pleased.” Wrapped in these heavenly words are the offer of acceptance and the blessings of identity, worth, and unwavering support.
They are also words that come just before Jesus’ ministry begins in earnest, which will begin when He gets tempted in the desert by Satan. These are words that He will be able to draw strength from, they will be affirmation and love to Him whenever the going gets tough. But they are also the words that He will be able to share with others for the duration of His ministry on earth.
Again and again, as Jesus casts out unclean spirits, heals the sick, feeds the hungry, and welcomes the outcast, He will only do to others what has already been done to Him, telling them via word and deed that they, too, are the beloved children of God with whom God is well pleased.
Nobody was marginalised or left out by Jesus's words, instead, whenever an opportunity arose for people to be told that no matter what others thought, in the eyes of God they were loved and valued, Jesus always told them. Because Jesus knew in the hearts and minds of all people there is that craving to feel wanted, needed and valued.
I must admit that I’ve not always entertained positive thoughts, towards the Church of Scotland’s publicity team; and that has been mostly because of the way they have promoted and advertised the inductions and ordinations of some ministers and left out others. For example, a few years ago the church ordained the youngest minister ever, which in fairness was good news, especially for the minister in question and the church that was getting the said minister, but the PR went on and on about how young he was, about the vitality of youth, that God wasn’t finished in Scotland and so on. But I did wonder what these messages about the value of a young person were sending out to the older people in the church.
At the same time there were other ministers I knew who were being ordained and inducted in to their own charges and whose stories were just as significant and valuable but received zero publicity from the church nationally. It seemed to be the case, to me anyway, that if the publicity team deemed your life story to be a bit better or more interesting than others, it would be portrayed as life being brought into the church. But it could also be seen as a snub to those ‘others’ who had come into the ministry and whose calling was deemed to be not quite as valued and important as others.
And it may well be that for some of us here today we have a feeling that we haven’t been valued, that others haven’t appreciated us, that although we have gone through life and tried to live in a way that is pleasing to God, our work and sacrifice has been ignored or disregarded.
And it is for everyone who feels that way that God assures us,
“You are my son, you are my daughter. I love you and am pleased with you.”
And how many of us just need to remind ourselves of that today.
How many of us need to de-stress to those words;
‘I see you, I love you and I value everything you do’.
Therefore, when we see the world and our own particular circumstances through the lens of affirmation, may it enable us to keep going in all that we are doing. But may it also help us to encourage one another to keep going as well.
It doesn’t take much; a thank you, a smile, a word of appreciation; sometimes we don’t know what is going on in the mind and lives of others, and it may well be that for them, to know that they are noticed, seen and appreciated can make the difference between their day getting better or their day getting even worse.
At the darkest moment of Jesus life when He felt it hadn’t been worth it, when He felt valueless and totally abandoned, we need to remind ourselves that this was followed by the resurrection, where we see that God had kept his promises and assurances of acceptance, value and worth to his Son.
And, at our lowest moments, may we also remember that the God who raised Jesus from the dead is the same One who promised to never abandon us, that He would love and accept us, even and especially when we have a hard time loving and accepting ourselves.
Being part of this church community, being connected to the God who loves us, having been baptised in to something and someone who is bigger than ourselves reminds us that wherever we may go and whatever we may do or have done, God continues to love us, accept us, and hold onto us. His is the genuine acceptance for those who have received nothing but a cheap affirmation that is always as easily withdrawn as it is offered.
And so today may we surround ourselves in the comfort of not just of hearing these words of assurance and affirmation once again, but may we also feel them, treasure them and accept them as gifts which are given, that are non-negotiable and never withheld.
Amen
4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with[a] water, but he will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit.”
The Baptism and Testing of Jesus
9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Reflection
Amongst the many things that the coronavirus pandemic has brought to the fore are the issues of well being, value, worth and how it can be very easy for a person to feel isolated, alone and left with no self-esteem whatsoever.
Of course these things aren’t new, they have been with us for generations, in fact they have probably been there since the beginning of time but perhaps it has taken a virus of world wide proportions for us to grasp the importance of seeing the other and affirming their significance, and reminding them that the world would be a poorer place without them in it. Everybody, needs to feel loved and affirmed at some point in their lives
We live in a culture of affirmation. I love many aspects to social media, but the feeling and need of affirmation is probably one of its major down sides, especially for younger people, though that may also be true for others as well. For example, Facebook gives us the chance to “like” things such as posts that we and our friends put onto our timelines. And the need for affirmation means that some will get upset if not many of their Facebook friends, like or reply to their posts. “What was wrong with it when hardly anyone acknowledges what we have just posted”, we might ask ourselves?
And who are all these people we call friends who are on our various social media platforms? More often than not they are people we don’t even know in a physical manner. Instead, they are just names with a profile picture who crop up on our timelines on a regular or infrequent basis.
One of the reasons I think digital platforms, and social media in particular, are powerful is precisely because they creatively offer affirmation. And while this affirmation may be somewhat superficial, it’s at least better than nothing.
We crave that recognition and interaction because we are, at heart, inherently social people. Almost every element of our being reflects God’s observation in Genesis that it is not good for us to be alone, and so the affirmation, that social media offers, creates the perception that we are liked by so many others – indeed, that we are surrounded by a community of like-minded, and like-able, people who value us.
And that is one of the key messages that Mark is explaining to us in today’s reading; the importance of value and worth in a person’s life. That’s the way that the Gospel writer treats the baptism of Jesus; it’s not simply about the repentance of sins but its also about the worth of the individual, and of the one who offers that affirmation.
We notice that once Jesus has been baptised the Father speaks to Him with words that are personal, poignant, and powerful. “You are my beloved son. With you I am well pleased.” Wrapped in these heavenly words are the offer of acceptance and the blessings of identity, worth, and unwavering support.
They are also words that come just before Jesus’ ministry begins in earnest, which will begin when He gets tempted in the desert by Satan. These are words that He will be able to draw strength from, they will be affirmation and love to Him whenever the going gets tough. But they are also the words that He will be able to share with others for the duration of His ministry on earth.
Again and again, as Jesus casts out unclean spirits, heals the sick, feeds the hungry, and welcomes the outcast, He will only do to others what has already been done to Him, telling them via word and deed that they, too, are the beloved children of God with whom God is well pleased.
Nobody was marginalised or left out by Jesus's words, instead, whenever an opportunity arose for people to be told that no matter what others thought, in the eyes of God they were loved and valued, Jesus always told them. Because Jesus knew in the hearts and minds of all people there is that craving to feel wanted, needed and valued.
I must admit that I’ve not always entertained positive thoughts, towards the Church of Scotland’s publicity team; and that has been mostly because of the way they have promoted and advertised the inductions and ordinations of some ministers and left out others. For example, a few years ago the church ordained the youngest minister ever, which in fairness was good news, especially for the minister in question and the church that was getting the said minister, but the PR went on and on about how young he was, about the vitality of youth, that God wasn’t finished in Scotland and so on. But I did wonder what these messages about the value of a young person were sending out to the older people in the church.
At the same time there were other ministers I knew who were being ordained and inducted in to their own charges and whose stories were just as significant and valuable but received zero publicity from the church nationally. It seemed to be the case, to me anyway, that if the publicity team deemed your life story to be a bit better or more interesting than others, it would be portrayed as life being brought into the church. But it could also be seen as a snub to those ‘others’ who had come into the ministry and whose calling was deemed to be not quite as valued and important as others.
And it may well be that for some of us here today we have a feeling that we haven’t been valued, that others haven’t appreciated us, that although we have gone through life and tried to live in a way that is pleasing to God, our work and sacrifice has been ignored or disregarded.
And it is for everyone who feels that way that God assures us,
“You are my son, you are my daughter. I love you and am pleased with you.”
And how many of us just need to remind ourselves of that today.
How many of us need to de-stress to those words;
‘I see you, I love you and I value everything you do’.
Therefore, when we see the world and our own particular circumstances through the lens of affirmation, may it enable us to keep going in all that we are doing. But may it also help us to encourage one another to keep going as well.
It doesn’t take much; a thank you, a smile, a word of appreciation; sometimes we don’t know what is going on in the mind and lives of others, and it may well be that for them, to know that they are noticed, seen and appreciated can make the difference between their day getting better or their day getting even worse.
At the darkest moment of Jesus life when He felt it hadn’t been worth it, when He felt valueless and totally abandoned, we need to remind ourselves that this was followed by the resurrection, where we see that God had kept his promises and assurances of acceptance, value and worth to his Son.
And, at our lowest moments, may we also remember that the God who raised Jesus from the dead is the same One who promised to never abandon us, that He would love and accept us, even and especially when we have a hard time loving and accepting ourselves.
Being part of this church community, being connected to the God who loves us, having been baptised in to something and someone who is bigger than ourselves reminds us that wherever we may go and whatever we may do or have done, God continues to love us, accept us, and hold onto us. His is the genuine acceptance for those who have received nothing but a cheap affirmation that is always as easily withdrawn as it is offered.
And so today may we surround ourselves in the comfort of not just of hearing these words of assurance and affirmation once again, but may we also feel them, treasure them and accept them as gifts which are given, that are non-negotiable and never withheld.
Amen
February
discovering in jesus the god we need, not the god we want.
Mark 8:31-38 New International Version
Jesus Predicts His Death
31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.
32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
The Way of the Cross
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
35 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it,
but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.
36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation,
the Son of Man will be ashamed of them
when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Reflection
I am sure we all know what it is to be disappointed.
We have probably all experienced that emotion at some point in our lives. Perhaps someone let us down, or we never got the job that we were expecting, or we’ve watched over and cared for a loved one that we believed would get better and they never did.
Sometimes we even disappoint ourselves: as Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans - he did things that he knew he shouldn’t be doing but he also didn’t do things that he knew that he should be doing. Disappointment can be fleeting, or it can last a long time.
And I know many if not all of us have probably at one time or another felt disappointment with God. Perhaps even now as look at a pandemic that has lasted nearly a year and we wonder why God has allowed it to go on for so long.
Perhaps we feel disappointed and even a little hurt that we feel that God has abandoned His church as we seem to bear witness to its ongoing decline,
or at least certainly its decline here in the West.
Disappointment can come in many different times, ways and places.
And whilst I know many churches and church leaders will tell us that our faith should remain strong in all circumstances, and that everything happens as part of God’s divine plan, it is also pertinent to remind ourselves that there are many people throughout the Bible whose words of disappointment have been recorded for posterity.
The Psalms are a case in point; they are full of words from authors who speak freely to God about their complaints, grievances, disappointments, and doubts. As you read these various Psalms of lament you come to realize that naming our disappointments and doubts is integral to the life of faith and, indeed, part of the necessary process of being renewed in faith.
And when we look to the gospels and in particular Matthew and Mark’s account of the crucifixion and their depiction of the cross, we see Jesus himself quoting the words from one of those Psalms — as He cries aloud with His own disappointment and despair.
And in our Gospel reading today whilst it doesn’t talk to us directly about disappointment with God, we can get that sense of the hurt that Peter must have felt as he is chastised in the strongest way possible by Jesus, as he is called Satan. What a way to hurt someone who was really close to you.
If there is one emotion we can imagine Peter feeling after he is rebuked by his Lord — the Lord he so desperately wants to protect from harm — it’s that of disappointment. There may have been some anger or embarrassment mixed in with it, but I am sure the emotion that must have been going through Peter the most was that of disappointment.
After all Peter has just named — perhaps even just realized in a flash of inspired insight — that this man, Jesus, to whom he has pledged himself, was indeed God’s promised Messiah, the one that both he and all of Israel had been waiting for. The promised Messiah that he would have read of and heard about in the reading and teaching of ancient Scripture.
Which of course is why Peter reacts so strongly to Jesus’ prediction of His fate. He simply cannot imagine that the Messiah will suffer, let alone be killed. So great is his shock, perhaps, that he can’t even hear Jesus words about rising again on the third day. Instead, all he hears are the words — the awful, unthinkable words — that the Hope of Israel will be killed. And so he protests…and is scolded for his trouble.
But Peter’s understanding of the promised Messiah was exactly the same as all of those who were looking forward to the arrival of God’s promised Messiah, they believed that they were getting a liberator, someone who was coming to set them free. That God Himself would return and be there alongside them.
Therefore, it would be unlikely for the Messiah to return only to be killed. Everything Peter has been taught and everything he knows about God screams out loudly that God’s Son should suffer no harm. Thus, what Jesus says, for him, just can’t be true.
And to be perfectly honest, if we had been there that day would we have reacted any differently? After all, with everything that we know about God and His Son, who could possibly imagine that the God of heaven and earth would redeem Israel and the world by dying on a cross, dying the death of a criminal? Who could predict that God’s strength would be revealed most fully to us in weakness? Or that God’s judgment would be rendered so completely through undeserved and unexpected mercy?
Put plain and simple it is unthinkable.
And it is true for us as well. We are not wrong to wonder where God is when we have moments of doubt and disappointment. When there are more questions than answers. When we feel that the darkness is a shroud over the light. When the bad news outweighs the good news and there seems to be more curses than blessings-- or when any number of other disappointments and disasters fall upon us. Because everything in us teaches us that these are things that are not what God wants, desires, or wills for us.
But just like Peter, we may have to learn and understand God’s bigger picture; of the God revealed to us in Jesus —
the God who shows up in the broken places of our lives and His world.
Like Peter, it is easy to become disappointed when we do not get the God we want, the God we worship, the God we believe who should answer our questions in the timing and way that is most convenient and suitable for us.
But, also like Peter may we discover in Jesus, His cross and resurrection, not the God we may want, but the God we need. The God who gave up Heavenly glory so that he could join with us in our times of struggle; the God who gave it all up to enter into our own private and public hells-on-earth; the God who abandons strength —as we imagine it — so that He can join with us, embrace us, hold onto us, and love us at our times of greatest need and weakness. The God we meet in Jesus, who comes for all those broken in body, mind, or spirit, to be with us, as the One who is for us and not against us.
This God who does understand our disappointments, and dare I say it, even expects them, but nonetheless meets with us time and again, to assure us that it is in our disappointments brokenness and despair that we actually get to meet with and experience God’s strong and never ending love.
And it might well be that there are some of us today who are nursing hurts and disappointments. Maybe this is the time that we need to cast all of our cares onto God, all of those things that are pulling us from Him rather than drawing us to Him. Because, God not only takes our hurts and disappointments, but He has promised to meet with us in these times and stay with us until we get through them.
That’s why He promised “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
When we are hurt and feel disappointed, it can be easy to feel isolated within our faith and alone in our walk with God and one other, that’s why readings such as todays are important.
They are the reminder that when we feel times are tough and that we are unable to find the strength to keep going, when all of the certainties that we once thought to be true start crumbling away from us, Jesus doesn’t always offer us easy answers, but instead He simply helps us work through things and gives us the strength and support we need to keep going.
So that even in the midst of our hurts and disappointments we can come to that place of fully appreciating everything that Jesus does for us so in the good and not so good times of life; in those times when we think we’ve got it all worked out and those times when it is obvious that we haven’t.
In those times of greatest disappointment may we still have the faith to believe that
the greater the feelings of disappointment with God,
the greater is His love and faithfulness towards us each and ever day.
Amen
Jesus Predicts His Death
31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.
32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
The Way of the Cross
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
35 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it,
but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.
36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation,
the Son of Man will be ashamed of them
when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Reflection
I am sure we all know what it is to be disappointed.
We have probably all experienced that emotion at some point in our lives. Perhaps someone let us down, or we never got the job that we were expecting, or we’ve watched over and cared for a loved one that we believed would get better and they never did.
Sometimes we even disappoint ourselves: as Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans - he did things that he knew he shouldn’t be doing but he also didn’t do things that he knew that he should be doing. Disappointment can be fleeting, or it can last a long time.
And I know many if not all of us have probably at one time or another felt disappointment with God. Perhaps even now as look at a pandemic that has lasted nearly a year and we wonder why God has allowed it to go on for so long.
Perhaps we feel disappointed and even a little hurt that we feel that God has abandoned His church as we seem to bear witness to its ongoing decline,
or at least certainly its decline here in the West.
Disappointment can come in many different times, ways and places.
And whilst I know many churches and church leaders will tell us that our faith should remain strong in all circumstances, and that everything happens as part of God’s divine plan, it is also pertinent to remind ourselves that there are many people throughout the Bible whose words of disappointment have been recorded for posterity.
The Psalms are a case in point; they are full of words from authors who speak freely to God about their complaints, grievances, disappointments, and doubts. As you read these various Psalms of lament you come to realize that naming our disappointments and doubts is integral to the life of faith and, indeed, part of the necessary process of being renewed in faith.
And when we look to the gospels and in particular Matthew and Mark’s account of the crucifixion and their depiction of the cross, we see Jesus himself quoting the words from one of those Psalms — as He cries aloud with His own disappointment and despair.
And in our Gospel reading today whilst it doesn’t talk to us directly about disappointment with God, we can get that sense of the hurt that Peter must have felt as he is chastised in the strongest way possible by Jesus, as he is called Satan. What a way to hurt someone who was really close to you.
If there is one emotion we can imagine Peter feeling after he is rebuked by his Lord — the Lord he so desperately wants to protect from harm — it’s that of disappointment. There may have been some anger or embarrassment mixed in with it, but I am sure the emotion that must have been going through Peter the most was that of disappointment.
After all Peter has just named — perhaps even just realized in a flash of inspired insight — that this man, Jesus, to whom he has pledged himself, was indeed God’s promised Messiah, the one that both he and all of Israel had been waiting for. The promised Messiah that he would have read of and heard about in the reading and teaching of ancient Scripture.
Which of course is why Peter reacts so strongly to Jesus’ prediction of His fate. He simply cannot imagine that the Messiah will suffer, let alone be killed. So great is his shock, perhaps, that he can’t even hear Jesus words about rising again on the third day. Instead, all he hears are the words — the awful, unthinkable words — that the Hope of Israel will be killed. And so he protests…and is scolded for his trouble.
But Peter’s understanding of the promised Messiah was exactly the same as all of those who were looking forward to the arrival of God’s promised Messiah, they believed that they were getting a liberator, someone who was coming to set them free. That God Himself would return and be there alongside them.
Therefore, it would be unlikely for the Messiah to return only to be killed. Everything Peter has been taught and everything he knows about God screams out loudly that God’s Son should suffer no harm. Thus, what Jesus says, for him, just can’t be true.
And to be perfectly honest, if we had been there that day would we have reacted any differently? After all, with everything that we know about God and His Son, who could possibly imagine that the God of heaven and earth would redeem Israel and the world by dying on a cross, dying the death of a criminal? Who could predict that God’s strength would be revealed most fully to us in weakness? Or that God’s judgment would be rendered so completely through undeserved and unexpected mercy?
Put plain and simple it is unthinkable.
And it is true for us as well. We are not wrong to wonder where God is when we have moments of doubt and disappointment. When there are more questions than answers. When we feel that the darkness is a shroud over the light. When the bad news outweighs the good news and there seems to be more curses than blessings-- or when any number of other disappointments and disasters fall upon us. Because everything in us teaches us that these are things that are not what God wants, desires, or wills for us.
But just like Peter, we may have to learn and understand God’s bigger picture; of the God revealed to us in Jesus —
the God who shows up in the broken places of our lives and His world.
Like Peter, it is easy to become disappointed when we do not get the God we want, the God we worship, the God we believe who should answer our questions in the timing and way that is most convenient and suitable for us.
But, also like Peter may we discover in Jesus, His cross and resurrection, not the God we may want, but the God we need. The God who gave up Heavenly glory so that he could join with us in our times of struggle; the God who gave it all up to enter into our own private and public hells-on-earth; the God who abandons strength —as we imagine it — so that He can join with us, embrace us, hold onto us, and love us at our times of greatest need and weakness. The God we meet in Jesus, who comes for all those broken in body, mind, or spirit, to be with us, as the One who is for us and not against us.
This God who does understand our disappointments, and dare I say it, even expects them, but nonetheless meets with us time and again, to assure us that it is in our disappointments brokenness and despair that we actually get to meet with and experience God’s strong and never ending love.
And it might well be that there are some of us today who are nursing hurts and disappointments. Maybe this is the time that we need to cast all of our cares onto God, all of those things that are pulling us from Him rather than drawing us to Him. Because, God not only takes our hurts and disappointments, but He has promised to meet with us in these times and stay with us until we get through them.
That’s why He promised “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
When we are hurt and feel disappointed, it can be easy to feel isolated within our faith and alone in our walk with God and one other, that’s why readings such as todays are important.
They are the reminder that when we feel times are tough and that we are unable to find the strength to keep going, when all of the certainties that we once thought to be true start crumbling away from us, Jesus doesn’t always offer us easy answers, but instead He simply helps us work through things and gives us the strength and support we need to keep going.
So that even in the midst of our hurts and disappointments we can come to that place of fully appreciating everything that Jesus does for us so in the good and not so good times of life; in those times when we think we’ve got it all worked out and those times when it is obvious that we haven’t.
In those times of greatest disappointment may we still have the faith to believe that
the greater the feelings of disappointment with God,
the greater is His love and faithfulness towards us each and ever day.
Amen
A divine delight offering love and promised joy
Mark 9:2-9 New International Version
The Transfiguration
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.
3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.
4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Reflection
What, if anything, does the Transfiguration of Jesus mean for us today; in fact, what did it mean for those who originally heard about it; and what did it even mean for Peter, James and John as they watched events unfolding in front of them?
Sometimes we come to a story such as this and it and it makes us feel that there is something deeper going on that we don’t necessarily understand, and we begin looking deeper and overthinking things, which results in us losing sight of some of the things that are a bit more obvious and are staring us right in the face.
But if we are being honest with ourselves, where and when have many of the gospel accounts of Jesus's words and actions ever made any kind of sense?
After all, He was nearly always having to explain Himself to someone, especially those who were closest to Him.
And I think the truth is, that our reading today of the transfiguration, of the transfigured Jesus, isn’t a story inserted into the gospel for us to work out. Instead, it’s there to give us the space to fully understand and appreciate who Jesus is.
That He is someone whose light and love ought to be able to draw us to Him. It’s there to allow us to bask in the warm wonder of His glow, so that we can find strength and meaning for our lives in the afterglow of His love towards us, to paraphrase an old song.
Our reading begins with Jesus taking Peter, James, and John up a mountain, where He is changed – transfigured – dramatically before their eyes and Jesus’ clothes become dazzling white. “Whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them” Mark tells us.
He is telling us to use our imaginations….just think of the whitest you’ve ever bleached your clothes, well Jesus was a lot whiter than that. In fact, He was whiter than anything you’ve ever seen before.
Jesus goes up on the top of the mountain and is making a statement that He is the Son of God who will be seen by all who look for him. Like a human lighthouse, He will shine out and draw people to Him, and will shine to guide us and keep us safe if we will look for Him and let Him. And by way of affirmation the voice of God speaks out once again, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him.”
The last time that God made this proclamation was at the beginning of Mark’s gospel after Jesus had been baptised. When Jesus came out the water, the Holy Spirit descended on Him, and the Father affirmed His love for His Son. However, at the baptism, it is not clear whether this was experienced by Jesus alone or whether others saw and heard the Holy Spirit and the voice of God. But the Transfiguration is a different kind of revelation, as God goes public, Jesus becomes a beacon, and the heavenly voice addresses all the witnesses with a promise that Jesus is known and loved.
But, because the Transfiguration is bizarre and unusual, and can be quite hard to explain or understand it can be easy to assume that we’re supposed to approach it with sober reverence and awe. But I don’t think that is how God meant it to be. Because here yet again we see God taking the opportunity to declare His love for the one He called His Son.
Would it not be good to believe that at this juncture of the story God is looking down and smiling at his Son, His heart beating quickly at the very thought of Him; because that is what love does.
Anyone who has ever been in love knows that love isn’t solemn. It doesn’t make you straight faced and serious. You can’t talk or think about the one that you love most without it making you happy and causing you to smile. After all, that’s how lovers react to and with each other.
Try and picture God doing this as He speaks to the disciples, and would it not be great to believe that God does this as well every time He calls our names? This is my son, this is my daughter and I have a big stupid grin on my face because that’s how much I love them.
Someone has also written that at this moment God is saying “This is my Son in whom I take delight”. At the Transfiguration then, we are in the presence of love, joy and delight.
Mark isn’t sketching us a picture of intimidating purity or self-satisfied majesty. Instead, we are witnesses to a holy, divine delight. A holy, divine delight that gives and shares, that loves and offers promised joy. It’s a characteristic of God and an invitation to us to delight ourselves in Jesus simply because God does likewise. And as we do, He enables us to draw closer to Him and gain a little more insight into His divine heart.
It was certainly an experience to remember for Peter, James, and John, because not only did they witness the Transfiguration of Jesus and hear the voice of God, but they found themselves in extremely privileged company. They are joined by Moses and Elijah, two of the greatest prophets in Jewish history.
Many things made those two ancient prophets great. For example, the Bible recalls each of them sharing moments of intimacy with God. Moses doing so through face-to-face chats with God (Exodus 33:7-23) and then Elijah had his own personal encounter with God through the sound of silence. (1 Kings 19:11-13). When one is so close to God, everything changes. Impossibilities dissolve and all becomes possible.
And yet in this moment of intimacy and love the disciples come perilously close to missing their encounter with God. Because we see Peter, and it always seems to be Peter doesn’t it, interrupting Jesus as he talks with Moses and Elijah. And whilst Peter is trying to work out everything that is going on God simply speaks and invites him to experience the wonder and mystery of Jesus.
I wonder how often we do the same. We desperately want an encounter with God – to have some sense that we are not alone, that there is something more than what we can see and touch – and yet in those very moments when God draws near we find ourselves on the verge of missing out on Him.
Perhaps that’s because that as much as we want an encounter with God, we also fear His presence, because we worry about what might be asked of us. We may not want to experience our very own moment of Transfiguration because we fear being changed and transformed. What we have and who we are, may not be much, but at least we know who and what we are, we are used to being us, and have built relatively secure and orderly lives around being us.
And so when God comes– perhaps in not as dramatic a way as Mark describes, but in the ordinary things of life—in our hopes, encounters, and tragedies– when God comes and unsettles the orderly lives we’ve constructed, perhaps these times are our own divine experiences of God reaching out to us and offering us a picture of the love that He has for us.
Peter never got the opportunity to build his three shelters, possibly because God’s reach and love can’t be contained to shelters or tents of humanity’s making.
And so whenever we think we have God worked out may we be reminded that He is far bigger than we can care to imagine. He is bigger than the plans we may think He has for us. He is even bigger than the plans we have for ourselves. Perhaps we may even dare to believe that God’s plans for us are no more than to simply smother us in His constant divine love. A love that is so divine that it’s all excelling.
Therefore, in everything that we do, may we be willing to let God work in us and through us so that we can experience both his mystery and wonder so that our lives are shaped in Divine mystery and universal love.
And may we also be willing to be a church and a people who share stories of wonder, worry, hope and disappointment as we stand alongside one another and allow the God of Moses, Elijah and Jesus to draw near to us once again, and deepen the mystery of who He is, as He surrounds us, and fills in the continual enfolding of His never ending love.
Amen
The Transfiguration
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.
3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.
4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Reflection
What, if anything, does the Transfiguration of Jesus mean for us today; in fact, what did it mean for those who originally heard about it; and what did it even mean for Peter, James and John as they watched events unfolding in front of them?
Sometimes we come to a story such as this and it and it makes us feel that there is something deeper going on that we don’t necessarily understand, and we begin looking deeper and overthinking things, which results in us losing sight of some of the things that are a bit more obvious and are staring us right in the face.
But if we are being honest with ourselves, where and when have many of the gospel accounts of Jesus's words and actions ever made any kind of sense?
After all, He was nearly always having to explain Himself to someone, especially those who were closest to Him.
And I think the truth is, that our reading today of the transfiguration, of the transfigured Jesus, isn’t a story inserted into the gospel for us to work out. Instead, it’s there to give us the space to fully understand and appreciate who Jesus is.
That He is someone whose light and love ought to be able to draw us to Him. It’s there to allow us to bask in the warm wonder of His glow, so that we can find strength and meaning for our lives in the afterglow of His love towards us, to paraphrase an old song.
Our reading begins with Jesus taking Peter, James, and John up a mountain, where He is changed – transfigured – dramatically before their eyes and Jesus’ clothes become dazzling white. “Whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them” Mark tells us.
He is telling us to use our imaginations….just think of the whitest you’ve ever bleached your clothes, well Jesus was a lot whiter than that. In fact, He was whiter than anything you’ve ever seen before.
Jesus goes up on the top of the mountain and is making a statement that He is the Son of God who will be seen by all who look for him. Like a human lighthouse, He will shine out and draw people to Him, and will shine to guide us and keep us safe if we will look for Him and let Him. And by way of affirmation the voice of God speaks out once again, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him.”
The last time that God made this proclamation was at the beginning of Mark’s gospel after Jesus had been baptised. When Jesus came out the water, the Holy Spirit descended on Him, and the Father affirmed His love for His Son. However, at the baptism, it is not clear whether this was experienced by Jesus alone or whether others saw and heard the Holy Spirit and the voice of God. But the Transfiguration is a different kind of revelation, as God goes public, Jesus becomes a beacon, and the heavenly voice addresses all the witnesses with a promise that Jesus is known and loved.
But, because the Transfiguration is bizarre and unusual, and can be quite hard to explain or understand it can be easy to assume that we’re supposed to approach it with sober reverence and awe. But I don’t think that is how God meant it to be. Because here yet again we see God taking the opportunity to declare His love for the one He called His Son.
Would it not be good to believe that at this juncture of the story God is looking down and smiling at his Son, His heart beating quickly at the very thought of Him; because that is what love does.
Anyone who has ever been in love knows that love isn’t solemn. It doesn’t make you straight faced and serious. You can’t talk or think about the one that you love most without it making you happy and causing you to smile. After all, that’s how lovers react to and with each other.
Try and picture God doing this as He speaks to the disciples, and would it not be great to believe that God does this as well every time He calls our names? This is my son, this is my daughter and I have a big stupid grin on my face because that’s how much I love them.
Someone has also written that at this moment God is saying “This is my Son in whom I take delight”. At the Transfiguration then, we are in the presence of love, joy and delight.
Mark isn’t sketching us a picture of intimidating purity or self-satisfied majesty. Instead, we are witnesses to a holy, divine delight. A holy, divine delight that gives and shares, that loves and offers promised joy. It’s a characteristic of God and an invitation to us to delight ourselves in Jesus simply because God does likewise. And as we do, He enables us to draw closer to Him and gain a little more insight into His divine heart.
It was certainly an experience to remember for Peter, James, and John, because not only did they witness the Transfiguration of Jesus and hear the voice of God, but they found themselves in extremely privileged company. They are joined by Moses and Elijah, two of the greatest prophets in Jewish history.
Many things made those two ancient prophets great. For example, the Bible recalls each of them sharing moments of intimacy with God. Moses doing so through face-to-face chats with God (Exodus 33:7-23) and then Elijah had his own personal encounter with God through the sound of silence. (1 Kings 19:11-13). When one is so close to God, everything changes. Impossibilities dissolve and all becomes possible.
And yet in this moment of intimacy and love the disciples come perilously close to missing their encounter with God. Because we see Peter, and it always seems to be Peter doesn’t it, interrupting Jesus as he talks with Moses and Elijah. And whilst Peter is trying to work out everything that is going on God simply speaks and invites him to experience the wonder and mystery of Jesus.
I wonder how often we do the same. We desperately want an encounter with God – to have some sense that we are not alone, that there is something more than what we can see and touch – and yet in those very moments when God draws near we find ourselves on the verge of missing out on Him.
Perhaps that’s because that as much as we want an encounter with God, we also fear His presence, because we worry about what might be asked of us. We may not want to experience our very own moment of Transfiguration because we fear being changed and transformed. What we have and who we are, may not be much, but at least we know who and what we are, we are used to being us, and have built relatively secure and orderly lives around being us.
And so when God comes– perhaps in not as dramatic a way as Mark describes, but in the ordinary things of life—in our hopes, encounters, and tragedies– when God comes and unsettles the orderly lives we’ve constructed, perhaps these times are our own divine experiences of God reaching out to us and offering us a picture of the love that He has for us.
Peter never got the opportunity to build his three shelters, possibly because God’s reach and love can’t be contained to shelters or tents of humanity’s making.
And so whenever we think we have God worked out may we be reminded that He is far bigger than we can care to imagine. He is bigger than the plans we may think He has for us. He is even bigger than the plans we have for ourselves. Perhaps we may even dare to believe that God’s plans for us are no more than to simply smother us in His constant divine love. A love that is so divine that it’s all excelling.
Therefore, in everything that we do, may we be willing to let God work in us and through us so that we can experience both his mystery and wonder so that our lives are shaped in Divine mystery and universal love.
And may we also be willing to be a church and a people who share stories of wonder, worry, hope and disappointment as we stand alongside one another and allow the God of Moses, Elijah and Jesus to draw near to us once again, and deepen the mystery of who He is, as He surrounds us, and fills in the continual enfolding of His never ending love.
Amen
COMPASSION WITHOUT LIMITS, REACHING OUT, NO MATTER THE COST
Mark 1:40-45 New International Version
Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy
40 A man with leprosy[1] came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
41 Jesus was indignant.[2] He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
Footnotes
Reflection
I am sure that most of us remember that old children’s hymn that we used to sing: "Jesus hands were kind hands, doing good to all. Healing pain and sickness, blessing children small". And anywhere that Jesus went, we see, that those kind hands of Jesus were, nearly always, very busy.
Today's reading is the third in a series of healings that Mark tells us about at the beginning of his gospel. Previously, there was the healing of the man with the evil spirit, then there was the healing of Peter’s mother in law, and that’s not counting the many others who were healed when they gathered at her door looking for help from Jesus after this.
And today there is the healing of the man with leprosy.
At the time, people with leprosy were excluded from the neighbourhood and were forced to leave their homes, their families, and communities. They lived in colonies – where gradually they became more disfigured and further alienated from everyone else. They were considered to be “unclean,” which meant that they were unable to attend synagogues - to read the Scriptures, to offer sacrifice. All religious and spiritual practices were forbidden, since they were barred from entering into any populated place. It was a desolate existence.
And when the leper approached Jesus, he was going against the Law, he was breaking all the codes that kept him in the existence he was living in. Nonetheless, in desperation, he goes to Jesus and speaks directly to Him.
We don’t know if he already knew about Jesus, or if he had heard what Jesus was able to do for him. Maybe he had heard someone say that Jesus’s hands were kind hands, or else he just saw in Jesus someone who could heal him.
And he approaches Jesus with the simple request, "Please help me." To which Jesus reaches out and touches him, even though, strictly speaking, He was now making Himself ritually unclean in the process. As He does so, Mark records that ‘at once,’ or ‘immediately,’ the leprosy leaves the man and he is healed.
But it wasn’t simply the touch of Jesus that healed the leper; there were other factors at work as well, because before Jesus reached out we are told that 'He was filled with compassion.'
When Jesus sees this man approach Him in his state of stress, vulnerability and need, He is moved with compassion. Not judgment, or reprimand, or any of the countless other responses that were common both then and now to such problems.
Instead, He is simply filled with compassion. Jesus, Word made flesh, Son of God, not judgmental, or demanding, but simply compassionate.
Genuine compassion has no limits. True compassion always reaches out no matter the cost.
Compassion is something that we all need in our lives, whether the ability to give it or receive it, because the minute we lose our ability to show compassion, we lose our identity as the people of God, and we forget what it is to be human. To be compassionate is to mirror the image set to us by Jesus
But Jesus is not just compassionate, He shows how much He cares by reaching out and touching the man. There is an intimacy to touch that we can take for granted. Ask the elderly, the ill, the depressed, or the isolated, just how rare and beautiful human touch is, and you may be surprised (or maybe just reminded) that there are few gestures that are as profound, loving, and healing as that of human touch.
Jesus could have healed with a word, with an action, or with a command, but instead He reached out to touch the man. Here too, God’s character is revealed to us, as we discover a God who is so eager to be in relationship with us that He takes on our form and flesh, assumes our lot and our life, so that He can then reach out to touch us in love.
We also see the willingness of Jesus to get involved. Jesus does more than simply respond to the man’s plea. He affirms his deepest hopes that, though a leper, he is still a person of value, dignity and worth.
That he is a child of God.
Here we are again greeted by God’s surprising and uncontrollable mercy and grace. As the prophet Jonah from the Old Testament learned the hard way, God is indeed “gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love” (Jonah 4:2). We learn through our story and Jonah’s experience, that God is so often far more willing and eager to bless His people than we are willing to be blessed. And to do all this Jesus must go where the hurting people are.
By the end of today’s reading, Jesus shows us what it costs to go where the people are. The story begins with Jesus being the One who is free to wander and proclaim, something that is required of Him so that crowds will gather and hear His message of Good News. By the end of the story Jesus has traded places with the former leper who is now wandering freely, proclaiming what the Lord has done and creating widespread positive response, while at the same time, Jesus has now become the one who is isolated and lonely. The leperous man, now healed, is restored to his community, while Jesus can no longer travel freely or even enter the towns anymore. This is a cost He is “willing” to pay.
There is an exchange of roles, an exchange of realities between Jesus and the man whom He has healed, which points longer term to the role that Jesus is willing to take for humanity itself - giving up His life of freedom for Golgotha and the cross. However, it is a sacrifice that He is willing to make. And He is willing to do so because of the love that He has for His people. It’s a sacrificial love, because ultimately as I am sure we have all experienced at one time or another in our lives—true love always costs something.
Jesus healed the man regardless of his own personal cost. He knows the more He does the more it is going to be harder to walk about freely, talking to the people, healing them, reaching out to them, but He does it nonetheless…he carries on regardless. And in so doing the power of the good news to change lives is proven; the will and power of God is revealed. Boundaries are crossed; issues of power are addressed; an unclean becomes clean; the sick become whole. And Jesus will eventually end up on the cross because of this.
And Jesus does so. Out of love. Love costs. That is what we find in God. The God who reaches out so that all can know their true worth; so that all can know that His kingdom is one that is inclusive to all.
It’s a reminder and a promise that God’s will in Jesus is to reach out and touch lives that are broken and suffering; and that the proclamation of this Good News has the power to reach even into those places that try to keep Him silent.
Therefore may we always strive to be a people who see others as Jesus sees them, to be a church filled with joy, love and grace, that majors on compassion rather than law; as we offer mercy rather than judgement and that paints a picture, and tells the story of the Saviour who is both loving and forgiving, and so willing and eager to embrace us in healing, forgiveness, and kindness that He has freely taken on the pain and sin of the world because of His love for us all.
Amen
Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy
40 A man with leprosy[1] came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
41 Jesus was indignant.[2] He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
Footnotes
- Mark 1:40 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
- Mark 1:41 Many manuscripts Jesus was filled with compassion
Reflection
I am sure that most of us remember that old children’s hymn that we used to sing: "Jesus hands were kind hands, doing good to all. Healing pain and sickness, blessing children small". And anywhere that Jesus went, we see, that those kind hands of Jesus were, nearly always, very busy.
Today's reading is the third in a series of healings that Mark tells us about at the beginning of his gospel. Previously, there was the healing of the man with the evil spirit, then there was the healing of Peter’s mother in law, and that’s not counting the many others who were healed when they gathered at her door looking for help from Jesus after this.
And today there is the healing of the man with leprosy.
At the time, people with leprosy were excluded from the neighbourhood and were forced to leave their homes, their families, and communities. They lived in colonies – where gradually they became more disfigured and further alienated from everyone else. They were considered to be “unclean,” which meant that they were unable to attend synagogues - to read the Scriptures, to offer sacrifice. All religious and spiritual practices were forbidden, since they were barred from entering into any populated place. It was a desolate existence.
And when the leper approached Jesus, he was going against the Law, he was breaking all the codes that kept him in the existence he was living in. Nonetheless, in desperation, he goes to Jesus and speaks directly to Him.
We don’t know if he already knew about Jesus, or if he had heard what Jesus was able to do for him. Maybe he had heard someone say that Jesus’s hands were kind hands, or else he just saw in Jesus someone who could heal him.
And he approaches Jesus with the simple request, "Please help me." To which Jesus reaches out and touches him, even though, strictly speaking, He was now making Himself ritually unclean in the process. As He does so, Mark records that ‘at once,’ or ‘immediately,’ the leprosy leaves the man and he is healed.
But it wasn’t simply the touch of Jesus that healed the leper; there were other factors at work as well, because before Jesus reached out we are told that 'He was filled with compassion.'
When Jesus sees this man approach Him in his state of stress, vulnerability and need, He is moved with compassion. Not judgment, or reprimand, or any of the countless other responses that were common both then and now to such problems.
Instead, He is simply filled with compassion. Jesus, Word made flesh, Son of God, not judgmental, or demanding, but simply compassionate.
Genuine compassion has no limits. True compassion always reaches out no matter the cost.
Compassion is something that we all need in our lives, whether the ability to give it or receive it, because the minute we lose our ability to show compassion, we lose our identity as the people of God, and we forget what it is to be human. To be compassionate is to mirror the image set to us by Jesus
But Jesus is not just compassionate, He shows how much He cares by reaching out and touching the man. There is an intimacy to touch that we can take for granted. Ask the elderly, the ill, the depressed, or the isolated, just how rare and beautiful human touch is, and you may be surprised (or maybe just reminded) that there are few gestures that are as profound, loving, and healing as that of human touch.
Jesus could have healed with a word, with an action, or with a command, but instead He reached out to touch the man. Here too, God’s character is revealed to us, as we discover a God who is so eager to be in relationship with us that He takes on our form and flesh, assumes our lot and our life, so that He can then reach out to touch us in love.
We also see the willingness of Jesus to get involved. Jesus does more than simply respond to the man’s plea. He affirms his deepest hopes that, though a leper, he is still a person of value, dignity and worth.
That he is a child of God.
Here we are again greeted by God’s surprising and uncontrollable mercy and grace. As the prophet Jonah from the Old Testament learned the hard way, God is indeed “gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love” (Jonah 4:2). We learn through our story and Jonah’s experience, that God is so often far more willing and eager to bless His people than we are willing to be blessed. And to do all this Jesus must go where the hurting people are.
By the end of today’s reading, Jesus shows us what it costs to go where the people are. The story begins with Jesus being the One who is free to wander and proclaim, something that is required of Him so that crowds will gather and hear His message of Good News. By the end of the story Jesus has traded places with the former leper who is now wandering freely, proclaiming what the Lord has done and creating widespread positive response, while at the same time, Jesus has now become the one who is isolated and lonely. The leperous man, now healed, is restored to his community, while Jesus can no longer travel freely or even enter the towns anymore. This is a cost He is “willing” to pay.
There is an exchange of roles, an exchange of realities between Jesus and the man whom He has healed, which points longer term to the role that Jesus is willing to take for humanity itself - giving up His life of freedom for Golgotha and the cross. However, it is a sacrifice that He is willing to make. And He is willing to do so because of the love that He has for His people. It’s a sacrificial love, because ultimately as I am sure we have all experienced at one time or another in our lives—true love always costs something.
Jesus healed the man regardless of his own personal cost. He knows the more He does the more it is going to be harder to walk about freely, talking to the people, healing them, reaching out to them, but He does it nonetheless…he carries on regardless. And in so doing the power of the good news to change lives is proven; the will and power of God is revealed. Boundaries are crossed; issues of power are addressed; an unclean becomes clean; the sick become whole. And Jesus will eventually end up on the cross because of this.
And Jesus does so. Out of love. Love costs. That is what we find in God. The God who reaches out so that all can know their true worth; so that all can know that His kingdom is one that is inclusive to all.
It’s a reminder and a promise that God’s will in Jesus is to reach out and touch lives that are broken and suffering; and that the proclamation of this Good News has the power to reach even into those places that try to keep Him silent.
Therefore may we always strive to be a people who see others as Jesus sees them, to be a church filled with joy, love and grace, that majors on compassion rather than law; as we offer mercy rather than judgement and that paints a picture, and tells the story of the Saviour who is both loving and forgiving, and so willing and eager to embrace us in healing, forgiveness, and kindness that He has freely taken on the pain and sin of the world because of His love for us all.
Amen
Freedom - to be the people god wants us to be
Mark 1:29-39 New International Version
Jesus Heals Many
29 As soon as they left the synagogue,
they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.
30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her.
31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up.
The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.
33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases.
He also drove out many demons,
but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him,
37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also.
That is why I have come.”
39 So he traveled throughout Galilee,
preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Reflection
Freedom comes in different varieties and will mean different things for us. If I had painted my face and shouted freedom at you then it would maybe have brought to mind Mel Gibson’s portrayal of William Wallace in the film Braveheart.
Freedom of speech can be a contentious issue, because one person’s freedom to speak can be another person’s incitement to hatred. It depends on how you view things and whether you think your right to say whatever you want should override the fears and worries of those you speak against.
What price Freedom…freedom to walk about in safety, freedom to come to church, freedom to be the people that God has created us to be, are all things that most of us cherish deeply,
but they can also be things that we begin to take for granted
The beginning of Mark’s gospel sees freedom being proclaimed by Jesus
to individuals who were being set free from things that were holding them back.
Last week we read about the man with the evil spirits and of how Jesus had freed him from the power and control they had over his life.
In today's reading we see that the mother in law of Simon is freed from the sickness that is holding her back, as she is in bed with a fever which is no small concern in the ancient world. A fever was not only debilitating for a short while but was often a condition that would lead to death.
We know nothing about this fever’s intensity, duration, or cause — but we do know a valued family member was unable to be up and about her work. Her calling had been taken from her by an illness and she was no longer free to do the things she wanted and needed to do.
And so Jesus responds to the need of someone in distress. In Mark’s direct and uncomplicated style he says “Jesus raises her up., …and the fever left her and she served them”
That last sentence: “and she served them” has caused a great deal of unhappiness and concern within preaching and ministerial circles throughout the years.
After all, the mother in law has been at death's door
and the first thing she does when she gets up is serve.
She did what she was meant to be doing… …as it was believed in those days.
Was that the sum total of her life....that she was healed so that she could serve?
Was that all that she was capable of doing?
Why did her son in law not grasp the nettle and prepare some food and drink for the visitors,
that he had actually brought to the house?
You might have thought that when you make a miraculous recovery like that
then your life would take on some sort of new vocation.
Not so in this case, instead Simon’s mother in law simply gets up and continued serving.
But the whole purpose of the healing is so that Simon’s mother-in-law, can be restored and freed to being the person she was created to be, and the mother and mother in law she had originally been.
Many of us might have problems with fully understanding this, but perhaps the words of Sarah Henrich might help us, where she writes about the consequences of the fever on Simon’s mother in law,
and what the healing would have meant. She writes,
"Illness bore a heavy social cost: not only would a person be unable to earn a living or contribute to the well-being of a household, but their ability to take their proper role in the community, to be honored as a valuable member of a household, town, or village, would be taken from them. (Simon) Peter’s mother-in-law is an excellent case in point. It was her calling and her honor to show hospitality to guests in her home. Cut off from that role by an illness, cut her off from doing that which integrated her into her world. Who was she when no longer able to engage in her calling? Jesus restored her to her social world and brought her back to a life of value by freeing her from that fever. It is very important to see that healing is about restoration to community and restoration of a calling; its a role as well as restoration to life.
For life without community and calling is bleak indeed."
And it’s not only this one woman, that Jesus restored to life within the community.
So many were healed and freed to be the people that they had been created to be.
All kinds of people, were healed, cared for and restored by Jesus as He freed them from illnesses and spirit-possession to be the people that God had created them to be.
So many people set free – a whole city, Mark tells us–and it takes its toll on Jesus causing Him to retreat for a time of silence and prayer. Shortly thereafter however, He is restored, or perhaps senses the profound need around him, and He goes once more to embrace the mission entrusted to Him:
to heal and set free all who recognize their need of Him.
This isn’t just the message from the first chapter of Mark, instead it is the story throughout his gospel; it’s the story from all the other gospels and Scripture in its entirety: God wants to set us free so that we can be the people we have been created to be, so that we can carry out His Divine mission of loving and blessing the world.
Have you ever wondered what happened to many of the people that we read about in our Bible stories once they had experienced the healing touch or the words of wisdom from Jesus in their lives?
What did the man with the evil spirit do with his life afterwards? What did all the people that Jesus healed in this week’s story do once they are freed from their various ailments of mind, body, and spirit?
Some, I imagine, were simply so grateful to be made well that they returned as quickly as possible to their old lives, routines and relationships.
But surely there were some who recognised that they weren’t only freed from something, they were also freed for something, freed for leading lives that were filled with purpose and meaning.
That’s true for us as well;
that our calling, our faith, our lives with Christ, don’t just call us from something,
but they also call us for something.
Life with Jesus frees us from things for lives of purpose and meaning,
that enable us to carry out good works in His name.
We are freed from the worries, sorrows and burdens that hold us down so that we can live out the calling that has been placed in our lives and so that we can be free to love God and one another.
And so this week may we all experience freedom in all its many ways
as we take and share the Good News of Divine hope and love
that frees us from the baggage of the past,
that enables us to be the people that God calls us to be, the people who we truly are,
people with purpose who have been called to make a difference in the lives of all those around us.
Let us pray
Jesus Heals Many
29 As soon as they left the synagogue,
they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.
30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her.
31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up.
The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.
33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases.
He also drove out many demons,
but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him,
37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also.
That is why I have come.”
39 So he traveled throughout Galilee,
preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Reflection
Freedom comes in different varieties and will mean different things for us. If I had painted my face and shouted freedom at you then it would maybe have brought to mind Mel Gibson’s portrayal of William Wallace in the film Braveheart.
Freedom of speech can be a contentious issue, because one person’s freedom to speak can be another person’s incitement to hatred. It depends on how you view things and whether you think your right to say whatever you want should override the fears and worries of those you speak against.
What price Freedom…freedom to walk about in safety, freedom to come to church, freedom to be the people that God has created us to be, are all things that most of us cherish deeply,
but they can also be things that we begin to take for granted
The beginning of Mark’s gospel sees freedom being proclaimed by Jesus
to individuals who were being set free from things that were holding them back.
Last week we read about the man with the evil spirits and of how Jesus had freed him from the power and control they had over his life.
In today's reading we see that the mother in law of Simon is freed from the sickness that is holding her back, as she is in bed with a fever which is no small concern in the ancient world. A fever was not only debilitating for a short while but was often a condition that would lead to death.
We know nothing about this fever’s intensity, duration, or cause — but we do know a valued family member was unable to be up and about her work. Her calling had been taken from her by an illness and she was no longer free to do the things she wanted and needed to do.
And so Jesus responds to the need of someone in distress. In Mark’s direct and uncomplicated style he says “Jesus raises her up., …and the fever left her and she served them”
That last sentence: “and she served them” has caused a great deal of unhappiness and concern within preaching and ministerial circles throughout the years.
After all, the mother in law has been at death's door
and the first thing she does when she gets up is serve.
She did what she was meant to be doing… …as it was believed in those days.
Was that the sum total of her life....that she was healed so that she could serve?
Was that all that she was capable of doing?
Why did her son in law not grasp the nettle and prepare some food and drink for the visitors,
that he had actually brought to the house?
You might have thought that when you make a miraculous recovery like that
then your life would take on some sort of new vocation.
Not so in this case, instead Simon’s mother in law simply gets up and continued serving.
But the whole purpose of the healing is so that Simon’s mother-in-law, can be restored and freed to being the person she was created to be, and the mother and mother in law she had originally been.
Many of us might have problems with fully understanding this, but perhaps the words of Sarah Henrich might help us, where she writes about the consequences of the fever on Simon’s mother in law,
and what the healing would have meant. She writes,
"Illness bore a heavy social cost: not only would a person be unable to earn a living or contribute to the well-being of a household, but their ability to take their proper role in the community, to be honored as a valuable member of a household, town, or village, would be taken from them. (Simon) Peter’s mother-in-law is an excellent case in point. It was her calling and her honor to show hospitality to guests in her home. Cut off from that role by an illness, cut her off from doing that which integrated her into her world. Who was she when no longer able to engage in her calling? Jesus restored her to her social world and brought her back to a life of value by freeing her from that fever. It is very important to see that healing is about restoration to community and restoration of a calling; its a role as well as restoration to life.
For life without community and calling is bleak indeed."
And it’s not only this one woman, that Jesus restored to life within the community.
So many were healed and freed to be the people that they had been created to be.
All kinds of people, were healed, cared for and restored by Jesus as He freed them from illnesses and spirit-possession to be the people that God had created them to be.
So many people set free – a whole city, Mark tells us–and it takes its toll on Jesus causing Him to retreat for a time of silence and prayer. Shortly thereafter however, He is restored, or perhaps senses the profound need around him, and He goes once more to embrace the mission entrusted to Him:
to heal and set free all who recognize their need of Him.
This isn’t just the message from the first chapter of Mark, instead it is the story throughout his gospel; it’s the story from all the other gospels and Scripture in its entirety: God wants to set us free so that we can be the people we have been created to be, so that we can carry out His Divine mission of loving and blessing the world.
Have you ever wondered what happened to many of the people that we read about in our Bible stories once they had experienced the healing touch or the words of wisdom from Jesus in their lives?
What did the man with the evil spirit do with his life afterwards? What did all the people that Jesus healed in this week’s story do once they are freed from their various ailments of mind, body, and spirit?
Some, I imagine, were simply so grateful to be made well that they returned as quickly as possible to their old lives, routines and relationships.
But surely there were some who recognised that they weren’t only freed from something, they were also freed for something, freed for leading lives that were filled with purpose and meaning.
That’s true for us as well;
that our calling, our faith, our lives with Christ, don’t just call us from something,
but they also call us for something.
Life with Jesus frees us from things for lives of purpose and meaning,
that enable us to carry out good works in His name.
We are freed from the worries, sorrows and burdens that hold us down so that we can live out the calling that has been placed in our lives and so that we can be free to love God and one another.
And so this week may we all experience freedom in all its many ways
as we take and share the Good News of Divine hope and love
that frees us from the baggage of the past,
that enables us to be the people that God calls us to be, the people who we truly are,
people with purpose who have been called to make a difference in the lives of all those around us.
Let us pray
March
JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM AS A KING
BRINGING THE PROMISE OF A KINGDOM WON THROUGH LOVE
BRINGING THE PROMISE OF A KINGDOM WON THROUGH LOVE
Matthew 21:1-11 New International Version
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Reflection
Don’t you just love having a hero or a good role model?
Someone you can look up to, and know that no matter what else happens, they will never let you down. But one of the things about role models and heroes is that we end up putting them on a pedestal and eventually knocking them off it. Because ultimately, they will disappoint us and let us down and never fully fulfil the optimism that we placed on their shoulders.
Of course, it’s nothing new. We always tend to think that everything we experience and go through is unique to us, and that it was never like this in the good old days. But our reading today and the events of Palm Sunday in particular are prime examples of someone, in this case Jesus, being put on a pedestal with expectations to carry out a mission that was beyond the scope of His earthly ministry, and which He never promised to anyone anyway.
Life is a journey, which we are all expected to undertake, and Palm Sunday is the beginning of the final part of Jesus’ earthly journey which will ultimately lead to Heavenly glory. However, it is a journey that is undertaken, that goes via the cross. And just like many journeys, it is one that starts off in great expectation which is mixed with both jubilation and excitement, but ultimately ends in the depths of despair.
The beginning of Jesus’ final journey and His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, doesn’t begin with Jesus and His disciples at Bethpage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives and with Jesus telling a couple of His followers to go to the village and untie the donkey and her colt. Instead, this is a story and an action that started many years earlier. Considerably, many years earlier.
If we remember the opening verses of John’s gospel, “in the beginning was the word and the word was with God….and He was with God in the beginning” and then eventually God decided that He was going to do something amazing for His people,
to prove how great His love truly was and is.
He sent His son to us and for us.
That’s when all this was decided.
The events that we witness in our reading today, of Palm Sunday and the beginning of what we now call Holy Week didn’t happen by chance. Instead, when Jesus entered into Jerusalem on a donkey to the adulation of all those who were there, it was something that had been pre-ordained.
And as He rides into Jerusalem Jesus is making a very public statement. Matthew’s gospel makes it clear: Jesus rode into town as a returning king. Moreover, the crowds greeted him as such. The hosannas the people cried had both religious and political overtones. They greet Jesus as the Lord’s Messiah and expect him to now overthrow the Romans, which does not go unnoticed by the Romans, which maybe helps to explain why they had to crucify Jesus. It wasn’t just an accident. It wasn’t because He simply offended the religious and political authorities and institutions of the day. It was because He proclaimed another kingdom – the Kingdom of God – and called on the people to give their allegiance to this kingdom before all others. He was, in other words, a threat to the powers and structures that enabled Roman Empire and the existing religious authority to be maintained.
And yet, the tragedy of the day is that the people were half right in what they proclaimed. They weren’t far away from fully understanding what was taking place before them.
Jesus did come as God’s Messiah. But He did not come to bring about the “regime change” that they were looking for. His wasn’t the kingdom that would be won through violence, but instead it would be won through love; the love of and for God, and love for one another.
It would be a love where all would know and experience the inclusiveness of God’s Kingdom rather than a kingdom based on hierarchy, structure and exclusiveness. All would be welcome, and none were to be left out. It is a kingdom where all can know that they are part of God’s family and are therefore known and valued as such.
And that is the deep irony that lies at the heart of our reading. The crowds expected one kind of Messiah and got another. Their disappointment is heartfelt and probably understandable.
And aren’t we, a bit like that crowd as well. Don’t we also long for a God who is strong, and will come in to the challenges and problems we have?
A God, who, like a knight on a white charger who will come and rescue us from all the things we go through, so that everything will be ok?
For example, one year on and as we still deal with the effects of a virus that has had a catastrophic impact on the entire the world; as we have members of our communities, our congregations and our families who still live in fear of venturing beyond the front door, afraid of what might lie beyond it for them; with our church buildings closed or open on a restricted basis; with over 100,000 recorded deaths in this country alone; and my goodness do we not want and need a God who can and will just march right into the middle of these things and assure us that He is going to turn things around?
With that in mind, therefore it is pertinent to ask whether, if the Palm Sunday story was re-enacted into our situation today, would we be like that palm waving crowd? Would we have reacted any differently to those in our reading? Would we have been out in the streets cheering at the guy who was passing through, who had been promising something different, who had assured us that things were about to change and that the dark days were just about over. And then when we discover that things aren’t going to change the way we had expected them to, would our moods ad expectations might suddenly change also. Would we be found faithful or faithless? And as we reflect on that perhaps when we look at the events of Palm Sunday through present day eyes we can maybe be a bit more understanding as to why the people went from cheers to jeers in just a few short days.
One of the consistent themes recorded by the gospel writers is that they portray Jesus life on earth as one where He knows exactly everything that is going to happen. In today’s reading Matthew makes it clear that Jesus knew everything that was about to take place. He tells the what to say when they go for the donkey and colt. He says “ if anyone asks, tell them the Lord needs them right away.” And a couple of verses later we see the disciples returning to the group with the donkey and colt. Quite simply Jesus knows it all;
He knows about the betrayal, the crucifixion, the denials that will come, and yet He still chose to accept what was coming. Doing so, to show the lengths that God will go to in order to prove His love to us. It’s not a love that is fickle or based on how we react to Him, instead, it’s a love that remains constant and unconditional. It’s there for all; for those who will accept it and those who don’t accept it; for the repentant and unrepentant, the religious and irreligious, those who greet him as Messiah and those who reject him as criminal.
In short, Jesus chose to plod on regardless because He knew that He had come to show love to the good, the bad, and everyone else in between.
And He did it for us as well. Whether we have Him on a pedestal just waiting to knock Him off, or whether we have Him in our heart as part of our lives, whether we are found fickle or faithful; whether we call out to Him only in our times of need or whether we call out to Him, in thanksgiving when all is well, God comes to us –coming in a pre destined journey of love rather than one of might and strength, coming because He is committed to us and His Divine cause, coming to us, irrespective of what the cost might be to Himself.
Let us pray
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Reflection
Don’t you just love having a hero or a good role model?
Someone you can look up to, and know that no matter what else happens, they will never let you down. But one of the things about role models and heroes is that we end up putting them on a pedestal and eventually knocking them off it. Because ultimately, they will disappoint us and let us down and never fully fulfil the optimism that we placed on their shoulders.
Of course, it’s nothing new. We always tend to think that everything we experience and go through is unique to us, and that it was never like this in the good old days. But our reading today and the events of Palm Sunday in particular are prime examples of someone, in this case Jesus, being put on a pedestal with expectations to carry out a mission that was beyond the scope of His earthly ministry, and which He never promised to anyone anyway.
Life is a journey, which we are all expected to undertake, and Palm Sunday is the beginning of the final part of Jesus’ earthly journey which will ultimately lead to Heavenly glory. However, it is a journey that is undertaken, that goes via the cross. And just like many journeys, it is one that starts off in great expectation which is mixed with both jubilation and excitement, but ultimately ends in the depths of despair.
The beginning of Jesus’ final journey and His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, doesn’t begin with Jesus and His disciples at Bethpage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives and with Jesus telling a couple of His followers to go to the village and untie the donkey and her colt. Instead, this is a story and an action that started many years earlier. Considerably, many years earlier.
If we remember the opening verses of John’s gospel, “in the beginning was the word and the word was with God….and He was with God in the beginning” and then eventually God decided that He was going to do something amazing for His people,
to prove how great His love truly was and is.
He sent His son to us and for us.
That’s when all this was decided.
The events that we witness in our reading today, of Palm Sunday and the beginning of what we now call Holy Week didn’t happen by chance. Instead, when Jesus entered into Jerusalem on a donkey to the adulation of all those who were there, it was something that had been pre-ordained.
And as He rides into Jerusalem Jesus is making a very public statement. Matthew’s gospel makes it clear: Jesus rode into town as a returning king. Moreover, the crowds greeted him as such. The hosannas the people cried had both religious and political overtones. They greet Jesus as the Lord’s Messiah and expect him to now overthrow the Romans, which does not go unnoticed by the Romans, which maybe helps to explain why they had to crucify Jesus. It wasn’t just an accident. It wasn’t because He simply offended the religious and political authorities and institutions of the day. It was because He proclaimed another kingdom – the Kingdom of God – and called on the people to give their allegiance to this kingdom before all others. He was, in other words, a threat to the powers and structures that enabled Roman Empire and the existing religious authority to be maintained.
And yet, the tragedy of the day is that the people were half right in what they proclaimed. They weren’t far away from fully understanding what was taking place before them.
Jesus did come as God’s Messiah. But He did not come to bring about the “regime change” that they were looking for. His wasn’t the kingdom that would be won through violence, but instead it would be won through love; the love of and for God, and love for one another.
It would be a love where all would know and experience the inclusiveness of God’s Kingdom rather than a kingdom based on hierarchy, structure and exclusiveness. All would be welcome, and none were to be left out. It is a kingdom where all can know that they are part of God’s family and are therefore known and valued as such.
And that is the deep irony that lies at the heart of our reading. The crowds expected one kind of Messiah and got another. Their disappointment is heartfelt and probably understandable.
And aren’t we, a bit like that crowd as well. Don’t we also long for a God who is strong, and will come in to the challenges and problems we have?
A God, who, like a knight on a white charger who will come and rescue us from all the things we go through, so that everything will be ok?
For example, one year on and as we still deal with the effects of a virus that has had a catastrophic impact on the entire the world; as we have members of our communities, our congregations and our families who still live in fear of venturing beyond the front door, afraid of what might lie beyond it for them; with our church buildings closed or open on a restricted basis; with over 100,000 recorded deaths in this country alone; and my goodness do we not want and need a God who can and will just march right into the middle of these things and assure us that He is going to turn things around?
With that in mind, therefore it is pertinent to ask whether, if the Palm Sunday story was re-enacted into our situation today, would we be like that palm waving crowd? Would we have reacted any differently to those in our reading? Would we have been out in the streets cheering at the guy who was passing through, who had been promising something different, who had assured us that things were about to change and that the dark days were just about over. And then when we discover that things aren’t going to change the way we had expected them to, would our moods ad expectations might suddenly change also. Would we be found faithful or faithless? And as we reflect on that perhaps when we look at the events of Palm Sunday through present day eyes we can maybe be a bit more understanding as to why the people went from cheers to jeers in just a few short days.
One of the consistent themes recorded by the gospel writers is that they portray Jesus life on earth as one where He knows exactly everything that is going to happen. In today’s reading Matthew makes it clear that Jesus knew everything that was about to take place. He tells the what to say when they go for the donkey and colt. He says “ if anyone asks, tell them the Lord needs them right away.” And a couple of verses later we see the disciples returning to the group with the donkey and colt. Quite simply Jesus knows it all;
He knows about the betrayal, the crucifixion, the denials that will come, and yet He still chose to accept what was coming. Doing so, to show the lengths that God will go to in order to prove His love to us. It’s not a love that is fickle or based on how we react to Him, instead, it’s a love that remains constant and unconditional. It’s there for all; for those who will accept it and those who don’t accept it; for the repentant and unrepentant, the religious and irreligious, those who greet him as Messiah and those who reject him as criminal.
In short, Jesus chose to plod on regardless because He knew that He had come to show love to the good, the bad, and everyone else in between.
And He did it for us as well. Whether we have Him on a pedestal just waiting to knock Him off, or whether we have Him in our heart as part of our lives, whether we are found fickle or faithful; whether we call out to Him only in our times of need or whether we call out to Him, in thanksgiving when all is well, God comes to us –coming in a pre destined journey of love rather than one of might and strength, coming because He is committed to us and His Divine cause, coming to us, irrespective of what the cost might be to Himself.
Let us pray
just looking for jesus -
person to person, face to face
person to person, face to face
John 12:20-33 New International Version
Jesus Predicts His Death
20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up[a] from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
Reflection
"I still haven’t found what I am looking for" is U2’s well known song about the search for meaning in life, and it’s the acknowledgement that we don’t always find what we are looking for. However, it also serves as the reminder that we should never give up searching, even though it might sometimes feel that the search is in vain.
And although the statistics and empirical evidence suggests that people have given up on organised religion, the truth is that people are still searching for something today that will bring meaning into their lives and help to answer the big questions that we all too frequently want answered.
Since the pandemic and the resulting restrictions, lockdowns and people’s general inability to get to church, many churches are actually reporting big increases in numbers that are watching their online services. Apparently, internet searches for "prayer" has skyrocketed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jeanet Sinding Bentzen, an associate professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Copenhagen, has carried out research that shows that "search intensity” for 'prayer' doubles, for every 80,000 new registered cases of Covid-19.
Over the last year, since the peak of the Pandemic in the spring and summer of 2020 Google searches for prayer surged to the highest level ever recorded. Prayer searches in March 2020 was more than 50% higher than it was a month earlier. It was even 1.3 times larger than the increase in searches for takeaway food shops and restaurants.
Even Pastor Joel Osteen who has a megachurch in Lakewood, Texas announced that on one particular week 4.51 million people had tuned in for their weekly service on their various digital platforms.
Surveys show that a quarter of adults in the UK have watched or listened to a religious service since the coronavirus lockdown began, and one in 20 have started praying during the crisis.
All of which serves as the reminder that in times of crisis, uncertainty and despair humanity still has a tendency to turn to religion or faith for comfort and reassurance.
Although I must admit I was left questioning the reliability of these surveys and polls when one particular survey showed that the British public thought that The Vicar of Dibley, the Rev Geraldine Granger, was the best spiritual leader to lead the country through the coronavirus crisis. In second place was Sister Evangelina, from Call the Midwife … with Father Ted Crilly, taking third place. Seriously, I don’t understand people at times!!!!!! It should be Father Ted all the time. With Father Jack and father Dougal helping him, what could possibly go wrong? 😊
All around us today are people who are looking for something, maybe even someone. Nothing has changed since the Scriptures were actually real life events, as our reading shows us a group of people who were looking for something and someone.
The Greeks in today’s reading approach Philip and they are searching….they are looking for Jesus. They don’t come to Philip asking for information about Jesus. They don’t inquire about how to become a new member of Jesus's group. They don’t request a statement of beliefs, as to whether Jesus is conservative, liberal, evangelical, Presbyterian or whatever. They simply want to see Jesus, person to person, face to face.
Interestingly, they make this request as they make their way to a religious celebration: Passover. And, as they travel, they still want to take time out their schedule and journey to see Jesus. We have no idea if they were dissatisfied with their faith or if they were looking forward to another joyous Passover celebration, but at that moment, the most important thing for them was to meet Jesus. There must have been something going on, somewhere within them that spiked their curiosity in Jesus. But irrespective of what it was, the one thing they wanted and needed at that moment was an encounter with, and experience of, Jesus.
And sometimes it can be easy for us to forget that this is the primary reason why we come to Church and proclaim and believe the things we do. Sometimes it is easy for our focus and our priorities to drift, and we forget those things that really matter.
We start looking at the way the service is done, or the choice of hymns that are sung or whether the sermon was too long or too short, or whether it was theologically adequate to meet the needs of the congregation. We do these things and we forget that we are here to meet with Jesus and to ensure that our daily lives are opportunities for others to see and meet Jesus as well.
I know that it’s not always easy to meet with Jesus as the Greeks in the reading were just about to find out for themselves. But I think it is always good to pause and take stock and see if we are doing enough to help others see Jesus, and to see if we are doing enough to help and encourage all those who are desperately seeking something.
After all, who are all those people who are Google searching ‘prayer’ and turning up at all those on-line services. It’s not just members and lapsed members of the Church. Within our communities there are countless amounts of people with questions, who are perhaps looking for their own personal encounter with Jesus.
We don’t really find out what happened after the Greeks met Jesus; we don’t know if they were happy or disappointed, satisfied or went away feeling totally refreshed knowing that the hype about Jesus was justified. We don’t know because the gospel writer doesn’t tell us. Instead, he chooses to tell us that Jesus looks ahead to His journey to the cross.
Jesus hears that the Greeks are wanting to meet with Him and He seemingly chooses to talk about agriculture and a grain of wheat falling to the ground, dying and going on to produce many seeds. He is actually telling everyone, “this is the moment I have been waiting for. The hour has come”. The glory that He has prayed for is about to be truly revealed, His mission and destiny lie before Him, and nothing can divert Him from it. The Cross is at hand and everything now must lead to it. The path that shows his obedient embrace of sacrificial love to the point of death, is now the only path He can walk, irrespective of where it will end.
When we look for Jesus we might be surprised by what we discover. Because to look for Him we must then respond, once we find Him. A life of faith, or a life lived as a response to discovering Jesus, can’t leave us passive. There is more to our faith than simply finding peace, comfort, or knowledge, important though they are.
Instead, once we have found the One we are looking for we are called to respond so that we might be drawn more deeply into the Kingdom of God through our love for, service to, and sacrifice on behalf of all those around us.
Jesus demonstrates to us God’s strength through His vulnerability, God’s power through weakness and God’s justice through acts of love, mercy and forgiveness. And He calls out to all those who would follow him to show the very same kind of life and love.
Was that the Jesus the Greeks wanted to see?
Is this the Jesus we want to see?
Is this the answer all those Google searchers are looking for?
The Jesus that we follow, the one who we sing praises about and to, the one who we pray to and read about reveals to us all and to all who search, the heart of a loving God, who goes to the cross on our behalf. This is the Jesus we get when we search, there is no other.
The Jesus who died and was raised again on the third day to demonstrate that love is more powerful than hate and life more powerful than death is the Jesus we find every time we search for Him. He is the one who has assured us that he will draw all of us to Him, that He will never leave us nor forsake us, and that if we search we will find.
Therefore – may we continue being a church and a people who are drawn more deeply into the faith as we try and work out together how we can help people to see Jesus in and through us; in our acts of weekly worship and in our lives of daily service.
Amen
Jesus Predicts His Death
20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up[a] from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
Reflection
"I still haven’t found what I am looking for" is U2’s well known song about the search for meaning in life, and it’s the acknowledgement that we don’t always find what we are looking for. However, it also serves as the reminder that we should never give up searching, even though it might sometimes feel that the search is in vain.
And although the statistics and empirical evidence suggests that people have given up on organised religion, the truth is that people are still searching for something today that will bring meaning into their lives and help to answer the big questions that we all too frequently want answered.
Since the pandemic and the resulting restrictions, lockdowns and people’s general inability to get to church, many churches are actually reporting big increases in numbers that are watching their online services. Apparently, internet searches for "prayer" has skyrocketed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jeanet Sinding Bentzen, an associate professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Copenhagen, has carried out research that shows that "search intensity” for 'prayer' doubles, for every 80,000 new registered cases of Covid-19.
