Year A 2nd Sunday of Easter 1 May 2011
Acts 2: 14a, 22-32 Psalm 16 1 Peter 1: 3-9 John 20: 19-31
What would you say is the goal of your faith? Do we pray to God so that we can have Him give us things here and now or is there another reason?
We do pray for things here and now, but ultimately there needs to be a greater reason for our faith. There are many Christians over the years who’ve lived lives of persecution and great suffering and if their faith was only for this temporal life then something went terribly wrong.
Many would look at these people’s lives and say that they were fools for trusting in God. I’m sure there were some who said the same of Jesus as he was suffering and dying on the cross. With the witness of the early apostles, and the gift of retrospect, we know that there was a greater plan being fulfilled in the agony of the cross, but we and others can fall into the same trap of thinking that we are fools for trusting in God when so many things in the here and now seem to be so very wrong.
King David wrote many Psalms when he was in anguish and often in times of distress. He writes, Psalm 16 “1 Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.” It is a prayer for the here and now and yet the psalm goes on to express complete trust in God. In fact, it is this psalm that prophetically proclaims the resurrection of Jesus, Psalm 16:9-11 “Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
The goal of our faith is not to simply satisfy our needs in the here and now. The here and now is only a fraction of the eternal life, but it is in this fraction that we make decisions which will affect eternity.
Here in this life we are introduced to the good news of eternal life and then we are freely left to make the decision as to whether or not we will respond.
Peter proclaims this good news in 1 Peter1:3-5 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”
We have been given a new birth and, as much as modern Bible translations try to tidy up the wording, this is the “born again” phrase which refers to our spiritual birth. In some passages it is said that we are adopted into God’s family, but even that falls short of the implications of the “New Birth”. In this birth we are “born of God” and in the same way that a person is undeniably born with a connection to biological parents, we are undeniably connected to God in this new birth. It is a bond that cannot be severed.
The result of this new birth is a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus, and that hope is in the life of eternity. It is described as an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. Although we feel that we “fall from grace”.... the feeling is not the reality. The word of God tells us that, through faith, we are shielded by the power of God and our inheritance remains secure and untarnished.
Many times we fail to fully believe all that God has given us. In many ways we are like Thomas who has been nicknamed over the years as “doubting Thomas”. We believe in Jesus, just as Thomas did, but just like Thomas there are things that we find hard to accept. I find it so reassuring that Jesus allowed Thomas to witness him first hand. Jesus didn’t dismiss Thomas because of his weakness, but instead Jesus finds a way to show Thomas the deeper truths.
John 20:24-31 “Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
The goal of our faith is the salvation of our souls. All that Jesus did, and all that is recorded by the apostles is so that we might believe and in that belief share eternal life in Jesus.
Many of us are failing to walk in the victory of eternal life because of our doubts... Jesus says to us... “Look at me” – look into his word, spend time in prayer - “stop doubting and believe”.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
reflection on readings for 17th April 2011
Year A 6th Sunday in Lent Palm/Passion Sunday 17 April 2011
Isaiah 50: 4-9a Psalm 31: 9-16 Philippians 2: 5-11 Matthew 21: 1-11
This week we celebrate Palm Sunday, commemorating that occasion when Jesus rode through the city gates on a donkey while the people shouted, “Hosanna!”
There are two parallel messages that go with the cry, “Hosanna”. Hosanna means “Save, I pray”, which is a plea for God’s help, but it had become, by this time, a phrase of praise to God. We associate the triumphant entry of God as king with this phrase, but it is also a plea for God’s help.
It interests me to note the different world religions and different people’s philosophy on suffering. Suffering is something we all understand and experience, though in different ways. I get frustrated with people who, I perceive, have no reason to be experiencing any hardship, yet they struggle and complain. Joe was a lot more patient and used to say that everyone’s suffering is valid and felt as genuine. It reminds me of the saying, “I grumbled because I had no shoes and then I met a man with no feet”. In our society I witness so many people (especially rather privileged teenagers), who think that life has been cruel to them, yet they have no physical lack at all – I have to admit that I tend to be rather without mercy and compassion for these.
