Realised Impossibility

Trinity 15 Realised Impossibility 31/08/08

Jer 15.15-21; Rom 12.9-end; Matt 16.21-end.

“Never Lord!” Matt 16.22.

Orientation.

Do you remember the days before digital pictures when we had slide shows? The challenge for the presenter was to load the slide holder correctly so that the image would appear the right way up on the screen. In order to achieve this you had to load the slides upside down and back to front. It required concentration, especially when it was necessary to load one slide at a time as well as giving a presentation. You have to think in an inside out way to get it right. It’s like arranging words on an ohp.

Learning to think in a new way.

To put our reading into context, there is plenty to think about. Jesus refuses to pander to the demand from the Pharisees for a sign and a warning to avoid their teaching. He remarks on the limited faith of he disciples, who fail to understand about he yeast of the Pharisees. He is pleased with Peter who recognises that he is he Christ, the son of the living God. He goes further in saying he will build his church on the faith of Peter and the others ‘On this rock I will build my church,” and hands over the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. (Why Peter is pictured at the gates.)

But now he reveals to them what is going to happen and they simply cannot grasp it. “Jesus began to explain that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of he elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” There has never been anything like it before.

When steam trains were invented people thought that the sheer speed would suffocate all the passengers if they travelled over 30 mph. The first cars required a pedestrian to walk in front of them carrying a red flag. No one could imagine the devastating effects of the first atomic bomb. Can you remember what it was like before mobile phones and yet how difficult to predict their impact?

Jesus is not just a teacher or a prophet, but God’s anointed King and Messiah. What would you think about that? It would be natural to say “Here’s the new king, here’s the new kingdom, let’s go to Jerusalem, announce the new world order and take over in a bloodless revolution.”

But Jesus is going to do the exact opposite, because the way to the new kingdom is the exact opposite, a mirror image of what of Peter and friends expect. Upside down and back to front. It will not involve exultation, celebration, razz-ma-tazz, the Democrat Convention in Denver including web-log, press coverage and multi media. Not only will it be low key, but arrival in Jerusalem will involve the suffering and death of the new King, and as for the new kingdom …..

Are we surprised that Peter says ‘God forbid it Lord! or Never Lord” as our Bible puts it. The people Jesus will confront rulers, authorities legal experts will appear to win in this confrontation in Jerusalem and then Jesus will be raised from the dead!

Peter the ‘rock’ is rebuked by Jesus for what he says and yet is this not strange to us? Why doesn’t Jesus sit down and explain, go over the main points, invite discussion, ‘How do you feel about what I’ve just told you?’. None of that soft counselling stuff – “Get thee behind me Satan!”

God thinks differently from the way we think. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isa 55.9. The trouble is, God sees everything the wrong way round, or perhaps we should say “We see everything the wrong way round, like in a mirror, whereas God sees everything the right way round, as it really is. So Paul could say “Now we see in a mirror darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully even as I am fully known. 1Cor 13.12.

Taking up the Cross

We need to know this because then Jesus says “If anyone will come after me, they must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me.” It will cost everything and there are no half measures. Like learning to swim, you cannot keep your feet on the bottom of the pool. You have to forgo that security and launch out into the deeper water, only to discover that the water holds you up. “Those who want to save their life will lose it but those who lose their life for me will find it. “

This is true of the church today. It exists in the world for the nations and their communities and not for self promotion. This isn’t just my idea, it is the thinking of Bishop Leslie Hunter, who was Bishop of Sheffield from 1939 to 1962. He faced the reality even then that for many people in Sheffield “The church is not for the likes of us.” He taught his people to engage in local life.

He used to tell this story as a parable. “He had a dream, and in the dream he found the store where the gifts of God for his people were kept. There was an angel standing behind he counter. He said to the angel “I have run out of the fruits of the Spirit, can you restock me” The angel replied “It’s not that simple.” “Look, in place of war, afflictions, injustice, lying and lust, I need love, joy, peace, integrity and discipline, Without these we shall all be lost.” The angel replied “We do not stock fruits, only seeds.”

Taking up our cross in this age means growing love, joy and peace where we find ourselves. Not exclusively in church, but more importantly, in the world, among the people around us. Leslie Hunter was himself inspired by William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury from 42 – 44 when he died an untimely death. He it was who said “The church is a club for the benefit of its non members.”

