Proper 5C - The raising of the widows son

1 Kings 17:8-16, (17-24) and Psalm 146
or
1 Kings 17:17-24 and Psalm 30
Galatians 1:11-24
Luke 7:11-17

 

Maybe it’s because I lived in Pretoria and I’m not accustomed to peaceful Paarl - but in the night, when I hear strange sounds; I get a bit frightened.  They wake me up - they give me the shivers.  They give me the creeps.

The unusual, the strange - unsettles us.  That which jars with everything that we’re used to makes us feel a bit uncomfortable.  It startles us awake - and even if we’re already awake, it somehow makes us more aware.  Our hearts race, we lie very still and hold our breath and listen - or we get up and look out the window to see what’s going on.

Or - the more passive among us, the deeper sleepers just keep on dreaming; unaware that anything unusual - anything strange has just happened.

*  *  *

Readers of scripture - filled with the miraculous and wonderful signs that point to God sometimes get a bit numbed to the miraculous.  “Oh - Jesus raised a dead person, what’s he going to do next?”

He just healed a centurion’s servant (by remote control), later on he will forgive a sinful woman her sins (to the shock and derision of the people whom he’s dining with), but right now he is raising a dead person.  (All in a days work for Jesus.)  Later on he will die and rise again.  We are treading on the verge of the ridiculous - and we need to recognise the strangeness of all of this or we won’t appreciate just how amazing, controversial, shocking the message and life of Jesus is.

We’re so used to the unusual, so used to suspending our brains a bit when we read scripture that we neglect to realise that what we have just read is highly unusual. 

It is downright weird. 

The kind of thing that should wake us up, should get our heart racing, freak us out a bit.

*  *  *

Luke tells us in his gospel that the crowd who witnessed this miracle were ‘filled with fear’ (GNB) or seized by fear (NRSV).  They were amazed at what Jesus had done by raising a dead boy to life and their fear led to a response…  They spread the news that God looked favourably on his people, that a prophet had risen among them, that God had noticed his people.

*  *  *

But many of us I guess are stuck on the miracle.  It’s too strange!

Can we accept that something as different as this actually happened!?

As a 21^st century person I struggle to make room for the miraculous, I want verification, I want someone to perform an experiment to prove what has been said to be true. 

Proof.

And we will always want more.

I can offer some proof - proof that leads me to believe.

We have the testimony of a secular historian that says that Jesus performed miracles. 

We have the witness of an early church that took Jesus’ message (backed up by his miracles) so seriously that they gave up nearly everything they had, status, wealth and power (even their lives) to follow him. 

And we know that Jesus made quite a stir, and is still making one today.  He must have done something amazing for people to believe in him so fervently and consistently.

In the midst of our desire to know the rational the beauty of the miraculous is that the miraculous is unusual, irrational and surprising…

Sometimes these miracles are a reminder for us to make more room in our lives for God to do things that go against what we think is normal and reasonable, make room for God to surprise us every now and again.

*  *  *

But let us get back to the surprise - the miracle of which Luke writes - and what that means.

When reading gospels it’s often helpful to read what happens before and after the text which you read.  Often the gospel writers use Jesus’ actions to interpret - or emphasise what Jesus has taught.

Luke chapter 6 has some particularly difficult teaching, the blessings and woes (or Luke’s version of Matthew’s beatitudes)…

Blessed are the poor.
Blessed are those who weep.
Blessed are those who are hated and excluded on account of the Son of Man.
Woe to you who are rich.
Woe to you who are full.
Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to false prophets…

The command to love your enemies.

The command to give to those who beg from you, even your coat.

The command to be merciful - Be merciful just as your Father is merciful - he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked…

Do not judge, do not condemn… forgive and be forgiven.

A set of teachings that make us cringe as we look at the way we live, a set of teachings that tell the rich to care for the poor.  That remind us to stop being so self righteous and uncaring…

*  *  *

Jesus proclaims a difficult and radical message which upturns what everyone thought about God.  The rich and powerful acted like God belonged only to them. 

Being poor was considered to be a result of sin… it meant God didn’t like you very much ‘cos he hadn’t blessed you.

Jesus was preaching a surprising and miraculously strange message, that all those whom religion thought they had righteously rejected were actually God’s favourites…

*  *  *

Jesus’ point is illustrated when he heals a Roman Centurion’s servant - saying:  “I have never found faith like this, not even in Israel!”  He points out that those who thought God loved them the most were outshone by the faith of someone whom they thought God had rejected!

*  *  *

He then raises a widow’s only son… the story at hand for today.

Although Jewish law commanded that widows be cared for - it seems that many of the laws regarding care for the poor and destitute were not well observed.  A widow without a male son would possibly be in a very vulnerable position in society.

