Encountering the Risen Christ
Readings: Acts 9:1-20 and John 21:1-19
Have you ever been so right, so absolutely right that no one could persuade you otherwise?
How do you know you are right?
Do you trust your eyes? Was that dress blue or was it gold?
Do you trust your teachers? They taught us that our tongues taste in sections, since proven wrong by scientists.
Saul was an educated young man, full of passion and youthful idealism. And he was determined to stamp out Christianity. It was false and dangerous and had to be crushed. He became quite the figurehead, and was the subject of much prayer even if he didn’t know it. Can you imagine how many were praying that the Lord would intervene...?
So prayer changed him.
But for Saul – what an answer to prayer – that encounter with Jesus was life changing. It needed to be because Saul would have ignored or missed anything else. He was so hell-bent on his mission that nothing would have got through. Losing his sight for that short time would have been the space God needed. Saul as he was known was a determined young man, who knew what he was doing was right and he needed an intervention as we would call it nowadays. And Jesus intervened in style. Crikey – Saul was left in no doubt as to who he met.
Are we missing encountering the Risen Christ because we are too busy, too hell bent on getting done what needs to be done? What does Christ have to do to get your attention? Something big or maybe you need something more soothing.
The story from John’s Gospel is a gentle story. Here Jesus is intervening again but in a much less dramatic way, although not without some flourish. It’s almost as if Jesus who kept a relatively low profile before his death is relishing some freedom. It is almost playful but at the same time Jesus meets his friends where they are. They are hurting, confused and wondering what comes next. We can be guilty because of hindsight to think that all would have been hunky dory after the resurrection. Yet we know that we are complicated people. We worry about details. We overthink things – even men!
Judas Iscariot had done the dirty on them all and then killed himself before any form of judgement, anger, or explanation could occur. Talk about regrets and unfinished business. Judas was a friend, a fellow traveller for the previous three years. Even if he was a bit of a loner, he would have been involved. How do they deal with that?
Peter is on the world’s biggest guilt trip – a broken man. Previously a leader, in the inner circle, but he denied he even knew Jesus. His self-preservation kicked in and he couldn’t be the big, brave, man he was known for. Jesus dies on the cross and there is no release for Peter. And then he rises again and Peter rejoices and weeps, convinced perhaps that he will be shunned.
Interestingly Jesus doesn’t deal with the ‘sin of betrayal’ directly or immediately. Funny that! Instead he makes breakfast and together they share an agape meal of bread and fish at the water’s edge. There is, for those of you who like to spot continuity threads, a wee nod to the feeding of the 5000. Bread and fish, and despite an exceptionally poor nights fishing, suddenly there are so many fish they struggle to bring them to shore. God doesn’t punish their lack of faith – he builds up their faith. He is not punitive.
And then there is that conversation between Jesus and Peter as they walk along the water’s edge. God doesn’t avoid the difficult conversations but nor does he wield the belt and rub in the salt. He speaks to Peter and asks him if he loves him. God doesn’t need us to grovel or beg. Peter needed to repent – and in this case repentance meant turning from his regret and grief, his failure and turning to commitment, love and faith. Paul might have needed an intervention that was ‘big and flashy’ but Peter needed fellowship and conversation.
When we encounter the risen Christ it will be personal to us. We might get a Damascus moment and God bless you if you have. Plenty people have and a lot write books afterwards.
If you encounter Christ walking on the beach or at a hospital bed or in the quiet of the night your encounter is just as valid. Or if, like me, you have felt the bulldozer effect, gently pushing you to commit to Him, then welcome to the gang. If you have yet to encounter the risen Christ, stay alert, for he is there. Speak to him, invite him or simply let him you are wanting to meet him. Perhaps it will be a breakfast on a beach or chance encounter that is anything but chance.
Don’t judge each other’s encounters, but rejoice in them and share them. Remember it is the same Christ we each meet, but it is a meeting that Jesus determines and we have to trust that he knows best.
Be open to encountering the Risen Christ this week, and know that even when you are not aware of him, he is always with you. Amen.
Sunday, 5 May 2019
Thursday, 2 May 2019
Seeing is Believing - or is it?
Here is an edited version of Sunday’s reflection where we had a baptism.