It seems that God’s word is constantly dealing with the issue of suffering. While there are some religions and philosophies that give simple answers such as the lack of attachment as the way to contentment, and yet others blame suffering on Karma, the Judean Christian philosophy gives no such simple answer. We do admit that suffering is a reality due to the fallen nature of our world, but we don’t blame Karma or think that God is punishing us, or at least we shouldn’t. We pray, “give us this day our daily bread and are exhorted to be content in all situations, but attachment to people and things are simply a reality of the way we are as humans and suffering and grief are a reality of life. God does however, show us a way through suffering – not saying that we won’t grieve and feel pain, but God encourages us to trust in His love and gives us hope that all will work for good in the long run.
After having a really bad day, I found it so comforting to know that someone else has felt low also. The book of Psalms is full of many heartfelt songs that express the depths of the human heart:
Psalm 31:9-15 “Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.”
This flies in the face of those who constantly say, “Cheer up, God loves you, what else do you need”. It is true He does, but our suffering is to be acknowledged.
I’m sure we can relate to the psalmist and I know so many people who are struggling lately because they are feeling worn out with distress. On my trip to Hughenden on the weekend I listened to a Bible commentary about Jesus going away to a quiet place after he heard about the death of John the Baptist. The commentary explained that Jesus was dealing with his own personal grief and went to have some time out, but instead the crowds followed and he ended up feeding them the loaves and fishes. Instead of telling the crowds to go away, Jesus has compassion and gets fully involved in ministering to them. Many of us think we have to wait until we feel strong to be in ministry – wait until we feel we have something to give... but if we do this we will never minister at all.
We are shown by Jesus how to cope with suffering and we are encouraged to follow his example. When we feel we are running on empty, continue to reach out. Not to say that we neglect our own need to be comforted by God... but how does this comfort happen? Quite often it comes when we are reaching out to others. Where two or more are gathered in His name, he is there. Sometimes you will notice how strengthened you feel just from being in someone’s company. God’s spirit ministers through us and through others. In the meeting we are blessed – which is yet another reason why it is so important to be regularly at church – it isn’t simply for the teaching and preaching, but for the way that God’s Holy Spirit ministers through us and through others to us.
We also know from the example of the Psalm, that we can express the depths of our hearts honestly to God.... pour out our hearts. In this too, when we lay our cares before God, we are comforted.
A couple of weeks ago we read that our suffering produces character. It dawned on me a couple of weeks ago that suffering is both an opportunity and a test. It is an opportunity to exercise compassion and love and it stands as a witness against us if we do not respond in this way.
We are encouraged by St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians to have the attitude of Christ.
Philippians 2:5- 8“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
It amused me at the beginning of this year, to have a conversation with one of my singing student’s who was a senior at her school. She was most put out to find that instead of being treated with respect and given privileges, she was made to do many extra jobs around the school. Leadership is all about serving.
There are many movies about hero’s, power and virtues of courage and selfless giving for the good of another. I’m amazed that we can admire these traits and yet fail to aspire to them ourselves. The world’s most selfless, courageous and powerful super hero also happens to be way more than a fictitious fable. I won’t go into the apologetics, but there is overwhelming evidence to support the very real life of Jesus.
Jesus had access to all the power of God, but for our sake he gave up those powers and allowed himself to be crucified. This was no spur of the moment courageous act that sometimes happens when the adrenalin has kicked in at an emergency site. Jesus knew exactly what was to happen and it frightened him just as it would any of us.
What was unique about Jesus was his obedience. Right from that moment in the garden of Eden, humankind have been disobedient to God. We know that we are just as disobedient. St. Paul knew that we were still disobedient even though we are the church, striving to do God’s will. If we could suddenly be perfect because we decided to be a believer, St. Paul would have had no reason to tell the Philippians to have the attitude of Christ. Our inability to be obedient is the reason that Jesus came and died. He rose again, and through him we also have life eternal, despite our inabilities – how much good news is that??!