I can imagine that in her despair at the loss of her son there are practical and emotional concerns.  A feeling of helplessness - what am I going to do… burial took place on the day or close to the day the person died (the wounds are fresh) the disaster is not even processed.

In this crisis, Jesus meets the most vulnerable person at their most vulnerable and by a subtle touch to the stretcher on which her son’s body is laid - Jesus restores him to life, and gives him back to his mother.

“Women here is your son.”

*  *  *

The action, combined with the teaching which Jesus has given is interpreted and sounded out by the crowd who witness what Jesus has done:  “The all were filled with fear and praised God.  “A great prophet has appeared among us!” they said; “God has come to save his people!”” (7:16)

*  *  *

The gospels tell us, especially John’s gospel, that Jesus is a true reflection of what God is like… the crowd interprets the miracle for us.

The say “God has come to save his people!”

The Greek original could be directly translated as “God has seen his people.”  In the sense that people stranded on a desert island are spotted by a rescue boat… and jump up and down celebrating.  We who are poor and lowly and struggling - personified by the widow who has nothing - matter to God.

God does care for us when we are at our lowest and weakest.  When everything seems like a disaster - God reaches out to us in particular at those times.

The reaching out is not always extreme or spectacular in the way it is done; often it is subtle - in this case Jesus just touches the stretcher on which the body is laid and the result is the giving of life.

The miracle is a wake up call - God does care.

*  *  *

What does it mean for us today?

Well, if we’re in despair - we should remember:  God has seen us and cares for us.

If we’re OK - remember God has seen those in despair around us, and called us to be Jesus to them.  Last week we read from John 14:12 - You will do greater works than I have done.  We saw how the Spirit moved at Pentecost, empowering the disciples to become the people God called them to be.

Jesus compassion for the widow is a call to us to share in God’s compassion for people who are side tracked, beaten down, weak and powerless.

*  *  *

A miracle, a strange event - the supernatural that disturbs our peace, makes us sit up and pay attention… God has noticed us, God has noticed you.

*  *  *

What is it today that brings you pain, that brings you despair, that makes you feel like there is no more hope in the world.

I invite you to bring that to Jesus - knowing that Jesus cares enough to do something, just a simple touch.  I invite you to speak to someone here - we are all servants of Jesus.

Who do you know who is in despair, who is vulnerable - how can you carry the miracle of Jesus to them?

*  *  *

Perhaps one day, when people see how we care for one another, how we care for others - people will see a miracle here (something unusual, irrational and strange) and filled with fear and awe - and they will say:  God has sent a prophet to be among us; God has seen his people and cares for them.

Then I believe we will begin to see the Kingdom in this place.

Pentecost C - Conspiring to bring the Kingdom

Acts 2:1-21 or Genesis 11:1-9
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Romans 8:14-17 or Acts 2:1-21
John 14:8-17, (25-27)

I like the word - “conspiracy.”

It sounds like someone is up to some sort of mischief.  And when there’s mischief - I usually want to be a part of it.  (It’s more fun that way.)

When Christmas comes around - or birthday time - Heather (my wife) conspires to get me a suitable present… she and some of my friends have whispered conversations. 

My ears prick up - I ask trick questions in order to try and find out what the conspiracy is.  I am an insatiably curious person… one of those who inspect wrapped presents closely - trying desperately hard to find out what they are.

*  *  *

Conspiracy is a good word because it literally means: “To breathe together.”  Con - meaning with and spiritus meaning breath.

It speaks of a unity - sometimes secret, of people who plot to do something together.

As a church I like to think that when we meet together - people with a similar mind; people intent on following Jesus we do a bit of conspiring ourselves.

*  *  *

In the book of Genes - the book of beginnings, the story tellers of the Old Testament interrupt a long and complicated list of people who bore children to people and lived in certain places and ended up speaking different languages with a story. 

A story that tells of a conspiracy that people had; a conspiracy that they had in secret; a conspiracy which they tried to hide from God. 

They planned to build a great big tower - so high that it reached the heavens… so wonderful that by doing so the people would make a name for themselves - they would be famous - highly honoured.  Very wealthy.  And perhaps able to consider themselves as a little better than God.

The problem with people - when they start showing off their power, and trying to prove just how wonderful they are… They start thinking that they can do without God.

When we think we can survive without God we make ourselves out to be our own little Gods…  And we don’t have to imagine what we could do if we thought so much of ourselves:

We could launch missiles at other people without feeling bad - because we’re gods - more important than them.

We could pay people criminally low wages and get away with it - because we’re better than them. 

In traffic we wouldn’t have to wait our turn - because everybody else must stop for us… we’re little gods.