Photo (The Bield Grounds)
Seeing is believing so the saying goes.
What do you see? In the photo - death or life, destruction or new growth?
When you look around the world what do you see?
At first glance we see the world falling apart.
Creation is in meltdown – literally. The ice caps are melting, and with that comes rising water levels. On World Penguin Day we learnt that there are not as many baby penguins as there should be. The polar bear community is losing their hunting grounds. Rising water levels are wiping out island communities especially around the equator. We live in a consumer society where so much is wrapped in plastic…and we live for today with little or no thought for tomorrow. But at first glance we say – what’s the point? It’s not like the rubbish gets sorted down the line either.
Yet when we look a bit closer, when we pay attention we find out that actually since the Blue Planet plastic episode usage of plastic has been cut. It is known as the Attenborough Effect, where 53% of people reported cutting down on use of plastic, and the EU have banned single use plastic. Coffee chains are introducing recyclable coffee cups. We will be introducing reusable plastic cups for the water cooler to save on that plastic waste.
Seeing is believing!
Last week we were rocked by the bombings in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday as Christians and ‘wealthy’ guests at hotels were targeted. Previously we have mourned with Muslims in New Zealand when they were targeted. We mourned with the community of Londonderry and beyond as Lyra McKee is killed in the shootout. We mourned with the Jewish Community who were attacked in the States. We look at people around our world, at how they treat each other, even those who practise faith that speaks of love and mercy killing others. Christians have no excuse because we are called to love our enemies, and Jesus took a non-violent route.
Seeing is believing and for many today – faith is meaningless. What’s the point in faith when the evidence of what it gives believers is judgement, prejudice, hatred and violence? Faith is meaningless when even those of faith behave as if there is no hope.
But again, look a bit closer. Christianity thrived in the New Testament times because when everyone else abandoned those in need, Christians didn’t. When the plague hit London it is said the last to leave were the Christians. Wherever there are situations that require that extra mile, often you will find Christians in the mix. Faith, whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish or others can often make us more willing to go into the breach, especially when it hurts or calls for sacrifice, because faith gives a perspective bigger than ourselves or even our families.
Seeing is believing but when we cannot see, whether literally or metaphorically, what happens?
For the disciples they were blessed to see Jesus. Probably terrified to be honest, hence he offers them peace first. But they were witnesses to the resurrection and there had to be witnesses to the resurrection. Once again, though, God is subtle. Like Jesus’ birth, his resurrection is shared with the few and not the many. We could have had Jesus appear in the sky with a whole fanfare of angels but instead he appears to small groups of people, to the disciples on a number of occasions and others.
We are not coerced into faith. God doesn’t do some kind of magic show. He provides markers along the way, but our faith has to be built on more than just vision. There is a running joke that poor Thomas is left with the nickname Doubting Thomas but somehow none of the others get landed with their failure. I think, however, doubting Thomas is a actually a blessing to us, even if he doesn’t think so.
We cannot stand before the leaders of this world, the naysayers and those determined to undermine us, and say we were witnesses to the resurrection like the story in Acts. But we can say blessed are those who believe without seeing. We have looked beyond the first glance, and found more than we expected.
We are blessed. We are loved when we are unloveable. We are don’t just live today but we live forever. We are in a relationship with him who made the world. And I don’t mean in 7 days but the one who created everything so intricately, so balanced, so beautifully is real. When our world is upside down, God is our rock, our anchor, our safe place. When we celebrate, the angels celebrate. When we worship, pray, praise, God is there.
When we need peace or comfort or strength that is unfathomable to the world around us we can know it, feel it, experience it.
When there is no reason to hope we are not hopeless.
Yes life hurts. Yes bad stuff happens to good people. It has always been so. This world is not perfect – and it won’t be even if you believe. We will still need foodbanks because officials are more interested in protecting their misguided prejudices than helping those in need. We will still have war because people just cannot get along with another, heavens most of us don’t get along with the people we call family. We still have pain and suffering and grief.
But we also have hope, the very real hope that this isn’t all there is. Hope that one day the words of Scripture that we hear so often – there will be no more pain or suffering, death or tears. The Psalmist writes –
5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Saviour and my God.