Isn’t it interesting that Hunter was bishop at the time that St Mary’s, under the leadership of Stephen Burnett, gave away half the building to the local community for he purpose of locating a new centre, to enrich local life and nourish it with the generosity, grace and hope of the Kingdom of God.

“Those who lose their life will find it!” “Never Lord!” Amen

St Bartholomew

Trinity 14 24/08/08

Isa 43.8-13; Acts 5. 12-16; Luke 22.24-30

“I am among you as one who serves” Luke 22.27

Team GB

The final tally of Olympic medals 19 Gold, 13 Silver, 15 Bronze, 47 in all, the most successful for 100yrs, did not happen by accident. Imagine the manager of the coxless four, the cycling team or the sailing crews preparing them for the race of their lives. (Quote) Going over the race strategy again, when to mark time and when to accelerate, who to watch out for and where the main challenge will come.

After the final pep talk, they begin to argue about who is the best performer, who is the strongest oarsman, who has raced in an Olympic final before, who should speak to the media after the race. Does that sound like a winning team?

The manager tries again. This is going to be the toughest game they have played in their lives. It’s going to be so hard, they are going to struggle. He won’t be there with them so they’ll have to think for themselves. Unlike some famous managers of Sheffield United who have been so loud on the touch line, they’ve been banned from the field.

The Battle

Jesus is on he eve of the greatest battle of his life. He will go into it with no armour, no bodyguards, no bullet proof vest, completely vulnerable. He will be hunted down like a violent criminal. He has shared the Passover meal with the disciples, broken the bread and drunk he wine. “I eagerly desired to share this Passover with you before I suffer. I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. I will not drink the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of God comes.”

Tom Wright, bishop of Durham has pointed out the sheer loneliness of Jesus at this time. He is with his disciples for the last time and they can’t grasp what he is saying to them. At the point where they need to be strong, they are looking lamentably weak. Not only do they misunderstand him, but one of them will betray him. Later when he is praying they will all fall asleep and when he is arrested they will desert him. Part of his calling in bearing the weight of the world’s sin, our sin, is that he should do so alone. As any athlete will tell you, it can feel very lonely, the night before the big race with everything to play for.

Jesus leaves them with three things to think about:

Jesus is among his followers like a servant waiting at table. We can think of plenty of leaders in the world of business and politics who like to lord it over their people. You’re fired!

But Jesus overturns the world’s ideas of greatness by coming as a servant and allowing his captors to do their worst. It’s the hymn of Philippians 2: He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave … and being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Paul can therefore say: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in humility regard others as better than yourself.”

Jesus is fulfilling prophecy “I tell you this scripture must be fulfilled in me “He was counted among the lawless.” This comes from Isaiah 52, the suffering servant we hear so much about at Easter “Despised, rejected and acquainted with grief.” When Jesus is abandoned and defeated, yet offering no resistance, he is completing exactly what the scripture had foretold.

Jesus looks forward. Just as his father has given him the kingdom, he confers it on his followers. “Fear not little flock, it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” They don’t understand what this means or how the kingdom is to come but the important point is that God has promised that it will. God’s work will go ahead despite human failure all around, because it is all derived from his grace, and will achieve its purpose.

There is plenty here for us to reflect on. Did you ever hear of a group of individuals squabbling over who is in control? “The Police” high profile group from the 1980’s, busy making a comeback, say that they still argue relentlessly over most things they do. Yet they can still draw millions to their tours and are electrifying on stage.

Have you ever tried to do something but encountered misunderstanding and even opposition doubt and denial from friends and associates? Many Christian politicians, business entrepreneurs and leaders in their own field, have spoken about how difficult it is when having to face hard truths and make unpopular decisions. Any government will experience this at some time.

Have you ever felt part of some enterprise that was bigger than you and hard to get a grip on. How do you think Archbishop Rowan feels as he faces the impossible task of holding the Communion together? He has been insulted and misquoted in the press, undermined by colleagues and wilfully misunderstood by some sections of the church he serves. Yet some of his public statements have been full of grace and truth, in a genuine search for integrity.

As it was for Jesus’ followers at the last supper and beyond, so it continues to be for the church in the 21^st Century. Bartholomew, about whom we know very little, is a reminder that we are called to a servant ministry, to each other, but more importantly to the wider world and the communities in which we are placed. I am among you as one who serves.” Amen.