Even though Jesus knew that the crowd on the first Palm Sunday would turn against him in a few short days he accepted their praises and he willingly died for them. We are much the same as that crowd. We praise God at one point and strive to do His will and then we very quickly turn away. Jesus still died willingly for us and gives us eternal life.
And so, in saying “Hosanna” we are saying, “yes Lord God, you are my King and I welcome you and your reign, both in the world and over me personally”. And then in the next breath, we say “Hosanna”. And we are saying, “God save us, we cannot save ourselves and we constantly fail”
This week we celebrate Palm Sunday: the day we cry, “Hosanna”!
Isaiah 50: 4-9a Psalm 31: 9-16 Philippians 2: 5-11 Matthew 21: 1-11
This week we celebrate Palm Sunday, commemorating that occasion when Jesus rode through the city gates on a donkey while the people shouted, “Hosanna!”
There are two parallel messages that go with the cry, “Hosanna”. Hosanna means “Save, I pray”, which is a plea for God’s help, but it had become, by this time, a phrase of praise to God. We associate the triumphant entry of God as king with this phrase, but it is also a plea for God’s help.
It interests me to note the different world religions and different people’s philosophy on suffering. Suffering is something we all understand and experience, though in different ways. I get frustrated with people who, I perceive, have no reason to be experiencing any hardship, yet they struggle and complain. Joe was a lot more patient and used to say that everyone’s suffering is valid and felt as genuine. It reminds me of the saying, “I grumbled because I had no shoes and then I met a man with no feet”. In our society I witness so many people (especially rather privileged teenagers), who think that life has been cruel to them, yet they have no physical lack at all – I have to admit that I tend to be rather without mercy and compassion for these.
It seems that God’s word is constantly dealing with the issue of suffering. While there are some religions and philosophies that give simple answers such as the lack of attachment as the way to contentment, and yet others blame suffering on Karma, the Judean Christian philosophy gives no such simple answer. We do admit that suffering is a reality due to the fallen nature of our world, but we don’t blame Karma or think that God is punishing us, or at least we shouldn’t. We pray, “give us this day our daily bread and are exhorted to be content in all situations, but attachment to people and things are simply a reality of the way we are as humans and suffering and grief are a reality of life. God does however, show us a way through suffering – not saying that we won’t grieve and feel pain, but God encourages us to trust in His love and gives us hope that all will work for good in the long run.
After having a really bad day, I found it so comforting to know that someone else has felt low also. The book of Psalms is full of many heartfelt songs that express the depths of the human heart:
Psalm 31:9-15 “Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.”
This flies in the face of those who constantly say, “Cheer up, God loves you, what else do you need”. It is true He does, but our suffering is to be acknowledged.
I’m sure we can relate to the psalmist and I know so many people who are struggling lately because they are feeling worn out with distress. On my trip to Hughenden on the weekend I listened to a Bible commentary about Jesus going away to a quiet place after he heard about the death of John the Baptist. The commentary explained that Jesus was dealing with his own personal grief and went to have some time out, but instead the crowds followed and he ended up feeding them the loaves and fishes. Instead of telling the crowds to go away, Jesus has compassion and gets fully involved in ministering to them. Many of us think we have to wait until we feel strong to be in ministry – wait until we feel we have something to give... but if we do this we will never minister at all.
We are shown by Jesus how to cope with suffering and we are encouraged to follow his example. When we feel we are running on empty, continue to reach out. Not to say that we neglect our own need to be comforted by God... but how does this comfort happen? Quite often it comes when we are reaching out to others. Where two or more are gathered in His name, he is there. Sometimes you will notice how strengthened you feel just from being in someone’s company. God’s spirit ministers through us and through others. In the meeting we are blessed – which is yet another reason why it is so important to be regularly at church – it isn’t simply for the teaching and preaching, but for the way that God’s Holy Spirit ministers through us and through others to us.
We also know from the example of the Psalm, that we can express the depths of our hearts honestly to God.... pour out our hearts. In this too, when we lay our cares before God, we are comforted.