Its funny how familiar that all sounds; When we get powerful it goes straight to our heads.

*  *  *

And Yahweh said:  “Look they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them…”

So God confuses their languages and scatters them abroad.

*  *  *

In spite of that confusion, that intervention which the Bible speaks of - just think how powerful we have become:  So powerful that we affect whole eco-systems, so powerful that countries can kill thousands of people at the touch of a button, so powerful that people hold the keys to life and death in their hands.

It’s quite frightening.

In those days God confused their languages and scattered them about - today we have far more power, we build blocks of flats far higher than the tower the Babylonians were building- but God does not scatter us or confuse our languages… if anything we’re getting better at communicating.

Better at conspiring to do things that are either awfully good.  Or awfully bad.  The more powerful we are, the more bad we can do - or conversely - the more good we can do.

*  *  *

In the gospel Jesus speaks about a different kind of conspiracy.

Whereas the ambitious tower builders of the Old Testament tried to do something magnificent on their own - the power which Jesus has to do magnificent things comes from his relationship with the Father.

They literally breathe together.  The Father whispers into Jesus’ ears what he is to do, and Jesus listen’s and obeys.  Jesus prays and they discuss, strategise, organise and conspire to make God the Father’s Kingdom dream a reality in the world.

Not only does Jesus tell us that he and the Father work together to do the magnificent things that God has called him to do; but he tells the disciples that they will be able to do greater works in partnership with God.

They will also become co-conspirators with God in bringing God’s kingdom dream into reality.

*  *  *

And so we travel to a house where disciples are gathered together in the book of Acts.  Conspiring together I suppose, about how they will continue the ministry which Jesus began.

And suddenly, as the text says - “there was a sound like the rush of a violent wind and it filled the whole house in which the disciples were sitting…”

The very breath of God entered that place - and the disciples literally became co-conspirators with God, breathing together as God empowered them to do what Jesus had begun… together the disciples breathed in the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

It reminds me of that Passage in Genesis chapter 2 where the writer speaks of God breathing life into the lungs of Adam - the beginning.  The passage also strongly echoes Genesis 11 - the story of the scattering of the nations; but this time - in reverse.

In the story of the Babel tower people suddenly don’t understand each other - but in the story of Pentecost people suddenly understand each other.

In the Babel story people conspire without God.

In the Pentecost story people conspire with God.

In the Babel story people are scattered.

In the Pentecost story people are brought together.

The Babel story marks the end of a kind of dream…

The Pentecost event marks the beginning of a new phase in God’s dream for people; now God, in the person of the Holy Spirit is able to work with people as he did with Jesus to bring the Kingdom.

God unites all sorts of people - by giving them special understanding and gifting through the Holy Spirit - into one body which will be the church.  A truly diverse bunch - united by the conspiracy to continue the ministry of Jesus on earth.

*  *  *

I want to ask you…

What kind of conspiring do you do when you get the chance?

We humans like to speculate, we like to conspire when it comes to a good return on an investment - ways to make money. 

We may conspire with each other about what car to buy - or how the Springbok rugby team might be able to win a match.

Perhaps we conspire (unwittingly) to bring others down when we gossip and whisper in each others ears.

For a change I invite us to conspire with Jesus.  Conspire with the Holy Spirit of God that breathes within you; conspire to bring the Kingdom.  Instead of complaining about the things that upset you - conspire to make a difference.

Then I think - like the disciples were surprised at Pentecost, you might be surprised at how powerfully the Holy Spirit will move into your lives and bring the dreams that you have with God - your conspirations into reality.

 

Easter 5C - Strangers in our midst

Acts 11:1-18
Psalm 148
Revelation 21:1-6
John 13:31-35

I don’t know how you feel about other people.  People who do things differently to you.

They have different customs, different traditions, different ways of speaking - thinking - seeing the world in which we live.

They make us feel a bit uncomfortable sometimes.  Angry sometimes.  Confused - most of the time.

*  *  *

I’m talking about living in a global village.  I’m talking about living in a racially integrating South Africa.  I’m talking about our everyday struggle with ethnicity; with race; with culture.

Culture clash.

*  *  *

Racism is the belief that one race is superior to another.  It is the idea that one race - the superior one, has nothing to learn from the other - and everything to teach.

Are you a racist?

*  *  *

I think most of us might have worked out our notions of cultural superiority; our ideas that one race is better than the other.

But somehow we remain separate from each other.  We don’t like to mingle too much -it’s a bit of an effort - a struggle.  Its not just about race - but its about the people we’re used to and those whom we consider strangers… we prefer to stick to the people we’re comfortable with.