The Canaanite Woman

Trinity 13 17/08/08

Isa 56.1,6-8; Rom 11. 1-2, 29-32; Matt15.21-28.

“Woman you have great faith” Matt 15.28

Miracles

To recap for those who have been away, we have been looking at some of the miracles of Jesus as recorded in Matthew’s gospel. We have reflected on how the feeding of the 5,000 and walking on water, revealed Jesus as Messiah, resonated with Old Testament forerunners such as Moses, and identified Jesus with the God who subdues chaos and rules the raging of the sea. This give reassurance to those going through various trials in life, that God is with them. It further raises expectations about a God who surprises us beyond our small imagination. They further encourage us as disciples to act like Peter and step out in faith, in response to God’s call.

Augustine wrote:

“Let us ask the miracles themselves what they tell us about Christ. Because Christ is the word of God, all the acts of the Word, become words to us. Beautiful handwriting we can admire the letters formed evenly, equally and elegantly. But we also want to know what they convey, what they are saying, what they mean. We are not just given a picture to look at and admire, but something to read and understand.”

Stories with a purpose.

Miracles take a form in Jewish literature of Haggadah, (narrative) a type of theological writing. They typically have a scriptural basis such as Moses in the desert and the feeding of the 5,000. They weave threads of prophecy, fulfilment, symbolism and allegory to give a new story which applies the truths, hopes and meanings of the scriptural past, to the present. If you read the birth stories of Jesus in Matthew or Luke, you will see how O/T themes and references help to bring a new story about the birth of Christ. The Old Testament unlocks the meaning.

The Canaanite woman.

Woman: Lord Son of David have mercy on me.

Jesus: No answer

Disciples: Send her away.

Jesus: I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.

Woman: Lord help me.

Jesus: Not right to give the children’s bread to the dogs.

Woman: Even the dogs can have crumbs from the table.

Jesus: Woman you have great faith your request is granted.

Jesus has gone into Gentile territory and seems reluctant to respond to this request. Indeed, he uses a standard Jewish insult against the ‘unclean’ Gentiles. “Dogs.” Can he really be giving way to prejudice? or is this a reminder that he Gospel is for the Jew first and only then to the Gentiles?

When he sends out the 12, he says “Do not go o the Gentiles or the Samaritans, go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.” Matt 10. Again we are reminded that Jesus belongs as a human being, to a genuine place in history. This was part of a general belief that salvation would come through the Jews who would be “a light to the Gentiles and the glory of my people Israel.”

Paul often speaks about the transmission of the Gospel as in Romans 1.16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. So we se the pattern of salvation, but, as with much prophecy, no one is sure exactly how this will come about so there is some tension when it comes to working it out in life.

For us it is a reminder that Jesus is part of God’s chosen people, who have a special part to play in the salvation of the world. Most Jews did not and still do not acknowledge Jesus as Messiah, but this resulted in the turning outwards of mission towards the rest of us.

Again we see how God surprises his people with mercy and generosity that go beyond our expectation.

Her daughter is healed

The healing of the daughter takes place at a distance, but is a picture of what salvation really means and shows the authority of Jesus over demonic forces. What do we mean by demonic forces? For the gospel writers, the world is in the grip of fallen powers which are responsible for sickness, sin and disorder. These are not just supernatural phenomena. In Luke 13, Jesus heals a crippled woman “bound by Satan 18 yrs.”

In casting out demons, we see the unique power and authority of Jesus to subdue subversive and destructive power at loose in the world. It echoes the work of God in creation, to overcome chaos and bring order. This subversive power can be seen in anything which denies the freedom of the children of God, which is God’s gift to us through Christ.

To the extent that the Scribes and Pharisees prevented that freedom, their power can be seen as demonic. Examples in recent history would include National Socialism under Adolf Hitler in the 1930’s which tried to subvert the church for its own political purpose, or in the former Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin, which brutally persecuted the church, God’s chosen means of salvation for all. The easy atheism of AC Grayling, peddled on Desert Island Discs on Friday, gently equating belief in God with belief in fairies, is just as demonic.

