Getting Wise – The Possibility of Change | Exodus 17:1-7; Romans 5:1-11; John 4:5-45

There's a bad wedding joke that goes:

Men get married hoping that she won't change.

Women get married hoping that men will change.

Inevitably – both are disappointed.

*  *  *

During lent we have been following a theme in the Sunday services – and the theme has to do with being transformed, being changed.

I've reminded us of Paul's words in the letter to the Romans 12:2:

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds…"

Lent for us is a time of repentance, and repentance I've reminded us is not so much a backward looking idea – looking back on all the things I've done wrong and saying I'm sorry.  It's a forwards looking idea…

To repent means to change your mind.

Jesus says "Repent for the Kingdom of God is near…"  Jesus is talking about changing your way of thinking and your way of behaving because the Kingdom of God is achievable in the near future.

This change of mind involves making God the King of us, our hearts, minds and lives.  Living in this Kingdom reality.

*  *  *

In the first week we looked at giving up… during lent some people consciously give up old habits, or they fast from certain food or drink as a discipline.  A way of reminding them to change their mind.

Some change their attitudes of thinking – I must not be so negative, I mustn't look for the worst in people, but rather for the best…

In the second week we looked not so much at giving up, but at giving out.  Talking about how God transforms us so that we can be people who bless others.

Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about being 'born again' becoming a new person.  When God takes Abraham and begins a new nation God does it so that Abraham will be a 'blessing' to other nations.

We are transformed in order to bless others.  Our transformation is more than just a good feeling when we worship on a Sunday… we are transformed in order to be a blessing.

*  *  *

This week our theme is: "Getting wise – the possibility of change."

*  *  *

Most of us are so used to our habits – our attitudes.  We are so used to the horror we see in the world – poverty, sickness, prejudice and violence… that we begin to think that nothing can be changed.

'That's just the way the world is…"

The good news is - our habits of behaviour, of thought, of attitude are not unchangeable. They can be changed.  God gives us at once the ability, (by the power of his Holy Spirit) and the motivation, (in knowing that we are loved) to be transformed into the people God call us to be and dreams of us becoming.

We can know that the world we live in, the people we live amongst are loved enough to be changed.

We learn about the kind of love God has for us through Jesus.

*  *  *

In John's gospel we read about Jesus' encounter with a Woman at a well in Samaria.

*  *  *

Modern readers of this passage – like you and I tend to focus on the woman's 'sexual' history.  Five husbands – and the man she is living with is not even her husband.

But for early Jewish readers the most surprising thing about this passage would have probably been Jesus willingness to cross a boundary of prejudice and what seemed like religious purity… Jesus spoke to a Samaritan (someone of a race group not considered acceptable) and on top of that – she was a woman.

*  *  *

We South Africans in particular are very familiar with the kind of prejudice that keeps people from each other…

*  *  *

Jesus' behaviour here is scandalous…

Imagine the most conservative, Apartheid supporting minister of religion in the dark old days, alone with a woman of another race. 

A woman who had gathered a bit of a reputation, and here he is treating her as his equal… and she, batting her eyes, flattered by his attention tells him quietly: "I have no husband."

Both of them would have soon been in trouble with the security police.

*  *  *

When the disciples return, the gospel writer tells us – they were "astonished that he was speaking with a woman."  The word astonished is the same that the gospel writers use for people's reaction to miracles.

Jesus interaction with a woman from Samaria literally, miraculously breaks a boundary that separates people from each other.

John himself tells us that he records only a few of the deeds and miracles of Jesus and this deed, this conversation is important enough to be included.

It shows us – that to Jesus – people, whoever they are and wherever they are from – in spite of our own prejudice (our own pre judging of them) are worth reaching out to.

*  *  *

For South Africans; damaged as we are by prejudice, by our past; Jesus' actions remind us of the possibility of change… 

Not only do we living today witness (with astonishment) the miracle of our nations transformation…

But we may witness a more profound healing of something more dehumanising than the obvious injuries caused by a system of Economic and political injustice.

On a diabolical level a part of what makes us all human was taken away:

The right and the ability to freely love our neighbours; to live out the second most important commandment, love your neighbour as you love yourself. (Jesus shows us who our neighbour is when he reaches out to those least loved.)

*  *  *

But, in his action Jesus shows us that change / transformation is possible.

His conversation with the Samaritan woman changes her attitude to Jewish people.  The disciples who witness the conversation and are 'amazed' have their ideas about God challenged and changed.