*  *  *

For Hebrew people living in Judaea in the first century - at the time when Christ lived and the early church sprang up… people had similar problems.

Hebrews didn’t like gentiles.  Not only did they not like them but their phobia and distaste for people of different nations and cultures was biblically justifiable - in the light of the Bible they saw themselves as a chosen nation called to keep separate and pure.

On top of that I would guess that they didn’t much like the Greeks, Romans, Persians or any other nation - in the Bible they kept a long and detailed history of the horrors that they had suffered at the hands of many nations.

The prophets often referred to foreigners as those who would destroy the nation of Israel.  Nehemiah commanded a separation of those of Israelite descent from foreigners…

To the Hebrews - fear of foreigners and strangers was completely justifiable and good.

*  *  *

Peter - raised in this environment is a pioneer.

He is criticized by the Jerusalem Church for his happy inclusion of gentile ‘impure’ people into the Christian fold.  He had eaten with them - a symbol of acceptance.

*  *  *

He stands up to give his testimony to the Jerusalem Church - a testimony of how God’s spirit has led him to a new understanding of the position of gentile people with regard to the church….  A testimony of how he came to ‘eat with the uncircumcised.’  And how they became a part of the Kingdom of God - as Billy Graham has said - “God has no grandchildren.”

Peter begins by telling how the Holy Spirit challenged his prejudice in a visionary dream which broke down his preconceptions about people from foreign nations being unclean; about the holiness code that prevents him from eating with him and them from becoming a part of the church.

*  *  *

It is a radical step - it is not easy for Peter - he has been raised to stay pure…

He sees keeping away from these unclean gentiles as an act of faithfulness to God - Peter reacts to his vision as if he is being tested…

In his vision - something like a large sheet is lowered before him…  On it were all sorts of animals that the law strictly forbade him from eating:  beasts of prey - reptiles and birds of the air, and a voice saying “Get up Peter, kill and eat.”

“By no means Lord,” is Peter’s response, “for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth…” but the voice from heaven said: “What God has made clean, you must not call unclean.”

Three times this happens - The sheet full of strange animals, the instruction to eat them - Peter’s reluctance - and God’s reprimand… do not call impure what God has called clean.

*  *  *

To those listening to Peter it would have seemed totally horrifying to eat ritually unclean food.

When asked “Why?”  They would probably have replied - “It’s just wrong!”  “It separates you from God.”  “The Torah says you mustn’t.”

In fact during the time of the Maccabees (about 100 to 200 years before Christ) (1 Mac 1:43) - Jewish people had felt so strongly about these purity laws that they had chosen death from starvation rather than eating unclean food which they would have been forced to eat. 

To them it was an abomination.

“What God has made clean do not call unclean.”

*  *  *

Peter recounts how three foreigners from Caesarea arrived at his house - and the Spirit told him not to make a distinction between “them and us” Gentiles and Jewish Christians. 

*  *  *

Peter goes to Joppa, and preaches a message - and he tells the gathering at Jerusalem that the “Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning.”

These gentiles have the same experience which the disciples had at Pentecost in Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit descends on them -

Luke (the writer of acts) tells us that after the crowd in Jerusalem who were criticizing Peter for eating with gentiles were silenced.  And they praised God, saying, “Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.”

That these people experienced the Holy Spirit as the disciples had at the beginning, indicates that these new converts were now also disciples - not grandchildren, but children of god.

*  *  *

Luke records a bump in the early church’s journey - the incorporation of foreigners into the community was difficult for Jewish Christians.  Purity laws and customs were deeply ingrained in people’s lives and hearts.  A council met to try to decide whether it should be law that converts get circumcised according to the law of Moses - or not; The early church’s first great controversy.

As I have said nationalism was rife - you don’t get conquered by Greeks and Romans without feeling a bit of resentment towards them.  Cities were divided into sections for people of different nationalities and of different classes. 

They had their very own apartheid to deal with in the early church in Jerusalem, and in the church that spread out among the nations.

It was difficult to break down the barriers which people and tradition had so carefully built.

*  *  *

One of the characteristics of the early church was this divide over which Christians were the better Christians - over which Jewish laws should be kept and which ones severed.  Paul addresses this crisis in his letters, the gospel writers allude to it as they remind the disciples of Jesus command - love one another - just as I have loved you.

*  *  *

John writes in his gospel - chapter 13, which we read today… Some of Jesus’ last words to his disciples:

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

*  *  *

Challenging words to us as a church today - and to the Church of John’s day - John (guided by the spirit) obviously thought it was necessary to remind the church of these words which Jesus had used.

Love - as I have loved you, this will be the mark of belonging to me, by this all people will know that you are my disciples.

*  *  *

In my limited experience, overcoming our prejudices is always difficult… there are always great gaps between various people. 