The author of Hebrews writes ‘Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.’ James encourages us, indeed instructs us not to doubt because then we are tossed about like one on the waves. And Peter believes that we should be able to explain the hope we have within us, gently and with respect.
Today we welcomed M at the Font, as we have a large of number of people over the years. We welcome all whether they come for a week, a month or years and years. We welcome because we believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead to bring life to all people. Baptism is a sign and a sacrament that helps us to receive the grace of God, and an outward sign of our acceptance of that grace and love. M is welcomed in God’s family, and in that moment of mystery and grace, where heaven and earth touch and the water of the font, poured upon his head, enfolds him in the loving arms of Jesus, blessed forever by the Holy Spirit, we are witnesses to God’s grace and love.
Blessed are those who believe without seeing, and yet once you look deeper, you might be amazed at what you do see, with the eyes of faith. What is holding you back? Can you look deeper?
Sunday, 21 April 2019
God loves you!
Happy Easter! Christ is Risen. He is risen indeed! Hallelujah.
What follows is the reflection from today’s 10am service, and the photo is from the 11am service where people were invited as they felt able to add their name to the cross, recognising all that the Lord Jesus did, achieved and offers.
I wish we believed it.
I wish we could be convinced.
I wish we trusted.
Lord I believe, help my unbelief.
What does this day really mean to you? Deep down? What is it’s significance?
For a moment I want you to sit with this. Don’t shy away from it. What does this day mean to you…
Over this long week we have been building up to Good Friday, knowing that Jesus would be crucified for us. A cruel death. Jesus suffered. He was beaten. He was mocked. He was whipped. He was betrayed. Jesus died broken, bruised, and betrayed. The one whose hands flung stars into space now has his hands bound and nailed to a cross. An instrument of death.
The death of Jesus is significant. The death of Jesus is a miracle. It is a miracle of love and mercy, of hope and dignity, of spiritual warfare and eternity. It is not an empty gesture. It’s not a magic trick. It’s not special effects. At the last he cried ‘it is finished’ and he breathed his last. Jesus died. The Son of God died. And he died because he loves you, he loves me, he loves the world. I have been really struck by the line Paul wrote – we preach Christ crucified.
Today is significant because today God wins over the prince of this world, the Devil, Satan, the fallen angel – whatever name you give him. Today is significant because the sacrifice made has allowed a fresh start, a new covenant, a new beginning. Jesus said – It is finished – and today begins something new.
Over Easter there are two miracles – the first is that the Son of God died for us all that we might be know God’s love and mercy. The second is that he rose from the dead, defeating the curse that Adam and Eve brought upon the world.
So at this table we celebrate God’s love and mercy, God’s power over life and trust in a new beginning, a fresh start, an eternal existence in the Kingdom of God.
You are loved by God almighty.
You are forgiven by God almighty, even for killing Jesus – Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.
God loves you so much, no matter who you are or what you have done.
You have a fresh start, a new beginning.
You don’t have to live in the shadow of your failure – just ask Peter.
You don’t have to be shaped by the culture of this world – your identity is secure in God.
You don’t have to be alone – you are a child of God.
If you are going to embrace the risen Christ, then embrace yourself. Love yourself. Your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Through Christ you are saved. We celebrate today because he is risen, and life is more than the daily grind and pleasing people.
As a brother or sister of Christ, you have a place in the family of God. Too often we shy away, we blame others for our circumstances, we lack confidence, we fear rather than love. Let’s embrace Christ, knowing that all things lie within his grasp, and step out in faith. If we believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, what is there he cannot do? We might not understand, and we can’t see everything, but life continues with him, even if we lose it here.
If the people keep quiet the very stones will cry out. Be loud and proud this Easter. God loves you so much, and he has it all, even death is defeated.
For God so loved the world that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.
Let’s celebrate, and as we gather at his table, we gather in joy and with respect. We last gathered here when the world was darker, and the air loaded with tension. Today we gather in wonder and amazement, but in faith that our God is alive and the victor over all. Amen.
What follows is the reflection from today’s 10am service, and the photo is from the 11am service where people were invited as they felt able to add their name to the cross, recognising all that the Lord Jesus did, achieved and offers.
I wish we could be convinced.