Over the last year, since the peak of the Pandemic in the spring and summer of 2020 Google searches for prayer surged to the highest level ever recorded. Prayer searches in March 2020 was more than 50% higher than it was a month earlier. It was even 1.3 times larger than the increase in searches for takeaway food shops and restaurants.
Even Pastor Joel Osteen who has a megachurch in Lakewood, Texas announced that on one particular week 4.51 million people had tuned in for their weekly service on their various digital platforms.
Surveys show that a quarter of adults in the UK have watched or listened to a religious service since the coronavirus lockdown began, and one in 20 have started praying during the crisis.
All of which serves as the reminder that in times of crisis, uncertainty and despair humanity still has a tendency to turn to religion or faith for comfort and reassurance.
Although I must admit I was left questioning the reliability of these surveys and polls when one particular survey showed that the British public thought that The Vicar of Dibley, the Rev Geraldine Granger, was the best spiritual leader to lead the country through the coronavirus crisis. In second place was Sister Evangelina, from Call the Midwife … with Father Ted Crilly, taking third place. Seriously, I don’t understand people at times!!!!!! It should be Father Ted all the time. With Father Jack and father Dougal helping him, what could possibly go wrong? 😊
All around us today are people who are looking for something, maybe even someone. Nothing has changed since the Scriptures were actually real life events, as our reading shows us a group of people who were looking for something and someone.
The Greeks in today’s reading approach Philip and they are searching….they are looking for Jesus. They don’t come to Philip asking for information about Jesus. They don’t inquire about how to become a new member of Jesus's group. They don’t request a statement of beliefs, as to whether Jesus is conservative, liberal, evangelical, Presbyterian or whatever. They simply want to see Jesus, person to person, face to face.
Interestingly, they make this request as they make their way to a religious celebration: Passover. And, as they travel, they still want to take time out their schedule and journey to see Jesus. We have no idea if they were dissatisfied with their faith or if they were looking forward to another joyous Passover celebration, but at that moment, the most important thing for them was to meet Jesus. There must have been something going on, somewhere within them that spiked their curiosity in Jesus. But irrespective of what it was, the one thing they wanted and needed at that moment was an encounter with, and experience of, Jesus.
And sometimes it can be easy for us to forget that this is the primary reason why we come to Church and proclaim and believe the things we do. Sometimes it is easy for our focus and our priorities to drift, and we forget those things that really matter.
We start looking at the way the service is done, or the choice of hymns that are sung or whether the sermon was too long or too short, or whether it was theologically adequate to meet the needs of the congregation. We do these things and we forget that we are here to meet with Jesus and to ensure that our daily lives are opportunities for others to see and meet Jesus as well.
I know that it’s not always easy to meet with Jesus as the Greeks in the reading were just about to find out for themselves. But I think it is always good to pause and take stock and see if we are doing enough to help others see Jesus, and to see if we are doing enough to help and encourage all those who are desperately seeking something.
After all, who are all those people who are Google searching ‘prayer’ and turning up at all those on-line services. It’s not just members and lapsed members of the Church. Within our communities there are countless amounts of people with questions, who are perhaps looking for their own personal encounter with Jesus.
We don’t really find out what happened after the Greeks met Jesus; we don’t know if they were happy or disappointed, satisfied or went away feeling totally refreshed knowing that the hype about Jesus was justified. We don’t know because the gospel writer doesn’t tell us. Instead, he chooses to tell us that Jesus looks ahead to His journey to the cross.
Jesus hears that the Greeks are wanting to meet with Him and He seemingly chooses to talk about agriculture and a grain of wheat falling to the ground, dying and going on to produce many seeds. He is actually telling everyone, “this is the moment I have been waiting for. The hour has come”. The glory that He has prayed for is about to be truly revealed, His mission and destiny lie before Him, and nothing can divert Him from it. The Cross is at hand and everything now must lead to it. The path that shows his obedient embrace of sacrificial love to the point of death, is now the only path He can walk, irrespective of where it will end.
When we look for Jesus we might be surprised by what we discover. Because to look for Him we must then respond, once we find Him. A life of faith, or a life lived as a response to discovering Jesus, can’t leave us passive. There is more to our faith than simply finding peace, comfort, or knowledge, important though they are.
Instead, once we have found the One we are looking for we are called to respond so that we might be drawn more deeply into the Kingdom of God through our love for, service to, and sacrifice on behalf of all those around us.
Jesus demonstrates to us God’s strength through His vulnerability, God’s power through weakness and God’s justice through acts of love, mercy and forgiveness. And He calls out to all those who would follow him to show the very same kind of life and love.
Was that the Jesus the Greeks wanted to see?
Is this the Jesus we want to see?
Is this the answer all those Google searchers are looking for?
The Jesus that we follow, the one who we sing praises about and to, the one who we pray to and read about reveals to us all and to all who search, the heart of a loving God, who goes to the cross on our behalf. This is the Jesus we get when we search, there is no other.
The Jesus who died and was raised again on the third day to demonstrate that love is more powerful than hate and life more powerful than death is the Jesus we find every time we search for Him. He is the one who has assured us that he will draw all of us to Him, that He will never leave us nor forsake us, and that if we search we will find.
Therefore – may we continue being a church and a people who are drawn more deeply into the faith as we try and work out together how we can help people to see Jesus in and through us; in our acts of weekly worship and in our lives of daily service.
Amen
CHOOSE LIFE, CHOOSE LIGHT, CHOOSE LOVE
John 3:14-21 New International Version
Reading
14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[a] 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”[b]
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world,
but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light
for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light,
so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
Reflection
Arguably John 3:16 is one of the best known verses in the Bible, and amongst many people’s favourites. And that might well be because here we see Jesus articulating what Martin Luther called, “the Gospel in a nutshell” – that God is fundamentally a God of love, that love is the logic by which the Kingdom of God runs, and that God’s love trumps everything and everyone else.
It's also a verse that probably had a lot of non-Christians searching through their Bibles and scratching their heads in the 1980’s because, who all remembers seeing at virtually every major sporting event that took place around the world, the banner, which was always appropriately situated so that the tv cameras would see it, with the words John 3:16, written on it.
This was the way by which Rollen Stewart tried to evangelise the world and it is estimated that he travelled 60,000 miles a year living in the back of his car in an attempt to share the love of Jesus with others. Because after all it is a love that is universal and deserves to be shared
But if we remain focussed on the words that ‘God so loved the world’ then we also miss some of the other things that Jesus is saying to us, because He doesn’t stop at that, instead He continues:
“God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” There are no ifs or buts attached to His statement, because Jesus is telling us that it is God’s desire that all will be saved, and come to experience His unconditional love, and to know that He hasn’t come to punish us or call us out for all of these things that we have got wrong
throughout our lives.
Instead, the light shines in the darkness because God has come to show us His love and grace in Jesus, so that He can redeem us and turn our tragedies into times of joy and victory, and to demonstrate the true meaning of Divine power, not through periods of might and strength, but through the lengths of His coming to us in vulnerability and sacrifice,
so that where some might believe that might is right, we see that the creator of the universe looks at things through a different lens—the lens of love that has the ability to overcoming all things.
A love that reiterates that no matter the person and no matter the place, when they are viewed with the eyes of love and mercy then love changes everything.
One of the big challenges facing our governments and all of us just now is the rolling out of the vaccines so that we can start to build our lives, communities and relationships once again after what has been a trying time for everyone. But perhaps just as important is the sharing of love with one another again; to just remind one another of what it means to love and be loved. Because we all know, as I’m sure we’ve heard the stories of those who have been shut away in their homes, perhaps shut away with nothing but their memories for company, and have as a result missed out on knowing just how loved they are.
I don’t think it’s anyone’s fault, but these things do happen and no doubt they will continue to happen even when a degree of normality returns again. But as things progress may we be a people who continue to lead lives that are committed to taking and sharing that message of Jesus’ unconditional love for all His people.
May we proclaim His love not just in the words we speak but also through the actions that are seen by all; actions that show and prove that we know His words to be true both for ourselves and one another.
In fact it is always worth keeping in mind that because’s God’s love is all encompassing,
that for all those we love, God loves them more,
and that even those we struggle to love God still loves them more as well.
In fact, it could be argued that God brings people into our lives, for good or bad, so that we can show and share the entire breadth, width, height and depth of the love that He has for us. His being a love that perseveres as we struggle in the mud and muck of life, assuring us and reassuring us that
nothing can separate us from His love.
We are His creation, and he has chosen to love us and be with us in all occasions
regardless of what they may be.
Therefore, we could paraphrase todays reading to saying that ‘for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life…regardless….whether we like it or not!!’
That God has chosen to love us with an unconditional love,,,regardless…whether we like it or not.
God has chosen to not condemn us, or others, regardless….whether we like it or not; God sent Jesus to save us, regardless….whether we like it or not. We don’t really get a say in it.
In the face of such unconditional love, we are powerless. We can reject it, we can run away from it, but we can’t influence, manipulate or control it. Instead, God has made a choice to love us irrespective.
It has been said that God’s love for His people is tenacious and will continue chasing after us so that He is can hold on to us at those times when, no one else is there to do it. That’s why He has been described as the Hound of Heaven. That no matter how hard and fast we run from Him, He pursues us with a grace and love that is never ending. And He will keep doing so until the time comes when we reach that point when we can do nothing else but turn to Him rather than run from Him.
And we can only fully embrace that Divine love that is all excelling when we realise that our faith and trust in God can only be fully justified through the love that Jesus offers us. Ultimately other things will fail us, disappoint us, or leave us feeling empty, only God and his love for us can and will meet the needs and struggles that we all face. When we fully comprehend just how dependent on God we truly are, we are freed to be the people He wants us to be so that we are able to experience the love and grace that is so freely poured into our lives on a daily basis.
In a world full of cynicism and fickleness, Jesus assures us that these are not the attributes of God. Instead, God has loved us, does love us and God will go on loving us with the same intensity that sent Jesus to the cross, not because we are lovable, but instead because God is love. Loving is what He does. Love is who He is. It’s a love that is not emotionally driven, or based on His feelings towards us. Feelings come and go. But God’s love abides, it endures forever.
In fact, His is a love does not even require to be reciprocated.
Instead, God simply delights in loving us because it is the essence of His being.
Therefore, perhaps as we look at this reading in the light of a world wide crises we can come to know and believe that God is still reaching out to us, and offering us glimpses of who He really is
and reassuring us that no matter the situation we face God’s love will follow us and be there,
because His is a God’s love that never gives up.
In the face of such enduring love, we are actually powerless to stop it.
And because the Saviour’s love is so tenacious,
this is one relationship in our life that we can’t ever mess up.
Because every time we mess up and get things wrong,
we are recipients of forgiveness after forgiveness which is mixed with love after love,
God choosing to act in this way because He is the creator of love.
And as our response to this Jesus calls us to act likewise
to choose life, to choose light, to choose love
Let us pray
Reading
14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[a] 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”[b]
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world,
but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light
for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light,
so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
Reflection
Arguably John 3:16 is one of the best known verses in the Bible, and amongst many people’s favourites. And that might well be because here we see Jesus articulating what Martin Luther called, “the Gospel in a nutshell” – that God is fundamentally a God of love, that love is the logic by which the Kingdom of God runs, and that God’s love trumps everything and everyone else.
It's also a verse that probably had a lot of non-Christians searching through their Bibles and scratching their heads in the 1980’s because, who all remembers seeing at virtually every major sporting event that took place around the world, the banner, which was always appropriately situated so that the tv cameras would see it, with the words John 3:16, written on it.
This was the way by which Rollen Stewart tried to evangelise the world and it is estimated that he travelled 60,000 miles a year living in the back of his car in an attempt to share the love of Jesus with others. Because after all it is a love that is universal and deserves to be shared
But if we remain focussed on the words that ‘God so loved the world’ then we also miss some of the other things that Jesus is saying to us, because He doesn’t stop at that, instead He continues:
“God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” There are no ifs or buts attached to His statement, because Jesus is telling us that it is God’s desire that all will be saved, and come to experience His unconditional love, and to know that He hasn’t come to punish us or call us out for all of these things that we have got wrong
throughout our lives.
Instead, the light shines in the darkness because God has come to show us His love and grace in Jesus, so that He can redeem us and turn our tragedies into times of joy and victory, and to demonstrate the true meaning of Divine power, not through periods of might and strength, but through the lengths of His coming to us in vulnerability and sacrifice,
so that where some might believe that might is right, we see that the creator of the universe looks at things through a different lens—the lens of love that has the ability to overcoming all things.
A love that reiterates that no matter the person and no matter the place, when they are viewed with the eyes of love and mercy then love changes everything.
One of the big challenges facing our governments and all of us just now is the rolling out of the vaccines so that we can start to build our lives, communities and relationships once again after what has been a trying time for everyone. But perhaps just as important is the sharing of love with one another again; to just remind one another of what it means to love and be loved. Because we all know, as I’m sure we’ve heard the stories of those who have been shut away in their homes, perhaps shut away with nothing but their memories for company, and have as a result missed out on knowing just how loved they are.
I don’t think it’s anyone’s fault, but these things do happen and no doubt they will continue to happen even when a degree of normality returns again. But as things progress may we be a people who continue to lead lives that are committed to taking and sharing that message of Jesus’ unconditional love for all His people.
May we proclaim His love not just in the words we speak but also through the actions that are seen by all; actions that show and prove that we know His words to be true both for ourselves and one another.
In fact it is always worth keeping in mind that because’s God’s love is all encompassing,
that for all those we love, God loves them more,
and that even those we struggle to love God still loves them more as well.
In fact, it could be argued that God brings people into our lives, for good or bad, so that we can show and share the entire breadth, width, height and depth of the love that He has for us. His being a love that perseveres as we struggle in the mud and muck of life, assuring us and reassuring us that
nothing can separate us from His love.
We are His creation, and he has chosen to love us and be with us in all occasions
regardless of what they may be.
Therefore, we could paraphrase todays reading to saying that ‘for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life…regardless….whether we like it or not!!’
That God has chosen to love us with an unconditional love,,,regardless…whether we like it or not.
God has chosen to not condemn us, or others, regardless….whether we like it or not; God sent Jesus to save us, regardless….whether we like it or not. We don’t really get a say in it.
In the face of such unconditional love, we are powerless. We can reject it, we can run away from it, but we can’t influence, manipulate or control it. Instead, God has made a choice to love us irrespective.
It has been said that God’s love for His people is tenacious and will continue chasing after us so that He is can hold on to us at those times when, no one else is there to do it. That’s why He has been described as the Hound of Heaven. That no matter how hard and fast we run from Him, He pursues us with a grace and love that is never ending. And He will keep doing so until the time comes when we reach that point when we can do nothing else but turn to Him rather than run from Him.
And we can only fully embrace that Divine love that is all excelling when we realise that our faith and trust in God can only be fully justified through the love that Jesus offers us. Ultimately other things will fail us, disappoint us, or leave us feeling empty, only God and his love for us can and will meet the needs and struggles that we all face. When we fully comprehend just how dependent on God we truly are, we are freed to be the people He wants us to be so that we are able to experience the love and grace that is so freely poured into our lives on a daily basis.
In a world full of cynicism and fickleness, Jesus assures us that these are not the attributes of God. Instead, God has loved us, does love us and God will go on loving us with the same intensity that sent Jesus to the cross, not because we are lovable, but instead because God is love. Loving is what He does. Love is who He is. It’s a love that is not emotionally driven, or based on His feelings towards us. Feelings come and go. But God’s love abides, it endures forever.
In fact, His is a love does not even require to be reciprocated.
Instead, God simply delights in loving us because it is the essence of His being.
Therefore, perhaps as we look at this reading in the light of a world wide crises we can come to know and believe that God is still reaching out to us, and offering us glimpses of who He really is
and reassuring us that no matter the situation we face God’s love will follow us and be there,
because His is a God’s love that never gives up.
In the face of such enduring love, we are actually powerless to stop it.
And because the Saviour’s love is so tenacious,
this is one relationship in our life that we can’t ever mess up.
Because every time we mess up and get things wrong,
we are recipients of forgiveness after forgiveness which is mixed with love after love,
God choosing to act in this way because He is the creator of love.
And as our response to this Jesus calls us to act likewise
to choose life, to choose light, to choose love
Let us pray
No matter where we look for god, he is right there in front of us, 168 hours per week
John 2:13-22
New International Version
Jesus Clears the Temple Courts
13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
Reflection
Although our reading today is one of the few readings that are recorded in all of the four Gospel accounts of Jesus life, its placement within John’s gospel is different from the other three; according to Matthew, Mark, and Luke the Temple scene follows Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, as he nears the end of His time on earth.
John, on the other hand has this event taking place right at the beginning of Jesus ministry immediately after His first miracle at the wedding in Cana. And it hasn’t been done by accident or because John got the chronology of events mixed up.
Rather than place it at the end of Jesus’ ministry where it serves as a catalyst to the arrest, conviction, and crucifixion of Jesus, John places it right at the starting point. Indeed, in John’s hands this is Jesus’ first foray into the public domain. And what an introduction it is, as He overturns tables and drives out moneychangers from the Temple with words, chords and an unrestrained fury.
Again, we all probably know this story — particularly via Matthew, Mark, and Luke — so it’s easy to miss another twist in John’s version: as Jesus, doesn’t decry the Temple as a “den of robbers,” or thieves—rather, He says the Temple has become “a market place” (2:16).
To be fair, Jesus enters the Temple and finds what one would expect to see during a pilgrimage festival. The vital trades are in place for the necessary exchange of monies, animals, and grains for the required sacrifices. That’s the way it had to be! You needed certain animals to obey the laws of sacrifice, and because the average worshippers didn’t carry around doves or rams, with them everywhere they went they therefore bought them at the Temple. At this point nothing is out of order.
When Jesus starts questioning the traders and money changers and goes rampaging through the Temple, He is not quibbling or making accusations of corruption or mismanagement but instead He is calling for a complete dismantling of the entire Temple and religious system.
He is also saying that the Temple itself was not necessary anymore because He was there. The promised Messiah that the Jewish people were waiting for, and who the Religious leaders had taught would come, was now in their midst.
And to understand what Jesus said, and why it was questioned by the Jewish leaders, we need to have a basic understanding of the theology of the Temple and why it was so significant to the Jewish people.
In the centre of the Temple—in the Holy of Holies—was the Ark of the Covenant. And there, in the heart of the Temple complex, in the heart of the city which served as the spiritual and political heart of Israel….. God dwelt among His people. He was there in the midst alongside them. The Temple was the place where the Presence of God Almighty dwelled with His people.
As such it is probably understandable why the authorities asked Jesus for some sort of proof that He had the right to do and say what He has just done and said. And it is through Jesus’ response to the religious authorities that we get to see the main theological theme of John’s gospel; in that a new way of thinking and worshipping had arrived. Whilst the Temple symbolized the location and presence of God, Jesus is now standing before them as the presence of God. The old has passed away and the new has arrived.
In essence, the Jesus of John’s gospel ensures that a new way of thinking and worshipping would take place.
It is also worth bearing in mind that when John’s audience originally read this, it was only a few decades after Rome’s destruction of the Jerusalem Temple. The people in Jerusalem and all of first century Palestine were still trying to work out how they would be able worship God without a Temple to worship in. So when they read and heard John’s Gospel, they would have drawn comfort from knowing that there was another Temple.
And that temple was Jesus.
And even when these words were first said some four decades prior to the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, Jesus was telling His listeners that they could connect themselves with God through Him. Not through a building. Not in something encased in stone and mortar. But, through Him.
That is just as true for us today, especially at a time when our church buildings are just as likely to be closed for Sunday worship as they are to be open. It’s just as true for all those who want to worship but are unable to get out and about like they used to. These words from Jesus are actually an assurance for us all.
They tell us that no matter where we look for God, or expect to find him, that in Jesus, He is right there in front of us, no matter where we are today.
The buildings that we worship in are not the most important thing, they doesn’t lead us to God, instead we are led to God through His son Jesus, who is with us in every aspect and area of our lives.
Our time together on Sundays or whenever we meet are important as we come together in fellowship to hear and sing the Word, when we receive the sacraments, as we encourage one another in our walk of faith, and do our best to keep the commandment to honour the Sabbath.
But the big problem and the unintended consequence of this is that we have to a great extent, made our buildings the focus of everything that we do, and have given the impression that Church is the place to come to so that a person can experience God.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could truly reverse that “gravitation pull” so that we could see church as something we leave rather than something we come to? That we depart from the church on a Sunday to enter into the world, focussed on where God might be leading us rather than our time in church being an escape from the world for an hour or so once a week.
That our call as God’s people is to see, identify, and partner with Jesus in our communities and the wider world rather than trying to get our communities to come to where we are.
Put simpler, may we be a church and a people with the vision to see church not as a destination to go to but rather as a place that we’re sent from. That we come so that we may receive from God and one another but we then leave knowing that God is still alongside us in our everyday lives as we carry out the calling that has been given to us.
In C. S. Lewis’ book, ‘The Voyage of the Dawn Treader’, the third in his Narnia series, it ends with Aslan the Lion meeting Lucy and Edmund at the edge of the Eastern Sea and telling them, that this will be their last trip to Narnia. Lucy is distraught at the prospect of not seeing the lion again. However, Aslan reassures her that she will see him in her own world, because the whole reason for taking her to Narnia for a time was so that she would get to know him better there, which would in turn enable her to recognize him more easily when he wasn’t there next to her when they went their separate ways.
It’s a great image that CS Lewis depicts of the church, and our walk with Jesus We come to church because in the proclamation of the Gospel and in the sharing of the sacraments we perceive God’s grace most clearly. But then we are sent out from Church as partners with God in our various roles and ventures so that we can bless His people and share His love.
And as we do so may we be brave, bold and confident enough to believe that in all that we and others do, God is there alongside us, in the scheduled and unscheduled parts of the week. That in the 168 hours that make up the week, God is there with us for all 168 hours, in our struggles, in our frustrations, in our roles as parents, spouses, employers and employees and so on.
Whether we are in the church or the workplace God is with us at all times, in the everyday mundane things and in the ordinary and sacred places and situations, helping us to see and receive His grace, which helps us to be the people we want to be and the followers that He has called us to be.
Let us pray
New International Version
Jesus Clears the Temple Courts
13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
Reflection
Although our reading today is one of the few readings that are recorded in all of the four Gospel accounts of Jesus life, its placement within John’s gospel is different from the other three; according to Matthew, Mark, and Luke the Temple scene follows Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, as he nears the end of His time on earth.
John, on the other hand has this event taking place right at the beginning of Jesus ministry immediately after His first miracle at the wedding in Cana. And it hasn’t been done by accident or because John got the chronology of events mixed up.
Rather than place it at the end of Jesus’ ministry where it serves as a catalyst to the arrest, conviction, and crucifixion of Jesus, John places it right at the starting point. Indeed, in John’s hands this is Jesus’ first foray into the public domain. And what an introduction it is, as He overturns tables and drives out moneychangers from the Temple with words, chords and an unrestrained fury.
Again, we all probably know this story — particularly via Matthew, Mark, and Luke — so it’s easy to miss another twist in John’s version: as Jesus, doesn’t decry the Temple as a “den of robbers,” or thieves—rather, He says the Temple has become “a market place” (2:16).
To be fair, Jesus enters the Temple and finds what one would expect to see during a pilgrimage festival. The vital trades are in place for the necessary exchange of monies, animals, and grains for the required sacrifices. That’s the way it had to be! You needed certain animals to obey the laws of sacrifice, and because the average worshippers didn’t carry around doves or rams, with them everywhere they went they therefore bought them at the Temple. At this point nothing is out of order.
When Jesus starts questioning the traders and money changers and goes rampaging through the Temple, He is not quibbling or making accusations of corruption or mismanagement but instead He is calling for a complete dismantling of the entire Temple and religious system.
He is also saying that the Temple itself was not necessary anymore because He was there. The promised Messiah that the Jewish people were waiting for, and who the Religious leaders had taught would come, was now in their midst.
And to understand what Jesus said, and why it was questioned by the Jewish leaders, we need to have a basic understanding of the theology of the Temple and why it was so significant to the Jewish people.
In the centre of the Temple—in the Holy of Holies—was the Ark of the Covenant. And there, in the heart of the Temple complex, in the heart of the city which served as the spiritual and political heart of Israel….. God dwelt among His people. He was there in the midst alongside them. The Temple was the place where the Presence of God Almighty dwelled with His people.
As such it is probably understandable why the authorities asked Jesus for some sort of proof that He had the right to do and say what He has just done and said. And it is through Jesus’ response to the religious authorities that we get to see the main theological theme of John’s gospel; in that a new way of thinking and worshipping had arrived. Whilst the Temple symbolized the location and presence of God, Jesus is now standing before them as the presence of God. The old has passed away and the new has arrived.
In essence, the Jesus of John’s gospel ensures that a new way of thinking and worshipping would take place.
It is also worth bearing in mind that when John’s audience originally read this, it was only a few decades after Rome’s destruction of the Jerusalem Temple. The people in Jerusalem and all of first century Palestine were still trying to work out how they would be able worship God without a Temple to worship in. So when they read and heard John’s Gospel, they would have drawn comfort from knowing that there was another Temple.
And that temple was Jesus.
And even when these words were first said some four decades prior to the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, Jesus was telling His listeners that they could connect themselves with God through Him. Not through a building. Not in something encased in stone and mortar. But, through Him.
That is just as true for us today, especially at a time when our church buildings are just as likely to be closed for Sunday worship as they are to be open. It’s just as true for all those who want to worship but are unable to get out and about like they used to. These words from Jesus are actually an assurance for us all.
They tell us that no matter where we look for God, or expect to find him, that in Jesus, He is right there in front of us, no matter where we are today.
The buildings that we worship in are not the most important thing, they doesn’t lead us to God, instead we are led to God through His son Jesus, who is with us in every aspect and area of our lives.
Our time together on Sundays or whenever we meet are important as we come together in fellowship to hear and sing the Word, when we receive the sacraments, as we encourage one another in our walk of faith, and do our best to keep the commandment to honour the Sabbath.
But the big problem and the unintended consequence of this is that we have to a great extent, made our buildings the focus of everything that we do, and have given the impression that Church is the place to come to so that a person can experience God.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could truly reverse that “gravitation pull” so that we could see church as something we leave rather than something we come to? That we depart from the church on a Sunday to enter into the world, focussed on where God might be leading us rather than our time in church being an escape from the world for an hour or so once a week.
That our call as God’s people is to see, identify, and partner with Jesus in our communities and the wider world rather than trying to get our communities to come to where we are.
Put simpler, may we be a church and a people with the vision to see church not as a destination to go to but rather as a place that we’re sent from. That we come so that we may receive from God and one another but we then leave knowing that God is still alongside us in our everyday lives as we carry out the calling that has been given to us.
In C. S. Lewis’ book, ‘The Voyage of the Dawn Treader’, the third in his Narnia series, it ends with Aslan the Lion meeting Lucy and Edmund at the edge of the Eastern Sea and telling them, that this will be their last trip to Narnia. Lucy is distraught at the prospect of not seeing the lion again. However, Aslan reassures her that she will see him in her own world, because the whole reason for taking her to Narnia for a time was so that she would get to know him better there, which would in turn enable her to recognize him more easily when he wasn’t there next to her when they went their separate ways.
It’s a great image that CS Lewis depicts of the church, and our walk with Jesus We come to church because in the proclamation of the Gospel and in the sharing of the sacraments we perceive God’s grace most clearly. But then we are sent out from Church as partners with God in our various roles and ventures so that we can bless His people and share His love.
And as we do so may we be brave, bold and confident enough to believe that in all that we and others do, God is there alongside us, in the scheduled and unscheduled parts of the week. That in the 168 hours that make up the week, God is there with us for all 168 hours, in our struggles, in our frustrations, in our roles as parents, spouses, employers and employees and so on.
Whether we are in the church or the workplace God is with us at all times, in the everyday mundane things and in the ordinary and sacred places and situations, helping us to see and receive His grace, which helps us to be the people we want to be and the followers that He has called us to be.
Let us pray
April
He is not here. he is risen
jesus goes ahead, and calls us by name
jesus goes ahead, and calls us by name
John 20:1-18 New International Version
The Empty Tomb
20 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”
14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.
Go instead to my brothers and tell them,
‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
Reflection
What can we say about the Easter story that we haven’t heard so often in the past? Well, for starters, it is no exaggeration to say that with us having no Easter service last year and a very limited one this year, Easter has been very different for us recently.
After all who has ever experienced an Easter service on Zoom, or with church buildings being empty or only open for a handful of people?
At a time when we want to celebrate the major festival on the Christian calendar, when we proclaim what our faith actually represents for all or many of us, we will be doing it in isolation, cut off from so many others within our community and perhaps with a sense that it is hard to feel that Jesus Christ really has risen today.
And yet, the Good News for us is that whilst it may feel different, perhaps surprisingly, it actually gives us a sense of what the first Easter morning was like for those who lived through it. There was no early morning service; no one to say He is risen—He is risen indeed; nobody was singing ‘Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son’. There were no crowds gathered to celebrate Jesus resurrection.
Those who had greeted Jesus as a conquering hero when he entered Jerusalem at the beginning of the week, had gone their own ways after condemning him as a criminal and jeering him on his lonely march to the cross.
The Easter morning story begins with a very small gathering –whether it be the two women who are mentioned in Matthew’s gospel, or the two men and one woman from John’s gospel. These incredibly small groups – in fact groups who were well under the current prescribed restrictions for who can come to a church service -- were the first witnesses to the resurrection, the first invited to see and worship the risen Saviour.
The rest of the disciples were locked away in isolation and fear at the time. They were nowhere to be seen. They had cut themselves off from the rest of the community, they were in a home where the doors were locked because they were scared of what might be going on outside and were worried for their own personal safety.
They were still reeling from the heartache and loss from a couple of days earlier, unsure of what the future held for them and unable to imagine their lives ever returning to normal. The similarities to our situation are there if we want to see them.
And we know that those in the Easter story did not take things for granted in that Jesus was going to rise from the grave. They too struggled to see where their hope could be based when they were mired in isolation and fear. As the readings we will read and listen to over the next few weeks affirm, the disciples and early followers believed that the futures they had planned with Jesus had now come to an end. There was nothing about that first Easter morning that would have given them cause to believe that the customs and traditions that we have in place 2000 years on could possibly be justified.
And perhaps it's at this point that we do well to remind ourselves of the things
that God has promised us and the things he hasn’t.
God has never promised that our worship services would always be grand, or that our churches would be busy, or that our economy would always be growing, or that our lives and futures would unfold as we’d hoped and planned.
Instead, at the heart of the Gospel is the promise that God is both with us and for us at all times and through all conditions. In sorrow or joy, triumph or tragedy, gain or loss, peace or fear, scarcity or plenty, in all things God is present.
A promise that no matter how difficult or awful our experiences may be, God is there for us at those times and in those places where and when we most need Him,
and that the harsh realities of life-- painful though they most certainly are –
do not get to have the last word in our lives.
The resurrection promises that God’s light is more powerful than darkness, that God’s love is stronger than hate, and that the life God offers through Christ prevails over all things.
And we see this through the words given to the followers on that first Easter Sunday morning, when in Matthew the word from the angel to the two Mary’s was:
“Do not be afraid!” –I know that you are looking for Jesus.
He is not here. He has risen.
He is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see Him there”.
Perhaps we need to be reminded once again that in all the plans we have, Jesus already has plans of his own. He is still moving forward. He is not in the tomb but instead he has already gone ahead of the followers with his plans to see them and prepare them for the future. The place where the two Marys had expected to find Jesus was already empty, because there was still work for Jesus to do.
In a similar manner Jesus still calls out to his people today to come and meet with him in the places of his choosing. He is always ahead of the game. In the face of so many of the things that we are still facing today, and in the things we will have to face up to for the future, Jesus is offering us the opportunity to work with Him.
In the face of so many needs that are both local and national, Jesus calls out. In the need of our neighbour, and in our care for one another and those beyond our own particular groups Jesus might not be where we expect to find Him, but, if we move forward in faith, Jesus promises us that he will meet with us and never leave us.
The message then becomes even more personal in John’s gospel as we hear Jesus’ tender words to Mary, “Woman, why are you weeping?” Then after asking Jesus if he knows where her Lord has been taken, Jesus calls her by name, “Mary,” and her eyes are opened as she recognizes her beloved Lord and Teacher.
Mary….. though she doesn’t recognize Jesus, he recognizes her. There are no angels with bold proclamations, this time it is more personal, more intimate, more revealing. Jesus calls her by her name, ‘Mary’. What a difference it makes when you are known by your name.
Imagine for just a moment that Jesus is speaking to you personally, reaching out and calling your name. The personal touch goes a long way. Because now, we aren’t just followers, or members of a church, instead we are people, his people and he calls us by our names. And what a difference it makes when someone knows us that personally.
Jesus whispers one word of intimacy, ‘Mary’ and all of a sudden, she sees, believes, trusts and is brought to new life. At the heart of this story is the recognition that resurrection heralds not simply the defeat of death and the promise of new life but also that God is accessible to us, that God will not abandon us, that God desires more than anything to be in relationship with us and that God continues to call us by name.
To know that we are known, loved and accepted makes it easier for us to then share that with others, that they too are known, loved and accepted.
In the wake of so much confusion, isolation, heartache and wonder the story hasn’t changed over the years, as at its core it still reminds us that Jesus is calling us by name because he knows us and loves us. He calls us to join with Him in all that He has planned, to go to the Galilees of this world so that we and he can make a difference together.
And perhaps it’s worth remembering that the small gathering of disciples who at the time of the reading are nowhere to be seen went and changed the world, and they were able to do so when they knew that were called by Jesus and were loved by him.
May that be true for us as well. On this Easter Sunday, when we perhaps wonder and worry about the future, may we know that we have been called into a world of new opportunities, which still has the same old problems; that Jesus has already gone ahead of us and will meet with us in the places of his choosing.
He has called us by name to remind us that no matter what we go through nothing can ever separate us from the love God has for us. Because Christ is alive everything changes, life sparkles with promise and everything once again becomes possible.
He is risen…He is risen indeed
Amen
The Empty Tomb
20 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”
14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.
Go instead to my brothers and tell them,
‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
Reflection
What can we say about the Easter story that we haven’t heard so often in the past? Well, for starters, it is no exaggeration to say that with us having no Easter service last year and a very limited one this year, Easter has been very different for us recently.
After all who has ever experienced an Easter service on Zoom, or with church buildings being empty or only open for a handful of people?
At a time when we want to celebrate the major festival on the Christian calendar, when we proclaim what our faith actually represents for all or many of us, we will be doing it in isolation, cut off from so many others within our community and perhaps with a sense that it is hard to feel that Jesus Christ really has risen today.
And yet, the Good News for us is that whilst it may feel different, perhaps surprisingly, it actually gives us a sense of what the first Easter morning was like for those who lived through it. There was no early morning service; no one to say He is risen—He is risen indeed; nobody was singing ‘Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son’. There were no crowds gathered to celebrate Jesus resurrection.
Those who had greeted Jesus as a conquering hero when he entered Jerusalem at the beginning of the week, had gone their own ways after condemning him as a criminal and jeering him on his lonely march to the cross.
The Easter morning story begins with a very small gathering –whether it be the two women who are mentioned in Matthew’s gospel, or the two men and one woman from John’s gospel. These incredibly small groups – in fact groups who were well under the current prescribed restrictions for who can come to a church service -- were the first witnesses to the resurrection, the first invited to see and worship the risen Saviour.
The rest of the disciples were locked away in isolation and fear at the time. They were nowhere to be seen. They had cut themselves off from the rest of the community, they were in a home where the doors were locked because they were scared of what might be going on outside and were worried for their own personal safety.
They were still reeling from the heartache and loss from a couple of days earlier, unsure of what the future held for them and unable to imagine their lives ever returning to normal. The similarities to our situation are there if we want to see them.
And we know that those in the Easter story did not take things for granted in that Jesus was going to rise from the grave. They too struggled to see where their hope could be based when they were mired in isolation and fear. As the readings we will read and listen to over the next few weeks affirm, the disciples and early followers believed that the futures they had planned with Jesus had now come to an end. There was nothing about that first Easter morning that would have given them cause to believe that the customs and traditions that we have in place 2000 years on could possibly be justified.
And perhaps it's at this point that we do well to remind ourselves of the things
that God has promised us and the things he hasn’t.
God has never promised that our worship services would always be grand, or that our churches would be busy, or that our economy would always be growing, or that our lives and futures would unfold as we’d hoped and planned.
Instead, at the heart of the Gospel is the promise that God is both with us and for us at all times and through all conditions. In sorrow or joy, triumph or tragedy, gain or loss, peace or fear, scarcity or plenty, in all things God is present.
A promise that no matter how difficult or awful our experiences may be, God is there for us at those times and in those places where and when we most need Him,
and that the harsh realities of life-- painful though they most certainly are –
do not get to have the last word in our lives.
The resurrection promises that God’s light is more powerful than darkness, that God’s love is stronger than hate, and that the life God offers through Christ prevails over all things.
And we see this through the words given to the followers on that first Easter Sunday morning, when in Matthew the word from the angel to the two Mary’s was:
“Do not be afraid!” –I know that you are looking for Jesus.
He is not here. He has risen.
He is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see Him there”.
Perhaps we need to be reminded once again that in all the plans we have, Jesus already has plans of his own. He is still moving forward. He is not in the tomb but instead he has already gone ahead of the followers with his plans to see them and prepare them for the future. The place where the two Marys had expected to find Jesus was already empty, because there was still work for Jesus to do.
In a similar manner Jesus still calls out to his people today to come and meet with him in the places of his choosing. He is always ahead of the game. In the face of so many of the things that we are still facing today, and in the things we will have to face up to for the future, Jesus is offering us the opportunity to work with Him.
In the face of so many needs that are both local and national, Jesus calls out. In the need of our neighbour, and in our care for one another and those beyond our own particular groups Jesus might not be where we expect to find Him, but, if we move forward in faith, Jesus promises us that he will meet with us and never leave us.
The message then becomes even more personal in John’s gospel as we hear Jesus’ tender words to Mary, “Woman, why are you weeping?” Then after asking Jesus if he knows where her Lord has been taken, Jesus calls her by name, “Mary,” and her eyes are opened as she recognizes her beloved Lord and Teacher.
Mary….. though she doesn’t recognize Jesus, he recognizes her. There are no angels with bold proclamations, this time it is more personal, more intimate, more revealing. Jesus calls her by her name, ‘Mary’. What a difference it makes when you are known by your name.
Imagine for just a moment that Jesus is speaking to you personally, reaching out and calling your name. The personal touch goes a long way. Because now, we aren’t just followers, or members of a church, instead we are people, his people and he calls us by our names. And what a difference it makes when someone knows us that personally.
Jesus whispers one word of intimacy, ‘Mary’ and all of a sudden, she sees, believes, trusts and is brought to new life. At the heart of this story is the recognition that resurrection heralds not simply the defeat of death and the promise of new life but also that God is accessible to us, that God will not abandon us, that God desires more than anything to be in relationship with us and that God continues to call us by name.
To know that we are known, loved and accepted makes it easier for us to then share that with others, that they too are known, loved and accepted.
In the wake of so much confusion, isolation, heartache and wonder the story hasn’t changed over the years, as at its core it still reminds us that Jesus is calling us by name because he knows us and loves us. He calls us to join with Him in all that He has planned, to go to the Galilees of this world so that we and he can make a difference together.
And perhaps it’s worth remembering that the small gathering of disciples who at the time of the reading are nowhere to be seen went and changed the world, and they were able to do so when they knew that were called by Jesus and were loved by him.
May that be true for us as well. On this Easter Sunday, when we perhaps wonder and worry about the future, may we know that we have been called into a world of new opportunities, which still has the same old problems; that Jesus has already gone ahead of us and will meet with us in the places of his choosing.
He has called us by name to remind us that no matter what we go through nothing can ever separate us from the love God has for us. Because Christ is alive everything changes, life sparkles with promise and everything once again becomes possible.
He is risen…He is risen indeed
Amen
the times when doubts and questions are stronger than faith
John 20:19-29 New International Version
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Jesus Appears to Thomas
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Reflection
What do we think of Thomas’s story? We don’t really know that much about him except for the fact that usually when we mention his name, Thomas, it is nearly always accompanied by the word ‘doubting’. Doubting Thomas. It’s not something we would want on our headstones. It’s not something we would want to be remembered for; we wouldn’t want people pointing at us in the streets and saying; “there he goes…the one who doubted”.
And yet I would argue that it’s exactly because of these doubts of Thomas, and let’s be honest, the doubts of all of the other disciples who are shut in behind the locked doors in todays reading, that we can say that there is an authenticity to these biblical stories that we can easily over look.
It’s quite obvious that none of the disciples, expected to see Jesus again. After his crucifixion, none of them were counting down the hours until he came back. They all thought, the story had ended, that Jesus was dead and in all likelihood, the authorities would come and get them next. I’m sure if we had been there, we would have been thinking along similar lines.
But then miraculously Jesus turns up and assures these disciples that everything is going to be ok, and ensures their fears turn to joy. But not so with Thomas. He wasn’t there when it happened. And when they tell him what has just taken place, Thomas refuses to accept it. He doubts. He questions. He disbelieves. He’s not satisfied with second-hand reports and instead wants to see for himself.
And who can blame him? He was, after all, one of those who saw his Lord and friend mistreated, beaten, and then crucified and he has probably spent the last few days pulling the broken pieces of his life back together and is now trying to figure out what to do next. In fact, he might have already started getting on with his life again– why else, I wonder, is he out and about when the rest of the disciples were hiding behind locked doors.
I am pretty certain, that there are times, not there have been times, but that there are still times when we too have our doubts, when we have our questions, when we do nothing but wonder. We look around us, at our lives, our communities and our world and we wonder: “if there is a God then I will only believe, once I see things getting better.”
I must admit to struggling with those in positions of leadership within the Church who tell their congregations or followers that all they need do is to have a bit more faith and to increase their belief when they are experiencing tough times, as if they were some kind of theological mantra for getting through times of doubt and worry. The truth is that slogans and soundbites don’t help us when we are looking for answers and we are filled with misgivings.
There are times when I read my Bible and I become full of questions: Did this really happen? Did God really do that? Why did God choose this one to be a King when it’s quite clear that he’s not up for the job? Did God really know what he was letting himself in for when he called me into the ministry? It is healthy for us to continue to seek answers and have questions.
And just like Thomas, our questions are not necessarily signs of doubt, instead they are signs that we want to engage with God, that we are wanting to utilise the mind that He has given us and that we are trying to understand how scriptures that are thousands of years old can still engage with us today.
I think that it is a greater sign of faith, when we dare to ask questions rather than simply allow ourselves to walk through life in what is no more than mere blind loyalty to the things that we are told.
And as the people and the church of God, it is important that we give ourselves and one another that bit of extra space to be free to express our doubts, our concerns, our questions, because I suspect that many of us go through times when the disciple we secretly identify with most is Thomas, but we don’t want to admit it. After all, how do we acknowledge those times when we struggle to believe, and how do we go about telling others?
But it is worth remembering that whilst the story tells us Thomas doubts, we see that eventually Jesus does come to him and helps him in his unbelief.
It’s a bit like the time when Jesus comes off the mountain after the Transfiguration, and He is met by a father who tells Him that His disciples have been unable to cast out a demon from his son. Jesus asks the dad, do you believe I can do this, to which the father replies “I believe, help me in my unbelief” (Mark 9: 14-24). Jesus then casts out the Spirit.
There was no reprimand, no words telling the dad that that was the wrong answer, instead Jesus went ahead and healed the son.
It’s hard when we’ve been following Jesus all of our lives to admit that we have times of doubt, but in those times may we be bold to simply admit: “I believe. Help me in my unbelief”.
We don’t know how the disciples responded to Thomas’s initial refusal to believe. Maybe they were scandalized. Or maybe they sympathized. However, may I be bold enough to suggest that the whole point of John including this story in his Gospel is to affirm the faith of his community, a community that was a mixture of those who were strong in their faith, but which was also big enough to include those who were filled with doubts.
And that’s why I think it is important that in our own faith communities that we are always big enough to make room for a little doubt. To be a community that is a mixture of those with great faith and those who struggle. Surely, there is nothing better in a person’s Christian journey than when our lives are ones of joy, wonder and unshakeable faith. When it doesn’t matter what happens, nothing can shake us. But equally may we also be strong enough to carry one another and to be kind to ourselves when doubt and questions are stronger than faith.
Despite his doubts, Thomas does come to believe, and sees Jesus for himself. And after that experience he not only assents to the witness of his friends but makes the most profound confession of faith about Jesus in the New Testament, calling Jesus “my Lord and my God,”
But all of that comes after he has a chance to voice his doubt. And sometimes faith is like that – it needs the freedom of questions and doubt. Otherwise, faith can simply become no more than a repetition of creedal formulas. But surely true, vigorous, vibrant faith comes, from the freedom to question, wonder, doubt and then believe.
We started the reflection by saying that we don’t know a lot about Thomas. One thing we do know is that Thomas had a twin, hence why he is called Didymus, (the twin) but we don’t know anything about the twin.
But would it not be great to believe that the Holy Spirit inserted this part of the story, to tell us that actually we are all twins of Thomas. That we are his spiritual twins, who look exactly like him, because we too have our doubts and we too want to see more of Jesus in our lives.
Perhaps Thomas is a reflection of us, and his story has been inserted into the Bible to encourage us, and help us to learn from and listen with others—those who go through life with doubts but also those who go through life with strong, bold faith.
And so no matter where we are on out faith journey, may we choose to persevere and worship with our doubts and questions, and our hopes and dreams, doing so in the assurance and promise that the Creator of the cosmos not only knows we exist but cares deeply and passionately about us.
And He comes to us, blesses us and reassures us, because of our questions, and so that we can then encourage those others who have their own questions as well; and in our questioning, may seeds continue to be planted which ultimately leads to faith in Jesus. And may these times of doubt and questions ultimately lead us to an acknowledgement of Jesus as “my Lord and my God”
Amen
Jesus’S peace. It might not always be what we want,
but it’s everything we need throughout our lives.
but it’s everything we need throughout our lives.
Luke 24:36-48 New International Version
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them,
“Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.
38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?
39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself!
Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.
41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement,
he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 4
2 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you:
Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
46 He told them,
“This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,
47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations,
beginning at Jerusalem.
48 You are witnesses of these things.
Reflection
One of the consistent themes from the gospels in relation to the post Resurrection appearances of Jesus is that nobody expected them to happen. The disciples, especially, refused to believe that Jesus had actually risen from the dead. Arguably, disbelief started with the ones who were closest to Him and spent the most time in His company.
Despite the amount of times Jesus had promised that it would happen, it had obviously been something the disciples couldn’t absorb. It had went in one ear and out the other.
And prior to today’s reading, way back at the beginning of the chapter, we see that the disciples dismissed the testimony of the women who had been to the empty tomb as an “idle tale” or, put more straight forwardly, as nonsense.
Actually, Luke has watered down the Greek meaning of what was actually said. The Greek word he uses has its roots in our word delirious. So really, he was saying that the disciples thought the women were delirious, or crazy, or out of their minds. It might sound rude but that’s how far the disciples were removed from believing that their former friend, leader and saviour was actually alive.
Thus far in Luke’s account, the disciples have heard and dismissed the women’s testimony. Peter then ran to the tomb and confirmed that at the very least, it was empty; two disciples on the road to Emmaus were encountered by Jesus and then they returned to the other disciples and told their tale, and now…...wait for it........Jesus appears among the rest of the disciples and invites them to touch Him, in order to dispel any doubts they may have that He was really alive.
Jesus now appears right in front them, speaking to them to calm their fears, as He shows them His hands and feet and the marks left by the nails.
And despite this Luke then writes, “They still did not believe it because of joy and amazement.”
Can you believe it? That even though Jesus is right there in front of them, the disciples still don’t believe. They are filled with both joy and unbelief at the same time.
Why, despite everything that has happened, and is taking place in front of them, do they struggle with the reality of the risen Jesus?
I think partly, it is because the concept of resurrection and people coming back from the dead is a hard thing to fully comprehend. It takes time to allow such things to completely sink in.
We are so used to these other aspects of life—pain, hurt,
and the absolute certainty that all things must end.
Thus, the promise of new life – even when its standing right there in front of you! – is hard to take in and believe.
So whenever we struggle with some of the promises we read in our Bibles, we should perhaps relax a bit, and give ourselves and one another a bit of space, because at the very least, we see that those who were closest to Jesus had questions, issues and doubts that had to be dealt with as well.
In the light and in the midst of all the death, trauma, disappointment and tragedy that colours human life, and in the difficulty that some or all of us may have in believing that God not only raised Jesus, from the dead, but also promises us new life, second chances, forgiveness and grace when we need it, may we find strength in knowing that Jesus comes to us in order to strengthen us in those times of great difficulty and those times when it is easier to be filled with doubt rather than faith.
But how would or could our lives be lived and even changed if we could really believe, really, really believe that the promises of God and the promises that fill the Bible, were true? . So often, these promises are so familiar to us and we become blasé about them, and don’t really act as if they are true.
But just think and believe, that if it’s true that God raised Jesus from the dead… If it’s true that God promises to renew the whole of creation and grant us new life… If it’s true that nothing – nothing we’ve ever done– can separate us from the love of God… If it’s true that God will not turn His back on any of us but instead reaches out to us in grace, mercy, and forgiveness… If any of this – let alone all of this – is true, then how does it change things for us.
How will it affect our lives this week? How will it change our lives for ever?
And if it takes time for all of this to sink in, if we still struggle to accept that these promises are true, or at least too good to be true. If faith is still a word rather an action then don’t worry because we are in good company. Jesus’ first disciples struggled with all this as well, they too had their own issues with faith.
But we also note that before Jesus did anything, when he approached the disciples, and stood amongst them, the first thing He did was offer them a word of peace: “peace be with you” He says. He does so because He knew exactly how they were feeling. The hurt, the anxiety, the loneliness, the sadness. He’s been with them, in the highs and lows of ministry, He knew their strengths and weaknesses, He knew that they had all abandoned Him, but Jesus did not give up on them. The first thing he does is offer them His peace.
Though forgiveness is clearly important in the gospels, Jesus doesn’t challenge them by saying “I forgive you for denying or deserting me. He doesn’t say, “I told you so,” even though He had predicted His death and resurrection on several occasions. Nor does he promise that with His resurrection all will be well and that it’s plain sailing from here on in.
He doesn’t tell them about his three days in the grave, or offer a future for the church that they were going to be responsible for building, nor does he offer them a mission plan and their own particular mission assignments. He doesn’t do any of these. Instead, He simply blesses them with his peace.
Which is insightful for us. No one ever said the Christian life was meant to be easy, comfortable or one parade of achievements after another. In fact, church tradition tells us that most of those gathered with Jesus that day ended up dying for the faith they confessed. And Jesus knew this would happen. And so, He doesn’t greet them with words of victory or comfort or false promises. Instead, He simply offers them peace.
In a similar manner Jesus still offers us His peace today for those challenges we face.
Not comfort or ease or certainty, but His peace.
This world is a beautiful, precious gift from God. It is also, as events we see that are both close to home and further afield have reminded us, turbulent, challenging, and violent. The resurrected Jesus does not promise to take us out of this beautiful and difficult world, but rather promises us His peace amid it. Peace that focuses our attention and stills our hearts. Peace that enables us to endure and even to flourish. Peace that empowers us to reach out in compassion, mercy and love. Peace that invites us to commit ourselves to sharing Jesus’ grace and peace with others.
Jesus’ peace. It might not always be what we want,
but it’s everything we need throughout our lives.
And so after offering His peace to the disciples, acknowledging their doubts and fears, reminding them of some of the truths that they learned when they journeyed with him, Jesus then called them to be witnesses to everything that had taken place. They would be witnesses for Jesus throughout the world, despite their troubles and doubts, because in amongst these feelings there would also be times for peace, joy and wonder.
And if that was true for these followers, it is still the truth for us as well. That is part of our calling, to bear witness to all that Jesus has done in our lives. To share these things that we value the most, to talk about things that are important, to remind ourselves of everything that Jesus has done previously, and that what He has done in the past, He can and will do again.
And perhaps we are simply to go and bear witness to the fact that
where there is doubt, fear, worry or disappointment,
there is also hope, joy and a peace that is beyond all understanding.
Let us pray
.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them,
“Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.
38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?
39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself!
Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.
41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement,
he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 4
2 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you:
Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
46 He told them,
“This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,
47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations,
beginning at Jerusalem.
48 You are witnesses of these things.
Reflection
One of the consistent themes from the gospels in relation to the post Resurrection appearances of Jesus is that nobody expected them to happen. The disciples, especially, refused to believe that Jesus had actually risen from the dead. Arguably, disbelief started with the ones who were closest to Him and spent the most time in His company.
Despite the amount of times Jesus had promised that it would happen, it had obviously been something the disciples couldn’t absorb. It had went in one ear and out the other.
And prior to today’s reading, way back at the beginning of the chapter, we see that the disciples dismissed the testimony of the women who had been to the empty tomb as an “idle tale” or, put more straight forwardly, as nonsense.
Actually, Luke has watered down the Greek meaning of what was actually said. The Greek word he uses has its roots in our word delirious. So really, he was saying that the disciples thought the women were delirious, or crazy, or out of their minds. It might sound rude but that’s how far the disciples were removed from believing that their former friend, leader and saviour was actually alive.
Thus far in Luke’s account, the disciples have heard and dismissed the women’s testimony. Peter then ran to the tomb and confirmed that at the very least, it was empty; two disciples on the road to Emmaus were encountered by Jesus and then they returned to the other disciples and told their tale, and now…...wait for it........Jesus appears among the rest of the disciples and invites them to touch Him, in order to dispel any doubts they may have that He was really alive.
Jesus now appears right in front them, speaking to them to calm their fears, as He shows them His hands and feet and the marks left by the nails.
And despite this Luke then writes, “They still did not believe it because of joy and amazement.”
Can you believe it? That even though Jesus is right there in front of them, the disciples still don’t believe. They are filled with both joy and unbelief at the same time.
Why, despite everything that has happened, and is taking place in front of them, do they struggle with the reality of the risen Jesus?
I think partly, it is because the concept of resurrection and people coming back from the dead is a hard thing to fully comprehend. It takes time to allow such things to completely sink in.
We are so used to these other aspects of life—pain, hurt,
and the absolute certainty that all things must end.
Thus, the promise of new life – even when its standing right there in front of you! – is hard to take in and believe.
So whenever we struggle with some of the promises we read in our Bibles, we should perhaps relax a bit, and give ourselves and one another a bit of space, because at the very least, we see that those who were closest to Jesus had questions, issues and doubts that had to be dealt with as well.
In the light and in the midst of all the death, trauma, disappointment and tragedy that colours human life, and in the difficulty that some or all of us may have in believing that God not only raised Jesus, from the dead, but also promises us new life, second chances, forgiveness and grace when we need it, may we find strength in knowing that Jesus comes to us in order to strengthen us in those times of great difficulty and those times when it is easier to be filled with doubt rather than faith.
But how would or could our lives be lived and even changed if we could really believe, really, really believe that the promises of God and the promises that fill the Bible, were true? . So often, these promises are so familiar to us and we become blasé about them, and don’t really act as if they are true.
But just think and believe, that if it’s true that God raised Jesus from the dead… If it’s true that God promises to renew the whole of creation and grant us new life… If it’s true that nothing – nothing we’ve ever done– can separate us from the love of God… If it’s true that God will not turn His back on any of us but instead reaches out to us in grace, mercy, and forgiveness… If any of this – let alone all of this – is true, then how does it change things for us.
How will it affect our lives this week? How will it change our lives for ever?
And if it takes time for all of this to sink in, if we still struggle to accept that these promises are true, or at least too good to be true. If faith is still a word rather an action then don’t worry because we are in good company. Jesus’ first disciples struggled with all this as well, they too had their own issues with faith.
But we also note that before Jesus did anything, when he approached the disciples, and stood amongst them, the first thing He did was offer them a word of peace: “peace be with you” He says. He does so because He knew exactly how they were feeling. The hurt, the anxiety, the loneliness, the sadness. He’s been with them, in the highs and lows of ministry, He knew their strengths and weaknesses, He knew that they had all abandoned Him, but Jesus did not give up on them. The first thing he does is offer them His peace.
Though forgiveness is clearly important in the gospels, Jesus doesn’t challenge them by saying “I forgive you for denying or deserting me. He doesn’t say, “I told you so,” even though He had predicted His death and resurrection on several occasions. Nor does he promise that with His resurrection all will be well and that it’s plain sailing from here on in.
He doesn’t tell them about his three days in the grave, or offer a future for the church that they were going to be responsible for building, nor does he offer them a mission plan and their own particular mission assignments. He doesn’t do any of these. Instead, He simply blesses them with his peace.
Which is insightful for us. No one ever said the Christian life was meant to be easy, comfortable or one parade of achievements after another. In fact, church tradition tells us that most of those gathered with Jesus that day ended up dying for the faith they confessed. And Jesus knew this would happen. And so, He doesn’t greet them with words of victory or comfort or false promises. Instead, He simply offers them peace.
In a similar manner Jesus still offers us His peace today for those challenges we face.
Not comfort or ease or certainty, but His peace.
This world is a beautiful, precious gift from God. It is also, as events we see that are both close to home and further afield have reminded us, turbulent, challenging, and violent. The resurrected Jesus does not promise to take us out of this beautiful and difficult world, but rather promises us His peace amid it. Peace that focuses our attention and stills our hearts. Peace that enables us to endure and even to flourish. Peace that empowers us to reach out in compassion, mercy and love. Peace that invites us to commit ourselves to sharing Jesus’ grace and peace with others.
Jesus’ peace. It might not always be what we want,
but it’s everything we need throughout our lives.
And so after offering His peace to the disciples, acknowledging their doubts and fears, reminding them of some of the truths that they learned when they journeyed with him, Jesus then called them to be witnesses to everything that had taken place. They would be witnesses for Jesus throughout the world, despite their troubles and doubts, because in amongst these feelings there would also be times for peace, joy and wonder.
And if that was true for these followers, it is still the truth for us as well. That is part of our calling, to bear witness to all that Jesus has done in our lives. To share these things that we value the most, to talk about things that are important, to remind ourselves of everything that Jesus has done previously, and that what He has done in the past, He can and will do again.
And perhaps we are simply to go and bear witness to the fact that
where there is doubt, fear, worry or disappointment,
there is also hope, joy and a peace that is beyond all understanding.
Let us pray
.
more than conquerors
Romans 8:31-39 New International Version (NIV)
More Than Conquerors
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us .
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
REFLECTION
“Who then can separate us from the love of God?” Not so much a question asked by Paul, as a vote of confidence, that in everything we face, every challenge that comes before us, every puzzle that bewilders us, God is there beside us, in both the good and tough times pouring His love out on us.
What a promise and a comfort that is for us today. When we struggle to interact with one another, as we stick to restrictions that force us to stay a minimum of 2m from each other; when we are asked to not leave the house unless it’s for one of four reasons, or we just feel detached from life in general and believe that both socially and spiritually we are in a lockdown, Paul proclaims to us all that God is closer to us than we can ever know, and nothing gets in the way of Him coming to us and pouring out His love.
And just to assure us that there are no ifs and buts to this promise he tells us
“Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine”? Then he answers his own question
No…. we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us”.
And he finishes by telling us why:
(Nothing), will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In a world in crisis and in times of stress and ambiguity these are words to assure all of us that God is still involved in the matters of life, and He is still involved in those things that worry us. And He is there for one reason--because He cares about us. That even though we might look around at our own situations and think we are facing things on our own, and that God has taken social distancing to new levels, we are being given a promise that we can count on, in that there is never anything we go through that is bigger or greater than God’s ability to fix and heal.
If anybody knew about persecution, hardship and tough times it was Paul. For example, just after his Damascus Road conversion God promised him that he would suffer much, and that "prison and hardship" awaited him in every city. And so it did.
Brutal treatment, constant harassment, and strong opposition were his regular fare.
In the book of Acts alone Luke records at least eight murder attempts on Paul's life. Paul reckoned that he and the first apostles were likened as sheep to a slaughter; people in last place; public spectacles; dishonoured fools; vagrants who were hungry, thirsty, homeless and in rags; Ultimately, he was martyred in Rome. Nonetheless, through all of this and more, Paul remained insistent:
nothing in all of creation can separate us from God's love.
When we feel alienated, separated and estranged, when we sense that everyone and everything is against us, it is easy to forget that God is unequivocally for us. Because ultimately God's love for His people is infinite and unchangeable and nothing in all creation can separate us from it.
The ancient mystic Juliana of Norwich put it in similar language,
"the greatest honour we can give almighty God, is to live gladly because of the knowledge of (His) love."
An assurance that although there are questions we can’t find answers to, trials that seem to weaken our faith and problems on a daily basis, the one thing that never fades in all of these things is the divine love that is inseparable and which never gives up and never lets go.
A promise and assurance to strengthen our faith especially in times like these.
More Than Conquerors
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us .
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
REFLECTION
“Who then can separate us from the love of God?” Not so much a question asked by Paul, as a vote of confidence, that in everything we face, every challenge that comes before us, every puzzle that bewilders us, God is there beside us, in both the good and tough times pouring His love out on us.
What a promise and a comfort that is for us today. When we struggle to interact with one another, as we stick to restrictions that force us to stay a minimum of 2m from each other; when we are asked to not leave the house unless it’s for one of four reasons, or we just feel detached from life in general and believe that both socially and spiritually we are in a lockdown, Paul proclaims to us all that God is closer to us than we can ever know, and nothing gets in the way of Him coming to us and pouring out His love.
And just to assure us that there are no ifs and buts to this promise he tells us
“Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine”? Then he answers his own question
No…. we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us”.
And he finishes by telling us why:
(Nothing), will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In a world in crisis and in times of stress and ambiguity these are words to assure all of us that God is still involved in the matters of life, and He is still involved in those things that worry us. And He is there for one reason--because He cares about us. That even though we might look around at our own situations and think we are facing things on our own, and that God has taken social distancing to new levels, we are being given a promise that we can count on, in that there is never anything we go through that is bigger or greater than God’s ability to fix and heal.
If anybody knew about persecution, hardship and tough times it was Paul. For example, just after his Damascus Road conversion God promised him that he would suffer much, and that "prison and hardship" awaited him in every city. And so it did.
Brutal treatment, constant harassment, and strong opposition were his regular fare.
In the book of Acts alone Luke records at least eight murder attempts on Paul's life. Paul reckoned that he and the first apostles were likened as sheep to a slaughter; people in last place; public spectacles; dishonoured fools; vagrants who were hungry, thirsty, homeless and in rags; Ultimately, he was martyred in Rome. Nonetheless, through all of this and more, Paul remained insistent:
nothing in all of creation can separate us from God's love.
When we feel alienated, separated and estranged, when we sense that everyone and everything is against us, it is easy to forget that God is unequivocally for us. Because ultimately God's love for His people is infinite and unchangeable and nothing in all creation can separate us from it.
The ancient mystic Juliana of Norwich put it in similar language,
"the greatest honour we can give almighty God, is to live gladly because of the knowledge of (His) love."
An assurance that although there are questions we can’t find answers to, trials that seem to weaken our faith and problems on a daily basis, the one thing that never fades in all of these things is the divine love that is inseparable and which never gives up and never lets go.
A promise and assurance to strengthen our faith especially in times like these.
May
the holy spirit comes at pentecost
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?
9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
Peter Addresses the Crowd
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Reflection
How many of us have submitted a claim to our insurance company at one time or another, only for our claim to be turned down because the claim was out-with what we were covered for. The accident was apparently ‘an act of God’ and because His actions were not one of the many conditions that we thought we were covered for, the insurance company would not reimburse us for whatever it was we were claiming for. The ‘act of God’ being a description for any number of disasters that are usually excluded from our insurance policies.
In today’s reading, we are witness once again to another ‘Act of God’, but this time it was one that is wonderful and a cause for celebration. In fact, it is an act that has had lasting affect and has helped to change and transform many within the world today.
Shortly after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His followers and proclaimed, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”.
And we see the fulfilment of that statement, with the birth of the Church; born over two thousand years ago and still continuing today; strong in some parts of the world, not quite as strong in others and ignored or not yet heard about elsewhere.
And when you think of some of the major events that are recorded in the book of Acts, what springs to mind for you? Maybe it’s the falling of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. Or it could be the baptism of three thousand people on the day of Pentecost; or the healing of the lame man at the temple gate; perhaps even the conversion of Saul or the martyrdom of Stephen.
However, surely there is one story that trumps them all and that is the formation of the church and those who were part of it. The story of the formation of the church paints the picture to us of what Jesus wanted the church to be. It was a church full of people who didn’t have perfect lives but who were able to show the difference that Jesus had made in their lives.
They were a community of believers who were united to and with one another. This church loved each other, and this is what set it apart as an amazing display of God’s grace to the world.
“All the believers were together and had everything in common”. In fact, one of the common themes that identified them to the outside world was that they were identified as people who lived lives of love. Not just love for one another but they shared and offered love to those outside their church as well.
But the way they were united and initially remained united was its main strength.
The initial members of Jesus Christ’s church were Jews who had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, and from them the church exploded; membership went from zero to three thousand overnight! “The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Ac 2:47). Every meeting had more faces. Every service had new members. The church was bursting at the seams. This was a dynamic church.
And this was a diverse church! They were from different places: Parthia, Media, Elam, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the areas of Libya near Cyrene, Rome (both Jews and those who had become Jews), Crete, and Arabia (Ac 2:8–11).
Fifteen different regions were represented! The Parthinians came from the east. The Egyptians came from the south. The Romans were from the north. They had different cultures and spoke different languages; they ate different types of food. They came to be a part of the Passover. They stayed to be a part of the church.
Within a short time, the church grew to as many as 20,000 men, women and children (Ac 4:4).
What was the church’s strategy? They had no buildings. They were not affiliated with any denomination. No mention is made of a budget or program. What enabled them to increase in number and deepen in faith? It was simple: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
The church is a community that works best when we remember that we are here for each other, as we:
"Accept one another” (Ro 15:7).
“Instruct one another” (Ro 15:14).
“Greet one another” (Ro 16:16).
“Serve one another” (Gal 5:13).
“Carry each other’s burdens” (Gal 6:2).
“Be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Eph 4:2).
“Submit to one another” (Eph 5:21)
“Encourage one another and build each other up” (1Th 5:11)
If people could see a church today that was built on this model, they would have to acknowledge that they saw a church community that was diverse and served and loved one another, and perhaps even, different from what they really expected.
A church community based on love, grace, peace and hope.
That was what was on display in the first church. Those early believers were a powerful testimony of what is possible in Jesus and His Holy Spirit. This same possibility is available for us today.
May we, through the example of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, strive to pattern our lives after theirs. edit.
2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?
9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
Peter Addresses the Crowd
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Reflection
How many of us have submitted a claim to our insurance company at one time or another, only for our claim to be turned down because the claim was out-with what we were covered for. The accident was apparently ‘an act of God’ and because His actions were not one of the many conditions that we thought we were covered for, the insurance company would not reimburse us for whatever it was we were claiming for. The ‘act of God’ being a description for any number of disasters that are usually excluded from our insurance policies.
In today’s reading, we are witness once again to another ‘Act of God’, but this time it was one that is wonderful and a cause for celebration. In fact, it is an act that has had lasting affect and has helped to change and transform many within the world today.
Shortly after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His followers and proclaimed, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”.
And we see the fulfilment of that statement, with the birth of the Church; born over two thousand years ago and still continuing today; strong in some parts of the world, not quite as strong in others and ignored or not yet heard about elsewhere.
And when you think of some of the major events that are recorded in the book of Acts, what springs to mind for you? Maybe it’s the falling of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. Or it could be the baptism of three thousand people on the day of Pentecost; or the healing of the lame man at the temple gate; perhaps even the conversion of Saul or the martyrdom of Stephen.
However, surely there is one story that trumps them all and that is the formation of the church and those who were part of it. The story of the formation of the church paints the picture to us of what Jesus wanted the church to be. It was a church full of people who didn’t have perfect lives but who were able to show the difference that Jesus had made in their lives.
They were a community of believers who were united to and with one another. This church loved each other, and this is what set it apart as an amazing display of God’s grace to the world.
“All the believers were together and had everything in common”. In fact, one of the common themes that identified them to the outside world was that they were identified as people who lived lives of love. Not just love for one another but they shared and offered love to those outside their church as well.
But the way they were united and initially remained united was its main strength.
The initial members of Jesus Christ’s church were Jews who had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, and from them the church exploded; membership went from zero to three thousand overnight! “The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Ac 2:47). Every meeting had more faces. Every service had new members. The church was bursting at the seams. This was a dynamic church.
And this was a diverse church! They were from different places: Parthia, Media, Elam, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the areas of Libya near Cyrene, Rome (both Jews and those who had become Jews), Crete, and Arabia (Ac 2:8–11).
Fifteen different regions were represented! The Parthinians came from the east. The Egyptians came from the south. The Romans were from the north. They had different cultures and spoke different languages; they ate different types of food. They came to be a part of the Passover. They stayed to be a part of the church.
Within a short time, the church grew to as many as 20,000 men, women and children (Ac 4:4).
What was the church’s strategy? They had no buildings. They were not affiliated with any denomination. No mention is made of a budget or program. What enabled them to increase in number and deepen in faith? It was simple: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
The church is a community that works best when we remember that we are here for each other, as we:
"Accept one another” (Ro 15:7).
“Instruct one another” (Ro 15:14).
“Greet one another” (Ro 16:16).
“Serve one another” (Gal 5:13).
“Carry each other’s burdens” (Gal 6:2).
“Be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Eph 4:2).
“Submit to one another” (Eph 5:21)
“Encourage one another and build each other up” (1Th 5:11)
If people could see a church today that was built on this model, they would have to acknowledge that they saw a church community that was diverse and served and loved one another, and perhaps even, different from what they really expected.
A church community based on love, grace, peace and hope.
That was what was on display in the first church. Those early believers were a powerful testimony of what is possible in Jesus and His Holy Spirit. This same possibility is available for us today.
May we, through the example of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, strive to pattern our lives after theirs. edit.
how long, how long, how long lord?
How long, how long, how long, Lord?
Psalm 13
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 How long,Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
Psalm 74
A maskil of Asaph.
1 O God, why have you rejected us forever?
Why does your anger smoulder against the sheep of your pasture?
2 Remember the nation you purchased long ago,
the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed--
Mount Zion, where you dwelt.
3 Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins,
all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.
4 Your foes roared in the place where you met with us;
they set up their standards as signs.
5 They behaved like men wielding axes
to cut through a thicket of trees.
6 They smashed all the carved paneling
with their axes and hatchets.
7 They burned your sanctuary to the ground;
they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.
8 They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!”
They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.
9 We are given no signs from God;
no prophets are left,
and none of us knows how long this will be.
10 How long will the enemy mock you, God?
Will the foe revile your name forever?
11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?
Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!
12 But God is my King from long ago;
he brings salvation on the earth.
Reflection
“How long is a piece of string”? A phrase that is usually offered as a means of avoiding answering a question.
“How long will it take till we get there”? A question that is frequently asked by passengers on a journey and is usually ignored by those to whom the question is asked.
“How long will it be until we get a minister”? A question asked by many a congregation as they wait and hope that God is leading someone to them.
How long, how long, how long? We could add anything to the end of the how long question and turn it into our own specific circumstances and our own particular prayer to God.
How long will the current situation in the world, in our country and in our community go on for?
And in the midst of all of those things that have us wondering as to what is going on, and when things will change, and if God will sort things out sometimes, all we can do is lament and wonder as to how long it will be before normal service will be resumed.
And today we look at two Psalms, Psalm13 and Psalm 74,
that had the Psalmists David and Asaph asking God the ‘how long’ question.
Some people criticise those who ask the ‘how long’ question of God saying that it is a sign of a lack of faith in God, but, arguably these prayers are signs that a person is showing their faith in God, by daring to ask the challenging questions; those questions of the heart, those things that they believe only God is able to answer.
There are many different types of Psalms amongst the one hundred and fifty that are in the Bible, but prevalent amongst them are the ‘how long’ Psalms; the Psalms of lament. Some scholars suggest that there are approximately forty-two psalms of lament, others put the figure as high as sixty-seven. But no matter what figure you use that’s an awful lot of weeping and wailing by God’s people to their creator; and surely they are there for a reason.
And that reason is to remind us that it is ok to go to God with our questions, our sadness and our complaints.