A couple of weeks ago we read that our suffering produces character. It dawned on me a couple of weeks ago that suffering is both an opportunity and a test. It is an opportunity to exercise compassion and love and it stands as a witness against us if we do not respond in this way.
We are encouraged by St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians to have the attitude of Christ.
Philippians 2:5- 8“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
It amused me at the beginning of this year, to have a conversation with one of my singing student’s who was a senior at her school. She was most put out to find that instead of being treated with respect and given privileges, she was made to do many extra jobs around the school. Leadership is all about serving.
There are many movies about hero’s, power and virtues of courage and selfless giving for the good of another. I’m amazed that we can admire these traits and yet fail to aspire to them ourselves. The world’s most selfless, courageous and powerful super hero also happens to be way more than a fictitious fable. I won’t go into the apologetics, but there is overwhelming evidence to support the very real life of Jesus.
Jesus had access to all the power of God, but for our sake he gave up those powers and allowed himself to be crucified. This was no spur of the moment courageous act that sometimes happens when the adrenalin has kicked in at an emergency site. Jesus knew exactly what was to happen and it frightened him just as it would any of us.
What was unique about Jesus was his obedience. Right from that moment in the garden of Eden, humankind have been disobedient to God. We know that we are just as disobedient. St. Paul knew that we were still disobedient even though we are the church, striving to do God’s will. If we could suddenly be perfect because we decided to be a believer, St. Paul would have had no reason to tell the Philippians to have the attitude of Christ. Our inability to be obedient is the reason that Jesus came and died. He rose again, and through him we also have life eternal, despite our inabilities – how much good news is that??!
Even though Jesus knew that the crowd on the first Palm Sunday would turn against him in a few short days he accepted their praises and he willingly died for them. We are much the same as that crowd. We praise God at one point and strive to do His will and then we very quickly turn away. Jesus still died willingly for us and gives us eternal life.
And so, in saying “Hosanna” we are saying, “yes Lord God, you are my King and I welcome you and your reign, both in the world and over me personally”. And then in the next breath, we say “Hosanna”. And we are saying, “God save us, we cannot save ourselves and we constantly fail”
This week we celebrate Palm Sunday: the day we cry, “Hosanna”!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Reflection on Readings for the 10th of April
Ezekiel 37: 1-14 Psalm 130 Romans 8: 6-11 John 11: 1-45
“The leg bone’s connected to the hip bone….. them bones, them bones, them bones!”
Don’t know if you recall the old song but it comes from our 1st reading from Ezekiel. Ezekiel has a vision of a valley of dry bones. These bones were not simply dry, but very dry. I guess you could say it was a valley of no life and no hope…. A valley of death!
One thing that is really lacking in our modern western society is the ability to properly grieve. It is something that really strikes me throughout these readings as something that the people of God did very well. Ezekiel and other prophets lamented and grieved over the state of Israel and the sins of the nation to the extent that we have a book in the Bible called Lamentations – tears that were put into music. We probably think that the last thing we would want to do as people who grieve, is to sing, but I, as a singer and songwriter have experienced the benefit of this often. I’m sure it surprised many to see that I sang at Joe’s funeral, and I’m sure many would not understand. Joe knew and had planned his funeral this way, but more than this, singing is my lamenting… my tears… my outlet and often the resolution for the inner turmoil.
Our Psalmist in this week’s psalm expresses the fullness of his heart and cries out from the depths…
Psalm 130: 1-5 “1 Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”
And here we come to an important fact; if God kept a record of our sins none of us could stand. Without God’s mercy none of us has any hope.
In more ways than one we are “dead”. Perhaps through grief or disillusionment you can relate to the emotional deadness. The band, Evenesence, sang in one of their songs “bring me to life”. Many people are living lives aided by anti-depressants – why? It seems to me that the underlying reason is to cope with the inner sense of “deadness”…. Or what I believe to be very deep grief. What do we do with this grief? As I have already stated, our society just doesn’t cope with grief.