I wish we trusted.
Lord I believe, help my unbelief.
What does this day really mean to you? Deep down? What is it’s significance?
For a moment I want you to sit with this. Don’t shy away from it. What does this day mean to you…
Over this long week we have been building up to Good Friday, knowing that Jesus would be crucified for us. A cruel death. Jesus suffered. He was beaten. He was mocked. He was whipped. He was betrayed. Jesus died broken, bruised, and betrayed. The one whose hands flung stars into space now has his hands bound and nailed to a cross. An instrument of death.
The death of Jesus is significant. The death of Jesus is a miracle. It is a miracle of love and mercy, of hope and dignity, of spiritual warfare and eternity. It is not an empty gesture. It’s not a magic trick. It’s not special effects. At the last he cried ‘it is finished’ and he breathed his last. Jesus died. The Son of God died. And he died because he loves you, he loves me, he loves the world. I have been really struck by the line Paul wrote – we preach Christ crucified.
Today is significant because today God wins over the prince of this world, the Devil, Satan, the fallen angel – whatever name you give him. Today is significant because the sacrifice made has allowed a fresh start, a new covenant, a new beginning. Jesus said – It is finished – and today begins something new.
Over Easter there are two miracles – the first is that the Son of God died for us all that we might be know God’s love and mercy. The second is that he rose from the dead, defeating the curse that Adam and Eve brought upon the world.
So at this table we celebrate God’s love and mercy, God’s power over life and trust in a new beginning, a fresh start, an eternal existence in the Kingdom of God.
You are loved by God almighty.
You are forgiven by God almighty, even for killing Jesus – Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.
God loves you so much, no matter who you are or what you have done.
You have a fresh start, a new beginning.
You don’t have to live in the shadow of your failure – just ask Peter.
You don’t have to be shaped by the culture of this world – your identity is secure in God.
You don’t have to be alone – you are a child of God.
If you are going to embrace the risen Christ, then embrace yourself. Love yourself. Your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Through Christ you are saved. We celebrate today because he is risen, and life is more than the daily grind and pleasing people.
As a brother or sister of Christ, you have a place in the family of God. Too often we shy away, we blame others for our circumstances, we lack confidence, we fear rather than love. Let’s embrace Christ, knowing that all things lie within his grasp, and step out in faith. If we believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, what is there he cannot do? We might not understand, and we can’t see everything, but life continues with him, even if we lose it here.
If the people keep quiet the very stones will cry out. Be loud and proud this Easter. God loves you so much, and he has it all, even death is defeated.
For God so loved the world that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.
Let’s celebrate, and as we gather at his table, we gather in joy and with respect. We last gathered here when the world was darker, and the air loaded with tension. Today we gather in wonder and amazement, but in faith that our God is alive and the victor over all. Amen.
Saturday, 20 April 2019
Get Preparing - this is not a one sided event!
Today is Holy Saturday.
A day when we hover between despair and hope,
between darkness and light,
between fear and confidence
between death and life.
It is a day we miss out - quite often in Holy Week.
We mark the other days, but Saturday is like a non-day.
Yet it is day of watching and waiting.
It is a day of praying and pleading.
It is a day of trusting.
Today the heavens are silent.
But God’s word speaks.
His word reminds us that this is not a day to fear, but a day to embrace.
It is a valuable day in the grand scheme of things.
It is a not a day to be wasted or set aside in anticipation of something else.
It is a day of preparation. It is a day of rest. It is a day of readiness, for soon the heavens will be silent no more. We must prepare ourselves to meet our risen Lord.
Jesus did not die for himself. He died for you and for me.
Let us prepare and be ready.
Reflect on these words from Hosea 6:1-3(NIV)
“Come, let us return to the Lord.
He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us,
he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.
After two days he will revive us,
on the third day he will restore us,
that we may live in his presence.
Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”
May God bless you in your waiting, and heal you in his love. Amen.
A day when we hover between despair and hope,
between darkness and light,
between fear and confidence
between death and life.
It is a day we miss out - quite often in Holy Week.
We mark the other days, but Saturday is like a non-day.
Yet it is day of watching and waiting.
It is a day of praying and pleading.
It is a day of trusting.
Today the heavens are silent.