In our readings, we see David offering his own individual lament, whilst Asaph is lamenting on behalf of the community. In both cases they realised that although things were a mess and they wondered where God was, and why he wasn’t doing anything to help them in ways that would bring Honour to His name, both lamenters were aware that despite God’s perceived absence, He was still the only one who was able to shed light into their darkness.
We don’t know what was going on in David’s life when he wrote this Psalm.
But what we do know is that David kept this psalm short. Perhaps that’s all that was needed.
He could have kept it shorter yet by simply crying out ‘HELP’.
Sometimes we don’t need a lot of words for describing how we feel.
Psalm 74 is a psalm of exile, a song of lament over the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
It’s a psalm of corporate grief and of communal mourning.
Asaph the psalmist is grieving over the deportation of the people of Israel
and the destruction of the city of Jerusalem.
In both Psalms we see the honesty of David and Asaph. They feel abandoned and have the confidence to say what they feel. There is no cheery “The Lord is my Shepherd” from David, instead he says what he feels. And both men are unhappy. There is a real spiritual truth in what they share because how many of us have felt that we are in this on our own; that we’ve been abandoned not just by others, but by God as well. That nobody cares and by definition since no one cares, God doesn’t care either.
However, these psalms hold a very valuable lesson for us today. When trials surround us, we don’t have to endure everything with silence. We can go to God and let him know how we are feeling. We can pour our hearts out to Him in ways that sometimes we are unable to do with others. And we can do it in the confidence that because God cares about His people, He understands those things that we bring before Him, in both the good and not so good times.
David and Asaph understood this, because even in the midst of their laments,
they knew that God was still their God.
David spoke to God in a very personal way as “my God”, as does Asaph “You. O God are my King”.
Whatever is on our minds today,
if we have got a few of those ‘how long’ issues going on in our lives, take them to God.
Speak to Him, shout at Him if you have to,
but do so in the promise and assurance of His unfailing love.
That’s why the Psalmists were able to go to God with their tough questions,
because they knew
“As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving kindness toward those who fear Him.” Psalm 103:11.
May that always be our experience as well
Psalm 13
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 How long,Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
Psalm 74
A maskil of Asaph.
1 O God, why have you rejected us forever?
Why does your anger smoulder against the sheep of your pasture?
2 Remember the nation you purchased long ago,
the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed--
Mount Zion, where you dwelt.
3 Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins,
all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.
4 Your foes roared in the place where you met with us;
they set up their standards as signs.
5 They behaved like men wielding axes
to cut through a thicket of trees.
6 They smashed all the carved paneling
with their axes and hatchets.
7 They burned your sanctuary to the ground;
they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.
8 They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!”
They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.
9 We are given no signs from God;
no prophets are left,
and none of us knows how long this will be.
10 How long will the enemy mock you, God?
Will the foe revile your name forever?
11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?
Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!
12 But God is my King from long ago;
he brings salvation on the earth.
Reflection
“How long is a piece of string”? A phrase that is usually offered as a means of avoiding answering a question.
“How long will it take till we get there”? A question that is frequently asked by passengers on a journey and is usually ignored by those to whom the question is asked.
“How long will it be until we get a minister”? A question asked by many a congregation as they wait and hope that God is leading someone to them.
How long, how long, how long? We could add anything to the end of the how long question and turn it into our own specific circumstances and our own particular prayer to God.
How long will the current situation in the world, in our country and in our community go on for?
And in the midst of all of those things that have us wondering as to what is going on, and when things will change, and if God will sort things out sometimes, all we can do is lament and wonder as to how long it will be before normal service will be resumed.
And today we look at two Psalms, Psalm13 and Psalm 74,
that had the Psalmists David and Asaph asking God the ‘how long’ question.
Some people criticise those who ask the ‘how long’ question of God saying that it is a sign of a lack of faith in God, but, arguably these prayers are signs that a person is showing their faith in God, by daring to ask the challenging questions; those questions of the heart, those things that they believe only God is able to answer.
There are many different types of Psalms amongst the one hundred and fifty that are in the Bible, but prevalent amongst them are the ‘how long’ Psalms; the Psalms of lament. Some scholars suggest that there are approximately forty-two psalms of lament, others put the figure as high as sixty-seven. But no matter what figure you use that’s an awful lot of weeping and wailing by God’s people to their creator; and surely they are there for a reason.
And that reason is to remind us that it is ok to go to God with our questions, our sadness and our complaints.
In our readings, we see David offering his own individual lament, whilst Asaph is lamenting on behalf of the community. In both cases they realised that although things were a mess and they wondered where God was, and why he wasn’t doing anything to help them in ways that would bring Honour to His name, both lamenters were aware that despite God’s perceived absence, He was still the only one who was able to shed light into their darkness.
We don’t know what was going on in David’s life when he wrote this Psalm.
But what we do know is that David kept this psalm short. Perhaps that’s all that was needed.
He could have kept it shorter yet by simply crying out ‘HELP’.
Sometimes we don’t need a lot of words for describing how we feel.
Psalm 74 is a psalm of exile, a song of lament over the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
It’s a psalm of corporate grief and of communal mourning.
Asaph the psalmist is grieving over the deportation of the people of Israel
and the destruction of the city of Jerusalem.
In both Psalms we see the honesty of David and Asaph. They feel abandoned and have the confidence to say what they feel. There is no cheery “The Lord is my Shepherd” from David, instead he says what he feels. And both men are unhappy. There is a real spiritual truth in what they share because how many of us have felt that we are in this on our own; that we’ve been abandoned not just by others, but by God as well. That nobody cares and by definition since no one cares, God doesn’t care either.
However, these psalms hold a very valuable lesson for us today. When trials surround us, we don’t have to endure everything with silence. We can go to God and let him know how we are feeling. We can pour our hearts out to Him in ways that sometimes we are unable to do with others. And we can do it in the confidence that because God cares about His people, He understands those things that we bring before Him, in both the good and not so good times.
David and Asaph understood this, because even in the midst of their laments,
they knew that God was still their God.
David spoke to God in a very personal way as “my God”, as does Asaph “You. O God are my King”.
Whatever is on our minds today,
if we have got a few of those ‘how long’ issues going on in our lives, take them to God.
Speak to Him, shout at Him if you have to,
but do so in the promise and assurance of His unfailing love.
That’s why the Psalmists were able to go to God with their tough questions,
because they knew
“As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving kindness toward those who fear Him.” Psalm 103:11.
May that always be our experience as well
jesus prays to be glorified
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Jesus Prays for His Disciples
6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
Reflection
Our reading today has Jesus praying both for Himself and His disciples. He knew that His earthly mission was just about over and that the future mission would be dependent on those who had followed Him for the last few years. Throughout these years they had seen and heard Jesus say some amazing things, but perhaps they were oblivious to the fact that these had also been years of preparation, and training for them, as they would one day be responsible for carrying on with the work that Jesus had started.
In Jesus' last few hours with them, before being led away, He is trying to assure them that the future was dependent on them. But that, in the good times, and through the bad times—and there would be many—He would be faithful to them, if they remained faithful to Him.
And now just before He goes, Jesus prays for them. What does Jesus pray for? He does not pray that it will be easy, because He knows that is not the going to be the case. Instead he asks God that they be protected in all that they would face: “I am no longer in the world but they are in the world...protect them.”
These would also have been words of comfort for John’s original audience in the late first century, because it was a church under pressure because of the oppression that the congregation faced. They had been driven out the synagogues; they were scattered, often meeting in house churches and cemeteries. They walked dangerously in the footsteps of those who had gathered in the Upper Room. In their own place and time, they needed to hear the message of Jesus Christ.... and now we do as well.
Centuries ago, amid the din and destruction of the world around them, Jesus’ followers needed to hear that they would endure…just as we too need to be assured that we will endure in these things that we do to advance’s God’s word and his kingdom. And the assurance we have is the same one that followers throughout the generations have been able to rely on; Jesus' prayers for us. However, the prayer is not that things will be easy, or that everything we do will be successful. But instead it is the prayer that seeks to protect us so that we can do His work. Because if it isn’t us who does it, then who will?
Today, these words of Jesus simply remind us that God has gracefully chosen His people, which includes us, to carry and share a gospel message of love, and to go and reveal the brightness of the Son; to basically bring light and be light in dark situations.
There is the story of Robert Louis Stevenson who, when he was a young boy in 19th Century Edinburgh, would sit and gaze out of the window in his parents’ home, watching the evening shadows fade and give way to darkness. The old-fashioned lamplighter, who each night would walk down the street lighting the gas street lamps, fascinated him. Stevenson is reported to have been so excited about this that on one occasion he shouted, “Look, there’s a man coming down the street punching holes in the darkness!”
As followers of Jesus we have a mission of punching holes in the darkness; of bringing peace to those who have given up on ever seeing it; of offering a picture of something that is better than most believe is possible; of showing compassion, acting in love and speaking words of hope.
And we can do this in the confidence and assurance that Jesus is still praying for us today, so that we will have all that we need in order to fulfil the mission that has been placed before us. And in that confidence may we face the future filled with the Joy of the Lord, filled with the love that never gives up and never lets go, so that we can be His presence in the face of His physical absence.
Centuries ago, amid the din and destruction of the world around them, Jesus' followers, and those from the early church, needed to know that they would endure even in the face of overwhelming odds; they didn’t know what lay in front of them.
The same is true for us. The gospel has not concluded, instead it carries on with us, and it will carry on with those who come after us. We don’t know everything that lies ahead of us. All that we have to rely on is Jesus words “I have sent them into the world. Protect them”. And because of these words we can be sure that we are in very good hands indeed.
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Jesus Prays for His Disciples
6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
Reflection
Our reading today has Jesus praying both for Himself and His disciples. He knew that His earthly mission was just about over and that the future mission would be dependent on those who had followed Him for the last few years. Throughout these years they had seen and heard Jesus say some amazing things, but perhaps they were oblivious to the fact that these had also been years of preparation, and training for them, as they would one day be responsible for carrying on with the work that Jesus had started.
In Jesus' last few hours with them, before being led away, He is trying to assure them that the future was dependent on them. But that, in the good times, and through the bad times—and there would be many—He would be faithful to them, if they remained faithful to Him.
And now just before He goes, Jesus prays for them. What does Jesus pray for? He does not pray that it will be easy, because He knows that is not the going to be the case. Instead he asks God that they be protected in all that they would face: “I am no longer in the world but they are in the world...protect them.”
These would also have been words of comfort for John’s original audience in the late first century, because it was a church under pressure because of the oppression that the congregation faced. They had been driven out the synagogues; they were scattered, often meeting in house churches and cemeteries. They walked dangerously in the footsteps of those who had gathered in the Upper Room. In their own place and time, they needed to hear the message of Jesus Christ.... and now we do as well.
Centuries ago, amid the din and destruction of the world around them, Jesus’ followers needed to hear that they would endure…just as we too need to be assured that we will endure in these things that we do to advance’s God’s word and his kingdom. And the assurance we have is the same one that followers throughout the generations have been able to rely on; Jesus' prayers for us. However, the prayer is not that things will be easy, or that everything we do will be successful. But instead it is the prayer that seeks to protect us so that we can do His work. Because if it isn’t us who does it, then who will?
Today, these words of Jesus simply remind us that God has gracefully chosen His people, which includes us, to carry and share a gospel message of love, and to go and reveal the brightness of the Son; to basically bring light and be light in dark situations.
There is the story of Robert Louis Stevenson who, when he was a young boy in 19th Century Edinburgh, would sit and gaze out of the window in his parents’ home, watching the evening shadows fade and give way to darkness. The old-fashioned lamplighter, who each night would walk down the street lighting the gas street lamps, fascinated him. Stevenson is reported to have been so excited about this that on one occasion he shouted, “Look, there’s a man coming down the street punching holes in the darkness!”
As followers of Jesus we have a mission of punching holes in the darkness; of bringing peace to those who have given up on ever seeing it; of offering a picture of something that is better than most believe is possible; of showing compassion, acting in love and speaking words of hope.
And we can do this in the confidence and assurance that Jesus is still praying for us today, so that we will have all that we need in order to fulfil the mission that has been placed before us. And in that confidence may we face the future filled with the Joy of the Lord, filled with the love that never gives up and never lets go, so that we can be His presence in the face of His physical absence.
Centuries ago, amid the din and destruction of the world around them, Jesus' followers, and those from the early church, needed to know that they would endure even in the face of overwhelming odds; they didn’t know what lay in front of them.
The same is true for us. The gospel has not concluded, instead it carries on with us, and it will carry on with those who come after us. We don’t know everything that lies ahead of us. All that we have to rely on is Jesus words “I have sent them into the world. Protect them”. And because of these words we can be sure that we are in very good hands indeed.
an awesome god
Psalm 8: An Awesome God
For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of David.
1 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants,
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
5 You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honour.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Reflection
On Sunday, July 20th, 1969, Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon and said these memorable words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” However, it is often overlooked, forgotten, or just simply not known, that the second man to set foot on the moon, Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin, gave a Biblical perspective to what he had achieved, when he quoted from the Book of Psalms, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, 4 What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visited him?"
Aldrin looked at the Universe and its sheer vastness and was immersed in the view of how big it was, but how bigger God is and how small humanity is, in relation to the Divine and all His creation.
It might seem an absurd thing to say, but some of the times that I feel closest to God, is when I look at the stars at night and read about the universe and our solar system, and appreciate just how amazing everything really is.
And then, when we look at the natural world that surrounds us, the beauty and the colour, the uniqueness of each big and little creature, the changing of the seasons and the colours that they produce, the beauty of a sunset and a sunrise, the wonder of a waterfall, the rainbow that nearly always comes after a heavy shower; and the more I look at His Creation, the more I stand amazed and stand in awe of God, the Creator.
The words awe and awesome aren’t words that are used that often these days, but I’m sure that is what David is saying about God when he looks into the sky and at everything that surrounds him; he becomes filled with a sense of awesome wonder. He marvels at the establishment of the moon and the stars and is struck by a sense of the vastness of the universe.
When David looked to the sky at night all he could see was what was there in front of him, he could only imagine what else might be beyond his sight and understanding. He had no telescope to star gaze and see the many stars and galaxies that are light-years away; he would not even have been aware of the planetariums that has the earth as a mere speck in a vast solar system. But even so when he looked heavenwards he was overwhelmed by the grandeur of God’s creation.
And with the knowledge we have now of the moon, the sun, the stars, the billions upon billions of galaxies, of everything that is in space, and all the material and gases and atoms that are there, the complexity of it all is quite literally staggering but also awesome and wonderful.
For example, the nearest star to us, other than the sun, is called Alpha Centauri. Alpha Centauri is more than four light-years away, or 24 billion miles away from us.
Our galaxy, which is made up of many other solar systems also, is called The Milky Way. The Milky Way is more than 100,000 light-years in diameter. Two million light-years beyond that, you will arrive at another galaxy system.
The universe is so big; a basic unit of measurement in the universe is the distance that light can travel in a year…six trillion miles. But as big as the universe is, the God that we serve is bigger.
The earth travels 586 million miles per year at a speed of 66,000 miles per hour around the sun. It maintains a distance of 93 million miles from the sun. It rotates while it revolves at 1000 miles per hour. It completes its journey around the sun in 365.25 days.
God’s universe is a universe of precision!
And just think, if God could design this universe, with such precision, then it means He is able to sort out and deal with less complicated matters.
Philip Yancey writes: “life on earth depends on delicate fine tuning. For example, if the nuclear force in certain atoms varied by only a few percentage points, then the sun and other stars would not exist. A tiny change in gravity, a slight tilting of the earth’s axis, or a small thickening in its crust would make conditions for life impossible”[1]
All around us there is a world of so much beauty, so much intricacy, so much imagination which ultimately fits together just like pieces of a jigsaw, and gives a picture of something much bigger than we can so often care to believe.
God created the universe, God created us. The universe and our place in it are the result of a God who is an awesome God.
[1] Philip Yancey, “Vanishing Grace” p. 160
For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of David.
1 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants,
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
5 You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honour.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Reflection
On Sunday, July 20th, 1969, Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon and said these memorable words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” However, it is often overlooked, forgotten, or just simply not known, that the second man to set foot on the moon, Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin, gave a Biblical perspective to what he had achieved, when he quoted from the Book of Psalms, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, 4 What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visited him?"
Aldrin looked at the Universe and its sheer vastness and was immersed in the view of how big it was, but how bigger God is and how small humanity is, in relation to the Divine and all His creation.
It might seem an absurd thing to say, but some of the times that I feel closest to God, is when I look at the stars at night and read about the universe and our solar system, and appreciate just how amazing everything really is.
And then, when we look at the natural world that surrounds us, the beauty and the colour, the uniqueness of each big and little creature, the changing of the seasons and the colours that they produce, the beauty of a sunset and a sunrise, the wonder of a waterfall, the rainbow that nearly always comes after a heavy shower; and the more I look at His Creation, the more I stand amazed and stand in awe of God, the Creator.
The words awe and awesome aren’t words that are used that often these days, but I’m sure that is what David is saying about God when he looks into the sky and at everything that surrounds him; he becomes filled with a sense of awesome wonder. He marvels at the establishment of the moon and the stars and is struck by a sense of the vastness of the universe.
When David looked to the sky at night all he could see was what was there in front of him, he could only imagine what else might be beyond his sight and understanding. He had no telescope to star gaze and see the many stars and galaxies that are light-years away; he would not even have been aware of the planetariums that has the earth as a mere speck in a vast solar system. But even so when he looked heavenwards he was overwhelmed by the grandeur of God’s creation.
And with the knowledge we have now of the moon, the sun, the stars, the billions upon billions of galaxies, of everything that is in space, and all the material and gases and atoms that are there, the complexity of it all is quite literally staggering but also awesome and wonderful.
For example, the nearest star to us, other than the sun, is called Alpha Centauri. Alpha Centauri is more than four light-years away, or 24 billion miles away from us.
Our galaxy, which is made up of many other solar systems also, is called The Milky Way. The Milky Way is more than 100,000 light-years in diameter. Two million light-years beyond that, you will arrive at another galaxy system.
The universe is so big; a basic unit of measurement in the universe is the distance that light can travel in a year…six trillion miles. But as big as the universe is, the God that we serve is bigger.
The earth travels 586 million miles per year at a speed of 66,000 miles per hour around the sun. It maintains a distance of 93 million miles from the sun. It rotates while it revolves at 1000 miles per hour. It completes its journey around the sun in 365.25 days.
God’s universe is a universe of precision!
And just think, if God could design this universe, with such precision, then it means He is able to sort out and deal with less complicated matters.
Philip Yancey writes: “life on earth depends on delicate fine tuning. For example, if the nuclear force in certain atoms varied by only a few percentage points, then the sun and other stars would not exist. A tiny change in gravity, a slight tilting of the earth’s axis, or a small thickening in its crust would make conditions for life impossible”[1]
All around us there is a world of so much beauty, so much intricacy, so much imagination which ultimately fits together just like pieces of a jigsaw, and gives a picture of something much bigger than we can so often care to believe.
God created the universe, God created us. The universe and our place in it are the result of a God who is an awesome God.
[1] Philip Yancey, “Vanishing Grace” p. 160
jesus promises the holy spirit
John 14:15-21 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, keep my commands.16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me.Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Reflection
Social distancing and self-isolation: just a couple of words that we’ve had to familiarise ourselves with over the last few months. It’s probably fair to say that when 2020 started and a New Year began these are terms that may even have seemed strange for most of us.
And yet, before the pandemic of the Coronavirus had begun, there was a crisis of another sort taking place throughout the world, but for many it was passing them by, that of loneliness and social isolation.
It is shown that:
Over 9 million people in the UK – almost a fifth of the population – say they are always or often lonely, but almost two thirds feel uncomfortable admitting to it (British Red Cross and Co-op, 2016)
Over half (51%) of all people aged 75 and over live alone (ONS, 2010)
Two fifths of all older people (about 3.9 million) say the television is their main company (Age UK, 2014)
63% of adults aged 52 or over who have been widowed, and 51% of the same group who are separated or divorced report, feeling lonely some of the time or often (Beaumont, 2013)
Research shows that loneliness and social isolation are harmful to our health: lacking social connections is a comparable risk factor for early death as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day is, and is worse for us than other well-known risk factors such as obesity and physical inactivity. Loneliness increases the likelihood of mortality by 26% [1]
Loneliness and social isolation can affect us all. And we see in today’s reading that Jesus understood that this might be a problem for his followers when He left them. But He goes the extra mile by assuring them and us that “I won’t leave you as orphans”.
This is part of Jesus' final speech to His followers before his arrest, trial and crucifixion. Jesus has made it clear that His days are numbered, that His time of departure is at hand, and He makes every effort to prepare them and affirm them, so that they would be ready to face it. Of course, no one is ever fully prepared for such a moment, and this was true of the disciples as well.
Jesus understood that his death would, rightly, strike fear and terror in those who were gathered round Him. He knew they would be left vulnerable, they would panic, and that they would turn and run for their own lives, abandoning Him the very moment things got rough.
It’s a normal reaction when uncertainty is in the air. We’ve all felt it from time to time. And Jesus wants them (and us) to understand that He’s not abandoning them; they would never have to face these things on their own.
Despite their seeming isolation and loneliness, they would be able to face the future because they would not be doing it on their own. They were not being abandoned as orphans because they would be assisted by the Holy Spirit who would never leave them; "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive ... abides with you and in you."
The Holy Spirit would be the teacher to remind them of all that Jesus had ever said; the supporter in the face of the Father; a comforter, a helper, and the one who would guide them. The Holy Spirit being the constant gift of love to assure them that the presence of the Divine was with them and within them, every moment of every day.
Instead of lurking quietly behind the scenes, the Spirit is given as a gift; a way for Jesus’ presence to be with them always.
In these few words from the Gospel of John, we are offered a reminder that in the face of so much fear, terror, panic, isolation, loss, and grief that surrounds us today we can be assured that we don’t face them alone. That in the things of life we have been given a gift from Jesus to prove that we are loved and never forgotten about
The words of Jesus, again an assurance for all of us, no matter how we may be feeling today that we are loved and never alone. But it can be tough for us, can’t it?
That’s why Jesus asks us to simply trust Him and believe that there is never a time when we face life alone. A reminder of similar promises that have been handed down throughout the generations: "I am with you until the end of the world". Or "I am your God, you are my people". And the list is many, of the God who is a God who keeps his promises. And we can be confident in them because Jesus kept those promises and will continue keeping them, and in doing so, calls us every day, to grow stronger in the constant gift of God's love and His presence, that never leaves us nor forsakes us.
God is with us. We are never alone and never forgotten about.
[1] https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/loneliness-research/
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, keep my commands.16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me.Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Reflection
Social distancing and self-isolation: just a couple of words that we’ve had to familiarise ourselves with over the last few months. It’s probably fair to say that when 2020 started and a New Year began these are terms that may even have seemed strange for most of us.
And yet, before the pandemic of the Coronavirus had begun, there was a crisis of another sort taking place throughout the world, but for many it was passing them by, that of loneliness and social isolation.
It is shown that:
Over 9 million people in the UK – almost a fifth of the population – say they are always or often lonely, but almost two thirds feel uncomfortable admitting to it (British Red Cross and Co-op, 2016)
Over half (51%) of all people aged 75 and over live alone (ONS, 2010)
Two fifths of all older people (about 3.9 million) say the television is their main company (Age UK, 2014)
63% of adults aged 52 or over who have been widowed, and 51% of the same group who are separated or divorced report, feeling lonely some of the time or often (Beaumont, 2013)
Research shows that loneliness and social isolation are harmful to our health: lacking social connections is a comparable risk factor for early death as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day is, and is worse for us than other well-known risk factors such as obesity and physical inactivity. Loneliness increases the likelihood of mortality by 26% [1]
Loneliness and social isolation can affect us all. And we see in today’s reading that Jesus understood that this might be a problem for his followers when He left them. But He goes the extra mile by assuring them and us that “I won’t leave you as orphans”.
This is part of Jesus' final speech to His followers before his arrest, trial and crucifixion. Jesus has made it clear that His days are numbered, that His time of departure is at hand, and He makes every effort to prepare them and affirm them, so that they would be ready to face it. Of course, no one is ever fully prepared for such a moment, and this was true of the disciples as well.
Jesus understood that his death would, rightly, strike fear and terror in those who were gathered round Him. He knew they would be left vulnerable, they would panic, and that they would turn and run for their own lives, abandoning Him the very moment things got rough.
It’s a normal reaction when uncertainty is in the air. We’ve all felt it from time to time. And Jesus wants them (and us) to understand that He’s not abandoning them; they would never have to face these things on their own.
Despite their seeming isolation and loneliness, they would be able to face the future because they would not be doing it on their own. They were not being abandoned as orphans because they would be assisted by the Holy Spirit who would never leave them; "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive ... abides with you and in you."
The Holy Spirit would be the teacher to remind them of all that Jesus had ever said; the supporter in the face of the Father; a comforter, a helper, and the one who would guide them. The Holy Spirit being the constant gift of love to assure them that the presence of the Divine was with them and within them, every moment of every day.
Instead of lurking quietly behind the scenes, the Spirit is given as a gift; a way for Jesus’ presence to be with them always.
In these few words from the Gospel of John, we are offered a reminder that in the face of so much fear, terror, panic, isolation, loss, and grief that surrounds us today we can be assured that we don’t face them alone. That in the things of life we have been given a gift from Jesus to prove that we are loved and never forgotten about
The words of Jesus, again an assurance for all of us, no matter how we may be feeling today that we are loved and never alone. But it can be tough for us, can’t it?
That’s why Jesus asks us to simply trust Him and believe that there is never a time when we face life alone. A reminder of similar promises that have been handed down throughout the generations: "I am with you until the end of the world". Or "I am your God, you are my people". And the list is many, of the God who is a God who keeps his promises. And we can be confident in them because Jesus kept those promises and will continue keeping them, and in doing so, calls us every day, to grow stronger in the constant gift of God's love and His presence, that never leaves us nor forsakes us.
God is with us. We are never alone and never forgotten about.
[1] https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/loneliness-research/
final exhortations
Final Exhortations
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Reflection
Joy and peace are key biblical teachings. And yet for many they are aspirations to be achieved rather than gifts that are enjoyed, as anxiety and worry can so easily take hold of a person’s life. Anxiety and worry are common human conditions, and we can all get anxious and worried over many different things; and when they get a grip of a person they can be reluctant to let go.
In today’s reading Paul writes to the church in Philipi: “Do not be anxious about anything”. You may have just read that and said to yourself, “Well that’s easy for him to say he isn’t going through the things I’m going through”. Or, “He’s not got the worries that I have”. That is probably true, and I don’t want to minimise what you or anyone else may be having to deal with today, but it is also worth reminding ourselves that when Paul wrote these words, life was pretty rubbish for him as well. He wasn’t writing this from the comfort of his house, or from a church or from a guesthouse. Instead these words were written whilst he was chained up in prison.
He didn’t choose to write. “Please release me, let me go” or “Take these chains from my heart and set me free” instead he chooses to write about joy, peace and even thanksgiving.
Paul could not be sure whether he would ever be released from his cell; whether he would be allowed to walk free or would end up suffering the fate of a martyr. But nonetheless, instead of focussing on his problems, he serves his readers the reminder that they will know joy when they learn to let go of all their problems and trust God and receive His peace.
Paul had been through this previously, so he knew what he was talking about. The book of Acts records the time when Paul and Silas were beaten and placed in prison, and instead of being anxious about what might be in front of them they instead sang hymns and prayed. He knew what it was to rejoice in adversity.
It’s easy to be happy when things are going well, but when life or circumstances go against us that is something else. How can we know what it is to rejoice when adversity and worry become our constant travelling companions?
Paul had come to see that no matter his circumstances, that if he looked to everything that Christ had done for him he had reasons to be joyful and praise God, no matter what the reality of his situation looked like. In Christ there was a joy that nothing was able to take from him. There was a joy that enabled him to give thanks in all circumstances, which allowed him to be at peace with God.
The story of Corrie ten Boom is an amazing one. She and her family hid Jewish people in their home to keep them from being taken to the Nazi concentration camps. This resulted in both Corrie and her sister Betsy being taken to a Nazi prison camp as well.
She tells the story that it (the prison camp) was a terrible place, which was riddled with fleas. One day her sister said to her: “I have found something in the Bible that will help us. It says, ‘In all things, give thanks.'”
Corrie said, “I can’t give thanks for the fleas.” Betsy said, “Give thanks that we’re together. Most families have been split up.” Corrie thought, “I can do that.”
Her sister continued, “Give thanks that somehow the guards didn’t check our belongings and our Bible is with us.” She gave thanks for that.
But Corrie said that she would not even think of giving thanks for the fleas. Later, they found out that the only reason they were not molested and harmed by the guards was because their captors were so repulsed by the fleas that they would not enter their cell. Corrie said that this taught her the meaning of giving thanks for all things.
For Paul, joy, peace and thanksgiving were not optional add-ons to a person’s life but instead they were given to help us in times of anxiety and worry, and also to enable us to help others. They don’t make our situations any less real, but they help us to get through them. Sometimes, it’s only in retrospect and with hindsight that we are able to know that joy, peace and thanksgiving.
As we look around us there is plenty to worry about and make us anxious. But there are also many other things that bring joy into our lives. Therefore, no matter what we may be dealing with just now may we use it as a means of deepening our faith in Jesus and of experiencing joy and peace in even the most challenging of situations.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Reflection
Joy and peace are key biblical teachings. And yet for many they are aspirations to be achieved rather than gifts that are enjoyed, as anxiety and worry can so easily take hold of a person’s life. Anxiety and worry are common human conditions, and we can all get anxious and worried over many different things; and when they get a grip of a person they can be reluctant to let go.
In today’s reading Paul writes to the church in Philipi: “Do not be anxious about anything”. You may have just read that and said to yourself, “Well that’s easy for him to say he isn’t going through the things I’m going through”. Or, “He’s not got the worries that I have”. That is probably true, and I don’t want to minimise what you or anyone else may be having to deal with today, but it is also worth reminding ourselves that when Paul wrote these words, life was pretty rubbish for him as well. He wasn’t writing this from the comfort of his house, or from a church or from a guesthouse. Instead these words were written whilst he was chained up in prison.
He didn’t choose to write. “Please release me, let me go” or “Take these chains from my heart and set me free” instead he chooses to write about joy, peace and even thanksgiving.
Paul could not be sure whether he would ever be released from his cell; whether he would be allowed to walk free or would end up suffering the fate of a martyr. But nonetheless, instead of focussing on his problems, he serves his readers the reminder that they will know joy when they learn to let go of all their problems and trust God and receive His peace.
Paul had been through this previously, so he knew what he was talking about. The book of Acts records the time when Paul and Silas were beaten and placed in prison, and instead of being anxious about what might be in front of them they instead sang hymns and prayed. He knew what it was to rejoice in adversity.
It’s easy to be happy when things are going well, but when life or circumstances go against us that is something else. How can we know what it is to rejoice when adversity and worry become our constant travelling companions?
Paul had come to see that no matter his circumstances, that if he looked to everything that Christ had done for him he had reasons to be joyful and praise God, no matter what the reality of his situation looked like. In Christ there was a joy that nothing was able to take from him. There was a joy that enabled him to give thanks in all circumstances, which allowed him to be at peace with God.
The story of Corrie ten Boom is an amazing one. She and her family hid Jewish people in their home to keep them from being taken to the Nazi concentration camps. This resulted in both Corrie and her sister Betsy being taken to a Nazi prison camp as well.
She tells the story that it (the prison camp) was a terrible place, which was riddled with fleas. One day her sister said to her: “I have found something in the Bible that will help us. It says, ‘In all things, give thanks.'”
Corrie said, “I can’t give thanks for the fleas.” Betsy said, “Give thanks that we’re together. Most families have been split up.” Corrie thought, “I can do that.”
Her sister continued, “Give thanks that somehow the guards didn’t check our belongings and our Bible is with us.” She gave thanks for that.
But Corrie said that she would not even think of giving thanks for the fleas. Later, they found out that the only reason they were not molested and harmed by the guards was because their captors were so repulsed by the fleas that they would not enter their cell. Corrie said that this taught her the meaning of giving thanks for all things.
For Paul, joy, peace and thanksgiving were not optional add-ons to a person’s life but instead they were given to help us in times of anxiety and worry, and also to enable us to help others. They don’t make our situations any less real, but they help us to get through them. Sometimes, it’s only in retrospect and with hindsight that we are able to know that joy, peace and thanksgiving.
As we look around us there is plenty to worry about and make us anxious. But there are also many other things that bring joy into our lives. Therefore, no matter what we may be dealing with just now may we use it as a means of deepening our faith in Jesus and of experiencing joy and peace in even the most challenging of situations.
jesus comforts his disciples
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Jesus, the Way to the Father
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Reflection
If you could ask God one question, what would it be?
Questions are an essential ingredient of everyday conversations. They are also of fundamental importance within the Bible. Throughout the Psalms, for example, there are questions of ‘Why’. Why are you so good? But also, why is this happening? There are questions that cause us to praise God but also questions that force us to lament.
And Jesus’ life was filled with people coming to Him and asking questions. That’s one of the main themes throughout John’s Gospel; of questions being asked and answered. And Jesus didn’t mind these questions because they always led to Him offering deep and insightful answers.
At the outset of John’s Gospel, Andrew asks Jesus where He is staying. Shortly thereafter, Nicodemus inquires how a grown man can climb back into his mother's womb; the Samaritan women wants to know where she can get this living water Jesus is talking about. And on it goes, as Peter, Pilate and others all ask Jesus questions that give Him, in turn, a chance to teach more deeply about the truth He has come to reveal.
Therefore, asking questions of and to God, is not a sign of a lack of faith, as some teach, but instead it is an opportunity to gain further insight and understanding.
Today’s reading might be more familiar as a reading that is read at funerals, but also, contained within it, are more of the questions that the disciples ask Jesus.
Jesus has told them that there is a traitor in their midst; He is about to be crucified, that He is about to leave them and return to God, and that they know how to get to that place where He is going. This leads to Thomas asking, “We don’t know where you are going, so how can we know how to get there”. Jesus offers the simple answer; He is the way, and asks again that they trust Him. Then Philip asks, “Show us the Father and we will be satisfied." Or, to put it more directly, "What does God look like?"
Arguably both of these questions are audacious, even inappropriate, but I suspect that for most of us, we understand and sympathise because we have all been there at some point: at our wits end, desperate for some hope that things will get better, for some reason to believe that this tragedy is not all there is.
When we look at the events in the world with this Coronavirus, or the tragedies and perplexities that make up the stories of our own lives, and we see that, just like Jesus’ closest followers, we are not that different from them, Because we too have had moments where we wanted some reassurance, some glimmer of hope, that all that we had heard and learned about God is not just some false story that we have based our lives on.
"Just show us the Father," we plead, "and we will be satisfied" that all these things we have believed throughout the years really are true.
To which Jesus responds, not in frustration but in love, both to Philip and to us, "Have I been with you all this time and yet still you don't know Me? Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father!"
It can be hard, even crushing, in the face of crisis, to believe, trust, and keep faith in and with a God no one can see. But Jesus assures us if we’ve seen Him then we have also seen God, and so we know what God looks like and, more importantly, what God is up to and who God is for.
This is all said the night before His crucifixion, where Jesus goes to the cross for one reason and one reason only: to show us God, to show us God's grace and mercy, to show just how much God loves us and how far God will go to communicate that love to us; so that we might believe and, by believing, have life in His name.
And in this assurance, we can go to Him with all our questions; the hardest ones we have. For this God can handle them; indeed, this God, our God wants them.
The next time we are at our wit’s end and don’t know where to turn, when our questions are numerous and the answers few, we can take those questions and our anxieties to the One who preached God's mercy and taught God's love, the One who healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind, made the lame walk, and then conquered death so that even the grave can no longer claim us.
In the face of everything that we come up against, Jesus says , “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me.” It is God’s answer for the troubled heart. It is God’s acknowledgement that He knows what we are going through. It is God’s answer that He hears our prayers. And it is God’s answer that enables us to keep going when we would rather give up.
14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Jesus, the Way to the Father
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Reflection
If you could ask God one question, what would it be?
Questions are an essential ingredient of everyday conversations. They are also of fundamental importance within the Bible. Throughout the Psalms, for example, there are questions of ‘Why’. Why are you so good? But also, why is this happening? There are questions that cause us to praise God but also questions that force us to lament.
And Jesus’ life was filled with people coming to Him and asking questions. That’s one of the main themes throughout John’s Gospel; of questions being asked and answered. And Jesus didn’t mind these questions because they always led to Him offering deep and insightful answers.
At the outset of John’s Gospel, Andrew asks Jesus where He is staying. Shortly thereafter, Nicodemus inquires how a grown man can climb back into his mother's womb; the Samaritan women wants to know where she can get this living water Jesus is talking about. And on it goes, as Peter, Pilate and others all ask Jesus questions that give Him, in turn, a chance to teach more deeply about the truth He has come to reveal.
Therefore, asking questions of and to God, is not a sign of a lack of faith, as some teach, but instead it is an opportunity to gain further insight and understanding.
Today’s reading might be more familiar as a reading that is read at funerals, but also, contained within it, are more of the questions that the disciples ask Jesus.
Jesus has told them that there is a traitor in their midst; He is about to be crucified, that He is about to leave them and return to God, and that they know how to get to that place where He is going. This leads to Thomas asking, “We don’t know where you are going, so how can we know how to get there”. Jesus offers the simple answer; He is the way, and asks again that they trust Him. Then Philip asks, “Show us the Father and we will be satisfied." Or, to put it more directly, "What does God look like?"
Arguably both of these questions are audacious, even inappropriate, but I suspect that for most of us, we understand and sympathise because we have all been there at some point: at our wits end, desperate for some hope that things will get better, for some reason to believe that this tragedy is not all there is.
When we look at the events in the world with this Coronavirus, or the tragedies and perplexities that make up the stories of our own lives, and we see that, just like Jesus’ closest followers, we are not that different from them, Because we too have had moments where we wanted some reassurance, some glimmer of hope, that all that we had heard and learned about God is not just some false story that we have based our lives on.
"Just show us the Father," we plead, "and we will be satisfied" that all these things we have believed throughout the years really are true.
To which Jesus responds, not in frustration but in love, both to Philip and to us, "Have I been with you all this time and yet still you don't know Me? Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father!"
It can be hard, even crushing, in the face of crisis, to believe, trust, and keep faith in and with a God no one can see. But Jesus assures us if we’ve seen Him then we have also seen God, and so we know what God looks like and, more importantly, what God is up to and who God is for.
This is all said the night before His crucifixion, where Jesus goes to the cross for one reason and one reason only: to show us God, to show us God's grace and mercy, to show just how much God loves us and how far God will go to communicate that love to us; so that we might believe and, by believing, have life in His name.
And in this assurance, we can go to Him with all our questions; the hardest ones we have. For this God can handle them; indeed, this God, our God wants them.
The next time we are at our wit’s end and don’t know where to turn, when our questions are numerous and the answers few, we can take those questions and our anxieties to the One who preached God's mercy and taught God's love, the One who healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind, made the lame walk, and then conquered death so that even the grave can no longer claim us.
In the face of everything that we come up against, Jesus says , “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me.” It is God’s answer for the troubled heart. It is God’s acknowledgement that He knows what we are going through. It is God’s answer that He hears our prayers. And it is God’s answer that enables us to keep going when we would rather give up.
signs of the end of the age
Mark 13:12-23; 35-37 New International Version (NIV)
Signs of the End of the Age
12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child.
Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.
13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved
14 “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
15 Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out.
16 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak.
17 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!
18 Pray that this will not take place in winter, 19 because those will be days of distress unequalled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now--
and never to be equalled again.
20 “If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.
21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it.
22 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.
36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.
37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
Reflection
I must confess that Jesus’ words of the ‘signs of the end of the age’ from Mark’s Gospel, which are also recorded in the Gospel of Matthew have always left me cold, and I have never enjoyed reading them, let alone preaching on them. There is so much going on within the chapter, which entails it being read in its entirety, rather than me just trying to cherry pick a couple of convenient verses from which to base a reflection.
Therefore, I would encourage you to read this as a whole, rather than just the few verses that I have chosen.
It can be easy to look at readings like this and hope that Jesus’ words are for a time and a people at some point in the future.
And yet, when we look at two verses in particular, how could we not look at them and believe that these are prophetic words for the time that we are living in just now:
V14 ‘when you see the abomination that causes desolation, standing where it does not belong
V19 because those will be days of distress unequalled from the beginning…….’
It is no over-reaction to say that the Corona virus has caused a lot of heartache and misery throughout the world. With very few exceptions, most nations have felt its impact. As a result, all of us have had to adjust our lives to suit, and we have even had many commentators saying that life will never be the same again.
I always think that those of us in positions of leadership have to be cautious when looking at certain themes and verses in the Bible, particularly the Apocalyptic parts of scripture as we study Jesus’ words and attempt to apply them to specific events that are going on in the world around us.
For example, I once heard an American tele-evangelist tell his audience that God had told him who the great Satan is, as recorded in the book of Revelation (chapters 12-16). Apparently, it was the European Union!!! And when you listen to a particular theology being proclaimed from those who are like minded, you discover that this is a common thread amongst some preachers.
So using that as my example, and my very long-winded introduction, as to why we should be careful as to how we interpret such parts of the Bible, I think it is still good to reflect on v14, because, even if Jesus does not have the Coronavirus in mind when He is speaking to His disciples and to us, it is nonetheless true that once this virus has been dealt with, and let’s never lose sight of the fact that it will eventually be defeated, it has caused a lot of upheaval, confusion and worry for most, if not all of us.
But, at the end of the chapter there is the challenge to be prepared, to be ready, for the day and hour are unknown. Perhaps we are all in need of a wake-up call to once again draw closer to Jesus. Maybe our prayer life has fallen by the wayside over the years; maybe the fire that burned within us at one time has virtually gone out; maybe reading our Bibles and the works of good Christian authors, of which there are plenty, has been neglected. Maybe even our love for those around us has cooled, and it’s easier to criticise, than love and offer hope and compassion.
These aren’t said by way of criticism, it happens to us all. And perhaps we have been reminded of what is truly important. We all need the reminder that there is only one true source in which we can place all of our hope and trust, and that possibly less time with the news and more time with God will help bring some peace and reassurance into our lives once again.
Thousands of books have been written and millions of words have been spoken, about the end times and the signs of the times. A short five minute reflection would fail to do justice to such a monumental teaching.
But the words from Jesus in today’s apocalyptic reading say that there will be turmoil, there will always be turmoil, but, in the midst of it all, there will always be Jesus to help us through these times.
We are living in times that most of us will be unfamiliar with. We are living in times of great uncertainty. But that has always been the case for the church and the followers of Jesus. Life was just as uncertain for the 1st century followers as it is for us today.
But the promise that we have all been given, is that we can get through times such as these when we remember who we are and whose we are—we are the children and people of the God who created and sustains all things and who loves us unconditionally.
The best response we can offer ourselves in the midst of the pandemic is to once again draw closer to Him and seek comfort in the assurances given to us.
Signs of the End of the Age
12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child.
Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.
13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved
14 “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
15 Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out.
16 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak.
17 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!
18 Pray that this will not take place in winter, 19 because those will be days of distress unequalled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now--
and never to be equalled again.
20 “If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.
21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it.
22 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.
36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.
37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
Reflection
I must confess that Jesus’ words of the ‘signs of the end of the age’ from Mark’s Gospel, which are also recorded in the Gospel of Matthew have always left me cold, and I have never enjoyed reading them, let alone preaching on them. There is so much going on within the chapter, which entails it being read in its entirety, rather than me just trying to cherry pick a couple of convenient verses from which to base a reflection.
Therefore, I would encourage you to read this as a whole, rather than just the few verses that I have chosen.
It can be easy to look at readings like this and hope that Jesus’ words are for a time and a people at some point in the future.
And yet, when we look at two verses in particular, how could we not look at them and believe that these are prophetic words for the time that we are living in just now:
V14 ‘when you see the abomination that causes desolation, standing where it does not belong
V19 because those will be days of distress unequalled from the beginning…….’
It is no over-reaction to say that the Corona virus has caused a lot of heartache and misery throughout the world. With very few exceptions, most nations have felt its impact. As a result, all of us have had to adjust our lives to suit, and we have even had many commentators saying that life will never be the same again.
I always think that those of us in positions of leadership have to be cautious when looking at certain themes and verses in the Bible, particularly the Apocalyptic parts of scripture as we study Jesus’ words and attempt to apply them to specific events that are going on in the world around us.
For example, I once heard an American tele-evangelist tell his audience that God had told him who the great Satan is, as recorded in the book of Revelation (chapters 12-16). Apparently, it was the European Union!!! And when you listen to a particular theology being proclaimed from those who are like minded, you discover that this is a common thread amongst some preachers.
So using that as my example, and my very long-winded introduction, as to why we should be careful as to how we interpret such parts of the Bible, I think it is still good to reflect on v14, because, even if Jesus does not have the Coronavirus in mind when He is speaking to His disciples and to us, it is nonetheless true that once this virus has been dealt with, and let’s never lose sight of the fact that it will eventually be defeated, it has caused a lot of upheaval, confusion and worry for most, if not all of us.
But, at the end of the chapter there is the challenge to be prepared, to be ready, for the day and hour are unknown. Perhaps we are all in need of a wake-up call to once again draw closer to Jesus. Maybe our prayer life has fallen by the wayside over the years; maybe the fire that burned within us at one time has virtually gone out; maybe reading our Bibles and the works of good Christian authors, of which there are plenty, has been neglected. Maybe even our love for those around us has cooled, and it’s easier to criticise, than love and offer hope and compassion.
These aren’t said by way of criticism, it happens to us all. And perhaps we have been reminded of what is truly important. We all need the reminder that there is only one true source in which we can place all of our hope and trust, and that possibly less time with the news and more time with God will help bring some peace and reassurance into our lives once again.
Thousands of books have been written and millions of words have been spoken, about the end times and the signs of the times. A short five minute reflection would fail to do justice to such a monumental teaching.
But the words from Jesus in today’s apocalyptic reading say that there will be turmoil, there will always be turmoil, but, in the midst of it all, there will always be Jesus to help us through these times.
We are living in times that most of us will be unfamiliar with. We are living in times of great uncertainty. But that has always been the case for the church and the followers of Jesus. Life was just as uncertain for the 1st century followers as it is for us today.
But the promise that we have all been given, is that we can get through times such as these when we remember who we are and whose we are—we are the children and people of the God who created and sustains all things and who loves us unconditionally.
The best response we can offer ourselves in the midst of the pandemic is to once again draw closer to Him and seek comfort in the assurances given to us.
the good shepherd and his sheep
John 10:1-11 New International Version (NIV)
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”
6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Reflection
At the moment, many of us might be struggling to believe Jesus’ promise from the last sentence of our reading.
That He has come so that we may have life and have it to the full. Not many of us are experiencing fulfilment at the moment, are we? As we look at the rising numbers of deaths because of this virus, it can be all too easy to forget that these are not statistics but real life people and for every death there are families everywhere who are grieving.
We may be looking at the economy, locally, nationally and internationally and wondering how it’s going to recover from this, and we may be asking what lies ahead when the government(s) take(s) steps to re balance the books and lower the debt levels that have resulted from their attempts to cushion many of us financially from the effects of the lockdown. And, again, there are many who have suffered over this period and we acknowledge that they are not statistics, but stories of everyday people caught up in events and decisions that they ultimately have no control over.
And I wonder how Jesus words of having life to the full ring in their ears when they hear them?
But in amongst the stories of tragedy and hardship that has been brought on too many over the last couple of months are also stories of life once again finding true meaning. The Thursday clap, for example, has become a national event that many take part in as a way of showing appreciation to those in the public services and the wider community of just how much they are appreciated.
Who couldn’t be inspired and marvel at Cpt Tom Moore who has raised over £30 million (at the time of writing) for the NHS by walking round his garden 100 times. It is a story that captured the imagination of the country. Apparently the Just Giving Site that was set up to take donations for his endeavours crashed as he approached the finishing line. There has even been talk of him getting a knighthood.
Then there is Margaret Payne from Sutherland who climbed the equivalent of the Highland mountain Suilven – which is 731m (2,398ft) high – by climbing the stairs in her house 282 times, again doing so as a fundraiser for the NHS. The stories are never ending of people doing what they could, of finding new ways of living their lives, so that others could still enjoy life as well.
It could have been easy and would have been justifiable if Jesus had come to His people and told them: “I have come because you are all sinners and have lost your way. You will need to do a lot of repenting and be continually seeking forgiveness if you want Me to help you out. The future for you is bleak, otherwise”. But He doesn’t say that, instead He promises lives that can find fulfilment through Him.
Jesus doesn’t actually tell us what life to the full, or the abundant life, as some translations describe it, looks like. But it is worth noting that prior to making this statement Jesus had just healed a man who was born blind. Therefore, for the man born blind, life to the full comes through his sight being restored. It is release from dependence. It is freedom, light and a life filled with new opportunities.
This, in turn, invites us to imagine that life to the full will be contextual for all of us. It will mean different things to different people. For the blind man it was the restoration of his sight. For someone lonely and feeling isolated it might be companionship and help. For the bullied teen it might be acceptance and an advocate. For those feeling undervalued it might be dignity and the chance of self-respect or self belief. For the retiree, it might be involvement in a worthwhile cause. You get the picture. 😊
Abundant life looks different in different places and to different people, but it always manifests itself as a response to whatever seeks to rob God’s people of their life, purpose, and joy.
Winston Churchill once said, “We can make a living by what we get, but we can make a life by what we give.”
May the things we give and the things we do be the things that are needed to help bring us and others fulfilled lives. And may it always be done in such a way that points to the Good Shepherd who promises us changed and fulfilled lives that helps to transform us and which in turn transforms the world.
A poem to finish with today, written by Andrew King, called ‘Pasture,’ and based on our reading
There is a place we can find, a good place
like quiet meadows where flowers spread,
like green grasses by gentle streams;
a place where the heart feels nourished,
where the mind is hopeful, unhurried,
where the spirit is glad and at peace.
We’ll name this place fulfillment,
we’ll name it healing and thankfulness,
we’ll name this good place pasture
for there we seek to feed.
And there is a voice we can hear that calls us,
a gentle voice, melodious,
a voice like songbirds and laughter,
like a mother comforting her children,
like a shepherd calling his sheep.
We’ll name this voice acceptance,
we’ll name it mercy and forgiveness,
we’ll name it the voice of God’s love,
inviting us gently to feed.
It invites us to enter pasture
when we think we’re too hurting to listen,
too angry or grieving or fearful
to hear the voice that calls us to peace.
It invites us to enter pasture
when we’re sure we’re too busy to listen,
too burdened or worried or pressured
to hear the voice that calls us to peace.
It says: Come in and go out and find pasture.
It says: We are safe with the shepherd of all sheep.
It says: Meadows await us, in this moment.
It says: Rest in love. Where you are. Joyfully feed.
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”
6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Reflection
At the moment, many of us might be struggling to believe Jesus’ promise from the last sentence of our reading.
That He has come so that we may have life and have it to the full. Not many of us are experiencing fulfilment at the moment, are we? As we look at the rising numbers of deaths because of this virus, it can be all too easy to forget that these are not statistics but real life people and for every death there are families everywhere who are grieving.
We may be looking at the economy, locally, nationally and internationally and wondering how it’s going to recover from this, and we may be asking what lies ahead when the government(s) take(s) steps to re balance the books and lower the debt levels that have resulted from their attempts to cushion many of us financially from the effects of the lockdown. And, again, there are many who have suffered over this period and we acknowledge that they are not statistics, but stories of everyday people caught up in events and decisions that they ultimately have no control over.
And I wonder how Jesus words of having life to the full ring in their ears when they hear them?
But in amongst the stories of tragedy and hardship that has been brought on too many over the last couple of months are also stories of life once again finding true meaning. The Thursday clap, for example, has become a national event that many take part in as a way of showing appreciation to those in the public services and the wider community of just how much they are appreciated.
Who couldn’t be inspired and marvel at Cpt Tom Moore who has raised over £30 million (at the time of writing) for the NHS by walking round his garden 100 times. It is a story that captured the imagination of the country. Apparently the Just Giving Site that was set up to take donations for his endeavours crashed as he approached the finishing line. There has even been talk of him getting a knighthood.
Then there is Margaret Payne from Sutherland who climbed the equivalent of the Highland mountain Suilven – which is 731m (2,398ft) high – by climbing the stairs in her house 282 times, again doing so as a fundraiser for the NHS. The stories are never ending of people doing what they could, of finding new ways of living their lives, so that others could still enjoy life as well.
It could have been easy and would have been justifiable if Jesus had come to His people and told them: “I have come because you are all sinners and have lost your way. You will need to do a lot of repenting and be continually seeking forgiveness if you want Me to help you out. The future for you is bleak, otherwise”. But He doesn’t say that, instead He promises lives that can find fulfilment through Him.
Jesus doesn’t actually tell us what life to the full, or the abundant life, as some translations describe it, looks like. But it is worth noting that prior to making this statement Jesus had just healed a man who was born blind. Therefore, for the man born blind, life to the full comes through his sight being restored. It is release from dependence. It is freedom, light and a life filled with new opportunities.
This, in turn, invites us to imagine that life to the full will be contextual for all of us. It will mean different things to different people. For the blind man it was the restoration of his sight. For someone lonely and feeling isolated it might be companionship and help. For the bullied teen it might be acceptance and an advocate. For those feeling undervalued it might be dignity and the chance of self-respect or self belief. For the retiree, it might be involvement in a worthwhile cause. You get the picture. 😊
Abundant life looks different in different places and to different people, but it always manifests itself as a response to whatever seeks to rob God’s people of their life, purpose, and joy.
Winston Churchill once said, “We can make a living by what we get, but we can make a life by what we give.”
May the things we give and the things we do be the things that are needed to help bring us and others fulfilled lives. And may it always be done in such a way that points to the Good Shepherd who promises us changed and fulfilled lives that helps to transform us and which in turn transforms the world.
A poem to finish with today, written by Andrew King, called ‘Pasture,’ and based on our reading
There is a place we can find, a good place
like quiet meadows where flowers spread,
like green grasses by gentle streams;
a place where the heart feels nourished,
where the mind is hopeful, unhurried,
where the spirit is glad and at peace.
We’ll name this place fulfillment,
we’ll name it healing and thankfulness,
we’ll name this good place pasture
for there we seek to feed.
And there is a voice we can hear that calls us,
a gentle voice, melodious,
a voice like songbirds and laughter,
like a mother comforting her children,
like a shepherd calling his sheep.
We’ll name this voice acceptance,
we’ll name it mercy and forgiveness,
we’ll name it the voice of God’s love,
inviting us gently to feed.
It invites us to enter pasture
when we think we’re too hurting to listen,
too angry or grieving or fearful
to hear the voice that calls us to peace.
It invites us to enter pasture
when we’re sure we’re too busy to listen,
too burdened or worried or pressured
to hear the voice that calls us to peace.
It says: Come in and go out and find pasture.
It says: We are safe with the shepherd of all sheep.
It says: Meadows await us, in this moment.
It says: Rest in love. Where you are. Joyfully feed.
June
small acts of kindness, love AND GENEROSITY
Matthew 10:40-42 New International Version (NIV)
40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me,(A) and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.(B) 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet, will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person, will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
Reflection
What a contrast we have between this week’s reading and last weeks. If you remember from last week, Jesus was talking about the cost of discipleship, about the suffering that will come with it, about Him bringing a sword, rather than peace; and that He had come to bring division rather than unity.
It wasn’t comfortable reading.
And today we see the contrast, as Jesus talks about how the small things of life, and the small things in mission, ministry and so on are just as important as the big things.
What could be more simpler than giving someone a drink of water? We would probably do it without thinking twice. I very much doubt any of us would thing of giving a cup of water to a stranger as being worthy of a Heavenly reward. And yet, in the very last verse of the reading Jesus says: “and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth he will certainly not lose his reward."
What a little thing to do? And yet Jesus says that it is an honourable thing, that carries a heavenly reward.
We often imagine discipleship and being followers of Jesus as requiring huge sacrifice or entailing great feats from us, and sometimes that is exactly what it does involve. But there are also those other times, as Jesus seems to say, where nothing more is asked of us except doing the small, easy, seemingly meaningless things; it’s nothing more than giving a cup of cold water to someone who is in need.
Or offering a hug to someone who is grieving. Or giving a listening ear to someone in need of a friend. Or offering a ride to someone without a car. Or volunteering at the local foodbank. Or making a financial donation to an agency …you get the idea. Discipleship doesn’t have to be heroic.
The small acts of devotion, tenderness, and forgiveness that go largely unnoticed tend to be the ones that are the most important. And thus, in a similar manner the life of faith is composed of a thousand small gestures. Except that, according to Jesus, there is no such thing as a small gesture. Everything has value because anything done in faith and love has significance for the ones involved and, indeed, for the world God loves so much. Basically, the small random acts of goodness that we don’t think twice about doing can be the ones that makes all the difference in the world especially for those who are on the receiving end of them.
Surely, one of the things that we have learned over the last few months is that there are quite a lot of things we can live without, that aren’t as important as we previously thought they were. However there are others, often the small things that we can easily take for granted, like friendships, relationships, acts of kindness, love and generosity that will always be required which enables others to know their value and worth, but also makes us a society of value and worth as well.
One of the small acts that Jesus mentions in our reading is the act of welcoming the other into our midst. And I think one of the strengths that we have in our church is the way we try to welcome others when they come to be with us.
Most of us have an in-built desire to be wanted and needed, and there can be no greater acknowledgement of that to a stranger than in the way we welcome them into our midst.
It’s something we are called to do as if it was Jesus Himself that we were welcoming. But the great thing is that for so many within St Quivox it’s something that comes second nature. So many folk that I have spoken to since coming here, tell me that one of the reasons they come back is because of the way they were welcomed into the church.
Of course, we don’t always get it right, but as long as we continue to strive to be the people that God wants us to be, as long as we remain a place where the words ”all are welcome” are shown to be true rather than just a statement, and as long as love and inclusion remain the norm rather than aspirations to be met, we can be sure that we are on the right path of fulfilling Christ’s mission in this place.
As a church with a small(ish) congregation it can be easy to look around, compare ourselves to others and think that we have nothing much to offer. But may we be assured that it’s in all these small acts of mercy, love and welcome that have been offered throughout the years that has ensured that the name and mission of Jesus has kept going in this part of Ayr.
Jesus has assured us that the day will come when He will return and heal all hurts, and wipe the tears from every eye, but in the mean time we are called to do the small things—to carry out the acts of mercy and deeds of compassion; to love and care for this little corner of the world in which we have been placed. So that even a cup of cold water that we offer will make a huge and unexpected difference to those to whom we give it, which shows that the love of God is still alive and reaching out to His people today.
Amen
40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me,(A) and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.(B) 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet, will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person, will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
Reflection
What a contrast we have between this week’s reading and last weeks. If you remember from last week, Jesus was talking about the cost of discipleship, about the suffering that will come with it, about Him bringing a sword, rather than peace; and that He had come to bring division rather than unity.
It wasn’t comfortable reading.
And today we see the contrast, as Jesus talks about how the small things of life, and the small things in mission, ministry and so on are just as important as the big things.
What could be more simpler than giving someone a drink of water? We would probably do it without thinking twice. I very much doubt any of us would thing of giving a cup of water to a stranger as being worthy of a Heavenly reward. And yet, in the very last verse of the reading Jesus says: “and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth he will certainly not lose his reward."
What a little thing to do? And yet Jesus says that it is an honourable thing, that carries a heavenly reward.
We often imagine discipleship and being followers of Jesus as requiring huge sacrifice or entailing great feats from us, and sometimes that is exactly what it does involve. But there are also those other times, as Jesus seems to say, where nothing more is asked of us except doing the small, easy, seemingly meaningless things; it’s nothing more than giving a cup of cold water to someone who is in need.
Or offering a hug to someone who is grieving. Or giving a listening ear to someone in need of a friend. Or offering a ride to someone without a car. Or volunteering at the local foodbank. Or making a financial donation to an agency …you get the idea. Discipleship doesn’t have to be heroic.
The small acts of devotion, tenderness, and forgiveness that go largely unnoticed tend to be the ones that are the most important. And thus, in a similar manner the life of faith is composed of a thousand small gestures. Except that, according to Jesus, there is no such thing as a small gesture. Everything has value because anything done in faith and love has significance for the ones involved and, indeed, for the world God loves so much. Basically, the small random acts of goodness that we don’t think twice about doing can be the ones that makes all the difference in the world especially for those who are on the receiving end of them.
Surely, one of the things that we have learned over the last few months is that there are quite a lot of things we can live without, that aren’t as important as we previously thought they were. However there are others, often the small things that we can easily take for granted, like friendships, relationships, acts of kindness, love and generosity that will always be required which enables others to know their value and worth, but also makes us a society of value and worth as well.
One of the small acts that Jesus mentions in our reading is the act of welcoming the other into our midst. And I think one of the strengths that we have in our church is the way we try to welcome others when they come to be with us.
Most of us have an in-built desire to be wanted and needed, and there can be no greater acknowledgement of that to a stranger than in the way we welcome them into our midst.
It’s something we are called to do as if it was Jesus Himself that we were welcoming. But the great thing is that for so many within St Quivox it’s something that comes second nature. So many folk that I have spoken to since coming here, tell me that one of the reasons they come back is because of the way they were welcomed into the church.
Of course, we don’t always get it right, but as long as we continue to strive to be the people that God wants us to be, as long as we remain a place where the words ”all are welcome” are shown to be true rather than just a statement, and as long as love and inclusion remain the norm rather than aspirations to be met, we can be sure that we are on the right path of fulfilling Christ’s mission in this place.
As a church with a small(ish) congregation it can be easy to look around, compare ourselves to others and think that we have nothing much to offer. But may we be assured that it’s in all these small acts of mercy, love and welcome that have been offered throughout the years that has ensured that the name and mission of Jesus has kept going in this part of Ayr.
Jesus has assured us that the day will come when He will return and heal all hurts, and wipe the tears from every eye, but in the mean time we are called to do the small things—to carry out the acts of mercy and deeds of compassion; to love and care for this little corner of the world in which we have been placed. So that even a cup of cold water that we offer will make a huge and unexpected difference to those to whom we give it, which shows that the love of God is still alive and reaching out to His people today.
Amen
PRAISE HIM ON THE LOUD CYMBALS!
Psalm 150
1 Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.
Reflection
I don’t think that we should be too surprised that the last book of the Psalms, tells us to praise God. Throughout the Psalms, we go on a journey of many different experiences and emotions as we see every aspect of the human condition on display.
Sandwiched in between Psalm 1 where we are told “Blessed (or happy) is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked” to today's reading where we are told not just to praise God, but to basically praise Him for all we are worth with every means possible, we get to read about despair, anguish, the wonder of the world and so much more besides.
No matter the problem or the situation, the Psalmists seem to be able to articulate them.
By the time we get to the last four psalms, they specifically focus on our need to praise God, and by the time we reach Psalm 150 it reiterates over and over again not just the importance attached to praising God but we also see that each verse grows in intensity as the praise seems to get louder and louder:
Praise the Lord with trumpet, then with lute and harp, then with the tambourine, and as we are doing all of this we are told to do it with dancing. What would our worship be like if we did this every week; but this is not the end, the praise continues with pipes clanging,
then there is the sound of cymbals followed by “loud clashing cymbals”.
With each additional instrument, the crescendo of praise grows louder and less controlled.
This is anything but the kind of dignified praise that we are used to participating in, on a regular basis. Instead, this is the kind of praise that simply ‘goes for it’, as the Psalmist wants to show how much he is thankful to God, and enables him to praise God accordingly.
Eugene Peterson writes: “This is not a 'word of praise' slapped onto whatever mess we are in at the moment. This crafted conclusion of the Psalms tells us that our prayers are going to end in praise, but that it is also going to take a while. Prayer is always reaching towards praise and will finally arrive there. If we persist in prayer, laugh and cry, doubt and believe, struggle and dance and then struggle again, we will surely end up at Psalm 150, on our feet, applauding,
"Encore! Encore!"
After all, there are times when praise of an all-powerful creator does not come easy -- nor does it feel natural or, perhaps, even right. In the face of disaster, sorrow and grief the imperative to praise can ring hollow, no matter how big or grand or amazing the Creator’s deeds might be.
And yet, the call to praise found throughout Psalm 150 takes on an even more profound meaning when placed in the worship and praise of God in our day-to-day living; especially when the day-to-day means early mornings, stomach aches, worries over bills, unemployment, social injustices, travel plans, or sick relatives (and, of course, all the wonderful and good things as well).
The jazz musician, Duke Ellington wrote a Sacred Concerts series, which included a number entitled “Praise God and Dance,” a direct quote from Psalm 150:4: “Praise the Lord! With trumpet sound, with lute and harp, with tambourine and dance!”
Peter Lavezzoli stated that the Sacred Concerts illustrated “how jazz, long denounced in religious circles as vulgar ‘devil’s music,’ can rise to the level of the sacred.” Ellington’s genius in quoting Psalm 150 helped to demonstrate that long before the Sacred Concert series, the ancient Israelites recognized that all musical instruments could be used to praise their God.
Duke Ellington’s masterful “Praise God and Dance!” “made jazz a vehicle for spiritual expression.” He combined the secular, the mundane and the everyday with the sacred, and showed how closely the two are linked. He did this in a time when racism ran rampant throughout the United States, bringing jazz with its trumpets and cymbals and dance -- into stately cathedrals during a period of turmoil and racism when praise of an all-powerful creator or the world which God had made, with all of its injustices, did not always come easily.
The multitudes of human emotions expressed in the Psalms reflect the ebb and flow of human life.
From feelings of hope to ones of despair, from questioning to assurance, from awe to doubt.
We do not find in the book a tidy grouping of Psalms of despair
followed by Psalms of hope
followed by Psalms of awe and wonder.
Rather it is a “messy mix” of Psalms which reflects the human condition – which eventually ends in rejoicing.
Because its only after the whole range of expressions of the human condition have been articulated, heard, and pondered upon that the Psalmist offers the final words of:
HALLELUJAH PRAISE GOD,
“LET ALL THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE THE LORD.”
Encouraging us to praise God in every way possible,
because nothing is too loud or vulgar or inappropriate for praising God.
And to praise God simply because there is much joy and delight in joining with one another
in the symphony of unrestrained praise.
Something that before too long we will all be able to do again.
1 Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.
Reflection
I don’t think that we should be too surprised that the last book of the Psalms, tells us to praise God. Throughout the Psalms, we go on a journey of many different experiences and emotions as we see every aspect of the human condition on display.
Sandwiched in between Psalm 1 where we are told “Blessed (or happy) is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked” to today's reading where we are told not just to praise God, but to basically praise Him for all we are worth with every means possible, we get to read about despair, anguish, the wonder of the world and so much more besides.
No matter the problem or the situation, the Psalmists seem to be able to articulate them.
By the time we get to the last four psalms, they specifically focus on our need to praise God, and by the time we reach Psalm 150 it reiterates over and over again not just the importance attached to praising God but we also see that each verse grows in intensity as the praise seems to get louder and louder:
Praise the Lord with trumpet, then with lute and harp, then with the tambourine, and as we are doing all of this we are told to do it with dancing. What would our worship be like if we did this every week; but this is not the end, the praise continues with pipes clanging,
then there is the sound of cymbals followed by “loud clashing cymbals”.
With each additional instrument, the crescendo of praise grows louder and less controlled.
This is anything but the kind of dignified praise that we are used to participating in, on a regular basis. Instead, this is the kind of praise that simply ‘goes for it’, as the Psalmist wants to show how much he is thankful to God, and enables him to praise God accordingly.
Eugene Peterson writes: “This is not a 'word of praise' slapped onto whatever mess we are in at the moment. This crafted conclusion of the Psalms tells us that our prayers are going to end in praise, but that it is also going to take a while. Prayer is always reaching towards praise and will finally arrive there. If we persist in prayer, laugh and cry, doubt and believe, struggle and dance and then struggle again, we will surely end up at Psalm 150, on our feet, applauding,
"Encore! Encore!"
After all, there are times when praise of an all-powerful creator does not come easy -- nor does it feel natural or, perhaps, even right. In the face of disaster, sorrow and grief the imperative to praise can ring hollow, no matter how big or grand or amazing the Creator’s deeds might be.
And yet, the call to praise found throughout Psalm 150 takes on an even more profound meaning when placed in the worship and praise of God in our day-to-day living; especially when the day-to-day means early mornings, stomach aches, worries over bills, unemployment, social injustices, travel plans, or sick relatives (and, of course, all the wonderful and good things as well).
The jazz musician, Duke Ellington wrote a Sacred Concerts series, which included a number entitled “Praise God and Dance,” a direct quote from Psalm 150:4: “Praise the Lord! With trumpet sound, with lute and harp, with tambourine and dance!”
Peter Lavezzoli stated that the Sacred Concerts illustrated “how jazz, long denounced in religious circles as vulgar ‘devil’s music,’ can rise to the level of the sacred.” Ellington’s genius in quoting Psalm 150 helped to demonstrate that long before the Sacred Concert series, the ancient Israelites recognized that all musical instruments could be used to praise their God.
Duke Ellington’s masterful “Praise God and Dance!” “made jazz a vehicle for spiritual expression.” He combined the secular, the mundane and the everyday with the sacred, and showed how closely the two are linked. He did this in a time when racism ran rampant throughout the United States, bringing jazz with its trumpets and cymbals and dance -- into stately cathedrals during a period of turmoil and racism when praise of an all-powerful creator or the world which God had made, with all of its injustices, did not always come easily.
The multitudes of human emotions expressed in the Psalms reflect the ebb and flow of human life.
From feelings of hope to ones of despair, from questioning to assurance, from awe to doubt.
We do not find in the book a tidy grouping of Psalms of despair
followed by Psalms of hope
followed by Psalms of awe and wonder.
Rather it is a “messy mix” of Psalms which reflects the human condition – which eventually ends in rejoicing.
Because its only after the whole range of expressions of the human condition have been articulated, heard, and pondered upon that the Psalmist offers the final words of:
HALLELUJAH PRAISE GOD,
“LET ALL THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE THE LORD.”
Encouraging us to praise God in every way possible,
because nothing is too loud or vulgar or inappropriate for praising God.
And to praise God simply because there is much joy and delight in joining with one another
in the symphony of unrestrained praise.
Something that before too long we will all be able to do again.
DO NOT FEAR - YOU ARE OF GREAT VALUE TO GOD
Matthew 10: 24-39 (NIV)
24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.(A) 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul,(B) how much more the members of his household!
26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.(C) 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One(D) who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.(E) 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.(F)
32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others,(G) I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.(H)
34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
35 For I have come to turn
“‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law(I)--
36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’[b](J)
37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.(K) 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.(L) 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.(M)
Reflection
Today’s reading is another one of those ‘hard’ readings that we find in the Bible, and it can be particularly hard to listen to when the words are coming out of the mouth of Jesus. It’s one of these readings that probably most of us wish weren’t there, and be assured it’s no different when you’re the minister and you’ve to preach on it because it does seem that Jesus is telling us that being one of His followers entails a lot of struggle and cost rather than something that is joyful and to be encouraged.
However, Jesus words are also reminders that life and life with Him is an ongoing process, it’s hard work, and not always easy; that the path that leads us along the journey of faith is not always a comfortable one. And how many of us have found that out to be true throughout the years?
I think that is one of the reasons why Jesus continually reminds His followers at the beginning of this reading to not be afraid.
It’s the dominant, recurring theme in the opening 5 or so verses. “Do not be afraid”. Fear has that nasty habit of dominating our lives if we let it, doesn’t it? It can creep up on us when we least expect it, it can grab hold of us and refuse to let go.
“Do not be afraid”, and how many of us don’t just need to hear these words today, but also need to believe them.
There is so much going on locally and nationally that can cause us to fear -- fear for our loved ones, fear about an uncertain future, fear for the economy, fear of where our next meal or rent payment will come from, fear of being accepted for who we are, and the list goes on.
But Jesus assures us “Do not fear -- you are of great value to God”.
However, Jesus doesn’t leave things at that, instead He confirms to us that being a follower of His will bring it’s own particular set of challenges, but it’s in these times we will have opportunities to exercise our faith, so that our faith can be taken to a new level.
Matthew may be exploring through his gospel a situation that is now a a reality for his small and new community, as they are facing the choice between following this new version of the faith called Christianity, or keeping to the longer and older traditions of Judaism.