*  *  *

In this encounter Jesus doesn't just cross a racial / cultural / religious boundary.  setting up a platform for the healing of relationships across racial boundaries.

His visit to Samaria begins a process of change for the woman to whom he speaks and to the community in which she lives.  As through Jesus they are made aware God's love and will for them.

*  *  *

The beginning of her transformation is in Jesus simple acceptance of her for who she is and where she is in life.

Embarrassed about her situation – or perhaps a bit flirtatious, she says: "I have no husband…"

Jesus shows her that he knows her; "you've had five, and the one you have is not your husband."

Jesus' love and acceptance, the conversation she has with him turns her quickly into an evangelist:  She left her jar and went to the city saying to the people:

"Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done!  He cannot be the Messiah, can he?"

- John 4:29

Later on in verse 39 we are told that, as a result of her ministry and their encounter with Jesus and the message he had: "Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony."

A whole community is transformed by Jesus message of grace and truth… starting with the one who is outcast among them… against whom Jesus speaks no word of judgment.

*  *  *

As a community how are we agents of change in the way that Jesus was and is?  Would that Samaritan woman find love and acceptance in a community like ours?  Even in spite of the fact that she's had 5 husbands and the one she's living with is not her husband…  Would we, like Jesus, love her and welcome her in?

Or would we too quickly turn to words of judgment (disguised as correction) so that she ends up battling by herself.

*  *  *

Jesus changes and challenges us because he crosses our boundaries… loving us without judging us.  Giving us the motivation and the ability to be changed.

In the letter to the Romans Paul reminds us that Christ loves us in spite of ourselves – we read in Romans 5:8:

But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

*  *  *

Not only is our relationship with God restored through this love of Jesus Christ, but we realise that others are also loved like this, before we can respond – we are loved.

*  *  *

I believe that change is possible… it begins in us when we receive this love that comes from God.  We begin to change the world when we realise that that love which we have received is not just for us…

When we allow ourselves to be changed – and to be people who change the world simply by acting as Jesus did – accepting others, accepting ourselves and loving each other into the Kingdom of God. Then I believe we will begin to see the Kingdom of God in this place.

We are all ministers… | Psalm 49; Matthew 23:1-12 (Tuesday 19 Feb)

Today's gospel reading is a difficult one for those of us who people call Reverend and wear our shirts backwards…

In it Jesus speaks to the crowds and his disciples about religious teachers…

*  *  *

Reading: Matthew 23:1-12

*  *  *

In these verses Jesus is very critical of religious teachers and authorities, he lists a whole lot of things that are wrong with them…

They don't practice what they preach (3).

They load people down with law – as if they were pack animals – and refuse to help them bear their burdens (4).

They make a public show of their religion (5)…

They love to be honoured (6).

*  *  *

Jesus in response – has the privilege of being critical, because he is so different to them:

He practices what he preaches:  "I am the good shepherd who will lay down his life for the sheep." – John 10:11

He helps people to bear the weight of his teaching:  "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me… my yoke is easy and my burden is light." – Matthew 11:29-30

When they are proud, he is humble:  Someone calls him "Good Teacher" he doesn't say:  "Well at long last someone has finally recognised how great I am!" – Instead he responds: "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone." (Mark 10:17)

*  *  *

This example is held up to make the point that Jesus is not like these proud religious teachers – and we as his disciples shouldn't be either.

*  *  *

But – before we start to criticise the self righteous and proud ourselves… aren't we all, actually, a bit like them?

I suspect, I think I know, that we all love to be praised – we all love to be honoured and respected… In fact, when we don't get the praise and honour that we think we deserve… we get a little bit bitter don't we?  Sulking around: "No one really appreciates me…"  "They have no idea what I am worth…"

"If just once – someone would say thank you for the work I do around here…"

*  *  *

Within each of us there is a deep longing for some praise, some positive acknowledgment of who we are. 

When someone does praise us for a job well done or affirm our hard work – even the most hard hearted of us glow deep down…

*  *  *

Enjoying a compliment is not actually a bad thing; we need to accept praise… but we need to watch that we don't become approval addicts; always wanting to please everyone.

Or like the people whom Jesus criticises – people who demand praise and honour that's not actually due to them, who think they are somehow entitled to it.