But God’s word speaks.
His word reminds us that this is not a day to fear, but a day to embrace.
It is a valuable day in the grand scheme of things.
It is a not a day to be wasted or set aside in anticipation of something else.
It is a day of preparation. It is a day of rest. It is a day of readiness, for soon the heavens will be silent no more. We must prepare ourselves to meet our risen Lord.
Jesus did not die for himself. He died for you and for me.
Let us prepare and be ready.
Reflect on these words from Hosea 6:1-3(NIV)
“Come, let us return to the Lord.
He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us,
he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.
After two days he will revive us,
on the third day he will restore us,
that we may live in his presence.
Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”
May God bless you in your waiting, and heal you in his love. Amen.
Friday, 19 April 2019
In mourning
Jesus was an ordinary human being, there was nothing about him that naturally attracted people to him except the message he preached and the miracles he did. Yet he caused enough of a stir to have people hate or fear him to want him removed permanently and in a way that would crush any chance of a revival or rebellion.
We know that Jesus was more than an ordinary human being. He was and is the Son of God. Nevertheless to the people on the street he was amazing, for some most definitely a prophet, for others just a man, for others the Son of God.
And then he dies…in a way so shameful that he is cursed according to Jewish tradition.
And God mourns. And nature mourns with him.
Cast your mind back to his birth.
A star so significant lights the sky that wise men from a different country spot it and follow it.
Angels fill the skies above the fields and the shepherds witness heaven glorifying the birth of Jesus.
Glory to God in the Highest and peace on earth to all mankind.
God celebrated.
But now God mourns, and his creation mourns with him.
Where the skies previously danced with angels, the sun stops shining.
The eclipse brings darkness of three hours.
In a superstitious climate, where people worshipped the moon and the sun this would have scared people.
Creation mourns the death of their creator.
The curtain in the Temple tears in two as Jesus breathes his last.
The Temple was believed to be the point where heaven touches earth or indeed earth touches heaven. It was sacred ground. And for the curtain to tear, quite literally the fabric of the Jewish faith was torn in two. Everything that they knew about God, the Holy of Holies, atonement and sacrifice, was rewritten in a moment.
God mourns the death of his child.
And yet even in that moment the centurion recognises and praises God.
Not an Israelite but a Roman. Not a Jew but a Gentile.
Once again, it is not the righteous or religious who see God’s son first, but a centurion like wise men from the east or lowly shepherds in a field.
Even in death, there is life.
Now the choice is ours – do we beat our breasts and walk away confused by the darkness, by the events before us, or do we like those who knew him and the women wait for God?
Even when God appears defeated he is victorious.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is his body, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19
Despite our grief and sorrow, we know that God has it all in hand. He trusts Jesus, and Jesus knows God will glorify him and keep his word. There is a purpose and a plan. This death is not ordinary. And because God is in it there is hope, faith and love.
To look forward we need to look back…
Isaiah 52:13-53:13
I have included some verses but if you can look it up (just google it if you don’t have a Bible to hand).
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
Just as there were many who were appalled at him –
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being
and his form marred beyond human likeness –
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed…
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Jesus cried at the last – It is finished.
And if it is finished then something new is about to begin.
Stop by Easter Sunday and find out more – either on the blog or in a church near you. I can almost guarantee it will get a mention this Sunday!
God bless you, and thank you for joining me this Holy Week.
Love Sarah
Thursday, 18 April 2019
Status is irrelevant in God’s kingdom...
In a world that is often so competitive, our God is refreshingly different. The desire to be dominant or a leader burns bright in many people, and often their desire overwhelms others. We all know the ones who might not be the CEO or the boss of our institution or organisation, but they are the boss. Everyone defers to them in some way, whether reluctantly or not. They maybe hold the keys to that special cupboard, run the kitchen or canteen with an iron fist or simply know everything and use that as capital. At the other end of the scale they might be Sir Alan Sugar types with the power to say you are fired.
Yet God operates in such a different way. Holy Week is our yearly reminder, our focal point if you wish, on this. This week we are reminded that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. We are reminded that we for life to happen, death must occur. And that death isn’t of just anybody, but of God’s Son.