Many of those same followers would be facing the prospect of being rejected by their families, their friends, and their church because they had chosen to become followers of Jesus. Therefore, the words from Matthew would have had considerable meaning for them, but they would also have brought comfort as well, as they were reminded of God’s love and care for them. “What you are going through is to be expected” Jesus (more or less!!!) says “but don’t worry, because in the eyes of God, you are of great worth”.
We hear these words and we think of the situations that these disciples and early followers faced and it can be hard for us to comprehend or relate to what they experienced. But it is a story that has remained true since the time that Jesus spoke these words, where followers of Jesus have had to make tough choices; many have been disowned by families, because they have made a break with the religious tradition that they were brought up in; the story is true for those Christians who have been persecuted and murdered for their faith; those who have to meet secretly, and don’t know from day to day, whether this day will be their last one.
We think of church leadeers such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Germany and Oscar Romero in Latin America, who spoke up and spoke truth to power about the way their countries were being run, and the direction of travel that they were taking, and both were executed for doing so.
The words from Jesus are the reminder that whilst we do preach a message of peace, love and hope we do so in the tension of the dangers that can come with it.
Jesus is encouraging us to grow with Him, and to go with Him, to remain committed to the mission that we have, and that even though there might be opposition we shouldn’t be surprised by it.
Christianity has always involved struggle, but as we struggle, may we become stronger spiritually, which in turn enables us to grow in our faith.
There is a saying: “It is the north wind that made the Vikings strong. Without the north wind, the Vikings would not survive so long.” If the Vikings had lived in a place that was warm, warmer and warmest, they would have never developed the strength to live the lives they did.
In a similar manner Matthew is encouraging us all to hold firm to our faith – saying that although there may be problems and struggles that come with it, we will grow, we will be strengthened, and that the love that Jesus has for us, and the value He places upon us outweighs all the struggles and conflicts that we may and will have to deal with. There may be a cost to our faith, but the price has already been paid to help us get through.
Amen
24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.(A) 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul,(B) how much more the members of his household!
26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.(C) 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One(D) who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.(E) 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.(F)
32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others,(G) I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.(H)
34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
35 For I have come to turn
“‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law(I)--
36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’[b](J)
37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.(K) 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.(L) 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.(M)
Reflection
Today’s reading is another one of those ‘hard’ readings that we find in the Bible, and it can be particularly hard to listen to when the words are coming out of the mouth of Jesus. It’s one of these readings that probably most of us wish weren’t there, and be assured it’s no different when you’re the minister and you’ve to preach on it because it does seem that Jesus is telling us that being one of His followers entails a lot of struggle and cost rather than something that is joyful and to be encouraged.
However, Jesus words are also reminders that life and life with Him is an ongoing process, it’s hard work, and not always easy; that the path that leads us along the journey of faith is not always a comfortable one. And how many of us have found that out to be true throughout the years?
I think that is one of the reasons why Jesus continually reminds His followers at the beginning of this reading to not be afraid.
It’s the dominant, recurring theme in the opening 5 or so verses. “Do not be afraid”. Fear has that nasty habit of dominating our lives if we let it, doesn’t it? It can creep up on us when we least expect it, it can grab hold of us and refuse to let go.
“Do not be afraid”, and how many of us don’t just need to hear these words today, but also need to believe them.
There is so much going on locally and nationally that can cause us to fear -- fear for our loved ones, fear about an uncertain future, fear for the economy, fear of where our next meal or rent payment will come from, fear of being accepted for who we are, and the list goes on.
But Jesus assures us “Do not fear -- you are of great value to God”.
However, Jesus doesn’t leave things at that, instead He confirms to us that being a follower of His will bring it’s own particular set of challenges, but it’s in these times we will have opportunities to exercise our faith, so that our faith can be taken to a new level.
Matthew may be exploring through his gospel a situation that is now a a reality for his small and new community, as they are facing the choice between following this new version of the faith called Christianity, or keeping to the longer and older traditions of Judaism.
Many of those same followers would be facing the prospect of being rejected by their families, their friends, and their church because they had chosen to become followers of Jesus. Therefore, the words from Matthew would have had considerable meaning for them, but they would also have brought comfort as well, as they were reminded of God’s love and care for them. “What you are going through is to be expected” Jesus (more or less!!!) says “but don’t worry, because in the eyes of God, you are of great worth”.
We hear these words and we think of the situations that these disciples and early followers faced and it can be hard for us to comprehend or relate to what they experienced. But it is a story that has remained true since the time that Jesus spoke these words, where followers of Jesus have had to make tough choices; many have been disowned by families, because they have made a break with the religious tradition that they were brought up in; the story is true for those Christians who have been persecuted and murdered for their faith; those who have to meet secretly, and don’t know from day to day, whether this day will be their last one.
We think of church leadeers such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Germany and Oscar Romero in Latin America, who spoke up and spoke truth to power about the way their countries were being run, and the direction of travel that they were taking, and both were executed for doing so.
The words from Jesus are the reminder that whilst we do preach a message of peace, love and hope we do so in the tension of the dangers that can come with it.
Jesus is encouraging us to grow with Him, and to go with Him, to remain committed to the mission that we have, and that even though there might be opposition we shouldn’t be surprised by it.
Christianity has always involved struggle, but as we struggle, may we become stronger spiritually, which in turn enables us to grow in our faith.
There is a saying: “It is the north wind that made the Vikings strong. Without the north wind, the Vikings would not survive so long.” If the Vikings had lived in a place that was warm, warmer and warmest, they would have never developed the strength to live the lives they did.
In a similar manner Matthew is encouraging us all to hold firm to our faith – saying that although there may be problems and struggles that come with it, we will grow, we will be strengthened, and that the love that Jesus has for us, and the value He places upon us outweighs all the struggles and conflicts that we may and will have to deal with. There may be a cost to our faith, but the price has already been paid to help us get through.
Amen
THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH
Nehemiah 8:1-12 New International Version (NIV)
8 1 all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate.(A) They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses,(B) which the Lord had commanded for Israel.
2 So on the first day of the seventh month(C) Ezra the priest brought the Law(D) before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate(E) in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
4 Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform(F) built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.
5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing(G) above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.
6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands(H) and responded, “Amen! Amen!”
Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
7 The Levites(I)—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed(J) the people in the Law while the people were standing there. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear[a] and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.
9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites(K) who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.”(L) For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing(M) prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy(N) of the Lord is your strength.”
11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.”
12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy,(O) because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.
Reflection
In stressful and uncertain times, it’s easy to lose perspective, and we can end up focussing on all those things that are wrong and worry us, where even the smallest of agitations turn into major catastrophes, and we can lose sight of those other things that are good; those things that we have been able to rely on which brought us hope and joy previously.
When we are drawn to the negative, joy can feel so far away from us can’t it?
Prior to today’s reading the people of God had gone through a torrid time. Jerusalem had been taken over and destroyed. Nehemiah had returned to his homeland in order to rebuild the city’s walls. But there had been a lot of outside interference from others to prevent the wall being built and the city regaining a semblance of its former self. Nehemiah and the people were both ridiculed and threatened; every dirty and not so dirty trick in the book was used to stop the work being done. The obstacles to the rebuilding were fierce and numerous, but Nehemiah persisted, and eventually succeeded in restoring Jerusalem’s wall and gates.
Once this was done, he then invited all the people to gather in the square before the Water Gate for an assembly, so that they could hear God’s word being spoken to them. The people came together as one, because this was a community event.
It’s worth bearing in mind that at that time not many people could read, reading was restricted to the elite It was therefore a very oral society with literacy rates at less than 3%. Most people did not have direct access to the Word of God and that is why the book or scroll was brought before the people, so that everyone could hear the teachings of God.
And as they listened to God’s Word being spoken to them they began to cry. We don’t know why they started to cry; perhaps they realised how far they had strayed from the path that God had set before them. Maybe they lost sight of learning to trust in God and all of His goodness; maybe they had begun to realize that they had forgotten the core foundations of their faith. Maybe they had simply forgotten all about the Divine love that God has for His people. But whatever it was, once the word of God had been explained to them they all began to weep. Not just one or two of them, but the whole community began to cry, and they wept as one.
When was the last time any of us began to weep or even seriously reflect, after reading or hearing God’s word being spoken to us? It’s not something we do very often is it? Sometimes we hear the tricky teachings and always believe they are for ‘others’.
But God doesn’t use such times or readings to condemn us, instead they are reminders of the love that He has for us, and to remind us of His continued faithfulness towards His people.
And that’s why, as Nehemiah watched over everything that was enfolding before him, he spoke up and reassured the people, that there was no need for them to cry, or feel the way they did. “This day is sacred to the Lord your God, do not mourn or weep”, he says. “Instead of weeping and mourning, go home and celebrate. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine. If you have more than enough for yourself, share with those who have nothing so they too can celebrate”.
And they can do all of this because the joy of the Lord is their strength. In times of great difficulty and pressure, the words of Nehemiah are the words that we need to remind ourselves of, in that we can face these times because of the joy that God has placed inside us. A joy that gives us the strength to persevere in the toughest of times; a joy that enables us to keep going especially when we believe that the finger of condemnation is pointing in our direction.
The challenge for all of us is to read and hear the word and know “the joy of the Lord” because too often we experience times of hurt, brokenness and misery, and end up with feelings of guilt and failure from the mistakes of the past.
Grief and loss can be travelling companions who refuse to go away.
Yet the words of assurance from Nehemiah are the reminder that:
because of the love that God has for us
we are still able to know His joy in all those things that we experience in our lives.
The poet John O’Donohue describes it more imaginatively and colourfully:
On the day when the weight deadens on your shoulders and you stumble,
may the clay dance to balance you.
And when your eyes freeze behind the grey window
and the ghost of loss gets in to you,
may a flock of colours, indigo, red, green, and azure blue,
come to awaken in you a meadow of delight.
Amen
8 1 all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate.(A) They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses,(B) which the Lord had commanded for Israel.
2 So on the first day of the seventh month(C) Ezra the priest brought the Law(D) before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate(E) in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
4 Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform(F) built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.
5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing(G) above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.
6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands(H) and responded, “Amen! Amen!”
Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
7 The Levites(I)—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed(J) the people in the Law while the people were standing there. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear[a] and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.
9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites(K) who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.”(L) For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing(M) prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy(N) of the Lord is your strength.”
11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.”
12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy,(O) because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.
Reflection
In stressful and uncertain times, it’s easy to lose perspective, and we can end up focussing on all those things that are wrong and worry us, where even the smallest of agitations turn into major catastrophes, and we can lose sight of those other things that are good; those things that we have been able to rely on which brought us hope and joy previously.
When we are drawn to the negative, joy can feel so far away from us can’t it?
Prior to today’s reading the people of God had gone through a torrid time. Jerusalem had been taken over and destroyed. Nehemiah had returned to his homeland in order to rebuild the city’s walls. But there had been a lot of outside interference from others to prevent the wall being built and the city regaining a semblance of its former self. Nehemiah and the people were both ridiculed and threatened; every dirty and not so dirty trick in the book was used to stop the work being done. The obstacles to the rebuilding were fierce and numerous, but Nehemiah persisted, and eventually succeeded in restoring Jerusalem’s wall and gates.
Once this was done, he then invited all the people to gather in the square before the Water Gate for an assembly, so that they could hear God’s word being spoken to them. The people came together as one, because this was a community event.
It’s worth bearing in mind that at that time not many people could read, reading was restricted to the elite It was therefore a very oral society with literacy rates at less than 3%. Most people did not have direct access to the Word of God and that is why the book or scroll was brought before the people, so that everyone could hear the teachings of God.
And as they listened to God’s Word being spoken to them they began to cry. We don’t know why they started to cry; perhaps they realised how far they had strayed from the path that God had set before them. Maybe they lost sight of learning to trust in God and all of His goodness; maybe they had begun to realize that they had forgotten the core foundations of their faith. Maybe they had simply forgotten all about the Divine love that God has for His people. But whatever it was, once the word of God had been explained to them they all began to weep. Not just one or two of them, but the whole community began to cry, and they wept as one.
When was the last time any of us began to weep or even seriously reflect, after reading or hearing God’s word being spoken to us? It’s not something we do very often is it? Sometimes we hear the tricky teachings and always believe they are for ‘others’.
But God doesn’t use such times or readings to condemn us, instead they are reminders of the love that He has for us, and to remind us of His continued faithfulness towards His people.
And that’s why, as Nehemiah watched over everything that was enfolding before him, he spoke up and reassured the people, that there was no need for them to cry, or feel the way they did. “This day is sacred to the Lord your God, do not mourn or weep”, he says. “Instead of weeping and mourning, go home and celebrate. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine. If you have more than enough for yourself, share with those who have nothing so they too can celebrate”.
And they can do all of this because the joy of the Lord is their strength. In times of great difficulty and pressure, the words of Nehemiah are the words that we need to remind ourselves of, in that we can face these times because of the joy that God has placed inside us. A joy that gives us the strength to persevere in the toughest of times; a joy that enables us to keep going especially when we believe that the finger of condemnation is pointing in our direction.
The challenge for all of us is to read and hear the word and know “the joy of the Lord” because too often we experience times of hurt, brokenness and misery, and end up with feelings of guilt and failure from the mistakes of the past.
Grief and loss can be travelling companions who refuse to go away.
Yet the words of assurance from Nehemiah are the reminder that:
because of the love that God has for us
we are still able to know His joy in all those things that we experience in our lives.
The poet John O’Donohue describes it more imaginatively and colourfully:
On the day when the weight deadens on your shoulders and you stumble,
may the clay dance to balance you.
And when your eyes freeze behind the grey window
and the ghost of loss gets in to you,
may a flock of colours, indigo, red, green, and azure blue,
come to awaken in you a meadow of delight.
Amen
the workers are few
Matthew 9:35-38 NIV
The Workers Are Few
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.(A) 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them,(B) because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.(C) 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest(D) is plentiful but the workers are few.(E) 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits(F) and to heal every disease and sickness.(G)
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.(H)
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.(I) 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.(J) 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven(K) has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
Reflection
When we hear that word ‘mission’ it can bring many of us out in a cold sweat because it can be hard at times telling others that we are followers of Jesus; that we are members of the local Church and that what we believe Jesus has done for us, He can do for them as well.
In short however, mission is basically going and reaching out to others in the same way that Jesus did, of being His arms and feet in our communities, and showing and sharing His compassion and love.
Whilst for some, mission may take them to another part of the world, for the rest of us it will simply mean remaining where we are and working more locally.
In the reading, Jesus was going to all the towns and villages, and when He got to them and saw the crowds He was filled with sadness; and the compassion that He had for them moved Him, because they were people who were looking for more; not just from Him, but from life in general; they were harassed and helpless and in need of some hope.
Jesus looked at them, and looked at the disciples, and said; “there are not enough people to help them” and it is at this point that He tells them that despite the lack of numbers, and the lack of resources, they would be the ones to go and continue with the work that He was already doing.
These twelve disciples were just the same as us, they weren’t trained missionaries, they probably thought they weren’t good enough; maybe even wondered how it would all be possible.
But Jesus helped them to keep it simple; have compassion; go to those who are hurting, and in pain; those whose lives are messed up, and show them nothing but love. Heal them, help them, but most of all be with them.
The way we reach out to those around us is always done through the heart of love and the eyes of empathy.
Sometimes it’s easy to get cynical, sometimes we want to point out others mistakes ‘in love’, sometimes we think we know what is best for them, but that was never Jesus’ way. Instead He looked at a person and saw them as a child of God, loved them and was moved to help them.
And when you look at those He chose to help accomplish this, we see that none of them were perfect. They were twelve disciples with different personalities and dispositions; a mixture of four fishermen, two others who had hot tempers, a government tax collector who worked for the Romans and was thus not very popular, and a political zealot. Not exactly soul winning material!!
Maybe not people we would want on the front line of church activity, but despite those things, Jesus had chosen them personally and trusted that they would remain faithful to what was being asked of them.
In Mark’s Gospel we are told the results of this mission-- it had been a success; when the disciples returned to Jesus they reported that they had indeed healed the sick, driven out demons and preached to those who needed to hear it. Despite their apparent lack of ability, and maybe even credibility, they had been able to do those things that had been asked of them.
It wasn’t rocket science, they kept it simple. They went to the needy, the sick the blind and those with a real need for God’s help in their lives. And in return they got to see the power and presence of God not just helping them, but also helping those to whom they went.
Things haven’t changed that much for us today. There is still a need—the harvest is still a reality, a sense of hopelessness for too many needs to be replaced, too many are living lives that are shattered and are in need of being put back together again.
For them and such as those may we continue to be a church and a community that looks out for the needs of one another; a church and a community with the message that says:
The kingdom of God is at hand. God is real and wants to make a difference. Effectively that was the message Jesus gave to His followers ; Go and be a community of people with those who might reject you but watch how God can and will work around you and within you.
And then the disciples went on a journey of discovery, as they found out more about themselves, but also more about what God was able to do through those who look at others through the eyes of empathy and love.
It's an act of trust and faith, as we go out two by two; us and God. But may we know that because God is there by our sides, as our travelling companion, we are able to act in courage, confidence, humility and strength as we offer hope and compassion to both friend and stranger alike.
The Workers Are Few
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.(A) 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them,(B) because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.(C) 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest(D) is plentiful but the workers are few.(E) 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits(F) and to heal every disease and sickness.(G)
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.(H)
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.(I) 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.(J) 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven(K) has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
Reflection
When we hear that word ‘mission’ it can bring many of us out in a cold sweat because it can be hard at times telling others that we are followers of Jesus; that we are members of the local Church and that what we believe Jesus has done for us, He can do for them as well.
In short however, mission is basically going and reaching out to others in the same way that Jesus did, of being His arms and feet in our communities, and showing and sharing His compassion and love.
Whilst for some, mission may take them to another part of the world, for the rest of us it will simply mean remaining where we are and working more locally.
In the reading, Jesus was going to all the towns and villages, and when He got to them and saw the crowds He was filled with sadness; and the compassion that He had for them moved Him, because they were people who were looking for more; not just from Him, but from life in general; they were harassed and helpless and in need of some hope.
Jesus looked at them, and looked at the disciples, and said; “there are not enough people to help them” and it is at this point that He tells them that despite the lack of numbers, and the lack of resources, they would be the ones to go and continue with the work that He was already doing.
These twelve disciples were just the same as us, they weren’t trained missionaries, they probably thought they weren’t good enough; maybe even wondered how it would all be possible.
But Jesus helped them to keep it simple; have compassion; go to those who are hurting, and in pain; those whose lives are messed up, and show them nothing but love. Heal them, help them, but most of all be with them.
The way we reach out to those around us is always done through the heart of love and the eyes of empathy.
Sometimes it’s easy to get cynical, sometimes we want to point out others mistakes ‘in love’, sometimes we think we know what is best for them, but that was never Jesus’ way. Instead He looked at a person and saw them as a child of God, loved them and was moved to help them.
And when you look at those He chose to help accomplish this, we see that none of them were perfect. They were twelve disciples with different personalities and dispositions; a mixture of four fishermen, two others who had hot tempers, a government tax collector who worked for the Romans and was thus not very popular, and a political zealot. Not exactly soul winning material!!
Maybe not people we would want on the front line of church activity, but despite those things, Jesus had chosen them personally and trusted that they would remain faithful to what was being asked of them.
In Mark’s Gospel we are told the results of this mission-- it had been a success; when the disciples returned to Jesus they reported that they had indeed healed the sick, driven out demons and preached to those who needed to hear it. Despite their apparent lack of ability, and maybe even credibility, they had been able to do those things that had been asked of them.
It wasn’t rocket science, they kept it simple. They went to the needy, the sick the blind and those with a real need for God’s help in their lives. And in return they got to see the power and presence of God not just helping them, but also helping those to whom they went.
Things haven’t changed that much for us today. There is still a need—the harvest is still a reality, a sense of hopelessness for too many needs to be replaced, too many are living lives that are shattered and are in need of being put back together again.
For them and such as those may we continue to be a church and a community that looks out for the needs of one another; a church and a community with the message that says:
The kingdom of God is at hand. God is real and wants to make a difference. Effectively that was the message Jesus gave to His followers ; Go and be a community of people with those who might reject you but watch how God can and will work around you and within you.
And then the disciples went on a journey of discovery, as they found out more about themselves, but also more about what God was able to do through those who look at others through the eyes of empathy and love.
It's an act of trust and faith, as we go out two by two; us and God. But may we know that because God is there by our sides, as our travelling companion, we are able to act in courage, confidence, humility and strength as we offer hope and compassion to both friend and stranger alike.
joy, laughter and god's cosmic joke
Proverbs 15:30 (NIV)
30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Reflection
When is the last time that you had a right good laugh? What kind of things appeal to your sense of humour? I want to encourage you to think about those things for a moment or two and allow yourself the opportunity to smile or laugh, because I don’t think it’s something we do as often as we should.
Sometimes, as Christians we don’t allow ourselves the opportunity to have a merry heart, and enjoy the lighter side of life. Even though there may and will be times of crisis, despondency and struggle we are still allowed to look around us and laugh. For example, the Bible tells us in such places as Psalm 2:4 that God laughs, and after all are we not meant to be trying to live by His Word and follow His example?
Too often we remain stuck at the opposite end of the spectrum preferring the perceived sobriety of having long faces and appearing glum rather than admitting that we enjoy life and like nothing better than having a good laugh, although we also know and acknowledge that for many there is nothing to laugh at in their lives just now.
There are many reasons why we shouldn’t feel guilty about laughing and why it’s not irreverent for there being humour in our services. After all we have ‘good news’ to tell.
Good news should always make us happy and fill us with joy and happiness. Jesus spoke many times about his followers receiving His joy. For example in John’s gospel, he records Jesus as saying that He came to give us an abundant life, not one that is full of despair and depression –
“the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy: I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” John 10:10). That should make you smile😊
In the same Gospel, shortly before being arrested and crucified He said:“I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (15:11)
Elsewhere, the Bible tell us about joy at the time of the nativity, when the magi, upon finding the infant Jesus, were "overjoyed" and angels rejoiced at the proclamation of the birth of Jesus.
Luke records three parables in which there was much rejoicing. Upon finding the lost sheep, the shepherd rejoices ( 15:3-7 ). The woman rejoices upon finding the lost coin ( 15:8-10 ). The prodigal son's return brings rejoicing ( 15:11-32 ). And these are just some examples.
But not only did Jesus tell us about joy and pray that we would have it in our lives, there are also medical advantages to having a good laugh and looking at the brighter side of life.
Hearty laughter is cardio-protective! It’s good for your heart. It increases circulation and improves the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues throughout your body. Furthermore, it is a natural stress reliever. Have you ever laughed so hard that you doubled over, fell off your chair, spat out your food or drink? You cannot maintain muscle tension when you are laughing.
Laughter aids breathing by disrupting your normal respiration pattern and increasing your breathing rate. It can even help clear mucus from your lungs.
It has been said that a child laughs 400 times a day on average while an adult laughs only 15 times per day. And you can draw your own conclusions as to why that is; but laughter is good for us all.
During the middle ages Easter sermons often began with and contained jokes. In addition, telling jokes both inside and outside of church, and in family gatherings, was a common practice on Easter Sunday in the Orthodox Tradition. The basis of all joke telling was the cosmic joke that God had pulled off through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That Easter morning, God had the last laugh, and the whole world laughed at the devil’s surprise, embarrassment, and discomfort.
Medically and theologically it is a fact that joy and laughter are good for us. And even though life is not always rosy and fun, may we take moments to focus on the good, to find reasons to smile and laugh and by doing so may we make the tough times that we and others face a bit easier and more bearable. Because at its fullest and best a life with Jesus should be one of fundamental joy and happiness which places a spring in the step, puts songs on lips and hope and love inside every heart.
We may not be able to do much about the problems in the world or be able to change the situation we are facing, but if we can awaken the eternal beauty and light within us that shines every time we laugh we will take light and happiness with us wherever we go.
And even the simplicity of a smile can touch hearts and change situations in ways that we can never fully appreciate.
30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Reflection
When is the last time that you had a right good laugh? What kind of things appeal to your sense of humour? I want to encourage you to think about those things for a moment or two and allow yourself the opportunity to smile or laugh, because I don’t think it’s something we do as often as we should.
Sometimes, as Christians we don’t allow ourselves the opportunity to have a merry heart, and enjoy the lighter side of life. Even though there may and will be times of crisis, despondency and struggle we are still allowed to look around us and laugh. For example, the Bible tells us in such places as Psalm 2:4 that God laughs, and after all are we not meant to be trying to live by His Word and follow His example?
Too often we remain stuck at the opposite end of the spectrum preferring the perceived sobriety of having long faces and appearing glum rather than admitting that we enjoy life and like nothing better than having a good laugh, although we also know and acknowledge that for many there is nothing to laugh at in their lives just now.
There are many reasons why we shouldn’t feel guilty about laughing and why it’s not irreverent for there being humour in our services. After all we have ‘good news’ to tell.
Good news should always make us happy and fill us with joy and happiness. Jesus spoke many times about his followers receiving His joy. For example in John’s gospel, he records Jesus as saying that He came to give us an abundant life, not one that is full of despair and depression –
“the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy: I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” John 10:10). That should make you smile😊
In the same Gospel, shortly before being arrested and crucified He said:“I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (15:11)
Elsewhere, the Bible tell us about joy at the time of the nativity, when the magi, upon finding the infant Jesus, were "overjoyed" and angels rejoiced at the proclamation of the birth of Jesus.
Luke records three parables in which there was much rejoicing. Upon finding the lost sheep, the shepherd rejoices ( 15:3-7 ). The woman rejoices upon finding the lost coin ( 15:8-10 ). The prodigal son's return brings rejoicing ( 15:11-32 ). And these are just some examples.
But not only did Jesus tell us about joy and pray that we would have it in our lives, there are also medical advantages to having a good laugh and looking at the brighter side of life.
Hearty laughter is cardio-protective! It’s good for your heart. It increases circulation and improves the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues throughout your body. Furthermore, it is a natural stress reliever. Have you ever laughed so hard that you doubled over, fell off your chair, spat out your food or drink? You cannot maintain muscle tension when you are laughing.
Laughter aids breathing by disrupting your normal respiration pattern and increasing your breathing rate. It can even help clear mucus from your lungs.
It has been said that a child laughs 400 times a day on average while an adult laughs only 15 times per day. And you can draw your own conclusions as to why that is; but laughter is good for us all.
During the middle ages Easter sermons often began with and contained jokes. In addition, telling jokes both inside and outside of church, and in family gatherings, was a common practice on Easter Sunday in the Orthodox Tradition. The basis of all joke telling was the cosmic joke that God had pulled off through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That Easter morning, God had the last laugh, and the whole world laughed at the devil’s surprise, embarrassment, and discomfort.
Medically and theologically it is a fact that joy and laughter are good for us. And even though life is not always rosy and fun, may we take moments to focus on the good, to find reasons to smile and laugh and by doing so may we make the tough times that we and others face a bit easier and more bearable. Because at its fullest and best a life with Jesus should be one of fundamental joy and happiness which places a spring in the step, puts songs on lips and hope and love inside every heart.
We may not be able to do much about the problems in the world or be able to change the situation we are facing, but if we can awaken the eternal beauty and light within us that shines every time we laugh we will take light and happiness with us wherever we go.
And even the simplicity of a smile can touch hearts and change situations in ways that we can never fully appreciate.
the great commission, and also communion
Matthew 28:16-20 New International Version (NIV)
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.(A) 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.(B) 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,(C) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,(D) 20 and teaching(E) them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you(F) always, to the very end of the age.”(G)
If we were living in normal times, then today we would be gathered in Church for Communion rather than reading the reflection on-line and wondering what we were going to do for the rest of the day. In fact, amongst the last things that happened within the Church before lockdown, was the Communion service in March at Dalmilling and the wedding of Arwel and Marianne at Auchincruive. The wedding being the last time that many of us met in any type of capacity at all.
Both the Communion and the wedding were great events of people coming together and sharing in a time of joy and love.
Communion today would have been no different if we had all been gathered under the one roof; the joy, peace and love that we have for one another and share with each other would have been given and received and it would have been the great reminder, of all that Jesus has done and promised us.
And in today’s reading He gives the disciples ‘the Great Commission’, but before doing so we notice a few things taking place; first of all the disciples worshipped together. But despite having already met Jesus many times post Resurrection, some of them were still filled with doubt. Matthew doesn’t tell us what the doubts were, but it’s just enough for us to know that, amongst Jesus' closest followers, all was not well within some of them.
Is this not a great picture for us to hold on to, because how many reading this reflection today have had similar experiences of coming to church and struggling to worship because we’ve had our doubts; we’ve had these times when we’ve worshipped through gritted teeth rather than with hearts that are full of joy and praise?
How many times have we been in church and the reality is, that church is the last place we really wanted to be?
And what we also see from within the reading is that Jesus went to the disciples. They weren’t summoned to appear before Him, they weren’t being called to account for their lack of faith. Nobody was asked “what do I have to do to remove the doubt that still lingers within you”? Instead, Jesus went to them and gave them, and by extent us, the greatest sign of the faith that He had in them: ‘go and take the Good News into all the world,’ and He did so because He believed that they were able to do it.
He gave them the confidence to do so by assuring them that He would always be with them. And it’s a promise that still stands true for us today, that Jesus is with us, despite our doubts and our concerns, despite those things that have the ability to catch us unaware, and despite those fears we may have about taking the great commission into the world.
Let’s be honest how many of us are comfortable when we start talking to others about Jesus or our faith?
When we hear these instructions to go and make disciples of all the nations and teach them to obey everything He has commanded, it can be quite daunting, even overwhelming.
But thankfully God is patient with us, and He knows our abilities and limitations. And whilst we may not believe we have made much of a difference in taking the Great Commission into the world, the truth is we are taking it, and sharing it every day, for better or for worse, to the people we know and the people we meet; through loving them, welcoming them and enhancing their self worth as part of God’s created order.
Every time we see another in the same way that Jesus sees them, and treat them similarly, we have shared the Gospel with them. Even though we think spreading the Good News is the job of someone more qualified than ourselves, the truth is most of us have been taking and sharing the Good News most of our lives, through the small acts of kindness and love that we so often offer without even thinking about. Those acts that enable us to know and experience the true presence of God in our lives.
Paul encouraged the church in Corinth along similar lines: “agree with one another” and “live in peace” and in doing so “the God of love and peace” would be with them.
There is a lot of suffering and injustice around us; we don’t need to go far to see it but in the midst of it there is also the opportunity to share compassion, love, grace and peace.
There is an opportunity of bringing hope.
And as we share what we have, may we too experience for ourselves the Divine compassion, love, grace, and peace from the One Who has promised to be always with us.
Sacrament of Communion
We have that opportunity once again, to come to God’s table of love, and experience His compassion, grace and peace, as we usually do at this time of year. Even though we aren’t meeting as a church, I invite everyone (if you want to) to celebrate Communion from the comfort of your own home, just so that you can be reminded that despite us being locked away from one another we are still joined together as a family; that Jesus is still with us; and that in receiving Communion we are once again affirming our role as a body of believers who span the world and have spanned the generations.
If you get yourself a bit of bread and wine/juice here is a mini liturgy to help you:
Gathered round a table is where Jesus so often met people;
Gathered round a table where he could see people face to face, listen to their stories and share in their laughter.
And here we are gathered round a table because this is where Jesus has promised to be for those who want to meet him.
“The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”
What we do here, we do because it is Jesus’ will.
During the meal with his friends he took bread and blessed it and broke it, and said
This is my body. It is given for you. Do this to remember me.
Later He took a cup of wine, and after giving thanks said, “in this cup is the new relationship with God, made possible because of my death. Drink it all of you to remember me.”
And, as he said a prayer before sharing, let us do likewise
Let us pray
It is right to come and praise you, for you are the one from whom we came and the one to whom we will return.
And we praise You with all those from around the world, who love and honour the name of Jesus
as we sing the hymn of your everlasting Glory
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD GOD OF POWER AND MIGHT;
HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE FULL OF YOUR GLORY
HOSANA IN THE HIGHEST.
BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.
God of all, As we do what Jesus once did, let your Spirit move among us
To settle on this bread and wine that they may become for us the body and blood of Christ.
And let that same Spirit stir our souls so that as we share this sacrament we may recognise our Lord and receive Him so that He may be in us and we in Him forever.
Amen
Among friends, gathered round a table, Jesus took bread
And when He had blessed it, he broke it and said:
“Take this and eat it. It is my body, given for you. Do this to remember me
Then later during the meal he took a cup of wine and when he had given thanks he said:
“In this cup is the new relationship with god made possible because of my death Drink it all of you to remember me.”
Come now because this is the invitation that Jesus gives to us.
Come now because this is the Lords table and he has come and joined with us to share in this meal
Come now because it is His desire that we be one with Him
Come now All you who hunger and thirst for a better life, for a deeper faith, for a better world.
Here is the bread of life, feed on it with gratitude.
Here is the cup of salvation, drink from it and believe.
These are the gifts of God for the people of God, thanks be to God
Eat bread and drink juice or wine now
The angels said it to startled shepherds, and Jesus said it to frightened followers. And now these words which come from heaven are shared to make us whole and make us one.
PEACE BE WITH YOU
Dismissal
You have shared the bread and wine, signs of Jesus’ love for us.
You have shared in the Peace that is always offered to us.
Go now and share that same love and peace that is there for all people.
Amen
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.(A) 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.(B) 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,(C) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,(D) 20 and teaching(E) them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you(F) always, to the very end of the age.”(G)
If we were living in normal times, then today we would be gathered in Church for Communion rather than reading the reflection on-line and wondering what we were going to do for the rest of the day. In fact, amongst the last things that happened within the Church before lockdown, was the Communion service in March at Dalmilling and the wedding of Arwel and Marianne at Auchincruive. The wedding being the last time that many of us met in any type of capacity at all.
Both the Communion and the wedding were great events of people coming together and sharing in a time of joy and love.
Communion today would have been no different if we had all been gathered under the one roof; the joy, peace and love that we have for one another and share with each other would have been given and received and it would have been the great reminder, of all that Jesus has done and promised us.
And in today’s reading He gives the disciples ‘the Great Commission’, but before doing so we notice a few things taking place; first of all the disciples worshipped together. But despite having already met Jesus many times post Resurrection, some of them were still filled with doubt. Matthew doesn’t tell us what the doubts were, but it’s just enough for us to know that, amongst Jesus' closest followers, all was not well within some of them.
Is this not a great picture for us to hold on to, because how many reading this reflection today have had similar experiences of coming to church and struggling to worship because we’ve had our doubts; we’ve had these times when we’ve worshipped through gritted teeth rather than with hearts that are full of joy and praise?
How many times have we been in church and the reality is, that church is the last place we really wanted to be?
And what we also see from within the reading is that Jesus went to the disciples. They weren’t summoned to appear before Him, they weren’t being called to account for their lack of faith. Nobody was asked “what do I have to do to remove the doubt that still lingers within you”? Instead, Jesus went to them and gave them, and by extent us, the greatest sign of the faith that He had in them: ‘go and take the Good News into all the world,’ and He did so because He believed that they were able to do it.
He gave them the confidence to do so by assuring them that He would always be with them. And it’s a promise that still stands true for us today, that Jesus is with us, despite our doubts and our concerns, despite those things that have the ability to catch us unaware, and despite those fears we may have about taking the great commission into the world.
Let’s be honest how many of us are comfortable when we start talking to others about Jesus or our faith?
When we hear these instructions to go and make disciples of all the nations and teach them to obey everything He has commanded, it can be quite daunting, even overwhelming.
But thankfully God is patient with us, and He knows our abilities and limitations. And whilst we may not believe we have made much of a difference in taking the Great Commission into the world, the truth is we are taking it, and sharing it every day, for better or for worse, to the people we know and the people we meet; through loving them, welcoming them and enhancing their self worth as part of God’s created order.
Every time we see another in the same way that Jesus sees them, and treat them similarly, we have shared the Gospel with them. Even though we think spreading the Good News is the job of someone more qualified than ourselves, the truth is most of us have been taking and sharing the Good News most of our lives, through the small acts of kindness and love that we so often offer without even thinking about. Those acts that enable us to know and experience the true presence of God in our lives.
Paul encouraged the church in Corinth along similar lines: “agree with one another” and “live in peace” and in doing so “the God of love and peace” would be with them.
There is a lot of suffering and injustice around us; we don’t need to go far to see it but in the midst of it there is also the opportunity to share compassion, love, grace and peace.
There is an opportunity of bringing hope.
And as we share what we have, may we too experience for ourselves the Divine compassion, love, grace, and peace from the One Who has promised to be always with us.
Sacrament of Communion
We have that opportunity once again, to come to God’s table of love, and experience His compassion, grace and peace, as we usually do at this time of year. Even though we aren’t meeting as a church, I invite everyone (if you want to) to celebrate Communion from the comfort of your own home, just so that you can be reminded that despite us being locked away from one another we are still joined together as a family; that Jesus is still with us; and that in receiving Communion we are once again affirming our role as a body of believers who span the world and have spanned the generations.
If you get yourself a bit of bread and wine/juice here is a mini liturgy to help you:
Gathered round a table is where Jesus so often met people;
Gathered round a table where he could see people face to face, listen to their stories and share in their laughter.
And here we are gathered round a table because this is where Jesus has promised to be for those who want to meet him.
“The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”
What we do here, we do because it is Jesus’ will.
During the meal with his friends he took bread and blessed it and broke it, and said
This is my body. It is given for you. Do this to remember me.
Later He took a cup of wine, and after giving thanks said, “in this cup is the new relationship with God, made possible because of my death. Drink it all of you to remember me.”
And, as he said a prayer before sharing, let us do likewise
Let us pray
It is right to come and praise you, for you are the one from whom we came and the one to whom we will return.
And we praise You with all those from around the world, who love and honour the name of Jesus
as we sing the hymn of your everlasting Glory
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD GOD OF POWER AND MIGHT;
HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE FULL OF YOUR GLORY
HOSANA IN THE HIGHEST.
BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.
God of all, As we do what Jesus once did, let your Spirit move among us
To settle on this bread and wine that they may become for us the body and blood of Christ.
And let that same Spirit stir our souls so that as we share this sacrament we may recognise our Lord and receive Him so that He may be in us and we in Him forever.
Amen
Among friends, gathered round a table, Jesus took bread
And when He had blessed it, he broke it and said:
“Take this and eat it. It is my body, given for you. Do this to remember me
Then later during the meal he took a cup of wine and when he had given thanks he said:
“In this cup is the new relationship with god made possible because of my death Drink it all of you to remember me.”
Come now because this is the invitation that Jesus gives to us.
Come now because this is the Lords table and he has come and joined with us to share in this meal
Come now because it is His desire that we be one with Him
Come now All you who hunger and thirst for a better life, for a deeper faith, for a better world.
Here is the bread of life, feed on it with gratitude.
Here is the cup of salvation, drink from it and believe.
These are the gifts of God for the people of God, thanks be to God
Eat bread and drink juice or wine now
The angels said it to startled shepherds, and Jesus said it to frightened followers. And now these words which come from heaven are shared to make us whole and make us one.
PEACE BE WITH YOU
Dismissal
You have shared the bread and wine, signs of Jesus’ love for us.
You have shared in the Peace that is always offered to us.
Go now and share that same love and peace that is there for all people.
Amen
a psalm of david
Psalm 23 A psalm of David
1 The Lord is my shepherd,I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Reflection
Amid all the conversations and scenarios that are being offered as to whether things will ever be the same again, and whether the new normal will replace the old normal permanently, or if the old normal will ever return again; there are still certain things that will never be replaced, certain truths which most of us have grown up with that are irreplaceable, no matter what else may be taking place all around us.
One of these truths is the first line of today’s Psalm: The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. This is a Psalm that the vast majority of us have been brought up on, it’s perhaps a psalm that we are able to recite without needing any prompting, and in part that’s because its words are lodged deep within us.
They are as close to our hearts as God could possibly get.
In part these words may have stuck with us throughout the years when others have been forgotten because there is a simplistic beauty and comfort in these few verses from David.
In fact one person has written that:
“No single psalm has expressed more powerfully man’s prayer of confidence ‘out of the depths’,
to the God whose purpose alone gives meaning to the span of life”.
The psalm is a poem of trust; an assurance that although the psalmist knows all about the hardships, worries and calamities that life can throw at a person, there is also the assurance that these things don’t last for ever. That eventually the time will come when he will know and experience peace, and that all in his life will be well.
And this happens not through his own abilities but instead, through the relationship he has with God;
therefore it is a promise that amid the darkness that accompanies our day to day living
we can still know and experience the beauty of living life in the here and now,
even when circumstances would try to tell us otherwise.
The goodness of God amid the daily struggles of life is a constant theme found in the Old Testament.
For example, in the book of Deuteronomy (2:7), the author reminds his audience
“Surely the Lord your God has blessed you in all your undertakings;
He knows your going through this great wilderness.
These forty years the Lord your God has been with you;
you have lacked nothing”.
In the book of Nehemiah, the author of that book takes up the same theme:
“Forty years You sustained them in the wildness so that they lacked nothing”.
Both passages being reminders of how for forty years God’s people had wandered through the desert following their exodus from Egypt;
and in all that time God had taken care of them and as a result they had lacked nothing.
True, life wasn’t always easy, hence the reason they grumbled so much, but nonetheless they still had life; God sustained them with manna from heaven
and they also got to witness the birth of a new generation and the entry into the promised land.
In all of that time God cared for the wandering people and they lacked nothing.
The point being that the same God who shepherded his people through their wanderings in the desert, shepherds us through the barren times of our lives.
Although there are plenty of things that are wrong God has ensured that we have all that we need,
and that if we continue to place our trust in Him, He will lead us with His goodness and mercy
that accompanies us all the days of our lives to those green pastures and still waters
which are the gifts of God,
that enable us to live in intimacy with Him for ever.
Perhaps there are some of us today who are just stressed out with everything that is going on in our lives; things are maybe getting on top of us; we are anxious about not seeing friends and family; we’re maybe missing the fellowship that we get from one another on a Sunday morning at church.
The psalmist is giving us the promise and confidence to believe that it is because God is still involved in our lives that we can place all our hope and trust in him and that we can watch Him lead us forward, even though it feels that we are standing still or going back the way.
He is with us, restoring our souls, ‘giving us back our lives’ as one commentator put it,
so that we may savour and enjoy God’s gifts,
which are the constant signs, that, in all that we face and go through,
God, the Good Shepherd is still with us today,
leading us and protecting us
so that we can be with Him,
and He can be with us all the days of our lives.
1 The Lord is my shepherd,I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Reflection
Amid all the conversations and scenarios that are being offered as to whether things will ever be the same again, and whether the new normal will replace the old normal permanently, or if the old normal will ever return again; there are still certain things that will never be replaced, certain truths which most of us have grown up with that are irreplaceable, no matter what else may be taking place all around us.
One of these truths is the first line of today’s Psalm: The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. This is a Psalm that the vast majority of us have been brought up on, it’s perhaps a psalm that we are able to recite without needing any prompting, and in part that’s because its words are lodged deep within us.
They are as close to our hearts as God could possibly get.
In part these words may have stuck with us throughout the years when others have been forgotten because there is a simplistic beauty and comfort in these few verses from David.
In fact one person has written that:
“No single psalm has expressed more powerfully man’s prayer of confidence ‘out of the depths’,
to the God whose purpose alone gives meaning to the span of life”.
The psalm is a poem of trust; an assurance that although the psalmist knows all about the hardships, worries and calamities that life can throw at a person, there is also the assurance that these things don’t last for ever. That eventually the time will come when he will know and experience peace, and that all in his life will be well.
And this happens not through his own abilities but instead, through the relationship he has with God;
therefore it is a promise that amid the darkness that accompanies our day to day living
we can still know and experience the beauty of living life in the here and now,
even when circumstances would try to tell us otherwise.
The goodness of God amid the daily struggles of life is a constant theme found in the Old Testament.
For example, in the book of Deuteronomy (2:7), the author reminds his audience
“Surely the Lord your God has blessed you in all your undertakings;
He knows your going through this great wilderness.
These forty years the Lord your God has been with you;
you have lacked nothing”.
In the book of Nehemiah, the author of that book takes up the same theme:
“Forty years You sustained them in the wildness so that they lacked nothing”.
Both passages being reminders of how for forty years God’s people had wandered through the desert following their exodus from Egypt;
and in all that time God had taken care of them and as a result they had lacked nothing.
True, life wasn’t always easy, hence the reason they grumbled so much, but nonetheless they still had life; God sustained them with manna from heaven
and they also got to witness the birth of a new generation and the entry into the promised land.
In all of that time God cared for the wandering people and they lacked nothing.
The point being that the same God who shepherded his people through their wanderings in the desert, shepherds us through the barren times of our lives.
Although there are plenty of things that are wrong God has ensured that we have all that we need,
and that if we continue to place our trust in Him, He will lead us with His goodness and mercy
that accompanies us all the days of our lives to those green pastures and still waters
which are the gifts of God,
that enable us to live in intimacy with Him for ever.
Perhaps there are some of us today who are just stressed out with everything that is going on in our lives; things are maybe getting on top of us; we are anxious about not seeing friends and family; we’re maybe missing the fellowship that we get from one another on a Sunday morning at church.
The psalmist is giving us the promise and confidence to believe that it is because God is still involved in our lives that we can place all our hope and trust in him and that we can watch Him lead us forward, even though it feels that we are standing still or going back the way.
He is with us, restoring our souls, ‘giving us back our lives’ as one commentator put it,
so that we may savour and enjoy God’s gifts,
which are the constant signs, that, in all that we face and go through,
God, the Good Shepherd is still with us today,
leading us and protecting us
so that we can be with Him,
and He can be with us all the days of our lives.
July
THE CALL OF ABRAM
Genesis 12: 1-5
The Call of Abram
12 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.[a]
3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”[b]
4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
Reflection
Life can seem to be a continual journey that we have been asked (or expected) to undertake. Sometimes the destination seems to be very clear, other times it seems that we are travelling in a blanket of fog and are unable to see the road at all.
And in today’s reading we read about the call that God gave to Abram (as his name was at that time). And it was a call to go on a journey; to leave everything that he was familiar with; his country, his father’s household, his friends, his community, and to undertake an unknown journey to an unknown destination.
You can just imagine the conversation that took place between Abram and his wife Sarai (as she was before being renamed Sarah) when he told her about their future.
Abraham: Right Sarai, God’s spoken to me and we’ve to move somewhere else.
Sarai: Where are we going?
Abraham: I don’t know
Sarai: Have you any idea how long this journey will take?
Abraham: I don’t know
Sarai: Do you actually know anything about this journey?
Abraham: Well now that you mention it………..not really
Sarai: Typical man (ok I made this bit up)
The reading is the story of a family who are asked to go on an unknown journey; to leave everything and enter into an uncertain future. And it wouldn’t be exaggerating things to say that over the last few months we have all been on an uncertain journey. We didn’t know, and to a certain extent still don’t know, where or when it is going to end; we don’t know how the story is going to finish.
For some of us we might want to revert back to the way we were living our lives prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, but for others it has perhaps been a wake up call to look at things differently and perhaps reprioritise some things we were doing previously.
To a certain extent the last few months and years have taken the Church on a journey as well, with the local Presbytery plan and the national Radical Action Plan. I think it is fair to say that things won’t be the same again for us, as we undertake a journey where we don’t quite know where we will end up. But whether it be as individuals or as a Church, our lives and our stories are based on the journeys that we make.
Journeys that have brought us to where we are today. They have been adventures which may at times have seemed to be long and confusing; they no doubt have had many ups and downs along the way, with lots of laughs and sadness and joys and sorrows. And whether we have been aware of it or not they have also been journeys, just like Abrams, in which they have been filled with promises as well. The main one being of God’s continual presence with us throughout; the promise that God would be leading us, even though we may not have been aware of it at times.
There are times in our lives for new beginnings; new journeys to be undertaken when it may feel as if we are leaving behind all those things and people that have accompanied us this far. And it can be hard to let go of the past and of the things that shaped us; but there is also the joy in knowing that if God calls us to do something, then He will be there alongside us to enable it to happen.
God made some big and audacious promises to Abram, promises that on the surface seemed outrageous; He said he would make him a great nation, that He would bless him and make his name great, to name but some. All that was asked in return from Abram and Sarai was that they would have the faith to believe that God would honour everything He promised them.
Abraham and Sarah believed God’s promises and set off on their journey. If we know their story then we realise that the blessings didn’t come right away, many things would happen, some of which were quite unpleasant, before the promises were fulfilled. But what we do see is, that in all those times, whether good or unpleasant, God was there, working alongside them, blessing them and blessing others.
Although we might struggle with the concept when we look at the reality of everything around us, God not only journeys with us and uses us as a means of giving and receiving blessings, God has also made promises to us—promises that have lasted generations.
Promises that tell us things such as: “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go ... I will not leave you.” (Gen. 28:15)
Therefore, may our lives, as followers of Jesus, be ones of walking in faith and trust; of believing that in everything, whether for good or otherwise, God is at work. The last few months have been different and difficult.
And although it may have seemed that God has been silent, may we believe that good will come out of this; that in the times of isolation and lockdown God is still leading us and is alongside us; and in these times of insecurity and uncertainty He is still the source of assurance and blessing; and that ultimately, He is the One who makes the promises that we can still find hope and place our trust in.
Amen
The Call of Abram
12 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.[a]
3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”[b]
4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
Reflection
Life can seem to be a continual journey that we have been asked (or expected) to undertake. Sometimes the destination seems to be very clear, other times it seems that we are travelling in a blanket of fog and are unable to see the road at all.
And in today’s reading we read about the call that God gave to Abram (as his name was at that time). And it was a call to go on a journey; to leave everything that he was familiar with; his country, his father’s household, his friends, his community, and to undertake an unknown journey to an unknown destination.
You can just imagine the conversation that took place between Abram and his wife Sarai (as she was before being renamed Sarah) when he told her about their future.
Abraham: Right Sarai, God’s spoken to me and we’ve to move somewhere else.
Sarai: Where are we going?
Abraham: I don’t know
Sarai: Have you any idea how long this journey will take?
Abraham: I don’t know
Sarai: Do you actually know anything about this journey?
Abraham: Well now that you mention it………..not really
Sarai: Typical man (ok I made this bit up)
The reading is the story of a family who are asked to go on an unknown journey; to leave everything and enter into an uncertain future. And it wouldn’t be exaggerating things to say that over the last few months we have all been on an uncertain journey. We didn’t know, and to a certain extent still don’t know, where or when it is going to end; we don’t know how the story is going to finish.
For some of us we might want to revert back to the way we were living our lives prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, but for others it has perhaps been a wake up call to look at things differently and perhaps reprioritise some things we were doing previously.
To a certain extent the last few months and years have taken the Church on a journey as well, with the local Presbytery plan and the national Radical Action Plan. I think it is fair to say that things won’t be the same again for us, as we undertake a journey where we don’t quite know where we will end up. But whether it be as individuals or as a Church, our lives and our stories are based on the journeys that we make.
Journeys that have brought us to where we are today. They have been adventures which may at times have seemed to be long and confusing; they no doubt have had many ups and downs along the way, with lots of laughs and sadness and joys and sorrows. And whether we have been aware of it or not they have also been journeys, just like Abrams, in which they have been filled with promises as well. The main one being of God’s continual presence with us throughout; the promise that God would be leading us, even though we may not have been aware of it at times.
There are times in our lives for new beginnings; new journeys to be undertaken when it may feel as if we are leaving behind all those things and people that have accompanied us this far. And it can be hard to let go of the past and of the things that shaped us; but there is also the joy in knowing that if God calls us to do something, then He will be there alongside us to enable it to happen.
God made some big and audacious promises to Abram, promises that on the surface seemed outrageous; He said he would make him a great nation, that He would bless him and make his name great, to name but some. All that was asked in return from Abram and Sarai was that they would have the faith to believe that God would honour everything He promised them.
Abraham and Sarah believed God’s promises and set off on their journey. If we know their story then we realise that the blessings didn’t come right away, many things would happen, some of which were quite unpleasant, before the promises were fulfilled. But what we do see is, that in all those times, whether good or unpleasant, God was there, working alongside them, blessing them and blessing others.
Although we might struggle with the concept when we look at the reality of everything around us, God not only journeys with us and uses us as a means of giving and receiving blessings, God has also made promises to us—promises that have lasted generations.
Promises that tell us things such as: “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go ... I will not leave you.” (Gen. 28:15)
Therefore, may our lives, as followers of Jesus, be ones of walking in faith and trust; of believing that in everything, whether for good or otherwise, God is at work. The last few months have been different and difficult.
And although it may have seemed that God has been silent, may we believe that good will come out of this; that in the times of isolation and lockdown God is still leading us and is alongside us; and in these times of insecurity and uncertainty He is still the source of assurance and blessing; and that ultimately, He is the One who makes the promises that we can still find hope and place our trust in.
Amen
DISCOVERING GOD'S KINGDOM IN UNEXPECTED WAYS
Matthew 13: 31-33 & 44-52
The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast
31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[a] of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
The Parables of the hidden treasures and the pearl
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
The Parables of the Net
47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.
“Yes,” they replied.
52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
Sermon
We live in an era where there are so many different voices wanting to speak to us.
For example, we can hear them through Radio & Television; on social media through Bloggers, Podcasts, Facebook, Twitter and on- line chat groups; in the books, newspapers and magazines we read and the list goes on.
And in amongst it all Jesus is still speaking to His people, but the constant sound of voices and noise which surrounds us can make it hard to hear what He is saying to us.
And in today’s reading, Jesus continues to speak to us through parables.
The point of the parable as we are probably aware was/is to engage our imaginations and explore how a metaphor might expand our understanding of God’s Kingdom. They were also examples of how a person could lead their lives and engage with those around them.
And although on many occasions they appear to be straightforward, they are, also invitations for us to stop what we are doing and to reflect and ponder on what Jesus is saying.
Over the last couple of weeks,
we have heard Jesus talk about parables of sowing seeds and pulling or not pulling out weeds.
And today he uses five short parables to explain more about the Kingdom of Heaven.
Whilst the previous parables about the sower and the weeds may have appealed to the farmers in the crowd, these five parables would have been meaningful to fishermen, bakers, and merchants. Their wide appeal would have helped the crowd have a better understanding of the Kingdom of Heaven. In short Jesus was adapting His stories to ensure that all could engage with Him; that all would be able to understand that there was a place for everyone in His Kingdom. It isn’t a place for ‘members only,’ instead it is for everyone, and when we accept that, it ought to change the way we look at our life, and the lives of others, because the Kingdom is not something to fear, but something to embrace. Jesus assures us ‘when we have found the kingdom of Heaven, we have found a treasure.’
In a book called ‘How to Do Things with Words,’ philosopher J. L. Austin makes the claim that, contrary to conventional wisdom, words don’t simply describe things but actually make things happen. Words aren’t merely descriptive but evocative, even creative. For example, when two people say, “I do” in the context of a marriage ceremony, they are not merely describing the relationship they are entering into but actually creating it. And when someone says “I love you” or “I hate you” we don’t only hear those words but actually feel the force they exert upon us.
Words, in short, are powerful.
In a similar manner Jesus parables were means of telling Divine truths; not so much about what God’s Kingdom meant, but what God’s Kingdom actually does for a person; His words being a reminder and promise that the Kingdom He talks about isn’t an intellectual idea but something that can only truly be experienced; that it is the experience of the creative and redemptive power of God that continues to change lives.
His words were a deliberate move to take the people’s minds away from local or personal issues, and to see things differently; to see life being revealed and lived in a more cosmic level, and to open their imaginations to the hugeness and reality of the Kingdom of Heaven, and what it meant for them.
For the audience who heard Jesus first two parables about the mustard seed and the yeast, they would have seemed strange examples to be used to describe a Divine truth because neither the mustard seed or yeast were viewed in a positive manner.
Mustard was a weed, dreaded by farmers; initially it was small, but before long would take over the field. Similarly, yeast was something that had the ability to spread beyond what was expected.
And perhaps in using such controversial example Jesus was saying that this is what the Kingdom of God looks like; that it is far more powerful than we’d ever imagined it to be and has the ability to spread and reach into every corner of our lives and the world if we want it to.
However, these parables are also a means of encouragement for us because they ask us to be patient in everything situation we face, and to face them in faith and hope.
Because although we might be unaware of it, despite the things we face and go through,
God’s Kingdom of justice, love, peace and freedom is here among us now.
These parables ask us to hang in there, that we will get through this because God is as real to us as He has ever been. He is closer than we could ever imagine. And although we might not see it, He is working through us, changing us and our world; that where there is strife He offers peace; where there is hurt He offers healing, where there is hate he offers love.
Therefore may we see the Kingdom of God all around us, as it transforms situations and people, may we see it as a Kingdom of great value and worth and may we share in the joy and delight as we continue to discover the Kingdom in unexpected ways and in the most unlikely of people.
The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast
31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[a] of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
The Parables of the hidden treasures and the pearl
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
The Parables of the Net
47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.
“Yes,” they replied.
52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
Sermon
We live in an era where there are so many different voices wanting to speak to us.
For example, we can hear them through Radio & Television; on social media through Bloggers, Podcasts, Facebook, Twitter and on- line chat groups; in the books, newspapers and magazines we read and the list goes on.
And in amongst it all Jesus is still speaking to His people, but the constant sound of voices and noise which surrounds us can make it hard to hear what He is saying to us.
And in today’s reading, Jesus continues to speak to us through parables.
The point of the parable as we are probably aware was/is to engage our imaginations and explore how a metaphor might expand our understanding of God’s Kingdom. They were also examples of how a person could lead their lives and engage with those around them.
And although on many occasions they appear to be straightforward, they are, also invitations for us to stop what we are doing and to reflect and ponder on what Jesus is saying.
Over the last couple of weeks,
we have heard Jesus talk about parables of sowing seeds and pulling or not pulling out weeds.
And today he uses five short parables to explain more about the Kingdom of Heaven.
Whilst the previous parables about the sower and the weeds may have appealed to the farmers in the crowd, these five parables would have been meaningful to fishermen, bakers, and merchants. Their wide appeal would have helped the crowd have a better understanding of the Kingdom of Heaven. In short Jesus was adapting His stories to ensure that all could engage with Him; that all would be able to understand that there was a place for everyone in His Kingdom. It isn’t a place for ‘members only,’ instead it is for everyone, and when we accept that, it ought to change the way we look at our life, and the lives of others, because the Kingdom is not something to fear, but something to embrace. Jesus assures us ‘when we have found the kingdom of Heaven, we have found a treasure.’
In a book called ‘How to Do Things with Words,’ philosopher J. L. Austin makes the claim that, contrary to conventional wisdom, words don’t simply describe things but actually make things happen. Words aren’t merely descriptive but evocative, even creative. For example, when two people say, “I do” in the context of a marriage ceremony, they are not merely describing the relationship they are entering into but actually creating it. And when someone says “I love you” or “I hate you” we don’t only hear those words but actually feel the force they exert upon us.
Words, in short, are powerful.
In a similar manner Jesus parables were means of telling Divine truths; not so much about what God’s Kingdom meant, but what God’s Kingdom actually does for a person; His words being a reminder and promise that the Kingdom He talks about isn’t an intellectual idea but something that can only truly be experienced; that it is the experience of the creative and redemptive power of God that continues to change lives.
His words were a deliberate move to take the people’s minds away from local or personal issues, and to see things differently; to see life being revealed and lived in a more cosmic level, and to open their imaginations to the hugeness and reality of the Kingdom of Heaven, and what it meant for them.
For the audience who heard Jesus first two parables about the mustard seed and the yeast, they would have seemed strange examples to be used to describe a Divine truth because neither the mustard seed or yeast were viewed in a positive manner.
Mustard was a weed, dreaded by farmers; initially it was small, but before long would take over the field. Similarly, yeast was something that had the ability to spread beyond what was expected.
And perhaps in using such controversial example Jesus was saying that this is what the Kingdom of God looks like; that it is far more powerful than we’d ever imagined it to be and has the ability to spread and reach into every corner of our lives and the world if we want it to.
However, these parables are also a means of encouragement for us because they ask us to be patient in everything situation we face, and to face them in faith and hope.
Because although we might be unaware of it, despite the things we face and go through,
God’s Kingdom of justice, love, peace and freedom is here among us now.
These parables ask us to hang in there, that we will get through this because God is as real to us as He has ever been. He is closer than we could ever imagine. And although we might not see it, He is working through us, changing us and our world; that where there is strife He offers peace; where there is hurt He offers healing, where there is hate he offers love.
Therefore may we see the Kingdom of God all around us, as it transforms situations and people, may we see it as a Kingdom of great value and worth and may we share in the joy and delight as we continue to discover the Kingdom in unexpected ways and in the most unlikely of people.
as WE FORGIVE, WE ARE ALSO FORGIVEN
Genesis 42: 6-12 and 18-23
6 Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. 7 As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked.
“From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.”
8 Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. 9 Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”
10 “No, my lord,” they answered. “Your servants have come to buy food. 11 We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies.”
12 “No!” he said to them. “You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”
18 On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: 19 If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. 20 But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.
21 They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.”
22 Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” 23 They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter.
Reflection
There’s an old saying that the past can come back to haunt us. I don’t know its origins, though I’m sure if I did a Google search I could find out in no time at all!! I have occasionally wondered if it has anything to do with the Ghost of Christmas Past as written about by Charles Dickens in his classic “Christmas Carol.”
And in our reading today we see the past coming back to haunt both Joseph and his brothers. A lot has happened since the last time they saw each other. Back then, the brothers had flung a young Joseph into a pit before selling him on to traders and into a life of slavery. And now Joseph recognises his brothers, and everything comes flooding back. And after a few loaded questions to them, their past deeds come back to haunt the brothers as well. And as we see from the reading it is not a pleasant experience for any of them.
I wonder how many of us have gone through something similar over the period of lockdown. Things happen to us that we sometimes can’t always explain. The past can sometimes creep up on us in ways that we didn’t expect or as happens on many occasions, in ways we didn’t want either. When we are stuck in alone with nothing but our thoughts it can be easy for us to start looking back to the past in unhealthy ways, and we have no one to share these thoughts with.
Especially for men, who don’t like to share or show their emotions, the past can sometimes take us down a dangerous road, because we end up hanging on to the regrets about mistakes that we have made. And one regret leads straight into another and before you know it you are entertaining a box set of all those negative things that you may have done in the past, and you begin to wonder how it came to this.
Let me be honest with you for a minute or two, the same thing happened to me not so long ago. Things started coming back to me that had long since been forgotten about, even things from when I was at primary school. And when you hold onto such thoughts, all of a sudden life can become difficult or uneasy. “What was I thinking of?” we may ask ourselves when the past comes back to haunt us in such a dramatic way.
And whilst these thoughts aren’t confined to lock down, they can have a way of intensifying in our minds, especially when we are on our own and have no way of escaping from them.
And as Christians, we major on forgiveness. Forgiving others; but so often we find it difficult to forgive ourselves. But we have to, because we can’t allow the past to control our present or our futures either. If we believe that God loves us and that Jesus died and arose again to show us how much we are forgiven then we need to believe it, don’t we?
But it can be hard, when the past comes back and knocks on the door of our lives and tries to enter in once again. The brothers in the reading thought their current situation was as a result of things that had happened previously. But they didn’t realise that Joseph had already forgiven them.
I recently read about an old soldier who many years earlier, when in the army, had accidently shot the girl who he loved intensely, and had planned to marry once the war was over. He couldn’t forgive himself even in old age. It ate away at him. As much as he did so many things to try and rectify, what was in reality an accident, the old man said he had gone through life lacking an inner peace. Until, that is, one day when he spoke with a minister who suggested he ask his dead girl friend for forgiveness; because if the man truly believed that God was the God of the living and not the dead, then she would be in Heaven alongside Him. The minister suggested that when the man next prayed, that he ask God to make it possible that she would understand his broken heartedness at everything that had happened, of his lack of peace, and his need for her to know how sorry he was.
The past may haunt us, but it doesn’t need to define us. We can move on. We need to remember that whatever we did in the past, was a different time; we were all different people. And that just as we forgive, we are also forgiven.
God doesn’t hold onto our mistakes from the past, neither should we.
As your minister if there are things that you are struggling with, please get in touch. You don’t need to go through things on your own. When we are living in isolation and loneliness we can start getting these thoughts and blow them out of proportion. It doesn’t need to be that way.
The story of Joseph and his brothers ultimately ends with the family being reconciled to one another; the past was laid to rest. May that be the story and the encouragement for each and every one of us.
Amen
6 Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. 7 As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked.
“From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.”
8 Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. 9 Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”
10 “No, my lord,” they answered. “Your servants have come to buy food. 11 We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies.”
12 “No!” he said to them. “You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”
18 On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: 19 If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. 20 But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.
21 They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.”
22 Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” 23 They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter.
Reflection
There’s an old saying that the past can come back to haunt us. I don’t know its origins, though I’m sure if I did a Google search I could find out in no time at all!! I have occasionally wondered if it has anything to do with the Ghost of Christmas Past as written about by Charles Dickens in his classic “Christmas Carol.”
And in our reading today we see the past coming back to haunt both Joseph and his brothers. A lot has happened since the last time they saw each other. Back then, the brothers had flung a young Joseph into a pit before selling him on to traders and into a life of slavery. And now Joseph recognises his brothers, and everything comes flooding back. And after a few loaded questions to them, their past deeds come back to haunt the brothers as well. And as we see from the reading it is not a pleasant experience for any of them.
I wonder how many of us have gone through something similar over the period of lockdown. Things happen to us that we sometimes can’t always explain. The past can sometimes creep up on us in ways that we didn’t expect or as happens on many occasions, in ways we didn’t want either. When we are stuck in alone with nothing but our thoughts it can be easy for us to start looking back to the past in unhealthy ways, and we have no one to share these thoughts with.
Especially for men, who don’t like to share or show their emotions, the past can sometimes take us down a dangerous road, because we end up hanging on to the regrets about mistakes that we have made. And one regret leads straight into another and before you know it you are entertaining a box set of all those negative things that you may have done in the past, and you begin to wonder how it came to this.
Let me be honest with you for a minute or two, the same thing happened to me not so long ago. Things started coming back to me that had long since been forgotten about, even things from when I was at primary school. And when you hold onto such thoughts, all of a sudden life can become difficult or uneasy. “What was I thinking of?” we may ask ourselves when the past comes back to haunt us in such a dramatic way.
And whilst these thoughts aren’t confined to lock down, they can have a way of intensifying in our minds, especially when we are on our own and have no way of escaping from them.
And as Christians, we major on forgiveness. Forgiving others; but so often we find it difficult to forgive ourselves. But we have to, because we can’t allow the past to control our present or our futures either. If we believe that God loves us and that Jesus died and arose again to show us how much we are forgiven then we need to believe it, don’t we?
But it can be hard, when the past comes back and knocks on the door of our lives and tries to enter in once again. The brothers in the reading thought their current situation was as a result of things that had happened previously. But they didn’t realise that Joseph had already forgiven them.
I recently read about an old soldier who many years earlier, when in the army, had accidently shot the girl who he loved intensely, and had planned to marry once the war was over. He couldn’t forgive himself even in old age. It ate away at him. As much as he did so many things to try and rectify, what was in reality an accident, the old man said he had gone through life lacking an inner peace. Until, that is, one day when he spoke with a minister who suggested he ask his dead girl friend for forgiveness; because if the man truly believed that God was the God of the living and not the dead, then she would be in Heaven alongside Him. The minister suggested that when the man next prayed, that he ask God to make it possible that she would understand his broken heartedness at everything that had happened, of his lack of peace, and his need for her to know how sorry he was.
The past may haunt us, but it doesn’t need to define us. We can move on. We need to remember that whatever we did in the past, was a different time; we were all different people. And that just as we forgive, we are also forgiven.
God doesn’t hold onto our mistakes from the past, neither should we.
As your minister if there are things that you are struggling with, please get in touch. You don’t need to go through things on your own. When we are living in isolation and loneliness we can start getting these thoughts and blow them out of proportion. It doesn’t need to be that way.
The story of Joseph and his brothers ultimately ends with the family being reconciled to one another; the past was laid to rest. May that be the story and the encouragement for each and every one of us.
Amen
the parable of the weeds: choices and decisions
Matthew 13:24-30 & 36-43 New International Version (NIV)
The Parable of the Weeds
24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
The Parable of the Weeds Explained
36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.
42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Sermon
I am sure we are all familiar with the concept of Desert island Discs (or similar).
If you were trapped on a desert island and you could only have a set number of records to keep you company, what would they be?
And if we were to take and reinvent that concept and turn it into Desert Island Parables, what parables of Jesus would you take with you to sustain you and keep you going?
Whilst there are quite a few good ones to pick from, I am willing to bet that the parables from Matthew’s gospel, especially the ones from this week, last week and next week would not be on the list of many people, in part because they are quite hard to understand, aren’t they?
What was going on at the time when Jesus offered up these parables to those who were listening to Him? Last week He was talking about sowing and scattering seeds, this week He is talking about weeds, wheat and pulling, or not pulling these weeds out of the ground. One thing is for sure, these parables are not straightforward.
Life isn’t straightforward either is it? Life is lived, on the whole with us having to balance so many priorities; there are so many choices, so many obligations, so many demands and opportunities that have to be made which results in us unable to make one decision without contemplating as to how it will affect other areas of our lives.
And to a certain extent I think that’s one of the many ways in which we can look at this parable. Jesus highlights that although the sower planted with good seeds, somehow weeds had managed to grow up alongside them, which could and probably would put the harvest at risk. This results in the servants suggesting that they rip out the weeds.
But the sower knows that to tear out the weeds would also risk ruining the wheat as well and so they must wait, and let the wheat and weeds grow together until the appropriate time when they will then be separated from one another
How often do we face similar dilemmas? If not with wheat and weeds, then with a multitude of other difficult choices:
Of perhaps turning a blind eye to injustice?
Of perhaps preferring our own comforts rather than doing something that takes us out our comfort zone?
Of working extra hours to support the family or working less hours so that you can spend more time with them?
And we could add quite substantially to this list with our own big predicaments.
Our lives are littered with situations where there are no clear or easy answers. But one of the assurances that the parable offers us is that in the challenging situations we face and difficult decisions we make, there is the promise that, in the end, God will sort things out.
It doesn’t mean everything will turn out fine, because we know that’s not true. Sometimes we make bad choices. Choices that though sincerely made, have not worked out well either for ourselves or others Sometimes things go wrong. That’s all part of life; and just because we are Christians it doesn’t mean we are free from making mistakes. But knowing that we have God’s unconditional love in spite of our poor choices frees us to live in the moment, with the choices that are there before us.
We don’t live in an ideal world and each week we’re faced with a myriad of challenging decisions, some small and others large, to which there are no clear and easy answers. Some decisions we’ll get right, others wrong, and still others we won’t know whether we were right or wrong for months or years to come. But we still need to make these decisions none the less.
But the comfort we take in each decision we make is that we can still come to God no matter how good or bad the decisions, and be reminded that God loves us anyway and promises that, in the end, He will hold all of our choices and all of our lives together in love.
That’s one of the great things about being part of the Church community and of being with one another week in and week out; it’s knowing that we are joining with others who know how hard and difficult life can be; others who can acknowledge that the choices we make aren’t always the best or right ones; others who know that the decisions we make in life are never black or white, because things are usually never that clear cut.
We come as we do every week, even though at the present time it may only be in an online capacity, so that we can be as One with each other and share and receive the words of grace and forgiveness that enable us to move into another week of ambiguity, and more difficult decisions and compromises as we try to be the people God has called us to be.
And as we face up to the realities of life and the choices we make may we draw strength to do these things in the comfort that God’s love is there to guide us, and will continue to reach out and guide us irrespective of how these difficult and not so difficult decisions may turn out.
Amen
The Parable of the Weeds
24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
The Parable of the Weeds Explained
36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.
42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Sermon
I am sure we are all familiar with the concept of Desert island Discs (or similar).
If you were trapped on a desert island and you could only have a set number of records to keep you company, what would they be?
And if we were to take and reinvent that concept and turn it into Desert Island Parables, what parables of Jesus would you take with you to sustain you and keep you going?
Whilst there are quite a few good ones to pick from, I am willing to bet that the parables from Matthew’s gospel, especially the ones from this week, last week and next week would not be on the list of many people, in part because they are quite hard to understand, aren’t they?
What was going on at the time when Jesus offered up these parables to those who were listening to Him? Last week He was talking about sowing and scattering seeds, this week He is talking about weeds, wheat and pulling, or not pulling these weeds out of the ground. One thing is for sure, these parables are not straightforward.