*  *  *

When we – because of our abilities, our status at work, our position in our religious community – or maybe the colour of our skin – begin to think that we are somehow greater than others - somehow more important to God than them…

We need to be reminded that the reference point of our own self importance, must always be Jesus; the one who says when someone calls him good:  "Why do you call me good?  No one is good but God alone."

*  *  *

In verses 1-7 Jesus holds up the Pharisees as a bad example… but his approach is not to tell people how unimportant they are.  Rather, in verses 8 to 12 – he reminds people just how important they all are… (Sometimes we Christians suffer from an unhealthy lack of confidence which we falsely call humility.)

Jesus doesn't tell people that they are not great – rather, he tells them just how great they are:

"You are not to be called 'Rabbi'," he says in verse 8 "because you have one Master and you are all brothers."

"You are not to be called Teacher… for you have one teacher: 'The Christ.'" (Vs 10)

*  *  *

Who your Rabbi or teacher was was a symbol of status in Jesus day… We see this in Acts when the apostle Paul boasts about his education under Gamaliel – a famous Rabbi (22:3). 

Instead of boasting about some earthly teacher – we can boast that our Master, our Rabbi, our Teacher is Jesus himself – we are discipled to him…  We are students of the Master of Masters, the Rabbi of Rabbis.

In this faith no one individual is greater than another – we are all brothers (and sisters) in Christ… all equally able and qualified to be his ministers in the world, whether we're Methodists, Anglicans, Catholics, Presbyterians, Charismatic, Pentecostals… we are disciples of Christ.

*  *  *

Another title used for Rabbi's and teachers was Father…

"Call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father – the one in heaven." (vs 9)

Here Jesus tells people one more thing about how important they really are:

We are children – not of people – but of God…  Our identity as people is found not in our status in relation to other people and how much they honour or praise us but rather in the truth that we are God's children – we know whose we are.

No one can dominate, intimidate or oppress us – without us having the right and the privilege of answering back, of speaking up - because we are God's children.  Because others are our equals in God's eyes.

*  *  *

Jesus points out unhealthy attitudes in the Pharisees and scribes… their love of power and prestige.  Jesus is very different to them, being greater than all of them, yet gentle and humble.

We each need to check our attitudes – do we love power and prestige?

Jesus points out to us a way of dealing with our need for power and prestige by pointing out to us our true identity:  We are all students of the Rabbi of Rabbi's the Master of Masters – the Messiah himself…

Not only that – but our Father, our Father – is the one in heaven.  We are children of God.

We can suffer any indignity, any insult – but our dignity will remain intact, because we are children of God.

Paul writes in Romans 8:37-39: 

"In all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 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."

Our identity as God's children is secure.

*  *  *

In closing – I take us back to verse 2 and 3 – Jesus command to us:

"Do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do."

Jesus instructs us to adhere to the teaching of our teachers – even if their behaviour is not as it should be…  The only one we should imitate however is the Christ – Jesus himself.

The business of bringing the Kingdom is not the sole responsibility of ministers and qualified teachers, church employees and missionaries…

It is the responsibility of each and every one of us.  And we are able to do what God calls us to do, and be who God calls us to be – because our identity rests securely in our relationship to God as God's children, as Jesus disciples.

*  *  *

When we learn to be humble in the knowledge that we are all brothers and sisters – and Jesus is our one true master.  When we learn that each of us should follow Christ and no one else and we actually begin to follow Christ.

Then we will begin to see the Kingdom of God in the world around us.

AMEN

 

Giving Out – The Power of a Gift; Born Again | Psalm 121; Genesis 12:1-4; Romans 4:1-5; 13-17; John 3:1-17

Last week, as a part of our lent series leading up to Easter we looked briefly at the temptation of Christ in the wilderness.  At how Jesus chooses a different way to the one the devil offers him...  The devil offers power and security – Jesus chooses to take the risk of being vulnerable – a risk that leads him to the cross.

Jesus' choice reflects a completely different sort of mindset – he chooses vulnerability over power and awe… In so doing Jesus makes God's heart known to us.  Jesus preached: "Repent," the Kingdom of God is near… and asks us to change our mindsets – learning to live in God's kingdom reality rather than the one we choose or are used to.

As part of this mind changing process we sometimes choose to give some of our habits up, or take up new habits… reflecting our willingness to make God's priorities our own.

We repent – we renew our minds.  As Paul says in Romans 12:2 – "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds…"

*  *  *

In John 3 Nicodemus comes to Jesus – recognising that there is something different about Jesus… "No one could do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God."