God was willing to give his very own Son, not only to live our lives but to die in such shaming conditions because he loves us. Greater love has no man than he lay down his lives for his friends. Jesus gave his life so that we might all live. The prophet Isaiah wrote in the readings we had on Tuesday night of Holy Week:
It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.’
For God so loved the world he gave his one and only Son that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.
We know that this week, the events tomorrow in particular should inspire awe within us, overwhelm us with the magnitude of God’s love for us, and bring us to our knees in repentance, turning away from all that is not of God. The events of this week should give us such a spiritual high, we don’t come back down til Pentecost, when we get another influx of God’s spirit, and we truly burst with energy.
But somehow that doesn’t happen. God invites us to join him as he watches his Son take this journey to cross, and it begins with an invitation to allow Jesus to wash your feet. We often talk of inviting Jesus into your heart, when actually what he wants to do is wash your feet.
Take a moment and cast your eyes down to your feet. Don’t worry you don’t have to take your socks and shoes off yet. Imagine if you will for a moment, that Jesus is before you and he wants to wash your feet. The Son of God kneels before you with a towel around his waist, a basin in front of him, and goes to lift your foot into the water…
What do you do? How do you react?
For some you will embrace the moment, such is your relationship with Jesus.
Others will pull back with embarrassment and suddenly Peter’s reaction makes perfect sense.
Others of you are struggling to even imagine Jesus kneeling in front of you. Perhaps because you know him only a little but wish to know him more. Perhaps because Jesus is still a concept to you and not a reality. Perhaps because imagining things is not your forte.
Jesus invites us to follow in his footsteps, but the path doesn’t start at the cross, it starts with servanthood. And it isn’t about being a servant or slave to God, it is about being a servant with God. Jesus shows us that he doesn’t expect us to be something he isn’t willing to be. He washes their feet and then serves at the table. To host the Passover was a honour, a privilege and so Jesus moves from a position of servant, and a footwashing servant was right down at the bottom of servant positions, to hosting the meal, albeit in a guest room.
God has the right to sit at the top of the table and the bottom of the table. But once again he invites us all to sit at the table with him, and he serves them all, even Judas who he knows will betray him.
Whether we are CEOs or big shot lawyers, whether we are community workers or picking up the litter, whether we are caregivers or unemployed, whether we are super educated or barely literate, we are called to be servants and we are called to share at the Masters table. There is no status in God’s kingdom – even for God’s Son.
As we move forward towards Good Friday with its darkness and light, sorrow and joy, hope and despair, we see it through resurrection eyes. But remember, as Paul said we preach a crucified Christ and Jesus told us we must pick up our cross and follow him. We cannot avoid Good Friday, but we can know God’s presence and invitation to be a part of Holy Week, the week that changed the world. You, whoever you are, are important enough to God that he was willing to die for you. And in doing so, created all of us equal in the sight of God. Amen and thanks be to God.
Yet God operates in such a different way. Holy Week is our yearly reminder, our focal point if you wish, on this. This week we are reminded that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. We are reminded that we for life to happen, death must occur. And that death isn’t of just anybody, but of God’s Son.
God was willing to give his very own Son, not only to live our lives but to die in such shaming conditions because he loves us. Greater love has no man than he lay down his lives for his friends. Jesus gave his life so that we might all live. The prophet Isaiah wrote in the readings we had on Tuesday night of Holy Week:
It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.’
For God so loved the world he gave his one and only Son that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.
We know that this week, the events tomorrow in particular should inspire awe within us, overwhelm us with the magnitude of God’s love for us, and bring us to our knees in repentance, turning away from all that is not of God. The events of this week should give us such a spiritual high, we don’t come back down til Pentecost, when we get another influx of God’s spirit, and we truly burst with energy.
But somehow that doesn’t happen. God invites us to join him as he watches his Son take this journey to cross, and it begins with an invitation to allow Jesus to wash your feet. We often talk of inviting Jesus into your heart, when actually what he wants to do is wash your feet.
Take a moment and cast your eyes down to your feet. Don’t worry you don’t have to take your socks and shoes off yet. Imagine if you will for a moment, that Jesus is before you and he wants to wash your feet. The Son of God kneels before you with a towel around his waist, a basin in front of him, and goes to lift your foot into the water…
What do you do? How do you react?