Life isn’t straightforward either is it? Life is lived, on the whole with us having to balance so many priorities; there are so many choices, so many obligations, so many demands and opportunities that have to be made which results in us unable to make one decision without contemplating as to how it will affect other areas of our lives.
And to a certain extent I think that’s one of the many ways in which we can look at this parable. Jesus highlights that although the sower planted with good seeds, somehow weeds had managed to grow up alongside them, which could and probably would put the harvest at risk. This results in the servants suggesting that they rip out the weeds.
But the sower knows that to tear out the weeds would also risk ruining the wheat as well and so they must wait, and let the wheat and weeds grow together until the appropriate time when they will then be separated from one another
How often do we face similar dilemmas? If not with wheat and weeds, then with a multitude of other difficult choices:
Of perhaps turning a blind eye to injustice?
Of perhaps preferring our own comforts rather than doing something that takes us out our comfort zone?
Of working extra hours to support the family or working less hours so that you can spend more time with them?
And we could add quite substantially to this list with our own big predicaments.
Our lives are littered with situations where there are no clear or easy answers. But one of the assurances that the parable offers us is that in the challenging situations we face and difficult decisions we make, there is the promise that, in the end, God will sort things out.
It doesn’t mean everything will turn out fine, because we know that’s not true. Sometimes we make bad choices. Choices that though sincerely made, have not worked out well either for ourselves or others Sometimes things go wrong. That’s all part of life; and just because we are Christians it doesn’t mean we are free from making mistakes. But knowing that we have God’s unconditional love in spite of our poor choices frees us to live in the moment, with the choices that are there before us.
We don’t live in an ideal world and each week we’re faced with a myriad of challenging decisions, some small and others large, to which there are no clear and easy answers. Some decisions we’ll get right, others wrong, and still others we won’t know whether we were right or wrong for months or years to come. But we still need to make these decisions none the less.
But the comfort we take in each decision we make is that we can still come to God no matter how good or bad the decisions, and be reminded that God loves us anyway and promises that, in the end, He will hold all of our choices and all of our lives together in love.
That’s one of the great things about being part of the Church community and of being with one another week in and week out; it’s knowing that we are joining with others who know how hard and difficult life can be; others who can acknowledge that the choices we make aren’t always the best or right ones; others who know that the decisions we make in life are never black or white, because things are usually never that clear cut.
We come as we do every week, even though at the present time it may only be in an online capacity, so that we can be as One with each other and share and receive the words of grace and forgiveness that enable us to move into another week of ambiguity, and more difficult decisions and compromises as we try to be the people God has called us to be.
And as we face up to the realities of life and the choices we make may we draw strength to do these things in the comfort that God’s love is there to guide us, and will continue to reach out and guide us irrespective of how these difficult and not so difficult decisions may turn out.
Amen
DAVID AND GOLIATH: GOD IS BESIDE US
1 Samuel 17:1-24 & 45-50 New International Version (NIV)
David and Goliath
17 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.
4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armour of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.
8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.
16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.
17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.”
20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.
45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasse of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.
50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
Reflection
Many of us love to hear about the success stories of life’s under-dogs. Those stories of someone battling against all the odds and winning. Who can forget the story of Susan Boyle, appearing as a nobody on Britain’s Got Talent, and then within a few months becoming a household name in many parts of the world?
The David and Goliath analogy is used frequently in sport when the minnows from lower leagues, with merely a fraction of the cash and resources, compete against teams from higher divisions. It’s always great to see the lower clubs doing well and producing a ‘cup upset’, but maybe not so good if it’s your team that is on the wrong end of such an upset!
And today's reading is of David and Goliath proportions because quite basically that is what it is all about. The story of a boy who went to take some lunch to his brothers and came home a national hero.
The scene was already set for David when he was sent by his dad to the Valley of Elah with food for his brothers, and to seek assurances that they were ok.
The forces of Saul's Israelites had gathered to fight the Philistine army who were wanting to make war with them. Both armies were camped on opposite hills with a valley separating them. No fighting occurs, though the troops from both sides made loud noises of defiance towards one another. In particular, the giant Philistine champion, Goliath, day after day, for forty days went out and taunted Saul’s army to send someone to fight him, which in turn sent fear and terror amongst Saul and his army.
The size alone of Goliath, of being over 9ft tall would be enough to send fear amongst the most battle hardened warrior; but also the weight and width of his spear, his helmet and coat of armour would have been too much for the average person to hold, let alone carry.
Basically, the message of and from Goliath was, that he was not a person to be messed with.
And it's into this situation that David walks; but as he assesses what is going on he finds himself talking to no one but himself as the Israelites had run away in fear as Goliath issues his daily taunt.
But unlike the others, David believes he can beat Goliath. And that belief is based on everything that has happened in the past. He is able to draw comfort and assurance from those times when as a shepherd boy, he was able to protect the sheep from prowling bears and lions. “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (v37).
The story now takes on a new dimension because we see the story becoming an example to us of what can be accomplished by a person of faith.
We’ve all had these days when we’ve realised that the best thing we should have done was stay in bed!! Each new day brings new problems with it, or reminds us of the ongoing situations that we haven’t dealt with. Some of these things can drain us, give us cause for concern, can even be overwhelming at times. Facing gigantic problems makes us feel hopeless.
There are times when it just seems impossible to remove them from our lives. Sometimes we can also have the tendency to exaggerate those giants in our lives; other times life’s giants are very real. But the way we deal with them are the same. We trust and believe that they won’t have the last word in our lives; we try to believe that in amongst the chaos of our individual situations that somehow, somewhere, there is a greater force working on our behalf.
David faced the giant, Goliath. And to just look at the two of them we appreciate that David could be no match for this giant. But, he had a strong faith and believed that God was with him, and that because God would be there to assist him, all things were possible.
David trusted enough in God to face Goliath. The Bible is full of stories of people who had faith in God and believed that despite their circumstances God was in the situations they faced alongside them.
Remember the story of Jesus and his disciples on the river, and Jesus slept whilst the disciples panicked at the storm that had now arisen. Jesus, when he woke up, simply asked them, “Why are you afraid. Have you still no faith?"
Having faith doesn’t mean that our problems will go away. It means that we believe that God is there alongside us no matter what we may be dealing with. Having faith means that we can get through these things that have become giants in our lives as we remind ourselves of the many ways in which God has provided, sustained and protected us in the past. And in that confidence and assurance may we be ready and able to face the things we face this day and all days.
THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER
Matthew 13:1-11&18-23 New International Version (NIV)
The Parable of the Sower
13 That same day Jesus went out of the house(D) and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat(E) and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.
3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred,(F) sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”(G)
10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven(H) has been given to you,(I) but not to them.
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom(A) and does not understand it, the evil one(B) comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.(C) 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth(D) choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Sermon
When Jesus was wanting to make an important theological point, more often than not he would do so by telling his audience a parable, a short story which they would be able to relate to, but which would nearly always contain a Divine twist in the tail that would have those who heard Jesus story looking for an explanation.
Basically, after hearing the conclusion they would wonder what He had actually been talking about. Perhaps that’s why the disciples went to Him after he had spoken and asked why He always used parables to speak to the people. Maybe, they could see that the message wasn’t completely sinking in. Possibly they struggled to understand what Jesus was talking about but used the crowds as an excuse.
And how many of us when we hear the Bible being read in Church, or when we do our own private Bible study have been left perplexed at what we have either heard or read? Perhaps it’s been even made worse by the minister/preacher who has been preaching on it !!!
Our reading today’s starts off with a parable; a parable all about a farmer sowing seeds. And he seems to be scattering them willy-nilly; anywhere he wants; he just tosses them about anywhere—which results in some falling on the path, some on rocky places where the soil is shallow, some landing among thorns, and some landing on good soil. It would appear, initially, that only a small amount of the seeds do what had been intended of them.
But the point of the parable, Jesus tells the disciples, is to paint a picture of the Kingdom of Heaven; to show them what it looks like; and to teach them that the abundant nature of God gives us more Grace than we can possibly conceive; because ultimately we are in the hands of a generous God.
Which is great to know isn’t it? Because it means that our lives have meaning no matter what may be going on that makes us think otherwise. And that to receive God’s goodness and love is a grace from the Giver rather than something that is based on our own efforts.
For example, we could compare our lives to the types of ground that Jesus uses in the parable: some days we are like the rocky ground, where nothing much seems to be happening with our faith, there is a lack of depth to all that we do, because we have not watered our souls by attending to a spiritual discipline and practicing it faithfully.
Then there are days when we are thorny and no one can touch us because we are too prickly. Then there are days where things are right with the world and the things we do, and the results we see can even surprise us.
Of course, as well as us doing our part, this is the grace of God at work in our lives and in the lives of others. A grace that gives and keeps on giving, even when we are slow to see it. A grace that is poured into our lives so that we can take it and sow seeds of love and hope and then watch them grow in unexpected places.
We have been blessed so that we can be a blessing to others. Sometimes it can be easy to forget about the goodness of God. After all, we can too easily plod on day after day, week after week and year after year and not see any results of growth in our lives or even in the life of our church, and it can be easy to fall into despair and worry about what the future has in store for us. We can be like the two followers on the road to Emmaus: “we had hoped”. The inference being we don’t expect to have our hopes and expectations met any longer.
But the parable is telling us (I think!!!) that in between times God is working away behind the scenes, working underground so to speak. And during this time, all that is expected of us is to simply persist and persevere with what we are doing.
And that is, to continue taking the Good News and sharing it with others, because although there are many obstacles that have to be overcome until some kind of normality resumes in our lives; whilst many still have feelings of despair, anxiety and worry in their lives, there is still a harvest of love, hope joy and peace to be sown and reaped. A harvest that bares fruit when the seeds are scattered; seeds that will bring a harvest thirty, sixty, and a hundred times over, despite our abilities rather than because of them.
May we, continue to harvest with the Divine seeds we have been given, and continue to trust even though we may not always see the results of everything we do, but nonetheless may we take and sow the seeds of God’s word that have been placed into our lives and allow and enable Him to do the rest, trusting that by His hands all things will indeed work out for the greater good.
Amen
The Parable of the Sower
13 That same day Jesus went out of the house(D) and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat(E) and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.
3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred,(F) sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”(G)
10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven(H) has been given to you,(I) but not to them.
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom(A) and does not understand it, the evil one(B) comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.(C) 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth(D) choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Sermon
When Jesus was wanting to make an important theological point, more often than not he would do so by telling his audience a parable, a short story which they would be able to relate to, but which would nearly always contain a Divine twist in the tail that would have those who heard Jesus story looking for an explanation.
Basically, after hearing the conclusion they would wonder what He had actually been talking about. Perhaps that’s why the disciples went to Him after he had spoken and asked why He always used parables to speak to the people. Maybe, they could see that the message wasn’t completely sinking in. Possibly they struggled to understand what Jesus was talking about but used the crowds as an excuse.
And how many of us when we hear the Bible being read in Church, or when we do our own private Bible study have been left perplexed at what we have either heard or read? Perhaps it’s been even made worse by the minister/preacher who has been preaching on it !!!
Our reading today’s starts off with a parable; a parable all about a farmer sowing seeds. And he seems to be scattering them willy-nilly; anywhere he wants; he just tosses them about anywhere—which results in some falling on the path, some on rocky places where the soil is shallow, some landing among thorns, and some landing on good soil. It would appear, initially, that only a small amount of the seeds do what had been intended of them.
But the point of the parable, Jesus tells the disciples, is to paint a picture of the Kingdom of Heaven; to show them what it looks like; and to teach them that the abundant nature of God gives us more Grace than we can possibly conceive; because ultimately we are in the hands of a generous God.
Which is great to know isn’t it? Because it means that our lives have meaning no matter what may be going on that makes us think otherwise. And that to receive God’s goodness and love is a grace from the Giver rather than something that is based on our own efforts.
For example, we could compare our lives to the types of ground that Jesus uses in the parable: some days we are like the rocky ground, where nothing much seems to be happening with our faith, there is a lack of depth to all that we do, because we have not watered our souls by attending to a spiritual discipline and practicing it faithfully.
Then there are days when we are thorny and no one can touch us because we are too prickly. Then there are days where things are right with the world and the things we do, and the results we see can even surprise us.
Of course, as well as us doing our part, this is the grace of God at work in our lives and in the lives of others. A grace that gives and keeps on giving, even when we are slow to see it. A grace that is poured into our lives so that we can take it and sow seeds of love and hope and then watch them grow in unexpected places.
We have been blessed so that we can be a blessing to others. Sometimes it can be easy to forget about the goodness of God. After all, we can too easily plod on day after day, week after week and year after year and not see any results of growth in our lives or even in the life of our church, and it can be easy to fall into despair and worry about what the future has in store for us. We can be like the two followers on the road to Emmaus: “we had hoped”. The inference being we don’t expect to have our hopes and expectations met any longer.
But the parable is telling us (I think!!!) that in between times God is working away behind the scenes, working underground so to speak. And during this time, all that is expected of us is to simply persist and persevere with what we are doing.
And that is, to continue taking the Good News and sharing it with others, because although there are many obstacles that have to be overcome until some kind of normality resumes in our lives; whilst many still have feelings of despair, anxiety and worry in their lives, there is still a harvest of love, hope joy and peace to be sown and reaped. A harvest that bares fruit when the seeds are scattered; seeds that will bring a harvest thirty, sixty, and a hundred times over, despite our abilities rather than because of them.
May we, continue to harvest with the Divine seeds we have been given, and continue to trust even though we may not always see the results of everything we do, but nonetheless may we take and sow the seeds of God’s word that have been placed into our lives and allow and enable Him to do the rest, trusting that by His hands all things will indeed work out for the greater good.
Amen
the birth of jesus
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days Caesar Augustus(A) issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.(B) 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)(C) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem(D) the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him(E) and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.
She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel(F) of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid.(G) I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
11 Today in the town of David a Savior(H) has been born to you; he is the Messiah,(I) the Lord.(J)
12 This will be a sign(K) to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace(L) to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.(M)
17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.(N)
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God(O) for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Reflection
“Christmas certainly seems to be coming around quicker every year!” I can hear many of you saying after looking at today’s reading. Yes, the Christmas message in July is certainly different and something we might not be used to.
And if it’s helpful, in case the pandemic has made you forget, there are only 5 and a bit months to Christmas!!
But let’s be honest, why shouldn’t we re-read the Christmas passages or hear once again the tidings of Good News from the angels to the shepherds; after all it’s not a once a year message to be packed away and then reintroduced to the world the following December.
The problem we have if we treat Christmas and the birth of Jesus in the same way that everyone else views Christmas, is that we downplay His birth to being a tradition rather than a reality. The nativity ends up as part of Christmas, in the same way as Rudolf, tinsel and Christmas trees are and we end up losing sight of what Jesus's entry into the world entailed and what it means for us today.
And before everyone starts shouting ‘Bah humbug’ and calling me Scrooge, I admit that I love Christmas, and everything that takes place at that time of the year, not just in the shops and the streets, but also within the Church as well. It’s a shame that we only sing some of the Carols once a year, because many of them deserve a more regular airing. Is it just me that thinks that or are there others out there who think likewise?
A few years ago, I read about a well-known tv personality who ended up in court because a relationship he was in had ended, quite badly in fact, but he couldn’t accept it. Apparently, he used to sit in a tree close to his ex’s house so that he could see her every day. He admitted he was infatuated with her and didn’t want to go a day with out seeing her.
Without going into the rights and wrongs of this particular case, because what he did was wrong, I must admit that it did get me thinking about the lengths people will go to, to prove to another just how much they love them.
The Christmas message and the birth of Jesus is something like that. From the ending of the last book in the Old Testament to the beginnings of the New Testament or to round about the birth of Jesus, there is a gap of 400 years. 400 years of God not speaking to His people. Four centuries of Father, Son and Spirit, out of sight but still watching over humanity in silence; a humanity that they loved so much but they appeared to be ignoring them.
But also, 400 years for the Holy Trinity to put together a plan in which they would show everyone just how much they were loved.
Can you not just picture the scene—Father, Son and Spirit working as One, as to how they would once again reach out with a message of love. But this time it would be a message that would go further, more people would be included in this message; it would be a message for the entire world, rather than just one particular group of people. And it would be carried out in a way that was all inclusive; nobody would be left out.
So as the Trinity make their plans, they throw in some controversial characters to the story. There would be a girl who would be the main character. “Nice One,” they say to each other. “In a patriarchal society, women can also come to know that the Divine Love is for them as much as anyone else.”
“Let’s have some shepherds as well. Nobody really likes them. That will be a morale booster for those who are marginalised, if they know that Shepherds are included in this show of universal love.”
“What about this? Why don’t we have foreigners; people who have a different religion, as part of the story? Guys that travel thousands of miles to bring some gifts to the baby when He is born. And when they see Him they will worship Him.” “Good idea.
We can let the world see that this Love is for everyone.
That there will be no barriers. No one is left out”
And so, 400 years of planning then took place, so that when the birth of the Son took place it would be at the right time, in the right place, and with the right people, so that the message of Divine Love could once again be shared, but this time with a wider audience, and a greater number of participants.
The Christmas message is still being played out today, not just on one day but every day. We are all examples of that Divine Love, and of what it does for a person who receives it. It’s a humbling Love because it reminds us that we weren’t anything special, and we didn’t do anything special to receive that Love, but we received it anyway, because that’s the way God works.
A lot of planning went into making the Christmas story special, a lot of time and effort was made by the Heavenly Trinity to show and share their Love for each and every one of us. A lot of thought is still going on into ways to show that Love to millions of people today. Because the truth is, Christmas isn’t a story of what happened 2,000 years ago, instead it is still as alive as it was back then, it still has meaning and reality for us today and the generations to come.
And as such may we not see it as something to be remembered but instead as something that we live and share, this day and every day.
Amen
2 In those days Caesar Augustus(A) issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.(B) 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)(C) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem(D) the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him(E) and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.
She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel(F) of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid.(G) I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
11 Today in the town of David a Savior(H) has been born to you; he is the Messiah,(I) the Lord.(J)
12 This will be a sign(K) to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace(L) to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.(M)
17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.(N)
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God(O) for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Reflection
“Christmas certainly seems to be coming around quicker every year!” I can hear many of you saying after looking at today’s reading. Yes, the Christmas message in July is certainly different and something we might not be used to.
And if it’s helpful, in case the pandemic has made you forget, there are only 5 and a bit months to Christmas!!
But let’s be honest, why shouldn’t we re-read the Christmas passages or hear once again the tidings of Good News from the angels to the shepherds; after all it’s not a once a year message to be packed away and then reintroduced to the world the following December.
The problem we have if we treat Christmas and the birth of Jesus in the same way that everyone else views Christmas, is that we downplay His birth to being a tradition rather than a reality. The nativity ends up as part of Christmas, in the same way as Rudolf, tinsel and Christmas trees are and we end up losing sight of what Jesus's entry into the world entailed and what it means for us today.
And before everyone starts shouting ‘Bah humbug’ and calling me Scrooge, I admit that I love Christmas, and everything that takes place at that time of the year, not just in the shops and the streets, but also within the Church as well. It’s a shame that we only sing some of the Carols once a year, because many of them deserve a more regular airing. Is it just me that thinks that or are there others out there who think likewise?
A few years ago, I read about a well-known tv personality who ended up in court because a relationship he was in had ended, quite badly in fact, but he couldn’t accept it. Apparently, he used to sit in a tree close to his ex’s house so that he could see her every day. He admitted he was infatuated with her and didn’t want to go a day with out seeing her.
Without going into the rights and wrongs of this particular case, because what he did was wrong, I must admit that it did get me thinking about the lengths people will go to, to prove to another just how much they love them.
The Christmas message and the birth of Jesus is something like that. From the ending of the last book in the Old Testament to the beginnings of the New Testament or to round about the birth of Jesus, there is a gap of 400 years. 400 years of God not speaking to His people. Four centuries of Father, Son and Spirit, out of sight but still watching over humanity in silence; a humanity that they loved so much but they appeared to be ignoring them.
But also, 400 years for the Holy Trinity to put together a plan in which they would show everyone just how much they were loved.
Can you not just picture the scene—Father, Son and Spirit working as One, as to how they would once again reach out with a message of love. But this time it would be a message that would go further, more people would be included in this message; it would be a message for the entire world, rather than just one particular group of people. And it would be carried out in a way that was all inclusive; nobody would be left out.
So as the Trinity make their plans, they throw in some controversial characters to the story. There would be a girl who would be the main character. “Nice One,” they say to each other. “In a patriarchal society, women can also come to know that the Divine Love is for them as much as anyone else.”
“Let’s have some shepherds as well. Nobody really likes them. That will be a morale booster for those who are marginalised, if they know that Shepherds are included in this show of universal love.”
“What about this? Why don’t we have foreigners; people who have a different religion, as part of the story? Guys that travel thousands of miles to bring some gifts to the baby when He is born. And when they see Him they will worship Him.” “Good idea.
We can let the world see that this Love is for everyone.
That there will be no barriers. No one is left out”
And so, 400 years of planning then took place, so that when the birth of the Son took place it would be at the right time, in the right place, and with the right people, so that the message of Divine Love could once again be shared, but this time with a wider audience, and a greater number of participants.
The Christmas message is still being played out today, not just on one day but every day. We are all examples of that Divine Love, and of what it does for a person who receives it. It’s a humbling Love because it reminds us that we weren’t anything special, and we didn’t do anything special to receive that Love, but we received it anyway, because that’s the way God works.
A lot of planning went into making the Christmas story special, a lot of time and effort was made by the Heavenly Trinity to show and share their Love for each and every one of us. A lot of thought is still going on into ways to show that Love to millions of people today. Because the truth is, Christmas isn’t a story of what happened 2,000 years ago, instead it is still as alive as it was back then, it still has meaning and reality for us today and the generations to come.
And as such may we not see it as something to be remembered but instead as something that we live and share, this day and every day.
Amen
lay, lay your burden down... at the feet of jesus
Matthew 11:25-30 New International Version (NIV)
The Father Revealed in the Son(A)
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father,(B) Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.(C) 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27 “All things have been committed to me(D) by my Father.(E) No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.(F)
28 “Come to me,(G) all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.(H) 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,(I) for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.(J) 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”(K)
Reflection
For too many of us, we spend much of our lives busy with things that suck the energy right out of us. Morning, noon and night we are doing things that leave us exhausted stressed, tired, drained and even on the edge of burnout. We live in a fast-paced world, where we’re often overachievers -- hurrying, rushing, working too hard, until our energies are depleted and our well-being is in tatters.
And then we come to church. And sometimes, if we’re not careful, we can carry that busyness that we bring with us into the way we believe we should be doing things in the life of the church.
But the good news for those of us who come to church to get away from the stresses and cares of life is that this is a sanctuary of safety from the exertions of life; this is a place for all those who are tired and weary from carrying the burdens of life. We come to church holding the invitation that Jesus has sent to us: “Come to me, you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Yesterday in the United States of America, (Saturday) they celebrated their Independence Day. It’s a massive event. At New York Harbour stands a statue of Lady Liberty with the inscription: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
I wonder if Emma Lazarus, who wrote these words, had the words of Jesus in her mind when she was writing. “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy-laden.” An invitation given to us all but not always freely received
We may come to church for many different reasons, and we know that for too many of us, we come here stressed, worried, troubled and tired. Jesus understood this need. He knew the importance of rest. Nobody understood this better than He did. After all He had a busy life as well: people were often crowding around Him as they sought healing, forgiveness, peace and hope.
And the one thing we can always say about Jesus is that nobody was ever turned away from Him. Jesus saw the people, realised what life was like for them, and had compassion for them. But Jesus too needed His time of rest and for being at One with God. He always made time for refilling His soul. That’s why He gives us the invitation: “Come to me … and I will give you rest.”
These words were a continuation of Jesus’ mission of coming to set people free from their burdens. He came to free the people who, no matter how hard they tried, could never live up to the rigid requirements of the religious perfectionists. But for too many of us there are those other burdens that we carry with us throughout our lives that do nothing for us except weigh us down, and ultimately make the journey with Jesus something that God never intended for us.
The wisdom of the ages has taught that the burdens that we carry only trap us in prisons of our own making. However, the only way to live—to truly live—is to let go and give all our burdens to Jesus. And when we give these things to Him we can receive and enjoy the joy, love, life, and rest that He offers to us.
William Barclay used the illustration of a man meeting two boys, one is carrying the other on his back “That’s a heavy burden you’re carrying” the man observes. “That’s no’ a burden” the boy replies, “that’s my brother”.
The burdens that we carry can so easily weigh us down but when we pass them on to the One who loves us most, we see that in our brother Jesus, our burdens are actually quite light for Him. He is able and willing to take them carry them on our behalf.
May we always take that opportunity of laying our burdens down, passing them on to Him, and see and experience the difference it will make in our lives.
There is a gospel song that says it well . . .
Lay your burden down
Lay your burden down
O won't you lay . . .
Your burden down
At the feet
The feet of Jesus
O won't you lay . . .
Your burden down
To you who walk
Along the road
And struggle with
Your heavy load
Still Jesus calls
You in your plight
To come to Him
His load is light.
Our faith in Jesus should never be a burden, but instead may it be a joy in knowing the love of the Lord. Whatever it is that might be wearing us down, Jesus still holds out His hands and gives the invitation, “Come to me, all you who labour and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.”
And at a time of continued bad news and uncertainty may our journey with Jesus still be the Good News that we are able to take with us as we step into another week, lightened from those worries and burdens that we have now chosen to pass on to the One who has offered to take them from us.
The Father Revealed in the Son(A)
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father,(B) Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.(C) 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27 “All things have been committed to me(D) by my Father.(E) No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.(F)
28 “Come to me,(G) all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.(H) 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,(I) for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.(J) 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”(K)
Reflection
For too many of us, we spend much of our lives busy with things that suck the energy right out of us. Morning, noon and night we are doing things that leave us exhausted stressed, tired, drained and even on the edge of burnout. We live in a fast-paced world, where we’re often overachievers -- hurrying, rushing, working too hard, until our energies are depleted and our well-being is in tatters.
And then we come to church. And sometimes, if we’re not careful, we can carry that busyness that we bring with us into the way we believe we should be doing things in the life of the church.
But the good news for those of us who come to church to get away from the stresses and cares of life is that this is a sanctuary of safety from the exertions of life; this is a place for all those who are tired and weary from carrying the burdens of life. We come to church holding the invitation that Jesus has sent to us: “Come to me, you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Yesterday in the United States of America, (Saturday) they celebrated their Independence Day. It’s a massive event. At New York Harbour stands a statue of Lady Liberty with the inscription: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
I wonder if Emma Lazarus, who wrote these words, had the words of Jesus in her mind when she was writing. “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy-laden.” An invitation given to us all but not always freely received
We may come to church for many different reasons, and we know that for too many of us, we come here stressed, worried, troubled and tired. Jesus understood this need. He knew the importance of rest. Nobody understood this better than He did. After all He had a busy life as well: people were often crowding around Him as they sought healing, forgiveness, peace and hope.
And the one thing we can always say about Jesus is that nobody was ever turned away from Him. Jesus saw the people, realised what life was like for them, and had compassion for them. But Jesus too needed His time of rest and for being at One with God. He always made time for refilling His soul. That’s why He gives us the invitation: “Come to me … and I will give you rest.”
These words were a continuation of Jesus’ mission of coming to set people free from their burdens. He came to free the people who, no matter how hard they tried, could never live up to the rigid requirements of the religious perfectionists. But for too many of us there are those other burdens that we carry with us throughout our lives that do nothing for us except weigh us down, and ultimately make the journey with Jesus something that God never intended for us.
The wisdom of the ages has taught that the burdens that we carry only trap us in prisons of our own making. However, the only way to live—to truly live—is to let go and give all our burdens to Jesus. And when we give these things to Him we can receive and enjoy the joy, love, life, and rest that He offers to us.
William Barclay used the illustration of a man meeting two boys, one is carrying the other on his back “That’s a heavy burden you’re carrying” the man observes. “That’s no’ a burden” the boy replies, “that’s my brother”.
The burdens that we carry can so easily weigh us down but when we pass them on to the One who loves us most, we see that in our brother Jesus, our burdens are actually quite light for Him. He is able and willing to take them carry them on our behalf.
May we always take that opportunity of laying our burdens down, passing them on to Him, and see and experience the difference it will make in our lives.
There is a gospel song that says it well . . .
Lay your burden down
Lay your burden down
O won't you lay . . .
Your burden down
At the feet
The feet of Jesus
O won't you lay . . .
Your burden down
To you who walk
Along the road
And struggle with
Your heavy load
Still Jesus calls
You in your plight
To come to Him
His load is light.
Our faith in Jesus should never be a burden, but instead may it be a joy in knowing the love of the Lord. Whatever it is that might be wearing us down, Jesus still holds out His hands and gives the invitation, “Come to me, all you who labour and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.”
And at a time of continued bad news and uncertainty may our journey with Jesus still be the Good News that we are able to take with us as we step into another week, lightened from those worries and burdens that we have now chosen to pass on to the One who has offered to take them from us.
the greatest commandment
Matthew 22:34-40 New International Version (NIV)
The Greatest Commandment
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,(B) the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law,(C) tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a](D) 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’[b](E) 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”(F)
Reflection
“It's the economy stupid”, a phrase coined by Bill Clinton’s strategist James Carville during Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, when he told campaign workers what one of the key priorities of their election campaign would be.
I dare say that this is the mantra of many Governments the world over now, as they consider what their main priorities will be as they try to move events on and move their countries from lockdown and into rebuilding some kind of normality again. And obviously one of the key priorities world wide will be the state of the economy at a local, national and global level.
We all have priorities don’t we? There are certain things that we consider to be more important than others. Certain things that are perhaps red lines in the sand for us.
One prominent member of a Church in Glasgow was quite upset with his denomination for following Government policy in closing their church buildings as part of the lockdown. He maintained that their priority should have been keeping the doors open and thus showing a greater trust in Jesus.
In a similar manner one American pastor made that the priority for his church. He kept his church open in the face of official guidelines but unfortunately, he contracted the Coronavirus and died. Four other members of his family caught it as well and were seriously ill for a while.
What are our priorities today?
Have our priorities changed since March and we became much more aware of how frail life can be? Of how things can change in the blink of an eye? And of how, within the bigger picture, we can seem to have very little effect on, and seem to be unable to change many of the events of life?
If we look to our Bibles for a bit of guidance as to where our priorities should be at times like this, I think that our reading for today shows us where our concern should always be, particularly in times such as these: “ Love God and love one another”.
In our reading, Jesus is responding to a question from a Pharisee, an expert in the law that the people were expected to follow. He asks Jesus: “What is the greatest commandment in the law?” It wasn’t so much a question, but a test, to see whether Jesus would contradict the rules as set by Moses.
Jesus gives a short and direct response by quoting from two different scriptures; two different rules from Moses-- Deuteronomy 6:5 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" and Leviticus 19:18 "Love your neighbour as you love yourself."
Jesus is countering a notion that that love of God and love of neighbour are two parallel but separate spheres of human responsibility. Rather, He is stating that they are mutually interdependent. In effect Jesus is saying that the one is just as important as the other.
We can’t say that we love God and would do anything for Him, but at the same time carry animosity towards others. To love God is to love our neighbour. And to love our neighbour is to love God. Nothing is more loving than showing love for those around us, particularly in times such as these, as many struggle with their own particular needs.
In this radical linking of love of God with love of neighbour and self as the "Greatest," Jesus makes all other laws about purity, cleanliness, rituals, sacrifices, etc. that were important to the religious leaders secondary issues to the law of love.
Jesus’ response makes the point that true religion is not based on religious arguments, or having the ability to know and recite biblical passages, but rather, that the things we say that we believe are always proven through the way we care for one another. We love God, and that love is shown in the way that we love others. Whilst there are rules that we observe and traditions that we look to they don’t trump the law of love. Neither are they opposites because ultimately God’s law is the law of Love.
Without a doubt, our priorities will have changed over the last few months. Perhaps it will be for the good of ourselves and others. However, no matter what may be going on all around us just now may the priorities that we set ourselves always be the ones that God sets, of loving one another, of helping each other, of doing the small things that prove one another’s worth and value; of loving, serving and ensuring that the priorities of God are still being enacted within our communities today, as we prioritise the needs of others above ourselves; the needs of those who feel forsaken, forgotten and ignored; those who are hurting and struggling.
There will always be things that we need to do in our lives; but may we always prioritise the things that bring, show and share love above everything else that we do.
The Greatest Commandment
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,(B) the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law,(C) tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a](D) 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’[b](E) 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”(F)
Reflection
“It's the economy stupid”, a phrase coined by Bill Clinton’s strategist James Carville during Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, when he told campaign workers what one of the key priorities of their election campaign would be.
I dare say that this is the mantra of many Governments the world over now, as they consider what their main priorities will be as they try to move events on and move their countries from lockdown and into rebuilding some kind of normality again. And obviously one of the key priorities world wide will be the state of the economy at a local, national and global level.
We all have priorities don’t we? There are certain things that we consider to be more important than others. Certain things that are perhaps red lines in the sand for us.
One prominent member of a Church in Glasgow was quite upset with his denomination for following Government policy in closing their church buildings as part of the lockdown. He maintained that their priority should have been keeping the doors open and thus showing a greater trust in Jesus.
In a similar manner one American pastor made that the priority for his church. He kept his church open in the face of official guidelines but unfortunately, he contracted the Coronavirus and died. Four other members of his family caught it as well and were seriously ill for a while.
What are our priorities today?
Have our priorities changed since March and we became much more aware of how frail life can be? Of how things can change in the blink of an eye? And of how, within the bigger picture, we can seem to have very little effect on, and seem to be unable to change many of the events of life?
If we look to our Bibles for a bit of guidance as to where our priorities should be at times like this, I think that our reading for today shows us where our concern should always be, particularly in times such as these: “ Love God and love one another”.
In our reading, Jesus is responding to a question from a Pharisee, an expert in the law that the people were expected to follow. He asks Jesus: “What is the greatest commandment in the law?” It wasn’t so much a question, but a test, to see whether Jesus would contradict the rules as set by Moses.
Jesus gives a short and direct response by quoting from two different scriptures; two different rules from Moses-- Deuteronomy 6:5 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" and Leviticus 19:18 "Love your neighbour as you love yourself."
Jesus is countering a notion that that love of God and love of neighbour are two parallel but separate spheres of human responsibility. Rather, He is stating that they are mutually interdependent. In effect Jesus is saying that the one is just as important as the other.
We can’t say that we love God and would do anything for Him, but at the same time carry animosity towards others. To love God is to love our neighbour. And to love our neighbour is to love God. Nothing is more loving than showing love for those around us, particularly in times such as these, as many struggle with their own particular needs.
In this radical linking of love of God with love of neighbour and self as the "Greatest," Jesus makes all other laws about purity, cleanliness, rituals, sacrifices, etc. that were important to the religious leaders secondary issues to the law of love.
Jesus’ response makes the point that true religion is not based on religious arguments, or having the ability to know and recite biblical passages, but rather, that the things we say that we believe are always proven through the way we care for one another. We love God, and that love is shown in the way that we love others. Whilst there are rules that we observe and traditions that we look to they don’t trump the law of love. Neither are they opposites because ultimately God’s law is the law of Love.
Without a doubt, our priorities will have changed over the last few months. Perhaps it will be for the good of ourselves and others. However, no matter what may be going on all around us just now may the priorities that we set ourselves always be the ones that God sets, of loving one another, of helping each other, of doing the small things that prove one another’s worth and value; of loving, serving and ensuring that the priorities of God are still being enacted within our communities today, as we prioritise the needs of others above ourselves; the needs of those who feel forsaken, forgotten and ignored; those who are hurting and struggling.
There will always be things that we need to do in our lives; but may we always prioritise the things that bring, show and share love above everything else that we do.
August
JESUS PREDICTS HIS DEATH
Matthew 16: 21-28
Jesus predicts his death
21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
Sermon
It didn’t take Peter long to learn a truism that nearly all of us have found out at one time or another; that the minute you think you have Jesus all worked out, when you think you know who He truly is, then you are about to learn an uncomfortable truth. That there is always more to discover.
Poor Peter!! In last week's reading he was basking in the light of having been the only one of the disciples to identify Jesus as God’s promised Messiah, and the reward for sharing that truth was being told that he only knew this because he had been given Divine insight; and that through him Jesus would build the Church. What an accolade to receive. An affirmation that Peter’s leaving behind his life as a fisherman had been worth it. And although the reading doesn’t say anything, I’m sure these words of Jesus must have boosted Peter’s ego just a bit.
And imagine the sheer outpouring of joy from the other disciples as well, because now, Jesus is affirming to them that they are living in the time that previous generations had waited for. That they were the ones who would bear witness to the culmination of so many of God’s promises of the past. That those times when the cries of slaves in Egypt, the yearnings of exiles in Babylon, the prayers of Roman subjects who had pleaded with God to send someone to free them was now standing in their midst. God had responded
But now, only a few verses later, today’s reading once again shows us the highs and lows of being a follower of Jesus, as Peter goes from receiving Divine knowledge and being a future Church builder, to being the voice of Satan. The disciples are hearing words of death and the cross rather than words of celebration and victory, as Jesus now explains what is about to happen; that the religious and political leaders will inflict great violence upon Jesus and kill him. Is it any wonder that Peter finds this hard to believe and counters; “This shall never happen to you.”
In essence, he is telling Jesus there must be a different way; you’ve got it all wrong. This is not what we are expecting from our Messiah.. You are different. You are supposed to be here to save us from our enemies! And in the space of a few minutes Peter goes from being a rock to a stumbling block, of focusing on “human things” rather than “divine things”.
Although he didn’t realise it Peter’s words were an attempt to take Jesus away from the Divinely ordained path that He had to walk. But perhaps Jesus is also saying to us through His chastisement of Peter that whenever we think we know it all, we should prepare ourselves for a wake up call. That once we think our theology is water tight and everybody else has it wrong then we should perhaps be a bit more gracious and humble in what we believe to be true. After all Peter would go on again to put his foot in it when he declared his total loyalty towards Jesus and assured Him that though others might forsake Him, he never would, and we know what happened there!!!
The truth is we are all like Peter; we are all human, we make mistakes, we are vulnerable people; but nonetheless Jesus has chosen us and still wants to work through us. And that can only ever happen when we realise who He truly is rather than who we believe Him to be. And equally when we remember who we are and whose we are; when we remember that the path that Jesus asks us to follow Him along is one where His strength supports our weakness; where justice blosoms; the hungry are fed and the marginalised know comfort. The same path that He has already walked before us, but it’s also a path that leads to the cross.
However, the cross wasn’t allowed to be the last word in Jesus ministry. Instead it was just the beginning of something new. It was a sign that for all who follow His path, there is a future. It isn’t easy but we are assured that He will be there alongside us strengthening us when the going gets tough and giving us wisdom when we see and hear things that we don’t understand. Because in following Jesus and in doing His will we quickly get to understand that without Him we can do nothing of spiritual value on our own, but if we allow Him, He can do so much within us and through us. Without him, Peter was no rock, but with him, Peter would be the foundation stone of the church.
For those of us who have walked this path over many years we know that sometimes this life of faith doesn’t make any sense. Sometimes we can wonder if it even makes a difference. But the one thing we do know is just how much it changes our lives ! Or, as in the words of St. Francis of Assissi: And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life
And in that knowledge may we trust and believe that God is at work in and through us for the good of the world.
Therefore, this week and every week may we believe that the promised Messiah is using us and helping us to taste, see and believe that He came to enable us to make a difference and to give us those things we need to carry out His will.
Can we dare to believe that He is with us right now-holding us, lamenting with us, encouraging us, so that we can endure and flourish under the current circumstances we find ourselves in; and just as He does all this for us may we then go and do the same for others.
Amen
Jesus predicts his death
21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
Sermon
It didn’t take Peter long to learn a truism that nearly all of us have found out at one time or another; that the minute you think you have Jesus all worked out, when you think you know who He truly is, then you are about to learn an uncomfortable truth. That there is always more to discover.
Poor Peter!! In last week's reading he was basking in the light of having been the only one of the disciples to identify Jesus as God’s promised Messiah, and the reward for sharing that truth was being told that he only knew this because he had been given Divine insight; and that through him Jesus would build the Church. What an accolade to receive. An affirmation that Peter’s leaving behind his life as a fisherman had been worth it. And although the reading doesn’t say anything, I’m sure these words of Jesus must have boosted Peter’s ego just a bit.
And imagine the sheer outpouring of joy from the other disciples as well, because now, Jesus is affirming to them that they are living in the time that previous generations had waited for. That they were the ones who would bear witness to the culmination of so many of God’s promises of the past. That those times when the cries of slaves in Egypt, the yearnings of exiles in Babylon, the prayers of Roman subjects who had pleaded with God to send someone to free them was now standing in their midst. God had responded
But now, only a few verses later, today’s reading once again shows us the highs and lows of being a follower of Jesus, as Peter goes from receiving Divine knowledge and being a future Church builder, to being the voice of Satan. The disciples are hearing words of death and the cross rather than words of celebration and victory, as Jesus now explains what is about to happen; that the religious and political leaders will inflict great violence upon Jesus and kill him. Is it any wonder that Peter finds this hard to believe and counters; “This shall never happen to you.”
In essence, he is telling Jesus there must be a different way; you’ve got it all wrong. This is not what we are expecting from our Messiah.. You are different. You are supposed to be here to save us from our enemies! And in the space of a few minutes Peter goes from being a rock to a stumbling block, of focusing on “human things” rather than “divine things”.
Although he didn’t realise it Peter’s words were an attempt to take Jesus away from the Divinely ordained path that He had to walk. But perhaps Jesus is also saying to us through His chastisement of Peter that whenever we think we know it all, we should prepare ourselves for a wake up call. That once we think our theology is water tight and everybody else has it wrong then we should perhaps be a bit more gracious and humble in what we believe to be true. After all Peter would go on again to put his foot in it when he declared his total loyalty towards Jesus and assured Him that though others might forsake Him, he never would, and we know what happened there!!!
The truth is we are all like Peter; we are all human, we make mistakes, we are vulnerable people; but nonetheless Jesus has chosen us and still wants to work through us. And that can only ever happen when we realise who He truly is rather than who we believe Him to be. And equally when we remember who we are and whose we are; when we remember that the path that Jesus asks us to follow Him along is one where His strength supports our weakness; where justice blosoms; the hungry are fed and the marginalised know comfort. The same path that He has already walked before us, but it’s also a path that leads to the cross.
However, the cross wasn’t allowed to be the last word in Jesus ministry. Instead it was just the beginning of something new. It was a sign that for all who follow His path, there is a future. It isn’t easy but we are assured that He will be there alongside us strengthening us when the going gets tough and giving us wisdom when we see and hear things that we don’t understand. Because in following Jesus and in doing His will we quickly get to understand that without Him we can do nothing of spiritual value on our own, but if we allow Him, He can do so much within us and through us. Without him, Peter was no rock, but with him, Peter would be the foundation stone of the church.
For those of us who have walked this path over many years we know that sometimes this life of faith doesn’t make any sense. Sometimes we can wonder if it even makes a difference. But the one thing we do know is just how much it changes our lives ! Or, as in the words of St. Francis of Assissi: And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life
And in that knowledge may we trust and believe that God is at work in and through us for the good of the world.
- May we believe that our small congregation has something of value to offer our communities?
- May we believe that when we befriend the lonely or encourage the frightened heaven rejoices?
- May we believe that our small acts of love and generosity can really make a difference.
Therefore, this week and every week may we believe that the promised Messiah is using us and helping us to taste, see and believe that He came to enable us to make a difference and to give us those things we need to carry out His will.
Can we dare to believe that He is with us right now-holding us, lamenting with us, encouraging us, so that we can endure and flourish under the current circumstances we find ourselves in; and just as He does all this for us may we then go and do the same for others.
Amen
sometimes things just overwhelm us
Esther 4: 1-17
Mordecai persuades Esther to help
4 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. 2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. 3 In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
4 When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. 5 Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.
6 So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.
9 Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold sceptre to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”
12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.
Reflection
I am sure we have all went through those periods of self doubt and we have questioned whether the things we do and believe actually make any difference. After all it is one thing to have a set of beliefs, a strong moral compass or a value system that shapes everything we say and do. However, when they are set against other sets of beliefs and value systems that seem to be the norm to others, sometimes it can make us want to blend in with everything that is going on around us so that we can have an easier and quieter life.
And at times like these, when we seem to be unable to affect the things that are going on around us, despair can set in as we question ourselves, our purpose for living, and the things or rather the lack of them that we have actually achieved in our short time on earth.
And in the midst of a pandemic that looks as if it is going to be with us for a while yet, it can be easy to have the same thoughts; as to our lack of significance, relevance and ability to change things in the face of an unprecedented challenge.
However, it is into the midst of those worries, cares and concerns that our reading offers light and hope.
I'm sure that when Mordecai and Esther were having their conversation in today’s reading, they weren’t thinking about the situation we would be facing many thousands of years later; but when Mordecai challenges Esther by telling her;“who knows, but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this ”(4:14) he not only challenges her but gives her a vision for the purpose for her life.
And perhaps we need these words as both comfort and wake up call for our lives. The reassurance that we have been created by a loving creator who has a definite plan for our lives, but it’s also the challenge to appreciate that our lives have purpose and we therefore need to give them meaning.
As way of background to today’s reading; Mordecai had uncovered a plot by the king’s second in command, Haman, to exterminate all the Jews. However, Haman had been devious in the way he had done it. He had worked it in such a way that the orders were signed in the king’s name and the order was sealed with the ‘royal assent’. In effect, whenever and wherever the order would be proclaimed, it would be with royal approval, though the king was oblivious to it.
Esther is one of the king’s many wives and only sees him periodically. If she sees him when she is not meant to, it could result in her death. But nonetheless Haman tells her that she has to see him, and that perhaps this is her purpose in life; that God has placed her inside the palace to get the kings attention as to what is about to take place in his name. Perhaps this is her reason for living. That she is there to not just keep the kings name and reputation intact, but more importantly, to protect an entire nation of people; God’s people.
However, Mordecai also gives her a picture of what might happen if she doesn’t approach the king. He tells Esther that if it is God’s will, then she shouldn’t think that his plan will stop if she fails to respond. Instead he will use someone else, and Esther and all her family would perish in Haman’s plans.
What pressure to be under!!!
The book of Esther is very dark indeed, and like every other book in the bible there are challenges for us. But there are also glimmers of light and hope.
And perhaps the words that Esther heard are also words of light and hope for many of us today. That in the face of somethings that can overwhelm us, challenge us, or have us questioning our value and the meaning of our lives, perhaps we just need to be reminded that Jesus has assured us that we are all people of value and worth who are precious in his eyes. He went to the cross for us to show the width of his love rather than show his ability to condemn and criticise.
The apostle Paul confirmed this by reminding us that we are God’s workmanship. We are the work of his hands. Because God created us we have been made for a purpose and we’ve been made as people with purpose: created for the time that we live in just now, and if it wasn’t so then we would have lived in a different period of time. So, whenever we begin to wonder and worry about our significance, value or the meaning of our lives may we never forget that because God has created us to do good things of eternal value, he has provided us with the ability to do them.
He has promised that he will always be there with us. That no matter the task, it will be of value to him. Remember a few weeks ago, we heard Jesus talking about giving a cup of water being of kingdom value? The point being that it is in both the small and big things we do, that we see just how much of a difference we make to the lives of others.
Therefore, whenever we feel that our lives are of no value or we feel we haven’t done anything of worth, may we look heaven wards once again and be reminded of God’s love for us and that from God’s perspective our lives have been and always will be ones of value, meaning and purpose.
Amen
PETER DECLARES THAT JESUS IS THE MESSIAH
Matthew 16: 13-20
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[c] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[d] loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Sermon
Genealogies, tracing your family tree, discovering a bit more of who you are and where you come from and finding out some of the factors that maybe make you the person that you are, are things that interest many of us.
Some of our church members have even carried out searches on the history of some of those who are buried in the grave yard at Auchincruive, and it is fascinating when details are drawn together and we can build a story and paint a picture of the lives of those who would otherwise be just names on a headstone to us.
And in a slightly similar manner, Matthew begins his gospel account of the life of Jesus by reproducing His genealogy; a genealogy that goes back to Abraham but also includes David and a whole host of the great and good and even not so good of Jewish history. It’s a lineage that proves Jesus Jewish heritage to prove that He was and is the promised Messiah that the Jewish people had been waiting for.
Today’s reading begins with Jesus asking two important questions of his disciples: ‘Who do people say that I am?’ followed by: “Who do you say I am?” The disciples acknowledge that people saw Jesus as being a recreation of one of the prophets. John the Baptist; Elijah; Jeremiah or some other prophet. Basically, He is seen as no more than a prophet of old.
Therefore when Jesus then asks the disciples who they thought he was, in light of the many things he had said and done in their presence Peter emerges as spokesperson for the Twelve by saying:
“You are the Messiah, the son of the living God”
Peter saw Jesus as a living, dynamic God; one who was active and alive; not someone from the past, but someone for the present. And for us too may we believe him to be the Son of God who continues to speak and act on His people’s behalf today.
If we look at Jesus in the same way as Peter did, and we believe the same as Peter said how does that change things for us today?. Whilst it might be hard for us to fully articulate, surely if nothing else, it brings us some hope in the middle of everything that we go through. It assures us that in the middle of unexplained problems that Jesus is there not just watching over us but He is there at the centre helping and guiding us through them.
Sometimes when we feel that there is not enough light in our lives and too much darkness all around us we need to encourage ourselves by taking stock and looking at all the positive things that are going in our lives, our communities and in our world.
Over the last few months, since lockdown and then the easing of it, there have been countless acts of selflessness as people have supported neighbours, friends and families through tough times. Restaurants and food outlets have provided free food for front line workers at great cost to themselves. Many communities have refound the community spirit that has brought a collective sense of ‘oneness’.
And for us as followers of Jesus do we dare to believe that
in the midst of all these things, that Jesus has been there;
that sharing in all these things is the suffering Christ who sided always with the vulnerable;
that sharing in all these things has been the healing Christ who always reached out to the suffering;
that sharing in all these things has been the loving Christ who always reached out to the marginalised.
And we can dare to believe this because we believe that He came to be like one of us, to live like one of us, in order to reveal how God feels about us; revealing God’s heart, a heart that aches with all who suffer from the harsh reality of life but which also loves us like any adoring parent does.
Which is why He is always reaching out to us, in grace, forgiveness, and love in order to help us through the maze and mystery of life.
Sometimes it is too easy to underestimate those times when despite ourselves, we get things right; when an off the cuff remark or a small act of kindness can do things that we never thought possible. Those times we sense God at work in our lives and our communities helping us through the dark times that we are living in
Those times when we know that God is there alongside us, assuring us that there is never a moment when we have been forgotten about by Him
And as we celebrate and give thanks for all that God has done and is doing for us may we continue to strengthen ourselves by believing that Jesus is and who we believe Him to be. Because it is through this that we have a fuller, deeper understanding of who He is to us but also who we are to Him.
And as we reflect on the question and its answer may we also remind ourselves that we don’t follow a dead prophet or a famous carpenter, but the living Son of God. That is our genealogy. He came to us to make us part of the family and to give us an eternal reminder to us of who and whose we really are.
Amen
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[c] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[d] loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Sermon
Genealogies, tracing your family tree, discovering a bit more of who you are and where you come from and finding out some of the factors that maybe make you the person that you are, are things that interest many of us.
Some of our church members have even carried out searches on the history of some of those who are buried in the grave yard at Auchincruive, and it is fascinating when details are drawn together and we can build a story and paint a picture of the lives of those who would otherwise be just names on a headstone to us.
And in a slightly similar manner, Matthew begins his gospel account of the life of Jesus by reproducing His genealogy; a genealogy that goes back to Abraham but also includes David and a whole host of the great and good and even not so good of Jewish history. It’s a lineage that proves Jesus Jewish heritage to prove that He was and is the promised Messiah that the Jewish people had been waiting for.
Today’s reading begins with Jesus asking two important questions of his disciples: ‘Who do people say that I am?’ followed by: “Who do you say I am?” The disciples acknowledge that people saw Jesus as being a recreation of one of the prophets. John the Baptist; Elijah; Jeremiah or some other prophet. Basically, He is seen as no more than a prophet of old.
Therefore when Jesus then asks the disciples who they thought he was, in light of the many things he had said and done in their presence Peter emerges as spokesperson for the Twelve by saying:
“You are the Messiah, the son of the living God”
Peter saw Jesus as a living, dynamic God; one who was active and alive; not someone from the past, but someone for the present. And for us too may we believe him to be the Son of God who continues to speak and act on His people’s behalf today.
If we look at Jesus in the same way as Peter did, and we believe the same as Peter said how does that change things for us today?. Whilst it might be hard for us to fully articulate, surely if nothing else, it brings us some hope in the middle of everything that we go through. It assures us that in the middle of unexplained problems that Jesus is there not just watching over us but He is there at the centre helping and guiding us through them.
Sometimes when we feel that there is not enough light in our lives and too much darkness all around us we need to encourage ourselves by taking stock and looking at all the positive things that are going in our lives, our communities and in our world.
Over the last few months, since lockdown and then the easing of it, there have been countless acts of selflessness as people have supported neighbours, friends and families through tough times. Restaurants and food outlets have provided free food for front line workers at great cost to themselves. Many communities have refound the community spirit that has brought a collective sense of ‘oneness’.
And for us as followers of Jesus do we dare to believe that
in the midst of all these things, that Jesus has been there;
that sharing in all these things is the suffering Christ who sided always with the vulnerable;
that sharing in all these things has been the healing Christ who always reached out to the suffering;
that sharing in all these things has been the loving Christ who always reached out to the marginalised.
And we can dare to believe this because we believe that He came to be like one of us, to live like one of us, in order to reveal how God feels about us; revealing God’s heart, a heart that aches with all who suffer from the harsh reality of life but which also loves us like any adoring parent does.
Which is why He is always reaching out to us, in grace, forgiveness, and love in order to help us through the maze and mystery of life.
Sometimes it is too easy to underestimate those times when despite ourselves, we get things right; when an off the cuff remark or a small act of kindness can do things that we never thought possible. Those times we sense God at work in our lives and our communities helping us through the dark times that we are living in
Those times when we know that God is there alongside us, assuring us that there is never a moment when we have been forgotten about by Him
And as we celebrate and give thanks for all that God has done and is doing for us may we continue to strengthen ourselves by believing that Jesus is and who we believe Him to be. Because it is through this that we have a fuller, deeper understanding of who He is to us but also who we are to Him.
And as we reflect on the question and its answer may we also remind ourselves that we don’t follow a dead prophet or a famous carpenter, but the living Son of God. That is our genealogy. He came to us to make us part of the family and to give us an eternal reminder to us of who and whose we really are.
Amen
whither thou goest, i will go
Ruth 1 New International Version (NIV)
Naomi Loses Her Husband and Sons
1. In the days when the judges ruled,[a](A) there was a famine in the land.(B) So a man from Bethlehem in Judah,(C) together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while(D) in the country of Moab.(E) 2 The man’s name was Elimelek,(F) his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion.(G) They were Ephrathites(H) from Bethlehem,(I) Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.
3 Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 They married Moabite women,(J) one named Orpah and the other Ruth.(K) After they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion(L) also died,(M) and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.
Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem
6 When Naomi heard in Moab(N) that the Lord had come to the aid of his people(O) by providing food(P) for them, she and her daughters-in-law(Q) prepared to return home from there. 7 With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.
8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home.(R) May the Lord show you kindness,(S) as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands(T) and to me. 9 May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest(U) in the home of another husband.” Then she kissed(V) them goodbye and they wept aloud(W) 10 and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”
11 But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands?(X) 12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— 13 would you wait until they grew up?(Y) Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter(Z) for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!(AA)”
14 At this they wept(AB) aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law(AC) goodbye,(AD) but Ruth clung to her.(AE)
15 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law(AF) is going back to her people and her gods.(AG) Go back with her.”
16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you(AH) or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go,(AI) and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people(AJ) and your God my God.(AK) 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely,(AL) if even death separates you and me.”(AM) 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.(AN)
19 So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem.(AO) When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred(AP) because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”
20 “Don’t call me Naomi,[b]” she told them. “Call me Mara,[c] because the Almighty[d](AQ) has made my life very bitter.(AR) 21 I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.(AS) Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted[e] me;(AT) the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”
22 So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite,(AU) her daughter-in-law,(AV) arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest(AW) was beginning.(AX)
Reflection
This weeks reading from the book of Ruth is similar to the one from last week, in that it has only 4 chapters and won’t take too long to read. By doing so it enables us to understand the events that are taking place and have already taken place in the life of the main characters of this story.
And perhaps surprisingly for contemporary readers we see that this story, like so many others from the Old Testament, is not irrelevant to the circumstances and situations that we see around us today. Although it may be thousands of years old, there is enough hope and love within these pages to encourage us, even when we are faced with unexpected and heart breaking events.
The opening verse sets the scene for the rest of the story; there is a famine, and the family set off to live in a foreign land that would provide them with food and safety. The man Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their sons, Mahlon and Chilion, leave everything behind and set off to live as strangers in a new country because if they don’t they will more than likely end up dying of hunger.
Theirs would not have been an easy lot, given the barriers that they would have faced. Unfortunately, things don’t improve too much because Elimelech dies, leaving Naomi as a widow and having to struggle to bring up their two sons. Eventually, the sons marry local women, Orpah and Ruth, before they too, also die. It is not a good news story especially for Naomi, because not only is she a refugee in a strange land but she is also now a widow and a grieving mother.
But it is also now a tragedy for Orpah and Ruth because without any male in the family, who would support and look after these three women? They were in the midst of a crisis. But for Naomi it must have felt that crisis was a by-word in her life now, as she seemed to go from one crisis to another and then on to yet another. In other words, given the context of the opening few verses to this story, it would have been just as appropriate and perhaps easier to begin with the words “it was not the best of times, but the worst of times.” It just seemed to be one thing after another.
I think many of us will be able to relate to this, where we think we are coming to the end of one crisis and before we know it, we are slap bang in the middle of another one; when that sentences “it was not the best of times, but the worst of times” could have been just as easily written for us. And even if we have been fortunate enough not to experience such times, there’s a very good chance that we know people who have gone through these times and are maybe even going through them just now.
And if we are not careful, these circumstances that life seems to fling at us can make us resentful, they can have us cutting ourselves off from others, they can make us bitter.
That was a road that Naomi seemed to be going down as she wanted to be renamed Mara “because the Almighty has made my life very bitter….the Lord has afflicted me….and brought misfortune on me” (1:20-21). Not only is she bitter, she attempts to cut herself off from her two daughter- in- laws by telling them to go back to their own home and find new husbands.
But its at times like these we need the help of others to get us through; or else we need to be the support that will strengthen those who are going through their own private or public hell. If we remember the reflection on Job from a couple of weeks ago and the ‘encouragement’ he received from his 3 friends during his personal struggles, we could do a lot worse than look at the techniques and words used by his friends and vow never to be like them 😊
On the other hand, we could look at the words offered by Ruth to Naomi, when Naomi was telling her to go and restart her life rather than remain with her. Ruth encourages her “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (1:16).
We should not lose sight of the cost to Ruth in making this decision. It would mean living among an unknown foreign people. She would enter a foreign land and encounter new customs. Most of all she would be worshipping a strange god, a god who, in her experience, has so far only dealt harshly with Naomi.
Ruth’s faithfulness to a woman who is not of her own people, who is without a secure future in that culture, and who knows the darker side of life, is a model of faithfulness. Her commitment shows the depth and cost that faithfulness means when we offer it to another person. Ruth had no guarantee that her faithfulness would be rewarded. The only thing that she could be sure of was that what she offered was coming straight from her heart, and she looked for nothing in return
But for us many thousands of years later it is the reminder of what friendship, faithfulness and commitment entails. It’s not always easy and it may at times mean going out of our way for the other in ways we never expected.
But it also underlines the words of Jesus when He said that the most important commandment is to love God and love one another. And we can only ever do the one when we are actively pursuing the other.
And so in everything we do in the days and weeks ahead may we remain committed and faithful to one another and the wider community even when the commitment can be hard and faithfulness requires more than we seem to be able to give.
Amen
Naomi Loses Her Husband and Sons
1. In the days when the judges ruled,[a](A) there was a famine in the land.(B) So a man from Bethlehem in Judah,(C) together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while(D) in the country of Moab.(E) 2 The man’s name was Elimelek,(F) his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion.(G) They were Ephrathites(H) from Bethlehem,(I) Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.
3 Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 They married Moabite women,(J) one named Orpah and the other Ruth.(K) After they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion(L) also died,(M) and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.
Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem
6 When Naomi heard in Moab(N) that the Lord had come to the aid of his people(O) by providing food(P) for them, she and her daughters-in-law(Q) prepared to return home from there. 7 With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.
8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home.(R) May the Lord show you kindness,(S) as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands(T) and to me. 9 May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest(U) in the home of another husband.” Then she kissed(V) them goodbye and they wept aloud(W) 10 and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”
11 But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands?(X) 12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— 13 would you wait until they grew up?(Y) Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter(Z) for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!(AA)”
14 At this they wept(AB) aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law(AC) goodbye,(AD) but Ruth clung to her.(AE)
15 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law(AF) is going back to her people and her gods.(AG) Go back with her.”
16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you(AH) or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go,(AI) and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people(AJ) and your God my God.(AK) 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely,(AL) if even death separates you and me.”(AM) 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.(AN)
19 So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem.(AO) When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred(AP) because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”
20 “Don’t call me Naomi,[b]” she told them. “Call me Mara,[c] because the Almighty[d](AQ) has made my life very bitter.(AR) 21 I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.(AS) Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted[e] me;(AT) the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”
22 So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite,(AU) her daughter-in-law,(AV) arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest(AW) was beginning.(AX)
Reflection
This weeks reading from the book of Ruth is similar to the one from last week, in that it has only 4 chapters and won’t take too long to read. By doing so it enables us to understand the events that are taking place and have already taken place in the life of the main characters of this story.
And perhaps surprisingly for contemporary readers we see that this story, like so many others from the Old Testament, is not irrelevant to the circumstances and situations that we see around us today. Although it may be thousands of years old, there is enough hope and love within these pages to encourage us, even when we are faced with unexpected and heart breaking events.
The opening verse sets the scene for the rest of the story; there is a famine, and the family set off to live in a foreign land that would provide them with food and safety. The man Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their sons, Mahlon and Chilion, leave everything behind and set off to live as strangers in a new country because if they don’t they will more than likely end up dying of hunger.
Theirs would not have been an easy lot, given the barriers that they would have faced. Unfortunately, things don’t improve too much because Elimelech dies, leaving Naomi as a widow and having to struggle to bring up their two sons. Eventually, the sons marry local women, Orpah and Ruth, before they too, also die. It is not a good news story especially for Naomi, because not only is she a refugee in a strange land but she is also now a widow and a grieving mother.
But it is also now a tragedy for Orpah and Ruth because without any male in the family, who would support and look after these three women? They were in the midst of a crisis. But for Naomi it must have felt that crisis was a by-word in her life now, as she seemed to go from one crisis to another and then on to yet another. In other words, given the context of the opening few verses to this story, it would have been just as appropriate and perhaps easier to begin with the words “it was not the best of times, but the worst of times.” It just seemed to be one thing after another.
I think many of us will be able to relate to this, where we think we are coming to the end of one crisis and before we know it, we are slap bang in the middle of another one; when that sentences “it was not the best of times, but the worst of times” could have been just as easily written for us. And even if we have been fortunate enough not to experience such times, there’s a very good chance that we know people who have gone through these times and are maybe even going through them just now.
And if we are not careful, these circumstances that life seems to fling at us can make us resentful, they can have us cutting ourselves off from others, they can make us bitter.
That was a road that Naomi seemed to be going down as she wanted to be renamed Mara “because the Almighty has made my life very bitter….the Lord has afflicted me….and brought misfortune on me” (1:20-21). Not only is she bitter, she attempts to cut herself off from her two daughter- in- laws by telling them to go back to their own home and find new husbands.
But its at times like these we need the help of others to get us through; or else we need to be the support that will strengthen those who are going through their own private or public hell. If we remember the reflection on Job from a couple of weeks ago and the ‘encouragement’ he received from his 3 friends during his personal struggles, we could do a lot worse than look at the techniques and words used by his friends and vow never to be like them 😊
On the other hand, we could look at the words offered by Ruth to Naomi, when Naomi was telling her to go and restart her life rather than remain with her. Ruth encourages her “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (1:16).
We should not lose sight of the cost to Ruth in making this decision. It would mean living among an unknown foreign people. She would enter a foreign land and encounter new customs. Most of all she would be worshipping a strange god, a god who, in her experience, has so far only dealt harshly with Naomi.
Ruth’s faithfulness to a woman who is not of her own people, who is without a secure future in that culture, and who knows the darker side of life, is a model of faithfulness. Her commitment shows the depth and cost that faithfulness means when we offer it to another person. Ruth had no guarantee that her faithfulness would be rewarded. The only thing that she could be sure of was that what she offered was coming straight from her heart, and she looked for nothing in return
But for us many thousands of years later it is the reminder of what friendship, faithfulness and commitment entails. It’s not always easy and it may at times mean going out of our way for the other in ways we never expected.
But it also underlines the words of Jesus when He said that the most important commandment is to love God and love one another. And we can only ever do the one when we are actively pursuing the other.
And so in everything we do in the days and weeks ahead may we remain committed and faithful to one another and the wider community even when the commitment can be hard and faithfulness requires more than we seem to be able to give.
Amen
the faith of the canaanite woman
Matthew 15: 21-28
The Faith of a Canaanite Woman
21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”
23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
Sermon
Today’s reading is another challenging one for us, and not just because of the way in which Jesus seems indifferent to the needs of this Canaanite woman or her ill daughter. It also asks us to reassess what it means to be a person of faith. In fact, what is faith?
What does it take and what does it mean to be a person of great faith or little faith? It’s a question that the disciples might have even asked themselves. After all, here we have a person, a woman no less, who is an outsider to Judaism, and Jesus congratulates her as being a person of great faith; a faith that ensured that her sick daughter was healed from the demon possession which had tormented her. And no doubt if the disciples reflected on some of the things that Jesus had said to them, close to the top of the list would maybe have been the times when Jesus had accused them of lacking faith.
Surely after everything that the disciples had saw and heard Jesus doing there must have been at least a mustard seed of faith in their lives. Was it not Jesus Himself in one of His parables who spoke about possessing a mustard seed of faith, or having a little faith was enough for God to make a difference in a person’s life? And yet just prior to this story the disciples had been told they “had little faith” (14:31)
Whilst we may struggle with the concept of faith, I don’t think any of us would like to have less faith in our lives, we are always looking for more, particularly when times are as tough and uncertain as they are just now.
For some (maybe even many) preachers and ministers, they seem to use faith in their sermons as the answer to every problem a person may have. Doing so in the same way that some of us take paracetamol for any and every type of illness that comes our way!! We believe it to be the answer to everything: Take a couple and everything will be alright.
In the same manner, if you have faith, apparently everything will be fine. Faith becoming the by-word as the answer to every question we have and every problem we face. But I think that for all of us, we know that this isn’t always the case. There isn’t a magic formula, or a universal application for providing the right amount of faith to the many different scenarios that come into our lives and challenges us on a regular basis.
Therefore, why does Jesus congratulate and reward this foreign woman for having faith. Why does he acknowledge that her faith is great? Is it because she is persistent? Is her faith great because she names her plight and is honest about it? Is her faith great because she asks for help? Is her faith great because she gets Jesus to change His mind? Is her faith great because she recognizes who Jesus is? Is her faith great because she thinks Jesus can do something to help her daughter? Is her faith great because she rebuts Jesus’ proposed boundaries? And if that is the case then does faith incorporate the willingness to go past boundaries that have been set by others or ourselves? This indeed is a story and an insight about the complexity of faith.
And perhaps for all of us, it is a story that has been placed in front of us that is appropriate for this time we find ourselves living in. A challenge that asks how we see the future, for ourselves and the church. Do we even have the faith to believe that we have a future?
These aren’t questions aimed at seeing who is the most spiritual and godly in the congregation. These are real questions that are sent to challenge us, and perhaps to shape the priorities that we may have set ourselves, and which now maybe ask us to re prioritise these things that we believed to be the most important things in our lives. After all, when things are going great, it is easy to believe that we can move mountains because our needs are being met. But when things are more difficult, it can be hard to maintain our faith.
And amongst the things we notice in this story are all the obstacles that Jesus put in the way of this woman before He did anything to help. Initially He ignored her, yes you read right, Jesus chose not to answer her. And then when He did respond He heaped insults on her and told her she wasn’t deserving of His help, going as far as to call her a dog. Dogs back then were similar to the way we associate rats, they were scavengers, rather than the family pets we know them as today. And on top of all that the disciples made it obvious to both her and Jesus that she was an unwelcome guest in their midst.
Maybe the Canaanite woman’s story is not about what faith is, but instead it is a picture of what faith looks like. Perhaps the point of the story is to remind us of all that is possible, of all that can be achieved. Perhaps it is there to encourage us once again to start believing.
And as we start to believe that all things are possible to those who believe, may we do so not through the confidence of who we are, but through our acts of faith which are always applied on the assurance and confidence of whose we are; the children of God who are loved by Him and are precious in His sight.
Amen
The Faith of a Canaanite Woman
21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”
23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
Sermon
Today’s reading is another challenging one for us, and not just because of the way in which Jesus seems indifferent to the needs of this Canaanite woman or her ill daughter. It also asks us to reassess what it means to be a person of faith. In fact, what is faith?
What does it take and what does it mean to be a person of great faith or little faith? It’s a question that the disciples might have even asked themselves. After all, here we have a person, a woman no less, who is an outsider to Judaism, and Jesus congratulates her as being a person of great faith; a faith that ensured that her sick daughter was healed from the demon possession which had tormented her. And no doubt if the disciples reflected on some of the things that Jesus had said to them, close to the top of the list would maybe have been the times when Jesus had accused them of lacking faith.
Surely after everything that the disciples had saw and heard Jesus doing there must have been at least a mustard seed of faith in their lives. Was it not Jesus Himself in one of His parables who spoke about possessing a mustard seed of faith, or having a little faith was enough for God to make a difference in a person’s life? And yet just prior to this story the disciples had been told they “had little faith” (14:31)
Whilst we may struggle with the concept of faith, I don’t think any of us would like to have less faith in our lives, we are always looking for more, particularly when times are as tough and uncertain as they are just now.
For some (maybe even many) preachers and ministers, they seem to use faith in their sermons as the answer to every problem a person may have. Doing so in the same way that some of us take paracetamol for any and every type of illness that comes our way!! We believe it to be the answer to everything: Take a couple and everything will be alright.
In the same manner, if you have faith, apparently everything will be fine. Faith becoming the by-word as the answer to every question we have and every problem we face. But I think that for all of us, we know that this isn’t always the case. There isn’t a magic formula, or a universal application for providing the right amount of faith to the many different scenarios that come into our lives and challenges us on a regular basis.
Therefore, why does Jesus congratulate and reward this foreign woman for having faith. Why does he acknowledge that her faith is great? Is it because she is persistent? Is her faith great because she names her plight and is honest about it? Is her faith great because she asks for help? Is her faith great because she gets Jesus to change His mind? Is her faith great because she recognizes who Jesus is? Is her faith great because she thinks Jesus can do something to help her daughter? Is her faith great because she rebuts Jesus’ proposed boundaries? And if that is the case then does faith incorporate the willingness to go past boundaries that have been set by others or ourselves? This indeed is a story and an insight about the complexity of faith.
And perhaps for all of us, it is a story that has been placed in front of us that is appropriate for this time we find ourselves living in. A challenge that asks how we see the future, for ourselves and the church. Do we even have the faith to believe that we have a future?
These aren’t questions aimed at seeing who is the most spiritual and godly in the congregation. These are real questions that are sent to challenge us, and perhaps to shape the priorities that we may have set ourselves, and which now maybe ask us to re prioritise these things that we believed to be the most important things in our lives. After all, when things are going great, it is easy to believe that we can move mountains because our needs are being met. But when things are more difficult, it can be hard to maintain our faith.
And amongst the things we notice in this story are all the obstacles that Jesus put in the way of this woman before He did anything to help. Initially He ignored her, yes you read right, Jesus chose not to answer her. And then when He did respond He heaped insults on her and told her she wasn’t deserving of His help, going as far as to call her a dog. Dogs back then were similar to the way we associate rats, they were scavengers, rather than the family pets we know them as today. And on top of all that the disciples made it obvious to both her and Jesus that she was an unwelcome guest in their midst.