Such miracles show the in-breaking power of Jesus which drives back the darkness and reclaims God’s creation. They are there to remind us of reality and encourage us in our own calling to be salt and light, helping those around us to find great faith like the Canaanite woman and discover the freedom of he children of God. Amen

Last week I spoke about the Ignatian approach to the Bible and how we can refresh our understanding of well known passages. We looked at he feeding from the point of view of Jesus, the disciples and the crowd. This week, the sea plays an important part in the miracle, so we’ll start there.

In the Old Testament, the sea is associated with chaotic forces which are subdued by God in creation. Psalm 89: O Lord God of hosts, who is as mighty as you? … You rule the raging of the sea, when its waves rise you still them, You crushed Rahab like a carcass.” Rahab was the name of a sea monster and a name for the chaos which God subdues

Palm 4: Thus says the `lord who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters. and Job: God alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea.”

The message is clear: God alone rules the waves and walks through the waters. God alone defeated the forces of chaos to bring order to creation. God alone can help us when we are facing difficulty and struggle. The prophets and the psalmist spoke these words to the people of Israel when they were going through storms of war, invasion and persecution. See what your God can do. Be encouraged.

The message for today

For the people of Israel, read Church. For God who rules the raging of the sea, read Jesus Christ. He is the one on whom the church is to focus as all through its life it has faced political hostility, the threat of persecution and often has felt as if it were about to go under.

Note that when they are battling the wind and waves far from land, Jesus comes to them ‘ early in the morning’ which is actually quite late ‘the fourth watch of the night.’ In Zimbabwe, under the eye of a hostile government. In Tanzania, battling with Aids, malaria and poor transport system. In Uganda, coping with an acute lack of resources; In Iraq in the midst of ongoing violence; in Georgia today? Our CofE, smothered by apathy, indifference and mild hostility while some eagerly anticipate the break up of he Anglican Communion. Yet how inspiring to see the church, grappling with the difficulties of being faithful in the real world, rather than retreat behind a kind of certainty.

God’s people, the church, are not forsaken, the Lord watches over us unseen and he will come quickly, even in the 4^th watch. That is a good message for the world wide church, feeling battered in many ways.

Peter: Personal faith.

Peter, the representative disciple climbs out of the boat in faith, responding to Jesus’ call. At first he can do everything that Jesus is doing, But in the face of fear and danger, his faith falters and he cries out to the Lord for help which is immediately available.

How many countless millions through the ages have gone through shared tribulations, wars, natural disasters and the personal storms of sickness, loss, betrayal, bereavement, breakdown? Do you know what it is like to sink in panic and call out?

“Save me O Lord, for the waters have come up to my throat. I sink in deep mire where there is no foothold. I have come into deep waters and the flood sweeps over me.” Ps 69.

The life of these miracles is true in the life of he church today. Not necessarily changing the weather or taking a walk on water, but discovering the presence of the one who is able to bring us through our storm and tribulation. The one who says “Peace, be still, it is I, do not be afraid. Amen

Peter steps out of the boat.

I was I inspired this week tot come across a website “The Rebelution.com” by two teenage brothers Alex and Brett Harris. The challenge to their generation and to all of us is to ‘Do Hard Things.” They note that the Vikings were so successful and created fear everywhere they went because hey rowed themselves into battle rather than relying on slaves, which meant they were literally fighting fit.

Here’s their challenge: Do hard things. Learn a lesson from the Vikings. Too often we delegate the responsibility for our education, our character, our future, to others who hold far less of a stake in how things turn out. Often a failure to perform in the areas of character and competence are due to a lack of past exertion. Many young people are doing little more than ‘getting by’ in a culture of unbelievably low standards.” We can learn to do hard things by taking and maintaining responsibilities and attempting the impossible.

They quote GK Chesterton: “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found lacking. It has been found difficult and left untried.”

Peter shows the challenge of this miracle for us personally and for the church to learn to do hard things, to walk by faith through every storm and keep our eyes on Jesus.

It’s a miracle

Trinity 12 “It’s a miracle” 10/08/08
1Kings19.9-18; Rom10.5-15; Matt14.22-33.

“Take heart, it is I.” (I Am; have no fear) Matt 14.27

Miracles

To recap for those who have been away, last week we looked at the miracle of the loaves and fish. Through it Jesus identifies with Moses and begins to reveal his true identity as Messiah. We see an outpouring of the generosity of God towards his people. We reflected that the miracle was not just then, but is reproduced in the life of the people of God today. Jesus still says to his church ‘You do it.’