For some you will embrace the moment, such is your relationship with Jesus.
Others will pull back with embarrassment and suddenly Peter’s reaction makes perfect sense.
Others of you are struggling to even imagine Jesus kneeling in front of you. Perhaps because you know him only a little but wish to know him more. Perhaps because Jesus is still a concept to you and not a reality. Perhaps because imagining things is not your forte.
Jesus invites us to follow in his footsteps, but the path doesn’t start at the cross, it starts with servanthood. And it isn’t about being a servant or slave to God, it is about being a servant with God. Jesus shows us that he doesn’t expect us to be something he isn’t willing to be. He washes their feet and then serves at the table. To host the Passover was a honour, a privilege and so Jesus moves from a position of servant, and a footwashing servant was right down at the bottom of servant positions, to hosting the meal, albeit in a guest room.
God has the right to sit at the top of the table and the bottom of the table. But once again he invites us all to sit at the table with him, and he serves them all, even Judas who he knows will betray him.
Whether we are CEOs or big shot lawyers, whether we are community workers or picking up the litter, whether we are caregivers or unemployed, whether we are super educated or barely literate, we are called to be servants and we are called to share at the Masters table. There is no status in God’s kingdom – even for God’s Son.
As we move forward towards Good Friday with its darkness and light, sorrow and joy, hope and despair, we see it through resurrection eyes. But remember, as Paul said we preach a crucified Christ and Jesus told us we must pick up our cross and follow him. We cannot avoid Good Friday, but we can know God’s presence and invitation to be a part of Holy Week, the week that changed the world. You, whoever you are, are important enough to God that he was willing to die for you. And in doing so, created all of us equal in the sight of God. Amen and thanks be to God.
Readings: Exodus 12:1-14
Psalm 116:1,10-19
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Wednesday, 17 April 2019
A Different Corner
My close companions abhor me, and those whom I love have turned against me. Job 19:19
The song lyric: “Turn a different corner and we never would have met” is like an ear worm to me (and sorry if I just made it yours and to save you googling it, it’s from George Michael, A Different Corner). I am a great believer in God-incidences, and being in the right place at the right time. Life is full of what if moments, and for some the concept of parallel universes is a genuine possibility. What if I walked rather than take the car? What if I had been accepted at Glasgow University? Where would I be today?
Today we read of the encounter between Jesus and Judas where it is blatantly obvious to Jesus what Judas will do. The others seem somewhat ignorant of it and quite surprised in the end, so Judas wasn’t one to wear his heart on his sleeve. And it is easy to hate Judas here but let’s just pause for a moment. Rewind the conversation and ponder.
If we had been Jesus would we not have been tempted to change course? Would we have not at least attempted to persuade Judas not to do it? Would we have taken evasive action or arranged a relocation of Judas in some way? Turn a different corner and Judas might have ended up converted rather than dead by his own hand.
There are times when we don’t agree with the path we are on. Sometimes we have ended up on it by our own hand, but often we are influenced, shaped, directed by forces outwith our control. Sometimes God calls us to people and places that make us uncomfortable, that unsettle us in some way, outside our comfort zone. We are called to work with a new minister or colleague, welcome a new member of the family through marriage, take on a new role or support another rather than lead, through circumstances not ours to control. What do we do in those circumstances? What is your reaction? Look for a different corner or embrace it?
Jesus knew what Judas was about to do and did nothing to stop it. Yet, Jesus could have and we know from the temptations in the wilderness, to his grief in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus could have stepped away. But he doesn’t because he knows that ultimately God has a plan and that plan will be worth the hardship, the shame, the betrayal, the pain and even death itself.
The author of Hebrews sums it up wonderfully, and you can apply this to Christ as well as to us when he writes: So let us run the race that is before us and never give up.
Jesus knew the joy of God, and that joy of God is something that can help us run the race, get through the darkest moments and look beyond the here and now to the eternal future. “Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying.”
Often we are not called to turn a different corner, no matter how we much pray for that to happen. Sometimes, maybe most of the time, we are called to embrace the track we are on and run the race without giving up. And that is hard, because we’d rather believe the grass is greener on the other side, that this route cannot be for us.