Maybe the Canaanite woman’s story is not about what faith is, but instead it is a picture of what faith looks like. Perhaps the point of the story is to remind us of all that is possible, of all that can be achieved. Perhaps it is there to encourage us once again to start believing.
And as we start to believe that all things are possible to those who believe, may we do so not through the confidence of who we are, but through our acts of faith which are always applied on the assurance and confidence of whose we are; the children of God who are loved by Him and are precious in His sight.
Amen
JONAH GOES TO NINEVEH
Jonah 3: 1-10 (NIV)
Jonah goes to Nineveh
3 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah(A) a second time: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”
3 Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. 4 Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming,(B) “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” 5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.(C)
6 When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust.(D) 7 This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:
“By the decree of the king and his nobles:
Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink.(E) 8 But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call(F) urgently on God. Let them give up(G) their evil ways(H) and their violence.(I) 9 Who knows?(J) God may yet relent(K) and with compassion turn(L) from his fierce anger(M) so that we will not perish.”
10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented(N) and did not bring on them the destruction(O) he had threatened.℗
Reflection
The story of Jonah is one that many of us will be familiar with because we have grown up with it. It is the story of a prophet who gets told by God to do something that he doesn’t want to do and as a result he ends up in the belly of a giant fish. Eventually he does what he’s been asked and still he’s not happy.
It’s a short book that’s only four chapters long. It would only take about twenty minutes or so to read it, and it would probably be beneficial to read all four chapters to understand everything that is going on in this story. Although only four chapters long, there is an awful lot happening and it would be possible to take any one of a number of scenarios and write a reflection on it.
It is amazing when we read through the Bible the amount of people who are called by God and how in most cases they respond positively to His call. For example, Abraham immediately went on a journey without knowing where God was leading him. Moses responded to the call of God, after a bit of gentle persuasion as to how his perceived limitations were not limitations when God is in control. We think of the disciples Peter, James, Andrew and John who dropped their fishing nets and set off on a life changing and transforming journey with Jesus.
And then there is Jonah. Called by God and runs off in a different direction because he’s scared. And that is just in the first couple of verses!!
God eventually gets Job’s attention after he has spent three days in the belly of a giant fish and tells Jonah to go to Ninevah and proclaim the message that God wants him to preach.
This time Jonah obeys, he walks into Ninevah, and preaches the shortest sermon ever recorded: “Forty days more, and Nineveh will be overthrown!”
The response is amazing. The people immediately believe, and change their ways. They tell God how sorry they are for living the lives they had been living. As a result, God relents and spares them.
And here we have the crux of the story. Because now Ninevah city is no longer a city of sin, the dancing and partying have ended and Jonah is far from pleased. He wanted the people punished and that city to be wiped out. As a result, he has a conversation with God about how compassionate and full of love God really is. Jonah says that God had sent him on a mission that he knew would not be fulfilled because the city would not be punished as they deserved because it was not in God’s nature to do so. In short Jonah tells God that he had wanted his promises of vengeance to be fulfilled but hadn’t expected it to happen.
Do we ever feel like that? We look at events that are going on in the world or within our communities. and we want to see action; we hope that some people will get their just desserts and be punished.
Or alternatively, do we look at others and don’t believe that they are of equal worth as us? That’s why anyone who points out the value of human worth, or goes and works in countries of mass deprivation which have next to nothing, are important to us, because they are the reminder that with God there is no them and us. We are all one to Him. Or to make it more local, given that we are in Burns country: “We’re a’ Jock Tamson’s bairns”.
The minute we start taking God’s word out of everything we believe, then that’s the time to remind ourselves of Jesus’ teachings about those who were perceived to be outsiders of God’s Kingdom and of the times that He always reached out to those who had been marginalised.
In the same way God was telling Jonah a lesson that he didn’t want to hear; that everyone is loved and valued by Him. All are precious in his sight.
Even though Jonah knew this to be true it didn’t stop him from being angry with God for being the God that He truly is.
Thankfully for all of us, God isn’t one who bows to popular public acclaim and does things to boost His popularity ratings. After all, how many times have we been the recipients of His love, mercy and grace when we were least deserving of it?
No matter the person, no matter the country of origin, no matter the ethnicity, God is always in the business of reaching out to show the width, depth, height and length of the love He has for His people.
The story of Jonah is more than that of a prophet who ends up in the belly of a big fish, instead it is the story of looking at others the way that God looks at them; it’s the story that in a world of suspicion and cynicism, God is still able to reach out; that His love will always be stronger than hate. And as a result of this we are all able to draw comfort from the assurance that every time we go off the rails, and there is a Jonah somewhere pointing out our shortcomings, God reminds them, in the same way that He always reminds us, that we are His children and He cares about us and loves us very much.
He is the same God for each and every one of His people; One who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and proved it to us through His son Jesus Christ and His crucifixion on the cross of Calvary.
Amen
Jonah goes to Nineveh
3 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah(A) a second time: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”
3 Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. 4 Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming,(B) “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” 5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.(C)
6 When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust.(D) 7 This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:
“By the decree of the king and his nobles:
Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink.(E) 8 But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call(F) urgently on God. Let them give up(G) their evil ways(H) and their violence.(I) 9 Who knows?(J) God may yet relent(K) and with compassion turn(L) from his fierce anger(M) so that we will not perish.”
10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented(N) and did not bring on them the destruction(O) he had threatened.℗
Reflection
The story of Jonah is one that many of us will be familiar with because we have grown up with it. It is the story of a prophet who gets told by God to do something that he doesn’t want to do and as a result he ends up in the belly of a giant fish. Eventually he does what he’s been asked and still he’s not happy.
It’s a short book that’s only four chapters long. It would only take about twenty minutes or so to read it, and it would probably be beneficial to read all four chapters to understand everything that is going on in this story. Although only four chapters long, there is an awful lot happening and it would be possible to take any one of a number of scenarios and write a reflection on it.
It is amazing when we read through the Bible the amount of people who are called by God and how in most cases they respond positively to His call. For example, Abraham immediately went on a journey without knowing where God was leading him. Moses responded to the call of God, after a bit of gentle persuasion as to how his perceived limitations were not limitations when God is in control. We think of the disciples Peter, James, Andrew and John who dropped their fishing nets and set off on a life changing and transforming journey with Jesus.
And then there is Jonah. Called by God and runs off in a different direction because he’s scared. And that is just in the first couple of verses!!
God eventually gets Job’s attention after he has spent three days in the belly of a giant fish and tells Jonah to go to Ninevah and proclaim the message that God wants him to preach.
This time Jonah obeys, he walks into Ninevah, and preaches the shortest sermon ever recorded: “Forty days more, and Nineveh will be overthrown!”
The response is amazing. The people immediately believe, and change their ways. They tell God how sorry they are for living the lives they had been living. As a result, God relents and spares them.
And here we have the crux of the story. Because now Ninevah city is no longer a city of sin, the dancing and partying have ended and Jonah is far from pleased. He wanted the people punished and that city to be wiped out. As a result, he has a conversation with God about how compassionate and full of love God really is. Jonah says that God had sent him on a mission that he knew would not be fulfilled because the city would not be punished as they deserved because it was not in God’s nature to do so. In short Jonah tells God that he had wanted his promises of vengeance to be fulfilled but hadn’t expected it to happen.
Do we ever feel like that? We look at events that are going on in the world or within our communities. and we want to see action; we hope that some people will get their just desserts and be punished.
Or alternatively, do we look at others and don’t believe that they are of equal worth as us? That’s why anyone who points out the value of human worth, or goes and works in countries of mass deprivation which have next to nothing, are important to us, because they are the reminder that with God there is no them and us. We are all one to Him. Or to make it more local, given that we are in Burns country: “We’re a’ Jock Tamson’s bairns”.
The minute we start taking God’s word out of everything we believe, then that’s the time to remind ourselves of Jesus’ teachings about those who were perceived to be outsiders of God’s Kingdom and of the times that He always reached out to those who had been marginalised.
In the same way God was telling Jonah a lesson that he didn’t want to hear; that everyone is loved and valued by Him. All are precious in his sight.
Even though Jonah knew this to be true it didn’t stop him from being angry with God for being the God that He truly is.
Thankfully for all of us, God isn’t one who bows to popular public acclaim and does things to boost His popularity ratings. After all, how many times have we been the recipients of His love, mercy and grace when we were least deserving of it?
No matter the person, no matter the country of origin, no matter the ethnicity, God is always in the business of reaching out to show the width, depth, height and length of the love He has for His people.
The story of Jonah is more than that of a prophet who ends up in the belly of a big fish, instead it is the story of looking at others the way that God looks at them; it’s the story that in a world of suspicion and cynicism, God is still able to reach out; that His love will always be stronger than hate. And as a result of this we are all able to draw comfort from the assurance that every time we go off the rails, and there is a Jonah somewhere pointing out our shortcomings, God reminds them, in the same way that He always reminds us, that we are His children and He cares about us and loves us very much.
He is the same God for each and every one of His people; One who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and proved it to us through His son Jesus Christ and His crucifixion on the cross of Calvary.
Amen
WALKING ON WATER - TAKE COURAGE, DON'T BE AFRAID
Matthew 14:22-33 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.(C) Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,”(D) they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage!(E) It is I. Don’t be afraid.”(F)
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”(G) he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”(H)
Sermon
For those of us brought up in the Boys Brigade, the hymn ‘Will your anchor hold in the storms of life’ probably brings back memories of times gone by, whenever it is sung in the church. Unfortunately, it’s not sung that often nowadays. Whilst it is a song that most attach to the BB it is easy to lose sight that the song is based on the words from the Bible and can be found in the book of Hebrews: "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast...",(6:19). These words could also have been applied to today’s reading.
Within today’s reading the disciples have found themselves in the middle of a storm from which there seems to be no escape. And if ever a group of people needed an anchor to steady themselves as the storms battered and pounded them it was these disciples in the boat.
Then, when they believed that they saw a ghost walking on the water, and approaching them, perhaps they saw this as a sign that the ghosts of fishermen who had been lost at sea previously were now coming to claim them. Regardless of what they may have been thinking, one thing was for sure; they were scared.
Fear still grips a lot of us today. Much of it to do with the pandemic, but there is also the fear what day to day living can bring with it. Fear of the past—and perhaps the things that have been said and done that should never really have happened. Fear of the present-----as we worry about ourselves, family members and fear about what the future might have in store for us. And in the midst of all that worry, stress and fear we really need an anchor to strengthen us and hold us steadfast during the storms of life; storms that are both real and imagined and which attempt to engulf and overwhelm us.
For many of us, if not all of us, when the storms of life are crashing around us, we fail to sense the presence of God. We don’t realise just how close He is. We see a storm and fail to see the hand of God reaching out, offering safety and hope as He whispers words of comfort and assurance to us. It was during the storm, when they thought that they were seeing a ghost that Jesus went to the disciples.
And the first words he said to them were: “Take courage. Don’t be afraid”.
Who needs to hear these words today? Who amongst us has problems that seem to be insurmountable and irresolvable? Who is on the receiving ends of words of doom and gloom and needs to be reminded that Jesus has crossed the stormy waters of life so that He can be next to you to whisper: “It is I. Don’t be afraid”.
Whilst the disciples panic, Jesus brings encouragement. In fact He does more; He emboldens some of them as well, because Peter quickly realises that if Jesus is there things can’t get any worse for them. So in a show of confidence in Jesus, Peter says; “Let me join you”. To which Jesus reaches out His hands and says, come to me.
Even though Peter becomes distracted by the size of the waves and the reality of the storm, it is in the midst of the storm that the disciples realise the truth of who Jesus is, because it is here that they proclaim Jesus to be “Truly, the Son of God”.
The didn’t say it a few hours earlier when all was going well and Jesus had fed well over 5000 people with fish and bread; they didn’t say it after hearing many of Jesus teachings, or when He was going about the towns and villages healing the sick and welcoming the isolated and ostracised back into society.
They didn’t even say it when he brought a dead man back to life. Instead it was when they were in their darkest hour and all looked lost and they were in the midst of a storm that they acknowledged Jesus’ Divine status. It’s in a moment of extremity, a moment when most of us would be wondering “why is this happening to us” that the disciples can clearly see God working in their lives.
Not many of us want life to be tough or full of unanswered questions. We want life to be easy. After all, it is easier to thank God for all that He has done and is doing when life is going well. It is easy to believe that God walks with us when we are thanking Him for providing us with a roof over our heads. But what do we say when that roof happens to be a cardboard box, a hostel, or emergency accommodation? Are we still reassured and focussed on Him, believing He is there alongside us? Or do we see a ghost in the distance that doesn’t have our best intentions at heart?
On the other hand do our successes have us believing that we are self- sufficient people and no longer need God, and as such because we can do all things on our own we no longer want God to be part of our lives.
But the other thing that the story tells us is that God wants to be part of our lives, He is always reaching out, to remind us of His presence, even when the storms suggest otherwise.
And so may we see Him as our anchor, providing the security courage and hope for the journey ahead. May we be reassured that in all He asks us to do and in every step we take for Him, He is there alongside us, not just now and again but always. May we know that the journey of faith isn’t always a journey travelled on smooth paths but it is also a journey that takes us through rough waters, which may at times ask us to step out the boat in faith. But wherever the journey takes us may we trust that God will be there alongside us so that we can grab onto Him when the storms become too much, and may we know that because we are His He is with us, yesterday, today and forever.
Amen
Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.(C) Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,”(D) they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage!(E) It is I. Don’t be afraid.”(F)
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”(G) he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”(H)
Sermon
For those of us brought up in the Boys Brigade, the hymn ‘Will your anchor hold in the storms of life’ probably brings back memories of times gone by, whenever it is sung in the church. Unfortunately, it’s not sung that often nowadays. Whilst it is a song that most attach to the BB it is easy to lose sight that the song is based on the words from the Bible and can be found in the book of Hebrews: "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast...",(6:19). These words could also have been applied to today’s reading.
Within today’s reading the disciples have found themselves in the middle of a storm from which there seems to be no escape. And if ever a group of people needed an anchor to steady themselves as the storms battered and pounded them it was these disciples in the boat.
Then, when they believed that they saw a ghost walking on the water, and approaching them, perhaps they saw this as a sign that the ghosts of fishermen who had been lost at sea previously were now coming to claim them. Regardless of what they may have been thinking, one thing was for sure; they were scared.
Fear still grips a lot of us today. Much of it to do with the pandemic, but there is also the fear what day to day living can bring with it. Fear of the past—and perhaps the things that have been said and done that should never really have happened. Fear of the present-----as we worry about ourselves, family members and fear about what the future might have in store for us. And in the midst of all that worry, stress and fear we really need an anchor to strengthen us and hold us steadfast during the storms of life; storms that are both real and imagined and which attempt to engulf and overwhelm us.
For many of us, if not all of us, when the storms of life are crashing around us, we fail to sense the presence of God. We don’t realise just how close He is. We see a storm and fail to see the hand of God reaching out, offering safety and hope as He whispers words of comfort and assurance to us. It was during the storm, when they thought that they were seeing a ghost that Jesus went to the disciples.
And the first words he said to them were: “Take courage. Don’t be afraid”.
Who needs to hear these words today? Who amongst us has problems that seem to be insurmountable and irresolvable? Who is on the receiving ends of words of doom and gloom and needs to be reminded that Jesus has crossed the stormy waters of life so that He can be next to you to whisper: “It is I. Don’t be afraid”.
Whilst the disciples panic, Jesus brings encouragement. In fact He does more; He emboldens some of them as well, because Peter quickly realises that if Jesus is there things can’t get any worse for them. So in a show of confidence in Jesus, Peter says; “Let me join you”. To which Jesus reaches out His hands and says, come to me.
Even though Peter becomes distracted by the size of the waves and the reality of the storm, it is in the midst of the storm that the disciples realise the truth of who Jesus is, because it is here that they proclaim Jesus to be “Truly, the Son of God”.
The didn’t say it a few hours earlier when all was going well and Jesus had fed well over 5000 people with fish and bread; they didn’t say it after hearing many of Jesus teachings, or when He was going about the towns and villages healing the sick and welcoming the isolated and ostracised back into society.
They didn’t even say it when he brought a dead man back to life. Instead it was when they were in their darkest hour and all looked lost and they were in the midst of a storm that they acknowledged Jesus’ Divine status. It’s in a moment of extremity, a moment when most of us would be wondering “why is this happening to us” that the disciples can clearly see God working in their lives.
Not many of us want life to be tough or full of unanswered questions. We want life to be easy. After all, it is easier to thank God for all that He has done and is doing when life is going well. It is easy to believe that God walks with us when we are thanking Him for providing us with a roof over our heads. But what do we say when that roof happens to be a cardboard box, a hostel, or emergency accommodation? Are we still reassured and focussed on Him, believing He is there alongside us? Or do we see a ghost in the distance that doesn’t have our best intentions at heart?
On the other hand do our successes have us believing that we are self- sufficient people and no longer need God, and as such because we can do all things on our own we no longer want God to be part of our lives.
But the other thing that the story tells us is that God wants to be part of our lives, He is always reaching out, to remind us of His presence, even when the storms suggest otherwise.
And so may we see Him as our anchor, providing the security courage and hope for the journey ahead. May we be reassured that in all He asks us to do and in every step we take for Him, He is there alongside us, not just now and again but always. May we know that the journey of faith isn’t always a journey travelled on smooth paths but it is also a journey that takes us through rough waters, which may at times ask us to step out the boat in faith. But wherever the journey takes us may we trust that God will be there alongside us so that we can grab onto Him when the storms become too much, and may we know that because we are His He is with us, yesterday, today and forever.
Amen
THE LORD SPEAKS TO JOB
Job: 38: 1-7 and 19-21
The Lord speaks
38 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
2 “Who is this that obscures my plans
with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone--
7 while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels[a] shouted for joy?
19 “What is the way to the abode of light?
And where does darkness reside?
20 Can you take them to their places?
Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
21 Surely you know, for you were already born!
You have lived so many years!
Reflection
‘Where is God when it hurts’?
This is the title of the best-selling book by the author Philip Yancey, which discusses and explores human pain in all of its many different forms—physical, spiritual and emotional.
It’s a book where the author looks at those times when life doesn’t seem to make any sense. Times when we question the perceived absence of God in our lives.
The book of Job is exactly the same, there are lots of questions asked by Job but no easy answers.
In fact, by the time we get to the end of the book,
it’s debateable as to whether there are any answers offered to Job at all.
If you are unaware of the story of Job, basically Job was a good person, blameless, upright and religious in every way. But unknown to Job he is subject to a test between satan and God. Satan says that Job only loved God because of the good life that resulted because of this, so God allows satan to inflict misery on Job to prove that he is wrong; that Job will continue to worship God despite his suffering.
Because of this, many find Job to be a troubling book, because it looks as if Job is merely a pawn in a bet between God and the forces of evil and God is unwilling to do anything to help Job in his time of need.
As a result of the challenge that satan initiates Job loses everything. His sons and daughters are killed as are his servants and all of his livestock. Job loses his friends, his family, his home and his self-respect.
And worst of all he seems to have lost the God to whom he had been so close and intimate and who had been such an important part of Job’s life.
As well as this, it appeared that God had gone into hiding whilst Job was at his lowest, and his life was lived on a heap of ashes and his body was covered with foul sores.
All Job had left were a wife who taunts him, and eventually leaves him, and three friends who turn up out the blue to console him, but are actually no help to him at all, as they place responsibility for every misery that Job is enduring on his own doorstep.
They question Job’s faithfulness to God and tell him that God must be punishing him for something that he has done. And whilst all this is happening Job challenges God to answer why this had happened because he knew he hadn’t done anything wrong.
But he also still believes that God is a good God.
How often have we been in Job’s position; one minute our world seems to be going well and then all of a sudden it caves in. One day everything seems to make sense then the next day nothing makes sense. And into our own problems we ask the same question that Job asked for about 37 chapters of this book;
“if God is fair, and God is just, why has this happened to me?”
Like Job, we have these feelings that God is absent; that God is unjust; that He doesn’t care about us and is unaware of how we feel; that He has abandoned us at the very moment when we need Him most.
Let’s be honest, who reading this today, has never had these feelings?
Who has never asked the question that Philip Yancey asked: “Where is God when it hurts?”
And it's at this point in our reading that God speaks up; but he doesn’t offer words of comfort to Job. In fact, at first glance God’s response seems quite harsh, it could even be seen as arrogant and cold. Instead of assuring Job that his suffering has had meaning, or that He knows what Job has experienced, or that He will ensure that Job’s good reputation would be restored, God instead challenges Job: “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge. Brace yourself….I will question you and you shall answer me,” before then asking 3 chapters of questions to Job. None of which answers the questions asked by Job. Instead God chooses to paint a picture of the workings of, and His involvement in shaping, the universe.
It might be an insight to the workings of the world, but it doesn’t offer comfort or answers to explain Job’s situation. And perhaps that’s because it’s not meant to. That’s why within the canon of the Bible we need the story of Job, the Psalms of lament, even the story of the crucifixion. Because they serve as reminders to us that life isn’t always easy or fair. That sometimes bad things happen to us and there is no good reason for it, but neither is there necessarily someone to blame; that just because we are followers of Jesus we don’t have a “Get out of Jail” card that we can use the moment trouble comes our way.
However the one assurance that we do take from all this is that by the end of the book of Job we get a picture of a God who is not remote or isolated from His people but instead He is involved with it. His creation, beauty and suffering are held in a tension that enables Job to say,
“Before I had only heard about God. Now I have seen God.”
An acknowledgement that Job realised that God was there alongside him in both the good and tough times.
The crucifixion of Jesus and the unfairness of the cross are our reminders that although life wasn’t fair for Jesus, He accepted it so that we would know that He understands our pain, our suffering and our sorrow every time life fills us with disappointment.
And as such may we find comfort and strength in knowing that in both the good times and not so good times.
He is there alongside us because we have been given a promise that nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love that God has for us through His Son Jesus.
The Lord speaks
38 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
2 “Who is this that obscures my plans
with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone--
7 while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels[a] shouted for joy?
19 “What is the way to the abode of light?
And where does darkness reside?
20 Can you take them to their places?
Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
21 Surely you know, for you were already born!
You have lived so many years!
Reflection
‘Where is God when it hurts’?
This is the title of the best-selling book by the author Philip Yancey, which discusses and explores human pain in all of its many different forms—physical, spiritual and emotional.
It’s a book where the author looks at those times when life doesn’t seem to make any sense. Times when we question the perceived absence of God in our lives.
The book of Job is exactly the same, there are lots of questions asked by Job but no easy answers.
In fact, by the time we get to the end of the book,
it’s debateable as to whether there are any answers offered to Job at all.
If you are unaware of the story of Job, basically Job was a good person, blameless, upright and religious in every way. But unknown to Job he is subject to a test between satan and God. Satan says that Job only loved God because of the good life that resulted because of this, so God allows satan to inflict misery on Job to prove that he is wrong; that Job will continue to worship God despite his suffering.
Because of this, many find Job to be a troubling book, because it looks as if Job is merely a pawn in a bet between God and the forces of evil and God is unwilling to do anything to help Job in his time of need.
As a result of the challenge that satan initiates Job loses everything. His sons and daughters are killed as are his servants and all of his livestock. Job loses his friends, his family, his home and his self-respect.
And worst of all he seems to have lost the God to whom he had been so close and intimate and who had been such an important part of Job’s life.
As well as this, it appeared that God had gone into hiding whilst Job was at his lowest, and his life was lived on a heap of ashes and his body was covered with foul sores.
All Job had left were a wife who taunts him, and eventually leaves him, and three friends who turn up out the blue to console him, but are actually no help to him at all, as they place responsibility for every misery that Job is enduring on his own doorstep.
They question Job’s faithfulness to God and tell him that God must be punishing him for something that he has done. And whilst all this is happening Job challenges God to answer why this had happened because he knew he hadn’t done anything wrong.
But he also still believes that God is a good God.
How often have we been in Job’s position; one minute our world seems to be going well and then all of a sudden it caves in. One day everything seems to make sense then the next day nothing makes sense. And into our own problems we ask the same question that Job asked for about 37 chapters of this book;
“if God is fair, and God is just, why has this happened to me?”
Like Job, we have these feelings that God is absent; that God is unjust; that He doesn’t care about us and is unaware of how we feel; that He has abandoned us at the very moment when we need Him most.
Let’s be honest, who reading this today, has never had these feelings?
Who has never asked the question that Philip Yancey asked: “Where is God when it hurts?”
And it's at this point in our reading that God speaks up; but he doesn’t offer words of comfort to Job. In fact, at first glance God’s response seems quite harsh, it could even be seen as arrogant and cold. Instead of assuring Job that his suffering has had meaning, or that He knows what Job has experienced, or that He will ensure that Job’s good reputation would be restored, God instead challenges Job: “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge. Brace yourself….I will question you and you shall answer me,” before then asking 3 chapters of questions to Job. None of which answers the questions asked by Job. Instead God chooses to paint a picture of the workings of, and His involvement in shaping, the universe.
It might be an insight to the workings of the world, but it doesn’t offer comfort or answers to explain Job’s situation. And perhaps that’s because it’s not meant to. That’s why within the canon of the Bible we need the story of Job, the Psalms of lament, even the story of the crucifixion. Because they serve as reminders to us that life isn’t always easy or fair. That sometimes bad things happen to us and there is no good reason for it, but neither is there necessarily someone to blame; that just because we are followers of Jesus we don’t have a “Get out of Jail” card that we can use the moment trouble comes our way.
However the one assurance that we do take from all this is that by the end of the book of Job we get a picture of a God who is not remote or isolated from His people but instead He is involved with it. His creation, beauty and suffering are held in a tension that enables Job to say,
“Before I had only heard about God. Now I have seen God.”
An acknowledgement that Job realised that God was there alongside him in both the good and tough times.
The crucifixion of Jesus and the unfairness of the cross are our reminders that although life wasn’t fair for Jesus, He accepted it so that we would know that He understands our pain, our suffering and our sorrow every time life fills us with disappointment.
And as such may we find comfort and strength in knowing that in both the good times and not so good times.
He is there alongside us because we have been given a promise that nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love that God has for us through His Son Jesus.
THE FIVE THOUSAND AND THE LOAVES AND FISHES
Matthew 14: 13-21
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Reflection
Sometimes we see readings like today’s and we have heard it that often that we can begin to wonder if there is anything else to be said or learned. After all, what could be more wonderful than feeding over 5000 people with next to nothing. The fact that all four Gospel writers decided to include it in their stories of Jesus shows that it was a big deal for them. And to be clear, it is a wonderful story, but like so many other things about Jesus, sometimes we can see one thing but lose sight of other things that are taking place within the story.
After all, should we really be surprised that Jesus overcame a huge barrier of feeding so many people with next to nothing? If we didn’t know it already, the beginning of Matthew’s gospel assures us that Jesus is Emmanuel, “God with us,” the one who made the world out of nothing and created light from darkness, and so for Him multiplying some fish and loaves would have been quite a simple thing to do.
Today’s reading begins by telling us that “When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” Jesus had just heard that John the Baptist had been murdered by King Herod at a feast. The comparison couldn’t be more ironic, or powerful.
One moment Matthew invites us to focus on an episode from the lifestyles of the rich and shameless and in the next he fastens our attention on a scene portraying poor, sick, and hungry crowds looking for relief. It’s like watching the telly, and on one channel you’re focussed on the lives of the rich and powerful, and then you change channel and watch people crying out for aid, people who are starving or thirsty and in need of support.
This is no coincidence or unlucky happening because Matthew, by contrasting these scenes is painting a picture of the kind of King that Jesus was, and of the kind of God that He represented. In the 1st century, gods weren’t normally supposed to care about people like those in the crowds. At best, gods were supposed to take the side of the rich and powerful, and stand with people like Herod and his well-fed party guests, sanctioning their exploitation of the poor and even the horrific murder of a truth-teller like John. They were definitely not known for siding with the oppressed, the ordinary, the downtrodden, or the hungry.
And yet that’s what happens here, as Jesus renews, embodies, and fulfills the consistent call of the God of Israel to feed the hungry and bring the Good News to those who needed to hear it
Matthew then goes further by stating that when Jesus saw the masses, He had compassion on them. His heart was moved by their need and so He began to heal the sick; He tended to their needs; He was at One with them. And then, when evening came and they found themselves without food, He fed them by telling His disciples to give them something to eat. Jesus used the disciples to meet the needs of these thousands of men, women, and children.
Using words and actions foreshadowing the Last Supper, Matthew depicts what happens when you move from a worldview of things– “we have only five loaves of bread and two fish” – to one of abundance – “thank you, God, for these five loaves and fishes.” And as a result, the disciples are used to distribute food to the grateful crowd. They were able to participate in the wonder and joy of seeing that “all who ate were filled and satisfied.” Despite their initial reluctance, God took them and used them to care for the poor and hungry. The people who God loves so much.
And the good news for us is that the miracle still continues today; God still cares deeply and passionately for those who are most vulnerable – the poor, the lonely, the hungry the outcast, the destitute, the foreigner in a strange land– and God continues to use us to care for them.
Therefore, may we continue to be a church and a community that see the value of others; may we always see God in the lives of those that it is easier to forget about. May we continue to be a church of compassion and love that does all it can so that we can share the love of God in the easiest and most practical ways.
May we never forget that just as we have been fed and replenished by the Heavenly food that God has given to us we are called to do likewise and share the manna from Heaven, especially with those in deepest need.
Apart from the miracle of feeding so many with so little there were two other miracles in this story. Those of Divine compassion, and the calling of God’s people to be conduits of love and concern, which especially in times such as these, are no small things for God’s people to be doing.
When we appreciate just how compassionate Jesus is it should change the way we view life with Him. Because, in all we bring before Him and the variety of needs we have Jesus never ignores us, He never turns us away.
In both His compassion for those around Him and His trust in God, Jesus sees possibilities where others see limitations. He takes what is there, gives thanks, and gives it away, multiplying it to make sure it’s more than enough for us and for those around us.
Therefore, may we never lose sight of all that God is still doing all around us today. He is carrying out His work of compassion and love and is using people such us to enable the Good News to be spread and shared in the lives of all His people, in the strangest of places and in the unlikeliest of situations
Amen
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Reflection
Sometimes we see readings like today’s and we have heard it that often that we can begin to wonder if there is anything else to be said or learned. After all, what could be more wonderful than feeding over 5000 people with next to nothing. The fact that all four Gospel writers decided to include it in their stories of Jesus shows that it was a big deal for them. And to be clear, it is a wonderful story, but like so many other things about Jesus, sometimes we can see one thing but lose sight of other things that are taking place within the story.
After all, should we really be surprised that Jesus overcame a huge barrier of feeding so many people with next to nothing? If we didn’t know it already, the beginning of Matthew’s gospel assures us that Jesus is Emmanuel, “God with us,” the one who made the world out of nothing and created light from darkness, and so for Him multiplying some fish and loaves would have been quite a simple thing to do.
Today’s reading begins by telling us that “When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” Jesus had just heard that John the Baptist had been murdered by King Herod at a feast. The comparison couldn’t be more ironic, or powerful.
One moment Matthew invites us to focus on an episode from the lifestyles of the rich and shameless and in the next he fastens our attention on a scene portraying poor, sick, and hungry crowds looking for relief. It’s like watching the telly, and on one channel you’re focussed on the lives of the rich and powerful, and then you change channel and watch people crying out for aid, people who are starving or thirsty and in need of support.
This is no coincidence or unlucky happening because Matthew, by contrasting these scenes is painting a picture of the kind of King that Jesus was, and of the kind of God that He represented. In the 1st century, gods weren’t normally supposed to care about people like those in the crowds. At best, gods were supposed to take the side of the rich and powerful, and stand with people like Herod and his well-fed party guests, sanctioning their exploitation of the poor and even the horrific murder of a truth-teller like John. They were definitely not known for siding with the oppressed, the ordinary, the downtrodden, or the hungry.
And yet that’s what happens here, as Jesus renews, embodies, and fulfills the consistent call of the God of Israel to feed the hungry and bring the Good News to those who needed to hear it
Matthew then goes further by stating that when Jesus saw the masses, He had compassion on them. His heart was moved by their need and so He began to heal the sick; He tended to their needs; He was at One with them. And then, when evening came and they found themselves without food, He fed them by telling His disciples to give them something to eat. Jesus used the disciples to meet the needs of these thousands of men, women, and children.
Using words and actions foreshadowing the Last Supper, Matthew depicts what happens when you move from a worldview of things– “we have only five loaves of bread and two fish” – to one of abundance – “thank you, God, for these five loaves and fishes.” And as a result, the disciples are used to distribute food to the grateful crowd. They were able to participate in the wonder and joy of seeing that “all who ate were filled and satisfied.” Despite their initial reluctance, God took them and used them to care for the poor and hungry. The people who God loves so much.
And the good news for us is that the miracle still continues today; God still cares deeply and passionately for those who are most vulnerable – the poor, the lonely, the hungry the outcast, the destitute, the foreigner in a strange land– and God continues to use us to care for them.
Therefore, may we continue to be a church and a community that see the value of others; may we always see God in the lives of those that it is easier to forget about. May we continue to be a church of compassion and love that does all it can so that we can share the love of God in the easiest and most practical ways.
May we never forget that just as we have been fed and replenished by the Heavenly food that God has given to us we are called to do likewise and share the manna from Heaven, especially with those in deepest need.
Apart from the miracle of feeding so many with so little there were two other miracles in this story. Those of Divine compassion, and the calling of God’s people to be conduits of love and concern, which especially in times such as these, are no small things for God’s people to be doing.
When we appreciate just how compassionate Jesus is it should change the way we view life with Him. Because, in all we bring before Him and the variety of needs we have Jesus never ignores us, He never turns us away.
In both His compassion for those around Him and His trust in God, Jesus sees possibilities where others see limitations. He takes what is there, gives thanks, and gives it away, multiplying it to make sure it’s more than enough for us and for those around us.
Therefore, may we never lose sight of all that God is still doing all around us today. He is carrying out His work of compassion and love and is using people such us to enable the Good News to be spread and shared in the lives of all His people, in the strangest of places and in the unlikeliest of situations
Amen
September
LET THE LIGHT GET INTO YOUR LIFE
2 Corinthians 4:6-17 New International Version
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”[b] Since we have that same spirit of[c] faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
SERMON
What do we do to address the lack of hope that can sometimes fill our lives? How can we inspire others when we are the ones who are seeking inspiration? What do we do to retain our focus when our thoughts and vision starts to stray into areas that can be unhelpful and/ or unhealthy?
I must confess that today I share a few verses from a chapter that is one of my favourite’s within the Bible. When I read this chapter for the first time many, many years ago it was the first time that I really understood what people meant when they said ‘let the Bible speak to you’.
Within these few verses, Paul is telling the church and by default us, that life isn’t easy, and so they shouldn’t be surprised when troubles and difficulties come their way; but he also assures them that in the midst of everything that they deal with there is still hope; that there will always be hope, because there is still more than enough light shining to guide them and to help them overcome the darkness that was gathered around them.
And in words of poetry and drama Paul reassures the Corinthian Church: the life of a Christian is hard but they will never be crushed; there may be times when they will experience perplexity but they will never know despair; they may feel persecuted but they should know that they have not been abandoned. They may be struck down but they will never be destroyed…..and because of this they should never lose heart.
Paul wasn’t offering the church 5 easy motivational steps to deal with a crisis, but instead he was telling them that because of the things they were experiencing, they needed to draw closer to Jesus, they needed to continue to trust Him rather than move away from Him. It was only through turning to Jesus that His light could shine within and out-with them.
Therefore, the problems they experienced ought to be treated as spring-boards and stepping stones to drawing closer to Jesus.
Paul wasn’t just a preacher who knew how to enthuse the masses with good words and clever rhetoric, instead he was able to draw on all the suffering that he had experienced since he had become a follower of Jesus. He was able to tell the Church that he appreciated everything they were going through because he had experienced it as well. And the reason he was able to persevere, the reason he didn’t lose heart was because of “this treasure in jars of clay and the light of Christ which is in my heart”.
Clay jars were the common vessel for carrying water and other goods in Paul’s day. They were also used to hide and store things. Clay was a common substance, available almost everywhere, and potters mastered the art of forming clay jars on their pottery wheels. However, clay jars were also fragile––breaking if dropped or hit by a stone. Not many clay jars survived a person’s lifetime. While some clay jars were beautifully ornamented, most were plain. In that sense, Paul was using an image that his readers would have fully appreciated.
We are all like those clay jars, carrying about with us bits of brokenness, shreds of things that seem to have become attached to us and won’t go away. We are ordinary people with ordinary people’s vulnerabilities, but God can nonetheless still use us and work through those frailties.
It is also worth remembering that at one time we were all made perfect by the Divine master craftsman, and the time will come again when He will restore us to the perfection that He originally created, but in the meantime we carry on with the tasks, we keep focussed on Jesus; we allow God’s light to shine so that we can bring a message of hope into the despair of any and every situation we see.
The singer, Leonard Cohen may or may not have had Paul’s words in mind when he wrote “There is a crack in everything/ That’s how the light gets in.”
The chorus tells us:
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.
Cohen’s song, speaks to us not only about despair, but of the small chinks in the armour of darkness where light gets in.
Cohen’s lyrics and Paul’s words move between shadow and light, pointing out that even when things seem insurmountable, there are still certain ‘givens’ that are part of the human condition; things such as love, hope, compassion, tolerance and freedom, and therefore we never allow ourselves to lose heart; we keep going, and never give up. There is a future still to be lived, and we have a responsibility to ensure the best for all God’s people.
But it’s tough isn’t it? We’ve all at one time experienced the harsh reality of being a follower of Jesus; where we’ve had to learn to accept those things that we struggle to understand; when things have happened, or may even be happening just now, which we fail to comprehend
But in the midst of such times may we find the ability and willingness to draw on Paul’s words and life experiences that tell us there is comfort in our troubles because we have not been forsaken. That even when we find ourselves at our wits end we never run out of hope; when we find life to be a struggle, we are never abandoned to face that struggle on our own; when we get knocked down we will never be knocked out. Why? Because we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us (Romans 8: 37).
JESUS'S AUTHORITY QUESTIONED
Matthew 21: 23-32 NIV
23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”
24 Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”
They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”
27 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
The Parable of the Two Sons
28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Reflection
We live in a time where rightly or wrongly, there seems to be a lack of respect for those in authority. Respect is no longer given, instead it has to be earned.
There used to be a time when if you were offered a bit of advice i.e. “don’t do that” you would tend to listen. Nowadays, if you offered such advice you are more than likely to be told to mind your own business, or asked “who are you to tell me what to do? It’s my life and I will live it the way that I see fit.”
Jesus parable in our reading is similar in that we read about two sons; one who says he won’t go and work in the vineyard as his dad wants him to do but later changes his mind and does and the other son who said that he would go and work but didn’t.
There are quite a few things we don’t know about this story. For example, we don’t know if this behaviour by the sons was typical of them. We don’t know what interaction or conversation the sons may have had with each other (or with their father) after their initial response. We don’t know what may have prevented (or enticed) either of the sons to act conversely to their earlier statements. We don’t even know exactly why Jesus told this parable or why Matthew wanted to record it.
What do we know is that both sons changed their minds; one in a positive manner and the other in a negative way. And for those listening to Jesus tell the story they would all probably have agreed that it’s not what we say that is important, but instead it’s our actions. For this parable, the saying that “actions speak louder than words” speaks volumes. With those listening to Jesus agreeing that it was the son who went and worked in the vineyard was doing the work of the Father.
Hypocrisy is a word that we in the church have had to get used to throughout the years. The reason given by many for not coming to church is because it’s full of hypocrites. And as one minister I knew used to say to anyone that said that to him, “and there’s plenty of room for one more!!”
Jesus is using this parable as a means of showing what the Kingdom of God is like; it’s one where the religious leaders have been invited but have refused the invitation. They refused to see the signs and heed the warnings that were given to them by John (the Baptist), and so now it’s others such as the prostitutes and tax collectors of the world who will be entering the kingdom. Basically, Jesus is offering a picture of those who were beyond the pale of civic respectability of that time, entering God’s kingdom, ahead of those who thought their place was guaranteed.
What motivates people to do what they do? What motivates those who think they know it all from rejecting God’s Kingdom, and what motivates others from accepting it?
What motivates us to come to church week after week, or to go online and listen to the service there? What has motivated us to come to this particular church throughout the years when there are so many others to choose from? What motivates us to give regularly out of our earnings or savings when we have perhaps more pressing personal needs?
And whilst we may not be able to fully articulate the motivation behind all those things we do for God’s Kingdom, surely if we are carrying them out with a sense of humility and graciousness then the charge of hypocrisy can’t be sustained because our actions are speaking louder than our words, and show to everyone that we truly do believe in practicing everything that we preach
But I also like to believe that there is more to this parable than just doing what we are told, and acting out everything that God asks of us, because I believe that within this parable Jesus is also offering words of hope and assurance.
Hope that someone who has fallen away from the word and love of God may yet change their mind and see God in a new light.
Hope that says; it’s never too late to respond to the grace of the Gospel.
Hope, that a person’s past actions or current situation is not allowed to determine their future. Hope that all who feel they are beyond help and maybe beyond the pale may realise that they are never, ever beyond the reach of God.
Hope that promises that no matter what may have happened in the past, God wants to meet with us and offer us– a loving, eternal future.
The truth is it is never too late for change when God is in control.
Because, with God shaping our lives we are invited not just to know about his Kingdom but to enter it and come alongside Him. It is what the theologian Paul Tillich calls: “being in the eternal now.”
Each moment of our lives is pregnant with the possibility of receiving God’s grace, repenting of things we’ve done and letting go of the hurts that we have experienced; it’s an opportunity to form a right relationship with God and those around us, and to know the future as one being filled with potential rather than something that is already determined for us.
And as we are gathered here today, and in the time that we spend with Jesus on our own, may we hear Him speak to us,
and may we respond to the invitation of sharing the future with Him.
The baggage of the present and the past are not the things that define us; instead we are defined by the love of the One who continually calls out to us. The God who loves and adores us, who reaches out and whispers words of grace love and acceptance.
And as He reaches out to us may the promise that we are His children be the hope by which we base our future and through which we respond to His call on our lives.
Because God is with us may we have the confidence to then share with others the Good News of his amazing grace, because it is free and available for everyone.
Amen
23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”
24 Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”
They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”
27 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
The Parable of the Two Sons
28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Reflection
We live in a time where rightly or wrongly, there seems to be a lack of respect for those in authority. Respect is no longer given, instead it has to be earned.
There used to be a time when if you were offered a bit of advice i.e. “don’t do that” you would tend to listen. Nowadays, if you offered such advice you are more than likely to be told to mind your own business, or asked “who are you to tell me what to do? It’s my life and I will live it the way that I see fit.”
Jesus parable in our reading is similar in that we read about two sons; one who says he won’t go and work in the vineyard as his dad wants him to do but later changes his mind and does and the other son who said that he would go and work but didn’t.
There are quite a few things we don’t know about this story. For example, we don’t know if this behaviour by the sons was typical of them. We don’t know what interaction or conversation the sons may have had with each other (or with their father) after their initial response. We don’t know what may have prevented (or enticed) either of the sons to act conversely to their earlier statements. We don’t even know exactly why Jesus told this parable or why Matthew wanted to record it.
What do we know is that both sons changed their minds; one in a positive manner and the other in a negative way. And for those listening to Jesus tell the story they would all probably have agreed that it’s not what we say that is important, but instead it’s our actions. For this parable, the saying that “actions speak louder than words” speaks volumes. With those listening to Jesus agreeing that it was the son who went and worked in the vineyard was doing the work of the Father.
Hypocrisy is a word that we in the church have had to get used to throughout the years. The reason given by many for not coming to church is because it’s full of hypocrites. And as one minister I knew used to say to anyone that said that to him, “and there’s plenty of room for one more!!”
Jesus is using this parable as a means of showing what the Kingdom of God is like; it’s one where the religious leaders have been invited but have refused the invitation. They refused to see the signs and heed the warnings that were given to them by John (the Baptist), and so now it’s others such as the prostitutes and tax collectors of the world who will be entering the kingdom. Basically, Jesus is offering a picture of those who were beyond the pale of civic respectability of that time, entering God’s kingdom, ahead of those who thought their place was guaranteed.
What motivates people to do what they do? What motivates those who think they know it all from rejecting God’s Kingdom, and what motivates others from accepting it?
What motivates us to come to church week after week, or to go online and listen to the service there? What has motivated us to come to this particular church throughout the years when there are so many others to choose from? What motivates us to give regularly out of our earnings or savings when we have perhaps more pressing personal needs?
And whilst we may not be able to fully articulate the motivation behind all those things we do for God’s Kingdom, surely if we are carrying them out with a sense of humility and graciousness then the charge of hypocrisy can’t be sustained because our actions are speaking louder than our words, and show to everyone that we truly do believe in practicing everything that we preach
But I also like to believe that there is more to this parable than just doing what we are told, and acting out everything that God asks of us, because I believe that within this parable Jesus is also offering words of hope and assurance.
Hope that someone who has fallen away from the word and love of God may yet change their mind and see God in a new light.
Hope that says; it’s never too late to respond to the grace of the Gospel.
Hope, that a person’s past actions or current situation is not allowed to determine their future. Hope that all who feel they are beyond help and maybe beyond the pale may realise that they are never, ever beyond the reach of God.
Hope that promises that no matter what may have happened in the past, God wants to meet with us and offer us– a loving, eternal future.
The truth is it is never too late for change when God is in control.
Because, with God shaping our lives we are invited not just to know about his Kingdom but to enter it and come alongside Him. It is what the theologian Paul Tillich calls: “being in the eternal now.”
Each moment of our lives is pregnant with the possibility of receiving God’s grace, repenting of things we’ve done and letting go of the hurts that we have experienced; it’s an opportunity to form a right relationship with God and those around us, and to know the future as one being filled with potential rather than something that is already determined for us.
And as we are gathered here today, and in the time that we spend with Jesus on our own, may we hear Him speak to us,
and may we respond to the invitation of sharing the future with Him.
The baggage of the present and the past are not the things that define us; instead we are defined by the love of the One who continually calls out to us. The God who loves and adores us, who reaches out and whispers words of grace love and acceptance.
And as He reaches out to us may the promise that we are His children be the hope by which we base our future and through which we respond to His call on our lives.
Because God is with us may we have the confidence to then share with others the Good News of his amazing grace, because it is free and available for everyone.
Amen
a new heaven and a new earth - eden restored
Revelation 21:1-5; 22:1-6 New International Version
A New Heaven and a New Earth - Eden Restored
21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
John and the Angel
6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”
Reflection
There used to be a time when the news on the tv would end with a short, light hearted story. It was a bit of good news to try and cheer the viewers up after been glued to half an hour or so of bad news. The story could be anything such as a skateboarding duck. It was there simply as a reminder that in amongst all the sad and bad things going on in the world there were still things that could make you smile and happy.
It was an acknowledgement that even though many people may be suffering from terrible things, and it could be hard to find any good reasons for joy and happiness, they were still there nonetheless, sometimes you just had to look a bit harder to find them.
Today’s reading has a similar vein to it. We are now at the end of the Bible, the last couple of chapters, and we get a picture to remind us what life, from God’s perspective is all about.
From the beginnings of the Bible and the time of creation, we see that everything was perfect, and then humanity came along and spoiled it all. And within the 66 books that make up the Bible a familiar path is constantly trod by God’s people—of love, suffering, hope, hurt, rejection, lament, questions asked and answers given, of God reaching out and humanity moving further from Him.
And these aren’t just stories that make up Scripture, they are still the real-life stories of each and every one of us today. We all have at one time or another experienced some or all of the above situations that were faced by God’s people in the past. We know what it is to wonder why life seems to be so unfair for many of us and why some seem to experience a life time of suffering, and ‘others’ seem to be able to sail through life without any worries or problems whatsoever.
But I think that the picture that John is painting in his Revelation of what the new Heaven is going to look like is meant as a reassure to us that says, in the words of Bob Marley, ‘everything is going to be all right’.
I don’t want to try and offer a glib answer to some of the real tragedies of human suffering that have beset many people from within and out with our church throughout their lives, because I certainly don’t know why there is so much hurt, injustice and pain, but God through John, is assuring us that this life is not all there is. There is better in store. This earthly life is just part of the story; and when we fully grasp that, whilst it doesn’t make our hurts and pains go away, it nonetheless lets us know that our loved ones are in a better place, and that we too will be going to a better place once this earthly life over.
Many of the great spiritual songs, were a response to the misery that the singers experienced. Out of times of slavery songs such as ‘Swing low Sweet Chariot’ were sung, a fact that seemed to have bypassed the English RFU until recently, as well as ‘I’ve got a home in Glory land that outshines the Sun’/ ‘Do Lord’ both of which were not songs of joy but ones that stated that the slaves were fed up with not being acknowledged as human beings, that they were filled with sorrow about their situations, and as such these songs were ways of representing their heartaches. However, they also knew the day would come when a higher reward would await them, but it didn’t take away from the tears that they shed because of everything they experienced. These songs were means of bringing relief to their hurting hearts.
Last week’s reflection took us into the book of Hebrews and we were assured that although we can’t see them, there is a great gathering of witnesses in Heaven who are watching over us and encouraging us to keep going, so that we can indeed make it to the ‘Promised Land’.
At Ch 6 v’s 9-11 in the book of Revelation, John paints a bigger picture for us of what that crowd of witnesses are also doing when they are not cheering us on, as he tells us that they are calling out to God in loud voices “How long”. How long is all this suffering going to last? How long before justice is served. How long before our suffering is avenged?”
God doesn’t answer them, but John sees what the future holds for us all at the beginning of our reading. There is the promise that God will be with His people and that He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away.
God’s people have been waiting for this vision to become a reality for thousands of years; the prophet Isaiah said the time would come when the wolf and the lamb would feed together and the lion would eat straw like the ox and the sound of weeping and crying will be heard no more. (Isaiah 65: 25, 19).
That is a promise for us, also but it can be hard to accept when we witness many of the thingsthat are all around us.
I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked in the face of tragedy and disaster: “Surely, there’s got to be something better than this?” Our reading answers that by saying “yes, there is”. That as it was in the beginning so shall it be in the end.
Therefore may we see John’s vision as painting a beautiful picture of the future to come for all God’s people, a picture that says: ‘No matter who you are, no matter where you are on life’s journey, there is a place where you can know you will be welcomed; because the perfection God made at the beginning of time is the perfection that is an inheritance for us all’.
But may we also take these assurances and promises of future glory so that we can build ‘a
new heaven and earth’ of love joy and peace with all those who need them in their lives and
in their communities today.
Sometimes poetry can give us a better picture of something than a simple reflection. Hopefully this poem by Rick Fry might stir your imaginations
It ends where it all began.
There will be a time when we make it through the darkest valleys
of cooking appliance bombs, bubble-bursting economies, bone-chilling diagnoses,
our own personal failures, dead-ends, loneliness and fears.
We will make our way through the shadows towards the shimmering river of life,
leading to the primordial garden,
where we will be healed by the leaves
and the sweet grainy fruit of the tree of life.
We will no longer turn our faces towards the wall in order to hide our shame.
Rather the Lamb will lead us to the New Jerusalem.
The gates will be open wide.
In thanksgiving we will enter.
No more hatred, envy, or fear.
God will be present among all the wandering people of the nations.
We will find ourselves streaming into this strange city
along with the peoples of different cultures,
peoples of times past and future.
We walk by a faint glimmer of light now,
yet it grows more defined as the glory of God halos the city skyline,
welcoming us home.
A New Heaven and a New Earth - Eden Restored
21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
John and the Angel
6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”
Reflection
There used to be a time when the news on the tv would end with a short, light hearted story. It was a bit of good news to try and cheer the viewers up after been glued to half an hour or so of bad news. The story could be anything such as a skateboarding duck. It was there simply as a reminder that in amongst all the sad and bad things going on in the world there were still things that could make you smile and happy.
It was an acknowledgement that even though many people may be suffering from terrible things, and it could be hard to find any good reasons for joy and happiness, they were still there nonetheless, sometimes you just had to look a bit harder to find them.
Today’s reading has a similar vein to it. We are now at the end of the Bible, the last couple of chapters, and we get a picture to remind us what life, from God’s perspective is all about.
From the beginnings of the Bible and the time of creation, we see that everything was perfect, and then humanity came along and spoiled it all. And within the 66 books that make up the Bible a familiar path is constantly trod by God’s people—of love, suffering, hope, hurt, rejection, lament, questions asked and answers given, of God reaching out and humanity moving further from Him.
And these aren’t just stories that make up Scripture, they are still the real-life stories of each and every one of us today. We all have at one time or another experienced some or all of the above situations that were faced by God’s people in the past. We know what it is to wonder why life seems to be so unfair for many of us and why some seem to experience a life time of suffering, and ‘others’ seem to be able to sail through life without any worries or problems whatsoever.
But I think that the picture that John is painting in his Revelation of what the new Heaven is going to look like is meant as a reassure to us that says, in the words of Bob Marley, ‘everything is going to be all right’.
I don’t want to try and offer a glib answer to some of the real tragedies of human suffering that have beset many people from within and out with our church throughout their lives, because I certainly don’t know why there is so much hurt, injustice and pain, but God through John, is assuring us that this life is not all there is. There is better in store. This earthly life is just part of the story; and when we fully grasp that, whilst it doesn’t make our hurts and pains go away, it nonetheless lets us know that our loved ones are in a better place, and that we too will be going to a better place once this earthly life over.
Many of the great spiritual songs, were a response to the misery that the singers experienced. Out of times of slavery songs such as ‘Swing low Sweet Chariot’ were sung, a fact that seemed to have bypassed the English RFU until recently, as well as ‘I’ve got a home in Glory land that outshines the Sun’/ ‘Do Lord’ both of which were not songs of joy but ones that stated that the slaves were fed up with not being acknowledged as human beings, that they were filled with sorrow about their situations, and as such these songs were ways of representing their heartaches. However, they also knew the day would come when a higher reward would await them, but it didn’t take away from the tears that they shed because of everything they experienced. These songs were means of bringing relief to their hurting hearts.
Last week’s reflection took us into the book of Hebrews and we were assured that although we can’t see them, there is a great gathering of witnesses in Heaven who are watching over us and encouraging us to keep going, so that we can indeed make it to the ‘Promised Land’.
At Ch 6 v’s 9-11 in the book of Revelation, John paints a bigger picture for us of what that crowd of witnesses are also doing when they are not cheering us on, as he tells us that they are calling out to God in loud voices “How long”. How long is all this suffering going to last? How long before justice is served. How long before our suffering is avenged?”
God doesn’t answer them, but John sees what the future holds for us all at the beginning of our reading. There is the promise that God will be with His people and that He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away.
God’s people have been waiting for this vision to become a reality for thousands of years; the prophet Isaiah said the time would come when the wolf and the lamb would feed together and the lion would eat straw like the ox and the sound of weeping and crying will be heard no more. (Isaiah 65: 25, 19).
That is a promise for us, also but it can be hard to accept when we witness many of the thingsthat are all around us.
I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked in the face of tragedy and disaster: “Surely, there’s got to be something better than this?” Our reading answers that by saying “yes, there is”. That as it was in the beginning so shall it be in the end.
Therefore may we see John’s vision as painting a beautiful picture of the future to come for all God’s people, a picture that says: ‘No matter who you are, no matter where you are on life’s journey, there is a place where you can know you will be welcomed; because the perfection God made at the beginning of time is the perfection that is an inheritance for us all’.
But may we also take these assurances and promises of future glory so that we can build ‘a
new heaven and earth’ of love joy and peace with all those who need them in their lives and
in their communities today.
Sometimes poetry can give us a better picture of something than a simple reflection. Hopefully this poem by Rick Fry might stir your imaginations
It ends where it all began.
There will be a time when we make it through the darkest valleys
of cooking appliance bombs, bubble-bursting economies, bone-chilling diagnoses,
our own personal failures, dead-ends, loneliness and fears.
We will make our way through the shadows towards the shimmering river of life,
leading to the primordial garden,
where we will be healed by the leaves
and the sweet grainy fruit of the tree of life.
We will no longer turn our faces towards the wall in order to hide our shame.
Rather the Lamb will lead us to the New Jerusalem.
The gates will be open wide.
In thanksgiving we will enter.
No more hatred, envy, or fear.
God will be present among all the wandering people of the nations.
We will find ourselves streaming into this strange city
along with the peoples of different cultures,
peoples of times past and future.
We walk by a faint glimmer of light now,
yet it grows more defined as the glory of God halos the city skyline,
welcoming us home.
FORGIVING ISN'T ALWAYS EASY
Matthew 18: 21-35 NIV
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[a]
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[b] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[c] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Sermon
I have a confession to make that might shock many of you but might not surprise others. My confession is that: the manse is probably not as clean as it could or should be. Everywhere you go within it there are pockets of dust that have accumulated since I moved in on December.
I have taken my eye of the ball as far as internal cleanliness within my home and what is really the church’s house, is concerned. And if you think that is bad you should see the state of the garden,
It is obvious that it has been neglected as well. If you are an expert on weeds then it becomes a bit more obvious about the amount of time that has been spent in the garden. You know some things are a lot easier to see than others. And sometimes it can be easier to confess to things we have done than it is for us to forgive those who have harmed us.
Sometimes it feels better to get things off our chest or to remove the chip from our shoulder, or to settle a score than it does to just move on from a situation that has caused us harm or upset us. How many would agree with that?
Today’s reading comes on the back of Jesus giving his followers a discourse on church discipline or how followers ought to deal with problems that arise amongst them. And Peter comes forward thinking that he has an idea of what Jesus is alluding to, as he asks, “should I forgive the brother or sister who sins against me up to seven times?” Seven times was an awful lot of forgiveness in those days; seven times, more than met the demands of the law; and for us today it can feel like a generous amount of forgiveness to offer anybody.
But Jesus answers back in the way that He always does; He takes a suggestion and multiplies it many times over to show just what God’s Kingdom is really like. And it doesn’t matter what translation of the Bible you use, Jesus answer varies slightly within them, as He says we are expected to forgive seventy-seven times, or seven times seven or even seventy times seven, but irrespective of how you look at it or translate it there is an awful lot of forgiveness to be given to someone who constantly does things that upsets you.
Let’s be honest how much forgiveness is really enough, before we decide that enough is enough? How often should we be practicing those things that can be easier to preach to others than it is to carry out in our own lives?
But deep down we all know the answer. Jesus is telling us that we need to forgive and keep forgiving. Because the well of forgiveness that is graciously given to us is endless. Basically, He is saying to us, forgive often and completely —forgive someone as often and as completely as it takes. Forgiveness is part and parcel of the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s a constant. It’s not optional. It’s not a choice we get to make. Instead it’s one of the essential marks of the Christian faith, but it is so hard isn’t it?
When South Africa moved on from its years of apartheid rule, they formed a “truth and reconciliation commission” to try and heal the wounds from the past and the hurts that many still carried with them. It was a way for victims to tell their stories, to have their suffering acknowledged, and for them to be able confront those who had carried out these acts.
It also gave the perpetrators an opportunity to speak about their acts and to seek forgiveness and clemency. No one knew how it would all work out but in many cases when the victim and the architect of these hurts came together genuine reconciliation and forgiveness was the outcome.
One of the foundational principles of this experience is what Desmond Tutu called “Ubuntu.” The idea that we all share a common humanity and that the only way the human family can thrive is together with one another. Which means that when we look at someone who has wounded us deeply, we don’t see an enemy, but rather a fellow human being.
It might sound too idealistic for most of us, and to a certain extent it is, but we remember this is what Jesus has called us to do. To forgive and keep on forgiving.
And for those of us who find it hard, we are in good company, because even though the disciples heard Jesus speak these words they struggled with forgiveness as well.
Remember the time when James and John wanted to cast down fire on a village that had rejected Jesus. Remember Peter cutting off the centurion’s servants ear when Jesus was being led away from the Mount of Olives. Remember the time when all the disciples became angry with James and John because they wanted to sit at Jesus’ left and right hand side in Heaven.
Jesus never said well done good and faithful servants to them for their lack of forgiveness, instead it was when he hung on the cross that he reiterated the message of forgiveness when he yelled out “forgive them”.
It’s a hard passage because forgiveness isn’t easy. And it may well be that as we are listening to this, names and faces from the past are starting to come to mind; people who have hurt us and who we have never been able to forgive. Maybe events are springing to mind that are deep, tragic and painful. How do we move on from such people and events? How can we forgive things that may seem to us as unforgiveable?
The truth is there is no magic formula to determine what forgiveness should look or feel like. Therefore, perhaps we just need to allow ourselves the space to sit in the discomfort, complexity and the tension of what Jesus is saying and acknowledge that being in relationship with others always offers risks and negotiation.
Maybe we need to reflect on whatever it is that is causing us to be unforgiving towards someone else. And maybe, ultimately, we need to pass it on to Jesus and admit I can’t do this, but I know that you can help. And as we do so may the words ‘forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors’ bring new meaning and significance to our lives, this day and every day
Amen
Go now ready to bless and ready to forgive doing so in the promise that there is grace enough for all. And now may the grace of our lord jesus christ the love of god and the fellowship of the holy spirit be with us all now and ever more
amen
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[a]
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[b] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[c] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Sermon
I have a confession to make that might shock many of you but might not surprise others. My confession is that: the manse is probably not as clean as it could or should be. Everywhere you go within it there are pockets of dust that have accumulated since I moved in on December.
I have taken my eye of the ball as far as internal cleanliness within my home and what is really the church’s house, is concerned. And if you think that is bad you should see the state of the garden,
It is obvious that it has been neglected as well. If you are an expert on weeds then it becomes a bit more obvious about the amount of time that has been spent in the garden. You know some things are a lot easier to see than others. And sometimes it can be easier to confess to things we have done than it is for us to forgive those who have harmed us.
Sometimes it feels better to get things off our chest or to remove the chip from our shoulder, or to settle a score than it does to just move on from a situation that has caused us harm or upset us. How many would agree with that?
Today’s reading comes on the back of Jesus giving his followers a discourse on church discipline or how followers ought to deal with problems that arise amongst them. And Peter comes forward thinking that he has an idea of what Jesus is alluding to, as he asks, “should I forgive the brother or sister who sins against me up to seven times?” Seven times was an awful lot of forgiveness in those days; seven times, more than met the demands of the law; and for us today it can feel like a generous amount of forgiveness to offer anybody.
But Jesus answers back in the way that He always does; He takes a suggestion and multiplies it many times over to show just what God’s Kingdom is really like. And it doesn’t matter what translation of the Bible you use, Jesus answer varies slightly within them, as He says we are expected to forgive seventy-seven times, or seven times seven or even seventy times seven, but irrespective of how you look at it or translate it there is an awful lot of forgiveness to be given to someone who constantly does things that upsets you.
Let’s be honest how much forgiveness is really enough, before we decide that enough is enough? How often should we be practicing those things that can be easier to preach to others than it is to carry out in our own lives?
But deep down we all know the answer. Jesus is telling us that we need to forgive and keep forgiving. Because the well of forgiveness that is graciously given to us is endless. Basically, He is saying to us, forgive often and completely —forgive someone as often and as completely as it takes. Forgiveness is part and parcel of the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s a constant. It’s not optional. It’s not a choice we get to make. Instead it’s one of the essential marks of the Christian faith, but it is so hard isn’t it?
When South Africa moved on from its years of apartheid rule, they formed a “truth and reconciliation commission” to try and heal the wounds from the past and the hurts that many still carried with them. It was a way for victims to tell their stories, to have their suffering acknowledged, and for them to be able confront those who had carried out these acts.
It also gave the perpetrators an opportunity to speak about their acts and to seek forgiveness and clemency. No one knew how it would all work out but in many cases when the victim and the architect of these hurts came together genuine reconciliation and forgiveness was the outcome.
One of the foundational principles of this experience is what Desmond Tutu called “Ubuntu.” The idea that we all share a common humanity and that the only way the human family can thrive is together with one another. Which means that when we look at someone who has wounded us deeply, we don’t see an enemy, but rather a fellow human being.
It might sound too idealistic for most of us, and to a certain extent it is, but we remember this is what Jesus has called us to do. To forgive and keep on forgiving.
And for those of us who find it hard, we are in good company, because even though the disciples heard Jesus speak these words they struggled with forgiveness as well.
Remember the time when James and John wanted to cast down fire on a village that had rejected Jesus. Remember Peter cutting off the centurion’s servants ear when Jesus was being led away from the Mount of Olives. Remember the time when all the disciples became angry with James and John because they wanted to sit at Jesus’ left and right hand side in Heaven.
Jesus never said well done good and faithful servants to them for their lack of forgiveness, instead it was when he hung on the cross that he reiterated the message of forgiveness when he yelled out “forgive them”.
It’s a hard passage because forgiveness isn’t easy. And it may well be that as we are listening to this, names and faces from the past are starting to come to mind; people who have hurt us and who we have never been able to forgive. Maybe events are springing to mind that are deep, tragic and painful. How do we move on from such people and events? How can we forgive things that may seem to us as unforgiveable?
The truth is there is no magic formula to determine what forgiveness should look or feel like. Therefore, perhaps we just need to allow ourselves the space to sit in the discomfort, complexity and the tension of what Jesus is saying and acknowledge that being in relationship with others always offers risks and negotiation.
Maybe we need to reflect on whatever it is that is causing us to be unforgiving towards someone else. And maybe, ultimately, we need to pass it on to Jesus and admit I can’t do this, but I know that you can help. And as we do so may the words ‘forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors’ bring new meaning and significance to our lives, this day and every day
Amen
Go now ready to bless and ready to forgive doing so in the promise that there is grace enough for all. And now may the grace of our lord jesus christ the love of god and the fellowship of the holy spirit be with us all now and ever more
amen
fix your eyes on jesus, and run your race
Hebrews 12: 1-3 NIV
1. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2. fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Reflection
“Lacks motivation,” “Can be easily distracted”; just a couple of comments that seemed to have been regular features in report cards that I got from school. And I dare say that there might be many reading this today who think that not much has changed throughout the
years!!
However, I must admit that when I knew what the teachers could have written, then these comments weren’t so bad; though my mum and dad weren’t always as willing to see things in
the same way as I was.
Our reading this morning follows on from the well known chapter from the faith hall of fame that is written by the author of Hebrews. In today’s few verses he takes it further by telling his audience - an audience who were experiencing some terrible hardships because of their faith, but who nonetheless did not lack motivation or allowed themselves to be distracted by the persecution that they endured - that they could keep going through their tests and trials because they were being supported by those who had experienced similar things in their own
life times. They were being cheered on from the balcony of heaven by everyone who had proven their worth and had also walked the path that had been set before them.
Isn’t it great to know that this still applies to us today? That in all the things that we go through, we are beneficiaries of the applause from heaven, that the heroes of the past are cheering us on and assuring us that “you can do it.”
There is nothing that we face that hasn’t been faced by someone in a previous generation. When you look at the last few verses of the previous chapter we see that the life of faith for many of God’s people didn’t result in earthly rewards. In fact it would be easy to think that for many of them their lives had been a waste, if not a tragedy. Look at the fate of some of them: “they were tortured…sawn in two…stoned…wandered in deserts, mountains and caves and holes in the ground” (11: 36- 38). Not very pleasant I am sure you would agree, but then we are told in the next verse “they were all commended for their faith”.
And the promise of God is, that because there are people who have experienced what we experience, and in many cases who went through worse, the backing we receive from the stands of heaven comes from those who know that sometimes living a life of faith isn’t always easy or fair, but who nonetheless persevered anyway.
I am sure we are aware of that sporting metaphor of the crowd being the 12 th man/person. And to a certain extent the truth of this was shown when the remainder of the football seasons were played out between May and July in the different countries and then when it resumed again in August and September to empty stadiums. Everyone on the park said the games weren’t the same when the crowds weren’t there to urge them on.
Although we might think there are times when our lives of faith are being played out in the middle of an ‘empty stadium’ and that nobody seems to care, we can be assured that the stands of heaven are full of the saints of the past urging us to keep going because the
rewards are worth it; to keep going because there is a seat waiting for us, so that we too can be amongst that great cloud of witnesses in the sky who encourage others to keep going; that although the struggle is hard and long, that we too can do it.
I’m pretty confident also, that with all these great witnesses cheering everyone on from the stands of Heaven, there will always be a job to be done for our church’s Health and Safety Officer in ensuring that all the regulations are being adhered to, when the time comes for him
to take his seat amongst these witnesses.
Sometimes it can be too easy for us to be self-critical or self-analytical about our faith. We can look around at others and believe our faith to be rubbish; that others seem to be able to walk in faith regardless, whilst ours can be a mixture of faith and doubt, questions, despair and worry.
But may we come to appreciate that although the trials and struggles we face are real, we have support from above cheering us on; Divine inspiration reassuring us that we will get through and make it to the other side.
The picture of a great cloud of witnesses, is a wonderful vision of God’s greater purpose for us and His world. It’s a picture that says that we are not alone in this life and that we are part of something that is much bigger than ourselves We are part of a Holy plan that stretches
beyond time and space and it’s a plan for humanity’s redemption and salvation. A plan that
promises us that our names are written on the scroll of life, and that when the roll is called up yonder—we will be there.
Therefore, because we have such ‘blessed assurance’ may we continue to do what we are
doing - loving and serving God and loving and serving others. And no matter where we are on our journey of faith today; whether we are in a good place or a difficult one may we be encouraged by the applause from Heaven and may we never stop “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (12: 2)
1. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2. fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Reflection
“Lacks motivation,” “Can be easily distracted”; just a couple of comments that seemed to have been regular features in report cards that I got from school. And I dare say that there might be many reading this today who think that not much has changed throughout the
years!!
However, I must admit that when I knew what the teachers could have written, then these comments weren’t so bad; though my mum and dad weren’t always as willing to see things in
the same way as I was.
Our reading this morning follows on from the well known chapter from the faith hall of fame that is written by the author of Hebrews. In today’s few verses he takes it further by telling his audience - an audience who were experiencing some terrible hardships because of their faith, but who nonetheless did not lack motivation or allowed themselves to be distracted by the persecution that they endured - that they could keep going through their tests and trials because they were being supported by those who had experienced similar things in their own
life times. They were being cheered on from the balcony of heaven by everyone who had proven their worth and had also walked the path that had been set before them.
Isn’t it great to know that this still applies to us today? That in all the things that we go through, we are beneficiaries of the applause from heaven, that the heroes of the past are cheering us on and assuring us that “you can do it.”
There is nothing that we face that hasn’t been faced by someone in a previous generation. When you look at the last few verses of the previous chapter we see that the life of faith for many of God’s people didn’t result in earthly rewards. In fact it would be easy to think that for many of them their lives had been a waste, if not a tragedy. Look at the fate of some of them: “they were tortured…sawn in two…stoned…wandered in deserts, mountains and caves and holes in the ground” (11: 36- 38). Not very pleasant I am sure you would agree, but then we are told in the next verse “they were all commended for their faith”.
And the promise of God is, that because there are people who have experienced what we experience, and in many cases who went through worse, the backing we receive from the stands of heaven comes from those who know that sometimes living a life of faith isn’t always easy or fair, but who nonetheless persevered anyway.
I am sure we are aware of that sporting metaphor of the crowd being the 12 th man/person. And to a certain extent the truth of this was shown when the remainder of the football seasons were played out between May and July in the different countries and then when it resumed again in August and September to empty stadiums. Everyone on the park said the games weren’t the same when the crowds weren’t there to urge them on.
Although we might think there are times when our lives of faith are being played out in the middle of an ‘empty stadium’ and that nobody seems to care, we can be assured that the stands of heaven are full of the saints of the past urging us to keep going because the
rewards are worth it; to keep going because there is a seat waiting for us, so that we too can be amongst that great cloud of witnesses in the sky who encourage others to keep going; that although the struggle is hard and long, that we too can do it.
I’m pretty confident also, that with all these great witnesses cheering everyone on from the stands of Heaven, there will always be a job to be done for our church’s Health and Safety Officer in ensuring that all the regulations are being adhered to, when the time comes for him
to take his seat amongst these witnesses.
Sometimes it can be too easy for us to be self-critical or self-analytical about our faith. We can look around at others and believe our faith to be rubbish; that others seem to be able to walk in faith regardless, whilst ours can be a mixture of faith and doubt, questions, despair and worry.
But may we come to appreciate that although the trials and struggles we face are real, we have support from above cheering us on; Divine inspiration reassuring us that we will get through and make it to the other side.