We hold culture and its values very close to our hearts and always struggle to welcome and get on with people who are vastly different to us.  This struggle to accept and respect one another is not just across culture and racial lines, but across many barriers…

As one of my lecturers used to say - we need to get over all of our …isms. 

I want to ask us as a church to love one another, as Jesus called the disciples to do at the beginning.  Let that love stretch beyond the people that you feel comfortable with, but also into the lives of those with whom you are less familiar. 

Allow yourselves to be challenged by this love that sometimes makes us feel uncomfortable… and then I believe we will begin to see the Kingdom of God in this place.

 

 

Easter 3C

Acts 9:1-6, (7-20)
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-19

As a church we have recently celebrated Holy Week and Easter Day - the suffering and death of Jesus - followed by the resurrection.  

As Easter continues we reflect on the words and actions of the risen Jesus in the gospels and the book of Acts. 

In John’s gospel Jesus appears to the disciples again - and he has a conversation with Peter - in which he instructs him to feed his lambs. 

In Acts - Jesus appears to Paul and to Ananias - the passage gives us a glimpse of Paul’s call as Jesus relates it to Ananias “This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.” (Acts 9:15)

*  *  *

Finally - we read the book of Revelation - a mysterious book that tries to put into words some mysteries that are beyond our grasp - some poetry of heaven…  (If you’re a reader of Revelation and it confuses you - remember that human words will never describe the beauty of a heavenly God - and we have to be content with mystery.)

But let me just offer you this glimpse from 5:13: 

¹³ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”

Close your eyes and imagine that scene for a moment:  All of creation in harmony - birds, people, politicians, street sweepers, worms, fish, elephants singing praise to God with one harmonious and beautiful voice… - a picture of beautiful harmony.

Revelation paints a picture of the goal - the final reality… human words paint a frail picture of it - but they give you some idea…

(Pretending that the person next to you has never tasted chocolate - try to describe chocolate to them… - 30 seconds - and you’re not allowed to use the words chocolate or chocolaty - because they’ve never tasted it.) 

If you can’t find words to describe chocolate - think how John must have struggled to describe something as wonderful as heaven.

*  *  *

So what has this got to do with Peter and Paul’s calling? 

Jesus tells Peter to feed the lambs, and he tells Ananias about what Paul will do:  He will take his name / his message / what he stands for to the Gentiles and Kings and all the People of Israel (9:15).

Just before the wonderful picture that we read in Revelation the creatures in heaven sing:  “…you were slain and with your blood you purchased people for God, from every tribe and language and people and nation.  You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God…” (5:9-10)

People from everywhere are priests to serve God…

That’s us.  Not us as in the ordained people, or lay people that stand up here and preach from week to week - not some special class - but every one of us; priests - making God’s presence in the world; real.

*  *  *

So we turn to the call of Peter.  (John 21:1-19)

He and the other disciples have already seen the resurrected Jesus…

Jesus appeared to them in the upper room - when it was locked; he breathed his spirit on them and he said to them: “As the Father has sent me so I send you.” (20:21)

A week later - in spite of the fact that they have been sent - they’re up there again; and Jesus appears again.

The third time he finds them fishing.

I love disciples - they’re an example to the church, and an example we have followed ever since:  God says to us Go!

And we stay.

God says Go!  We say Amen Hallelujah, wonderful - beautiful - I can hear the angels singing in heaven.

And we stay.

Jesus lives with them, teaches them, dies in front of their eyes - rises again and says: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you…”

And they go fishing.

(After 2000 years if Jesus could work with them, by his grace, he can also work with us.)

*  *  *

Peter - like us - is a bit slow to get what Jesus is saying; or maybe he’s a bit scared to do what Jesus has called him to do.

So having reminded the disciples who he is - and he is quite graceful - they haven’t caught any fish - but he helps them to find some…

Jesus has a conversation with Peter:

Do you love me?
Yes.

Feed my sheep.

Do you love me?
Yes.

Shepherd my sheep.

Do you love me?
Yes.

Feed my sheep.

*  *  *

His conversation is a call to Peter and a call to all of us…  If Jesus said to any of us:  “Do you love me?”

And we said: “Yes, you know that I love you.”

I think we all know that his next words (to us as they were to Peter) would also be:  “Feed my sheep.”

Jesus’ call to us - as people who trust in the reality of the resurrection; Christian people, is to carry on doing what he began.  To work as priests and partners with God towards this amazing reality of which we read in the book of Revelation.  A world in such harmony that every creature in the universe bows down to worship the risen Jesus.

*  *  *

As we hear that challenge to us - “if you love me you will feed my sheep” - we feel a bit uncomfortable don’t we.  We would rather it was Peter’s job.