John writes later in his gospel (20:31) that he records these signs so that his readers may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God… and have life in his name.

*  *  *

Nicodemus makes a statement of faith when he says:

"We know that you are a teacher who has come from God…"

Like us, Nicodemus needs to be instructed in how to respond to this truth…

Jesus explains to him…

"…no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." (3:3)

*  *  *

The Kingdom of God

For Nicodemus the arrival of a teacher from God – one like Jesus – is a firm sign of God's coming reign – God intervening in the world in a powerful and unusual way.  A sign for a person of faith – that God is going to begin to overpower the rulers of the day and establish himself as King…

(Just as we express frustration at our politicians so do the Israelites – in the Old Testament the people often speak of a day when God himself will reign… In that reign the poor will be treated fairly, there will be justice in the land, there will be no corruption.)

But Jesus challenges Nicodemus' and our way of thinking:

*  *  *

No one can see the Kingdom of God without being born from above…

*  *  *

The kingly reign of God doesn't begin out there with the government, it doesn't begin when God swoops down in power and overthrows the unjust (The Kind of Kingdom Nicodemus may see beginning in Jesus).  It's not the responsibility of a bishop or a minister or a society steward or anybody out there.

The reign of God that has the power to transform the world has its beginning in each one of us.  We will see the Kingdom of God when we allow God to transform us and adopt us as we are born again.

*  *  *

Born Again

The phrase "born again" has gathered a lot of baggage. 

How many of us have been asked by someone: "Are you a Christian?" and when we've said "yes" they ask:  "But are you a 'born again' Christian?"  

It's not a bad question to ask ourselves… It's something we should do everyday if we're living as children of God.

But often those who ask us whether we are 'born again' have taken Jesus words and reduced them simply to a spiritual and emotional experience that has little (something, but little) to do with what Jesus is talking about.

*  *  *

For Nicodemus, being a leader of the Jews, the phrase: 'born again' refers quite simply to the conversion of foreign – non-Jews (gentiles) to Judaism.

Judaism was a national religion.  Under normal circumstances (if you were Nicodemus) you would be born Jewish – on the eighth day of your life (if you were a boy) you would be circumcised… A sign that you belonged to the tribe and the tribe belonged to the religion.

When foreign people wanted to convert to Judaism they would be baptised, symbolising birth into a new family as the convert stripped naked, washed in a pool and came out to put on new garments…

Baptism signified a total break with the past – severing even family ties as the convert emigrated into a new nation.

For Nicodemus the concept is ridiculous – he was born Jewish – must he enter again into his mother's womb?

*  *  *

The concept ties in with the concept of repentance which I spoke of last week… A total mind shift, a total transformation of the way in which we see the world, ourselves and our relationship to God… one that looks to a future in which we make God our King and become a part of God's Kingdom.

Even Nicodemus – a teacher of Israel, a leader of the Jews needs to change his mind about everything he thought he knew, being born again.

*  *  *

The Spirit

This being reborn; without which we will never see the Kingdom of God is not something we do alone.  Nor is it something which God does to us without our participation.

We work with God to be reborn… 

Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about being born of water and Spirit… The water part is something Nicodemus can do – he can go and be baptised, he can participate in the rituals and actions that outwardly symbolise what is going on inside…  Go to temple, pray, fast, discipline himself… he can make an effort, Jesus blesses that.

But when we do our part we also need to be open to asking God and allowing God to do his part… Jesus reminds us in Luke 11:13 –

"How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

When we ask God to do his part Jesus guarantees us that God will be faithful, giving us his Holy Spirit. (If you're in any doubt about this, read Luke 11:9 onwards…)

For some this process of rebirth might be gentle, peaceful – stretching over a number of years as we allow God to work in us and transform us.  For others the beginning of it might be a deeply emotional Damascus road type of experience…  where we are suddenly changed.

But we should never get so caught up in the process of rebirth that we forget the Kingdom bringing result that this rebirth begins.

No one will see the Kingdom of God unless they are born again.

*  *  *

The Result

Those who are born again will see and experience the Kingdom of God because being reborn helps us to live in mind and body as true Kingdom citizens…

In John Wesely's sermon number 14, The Marks of the New Birth he points out three fruits of our being born of God… faith (the foundation of the other two), hope and love.

Faith

Paul reminds us in Galatians 3:26 that it is through faith that we become children of God.  This faith is in Jesus identity as the Son of God and his authority to adopt us as God's children.  When we are born again we are born as children of God – we have a new identity; a totally  new relationship with the creator of the universe.