The picture of a great cloud of witnesses, is a wonderful vision of God’s greater purpose for us and His world. It’s a picture that says that we are not alone in this life and that we are part of something that is much bigger than ourselves We are part of a Holy plan that stretches
beyond time and space and it’s a plan for humanity’s redemption and salvation. A plan that
promises us that our names are written on the scroll of life, and that when the roll is called up yonder—we will be there.
Therefore, because we have such ‘blessed assurance’ may we continue to do what we are
doing - loving and serving God and loving and serving others. And no matter where we are on our journey of faith today; whether we are in a good place or a difficult one may we be encouraged by the applause from Heaven and may we never stop “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (12: 2)
Jesus is with us
Matthew 18:15-20 New International Version
Dealing with sin in the church
15 “If your brother or sister[a] sins,[b] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[c] 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven.
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Sermon
I was struck by the irony of today’s reading, for our first official return to public worship since the lock down, where and I paraphrase Jesus words; “If you have a troublemaker in amongst you kick them out”. It’s obviously a last resort, so be assured that anyone that is not happy today you are still more than welcome to return and join us next week.
But it is a challenge for us as to how we deal with conflict when it shows its face. Our own Church history throughout the years at a time when the Church had more influence and power within the lives of those in the community doesn’t always show us in a good light. Individuals who had made mistakes and had gone off the beaten track were ultimately brought to the Church and made to sit on the stool of penitence and they and their family would be publicly humiliated by the minister or the church elders.
Sometimes the good old days when churches were full weren’t always good for everyone. There was never any promise or assurance for those who found themselves in the stool, of the love of God or the promise that where two or three are gathered that Jesus was in the midst. It seemed to be more the case that the bigger the congregation the greater the humiliation.
But nonetheless our reading still asks us to look at the way we deal with one another when things go wrong.
But I think the key to how we answer that can be found in the way we identify ourselves as a church and as the people of God. The main point being the realisation that when we come together either as two or three, or as a slightly bigger community, we are making a statement that we are a community of God. That we are a community, a family even, who choose to be with one another. After all nobody forced us to come here, instead we have chosen voluntarily to join together with each other, whether that be within this building or as part of our online community. We have chosen to say that we are a people and a community who meet in this part of Ayr and that we as that community will do our best to look out for the interests not just of one another but for all of God’s people in this parish of St Quivox.
Recently I have been hearing the stories of how, once the proposals for building the church at Dalmilling were agreed and members and non- members of the church went round the doors of everyone in the community looking for money so that the Church could be built. And believe it or believe it not the community dug deep and supported us. Just think, not only did members of the church help build Dalmilling Church, but so too did those who weren’t members. Maybe people who went to other churches and those who perhaps had no faith at all supported us when we needed their help. This was at a time just after the war, when people’s finances were tight, when ration books would have still been the order of the day and yet people from the community sacrificed in order that there could be a visible Christian presence in their midst. Just imagine trying to do something like that today.
And yet we are still seeing the community spirit and good will towards us in ways that could so easily be taken for granted. We see the way members of the community have cut the grass for us and generally kept an eye on the Church building during our prolonged absence. It is surely good to know that in such circumstances God has been at work using people from out with the church to ensure that the Church could keep going.
For me, that is the essence of our community and our church community. Whilst we gather as One, as a community in church, we are also reminded of what that means for the wider community, and that we are part of that wider community, not separate or remote from it but are just as much part of the community’s life as they are part of ours.
The whole point of this is to say that when we see ourselves as a community, as part of something bigger, then it ought to remind us that the way we conduct ourselves, or the theology that we espouse has the potential to have greater ramification than we can often care to believe. Thus, may we continue to believe that Jesus challenge to love God and love our neighbours is still the determining factor in everything that we believe.
Being a community of God’s people isn’t easy, that’s why this reading is in our Bibles, that’s why Jesus spoke about it. All communities are filled with people who get it wrong, who make wrong decisions, who sometimes seem to go from one bad choice to another, and our Church community is no different. That’s why maintaining relationships within any community can be hard work, it can be tiring, even exhausting, but ultimately it is worth it, because it’s the combined efforts of us all, of everyone who makes up the community that ultimately makes us the people and place that we are.
I think that’s one of the things that Jesus is trying to say to us in the reading, stick with it when things go wrong, try and sort them out, because ultimately everybody gets it wrong at some stage. But when everyone is doing their part we become part of something bigger than ourselves, we are working in the assurance that even though we might feel things are going against us Jesus has assured us that “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am with them”.
And so as we struggle with our vision of the church in this community, as we wonder what the future holds, as we slowly try to build a sense of normality in our church lives again, as many of us may be wrestling with trying to find normality in the middle of the Coronavirus may we be able to do so in the promise and assurance that as we do so, Jesus is with us, ensuring that our work as his community keeps going and remains possible. Amen
Dealing with sin in the church
15 “If your brother or sister[a] sins,[b] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[c] 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven.
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Sermon
I was struck by the irony of today’s reading, for our first official return to public worship since the lock down, where and I paraphrase Jesus words; “If you have a troublemaker in amongst you kick them out”. It’s obviously a last resort, so be assured that anyone that is not happy today you are still more than welcome to return and join us next week.
But it is a challenge for us as to how we deal with conflict when it shows its face. Our own Church history throughout the years at a time when the Church had more influence and power within the lives of those in the community doesn’t always show us in a good light. Individuals who had made mistakes and had gone off the beaten track were ultimately brought to the Church and made to sit on the stool of penitence and they and their family would be publicly humiliated by the minister or the church elders.
Sometimes the good old days when churches were full weren’t always good for everyone. There was never any promise or assurance for those who found themselves in the stool, of the love of God or the promise that where two or three are gathered that Jesus was in the midst. It seemed to be more the case that the bigger the congregation the greater the humiliation.
But nonetheless our reading still asks us to look at the way we deal with one another when things go wrong.
But I think the key to how we answer that can be found in the way we identify ourselves as a church and as the people of God. The main point being the realisation that when we come together either as two or three, or as a slightly bigger community, we are making a statement that we are a community of God. That we are a community, a family even, who choose to be with one another. After all nobody forced us to come here, instead we have chosen voluntarily to join together with each other, whether that be within this building or as part of our online community. We have chosen to say that we are a people and a community who meet in this part of Ayr and that we as that community will do our best to look out for the interests not just of one another but for all of God’s people in this parish of St Quivox.
Recently I have been hearing the stories of how, once the proposals for building the church at Dalmilling were agreed and members and non- members of the church went round the doors of everyone in the community looking for money so that the Church could be built. And believe it or believe it not the community dug deep and supported us. Just think, not only did members of the church help build Dalmilling Church, but so too did those who weren’t members. Maybe people who went to other churches and those who perhaps had no faith at all supported us when we needed their help. This was at a time just after the war, when people’s finances were tight, when ration books would have still been the order of the day and yet people from the community sacrificed in order that there could be a visible Christian presence in their midst. Just imagine trying to do something like that today.
And yet we are still seeing the community spirit and good will towards us in ways that could so easily be taken for granted. We see the way members of the community have cut the grass for us and generally kept an eye on the Church building during our prolonged absence. It is surely good to know that in such circumstances God has been at work using people from out with the church to ensure that the Church could keep going.
For me, that is the essence of our community and our church community. Whilst we gather as One, as a community in church, we are also reminded of what that means for the wider community, and that we are part of that wider community, not separate or remote from it but are just as much part of the community’s life as they are part of ours.
The whole point of this is to say that when we see ourselves as a community, as part of something bigger, then it ought to remind us that the way we conduct ourselves, or the theology that we espouse has the potential to have greater ramification than we can often care to believe. Thus, may we continue to believe that Jesus challenge to love God and love our neighbours is still the determining factor in everything that we believe.
Being a community of God’s people isn’t easy, that’s why this reading is in our Bibles, that’s why Jesus spoke about it. All communities are filled with people who get it wrong, who make wrong decisions, who sometimes seem to go from one bad choice to another, and our Church community is no different. That’s why maintaining relationships within any community can be hard work, it can be tiring, even exhausting, but ultimately it is worth it, because it’s the combined efforts of us all, of everyone who makes up the community that ultimately makes us the people and place that we are.
I think that’s one of the things that Jesus is trying to say to us in the reading, stick with it when things go wrong, try and sort them out, because ultimately everybody gets it wrong at some stage. But when everyone is doing their part we become part of something bigger than ourselves, we are working in the assurance that even though we might feel things are going against us Jesus has assured us that “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am with them”.
And so as we struggle with our vision of the church in this community, as we wonder what the future holds, as we slowly try to build a sense of normality in our church lives again, as many of us may be wrestling with trying to find normality in the middle of the Coronavirus may we be able to do so in the promise and assurance that as we do so, Jesus is with us, ensuring that our work as his community keeps going and remains possible. Amen
paul and silas in prison -
when 'one of those days' lets god change lives
when 'one of those days' lets god change lives
Acts 16:16-34 New International Version
Paul and Silas in Prison
16 Once, when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.
19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”
22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
Reflection
Our reading today seems to describe one of these days that we have all probably experienced at some point; that no matter how hard we try, our day goes from one problem to another, when nothing goes right from morning to night; have you ever had one of those days? We wake up, get out of bed with the best of intentions, maybe even feeling good and ready to embrace the new day, and then it’s all down-hill thereafter. When one calamity ends another is knocking on the door of your life, just waiting to walk in and take its place.
You could say that this is a good description of the kind of day that Paul and Silas were experiencing. They were minding their own business as they went to the place of prayer, and i'ts from here that things start to go wrong. They are accosted by a woman who follows them about for many days, shouting out to anyone who will listen that Paul and Silas are servants of God. Whilst what she says is true, her words are obviously said in such a way as to discourage people accepting the truth of what she says. Her words are not her own but that of a spirit within her which Paul commands to leave. This has knock on consequences, and to cut a long story short Paul and Silas end up in jail, with their feet fastened to the stocks.
However, instead of being bitter about their situation, Paul and Silas used it as a means of praising God as they prayed and sang hymns. They refused to believe that God had deserted them and left them on their own. Instead they chose to believe that because they were on a mission from God, some good would come out of their predicament. And as they sat, chained, and with the dried blood from their beatings still on their bodies, they sang and prayed in such a way that the other prisoners could do nothing but listen to them.
Their actions caused everyone else to take notice, because everyone was in the same situation, but Paul and Silas were reacting differently. And it’s through this time of worship that something amazing happens; there is an earthquake, the prison doors are opened, and all the prisoners are set free. Not just one or two, not just a select few, not just Paul and Silas’, not just those who were in jail because they were prisoners for their faith, instead the reading says everyone’s chains were broken. As civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer declared: “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.”
And the amazing thing is, that none of the prisoners left; none of them chose to exercise their new found freedom, because there was still one whose life was in danger. Isn’t it wonderful to know that nobody left because if they had, the jailer would have either killed himself or would have been killed by the prison authorities. “Don’t do it” Paul assures him, “we are all here”.
Everyone’s freedom would have meant nothing if it had resulted in the jailer losing his life. Because no one left their cells after the earthquake Paul and Silas were able to reach out to the jailer and offer him hope and share the Good News of the Gospel.
The things we do and things we believe need to always be of benefit for others, as well as ourselves. Whether we like it or not, our walk of faith needs to always be a communal event. That’s why we are a parish church, because everything that happens within our buildings is expected to have a positive contribution to those within our parish. That’s why everyone that comes to us will never be turned away. Whenever we are approached for a wedding, baptism or funeral we need to always ensure that we are willing where possible to help.
That’s why our services on Sunday morning, when we are opened, are public events, all are welcome. We don’t worship within the community behind locked doors to members only, instead as members of a parish church we are acknowledging our connectedness with one another; with those within the church and those in our parish and within the community at large. And who knows the difference we make in the lives of those we come into contact with as a result of believing in our connectedness to one another.
We don’t know the names of the family members of the prison guard who were saved after meeting Paul and Silas, but we do know that they were saved. We don’t know the names of the prisoners, or the impact on their lives after hearing Paul and Silas praying. Neither do we know the names of all the family members of Lydia whose lives were changed after meeting these two followers. But the one thing we do know is that lives were changed and destinies altered.
It’s the same with us as well, who knows the difference that we are having on the lives of others. Who knows the impact that can encourage others when we are going through ‘one of these days’? Who knows the difference that God can make if we are willing to let Him?
Therefore, may the things we believe always have the ability to open the doors of hope and light for those who see nothing but darkness and despair. And may we continue to reach out to others in the confidence that the Good News can only ever be good when others come to hear about it as well.
Amen
Paul and Silas in Prison
16 Once, when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.
19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”
22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
Reflection
Our reading today seems to describe one of these days that we have all probably experienced at some point; that no matter how hard we try, our day goes from one problem to another, when nothing goes right from morning to night; have you ever had one of those days? We wake up, get out of bed with the best of intentions, maybe even feeling good and ready to embrace the new day, and then it’s all down-hill thereafter. When one calamity ends another is knocking on the door of your life, just waiting to walk in and take its place.
You could say that this is a good description of the kind of day that Paul and Silas were experiencing. They were minding their own business as they went to the place of prayer, and i'ts from here that things start to go wrong. They are accosted by a woman who follows them about for many days, shouting out to anyone who will listen that Paul and Silas are servants of God. Whilst what she says is true, her words are obviously said in such a way as to discourage people accepting the truth of what she says. Her words are not her own but that of a spirit within her which Paul commands to leave. This has knock on consequences, and to cut a long story short Paul and Silas end up in jail, with their feet fastened to the stocks.
However, instead of being bitter about their situation, Paul and Silas used it as a means of praising God as they prayed and sang hymns. They refused to believe that God had deserted them and left them on their own. Instead they chose to believe that because they were on a mission from God, some good would come out of their predicament. And as they sat, chained, and with the dried blood from their beatings still on their bodies, they sang and prayed in such a way that the other prisoners could do nothing but listen to them.
Their actions caused everyone else to take notice, because everyone was in the same situation, but Paul and Silas were reacting differently. And it’s through this time of worship that something amazing happens; there is an earthquake, the prison doors are opened, and all the prisoners are set free. Not just one or two, not just a select few, not just Paul and Silas’, not just those who were in jail because they were prisoners for their faith, instead the reading says everyone’s chains were broken. As civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer declared: “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.”
And the amazing thing is, that none of the prisoners left; none of them chose to exercise their new found freedom, because there was still one whose life was in danger. Isn’t it wonderful to know that nobody left because if they had, the jailer would have either killed himself or would have been killed by the prison authorities. “Don’t do it” Paul assures him, “we are all here”.
Everyone’s freedom would have meant nothing if it had resulted in the jailer losing his life. Because no one left their cells after the earthquake Paul and Silas were able to reach out to the jailer and offer him hope and share the Good News of the Gospel.
The things we do and things we believe need to always be of benefit for others, as well as ourselves. Whether we like it or not, our walk of faith needs to always be a communal event. That’s why we are a parish church, because everything that happens within our buildings is expected to have a positive contribution to those within our parish. That’s why everyone that comes to us will never be turned away. Whenever we are approached for a wedding, baptism or funeral we need to always ensure that we are willing where possible to help.
That’s why our services on Sunday morning, when we are opened, are public events, all are welcome. We don’t worship within the community behind locked doors to members only, instead as members of a parish church we are acknowledging our connectedness with one another; with those within the church and those in our parish and within the community at large. And who knows the difference we make in the lives of those we come into contact with as a result of believing in our connectedness to one another.
We don’t know the names of the family members of the prison guard who were saved after meeting Paul and Silas, but we do know that they were saved. We don’t know the names of the prisoners, or the impact on their lives after hearing Paul and Silas praying. Neither do we know the names of all the family members of Lydia whose lives were changed after meeting these two followers. But the one thing we do know is that lives were changed and destinies altered.
It’s the same with us as well, who knows the difference that we are having on the lives of others. Who knows the impact that can encourage others when we are going through ‘one of these days’? Who knows the difference that God can make if we are willing to let Him?
Therefore, may the things we believe always have the ability to open the doors of hope and light for those who see nothing but darkness and despair. And may we continue to reach out to others in the confidence that the Good News can only ever be good when others come to hear about it as well.
Amen
god's word leading to joyful existence
Psalm 119:33-40 New International Version
33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.[a]
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.[b]
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life.
Sermon
Many, if not most of us have an in built mechanism that gives us the desire to want to be happy. And we can find happiness in many different ways, but Aleph the writer of today’s Psalm says that the true life of happiness involves knowing God and doing as He commands; and he confirms this as he begins this section of the psalm by asking God to
“ Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end”.
I don’t know how many of us find the happiness we desire, or the answers to the deep questions that lie within us, in the Bible. For most of society now the Bible, God and the Church are seen as relics of a by gone era that bare no relation to the lives, wants and desires of the average 21st century person.
And even for those of us who are still part of that generation who look to the Word of God to help us get by on a daily basis I wonder who amongst us would consider using today’s Psalm as our yard stick by which to live and lead our lives.
Psalm 119 for all that it is a marathon, is well worth reading.
Even though its 176 verses make it the longest chapter in the Bible, I would encourage everyone to read it through from beginning to end in one sitting so that you can see the treasure trove of delights that are contained within it. And then when you’ve read it, do yourself a favour, have a cup of tea or coffee and then read it again so that the wisdom, the joy and ultimately the reliability of God’s word can fill you with the understanding and happiness that we so often seek for ourselves and one another.
The beginning of each section of this Psalm begins with a verb, a doing word, a way by which Aleph acknowledges that he is only able to find meaning in life when God is helping him and supporting him in the things that he does. That ultimately, it’s only through God’s help rather than through the Psalmist’s own ability that he is able to do the things that God asks of him. For example, he asks God:
“Teach me” ( v33), “Give me understanding” ( v34), “Direct me” (v35), “Turn my heart…..and my eyes” (v’s 36-37) “Take away” ( v39).
You get the picture; Aleph isn’t telling God everything that he plans to do for Him, instead he assures God that if He doesn’t help him in his teaching, understanding and the direction of travel that he is asked to undertake then he will be unable to do it.
What a difference would be made to all of our lives if we understood that we are not the authors of the story of our lives; that we are not the navigators of the journey that we undertake; and that ultimately the joy that we so desperately want and need for our lives can truly be found the closer we get to God and when we realise that the world does not revolve around our needs alone.
The psalmist obviously recognised his own short comings, and understood that it was only through “Torah Obedience” as Professor Walter Brueggemann puts it, life could be lived and life could have relevance and happiness, because Aleph understood that God’s word is a source of joy,
it is a light, a joy and a delight.
God’s word isn’t a burden to be carried but rather it is the means to “joyful existence”
And in a few moments we will once again come together and celebrate the joy and the happiness of knowing that Jesus is our means to ‘joyful existence’, as we acknowledge and remember that He still accompanies us in our walk through life.
We will take the bread and wine and remember; we will remember the many commandments that have been given to us, such as love God and love one another; commandments which aren’t given to weigh us down but so that we can draw closer to a loving God, and each another. We will take this time once again and reaffirm what has already been done for us by a loving Saviour and we will draw strength in the knowledge that just as He has been our strength and support in the past He will continue to be all that we need Him to be, both in the present and into the future.
If we want to live the life God wants us to live, we need to turn our eyes upon Jesus and open our hearts to Him, so that we can enable Him to lead us and speak to us. And as such may we always give Him the creative space He deserves so that His words and promises can be illuminated within us, which results in an external radiance shining all around us, a sign and assurance of His presence with us to all that meet.
Therefore, may we continue to be a people who don’t lose sight of those things that are eternally important as we remain focused on God and desire more of Him in our day to day living; and may we continue to pursue His purposes for our lives, through the things that we do and in the faith we believe; this day and every day
Amen
33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.[a]
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.[b]
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life.
Sermon
Many, if not most of us have an in built mechanism that gives us the desire to want to be happy. And we can find happiness in many different ways, but Aleph the writer of today’s Psalm says that the true life of happiness involves knowing God and doing as He commands; and he confirms this as he begins this section of the psalm by asking God to
“ Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end”.
I don’t know how many of us find the happiness we desire, or the answers to the deep questions that lie within us, in the Bible. For most of society now the Bible, God and the Church are seen as relics of a by gone era that bare no relation to the lives, wants and desires of the average 21st century person.
And even for those of us who are still part of that generation who look to the Word of God to help us get by on a daily basis I wonder who amongst us would consider using today’s Psalm as our yard stick by which to live and lead our lives.
Psalm 119 for all that it is a marathon, is well worth reading.
Even though its 176 verses make it the longest chapter in the Bible, I would encourage everyone to read it through from beginning to end in one sitting so that you can see the treasure trove of delights that are contained within it. And then when you’ve read it, do yourself a favour, have a cup of tea or coffee and then read it again so that the wisdom, the joy and ultimately the reliability of God’s word can fill you with the understanding and happiness that we so often seek for ourselves and one another.
The beginning of each section of this Psalm begins with a verb, a doing word, a way by which Aleph acknowledges that he is only able to find meaning in life when God is helping him and supporting him in the things that he does. That ultimately, it’s only through God’s help rather than through the Psalmist’s own ability that he is able to do the things that God asks of him. For example, he asks God:
“Teach me” ( v33), “Give me understanding” ( v34), “Direct me” (v35), “Turn my heart…..and my eyes” (v’s 36-37) “Take away” ( v39).
You get the picture; Aleph isn’t telling God everything that he plans to do for Him, instead he assures God that if He doesn’t help him in his teaching, understanding and the direction of travel that he is asked to undertake then he will be unable to do it.
What a difference would be made to all of our lives if we understood that we are not the authors of the story of our lives; that we are not the navigators of the journey that we undertake; and that ultimately the joy that we so desperately want and need for our lives can truly be found the closer we get to God and when we realise that the world does not revolve around our needs alone.
The psalmist obviously recognised his own short comings, and understood that it was only through “Torah Obedience” as Professor Walter Brueggemann puts it, life could be lived and life could have relevance and happiness, because Aleph understood that God’s word is a source of joy,
it is a light, a joy and a delight.
God’s word isn’t a burden to be carried but rather it is the means to “joyful existence”
And in a few moments we will once again come together and celebrate the joy and the happiness of knowing that Jesus is our means to ‘joyful existence’, as we acknowledge and remember that He still accompanies us in our walk through life.
We will take the bread and wine and remember; we will remember the many commandments that have been given to us, such as love God and love one another; commandments which aren’t given to weigh us down but so that we can draw closer to a loving God, and each another. We will take this time once again and reaffirm what has already been done for us by a loving Saviour and we will draw strength in the knowledge that just as He has been our strength and support in the past He will continue to be all that we need Him to be, both in the present and into the future.
If we want to live the life God wants us to live, we need to turn our eyes upon Jesus and open our hearts to Him, so that we can enable Him to lead us and speak to us. And as such may we always give Him the creative space He deserves so that His words and promises can be illuminated within us, which results in an external radiance shining all around us, a sign and assurance of His presence with us to all that meet.
Therefore, may we continue to be a people who don’t lose sight of those things that are eternally important as we remain focused on God and desire more of Him in our day to day living; and may we continue to pursue His purposes for our lives, through the things that we do and in the faith we believe; this day and every day
Amen
MOSES, THE BURNING BUSH, AND THE GREAT I AM
Exodus 3:1-15 New International Version
Moses and the Burning Bush
3 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush.
Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.
3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”
4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
And Moses said, “Here I am.”
5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father,[a] the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.”
At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.
7 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.
9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.
10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
11 But Moses said to God,
“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
12 And God said, “I will be with you.
And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you:
When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you[b] will worship God on this mountain.”
13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’
Then what shall I tell them?”
14 God said to Moses,
“I am who I am.[c]
This is what you are to say to the Israelites:
‘I am has sent me to you.’”
15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord,[d] the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’
“This is my name forever,
the name you shall call me
from generation to generation.
Reflection
I am sure that for many of us, when we hear the name Moses, it conjures up images of Charlton Heston, or Burt Lancaster, or an array of other actors who have portrayed him on stage and screen throughout the years.
And when we look at the story of Moses and read through the book of Exodus there are so many different images that are portrayed that will be well known and may even be meaningful for us.
For example in today's reading we have the image of the burning bush;
prior to that we have the story of Moses as a baby being put in a basket by his mum and hidden amongst reeds in the River Nile;
then there is the Passover and the various plagues that are brought on the Egyptian people by God as His people leave their life of slavery behind them and head into the Promised Land;
there is also the story of Moses being given the ten commandments.
And these are just the tip of the iceberg from the great stories that we might remember or have forgotten about from this book and from the life of Moses in general.
But there are two things above all of them that we would do well in remembering:
that God was aware of the suffering that His people were going through, and He said enough was enough: “ I have seen the misery of My people…….I have come down to rescue them” (3:7-8).
And, secondly, God wanted Moses to be the agent for accomplishing this. But Moses would not be on his own in this task, because God would be with him, helping him to accomplish this Divinely ordained plan.
Despite Moses's words and belief that he wasn’t good enough,
and let’s be honest, who amongst us ever thinks we are good enough to carry out God’s mission?
Despite his fear of facing Pharaoh and telling him to let the people go, God gave Moses the answer to all the questions and worries for the dilemma that was presented to him;
God says “ I AM WHO I AM”, …tell Pharaoh “I am has sent me to you”.
Basically, I am God who is above all other gods.
The God who has made promises to His people and keeps them.
When God gives instructions backed with that kind of promise
you know that you are expected to ‘trust and obey’.
Even though Moses, was nearly eighty years old at the time, and he had a terrible stutter God still thought that he was the person best placed to fulfil His plan.
The amazing thing though, is that this is not a one off occurrence; because throughout Scripture and history God has called on the most unlikely and unqualified people to carry out His work and fulfil his promises.
Look at some of the other people that God called to fulfil a particular plan:
Moses, Gideon, and Jeremiah, just a small example of some, who would have missed out on their moment in history if they’d stuck by their excuses, rather than placing their trust in God.
God has given each of us gifts with which to serve others, because everyone of us has been called by God, despite our failures, limitations, and inadequacies to step out of our comfort zones and do something for Him, that will benefit others.
This life that we have been called to is one of walking in faith and believing. To believe that to know God is to go with God into the uncertainties that lie ahead; to know that although we can’t be certain what the outcome will be, we walk with the One who knows the beginning and the end. Faith in God isn’t an optional extra that we can buy into, instead it is the defining principle to everything that we are.
Therefore, may the faith that we proclaim be so strong that we are prepared to take a risk, and try something that seems unachievable; may we let the God who we say we believe in still lead us on adventures along long and winding roads that seem to never end, and may we dare to be surprised and enlightened when we see everything that has been achieved in the journey of faith and in the places and tasks that God has called us to.
There is a prayer from the Evangelical Lutheran Worship
“O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending,
by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.
Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go,
but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
May that be our prayer this day and every day as well
Moses and the Burning Bush
3 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush.
Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.
3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”
4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
And Moses said, “Here I am.”
5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father,[a] the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.”
At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.
7 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.
9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.
10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
11 But Moses said to God,
“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
12 And God said, “I will be with you.
And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you:
When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you[b] will worship God on this mountain.”
13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’
Then what shall I tell them?”
14 God said to Moses,
“I am who I am.[c]
This is what you are to say to the Israelites:
‘I am has sent me to you.’”
15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord,[d] the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’
“This is my name forever,
the name you shall call me
from generation to generation.
Reflection
I am sure that for many of us, when we hear the name Moses, it conjures up images of Charlton Heston, or Burt Lancaster, or an array of other actors who have portrayed him on stage and screen throughout the years.
And when we look at the story of Moses and read through the book of Exodus there are so many different images that are portrayed that will be well known and may even be meaningful for us.
For example in today's reading we have the image of the burning bush;
prior to that we have the story of Moses as a baby being put in a basket by his mum and hidden amongst reeds in the River Nile;
then there is the Passover and the various plagues that are brought on the Egyptian people by God as His people leave their life of slavery behind them and head into the Promised Land;
there is also the story of Moses being given the ten commandments.
And these are just the tip of the iceberg from the great stories that we might remember or have forgotten about from this book and from the life of Moses in general.
But there are two things above all of them that we would do well in remembering:
that God was aware of the suffering that His people were going through, and He said enough was enough: “ I have seen the misery of My people…….I have come down to rescue them” (3:7-8).
And, secondly, God wanted Moses to be the agent for accomplishing this. But Moses would not be on his own in this task, because God would be with him, helping him to accomplish this Divinely ordained plan.
Despite Moses's words and belief that he wasn’t good enough,
and let’s be honest, who amongst us ever thinks we are good enough to carry out God’s mission?
Despite his fear of facing Pharaoh and telling him to let the people go, God gave Moses the answer to all the questions and worries for the dilemma that was presented to him;
God says “ I AM WHO I AM”, …tell Pharaoh “I am has sent me to you”.
Basically, I am God who is above all other gods.
The God who has made promises to His people and keeps them.
When God gives instructions backed with that kind of promise
you know that you are expected to ‘trust and obey’.
Even though Moses, was nearly eighty years old at the time, and he had a terrible stutter God still thought that he was the person best placed to fulfil His plan.
The amazing thing though, is that this is not a one off occurrence; because throughout Scripture and history God has called on the most unlikely and unqualified people to carry out His work and fulfil his promises.
Look at some of the other people that God called to fulfil a particular plan:
- God called Gideon to save his people, who were being relentlessly ransacked by their enemies (Judges 6–8). But Gideon, at the time God called him was hiding, because he was scared, and didn’t believe that God would use a fearful person like himself to protect His people
- God called Jeremiah, a teenager, to deliver news to the Jewish people, but Jeremiah feared that, as young as he was, he wouldn’t be taken seriously
Moses, Gideon, and Jeremiah, just a small example of some, who would have missed out on their moment in history if they’d stuck by their excuses, rather than placing their trust in God.
God has given each of us gifts with which to serve others, because everyone of us has been called by God, despite our failures, limitations, and inadequacies to step out of our comfort zones and do something for Him, that will benefit others.
This life that we have been called to is one of walking in faith and believing. To believe that to know God is to go with God into the uncertainties that lie ahead; to know that although we can’t be certain what the outcome will be, we walk with the One who knows the beginning and the end. Faith in God isn’t an optional extra that we can buy into, instead it is the defining principle to everything that we are.
Therefore, may the faith that we proclaim be so strong that we are prepared to take a risk, and try something that seems unachievable; may we let the God who we say we believe in still lead us on adventures along long and winding roads that seem to never end, and may we dare to be surprised and enlightened when we see everything that has been achieved in the journey of faith and in the places and tasks that God has called us to.
There is a prayer from the Evangelical Lutheran Worship
“O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending,
by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.
Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go,
but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
May that be our prayer this day and every day as well
October
october reflections
"WHO YOU GONNA SERVE?
BECAUSE YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO SERVE SOMEBODY."
BECAUSE YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO SERVE SOMEBODY."
Matthew 22:15-22 New International Version
Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar
15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a] to Caesar or not?”
18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
SERMON
Bob Dylan wrote his well known Grammy award winning song “Gotta Serve Somebody," in 1979. It was also a song that acknowledged his conversion to Christianity. In part of the song He writes:
You may be an ambassador to England or France,
You may like to gamble, you might like to dance,
You may be the heavyweight champion of the world,
You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls.
But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed,
You're gonna have to serve somebody.
It may be the devil or it may be the Lord,
But you're gonna have to serve somebody
It’s a choice we all have to make. Everyday, and every moment of every day is full of choices for us, not just in relation to who we are going to serve but in the decisions we make and the consequences that may arise as a result. And as a church and a country we have certainly been making a lot of choices and decisions over the last eight or nine months or so.
And in this morning’s reading, we see the question of choice being levelled at Jesus: “who you gonna serve, because you’re going to have to serve somebody”.
The religious leaders saw Jesus as a threat to their own self-interests, and as a result two groups who ideologically couldn’t stand each other teamed up in order to trap Jesus with a question about taxes.
They basically ask Him “who are you going to serve” because they knew that if He answered incorrectly, Jesus's credibility and integrity with those who followed Him would be in pieces. If He answered in a way that could be interpreted as treasonous then He could be arrested as a potential insurrectionist and a threat to the Roman Empire. The answer that Jesus would give would be a sign of who He was really serving.
However, as way of offering some background to the question and the reasoning that lay behind it: the issue that was being raised was not simply about taxes in general but one particular tax.
Jews in first century Palestine, paid numerous taxes: Temple taxes, land taxes, and customs taxes, to name but three. But the tax in question was a particularly onerous one: It was the Imperial Tax paid to Rome to support the Roman occupation of Israel. First-century Jews were required to pay a denarius a year for the perceived privilege of being oppressed.
However, those put in power by the Romans, represented in this passage by the Herodians, advocated supporting Roman “governance” of Israel. Those opposed to Rome, perhaps many if not the majority of Jesus followers, found the tax offensive as it was a constant reminder of their humiliation and of the fact that they were an occupied country.
All of which made the topic of the Imperial Tax tremendously divisive, and one’s opinion on it immediately revealing. And herein lies the cunning that lay behind the question.
But Jesus answers the question by turning the original question on its head, by agreeing that we all serve someone, and so he says: “Give to Caesar what he is due, and give to God the things that He is due.
But in amongst the questions, the answers, and the tensions I think one of the things that is easy to miss, is the sense of hope that Jesus offers all His people through His response.
Because, ultimately where a person places their loyalties will highlight the nature of where they place their hope. It will show where they think their hope can be based. That it will be found and established on someone or something that has proven that - to hope in them is justified; and as a result of past experiences a person can be assured that to hope in a particular thing or person is well merited.
Jesus is not just talking about where we place our loyalty. Loyalty to a person or a group is important, but Jesus is suggesting that that loyalty can also be accompanied by hope.
Because loyalty to a person or a cause can go deep within us. It may be loyalty to a political party, or a political leader; we trust them and believe and hope that they will carry out the promises that they said they would; we place our hope in them because we trust them. And our hope gets justified because we can point to times when they have done things the things they said they would; and perhaps on occasion they have done things that were, on the whole, for the betterment of society.
We are loyal to friends and family and as a result we can have hope in them as well, because we hope, in part, that there is a shared mutuality in the relationship we have with them. We are loyal to our spouses not just because we have taken vows with them but also because we have hopes for the future with them, and we have shared hopes that we know that only the other is able to fulfil.
Our hope is not a blind naïveté, but we hope in all of these people, groups and situations because we have experienced something with them or about them previously, that makes our hope possible.
But on the other hand, however, there may be some of us who have had our hopes and dreams shattered, maybe once, maybe time after time. Maybe someone stole the hope that lay within us and as a result we are unable to believe that hope exists for our lives anymore. Perhaps some of us are feeling vulnerable to believing in hope because you don’t want to be let down and left hurt again.
But throughout the Bible God has shown us that hope in Him is always justified. He doesn’t let His people down. Sometimes he may be silent, but may we never believe that He in the silence He is absent from us.
In the book of Isaiah for example God says, I am the Lord, and there is no other”. This is not simply a triumphal, boastful claim; instead. God is saying to us, He is assuring us, that we can place our hope in Him because of all that He has done for us previously; because He has told us time after time that we are His people, and our names are inscribed on the palm of His hands; we are precious to Him, and as such He cares about us.
May we respond to that Divine hope by giving to Caesar or our modern day equivalent everything that they are due, and at the same time, may we never short change the God who creates, sustains, nurtures, redeems and loves us, as we give to Him what is His; doing so in the knowledge that -
He has given to us in ways that we will never comprehend, understand or be able to pay back in full. And as we give back to God may we be able to do so in ways that open our hearts and minds even further to His leading in our lives but may it also be a way of helping to lead others to Him as well, so that they too may place all their hope and confidence in Him and be amazed at all He wants to do for them as well.
Amen
Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar
15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a] to Caesar or not?”
18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
SERMON
Bob Dylan wrote his well known Grammy award winning song “Gotta Serve Somebody," in 1979. It was also a song that acknowledged his conversion to Christianity. In part of the song He writes:
You may be an ambassador to England or France,
You may like to gamble, you might like to dance,
You may be the heavyweight champion of the world,
You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls.
But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed,
You're gonna have to serve somebody.
It may be the devil or it may be the Lord,
But you're gonna have to serve somebody
It’s a choice we all have to make. Everyday, and every moment of every day is full of choices for us, not just in relation to who we are going to serve but in the decisions we make and the consequences that may arise as a result. And as a church and a country we have certainly been making a lot of choices and decisions over the last eight or nine months or so.
And in this morning’s reading, we see the question of choice being levelled at Jesus: “who you gonna serve, because you’re going to have to serve somebody”.
The religious leaders saw Jesus as a threat to their own self-interests, and as a result two groups who ideologically couldn’t stand each other teamed up in order to trap Jesus with a question about taxes.
They basically ask Him “who are you going to serve” because they knew that if He answered incorrectly, Jesus's credibility and integrity with those who followed Him would be in pieces. If He answered in a way that could be interpreted as treasonous then He could be arrested as a potential insurrectionist and a threat to the Roman Empire. The answer that Jesus would give would be a sign of who He was really serving.
However, as way of offering some background to the question and the reasoning that lay behind it: the issue that was being raised was not simply about taxes in general but one particular tax.
Jews in first century Palestine, paid numerous taxes: Temple taxes, land taxes, and customs taxes, to name but three. But the tax in question was a particularly onerous one: It was the Imperial Tax paid to Rome to support the Roman occupation of Israel. First-century Jews were required to pay a denarius a year for the perceived privilege of being oppressed.
However, those put in power by the Romans, represented in this passage by the Herodians, advocated supporting Roman “governance” of Israel. Those opposed to Rome, perhaps many if not the majority of Jesus followers, found the tax offensive as it was a constant reminder of their humiliation and of the fact that they were an occupied country.
All of which made the topic of the Imperial Tax tremendously divisive, and one’s opinion on it immediately revealing. And herein lies the cunning that lay behind the question.
But Jesus answers the question by turning the original question on its head, by agreeing that we all serve someone, and so he says: “Give to Caesar what he is due, and give to God the things that He is due.
But in amongst the questions, the answers, and the tensions I think one of the things that is easy to miss, is the sense of hope that Jesus offers all His people through His response.
Because, ultimately where a person places their loyalties will highlight the nature of where they place their hope. It will show where they think their hope can be based. That it will be found and established on someone or something that has proven that - to hope in them is justified; and as a result of past experiences a person can be assured that to hope in a particular thing or person is well merited.
Jesus is not just talking about where we place our loyalty. Loyalty to a person or a group is important, but Jesus is suggesting that that loyalty can also be accompanied by hope.
Because loyalty to a person or a cause can go deep within us. It may be loyalty to a political party, or a political leader; we trust them and believe and hope that they will carry out the promises that they said they would; we place our hope in them because we trust them. And our hope gets justified because we can point to times when they have done things the things they said they would; and perhaps on occasion they have done things that were, on the whole, for the betterment of society.
We are loyal to friends and family and as a result we can have hope in them as well, because we hope, in part, that there is a shared mutuality in the relationship we have with them. We are loyal to our spouses not just because we have taken vows with them but also because we have hopes for the future with them, and we have shared hopes that we know that only the other is able to fulfil.
Our hope is not a blind naïveté, but we hope in all of these people, groups and situations because we have experienced something with them or about them previously, that makes our hope possible.
But on the other hand, however, there may be some of us who have had our hopes and dreams shattered, maybe once, maybe time after time. Maybe someone stole the hope that lay within us and as a result we are unable to believe that hope exists for our lives anymore. Perhaps some of us are feeling vulnerable to believing in hope because you don’t want to be let down and left hurt again.
But throughout the Bible God has shown us that hope in Him is always justified. He doesn’t let His people down. Sometimes he may be silent, but may we never believe that He in the silence He is absent from us.
In the book of Isaiah for example God says, I am the Lord, and there is no other”. This is not simply a triumphal, boastful claim; instead. God is saying to us, He is assuring us, that we can place our hope in Him because of all that He has done for us previously; because He has told us time after time that we are His people, and our names are inscribed on the palm of His hands; we are precious to Him, and as such He cares about us.
May we respond to that Divine hope by giving to Caesar or our modern day equivalent everything that they are due, and at the same time, may we never short change the God who creates, sustains, nurtures, redeems and loves us, as we give to Him what is His; doing so in the knowledge that -
He has given to us in ways that we will never comprehend, understand or be able to pay back in full. And as we give back to God may we be able to do so in ways that open our hearts and minds even further to His leading in our lives but may it also be a way of helping to lead others to Him as well, so that they too may place all their hope and confidence in Him and be amazed at all He wants to do for them as well.
Amen
Great is your faithfullness
Lamentations 3: 19-23 NIV
19 I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
20 I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Reflection
One of the hymns that many of us enjoy singing is ‘Great is thy faithfulness’. We will have our own stories of God’s faithfulness towards us which will be rekindled every time we sing this song, and for others of us, it is simply a great hymn that we have grown up with which we enjoy singing, listening to and then perhaps, reflecting on the words.
And you might think that because it is a hymn that talks about God’s faithfulness in the daily routine of our lives that the author must have had a great life changing experience to want to write such a lovely hymn.
But the truth is that unlike other hymns such as Charles Wesley’s "And Can It Be" which was written after his dramatic, personal conversion or Horatio Spafford’s" It Is Well with My Soul" which was written as words of comfort after the tragic death of his children when the ship they were in sunk in the Atlantic Ocean, Thomas O. Chisholm wrote the poem, ‘Great is Thy faithfulness,’ in 1923, simply as a response to God's faithfulness towards him throughout Chisholm’s lifetime. And it only really came to public awareness when it was sung by Dr. William Henry Houghton or George Beverley Shea at Billy Graham Crusades.
However, the actual words of the song come from a time of distress, turmoil and trouble, as the book of Lamentations records the trauma that the Jewish people experienced during the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Babylonians swooped into the city, took control, captured and dragged off all the leading citizens into exile, and generally left the place a mess. The Temple was destroyed; Hunger became a reality as Jeremiah lamented: “The children beg for food, but no one gives them anything” (4:4b). It got so bad that mothers cooked their own children so that at least there was something to eat (4:10).
The pain of the author, and those he writes about pours through the poem. And then in the middle of the chaos and suffering a light shines, because all of a sudden he remembers something; he remembers Divine truths that have been passed down and experienced throughout the generations, and he proclaims:
Yet this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope” (3:21).
It seems incredible to make such a claim in the middle of such a huge national tragedy. But it is at this moment that he remembers the unfailing, never ending love of God, a love that has always been there. “Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness” (22-23). His hope wasn’t based on him having a cheery, outgoing personality, or because he knew another army would come along and help to even the score. Instead his hope was based on the love that God has for all His people. Hope was shaped and based on God and God’s great love.
The words from our reading don’t minimise the pain, hurt, anguish and the severe losses that the people and the city experienced. But they also show us that in a time of crises, there is still hope, because God has promised His people a future and He will remain faithful in all that he has promised. There is light in darkness because God sees, hears, knows, and remembers. For us this means that no matter our experiences there is hope for a new beginning. And we all need to remember this because each of us at one time or another has experienced loss and the emotions associated with loss. We have gone through times of disappointment, pain, anger, disillusionment and grief. The causes may have been trivial, or they may have been severe: Our plans for the future crash. We lose our job. We lose someone we love. A member of or family or a friend receives a diagnosis that wasn’t expected. When these and other such calamities strike, it is easy to ask, “Where are God’s mercies?”
When our world crumbles before our eyes, we may ask “where is God”? “The writer of Lamentations reflected on his plight and that of his people, and asked “Where can I place my hope”? There was only one answer that helped him: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies are never ending” (2:22).
The hope in Lamentations and in our time does not overlook tragic circumstances. We all experience darkness that can be paralyzing and leave us lonely or isolated. We struggle to see light, hope and love in the midst of Coronavirus or its consequences.
But as we search, may we find hope in God’s steadfast love for us. May we remember His promises that assure us that our concerns are His concerns. May we never lose sight of the story of Jesus and of how He born into the pain and hurt of this world, and suffered, died and rose again for us.
Therefore, when we are wondering what to do next, when we feel the odds are stacked against us may we continue to trust in God’s promises to us.
Promises such as:
May we remember the Divine faithfulness that is spoken throughout the Bible
“The eternal God is your dwelling place. Underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deuteronomy 33:27)
Or as the psalmist reminded us “The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want (23:1)
In the middle of an overwhelming world that can devastate and disappoint, may we always turn our eyes upon Jesus and remind ourselves of the affirming faithfulness of God. May we never forget that God loves us. God never gives up on us. God renews his mercies towards us each and every day
Why? Because great is His faithfulness, towards us.
Therefore, in the midst of today’s challenges God’s grace shines and we still have hope.
19 I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
20 I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Reflection
One of the hymns that many of us enjoy singing is ‘Great is thy faithfulness’. We will have our own stories of God’s faithfulness towards us which will be rekindled every time we sing this song, and for others of us, it is simply a great hymn that we have grown up with which we enjoy singing, listening to and then perhaps, reflecting on the words.
And you might think that because it is a hymn that talks about God’s faithfulness in the daily routine of our lives that the author must have had a great life changing experience to want to write such a lovely hymn.
But the truth is that unlike other hymns such as Charles Wesley’s "And Can It Be" which was written after his dramatic, personal conversion or Horatio Spafford’s" It Is Well with My Soul" which was written as words of comfort after the tragic death of his children when the ship they were in sunk in the Atlantic Ocean, Thomas O. Chisholm wrote the poem, ‘Great is Thy faithfulness,’ in 1923, simply as a response to God's faithfulness towards him throughout Chisholm’s lifetime. And it only really came to public awareness when it was sung by Dr. William Henry Houghton or George Beverley Shea at Billy Graham Crusades.
However, the actual words of the song come from a time of distress, turmoil and trouble, as the book of Lamentations records the trauma that the Jewish people experienced during the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Babylonians swooped into the city, took control, captured and dragged off all the leading citizens into exile, and generally left the place a mess. The Temple was destroyed; Hunger became a reality as Jeremiah lamented: “The children beg for food, but no one gives them anything” (4:4b). It got so bad that mothers cooked their own children so that at least there was something to eat (4:10).
The pain of the author, and those he writes about pours through the poem. And then in the middle of the chaos and suffering a light shines, because all of a sudden he remembers something; he remembers Divine truths that have been passed down and experienced throughout the generations, and he proclaims:
Yet this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope” (3:21).
It seems incredible to make such a claim in the middle of such a huge national tragedy. But it is at this moment that he remembers the unfailing, never ending love of God, a love that has always been there. “Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness” (22-23). His hope wasn’t based on him having a cheery, outgoing personality, or because he knew another army would come along and help to even the score. Instead his hope was based on the love that God has for all His people. Hope was shaped and based on God and God’s great love.
The words from our reading don’t minimise the pain, hurt, anguish and the severe losses that the people and the city experienced. But they also show us that in a time of crises, there is still hope, because God has promised His people a future and He will remain faithful in all that he has promised. There is light in darkness because God sees, hears, knows, and remembers. For us this means that no matter our experiences there is hope for a new beginning. And we all need to remember this because each of us at one time or another has experienced loss and the emotions associated with loss. We have gone through times of disappointment, pain, anger, disillusionment and grief. The causes may have been trivial, or they may have been severe: Our plans for the future crash. We lose our job. We lose someone we love. A member of or family or a friend receives a diagnosis that wasn’t expected. When these and other such calamities strike, it is easy to ask, “Where are God’s mercies?”
When our world crumbles before our eyes, we may ask “where is God”? “The writer of Lamentations reflected on his plight and that of his people, and asked “Where can I place my hope”? There was only one answer that helped him: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies are never ending” (2:22).
The hope in Lamentations and in our time does not overlook tragic circumstances. We all experience darkness that can be paralyzing and leave us lonely or isolated. We struggle to see light, hope and love in the midst of Coronavirus or its consequences.
But as we search, may we find hope in God’s steadfast love for us. May we remember His promises that assure us that our concerns are His concerns. May we never lose sight of the story of Jesus and of how He born into the pain and hurt of this world, and suffered, died and rose again for us.
Therefore, when we are wondering what to do next, when we feel the odds are stacked against us may we continue to trust in God’s promises to us.
Promises such as:
- Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you.
- Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)
May we remember the Divine faithfulness that is spoken throughout the Bible
“The eternal God is your dwelling place. Underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deuteronomy 33:27)
Or as the psalmist reminded us “The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want (23:1)
In the middle of an overwhelming world that can devastate and disappoint, may we always turn our eyes upon Jesus and remind ourselves of the affirming faithfulness of God. May we never forget that God loves us. God never gives up on us. God renews his mercies towards us each and every day
Why? Because great is His faithfulness, towards us.
Therefore, in the midst of today’s challenges God’s grace shines and we still have hope.
COME TO THE PARTY!
Matthew 22:1-14 New International Version
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
22 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.
4 “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’
5 “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. 6 The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. 7 The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
8 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.
13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”
Sermon
Who enjoys a good party? I know many people whose lives revolve around going to parties or else organising and throwing them, although the current climate has put all of those events on hold. Or at least the people I know have stopped doing it. Either that or they’ve just stopped inviting me to their events.
Although I have to admit that if I had been one of the people invited to the banquet in today’s reading, I might have body swerved it as well as everyone else seemed to do because I’m not a banquet type of person. I find more enjoyment at a buffet. I love tasting all the different things that are on offer, and unfortunately as a result I tend to never get past the starters.
Our reading is another one of Jesus’ parables; He tells us that the king has organised a wedding banquet for his son and on the day of the wedding his servants go to those who have been invited and tell them to come to the banquet; but to the King's great annoyance and anger the guests refuse to come. They have other more pressing priorities, and they refuse the invitation.
Let’s be honest weddings are happy occasions. And an awful lot of preparation goes into them. Right from the beginning, when the couple decide who they are going to invite, where the guests will sit, what will be on the menu; the music for the wedding; the choosing of the bride’s dress and so on. In short weddings don’t just happen. A lot takes place before the big day is celebrated. But imagine after all that preparation and all the excitement which goes into the planning, that slowly but surely, the guests start calling off.
Arguably, the biggest day of a person's life, and those that you thought were closest to you don’t want to share in your happiness.
No one wants to participate in the celebration of 2 becoming 1.
All your hard work and the enthusiasm that it has brought you seems to be getting flung back in your face. It might be understandable if one or two drop out but when it is all your guests who are doing it, then it is nothing short of an insult.
When Arwel and Marianne (Gwyn and Eileen’s son and daughter in law for those who don’t know who I’m talking about) were married in Auchincruive in March, it was at the beginning of all the travel restrictions that were being put in place because of the Corona virus and some of those who were invited had to call off. It was understandable, no one was insulted or angry. But imagine how their feelings might have been, if nobody had turned up at all. This now gives us an idea of how the King in the parable is feeling. His hurt and anger know no limits.
The King of course as we might have guessed is God, and he is throwing the party for His Son. The guests are the people of Israel, or more specifically the religious leaders who Jesus know are listening to Him. And Jesus is saying to them that God loves you so much that He’s just waiting to welcome you to His banqueting table, but you’ve refused to accept His invitation.
And the thing is, that for all that God is powerful, and the creator of the world He still becomes vulnerable just like any party host, because He gives His people the choice of how they want to respond to His invitation.
And we know that by looking around us on a daily basis that more people are turning their back on God’s invitation to them. Nonetheless He still sends out his messengers on the highways and byways of villages, towns, and cities; sending them from country to country so that the wedding hall for his banquet can be full.
Perhaps as His messengers we’ve made a bit of a mess throughout the years of the way we hand out the invitations. Perhaps we’ve made the invitation something that it is not and the menu that we have offered is not the same menu that God is offering to share with His people. But nonetheless despite those possible shortcomings on our part, the call from God for guests to come and sit with Him at the wedding banquet for his Son still goes on.
If you’ve ever been excluded from something that you know everyone else has been invited to, then you know how hurtful that can be. You start questioning yourself,; why have they not invited me? Do they not like me? Is it something that I’ve said or done? And as the questions become more intense, you can end up in a dark place. You can begin burning with anger either against yourself or those who are at the party.
But one of the things that Jesus parable tells us is that although others might see us as being unworthy, that is never the case with God, because He sent his Son to us to tell us how worthy we are, how loved we are, he even sent his Son to us with the invitation to come to His banquet. Even though we might feel that we’ve done nothing to deserve it our invitation just waits our response.
Because we all come from different backgrounds and experiences, our concepts of God may differ. The picture that we paint of Him may be captured with different colours. Some might be darker others a lot brighter. But how different would we see things if we believed life and Heaven to be a wedding hall with a great banquet in it: just waiting for us to arrive and take our seat; a life with God where God has planned the menu, bought the wine, set the table, perhaps arranged for music or entertainment?
The point of Jesus parable is to assure and serve as a reminder that God has opened the doors to his heart, and His banqueting hall and has invited us to come in. He has promised us that he will never give up on us until we are where He wants us to be. He won’t give up on any of His people until his kingdom is full and running over. And in the light of his invitation and promise may we look at the things of God differently, and may we see His people in a new way. Where all are invited to taste and see the goodness of God for themselves.
Let us pray
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
22 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.
4 “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’
5 “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. 6 The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. 7 The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
8 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.
13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”
Sermon
Who enjoys a good party? I know many people whose lives revolve around going to parties or else organising and throwing them, although the current climate has put all of those events on hold. Or at least the people I know have stopped doing it. Either that or they’ve just stopped inviting me to their events.
Although I have to admit that if I had been one of the people invited to the banquet in today’s reading, I might have body swerved it as well as everyone else seemed to do because I’m not a banquet type of person. I find more enjoyment at a buffet. I love tasting all the different things that are on offer, and unfortunately as a result I tend to never get past the starters.
Our reading is another one of Jesus’ parables; He tells us that the king has organised a wedding banquet for his son and on the day of the wedding his servants go to those who have been invited and tell them to come to the banquet; but to the King's great annoyance and anger the guests refuse to come. They have other more pressing priorities, and they refuse the invitation.
Let’s be honest weddings are happy occasions. And an awful lot of preparation goes into them. Right from the beginning, when the couple decide who they are going to invite, where the guests will sit, what will be on the menu; the music for the wedding; the choosing of the bride’s dress and so on. In short weddings don’t just happen. A lot takes place before the big day is celebrated. But imagine after all that preparation and all the excitement which goes into the planning, that slowly but surely, the guests start calling off.
Arguably, the biggest day of a person's life, and those that you thought were closest to you don’t want to share in your happiness.
No one wants to participate in the celebration of 2 becoming 1.
All your hard work and the enthusiasm that it has brought you seems to be getting flung back in your face. It might be understandable if one or two drop out but when it is all your guests who are doing it, then it is nothing short of an insult.
When Arwel and Marianne (Gwyn and Eileen’s son and daughter in law for those who don’t know who I’m talking about) were married in Auchincruive in March, it was at the beginning of all the travel restrictions that were being put in place because of the Corona virus and some of those who were invited had to call off. It was understandable, no one was insulted or angry. But imagine how their feelings might have been, if nobody had turned up at all. This now gives us an idea of how the King in the parable is feeling. His hurt and anger know no limits.
The King of course as we might have guessed is God, and he is throwing the party for His Son. The guests are the people of Israel, or more specifically the religious leaders who Jesus know are listening to Him. And Jesus is saying to them that God loves you so much that He’s just waiting to welcome you to His banqueting table, but you’ve refused to accept His invitation.
And the thing is, that for all that God is powerful, and the creator of the world He still becomes vulnerable just like any party host, because He gives His people the choice of how they want to respond to His invitation.
And we know that by looking around us on a daily basis that more people are turning their back on God’s invitation to them. Nonetheless He still sends out his messengers on the highways and byways of villages, towns, and cities; sending them from country to country so that the wedding hall for his banquet can be full.
Perhaps as His messengers we’ve made a bit of a mess throughout the years of the way we hand out the invitations. Perhaps we’ve made the invitation something that it is not and the menu that we have offered is not the same menu that God is offering to share with His people. But nonetheless despite those possible shortcomings on our part, the call from God for guests to come and sit with Him at the wedding banquet for his Son still goes on.
If you’ve ever been excluded from something that you know everyone else has been invited to, then you know how hurtful that can be. You start questioning yourself,; why have they not invited me? Do they not like me? Is it something that I’ve said or done? And as the questions become more intense, you can end up in a dark place. You can begin burning with anger either against yourself or those who are at the party.
But one of the things that Jesus parable tells us is that although others might see us as being unworthy, that is never the case with God, because He sent his Son to us to tell us how worthy we are, how loved we are, he even sent his Son to us with the invitation to come to His banquet. Even though we might feel that we’ve done nothing to deserve it our invitation just waits our response.
Because we all come from different backgrounds and experiences, our concepts of God may differ. The picture that we paint of Him may be captured with different colours. Some might be darker others a lot brighter. But how different would we see things if we believed life and Heaven to be a wedding hall with a great banquet in it: just waiting for us to arrive and take our seat; a life with God where God has planned the menu, bought the wine, set the table, perhaps arranged for music or entertainment?
The point of Jesus parable is to assure and serve as a reminder that God has opened the doors to his heart, and His banqueting hall and has invited us to come in. He has promised us that he will never give up on us until we are where He wants us to be. He won’t give up on any of His people until his kingdom is full and running over. And in the light of his invitation and promise may we look at the things of God differently, and may we see His people in a new way. Where all are invited to taste and see the goodness of God for themselves.
Let us pray
the beauty of unashamed love
Song of Songs 2:3-14
New International Version
The Beauty of Unashamed Love
She
3 Like an apple[a] tree among the trees of the forest
is my beloved among the young men.
I delight to sit in his shade,
and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
4 Let him lead me to the banquet hall,
and let his banner over me be love.
5 Strengthen me with raisins,
refresh me with apples,
for I am faint with love.
6 His left arm is under my head,
and his right arm embraces me.
7 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you
by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.
8 Listen! My beloved!
Look! Here he comes,
leaping across the mountains,
bounding over the hills.
9 My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.
Look! There he stands behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
peering through the lattice.
10 My beloved spoke and said to me,
“Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, come with me.
11 See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
12 Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.
13 The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me.”
He
14 My dove in the clefts of the rock,
in the hiding places on the mountainside,
show me your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet,
and your face is lovely.
Reflection
The words in the Song of Songs in particular, and in the Bible in general, are a call to love. And the call to love is as old as humanity itself; no matter how it is shown or shared, whether through poetry, songs or actions, when love is affirmed there can be no greater joy in life.
If you’ve never read the Song of Songs or The Song of Solomon, you might be surprised by its contents as it is a book that is not for the faint-hearted. The love that is spoken about by the Lover and the Beloved is of the Eros (erotic love) variety rather than Agape (sacrificial love) which we are more used to talking about in the Church.
In fact, the church has a long history, which dates back to the third century, of trying to reinterpret this book, claiming it to be an allegory of God’s love for Israel and Jesus’ love for the Church rather than it being what it truly is; the words of two people who love one other unashamedly.
The eight chapters that make up this short book are a reflection of the joys, and the ups and the downs of love; it even describes the painful longing of two lovers when they are apart from one another. And although some of the language for describing that love might seem quite strange to us such as the metaphors for the lover and the beloved being compared to stags and gazelles, other parts such as in our reading are more obvious:
“He has taken me to his banquet table, and his banner over me is love”.
Ask those who are in a happy loving relationship and they’ll tell you, there is nothing like it. Whether it is love’s first dawning or the seasoned love of having lived and loved for decades, committed lovers would have it no other way. There is a banner in one another’s hearts that the other is able to see that lets them know just how much they mean to one another.
In a day and time when love can be distorted, abused, and taken for granted, it is nice to hear voices that speak boldly and unashamedly of true love; voices that tell one another of just how much they mean to each other.
And it is always worth remembering that for those of us who have placed our trust in Jesus that we are assured of a love that never lets us go, a love that was loving us before we ever knew it, a love that continues to love us even in those times when we least expect it.
Through Jesus, and the Bible, God has sent each one of us a love letter straight to our hearts, that’s aimed at keeping us close while we’re apart.
His love letter has been stamped with words of love that leave us in no doubt as to what we mean to Him and of how far He will go to prove how much He loves us.
Any time we read our Bible’s and hear God’s words of love to us, they are affirmations of our place in His heart, reminders of what we mean to Him but also assurances of how much He hurts when His love for His people is spurned and rejected.
Listen to some of the ways that Solomon describes his love for the beloved:
“love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love; neither can floods drown it.
If one offered for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly scorned.”
Poetic, colourful and powerful. What would we give to have someone saying that to us? Though for some of us maybe the answer is; not very much 😊.
However, it is not his words that assure the Beloved of the love that he has for her but it is his actions; there is no doubt of just how much love there is between the two of them. Any doubts that might be there are all eased when: “he brought me to his banquet table and his banner over me is love. There is no doubt in anyone’s minds of the love that is shared between the Lover and the Beloved. It’s there for all to see. A banner flies high which literally states “I love her very much”.
In the same way there is a flag flying within us and above us that has been placed there by God that says,
“no one should be in any doubt as to how much I love you.”
There is nothing better than to know that there is someone who loves us. That’s why there are so many dating sites, where people of all ages want to find someone else, because there is a desire within us all to not just be liked but loved.
Therefore, in a day and age when people live for ‘what’s in it for me’, when love can be exploited, when we become cynical about those who wear their heart and their love on their sleeve.
May we be a place and community where love is freely given and words of true love are freely spoken.
May we be bold in our love towards one another, and even bolder in our love for those outwith our walls.
May we never lose sight of what love can be and what it can bring.
And may there always be a banner of love that flies above our church and within our hearts that leaves no one in any doubt as to what they can expect when they come into our presence.
Amen
New International Version
The Beauty of Unashamed Love
She
3 Like an apple[a] tree among the trees of the forest
is my beloved among the young men.
I delight to sit in his shade,
and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
4 Let him lead me to the banquet hall,
and let his banner over me be love.
5 Strengthen me with raisins,
refresh me with apples,
for I am faint with love.
6 His left arm is under my head,
and his right arm embraces me.
7 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you
by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.
8 Listen! My beloved!
Look! Here he comes,
leaping across the mountains,
bounding over the hills.
9 My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.
Look! There he stands behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
peering through the lattice.
10 My beloved spoke and said to me,
“Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, come with me.
11 See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
12 Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.
13 The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me.”
He
14 My dove in the clefts of the rock,
in the hiding places on the mountainside,
show me your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet,
and your face is lovely.
Reflection
The words in the Song of Songs in particular, and in the Bible in general, are a call to love. And the call to love is as old as humanity itself; no matter how it is shown or shared, whether through poetry, songs or actions, when love is affirmed there can be no greater joy in life.
If you’ve never read the Song of Songs or The Song of Solomon, you might be surprised by its contents as it is a book that is not for the faint-hearted. The love that is spoken about by the Lover and the Beloved is of the Eros (erotic love) variety rather than Agape (sacrificial love) which we are more used to talking about in the Church.
In fact, the church has a long history, which dates back to the third century, of trying to reinterpret this book, claiming it to be an allegory of God’s love for Israel and Jesus’ love for the Church rather than it being what it truly is; the words of two people who love one other unashamedly.
The eight chapters that make up this short book are a reflection of the joys, and the ups and the downs of love; it even describes the painful longing of two lovers when they are apart from one another. And although some of the language for describing that love might seem quite strange to us such as the metaphors for the lover and the beloved being compared to stags and gazelles, other parts such as in our reading are more obvious:
“He has taken me to his banquet table, and his banner over me is love”.
Ask those who are in a happy loving relationship and they’ll tell you, there is nothing like it. Whether it is love’s first dawning or the seasoned love of having lived and loved for decades, committed lovers would have it no other way. There is a banner in one another’s hearts that the other is able to see that lets them know just how much they mean to one another.
In a day and time when love can be distorted, abused, and taken for granted, it is nice to hear voices that speak boldly and unashamedly of true love; voices that tell one another of just how much they mean to each other.
And it is always worth remembering that for those of us who have placed our trust in Jesus that we are assured of a love that never lets us go, a love that was loving us before we ever knew it, a love that continues to love us even in those times when we least expect it.
Through Jesus, and the Bible, God has sent each one of us a love letter straight to our hearts, that’s aimed at keeping us close while we’re apart.
His love letter has been stamped with words of love that leave us in no doubt as to what we mean to Him and of how far He will go to prove how much He loves us.
Any time we read our Bible’s and hear God’s words of love to us, they are affirmations of our place in His heart, reminders of what we mean to Him but also assurances of how much He hurts when His love for His people is spurned and rejected.
Listen to some of the ways that Solomon describes his love for the beloved:
“love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love; neither can floods drown it.
If one offered for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly scorned.”
Poetic, colourful and powerful. What would we give to have someone saying that to us? Though for some of us maybe the answer is; not very much 😊.
However, it is not his words that assure the Beloved of the love that he has for her but it is his actions; there is no doubt of just how much love there is between the two of them. Any doubts that might be there are all eased when: “he brought me to his banquet table and his banner over me is love. There is no doubt in anyone’s minds of the love that is shared between the Lover and the Beloved. It’s there for all to see. A banner flies high which literally states “I love her very much”.
In the same way there is a flag flying within us and above us that has been placed there by God that says,
“no one should be in any doubt as to how much I love you.”
There is nothing better than to know that there is someone who loves us. That’s why there are so many dating sites, where people of all ages want to find someone else, because there is a desire within us all to not just be liked but loved.
Therefore, in a day and age when people live for ‘what’s in it for me’, when love can be exploited, when we become cynical about those who wear their heart and their love on their sleeve.
May we be a place and community where love is freely given and words of true love are freely spoken.
May we be bold in our love towards one another, and even bolder in our love for those outwith our walls.
May we never lose sight of what love can be and what it can bring.
And may there always be a banner of love that flies above our church and within our hearts that leaves no one in any doubt as to what they can expect when they come into our presence.
Amen
TO SHARE FAIRLY THE EARTH'S RESOURCES
Matthew 21:33-46 NIV
The Parable of the Tenants
33 “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.
35 “The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. 36 Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. 37 Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.
38 “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ 39 So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”
41 “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”
42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
“‘The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’[a]?
43 “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44 Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”[b]
45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. 46 They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.
SERMON
The first Sunday of October is the day pencilled into the St Quivox calendar for celebrating Harvest. And whilst for many, celebrating harvest is quite a quaint thing for us to be doing, as they have little understanding of what it means or symbolises, it is important to us all, to remember where the food we eat actually comes from and hence the reason why we set aside time to remember the men and women who toil the ground to make it all possible.
But we also acknowledge that ultimately it is God who is the provider of all that is good, colourful and tasty, and that its through His Grace that we are able to enjoy the provisions of the earth.
And indirectly related to the harvest thanksgiving, our reading today draws our attention to a vineyard that has been planted by a landowner. When harvest time comes, he sends his servants to collect the fruit. But there is a problem, the tenants are reluctant to return the fruit to the land-owners servants. Therefore, no grapes, no harvest.
It’s a reminder to us that sometimes we don’t appreciate what we have until it is no longer there. Thus, we should always be thankful, and never take for granted the work that is carried out to putting the produce we enjoy on our tables.
Having spoken with a couple of local farmers, it can be easy to forget that one bad harvest, a season of bad weather (too much sun, or too much rain) a fall in prices, an outbreak of disease amongst their livestock, and all their planning and work can go for nothing which then has knock on effects for us all.
But we also remember that in the beginning, according to the book of Genesis, God gave His people a mandate to tend and look after all of His creation; therefore we all have a responsibility towards not just the harvest but the wider environment that can make or break the harvest from coming to completion.
God has provided shelter, land, water, the right climate, and all that He has asked of us, is to ensure that we look after it all so that everyone can enjoy the fruits of His creation.
There is something to be said about the ‘harvest hymns’ that most of us have grown up with: Songs such as ‘We plough the fields and scatter’, ‘For the fruits of all creation, thanks be to God’, ‘Bringing in the sheaves’, ‘Come ye thankful people come’; they are all simple reminders that whilst God is the Creator and sustainer of all things, we have a part to play as well in ensuring that God’s harvest can supply the needs of all His people. `
Jesus also assures us that although we may have made of mess of the world, although things seem to be getting harder and maybe even out of control, that the harvest is still being tended by a loving God who continues to plant and cultivate. Because that is the true nature of the generous God who continues to love us; even though we might think we are not worthy workers within His harvest field we see that ‘because the earth’s is the Lord’s and everything in it’ we still get to enjoy the produce from the land; from everything that God has provided and the fruits which others have laboured for.
I wonder if this is one of the reasons why Jesus used such metaphors as “I am the Vine and you are the branches. Abide in me and you will bear much fruit” for describing Himself and us. A sign that we praise, worship and work for a God that continues to plant and cultivate.
However, the same old story gets told throughout the generations that wherever God provides, His people lose their focus; they get greedy and want more and forget about their responsibilities to one another. The poor get neglected, the hungry get forgotten about, those who have nothing are given crumbs from the table; whilst at the same time, the rich, the powerful, the greedy get and want more and keep much of the produce for themselves.
Ultimately the objective of Jesus parable and todays reading is to remind us that God has a plan for His people, and injustice and neglect will not be allowed to get in the way of it.
God has made all things possible, He put the harvest in place when He created the world. Doing so, so that we could all live off the earth’s rich resources; many may have been called to labour and work on the land, but ultimately we are all responsible for its well-being, because all that we have and all that we produce has been a gift that has been loaned to us.
We have all been given the task of caretakers of the earth for this generation. so that it can safely be passed on to the next, just as previous generations have watched over and prepared things for us. What we have inherited has not been through our own doing; it has not even been as a result of our deserving; we have simply inherited the earth and been asked to look after it and care for it for the duration of our time on earth..
We are here because of God's generosity and God's tender care. God has given us all that we need. All we are asked to do is remember that what we have been loaned is a gift which is also to be loved and taken care of, in the same way that we are loved and cared for. And because the earth and its resources are symbols of Divine abundance, they are also reminders that when God’s gifts and our human hands and hearts join together we are able to produce good things that sustains and enhances all life.
Therefore, as we celebrate the harvest may we continue to work towards a fairness in the redistribution of the earth’s resources, and may we continue to be a church that is committed to the people and the produce that God has asked us to share the earth alongside. It’s a Holy, sacred call to us to remain faithful in the stewardship of everything and everyone that God has brought into our lives. Amen
The Parable of the Tenants
33 “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.
35 “The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. 36 Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. 37 Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.
38 “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ 39 So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”
41 “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”
42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
“‘The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’[a]?
43 “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44 Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”[b]
45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. 46 They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.
SERMON
The first Sunday of October is the day pencilled into the St Quivox calendar for celebrating Harvest. And whilst for many, celebrating harvest is quite a quaint thing for us to be doing, as they have little understanding of what it means or symbolises, it is important to us all, to remember where the food we eat actually comes from and hence the reason why we set aside time to remember the men and women who toil the ground to make it all possible.
But we also acknowledge that ultimately it is God who is the provider of all that is good, colourful and tasty, and that its through His Grace that we are able to enjoy the provisions of the earth.
And indirectly related to the harvest thanksgiving, our reading today draws our attention to a vineyard that has been planted by a landowner. When harvest time comes, he sends his servants to collect the fruit. But there is a problem, the tenants are reluctant to return the fruit to the land-owners servants. Therefore, no grapes, no harvest.
It’s a reminder to us that sometimes we don’t appreciate what we have until it is no longer there. Thus, we should always be thankful, and never take for granted the work that is carried out to putting the produce we enjoy on our tables.
Having spoken with a couple of local farmers, it can be easy to forget that one bad harvest, a season of bad weather (too much sun, or too much rain) a fall in prices, an outbreak of disease amongst their livestock, and all their planning and work can go for nothing which then has knock on effects for us all.
But we also remember that in the beginning, according to the book of Genesis, God gave His people a mandate to tend and look after all of His creation; therefore we all have a responsibility towards not just the harvest but the wider environment that can make or break the harvest from coming to completion.
God has provided shelter, land, water, the right climate, and all that He has asked of us, is to ensure that we look after it all so that everyone can enjoy the fruits of His creation.
There is something to be said about the ‘harvest hymns’ that most of us have grown up with: Songs such as ‘We plough the fields and scatter’, ‘For the fruits of all creation, thanks be to God’, ‘Bringing in the sheaves’, ‘Come ye thankful people come’; they are all simple reminders that whilst God is the Creator and sustainer of all things, we have a part to play as well in ensuring that God’s harvest can supply the needs of all His people. `
Jesus also assures us that although we may have made of mess of the world, although things seem to be getting harder and maybe even out of control, that the harvest is still being tended by a loving God who continues to plant and cultivate. Because that is the true nature of the generous God who continues to love us; even though we might think we are not worthy workers within His harvest field we see that ‘because the earth’s is the Lord’s and everything in it’ we still get to enjoy the produce from the land; from everything that God has provided and the fruits which others have laboured for.