But its not - it is each of ours - we are a kingdom of priests.

And sheep feeding is not a matter of throwing them a few bunches of grass - like I do with my dogs in the morning - I fill their bowls and they eat.

Feeding sheep - means to graze them, to shepherd them - to go with them to the field where they eat - it means (among other things) to protect them from any harm that might come their way - to care for them if they get sick.

Jesus call is a tall order! 

It is a call to getting involved in the lives of those people whom Jesus might call “my sheep” and the Jesus I know has a very big flock - wider than we imagine. 

For Peter, this job of continuing Jesus’ ministry is actually going to be very difficult - the gospel account suggests that following Jesus might eventually result in Peter’s own execution by crucifixion.

*  *  *

The passage from Acts speaks about Paul (who’s also known as Saul)’s conversion - and his call - a call to work for the good of the very people he was at that moment out to kill.

Paul is a leading Pharisee - he is extremely faithful to God!  He is in fact so faithful to God that he is carrying out the letter of the law (Lev 24) that demands that blasphemers be put to death.  (7:58 - 8:3)

But Jesus in his mercy jumped in - he appears to him in a light from heaven on the road to Damascus and asks “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 

Paul is blinded - he is sent to a disciple in Damascus named Ananias who in spite of his initial prejudice (Saul was famous for persecuting Christians) welcomes him as a brother and baptises him and sends him on his way to becoming a great evangelist to the Gentiles.

What I love about Paul’s call is the absolute about turn.  From being someone who deliberately persecutes Hebrew and Gentile Christians - he is called into a completely unfamiliar world; a world against which he is greatly prejudiced.

And he goes forward and does a wonderful job of shepherding God’s people a world completely different from what he is used to.

Because of his faithfulness - which is a result of Jesus faithfulness - we hear that singing which John writes about in Revelation - “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them singing.”

*  *  *

Paul is called, Peter is called - the world is slowly transformed - by God with the help of people.

How are we Christians called to live as a result of Easter faith - as a result of our real belief in the resurrection?

*  *  *

For me it was finding the courage to candidate and begin the journey towards becoming an ordained minister.

For Peter it was about realising that he was called to Shepherd Christ’s sheep.

For Paul it was about going to the gentiles to share the gospel with them.

Although God calls us in love - just about every calling will demand some sacrifice in achieving it - Jesus lets Ananias know that Paul will suffer in his calling.  Jesus tells Peter that he will also suffer a bit - but ultimately its about following God…

And the end - is that picture in Revelation of a world praising God in harmony.

*  *  *

Perhaps God is calling you to be a good shepherd by helping to wash the dishes at home.

Perhaps God is calling you to be a good shepherd by helping to mow your sick or elderly neighbour’s lawn (you might suffer a bit) but when they ask you why -  you can say: “Because I believe in the resurrection, and I hope for a world in which every creature worships God in harmony.”

Perhaps God is calling you to be a good shepherd by changing the way you treat your wife or your family.

Perhaps God is calling you - like he called Paul - to go out and show his love to people you previously didn’t like at all.  Calling you to break down your long held beliefs and help him to extend his love beyond the boundaries which you have set for him.

I don’t know where God is calling you… but I think you might have some idea.

And I pray that by the Holy Spirit we might hear that call whispered to us - and we will not be afraid to act - because we hope for a world in which every creature worships God in harmony.

When we listen - and we obey - then I truly believe we will begin to see the Kingdom of God in this Place.

Amen.

Easter 2C - Faith isn't suspending disbelief

Acts 5:27-32
Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150
Revelation 1:4-8
John 20:19-31

 

In medieval times (the time of people like Copernicus and Galileo) if you asked someone why they believed what they believed about anything their typical answer would quite simply be: “The authorities.”

Meaning the Bible, the Pope, the Priest.  If you asked them the next question: “How do you know that they are the authorities?”

The answer would be: “Never ask that question.”

*  *  *

Somewhere between the 15^th and 18^th Centuries a great shift happened in the way people thought about the world.  Scientists - like Copernicus dared to confront the “authorities” of their day with questions about whether the earth moved around the sun - or the sun around the earth.

In an age when the world was thought to be flat (and at the centre of the universe) Copernicus said it revolved around the sun - and Galileo followed suit.

The Church of the day was unhappy with this idea; scripture - in their eyes seemed to dictate that the sun moved round the earth - as Psalm 93:1 (and other verses seemed to suggest) “The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.” And other poetic passages suggest.

People like Augustine and Copernicus challenged “The authorities.”  And soon the way people thought changed extensively.

*  *  *

Today we live in a very different world.  We are taught to question everything - and believe nothing without first testing and trying it - and forming our own personal opinion.