Imagine if Jesus had turned a different corner – our faith would be very different. As we go through Holy Week, and draw ever closer to Good Friday, let’s thank the Lord that he ran the race and did not quit.
For ourselves, has looking for a different path, a different race track, meant that you haven’t ran well the race that is yours? Is time for you to have God help you run your race, even if it includes sorrow, suffering and hardship? Remember with God none of these will have the last word, even if we cannot comprehend it or make sense of it now. And the finish line will be a celebration moment for us all, ultimately because Jesus didn’t quit.
‘We are surrounded by a great cloud of people who lives tell us what faith means.’
Remember them. Remember Him. Don’t quit.
God bless.
Collect: Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ withdrew to the quietness of Bethany to prepare himself for his passion. In the fellowship of his suffering, strengthen us to be more than conquerors in our trials and temptations, that whether betrayed by friends or hurt by enemies, we may remain steadfast in our faith unto the end through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 70
Hebrews 12:1-3
John 13:21-32
The song lyric: “Turn a different corner and we never would have met” is like an ear worm to me (and sorry if I just made it yours and to save you googling it, it’s from George Michael, A Different Corner). I am a great believer in God-incidences, and being in the right place at the right time. Life is full of what if moments, and for some the concept of parallel universes is a genuine possibility. What if I walked rather than take the car? What if I had been accepted at Glasgow University? Where would I be today?
Today we read of the encounter between Jesus and Judas where it is blatantly obvious to Jesus what Judas will do. The others seem somewhat ignorant of it and quite surprised in the end, so Judas wasn’t one to wear his heart on his sleeve. And it is easy to hate Judas here but let’s just pause for a moment. Rewind the conversation and ponder.
If we had been Jesus would we not have been tempted to change course? Would we have not at least attempted to persuade Judas not to do it? Would we have taken evasive action or arranged a relocation of Judas in some way? Turn a different corner and Judas might have ended up converted rather than dead by his own hand.
There are times when we don’t agree with the path we are on. Sometimes we have ended up on it by our own hand, but often we are influenced, shaped, directed by forces outwith our control. Sometimes God calls us to people and places that make us uncomfortable, that unsettle us in some way, outside our comfort zone. We are called to work with a new minister or colleague, welcome a new member of the family through marriage, take on a new role or support another rather than lead, through circumstances not ours to control. What do we do in those circumstances? What is your reaction? Look for a different corner or embrace it?
Jesus knew what Judas was about to do and did nothing to stop it. Yet, Jesus could have and we know from the temptations in the wilderness, to his grief in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus could have stepped away. But he doesn’t because he knows that ultimately God has a plan and that plan will be worth the hardship, the shame, the betrayal, the pain and even death itself.
The author of Hebrews sums it up wonderfully, and you can apply this to Christ as well as to us when he writes: So let us run the race that is before us and never give up.
Jesus knew the joy of God, and that joy of God is something that can help us run the race, get through the darkest moments and look beyond the here and now to the eternal future. “Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying.”
Often we are not called to turn a different corner, no matter how we much pray for that to happen. Sometimes, maybe most of the time, we are called to embrace the track we are on and run the race without giving up. And that is hard, because we’d rather believe the grass is greener on the other side, that this route cannot be for us.
Imagine if Jesus had turned a different corner – our faith would be very different. As we go through Holy Week, and draw ever closer to Good Friday, let’s thank the Lord that he ran the race and did not quit.
For ourselves, has looking for a different path, a different race track, meant that you haven’t ran well the race that is yours? Is time for you to have God help you run your race, even if it includes sorrow, suffering and hardship? Remember with God none of these will have the last word, even if we cannot comprehend it or make sense of it now. And the finish line will be a celebration moment for us all, ultimately because Jesus didn’t quit.
‘We are surrounded by a great cloud of people who lives tell us what faith means.’
Remember them. Remember Him. Don’t quit.
God bless.
Collect: Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ withdrew to the quietness of Bethany to prepare himself for his passion. In the fellowship of his suffering, strengthen us to be more than conquerors in our trials and temptations, that whether betrayed by friends or hurt by enemies, we may remain steadfast in our faith unto the end through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 70
Hebrews 12:1-3
John 13:21-32
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