This faith assures us – by the power of the Holy Spirit that our sins are forgiven – we are made right with God.  That we can put our trust into this relationship.

This faith enables us to conquer sin (Paul reminds us in Romans 6 in being born of God we are no longer slaves to sin.

Another fruit which comes out of this faith is peace.  Peace in the knowledge that no matter what happens in this world – our identity as God's children can never be changed… With this faith we can persevere even through the darkest and most difficult times.

Hope

In 1 Peter 1:3 we read:

"…he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an ineritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Because of our new birth we are ambassadors to the world – filled with hope because we believe that God's Kingdom reign is possible – things can get better, and that improvement starts here.

We have this hope because we are partners with God – working with God to fulfil God's plans… and when we work with God nothing is futile.

Love

Finally, and most importantly, when we become children of God we become like God and "God", according to the first letter of John 4:8, "is love."

When we are born again we begin to share that love with those around us.  We will begin to feel a compassion that will not allow us to sit by when others suffer…

We will share in God's love for people – and learn to do what God would have us do for people…

*  *  *

When we are born again… when daily we can ask ourselves: "Are we born again?"  "Is this action appropriate for a child of God?" then Jesus tells us we will begin to see and experience the Kingdom of God.

The new birth is a gift which God gives us, through the person of his son… so that we will have eternal life. 

This is a powerful gift.

In receiving this gift – we become God's children… a gift to the world.

When God calls Abram he says to him:  "I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing…"

*  *  *

We, the children of God, born of water and of Spirit can be the blessing that God wants us to be for the world… only if we allow ourselves to be reborn and to live as the children of God.

Then – and only then – Jesus tells us, we will see the Kingdom of God.

Giving Up - The Prelude to Change | Lent 1 | 2008-02-10 | Genesis 2:15-3:7; Psalm 32; Matthew 4:1-11; Romans 5:12-19

The seasons of the church are a bit like breathing in and out…

Breathing is important. My biology teacher taught me that breathing in allows life giving Oxygen to enter the blood stream… breathing out expels poisonous Carbon Dioxide… because we can breathe – we can live.

Just like our bodies need to breathe we as a church breathe in and out as we move through spiritual seasons…

* * *

When we begin preparing for Christmas we start to breathe in, taking in the wonderful reality of God born in human flesh – Jesus "the exact imprint of God's very being." (Heb 1:3)

During the time we call Epiphany we continue to breathe in – seeing how the disciples follow Jesus, how wise men come and see him – recognizing his Kingship. Asking ourselves how we should respond to this living revelation of God.

Soon after that – we begin the season of Lent… still breathing in – it's a long breath. Taking in the reality of Jesus death and resurrection, the love of God made known to us in concrete form. Our sin forgiven because of God's grace.

After the resurrection we continue to breathe in – anticipating Pentecost… the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the message of Jesus poured out to all the world…

At Pentecost we breathe out again, as God breathes with us… giving life to the world in which we live – sharing the life with the world which Jesus has given us to share.

* * *

The seasons are teaching aids… they're not some sort of law to be followed, but a healthy tradition that reminds us to have a whole faith. They are seasons that remind us about who Jesus is and what he is doing. They allow us to think for a bit… to meditate on certain parts of our faith…

We should always hold the wonder of Jesus birth, asking how we should respond. We should always be mindful of God's love made known in Jesus' death and resurrection the transforming power of his love made real. We should always be aware of God pouring out his Spirit into us and empowering us to go out and be the people we were created to be.

But at times – we stop for a while in one place – and take it all in.

* * *

During lent we live – for a little while – in the shadow of Christ's cross.

It might seem like a depressing place to be – but it actually isn't. It's a hopeful place…

Jesus suffering and death leads to resurrection – death is defeated, the darkness is overcome… The cross tells us how much we are loved.

It tells us also – how much we ourselves should love.

* * *

In dying – Christ gives us life.

* * *

Lent, the weeks leading up to Easter, is a time for new growth… growth that transforms us through the reality of God made known to us in Jesus Christ:

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:18: "…all of us… are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another…"

All of us, as we respond to the love of God revealed to us in Jesus Christ – begin a process of transformation and change… as we become more and more, the people God created us to be.

* * *

This transformation process could be called repentance.