*  *  *

John’s gospel (in which we read our passage this morning) is written as an encouragement to the community of early Christians to whom he writes, an encouragement to them to question - and ultimately come to faith.

In verse 31 of Chapter 20 as we read today he states the purpose of this whole book: ‘these have been written down that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through faith in him you may have life.’

John’s hope is that readers of his gospel will be convinced that Jesus is the Messiah - the Son of God.  The revelation to the world of who God is.

And that in believing they will have life in abundance. As John describes it in John 10:10.

When John calls us to have faith - the faith that he calls us to is that of believing that Jesus is the Messiah - the Son of God.

The difficult thing that John is calling us to do - The crux (if you like) especially in this age - is the question of faith.

*  *  *

Now ‘faith’ as a word has a mixed reputation…  It is used in ways that confuse us:  (And I’ll have to apologise in advance for my own cynicism).

When we think of a faith healer we often think of someone who fakes miraculous healings and takes people’s money.  (And it does happen.)

Sometimes when we think of having a lot of faith - we mean that someone is completely out of touch with what we know as reality.

Sometimes we think of faith - as a kind of mind power - Urigela bending spoons.  Concentrating so hard that we believe something and it happens.

Some of us have painful associations - thinking people we know haven’t been healed or cured because we think that they - or we - didn’t have enough faith.

Sometimes we think that having faith means we have to put our brains in the baskets along with our collection.

*  *  *

In John’s gospel faith is not about that sort of thing; its not about convincing yourself to believe - against the odds. 

It is about trust.

Simply trusting that Jesus is the Messiah; the Son of God.  (God in the Flesh)  And accepting the implications of that wonderful claim.

*  *  *

In the 21^st Century we don’t just believe stuff… we Google it to see if it’s true (that’s for those of you who have the internet).

We research things beginning to end.  We have learnt (wisely) not to trust what medieval people called the authorities - we flick between E News and SABC 3 to see how differently the news is presented by government and the privatized media.

We search through our Bibles when the preacher says something that sounds a bit strange…

Nothing gets passed us.

*  *  *

Thomas’s encounter with Jesus in the upper room is a message to us from John that the God we serve - revealed to us in Jesus is OK with a bit of doubt…

In him we live and move and have our being - his existence is not dependant on our faith - ours is rather dependent on his. 

(It reminds me of a story of a Russian priest who confessed to his wise bishop:  “I’m not sure if I believe in God anymore” - and his Bishop replied “Don’t worry - God still believes in you.”)

*  *  *

The encounter with Thomas in the upper room reminds us that faith does not mean convincing yourself to believe something even if you don’t think it’s true.

Faith means that you trust in God - in a reasonable way - and that trust leads to a response.

*  *  *

In John’s gospel Jesus disciples are locked up in a room because they are afraid of the people who disagree about Jesus’ being the Messiah.  (They arrested, beat and murdered Jesus - what will they do to his followers?)

In a locked room - paralysed by fear - John tells us that the risen Jesus appears to them - having died three days earlier - and shows them his hands and his side…  He says to them: “Peace be with you, As the Father has sent me, so I send you” - he breathes on them and they receive the Holy Spirit.”

He then gives them the authority to do what got him into so much trouble - forgive sins… and to go about proclaiming this forgiveness (in the reading from Acts we see them getting in trouble because of their faith).

*  *  *

As soon as the disciples see the risen Jesus (and as a consequence have faith) he sends them out into the world to do his work.

*  *  *

Thomas doesn’t accept the disciple’s reports - he demands proof.

In Thomas’ doubt, Jesus has mercy and appears to him - allows Thomas to touch him - And Thomas’ response is in his simple words:  “My Lord - and my God!”

Simple words, but words that are so incredibly heavy with meaning.

My Lord (A title of authority) - means that Thomas makes himself obedient to Jesus - willing to do what Jesus has taught him to do.

My God - means he recognises that Jesus really is the revelation of God in the world.

*  *  *

Jesus comments that those who trust him - without needing proof will be happier than those who need proof. 

But he does accept and reach out to Thomas in spite of his lack of faith.

*  *  *

Too many of us have come to believe that an encounter with the living God is somehow conditional - coming to us if we think or do the right things… (If we concentrate hard and suspend all our doubts like Urigella - God will answer our prayers.)

Jesus comes to Thomas in spite of his doubts.  And I know that Jesus will also come to us in spite of our doubts.

*  *  *

I invite you to grow your trust in Jesus - by bringing your doubts. 

I also invite you - as you trust in Jesus to go beyond intellectual into the practical - to learn to live as a faithful disciple of Jesus.