Jesus walks on water

In Matthew’s gospel, you may have noticed that this miracle follows on directly from the feeding of the 5000 and helps us to see how the miracles are part of a pattern in which Jesus progressively reveals his identity and destiny. Of course this is in direct contrast to the disciples who respond with misunderstanding, blindness and even betrayal as the life of Jesus culminates in the passion and resurrection. Like the transfiguration which we celebrated this week, these miracles show Jesus’ divinity and his oneness with God.

The Sea

Last week I spoke about the Ignatian approach to the Bible and how we can refresh our understanding of well known passages. We looked at the feeding from the point of view of Jesus, the disciples and the crowd. This week, the sea plays an important part in the miracle, so we’ll start there.
In the Old Testament, the sea is associated with chaotic forces which are subdued by God in creation. Psalm 89: O Lord God of hosts, who is as mighty as you? .. You rule the raging of the sea, when its waves rise you still them, You crushed Rahab like a carcass.” In antiquity, Rahab was the name of a sea monster, a name for chaos God subdues.

Psalm 4: Thus says the Lord who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters. Job: God alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea.”

The message is clear: God alone rules the waves and walks through the waters. God alone defeats the forces of chaos to bring order to creation. God alone can help us when we are facing difficulty and struggle. The prophets and the psalmist spoke these words to the people of Israel when they were going through storms of war, invasion and persecution. See what your God can do. Be encouraged.

The message for today

For the people of Israel, read Church. For God who rules the raging of the sea, read Jesus Christ. He is the one on whom the church relies as it faces political hostility, threats of persecution and the fear it is about to go under.

Note that when they are battling the wind and waves far from land, Jesus comes to them ‘ early in the morning’ which is actually quite late ‘the fourth watch of the night.’ What might this mean for our brothers and sisters In Zimbabwe, under the eye of a hostile government; In Tanzania, battling with Aids, malaria and poor transport system; In Uganda, coping with an acute lack of resources; In Iraq in the midst of ongoing violence; in Georgia today?
Our CofE, is smothered by apathy, indifference and mild hostility while some eagerly anticipate the break up of he Anglican Communion altogether. Yet how inspiring to see the church, grappling with the difficulties of being faithful in the real world, rather than retreat behind a kind of certainty.

God’s people, the church, are not forsaken, the Lord watches over us unseen and he will come quickly, even in the 4th watch. That is a good message for the world wide church, feeling battered in many ways.

Peter: Personal faith.

Peter, the representative disciple climbs out of the boat in faith, responding to Jesus’ call. At first he can do everything that Jesus is doing, But in the face of fear and danger, his faith falters and he cries out to the Lord for help which is immediately available.

How many countless millions through the ages have gone through shared tribulations, wars, natural disasters and the personal storms of sickness, loss, betrayal, bereavement, breakdown? Do you know what it is like to sink in panic?

“Save me O Lord, for the waters have come up to my throat. I sink in deep mire where there is no foothold. I have come into deep waters and the flood sweeps over me.” Ps 69.

The life of these miracles is true in the life of the church today. Not necessarily changing the weather or taking a walk on water, but discovering the presence of the one who is able to bring us through our storm and tribulation. The one who says “Peace, be still, it is I, do not be afraid.

Peter steps out of the boat.

I was I inspired this week to come across a website The Rebelution.com, by two teenage brothers Alex and Brett Harris. The challenge to their generation and to all of us is to ‘Do Hard Things.” They note that the Vikings were so successful and created fear everywhere they went because hey rowed themselves into battle rather than relying on slaves, which meant they were literally fighting fit.

We may not have the stomach for fire and the sword, but here’s their challenge: Do hard things. Learn a lesson from the Vikings. Too often we delegate the responsibility for our education, our character, our future, to others who hold far less of a stake in how things turn out. Often a failure to perform in the areas of character and competence are due to a lack of past exertion. Many young people are doing little more than ‘getting by’ in a culture of unbelievably low standards.” We can learn to do hard things by taking and maintaining responsibilities and attempting the impossible.

They quote GK Chesterton: “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found lacking. It has been found difficult and left untried.”

Peter shows the challenge of this miracle for us personally and for the church to learn to do hard things, to walk by faith through every storm and keep our eyes on Jesus.