Many of us have learnt a meaning of repentance that has little to do with the original Greek word that we translate as repent…

When we think of repenting we imagine a monk – beating himself over the back – mourning his sins and saying he's sorry. We think of punishing ourselves with guilt for the things that we have done wrong.

But that's not the real meaning of the word. Metanoia (which we translate as repentance) is a word that looks forward, more than it is a word that looks back. It is a word about life – not about death.

Jesus preaches: "Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is near…"

John the Baptist reminds us to "bear fruit worthy of repentance."

These are positives – not negatives.

Jesus doesn't say repent so you won't go to hell – he says repent so you can see God's Kingdom here and now…

The word invites us to change our attitude, our mind completely… as if we were totally new people.

It invites us to see this world and everything in it in a totally different light to the one we're used to as we accept the reality of God's love and interest in us.

* * *

During this lent time I invite you to think about how you can begin a process of repentance – of mind changing that leads you into new life.

* * *

In the gospel of Matthew we are told that the Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness to be 'tested' by the devil.

The devil is called the disruptor or slanderer – the diabolas – the one who messes up God's plans.

Biblical people understood creation as created good, but messed up by a personal and evil force which convinces people to make bad decisions…

In Genesis we read the story of Adam and Eve. When they are tempted they choose themselves over God.

"When you eat of it (the fruit)", the snake tells them, "your eyes will be opened and you will be like God…"

- Genesis 3:5

* * *

In the story Adam and Eve make a choice similar to the kind of choice each of us make every day…

The truth of the story is not in whether it happened or not but in the fact that every day people constantly make the same choice.

We choose obedience to our own will – our own desires over God's. We constantly choose to do what we want to do without consideration for what God would have us do.

Will we live God's way – adopting the values for life which God sets out for us, loving God and loving our neighbour?

Will we live our own way – adopting values for life according to what we think we need?

As Jesus goes to the wilderness to be tested, pressured by the devil –which way will he choose?

* * *

Right at the beginning of his ministry Jesus chooses between two paths…

On one hand, the path of self serving power:

· Turning stones into bread, satisfying his own hunger.

· Falling from the temple without hurting himself – safe from the dangers and suffering of this world.

· Kingdom's bowing down to him… if he does things the devil's way all the Kingdom's of the world and their splendour will belong to him.

On the other hand – a path of suffering – ending in the crowd crying out in Jerusalem – crucify him.

* * *

To us – I think there would be no contest…

Like our archetypes, Adam and Eve who went before us we choose the way that suits us. The way of power, the way of domination – the way of control.

* * *

In contrast to the way we would choose:

· Jesus chooses to give up his power to turn stones into bread, suffering with those who hunger:

We choose the way that offers the best temporal reward – and we never have enough.

· Jesus chooses not to avoid pain and discomfort, dying on the cross even though he could be rescued:

When confronted by pain and suffering… we refuse to be a part of it; reluctant to involve ourselves in the lives of those who are suffering because it's often too much for us to handle.

· Jesus chooses not to be a popular Messiah:

When confronted with the choice between doing right and wrong – we choose to do whatever is most popular.

The reason Jesus chooses these over the others is that the one reflects God's way, the other doesn't.

* * *

Lent is a time of repentance.

It is a time of mind changing, learning to see things differently – exchanging the values that we previously held for the values given by God.

Jesus fast in the wilderness is not about being sorry about the past – it is preparation for his upcoming ministry, his encounter with people.

His preparation is to choose the way he will go about it, Jesus chooses to minister in God's way – the way of gentleness, generosity and love…

For our sake, he chooses the way that leads to the cross.

* * *

What way do we choose?

Let's use lent as a time to reflect on the decisions we make – striving to do what honours God rather than ourselves.

* * *

To help do this, some people fast – maybe giving up Coffee, or chocolate or other luxuries – making a small sacrifice. Not because it's a way of earning credit with God… but because it is a way of reminding yourself that your needs are second to obedience to God. Maybe it will mean cutting down from 20 a day to 15? 2 Glasses to just 1?

Doing something that reflects the reality of the Kingdom – reminding yourself exactly who is in charge… God – not you... and it might be a bit inconvenient.

Some people take up something new… praying for two minutes every morning before the day begins? Visiting the housebound and lonely? Washing the dishes?

When we begin this act of repentance, when we give up our own power, our own needs in favour of God's; then we will begin to see the process of change that makes the Kingdom real in us, in our homes, in our businesses, in our relationships… in our hearts, in this place.