I wonder if this is one of the reasons why Jesus used such metaphors as “I am the Vine and you are the branches. Abide in me and you will bear much fruit” for describing Himself and us. A sign that we praise, worship and work for a God that continues to plant and cultivate.
However, the same old story gets told throughout the generations that wherever God provides, His people lose their focus; they get greedy and want more and forget about their responsibilities to one another. The poor get neglected, the hungry get forgotten about, those who have nothing are given crumbs from the table; whilst at the same time, the rich, the powerful, the greedy get and want more and keep much of the produce for themselves.
Ultimately the objective of Jesus parable and todays reading is to remind us that God has a plan for His people, and injustice and neglect will not be allowed to get in the way of it.
God has made all things possible, He put the harvest in place when He created the world. Doing so, so that we could all live off the earth’s rich resources; many may have been called to labour and work on the land, but ultimately we are all responsible for its well-being, because all that we have and all that we produce has been a gift that has been loaned to us.
We have all been given the task of caretakers of the earth for this generation. so that it can safely be passed on to the next, just as previous generations have watched over and prepared things for us. What we have inherited has not been through our own doing; it has not even been as a result of our deserving; we have simply inherited the earth and been asked to look after it and care for it for the duration of our time on earth..
We are here because of God's generosity and God's tender care. God has given us all that we need. All we are asked to do is remember that what we have been loaned is a gift which is also to be loved and taken care of, in the same way that we are loved and cared for. And because the earth and its resources are symbols of Divine abundance, they are also reminders that when God’s gifts and our human hands and hearts join together we are able to produce good things that sustains and enhances all life.
Therefore, as we celebrate the harvest may we continue to work towards a fairness in the redistribution of the earth’s resources, and may we continue to be a church that is committed to the people and the produce that God has asked us to share the earth alongside. It’s a Holy, sacred call to us to remain faithful in the stewardship of everything and everyone that God has brought into our lives. Amen
November
IMPERFECT, MESSED UP, AND LOVED BY GOD
Isaiah 64: 1-9 NIV
64 [a]Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down
that the mountains would tremble before you!
2 As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil,
come down to make your name known to your enemies
and cause the nations to quake before you!
3 For when you did awesome things that we did not expect,
you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.
4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you,
who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
5 You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways.
But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry.
How then can we be saved?
6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;
we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
7 No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you;
for you have hidden your face from us and have given us over to[b] our sins.
8 Yet you, Lord, are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
9 Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord; do not remember our sins forever.
Oh, look on us, we pray,
for we are all your people.
Mark 13: 24-37 NIV
24 “But in those days, following that distress,
“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
25 the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’[a]
26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it[b] is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
The Day and Hour Unknown
32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert[c]! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
Reflection
It’s not the easiest of times for the church and the country at large just now. As we enter into Advent and prepare for Christmas with all the restrictions that we are facing, and with many of us with moods and attitudes that are darker than a winter’s night, it can be easy to forget that Advent is a time of promise and hope.
But as we look around us we would be justified in asking, “where is the hope?” After all, the readings and the reality of our situation couldn’t be any more stark as those feelings of absence and estrangement that unite us to those who originally heard our readings
Here we stand in the middle of an economic and global crisis and yet our faith tells us that this is a time of preparation –a time to prepare for light and hope coming into the world.
And if the world ever needed a sense of light and hope surely it is now; surely it’s for times like these and all these small mini crisis’ that we all experience on a daily basis that nobody ever knows about.
And how do we prepare for a time of light and hope in the midst of so much uncertainty, unpredictability and unhappiness. Where is the Good News amongst all the other news telling us that we will all be cutting back on Christmas or celebrating it in a way or a place that will be unreal and unusual for us?
And the emptiness that so many of us are feeling just now is mirrored in our readings, where there is a dynamic interplay of absence and presence. A sense of emptiness - yet a call to see in this empty time, the coming of God to light up the world. Our Old Testament text and gospel reading call us to a spirituality of via negativa to be joined with the spirituality of via positive where absence and presence are joined together.
And as followers of Jesus, how are we expected to feel positive when it looks as if God has left us to get on with it? The prophet Isaiah was feeling the same as he too cried out to an absent God, who it appeared had abandoned His promises and His people. This God who had delivered these people in unexpected and awesome ways previously, was now posted missing in a time of need and crisis.
The people were feeling that this powerful God was actually powerless during a national emergency and this absence and powerlessness was leading them into a sense of alienation, which would destroy the sense of community that held them all together.
And seeing all this before him, Isaiah calls out to God, to do something to restore the people’s trust and faith; so that all could once again begin to experience the reality of the God who meets with his people and transforms lives and situations. He calls out for the God of transformation to meet with his people in the midst of the crisis and chaos that surrounded them and turn things around.
To sense the presence of God in a time of abandonment
requires a fresh and better understanding of who we believe God to be.
After all, how can we affirm Divine absence in a world that we know is full of God’s glory? We may believe it, but sometimes it can be hard to truly know it. But at these times of doubts and questions may we also get a sense of Holy, Divine awe as we experience God’s loving presence, assuring us that there is more going on underneath the surface than we could ever believe possible.
That within the cracks in the cosmos there is beauty still to be born.
Or ,as we heard in one of the reflections a few weeks ago, it’s the cracks that allow the light to get in.
As Isaiah shows, crying out to God to help us is not a sign of our weakness
but instead it’s an opportunity for us to make space in our lives for God to move in
and penetrate the cracks, to fill the darkness with light.
As the Buddhists teach, when we let go of everything else, of all that is perpetually perishing,
we are now open to a new sense of the Divine.
The world has been turned upside down, the time is one of danger and angst -but we are not talking about the times as they are just now, instead it is Mark writing to his community.
And in the midst of the world's turbulence Mark urges everyone to remain alert,
to stay awake,
to see in absence a presence breaking through.
It is a call to all God’s people to be a people who nurture the light of hope.
To join with those who don’t curse the darkness
but instead choose to light a candle and share some light.
To light a candle is to feel the presence of light in a new way.
It is to go beyond fear and bring light and hope in to the world.
To light a candle in the face of so much darkness helps us look deeper
and go beyond all surface experience’s and acknowledge
that as long as there is a light that shines there will never be an end for hope.
Not every moment we have is inspirational and life transforming,
most moments in life are ordinary and can even be tragic.
Yet even in the mundaneness and the heartache of life there can still be glimpses of hope.
That’s one of the reasons why I love seeing houses lit up at this time of the year whether it be inside or outside. Lighting up the dark December nights, or in many cases now, even November and October nights, signifies that in the sense of absence there is also the promise of presence.
Those coloured lights in and around our homes are a glimmer of hope of something better, that in the midst of the darkness there is also light and beauty, hope and joy.
This is what our texts affirm. That in the sense of absence God is still there.
Which should be a comfort for us all that in the midst of the chaotic,
as we try to understand and sort things out, God continues reaching out to His people.
He’s not waiting for us to get our acts together,
instead He simply reaches out to us, just as we are;
not as the people we are trying to be, or have promised to be, or so very badly want to be,
but simply as the people we are.
As the families we are, as the congregations we are,
in the communities we live, and within the nation and world that we are part of.
Whoever we are just now, however imperfect and messed up we may feel we are,
the one thing we can take into this time of Advent,
is that irrespective of all else we are still the beloved of God.
In this time of chaos and worry
may we enter into Advent with a sense of Divine hope and promise that says
we may be imperfect but we are loved;
fragile but important;
flawed yet beautiful,
because, in the silence and absence,
God still chooses to meet, love, and redeem all his people.
Let us pray
64 [a]Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down
that the mountains would tremble before you!
2 As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil,
come down to make your name known to your enemies
and cause the nations to quake before you!
3 For when you did awesome things that we did not expect,
you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.
4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you,
who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
5 You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways.
But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry.
How then can we be saved?
6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;
we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
7 No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you;
for you have hidden your face from us and have given us over to[b] our sins.
8 Yet you, Lord, are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
9 Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord; do not remember our sins forever.
Oh, look on us, we pray,
for we are all your people.
Mark 13: 24-37 NIV
24 “But in those days, following that distress,
“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
25 the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’[a]
26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it[b] is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
The Day and Hour Unknown
32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert[c]! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
Reflection
It’s not the easiest of times for the church and the country at large just now. As we enter into Advent and prepare for Christmas with all the restrictions that we are facing, and with many of us with moods and attitudes that are darker than a winter’s night, it can be easy to forget that Advent is a time of promise and hope.
But as we look around us we would be justified in asking, “where is the hope?” After all, the readings and the reality of our situation couldn’t be any more stark as those feelings of absence and estrangement that unite us to those who originally heard our readings
Here we stand in the middle of an economic and global crisis and yet our faith tells us that this is a time of preparation –a time to prepare for light and hope coming into the world.
And if the world ever needed a sense of light and hope surely it is now; surely it’s for times like these and all these small mini crisis’ that we all experience on a daily basis that nobody ever knows about.
And how do we prepare for a time of light and hope in the midst of so much uncertainty, unpredictability and unhappiness. Where is the Good News amongst all the other news telling us that we will all be cutting back on Christmas or celebrating it in a way or a place that will be unreal and unusual for us?
And the emptiness that so many of us are feeling just now is mirrored in our readings, where there is a dynamic interplay of absence and presence. A sense of emptiness - yet a call to see in this empty time, the coming of God to light up the world. Our Old Testament text and gospel reading call us to a spirituality of via negativa to be joined with the spirituality of via positive where absence and presence are joined together.
And as followers of Jesus, how are we expected to feel positive when it looks as if God has left us to get on with it? The prophet Isaiah was feeling the same as he too cried out to an absent God, who it appeared had abandoned His promises and His people. This God who had delivered these people in unexpected and awesome ways previously, was now posted missing in a time of need and crisis.
The people were feeling that this powerful God was actually powerless during a national emergency and this absence and powerlessness was leading them into a sense of alienation, which would destroy the sense of community that held them all together.
And seeing all this before him, Isaiah calls out to God, to do something to restore the people’s trust and faith; so that all could once again begin to experience the reality of the God who meets with his people and transforms lives and situations. He calls out for the God of transformation to meet with his people in the midst of the crisis and chaos that surrounded them and turn things around.
To sense the presence of God in a time of abandonment
requires a fresh and better understanding of who we believe God to be.
After all, how can we affirm Divine absence in a world that we know is full of God’s glory? We may believe it, but sometimes it can be hard to truly know it. But at these times of doubts and questions may we also get a sense of Holy, Divine awe as we experience God’s loving presence, assuring us that there is more going on underneath the surface than we could ever believe possible.
That within the cracks in the cosmos there is beauty still to be born.
Or ,as we heard in one of the reflections a few weeks ago, it’s the cracks that allow the light to get in.
As Isaiah shows, crying out to God to help us is not a sign of our weakness
but instead it’s an opportunity for us to make space in our lives for God to move in
and penetrate the cracks, to fill the darkness with light.
As the Buddhists teach, when we let go of everything else, of all that is perpetually perishing,
we are now open to a new sense of the Divine.
The world has been turned upside down, the time is one of danger and angst -but we are not talking about the times as they are just now, instead it is Mark writing to his community.
And in the midst of the world's turbulence Mark urges everyone to remain alert,
to stay awake,
to see in absence a presence breaking through.
It is a call to all God’s people to be a people who nurture the light of hope.
To join with those who don’t curse the darkness
but instead choose to light a candle and share some light.
To light a candle is to feel the presence of light in a new way.
It is to go beyond fear and bring light and hope in to the world.
To light a candle in the face of so much darkness helps us look deeper
and go beyond all surface experience’s and acknowledge
that as long as there is a light that shines there will never be an end for hope.
Not every moment we have is inspirational and life transforming,
most moments in life are ordinary and can even be tragic.
Yet even in the mundaneness and the heartache of life there can still be glimpses of hope.
That’s one of the reasons why I love seeing houses lit up at this time of the year whether it be inside or outside. Lighting up the dark December nights, or in many cases now, even November and October nights, signifies that in the sense of absence there is also the promise of presence.
Those coloured lights in and around our homes are a glimmer of hope of something better, that in the midst of the darkness there is also light and beauty, hope and joy.
This is what our texts affirm. That in the sense of absence God is still there.
Which should be a comfort for us all that in the midst of the chaotic,
as we try to understand and sort things out, God continues reaching out to His people.
He’s not waiting for us to get our acts together,
instead He simply reaches out to us, just as we are;
not as the people we are trying to be, or have promised to be, or so very badly want to be,
but simply as the people we are.
As the families we are, as the congregations we are,
in the communities we live, and within the nation and world that we are part of.
Whoever we are just now, however imperfect and messed up we may feel we are,
the one thing we can take into this time of Advent,
is that irrespective of all else we are still the beloved of God.
In this time of chaos and worry
may we enter into Advent with a sense of Divine hope and promise that says
we may be imperfect but we are loved;
fragile but important;
flawed yet beautiful,
because, in the silence and absence,
God still chooses to meet, love, and redeem all his people.
Let us pray
a voice for the voiceless
Matthew 25:31-46 New International Version
The sheep and the goats
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Reflection
For those of you who are interested in such things, today is the final Sunday of the current church year. Next Sunday will be the beginning of a new year in the church calendar. In essence it probably won’t mean too much for the average church member; but in preaching terms, it means that today brings us to the end of year 'A', next week will be year 'B', after that will be year 'C' and thereafter we will return, again, to Year 'A'.
Although all ministers work their services differently, there is a general rule of thumb, that we have a three-year preaching cycle. And for those of us who follow the Lectionary, the readings that we have for each of the Sundays on the church calendar, today is designated as 'Christ the King Sunday', or the 'Feast of Christ the King Sunday'.
And because we are entering into a new year we might want to use today as an opportunity for looking back and reflecting, but to also look forward and hope and maybe even have the courage once again to dream.
And let's be honest, for most of us this has probably been a year like no other for thinking back and looking forward. Perhaps some of us have used the last 9 or 10 months or so as an opportunity to think about how we’ve taken things and people for granted in the past and maybe we are planning to change that when normal times return once again.
And I think that’s one of the great things about a reading such as the one we’ve read and listened to, of endings, new beginnings and the Kingship of Christ, because it gives us the opportunity to reflect and wonder where, how, why, and when Christ was at work in our lives over the last 12 months and it can also be the opportunity to look ahead into a new year and wonder how we can bring Christ’s Kingdom into our lives and the lives of others.
New Year is always a time for making resolutions, but if we are being honest, most resolutions tend not to last. And, therefore, perhaps one of the challenges that we might want to set ourselves is to simply keep a record, over the next year, of the involvement of Christ in our lives; So that this time next year we can see for ourselves what Christ the king really means. Christ the King not being a glib sentence for a particular year on the church calendar but instead a reality in our lives all year round, as we experience being actively involved with these things that are at the heart of Christ’s Kingdom.
To claim Christ as King, is to believe in God’s reign in our lives and the lives of others, and to understand that what we believe and how we decide to lead our lives really does matter for ourselves and those that we encounter.
Over the last year we have went on an amazing journey through Matthew’s gospel; reading about the calling of the disciples, of Jesus calling out the theology of many of the religious leaders, and reading many of the parables that were used by Jesus to make a specific point. Sometimes the parables were easy to understand, and there were those other times, maybe even too many times when they were just plain hard to fully understand
And in today's reading Jesus uses the analogy of Sheep and Goats for describing His Kingdom, but He also uses it as a means of describing how he is King over the lives of all of His people. It is another example of Him showing that His Kingdom is an inclusive one where all lives matter to him, in fact, arguably some lives are valued higher than others, particularly those who find themselves neglected, alone and on the margins of society.
In essence Jesus is saying that He is a voice for the voiceless which means that our vision of mission must be one that not only helps others but also one that stands up and speaks out on their behalf when the need arises.
When we think of God, many will have different interpretations of who God is. To paint a picture of God will depend on the canvas on which He is painted. Many will think of God in terms of power, might and glory and so on. And, indeed, the parable begins by describing the Son of Man coming in glory, sitting on his throne, and being attended by angels,
However when we think of God in such terms and then think of today’s Liturgical date of Christ the King Sunday, it is worth reminding ourselves that God in Jesus didn’t come to reign over humanity from a base in Athens or Rome or any of the other major cities of the time where one would expect a God of Kingship and power to arrive, but rather – God came to identify with all His people by being born in a stable and to show His love for the world through the scandal, shame, and pain of the cross
In all of His kingship and Royalty, Jesus came, identifying with “the least of these,” with those who the world tends to ignore and turn away from. Those others, that many wish weren’t there. The point Jesus is making is that when you look for God in places of power, He won’t always be found there; but if we turn our attention 360 degrees, we will discover and experience God’s presence because He will always be there for those who are in greatest need. And that we will experience more of God in our lives when we see him in the lives of those around us.
And the Good News at a time of never ending bad news is that the Creator of the cosmos, the Author of the stories of the lives of His people continues to reach out in ways and places that are truly unexpected; in places that we would least expect God to be. He is there in those places, with us and alongside us.
God is not remote from everything, leaving us to get on with life, in all the mistakes and hardships that we all live through; but instead Jesus is inviting us, as He always has done to see God at work in places where we would least expect him to be: in the plight of the homeless, on the side of the poor, in the face of the needy, and in the company of the imprisoned.
We are invited to meet God not in some distant eternal life or other-worldly reality but instead in the here and now, in the daily needs of our neighbours. The God we know in Jesus is revealed, not in power but in vulnerability, not in might but in brokenness, and not in judgment but in mercy.
Perhaps Jesus is just once again reminding us that God loves us so much and has chosen to be one of us by identifying with us, as we recognize God in the face of our neighbour, and those others that we meet.
And this is the message we believe - that God is with us now, in the fellowship of broken people, in the seemingly small acts of mercy which are offered and received each and every day. May that always be our experience, and the story of our lives that God is there for us, working with us, a reality at the centre of these very places where we and others always need God him to be
Amen
The sheep and the goats
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Reflection
For those of you who are interested in such things, today is the final Sunday of the current church year. Next Sunday will be the beginning of a new year in the church calendar. In essence it probably won’t mean too much for the average church member; but in preaching terms, it means that today brings us to the end of year 'A', next week will be year 'B', after that will be year 'C' and thereafter we will return, again, to Year 'A'.
Although all ministers work their services differently, there is a general rule of thumb, that we have a three-year preaching cycle. And for those of us who follow the Lectionary, the readings that we have for each of the Sundays on the church calendar, today is designated as 'Christ the King Sunday', or the 'Feast of Christ the King Sunday'.
And because we are entering into a new year we might want to use today as an opportunity for looking back and reflecting, but to also look forward and hope and maybe even have the courage once again to dream.
And let's be honest, for most of us this has probably been a year like no other for thinking back and looking forward. Perhaps some of us have used the last 9 or 10 months or so as an opportunity to think about how we’ve taken things and people for granted in the past and maybe we are planning to change that when normal times return once again.
And I think that’s one of the great things about a reading such as the one we’ve read and listened to, of endings, new beginnings and the Kingship of Christ, because it gives us the opportunity to reflect and wonder where, how, why, and when Christ was at work in our lives over the last 12 months and it can also be the opportunity to look ahead into a new year and wonder how we can bring Christ’s Kingdom into our lives and the lives of others.
New Year is always a time for making resolutions, but if we are being honest, most resolutions tend not to last. And, therefore, perhaps one of the challenges that we might want to set ourselves is to simply keep a record, over the next year, of the involvement of Christ in our lives; So that this time next year we can see for ourselves what Christ the king really means. Christ the King not being a glib sentence for a particular year on the church calendar but instead a reality in our lives all year round, as we experience being actively involved with these things that are at the heart of Christ’s Kingdom.
To claim Christ as King, is to believe in God’s reign in our lives and the lives of others, and to understand that what we believe and how we decide to lead our lives really does matter for ourselves and those that we encounter.
Over the last year we have went on an amazing journey through Matthew’s gospel; reading about the calling of the disciples, of Jesus calling out the theology of many of the religious leaders, and reading many of the parables that were used by Jesus to make a specific point. Sometimes the parables were easy to understand, and there were those other times, maybe even too many times when they were just plain hard to fully understand
And in today's reading Jesus uses the analogy of Sheep and Goats for describing His Kingdom, but He also uses it as a means of describing how he is King over the lives of all of His people. It is another example of Him showing that His Kingdom is an inclusive one where all lives matter to him, in fact, arguably some lives are valued higher than others, particularly those who find themselves neglected, alone and on the margins of society.
In essence Jesus is saying that He is a voice for the voiceless which means that our vision of mission must be one that not only helps others but also one that stands up and speaks out on their behalf when the need arises.
When we think of God, many will have different interpretations of who God is. To paint a picture of God will depend on the canvas on which He is painted. Many will think of God in terms of power, might and glory and so on. And, indeed, the parable begins by describing the Son of Man coming in glory, sitting on his throne, and being attended by angels,
However when we think of God in such terms and then think of today’s Liturgical date of Christ the King Sunday, it is worth reminding ourselves that God in Jesus didn’t come to reign over humanity from a base in Athens or Rome or any of the other major cities of the time where one would expect a God of Kingship and power to arrive, but rather – God came to identify with all His people by being born in a stable and to show His love for the world through the scandal, shame, and pain of the cross
In all of His kingship and Royalty, Jesus came, identifying with “the least of these,” with those who the world tends to ignore and turn away from. Those others, that many wish weren’t there. The point Jesus is making is that when you look for God in places of power, He won’t always be found there; but if we turn our attention 360 degrees, we will discover and experience God’s presence because He will always be there for those who are in greatest need. And that we will experience more of God in our lives when we see him in the lives of those around us.
And the Good News at a time of never ending bad news is that the Creator of the cosmos, the Author of the stories of the lives of His people continues to reach out in ways and places that are truly unexpected; in places that we would least expect God to be. He is there in those places, with us and alongside us.
God is not remote from everything, leaving us to get on with life, in all the mistakes and hardships that we all live through; but instead Jesus is inviting us, as He always has done to see God at work in places where we would least expect him to be: in the plight of the homeless, on the side of the poor, in the face of the needy, and in the company of the imprisoned.
We are invited to meet God not in some distant eternal life or other-worldly reality but instead in the here and now, in the daily needs of our neighbours. The God we know in Jesus is revealed, not in power but in vulnerability, not in might but in brokenness, and not in judgment but in mercy.
Perhaps Jesus is just once again reminding us that God loves us so much and has chosen to be one of us by identifying with us, as we recognize God in the face of our neighbour, and those others that we meet.
And this is the message we believe - that God is with us now, in the fellowship of broken people, in the seemingly small acts of mercy which are offered and received each and every day. May that always be our experience, and the story of our lives that God is there for us, working with us, a reality at the centre of these very places where we and others always need God him to be
Amen
BELIEVE IN THE JOY OF USING YOUR GIFTS TO SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS!
Matthew 25: 14-30 NIV
The Parable of the Talents
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with two talents gained two more. 18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Reflection
It can be easy to forget that in the face of all the challenges that we seem to be coming up against these days that each of us have been given different talents by God to help us get by. And just like nearly every church in the world there is always something for us to be doing; whether it be internally within our buildings, or externally through the way that we try and share the Good News in our communities.
And to be fair, as a congregation we seem to rise to the occasion when it comes to identifying our talents and then using or sharing them. When I see everything we have achieved in relation to the size of our congregation and even by comparison with what others with greater resources are doing, then I think it’s true to say that when the day eventually comes most if not all, will be greeted with the Divine welcome: “well done good and faithful servant.
The whole point of the parable in today’s reading is to assure us that we have been given specific gifts by God and He wants us to use them. We might not appreciate it, but we have all been given much by God. We have been granted the tools and resources for doing His work, and it’s how we choose to use these resources that is at the heart of everything that Jesus is saying to all of us today.
Sometimes to even accept that we have been given a Divine gift is an act of faith that we have to believe and trust. Because after all, the usual response by most when they are told that God has given them any type of gift is “it must be some mistake. Why would God want to use me?”
And the fact is, that most of us find it hard to believe that God knows anything about us let alone that he has blessed us with gifts and talents for helping ourselves and one another.
Which can be a challenge as well because just like the prophet Jonah, once we realise that God has gifted us in a particular area, we might choose to run away and try to avoid those things that have been asked of us.
We might be afraid of those who don’t believe the things we do and would mock us for talking about God giving us gifts and talents. We might be afraid of telling others in the church, because as we all know, there is always someone waiting to question you: “What or who gives you the audacity to think that you have a gift from God?” And we might even be afraid of God himself, as we worry that we have got it wrong and thus become afraid to step out in faith in case we end up falling flat on our faces.
There are a lot of risks factors involved when we follow Jesus, because we don’t want to get things wrong, we don’t want others to point the finger and criticise us. But ultimately we are able to make divine judgement calls on everything we do when we set ourselves the priority of asking; ‘where is Jesus in this’ and is what we are doing glorifying Him and helping to advance His kingdom?
One of the things we also learn from the reading is that the servant who did nothing with his talents was asked why he did not just try something with what he had been given, because at the very least he would have achieved something, there would have been some results for his efforts: if he had only put his one talent in the bank at least some interest would have accumulated on his deposit. It’s not a threat, but just a gentle reminder that even with the little we have God is still able to take and use it.
Jesus uses the parable as an assurance, that we need to always have an acute awareness of God’s presence in everything we undertake. An awareness that we have God given talents that make us the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Talents that have been given to us simply because God trusts us with them. And because He trusts us, we can trust him to help us use them. In fact, arguably, the very nature of Him trusting us to use what He gives, is a gift of grace itself.
But there is also a tension within the story because the parable shows us two sides to the Master; one where he is caring, loving and generous; but there is the other side where he appears to be harsh, unfair and even fickle. And it may well be that for many of us, depending on our experiences throughout our lives, we have a specific view of God that is similar to the master in the parable:
But the true picture we have of God can be seen through the life of His son Jesus.
Jesus tells this parable just days before He surrenders his life on the cross, as a testimony to just how far God goes to communicate and show His love for us and the rest of the world.
Jesus spent his life and ministry proclaiming God’s kingdom, feeding the hungry, healing and sick, offering forgiveness, and welcoming ALL. And for that message he was crucified.
And then to top it all off, just in case we still had our doubts, God then raised Jesus on the third day to show that life is stronger than death and love can overcome hate.
That’s the God we proclaim, the God who loves us and is gracious towards us through the many blessings that have been poured into our lives. Therefore, may we believe and accept that in the face of everything that is both good and bad that God is the same towards us each and every day.
May we believe that there is joy in using our gifts in order to share and spread the Good News, about the joy of the Kingdom that wants to see all benefit and prosper and experience the joy of the Lord for themselves.
May we continue to believe that God really meant it when he called us and gifted us for the tasks that He wants us to do. May we continue to be surprised and uplifted by the numerous gifts and moments of grace we experience, as we trust and believe that God is the one in whom we can place our faith, He is the One we need him to be in our lives, the One in whom we can confidently bring to and share with others.
Let us pray
The Parable of the Talents
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with two talents gained two more. 18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Reflection
It can be easy to forget that in the face of all the challenges that we seem to be coming up against these days that each of us have been given different talents by God to help us get by. And just like nearly every church in the world there is always something for us to be doing; whether it be internally within our buildings, or externally through the way that we try and share the Good News in our communities.
And to be fair, as a congregation we seem to rise to the occasion when it comes to identifying our talents and then using or sharing them. When I see everything we have achieved in relation to the size of our congregation and even by comparison with what others with greater resources are doing, then I think it’s true to say that when the day eventually comes most if not all, will be greeted with the Divine welcome: “well done good and faithful servant.
The whole point of the parable in today’s reading is to assure us that we have been given specific gifts by God and He wants us to use them. We might not appreciate it, but we have all been given much by God. We have been granted the tools and resources for doing His work, and it’s how we choose to use these resources that is at the heart of everything that Jesus is saying to all of us today.
Sometimes to even accept that we have been given a Divine gift is an act of faith that we have to believe and trust. Because after all, the usual response by most when they are told that God has given them any type of gift is “it must be some mistake. Why would God want to use me?”
And the fact is, that most of us find it hard to believe that God knows anything about us let alone that he has blessed us with gifts and talents for helping ourselves and one another.
Which can be a challenge as well because just like the prophet Jonah, once we realise that God has gifted us in a particular area, we might choose to run away and try to avoid those things that have been asked of us.
We might be afraid of those who don’t believe the things we do and would mock us for talking about God giving us gifts and talents. We might be afraid of telling others in the church, because as we all know, there is always someone waiting to question you: “What or who gives you the audacity to think that you have a gift from God?” And we might even be afraid of God himself, as we worry that we have got it wrong and thus become afraid to step out in faith in case we end up falling flat on our faces.
There are a lot of risks factors involved when we follow Jesus, because we don’t want to get things wrong, we don’t want others to point the finger and criticise us. But ultimately we are able to make divine judgement calls on everything we do when we set ourselves the priority of asking; ‘where is Jesus in this’ and is what we are doing glorifying Him and helping to advance His kingdom?
One of the things we also learn from the reading is that the servant who did nothing with his talents was asked why he did not just try something with what he had been given, because at the very least he would have achieved something, there would have been some results for his efforts: if he had only put his one talent in the bank at least some interest would have accumulated on his deposit. It’s not a threat, but just a gentle reminder that even with the little we have God is still able to take and use it.
Jesus uses the parable as an assurance, that we need to always have an acute awareness of God’s presence in everything we undertake. An awareness that we have God given talents that make us the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Talents that have been given to us simply because God trusts us with them. And because He trusts us, we can trust him to help us use them. In fact, arguably, the very nature of Him trusting us to use what He gives, is a gift of grace itself.
But there is also a tension within the story because the parable shows us two sides to the Master; one where he is caring, loving and generous; but there is the other side where he appears to be harsh, unfair and even fickle. And it may well be that for many of us, depending on our experiences throughout our lives, we have a specific view of God that is similar to the master in the parable:
- we may have the opinion that God is primarily an enforcer of rules, who wants to thump religion into all of his people;
- a God who is stern and strict and always looking for a reason to punish us, and that every bad thing that has ever happened to us is God’s punishment because of things we have done or said throughout our lives.
- We may believe God is arbitrary and unpredictable; someone who would like to meet our needs but who is just as likely to pull the carpet away from underneath our feet
But the true picture we have of God can be seen through the life of His son Jesus.
Jesus tells this parable just days before He surrenders his life on the cross, as a testimony to just how far God goes to communicate and show His love for us and the rest of the world.
Jesus spent his life and ministry proclaiming God’s kingdom, feeding the hungry, healing and sick, offering forgiveness, and welcoming ALL. And for that message he was crucified.
And then to top it all off, just in case we still had our doubts, God then raised Jesus on the third day to show that life is stronger than death and love can overcome hate.
That’s the God we proclaim, the God who loves us and is gracious towards us through the many blessings that have been poured into our lives. Therefore, may we believe and accept that in the face of everything that is both good and bad that God is the same towards us each and every day.
May we believe that there is joy in using our gifts in order to share and spread the Good News, about the joy of the Kingdom that wants to see all benefit and prosper and experience the joy of the Lord for themselves.
May we continue to believe that God really meant it when he called us and gifted us for the tasks that He wants us to do. May we continue to be surprised and uplifted by the numerous gifts and moments of grace we experience, as we trust and believe that God is the one in whom we can place our faith, He is the One we need him to be in our lives, the One in whom we can confidently bring to and share with others.
Let us pray
stay alert!
Matthew 25:1-13 New International Version
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Reflection
Our acts of remembrance today may mean many things for us, and they may open up a variety of different feelings and emotions as to what today means for us; for many if not most, it may be a time of remembering family members and friends who gave up and have given up their lives serving their country; those who responded to the call to face the power of those who sought to oppress.
For others it will be a time to reflect on the cost and the sacrifice of two world wars and countless other wars before and since; to remember how war brutalizes and degrades both winners and losers alike and to say-- never again.
We remember; so that the sacrifices that were made, and the risks that were run, ensure that our acts of remembrance can never be just a one off, once a year event, but instead is something we do regularly, so that we never forget.
But we also remember those others who came home, but who came home broken, those who came home to nothing; those who came home and wondered if it had been worth it all.
And so in our remembering, we honour all who died, we mark with gratitude the struggles of so many who lived, and we pray that as we remember, it helps us to continue working for peace; peace in our own lives and peace in the wider world.
But we also take time and remember that in the midst of all the darkness of war—there were still those who chose to believe in better, those who chose to look to the brightening light of a new day. That better things were possible; that the darkness would not be allowed to have the last word.
And as people who proclaim a gospel of peace and faith, we know all about the way by which the Bible contrasts the optimism of the light coming into the world and the inability of the darkness to put it out.
The twentieth century was a century of war – the statisticians tell us more people died in that century through war than in all the other centuries put together. Reminders of the cruelty and folly of humanity, or as Burns put it more succinctly: man’s inhumanity to man.
And in the middle of the bloody atrocities of Flanders or the gas chambers of Auschwitz the question was frequently asked “Where is God in this?”
In fact, during the First World War, theologians and politicians on both sides of the divide claimed that God was on their side. That it was a war for God and country. However, in 1916, in the midst of these claims, the Scottish theologian P. T. Forsyth gave a series of lectures called The Justification of God. His work was, a response to the question “Where is God in all of this?”
Forsyth warned against any simple attempt at finding God in the events of war. He wrote: “An event like the war at least aids God’s purpose in this, it shocks and rouses us into some due sense of what evil is, and what a Saviour’s task with it is.” He suggested the war was, “a revelation of the awful and desperate nature of evil.”
For Forsyth, the horror of the War pointed to the Redemption of God, and not to a partisan God who could be claimed by one side or the other. The war pointed, in fact, to that utter conviction that lies in the words of Job:
“For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that at the last he will stand upon the earth;
and after my skin has been thus destroyed,
then in my flesh I shall see God.” [Job 19.25-26]
So many have lost their lives in war, and we remember them today. And if remembering their deaths and their sacrifice can awaken in us an understanding of our need to break down barriers of hate and the call to all of humanity to discover in each other their common, God-given humanity, then we are remembering them as they should be remembered. And remembering what they gave for us, so that we might build a better world.
It’s a reminder to remember our interrelatedness - we are not called to see the other as an enemy; instead we are all connected, we were created to be as one with one another. A reminder that the search for peace is not an unrealistic yearning but a way of life, that acknowledges the value and worth of each other.
In Antony Beevor’s, book Berlin: The Downfall 1945, he writes of the last weeks of the second world war on the Eastern front, especially in relation to the propaganda that was used by the Russians against the Germans and vice versa. Beevor records an incident where General Maslov described German children crying as they searched desperately for their parents in a destroyed town.
‘What was surprising,’ wrote Maslov, ‘was that they were crying in exactly the way that our children cry”.
If the sacrifices of the past are to count for anything at all, if a better world is to be built then it has to be built where all know what it is to be loved and respected. Where all can share in universal rights such as peace, joy and safety and security; that we know that every German isn’t a Nazi, that those who worship Mohammed aren’t potential terrorists, that anti-semitism is hatred in any language. And that once we forget these principles, we are just a short step away from persecution and the things that wars were meant to end.
Remembrance must be at least in part about reminding ourselves that other people whoever they are, are human beings. They are somebody else’s children, who cry just like our own; they are brothers, sisters, mothers fathers, wife’s husbands, who may be strangers to us but also could just as easily be our friends.
And in our reading today we are reminded about being awake to everything that is going on around us and that we can’t afford to rest up or become complacent. Matthew is telling his community that a change had begun, but they would only see it if they remained awake.
It’s a call to all God’s people, that we need to remain alert to things that are going on in our own lives but also the things that are going on all around us, at a local, national and international level.
We have been called to live in the reality of our world, as it is rather than as we wished it could be; a world with all its potential and lack of potential; and whilst it is a challenge at times we can do so in the assurance that the Bridegroom has come and called us to a better, more dignified way, a way where we remain alert to his promises and promptings. And although we don’t always see it, we remember everything that has been done for us in the past by Jesus. We remember those times when we have tasted and benefitted from his work in our lives.
And as we remember, may faith and hope remain our travelling companions, as we heed the call to never forget that we are all God’s children who are committed to the care of all. That we work alongside others for the transformation of society, and we share the Divine picture of all being seated and welcomed around His Divine banqueting table.
Do this in memory of Me,” Jesus said, and as we remember Him and the sacrifice He made, may we always remember those we know and those we don’t who made sacrifices on our behalf. And may we always remember the hope we have, through the sacrifices of others and of the love and grace that is free and to be shared with all.
Let us pray
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Reflection
Our acts of remembrance today may mean many things for us, and they may open up a variety of different feelings and emotions as to what today means for us; for many if not most, it may be a time of remembering family members and friends who gave up and have given up their lives serving their country; those who responded to the call to face the power of those who sought to oppress.
For others it will be a time to reflect on the cost and the sacrifice of two world wars and countless other wars before and since; to remember how war brutalizes and degrades both winners and losers alike and to say-- never again.
We remember; so that the sacrifices that were made, and the risks that were run, ensure that our acts of remembrance can never be just a one off, once a year event, but instead is something we do regularly, so that we never forget.
But we also remember those others who came home, but who came home broken, those who came home to nothing; those who came home and wondered if it had been worth it all.
And so in our remembering, we honour all who died, we mark with gratitude the struggles of so many who lived, and we pray that as we remember, it helps us to continue working for peace; peace in our own lives and peace in the wider world.
But we also take time and remember that in the midst of all the darkness of war—there were still those who chose to believe in better, those who chose to look to the brightening light of a new day. That better things were possible; that the darkness would not be allowed to have the last word.
And as people who proclaim a gospel of peace and faith, we know all about the way by which the Bible contrasts the optimism of the light coming into the world and the inability of the darkness to put it out.
The twentieth century was a century of war – the statisticians tell us more people died in that century through war than in all the other centuries put together. Reminders of the cruelty and folly of humanity, or as Burns put it more succinctly: man’s inhumanity to man.
And in the middle of the bloody atrocities of Flanders or the gas chambers of Auschwitz the question was frequently asked “Where is God in this?”
In fact, during the First World War, theologians and politicians on both sides of the divide claimed that God was on their side. That it was a war for God and country. However, in 1916, in the midst of these claims, the Scottish theologian P. T. Forsyth gave a series of lectures called The Justification of God. His work was, a response to the question “Where is God in all of this?”
Forsyth warned against any simple attempt at finding God in the events of war. He wrote: “An event like the war at least aids God’s purpose in this, it shocks and rouses us into some due sense of what evil is, and what a Saviour’s task with it is.” He suggested the war was, “a revelation of the awful and desperate nature of evil.”
For Forsyth, the horror of the War pointed to the Redemption of God, and not to a partisan God who could be claimed by one side or the other. The war pointed, in fact, to that utter conviction that lies in the words of Job:
“For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that at the last he will stand upon the earth;
and after my skin has been thus destroyed,
then in my flesh I shall see God.” [Job 19.25-26]
So many have lost their lives in war, and we remember them today. And if remembering their deaths and their sacrifice can awaken in us an understanding of our need to break down barriers of hate and the call to all of humanity to discover in each other their common, God-given humanity, then we are remembering them as they should be remembered. And remembering what they gave for us, so that we might build a better world.
It’s a reminder to remember our interrelatedness - we are not called to see the other as an enemy; instead we are all connected, we were created to be as one with one another. A reminder that the search for peace is not an unrealistic yearning but a way of life, that acknowledges the value and worth of each other.
In Antony Beevor’s, book Berlin: The Downfall 1945, he writes of the last weeks of the second world war on the Eastern front, especially in relation to the propaganda that was used by the Russians against the Germans and vice versa. Beevor records an incident where General Maslov described German children crying as they searched desperately for their parents in a destroyed town.
‘What was surprising,’ wrote Maslov, ‘was that they were crying in exactly the way that our children cry”.
If the sacrifices of the past are to count for anything at all, if a better world is to be built then it has to be built where all know what it is to be loved and respected. Where all can share in universal rights such as peace, joy and safety and security; that we know that every German isn’t a Nazi, that those who worship Mohammed aren’t potential terrorists, that anti-semitism is hatred in any language. And that once we forget these principles, we are just a short step away from persecution and the things that wars were meant to end.
Remembrance must be at least in part about reminding ourselves that other people whoever they are, are human beings. They are somebody else’s children, who cry just like our own; they are brothers, sisters, mothers fathers, wife’s husbands, who may be strangers to us but also could just as easily be our friends.
And in our reading today we are reminded about being awake to everything that is going on around us and that we can’t afford to rest up or become complacent. Matthew is telling his community that a change had begun, but they would only see it if they remained awake.
It’s a call to all God’s people, that we need to remain alert to things that are going on in our own lives but also the things that are going on all around us, at a local, national and international level.
We have been called to live in the reality of our world, as it is rather than as we wished it could be; a world with all its potential and lack of potential; and whilst it is a challenge at times we can do so in the assurance that the Bridegroom has come and called us to a better, more dignified way, a way where we remain alert to his promises and promptings. And although we don’t always see it, we remember everything that has been done for us in the past by Jesus. We remember those times when we have tasted and benefitted from his work in our lives.
And as we remember, may faith and hope remain our travelling companions, as we heed the call to never forget that we are all God’s children who are committed to the care of all. That we work alongside others for the transformation of society, and we share the Divine picture of all being seated and welcomed around His Divine banqueting table.
Do this in memory of Me,” Jesus said, and as we remember Him and the sacrifice He made, may we always remember those we know and those we don’t who made sacrifices on our behalf. And may we always remember the hope we have, through the sacrifices of others and of the love and grace that is free and to be shared with all.
Let us pray
December
Christmas sunday: service only
There is no reflection for today,
but may you feel
the Hope, the Peace, the Joy, and the Love of Christmas
your whole life through.
Merry Christmas!
but may you feel
the Hope, the Peace, the Joy, and the Love of Christmas
your whole life through.
Merry Christmas!
the birth of jesus is foretold
Luke 1:26-38 New International Version
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Reflection
Here we are, the final Sunday before Christmas and perhaps all we can think is…What a year it has been….and as we look back but also think of a route map for going forward, the one thing that is evident is, that we still need a God who can answer our questions and take us on the journey that lies before us.
Normal service will at some point return, though maybe not in the way that we have been used to, and our mission in the parish and wider community will continue; Presbytery plans will be worked out, eventually, and in all these things we will still need the eyes of God to guide us; but in doing so may we also encapsulate the boldness and faith that Mary displays in our reading, as we too proclaim that we are the Lord's servants, and that we simply trust everything that He says and asks of us.
And to help us move forward and be reminded that we are God’s faithful servants, the period of Advent, is a time when we are able to allow ourselves to be still before God in what is usually the madness of the season, and to be assured that His plan for His people and His church still continues. That things don’t suddenly stop the minute we celebrate Christmas.
And we are able to look forward with a degree of confidence when we realise who we are and who God is. This was something that Mary very quickly discovered when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and called her favoured: “Greetings, you who are highly favoured.” Mary didn’t seek the encounter… she wasn’t looking for God, instead God chose to come to her and tell her that she is favoured, and that she is highly regarded by Him.
Let’s be honest, it is no small thing to be favoured, especially when it is God that is telling us this.
And I wonder how many of us right now just need to be reminded of God’s promise that He never leaves us nor forsakes us; because with the time of the year that it is, and the year that it has been perhaps some of us are feeling a degree of pressure that we have never felt before.
Perhaps it is because Christmas isn’t going to be the same this year; perhaps you are still running about doing things and feeling overwhelmed, undervalued and over used. Perhaps there is a feeling of spiritual emptiness within you, and you really need something to kick start your relationship with Jesus. And the truth is, that we are all gathered here, whether physically or online, and we bring with us our own particular sets of circumstances and baggage; but the promise we need to be assured of is that we are seen and favoured by the One who matters most..
And what a difference that ought to make to us, to know that God sees it all, favours us, and wants to come and accompany us on the journey of life that we have to undertake, with all the highs and lows that such journeys entails. Perhaps more than ever before we just need to slow right down and remind ourselves of the promises of old, especially the one that we hear today:
“Greetings. You are highly favoured. The Lord is with you”.
But we also take note that Gabriel's announcement to Mary is surrounded by words of comfort and assurance as he tells her, “Do not be afraid, Mary.”
Gabriel’s appearance to Mary is his second appearance in the Gospel, following an earlier visit to Zechariah in the Temple, where he also assures him by saying, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah.”
In addition to reassuring both Mary and Zechariah, Gabriel’s statement -- “Do not be afraid” -- reverberates throughout the rest of Luke’s Gospel. It foreshadows the words offered by the unnamed angel to the shepherds when he too says, “Do not be afraid.” Each word of assurance offered by the angels is not without cause. Each appearance is accompanied by an awe-inspiring, even unusual moment that sparks wonder and fear. Indeed, the practice of offering a word of assurance is something Jesus takes up in his ministry as well; Such as when Simon Peter after making a big catch of fish tells Jesus to go away; Jesus assures him; “Do not be afraid”. In a similar manner He tells Jairus, when he has been told his daughter is dead: “Do not be afraid”
It is interesting to find that from the very outset, at the moment of God’s Divine interventions, assurance is offered.
The simple phrase, “do not be afraid,” bringing with it comfort and hope to those who needed to know and hear it.
Moreover, such assurances cut right across all levels of social status. Zechariah was of the priestly class, serving in the temple and overseeing the ritual life of the entire Jewish people. He was someone who had power and influence.
In contrast, Mary was a young woman lacking all of the power, positioning, and prestige associated with Zechariah’s position. She is young, inexperienced and vulnerable.
Furthermore, the shepherds are a group of workers who rank low on the scale of power and privilege when compared to others. Put bluntly, nobody grew up with ambitions of being a shepherd. But we see that from Zechariah, the older man who is part of the establishment, to Mary the vulnerable young woman with hopes for a secure future, to the shepherds working the fields and overseeing livestock -- assurance is offered at the very moment when their lives needed them. In the face of uncertainty and bewilderment, God’s messengers bring messages of wisdom comfort and ultimately joy.
Perhaps as we approach Christmas we simply need to remind ourselves of all the promises that have been given to us, such as:
And so, as we head into Christmas may we be able to do so with a spirit of boldness and optimism, in the assurance that there is no need to be afraid, because God is still working in the world. And with that guarantee may we look forward in faith, even though we do not always understand the how’s and why’s of the way that God work’s, as we remain the Lords servants who are ready to do the unusual and the wonderful because nothing is impossible with God.
It is indeed an incredible thing to know that we are noticed, that we have been favoured, that we are called to do the Lord’s work of taking and sharing the Good News of love, transformation, hope, joy and peace, and the message that all are noticed, valued and matter to God. This is the gift we have been given this Christmas and every Christmas, this week and every week, this day and every day.
And may these be words that are a promise and assurance that shapes us as a church and a community over Christmas and in everything that lies beyond it.
Let us pray
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Reflection
Here we are, the final Sunday before Christmas and perhaps all we can think is…What a year it has been….and as we look back but also think of a route map for going forward, the one thing that is evident is, that we still need a God who can answer our questions and take us on the journey that lies before us.
Normal service will at some point return, though maybe not in the way that we have been used to, and our mission in the parish and wider community will continue; Presbytery plans will be worked out, eventually, and in all these things we will still need the eyes of God to guide us; but in doing so may we also encapsulate the boldness and faith that Mary displays in our reading, as we too proclaim that we are the Lord's servants, and that we simply trust everything that He says and asks of us.
And to help us move forward and be reminded that we are God’s faithful servants, the period of Advent, is a time when we are able to allow ourselves to be still before God in what is usually the madness of the season, and to be assured that His plan for His people and His church still continues. That things don’t suddenly stop the minute we celebrate Christmas.
And we are able to look forward with a degree of confidence when we realise who we are and who God is. This was something that Mary very quickly discovered when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and called her favoured: “Greetings, you who are highly favoured.” Mary didn’t seek the encounter… she wasn’t looking for God, instead God chose to come to her and tell her that she is favoured, and that she is highly regarded by Him.
Let’s be honest, it is no small thing to be favoured, especially when it is God that is telling us this.
And I wonder how many of us right now just need to be reminded of God’s promise that He never leaves us nor forsakes us; because with the time of the year that it is, and the year that it has been perhaps some of us are feeling a degree of pressure that we have never felt before.
Perhaps it is because Christmas isn’t going to be the same this year; perhaps you are still running about doing things and feeling overwhelmed, undervalued and over used. Perhaps there is a feeling of spiritual emptiness within you, and you really need something to kick start your relationship with Jesus. And the truth is, that we are all gathered here, whether physically or online, and we bring with us our own particular sets of circumstances and baggage; but the promise we need to be assured of is that we are seen and favoured by the One who matters most..
And what a difference that ought to make to us, to know that God sees it all, favours us, and wants to come and accompany us on the journey of life that we have to undertake, with all the highs and lows that such journeys entails. Perhaps more than ever before we just need to slow right down and remind ourselves of the promises of old, especially the one that we hear today:
“Greetings. You are highly favoured. The Lord is with you”.
But we also take note that Gabriel's announcement to Mary is surrounded by words of comfort and assurance as he tells her, “Do not be afraid, Mary.”
Gabriel’s appearance to Mary is his second appearance in the Gospel, following an earlier visit to Zechariah in the Temple, where he also assures him by saying, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah.”
In addition to reassuring both Mary and Zechariah, Gabriel’s statement -- “Do not be afraid” -- reverberates throughout the rest of Luke’s Gospel. It foreshadows the words offered by the unnamed angel to the shepherds when he too says, “Do not be afraid.” Each word of assurance offered by the angels is not without cause. Each appearance is accompanied by an awe-inspiring, even unusual moment that sparks wonder and fear. Indeed, the practice of offering a word of assurance is something Jesus takes up in his ministry as well; Such as when Simon Peter after making a big catch of fish tells Jesus to go away; Jesus assures him; “Do not be afraid”. In a similar manner He tells Jairus, when he has been told his daughter is dead: “Do not be afraid”
It is interesting to find that from the very outset, at the moment of God’s Divine interventions, assurance is offered.
The simple phrase, “do not be afraid,” bringing with it comfort and hope to those who needed to know and hear it.
Moreover, such assurances cut right across all levels of social status. Zechariah was of the priestly class, serving in the temple and overseeing the ritual life of the entire Jewish people. He was someone who had power and influence.
In contrast, Mary was a young woman lacking all of the power, positioning, and prestige associated with Zechariah’s position. She is young, inexperienced and vulnerable.
Furthermore, the shepherds are a group of workers who rank low on the scale of power and privilege when compared to others. Put bluntly, nobody grew up with ambitions of being a shepherd. But we see that from Zechariah, the older man who is part of the establishment, to Mary the vulnerable young woman with hopes for a secure future, to the shepherds working the fields and overseeing livestock -- assurance is offered at the very moment when their lives needed them. In the face of uncertainty and bewilderment, God’s messengers bring messages of wisdom comfort and ultimately joy.
Perhaps as we approach Christmas we simply need to remind ourselves of all the promises that have been given to us, such as:
- “Do not be afraid,”
- “for unto you a child has been born.”
- “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. Coming not to condemn the world but to save it”
And so, as we head into Christmas may we be able to do so with a spirit of boldness and optimism, in the assurance that there is no need to be afraid, because God is still working in the world. And with that guarantee may we look forward in faith, even though we do not always understand the how’s and why’s of the way that God work’s, as we remain the Lords servants who are ready to do the unusual and the wonderful because nothing is impossible with God.
It is indeed an incredible thing to know that we are noticed, that we have been favoured, that we are called to do the Lord’s work of taking and sharing the Good News of love, transformation, hope, joy and peace, and the message that all are noticed, valued and matter to God. This is the gift we have been given this Christmas and every Christmas, this week and every week, this day and every day.
And may these be words that are a promise and assurance that shapes us as a church and a community over Christmas and in everything that lies beyond it.
Let us pray
BEING A WITNESS TO THE LIGHT
Today's reading is about John the Baptist when he denies being the Messiah
read it by clicking on the link
John 1:6-8 & 19-28 New International Version
Reflection
Witnesses are important people, because they are able to share and relive experiences for the benefit of others. It would be hard to solve many crimes if there were not witnesses who were able to give evidence. Crime could not be solved without them benefit of witnesses, although we do acknowledge that forensic evidence is also a great tool in the fight against law-breaking.
And in our walk of faith we are all witnesses to everything that God has done in our lives.
There should be nothing more encouraging to us than hearing what God has done in the lives of others, and then sharing in everything that He has done for us.
I remember the day way back in Easter 1996 travelling over the Erskine Bridge going home without a care in the world from a busy but enjoyable day’s work. And then all of a sudden without any warning a great peace like I had never experienced before came into my van, accompanied by a bright light shining within it and without really knowing too much about these things there was a sense that God was in the van alongside me. And for weeks after that there were not enough bibles and Christian books to quench a new found thirst for God which had come into my life. How can we explain away such events in our lives to others? It really doesn’t make any type of sense. But for most, if not all of us, they are a reality that has had an impact on us.
And I tell my story simply because the story I have that is unique and special to me is exactly the same as the story that is unique and special to everyone of us. We all have stories to tell.
And when we tell them and share them, we become just like the great cloud of witnesses that are spoken about in the book of Hebrews. Our stories not only witness to all that God has done for us, and everything that Jesus means to us, but it also builds up our faith and shapes us into the people and the community that we are.
After all, if the only reason we came here week after week, month after month and year after year was to simply see one another then we could do it in other ways, instead there has to be something and someone that draws us here and enables us to be the people and family of God.
The stories that make us and shape us, when done within and as part of the body of other believers, become the stories of the community, which define us and help to set us apart from other groups and institutions. In fact, Harvard professor and community organizer Marshall Ganz says, “Stories not only teach us how to act -- they inspire us to act.”
But stories also communicate our values, our hopes, our cares, our obligations so that we can be inspired to work and act for the betterment of others but also to help bring about the advancement of Christ’s kingdom here on earth.
And part of our witness is seen in the sheer act of audacity of coming to our churches and being involved in the life of the church community and believing those things that we do.
We come so that we can be surrounded with others, who help to articulate our faith and everything it means to us; a faith that proclaims all that Jesus has done for us, a faith that tells others that what He has done for us He will do for them.
And so we turn to today’s reading where we see not so much John the Baptist in action but, according to the gospel of John, we are seeing the words and actions of John the Witness.
We note the nuanced difference between Mark’s story of John, and the John of John’s Gospel; where last week we read about John the Baptist calling people to turn away from their sins, the things that they were doing wrong, and to repent of them, so that they could be forgiven; and this week we are given a picture of John the Witness, who quite simply points people to Jesus. He tells his listeners that he wasn't the one they were waiting for. Instead he was a witness (John 1:7) and a voice (John 1:23), albeit a voice telling people to prepare for someone, “ the thongs of whose sandals I am unworthy to untie”.
And through John’s continual witness we learn seven things about Jesus that a first-time hearer would not have known -
- Jesus is the true light. That He is the light who creates and maintains life
- Jesus is to be revered
- Jesus is the Lamb of God
- Jesus takes away the world’s sin; or the worlds brokenness
- God’s Spirit is upon Jesus and remains with Jesus
- Jesus will baptize people with the Holy Spirit
- Jesus is the Son of God.
It might not sound much but it is a massive witness. But as we see the same was true then as it is now, in that not everyone wants to hear and, not everyone chose to believe. The Pharisees and the religious leaders of the time being at the front of the queue with their questions of doubt and scepticism.
And one of the encouragements we ought to take from the reading is that John wasn’t actually that articulate in his message. Instead, he kept it brief. He said what he did to help people understand:
he is not the Messiah. he’s not Elijah, or the prophet, or anyone else.
Instead he is just a voice crying out in the wilderness.
You don’t have to be eloquent to be a witness.
You don’t need to elaborate upon some of the finer points of theological discourse.
You’re more likely to turn someone off by doing that.
Instead you just need to be willing to share about the impact or the difference
that faith in Jesus and life in the congregation has made.
It is quite simply pointing to a higher and greater source in our lives;
something and someone who is bigger than ourselves.
And we can to do this by giving the assurance that a person’s worth and value is a gift to us from Jesus, the same Jesus to whom John points.
John's role was to simply prepare a way for the Messiah.
May that be our role as well, as ambassadors and witnesses to all that we know Jesus to be and everything that the Kingdom of God is; to point others to Christ the King who gave up heavenly Royalty to come and be with us and like us; that He is the Word who became flesh; the light that came into the world which the darkness has never overcome.
Therefore, in the midst of all of the darkness, may we show the light that will always shine as we point again and again to that mysterious, miraculous, and life-giving event that enables us to witness to Christ in our lives today, to Christ in our communities today and Christ in the world today.
Amen
read it by clicking on the link
John 1:6-8 & 19-28 New International Version
Reflection
Witnesses are important people, because they are able to share and relive experiences for the benefit of others. It would be hard to solve many crimes if there were not witnesses who were able to give evidence. Crime could not be solved without them benefit of witnesses, although we do acknowledge that forensic evidence is also a great tool in the fight against law-breaking.
And in our walk of faith we are all witnesses to everything that God has done in our lives.
There should be nothing more encouraging to us than hearing what God has done in the lives of others, and then sharing in everything that He has done for us.
I remember the day way back in Easter 1996 travelling over the Erskine Bridge going home without a care in the world from a busy but enjoyable day’s work. And then all of a sudden without any warning a great peace like I had never experienced before came into my van, accompanied by a bright light shining within it and without really knowing too much about these things there was a sense that God was in the van alongside me. And for weeks after that there were not enough bibles and Christian books to quench a new found thirst for God which had come into my life. How can we explain away such events in our lives to others? It really doesn’t make any type of sense. But for most, if not all of us, they are a reality that has had an impact on us.
And I tell my story simply because the story I have that is unique and special to me is exactly the same as the story that is unique and special to everyone of us. We all have stories to tell.
And when we tell them and share them, we become just like the great cloud of witnesses that are spoken about in the book of Hebrews. Our stories not only witness to all that God has done for us, and everything that Jesus means to us, but it also builds up our faith and shapes us into the people and the community that we are.
After all, if the only reason we came here week after week, month after month and year after year was to simply see one another then we could do it in other ways, instead there has to be something and someone that draws us here and enables us to be the people and family of God.
The stories that make us and shape us, when done within and as part of the body of other believers, become the stories of the community, which define us and help to set us apart from other groups and institutions. In fact, Harvard professor and community organizer Marshall Ganz says, “Stories not only teach us how to act -- they inspire us to act.”
But stories also communicate our values, our hopes, our cares, our obligations so that we can be inspired to work and act for the betterment of others but also to help bring about the advancement of Christ’s kingdom here on earth.
And part of our witness is seen in the sheer act of audacity of coming to our churches and being involved in the life of the church community and believing those things that we do.
We come so that we can be surrounded with others, who help to articulate our faith and everything it means to us; a faith that proclaims all that Jesus has done for us, a faith that tells others that what He has done for us He will do for them.
And so we turn to today’s reading where we see not so much John the Baptist in action but, according to the gospel of John, we are seeing the words and actions of John the Witness.
We note the nuanced difference between Mark’s story of John, and the John of John’s Gospel; where last week we read about John the Baptist calling people to turn away from their sins, the things that they were doing wrong, and to repent of them, so that they could be forgiven; and this week we are given a picture of John the Witness, who quite simply points people to Jesus. He tells his listeners that he wasn't the one they were waiting for. Instead he was a witness (John 1:7) and a voice (John 1:23), albeit a voice telling people to prepare for someone, “ the thongs of whose sandals I am unworthy to untie”.
And through John’s continual witness we learn seven things about Jesus that a first-time hearer would not have known -
- Jesus is the true light. That He is the light who creates and maintains life
- Jesus is to be revered
- Jesus is the Lamb of God
- Jesus takes away the world’s sin; or the worlds brokenness
- God’s Spirit is upon Jesus and remains with Jesus
- Jesus will baptize people with the Holy Spirit
- Jesus is the Son of God.
It might not sound much but it is a massive witness. But as we see the same was true then as it is now, in that not everyone wants to hear and, not everyone chose to believe. The Pharisees and the religious leaders of the time being at the front of the queue with their questions of doubt and scepticism.
And one of the encouragements we ought to take from the reading is that John wasn’t actually that articulate in his message. Instead, he kept it brief. He said what he did to help people understand:
he is not the Messiah. he’s not Elijah, or the prophet, or anyone else.
Instead he is just a voice crying out in the wilderness.
You don’t have to be eloquent to be a witness.
You don’t need to elaborate upon some of the finer points of theological discourse.
You’re more likely to turn someone off by doing that.
Instead you just need to be willing to share about the impact or the difference
that faith in Jesus and life in the congregation has made.
It is quite simply pointing to a higher and greater source in our lives;
something and someone who is bigger than ourselves.
And we can to do this by giving the assurance that a person’s worth and value is a gift to us from Jesus, the same Jesus to whom John points.
John's role was to simply prepare a way for the Messiah.
May that be our role as well, as ambassadors and witnesses to all that we know Jesus to be and everything that the Kingdom of God is; to point others to Christ the King who gave up heavenly Royalty to come and be with us and like us; that He is the Word who became flesh; the light that came into the world which the darkness has never overcome.
Therefore, in the midst of all of the darkness, may we show the light that will always shine as we point again and again to that mysterious, miraculous, and life-giving event that enables us to witness to Christ in our lives today, to Christ in our communities today and Christ in the world today.
Amen
the good news IS COMING, AND IT DOESN'T STOP AT CHRISTMAS!
Mark 1:1-8 New International Version
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah,[a] the Son of God,[b] 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way”[c]--
3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”[d]
4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7 And this was his message:
“After me comes the one more powerful than I,
the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.
8 I baptize you with[e] water, but he will baptize you with[f] the Holy Spirit.”
Reflection
The minute we step into December, is the time that many of us begin to realise just how close we are to Christmas; and our feelings take on a mixture of anxiety and anticipation, as we realise just how much has still to be done. And just to remind you in case you’ve forgotten it’s only 19 days away!
But for probably all of us, the waiting, the anticipation, and the anxiety will be slightly different this year. And while it’s easy to forget amid all the concerns, worries, and even the colour and excitement, the truth is we don’t have to celebrate everything about the incarnation prior to or on December 25th or even in the days immediately after it.
After all there is too much joy, tenderness, hope, and promise to squeeze into one single day, or even over a few days before and after it.
And perhaps that is something to keep in mind in this Covid driven time of the year; that the promise of Christmas and the promise from Christmas is something that can be appreciated after Christmas just as much as it can be appreciated before it;
the meaning and significance of Christmas
doesn’t end on December 25, but instead it really just begins.
After all, if we take away the songs and the lights and the glitter and tinsel, God is still there. The Christmas story doesn’t change, instead it remains the same: that God took on human form and came into the world to share and experience the lot of humanity.
Our reading today from Mark’s gospel begins with the words: “the beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God”. There are no genealogies, or stories of shepherds, or angels singing or wise men travelling. Instead Mark simply goes for it by telling us ‘Here is the beginning of the Good News’. And don’t we all need more and more good news in our lives today.
Our reading is important for this time of the year because it points to a time beyond Christmas. Perhaps Mark was trying to tell his audience that the birth wasn’t quite as important as everything else that happened after it. Instead of telling us a Christmas story Mark invites us to picture and grasp the significance of the good news of the coming of Jesus, beyond the confines of His birth story.
And for us today maybe it is worth once again touching base
with those things that are important to our faith and our lives.
Perhaps we have been given a scarce opportunity of drawing back from the busyness
that this time of the year brings with it and to instead once again
focus on the Good News that the birth of Jesus represents.
And without trying to minimise what the impact of what government restrictions and easing of restrictions will mean for each and every one of us,
maybe this year, for one Christmas only,
there will be a rare opportunity of reclaiming and rediscovering the Good News
and its implications for us.
We are hearing the beginnings of Good News
and it is something that should fill our hearts with joy.
Too often we can get consumed by all the negativity that surrounds us and we can allow it to absorb us. And then when we hear something good, we let it sail over us and we fail to embrace it for all that it is worth. So, we need to take time and remind ourselves how the beginning of the Good News helps to shape our lives.
Mark knew his community had it tough and so he tells them, here is the Good News.
It’s not somewhere else, instead it is here, and it is amongst us.
In fact, according to verse three of our reading, the beginning of the Good News took place in the middle of nowhere, it happened in the desert. And that is good news for those who are in the deserted places of life, for those on the fringes, those who live on the outskirts;
it's good news that proclaims truth and justice will be experienced and known in the unexpected places and spaces where boundaries have been crossed and needs have been taken away or never been met.
It’s Good News that assures that in the midst of devastation and despair, hopelessness and destruction, God is here, God reigns, Good News is at hand.
Mark calls his account of the life and death of Jesus as the active, dynamic proclamation of God's salvation. “Here is your God!" he effectively says.
Mark uses images and stories from the past, the present and the future to remind us that the promises of old are still the promises of God for His people today, and that Good News is not only at the very heart of who God is but also at the heart of what God calls us to be.
The promise that is offered to us in these verses is that God’s Good News can be found anywhere, anytime, because by meeting with His people in the desert, He shows that He will go beyond set boundaries, He will go to the most unlikeliest of places in order to be with His people.
For those on the margins, those gathered at the periphery, those who have never got beyond the side lines, God promises to go the extra mile and meet with them so that they can have hope, and a feeling of divine presence and experience a love like no other when all else seems to be lost, so that they know the promise that there is no place on earth that God will not go to be alongside His people.
“The beginning of the Good News of Jesus, the Son of God.”
Mark begins his account with a promise, and the thing about promises is that they create an expectation. The same is true about God’s promises to us. That in the stable at Bethlehem God was not only keeping a promise that He had made hundreds of years earlier, but He was also making a promise to us as well. A promise, that in Jesus, God hears our cries of fear, concern and doubt and even when we are at our lowest, He responds.
“The Beginning of the Good News….”
Which means that everything Mark has to say about Jesus –– is only the beginning of the Good News. There’s still more to come.
Maybe that’s why Mark’s gospel originally ended rather suddenly at verse 8, with the angel declaring Jesus resurrection and then tells the women at the tomb to go and share the Good News.
It is an open ended conclusion because the story isn’t over,
which means we are all invited to continue telling and sharing the Good News of Jesus,
as God continues writing the Gospel in and through our lives as individuals and communities.
God is continuing the story of the Good News of Jesus in and through our words and actions to make it come alive and to help keep His promises to His people. Promises that remind us that no matter what our Christmas is going to look like, God is still with us, working through us, continuing His story.
A story that is bigger than the stories of our own lives, bigger than the stories we hear on the news, bigger than the worries we harbour or even the hopes we share.
His is a promise that is so big that it does not end once Christmas come to an end.
Instead it’s a promise that despite the darkness and uncertainty, He is still at work,
bringing Good News into the lives of all who need to hear and experience it.
God is still in control, He is not finished,
he is still reaching out into those places and to those people
that we could least expect and that is a promise that goes farther and deeper
than we could ever care to imagine or believe.
Let us pray
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah,[a] the Son of God,[b] 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way”[c]--
3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”[d]
4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7 And this was his message:
“After me comes the one more powerful than I,
the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.
8 I baptize you with[e] water, but he will baptize you with[f] the Holy Spirit.”
Reflection
The minute we step into December, is the time that many of us begin to realise just how close we are to Christmas; and our feelings take on a mixture of anxiety and anticipation, as we realise just how much has still to be done. And just to remind you in case you’ve forgotten it’s only 19 days away!
But for probably all of us, the waiting, the anticipation, and the anxiety will be slightly different this year. And while it’s easy to forget amid all the concerns, worries, and even the colour and excitement, the truth is we don’t have to celebrate everything about the incarnation prior to or on December 25th or even in the days immediately after it.
After all there is too much joy, tenderness, hope, and promise to squeeze into one single day, or even over a few days before and after it.
And perhaps that is something to keep in mind in this Covid driven time of the year; that the promise of Christmas and the promise from Christmas is something that can be appreciated after Christmas just as much as it can be appreciated before it;
the meaning and significance of Christmas
doesn’t end on December 25, but instead it really just begins.
After all, if we take away the songs and the lights and the glitter and tinsel, God is still there. The Christmas story doesn’t change, instead it remains the same: that God took on human form and came into the world to share and experience the lot of humanity.
Our reading today from Mark’s gospel begins with the words: “the beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God”. There are no genealogies, or stories of shepherds, or angels singing or wise men travelling. Instead Mark simply goes for it by telling us ‘Here is the beginning of the Good News’. And don’t we all need more and more good news in our lives today.
Our reading is important for this time of the year because it points to a time beyond Christmas. Perhaps Mark was trying to tell his audience that the birth wasn’t quite as important as everything else that happened after it. Instead of telling us a Christmas story Mark invites us to picture and grasp the significance of the good news of the coming of Jesus, beyond the confines of His birth story.
And for us today maybe it is worth once again touching base
with those things that are important to our faith and our lives.
Perhaps we have been given a scarce opportunity of drawing back from the busyness
that this time of the year brings with it and to instead once again
focus on the Good News that the birth of Jesus represents.
And without trying to minimise what the impact of what government restrictions and easing of restrictions will mean for each and every one of us,
maybe this year, for one Christmas only,
there will be a rare opportunity of reclaiming and rediscovering the Good News
and its implications for us.
We are hearing the beginnings of Good News
and it is something that should fill our hearts with joy.
Too often we can get consumed by all the negativity that surrounds us and we can allow it to absorb us. And then when we hear something good, we let it sail over us and we fail to embrace it for all that it is worth. So, we need to take time and remind ourselves how the beginning of the Good News helps to shape our lives.
Mark knew his community had it tough and so he tells them, here is the Good News.
It’s not somewhere else, instead it is here, and it is amongst us.
In fact, according to verse three of our reading, the beginning of the Good News took place in the middle of nowhere, it happened in the desert. And that is good news for those who are in the deserted places of life, for those on the fringes, those who live on the outskirts;
it's good news that proclaims truth and justice will be experienced and known in the unexpected places and spaces where boundaries have been crossed and needs have been taken away or never been met.
It’s Good News that assures that in the midst of devastation and despair, hopelessness and destruction, God is here, God reigns, Good News is at hand.
Mark calls his account of the life and death of Jesus as the active, dynamic proclamation of God's salvation. “Here is your God!" he effectively says.
Mark uses images and stories from the past, the present and the future to remind us that the promises of old are still the promises of God for His people today, and that Good News is not only at the very heart of who God is but also at the heart of what God calls us to be.
The promise that is offered to us in these verses is that God’s Good News can be found anywhere, anytime, because by meeting with His people in the desert, He shows that He will go beyond set boundaries, He will go to the most unlikeliest of places in order to be with His people.
For those on the margins, those gathered at the periphery, those who have never got beyond the side lines, God promises to go the extra mile and meet with them so that they can have hope, and a feeling of divine presence and experience a love like no other when all else seems to be lost, so that they know the promise that there is no place on earth that God will not go to be alongside His people.
“The beginning of the Good News of Jesus, the Son of God.”
Mark begins his account with a promise, and the thing about promises is that they create an expectation. The same is true about God’s promises to us. That in the stable at Bethlehem God was not only keeping a promise that He had made hundreds of years earlier, but He was also making a promise to us as well. A promise, that in Jesus, God hears our cries of fear, concern and doubt and even when we are at our lowest, He responds.
“The Beginning of the Good News….”
Which means that everything Mark has to say about Jesus –– is only the beginning of the Good News. There’s still more to come.
Maybe that’s why Mark’s gospel originally ended rather suddenly at verse 8, with the angel declaring Jesus resurrection and then tells the women at the tomb to go and share the Good News.
It is an open ended conclusion because the story isn’t over,
which means we are all invited to continue telling and sharing the Good News of Jesus,
as God continues writing the Gospel in and through our lives as individuals and communities.
God is continuing the story of the Good News of Jesus in and through our words and actions to make it come alive and to help keep His promises to His people. Promises that remind us that no matter what our Christmas is going to look like, God is still with us, working through us, continuing His story.
A story that is bigger than the stories of our own lives, bigger than the stories we hear on the news, bigger than the worries we harbour or even the hopes we share.
His is a promise that is so big that it does not end once Christmas come to an end.
Instead it’s a promise that despite the darkness and uncertainty, He is still at work,
bringing Good News into the lives of all who need to hear and experience it.
God is still in control, He is not finished,
he is still reaching out into those places and to those people
that we could least expect and that is a promise that goes farther and deeper
than we could ever care to imagine or believe.
Let us pray
St Quivox Parish Church: Ayr (Church of Scotland) (known as Ayr:St Quivox Parish Church) is a Scottish Charity, SC004906, regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)