When our faith is authentic - and not pretend - when it leads us to a response - then I believe we will be bringers of the Kingdom of God.

Easter - Year C - Mary makes herself a disciple...

 

Early in the morning - cold - dark quiet… a few sounds from households as people begin to stir.

*  *  *

Two days ago Jesus was crucified.

Mary Magdalene - Jesus’ friend - a female disciple, saw it all happen; and she had remained, to the end.

She came face to face with the ugliest side of humanity; saw it with her own eyes.  The brutal murder of someone that she loved.

And there was nothing she could do to stop it... to cry out to the people to stop what they were doing would have achieved nothing.

Crying out against a frenzied crowd would probably result in her own death.

She could only watch - helpless - from a distance.

*  *  *

I imagine that she - and the other disciples - were absolutely destroyed by the events of the week.

If they had slept at all they would have woken up in a cold sweat - nightmares of the events playing back in their minds.

*  *  *

Mary and the disciples had been on a rollercoaster journey.  Jesus - a miracle worker, a teacher, someone who had lived great hope and filled his disciples with similar hope was dead.

*  *  *

What hope he had spoken of seemed in vain…

His ideas, about turning the other cheek, blessing the poor, accepting the rejected… all seemed like pie in the sky.

This dreamlike journey which Jesus had taken them on had come to an abrupt end.  It seemed as if there was no hope left.

*  *  *

A preacher (Sarah Dylan Beuer) spoke of a member of her congregation who had a smirk on his face during her sermons.  He grinned at her when he shook her hand at the end of each service.

One day she asked him why he always grinned - his reply was that she always spoke about heaven - not this earth.  There’s no way you could end poverty - stop war - find a cure for AIDS - stop political corruption in this one…

He found her sermons amusing - hopeful - yet unrealistic.

*  *  *

And I guess that would be a description of Christianity if there were no Easter.

Amusing - hopeful - yet unrealistic...

For Mary on that frightening Easter morning - Jesus teaching must have seemed hopeless and unrealistic…

Jesus was not an easy Rabbi to follow; he had called his disciples to give a lot up in order to follow him… their sources of income, the homes that they knew, their status in the community…

Their religious cleanness - he put them in contact with all sorts of people they shouldn’t have touched or spoken to - he took them to parts of the country no self respecting Israelite would go.

The stigma of following Jesus is so great that even Mary Magdalene (although we don’t know it for sure) has often been branded as a prostitute.

And the disciples main source of hope, the man who spoke with authority - who challenged the status quo, who opened up their eyes to a totally different idea of what God was like - and inspired them to be more than they were - the one who inspired them to believe that the world could be a better place for everyone - was gone.

*  *  *

Without hope Mary goes to the tomb.

Jesus is gone.  The stone is rolled away.

She calls the disciples - they too see the body is gone.

Mary stays at the tomb - weeping - this is too much - it was enough to torment him, punish him, kill him - but to desecrate his grave too?

*  *  *

On that dark morning, without hope, Mary Magdalene - through her tears - was the first person to see what God was doing in the universe that morning.

She saw someone she thought was the gardener - but when he spoke to her - called her by name - she knew...

It was Jesus.

*  *  *

The hope he had spoken of - the ideas that he had proclaimed weren’t just hopeful, amusing, yet unrealistic…

They were real.

She turned to him and said “Rabboni!”

Which the gospel tells us - is the Hebrew word for teacher.

Rabboni - the title a disciple uses for the one they are discipled to.

Rabboni - which means that she (as his student) will submit to his authority - obey his teaching - and do as he does.

Mary’s word of hope in a broken world.

*  *  *

Jesus instructs Mary to go to the disciples and tell them what he has said - he is returning to the Father - “my Father and their Father, my God and their God.”

Mary becomes the first preacher of the resurrection.

The rest - as they say is history.

*  *  *

We are people of little faith - we wonder if Jesus rose, if this all means anything to us… philosophers and theologians argue - did Jesus rise again?

Doing some research into the matter - the strongest argument that I have come across is this:  The disciples, at great risk to themselves carried on preaching Jesus message - some of them dying because of their faith in him… and the record of history is quite clear about what they suffered.

*  *  *

I ask you - this Easter morning - in faith - in response to the resurrection of Jesus - to make yourself a disciple, as Mary did… to call Jesus Rabboni - my teacher and my master.

*  *  *

I invite you to join this bunch of disciples here as we figure out together what it means to follow Jesus in Paarl / Franschhoek today.

*  *  *

Someone has said: “We are called to be Easter Christians in a Good Friday world.”

I believe that when we commit to being Jesus’ disciples - to live as he has taught as to live, we will begin to see the Kingdom of God in this place.

Amen.