In our Gospel reading Jesus weeps. It has been made a verse all on its own but few realize the significance. “Jesus wept.”
I was recently having a melt down and sent a text to a friend – my way of coping and reaching out. The text I received back stated “turn to God and he will let his light shine through”. You know this person missed the point altogether and I just wanted to slap them. Even the apostle, Thomas, who had no idea of what was really going on, knew how to support someone in grief when he said, in John 11:16 “….., “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”” He understood the concept of standing with someone in their grief.
The reason Jesus was weeping was because his friend who he loved deeply had died. The sisters who Jesus also loved deeply were grieving and Jesus filled with love and compassion shared their grief. Jesus knew that this story had a happy ending and yet he didn’t say to them, “Cheer up, God has it all under control” he wept with them. We know from the dialogue that Jesus had with the sisters that they believed in God and the resurrection of the dead – so they didn’t need reminding of their hope in God, but they received the comfort and love of a friend – who just happened to be THE resurrection and life.
We can be dead emotionally due to our grief and disillusionment with life on planet Earth, but we are also, without the sacrifice of Jesus and the gift of God’s grace, dead spiritually. Not only this, but we are subject to death as a physical reality. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of people who state the death of a beloved Grandmother as a reason for turning away from God – the reality of our physical life is physical death. I don’t believe God meant it to be this way and I believe this is why we can’t comprehend death – we were not created with death in mind. But death rules because of sin – physical death and spiritual and emotional death – when you think about it, in every way, death is the consequence of sin.
Jesus declares to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life” John 11:25,26 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?””
Jesus well and truly died on the cross. His blood was completely shed and the soldiers had no need to break his legs to make him die quicker, because he was already dead, but just to be sure, they pierced his side with their sword and blood and water came out – ie. He was dead and all his blood shed. On the third day, Jesus was again alive. How could this be? He is the resurrection and the life. If we cannot believe this, we are left quite rightly depressed as we are subject to the hopeless reality of a senseless and hopeless life, where everything is meaningless – let’s eat and be merry for tomorrow we die! However, if we can grasp the reality of the situation we can have the amazing and blessed assurance of love and eternal life in our relationship with him.
As a community, a church or a nation we can be rather dead also. The same solution is for all our deadness. Jesus – the resurrection and life.
The Israelite nation was described by God in the words of Ezekiel as being “dry bones” . These bones were in a pile and not connected in any way. But God commanded his prophet to speak his word to them:
Ezekiel 37: 4-6 “Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”
If God can make dry bones into a living army of people He can do anything. But what is He telling us through the vision of Ezekiel? He commands the prophet to speak – to proclaim the word of God. We, the church are the prophet to our nation and community and we need to proclaim loud and clear. And in that message is that we live, not by any strategy, but through the life of God.- Ezekiel is told to prophesy breathe into the bones. This is the Holy Spirit.
If we have the Holy Spirit we are alive. It isn’t a particular program or activity or movement that brings life. It isn’t a particular denomination…. Remember the letter to one of the churches in Revelation says, “You have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead.” The dead are raised by the word of God. The prophet is faithful and speaks God’s word, but it is this speaking exactly what God commands that brings life, which means that we, the church, need to be waiting on the Spirit of God for our direction and walking in line with the Spirit.
Romans 8:6- “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.”
In the same way that God brings us to life, and promises eternal life, by the gift of His Spirit, we need to live in that “alive” reality. We need to dedicate our lives to walking in the Spirit and in this way we will find our churches alive, our community alive and our nation alive.
The same person who sent me that text message has been disillusioned with our church and recently stated, “Yes but, where is the church headed?” Implying that the church is in bad shape and getting worse. The prophets were always disillusioned with God’s chosen people and their wayward sinfulness, but they never opted out. They prophesied God’s word over and over and when God said to Ezekiel to prophesy life into the dry bones that is what he did.
So many people are only going to church occasionally and stating that they don’t get much out of church. WE ARE THE CHURCH. And the church is headed where ever you take it. If it seems the church is dry bones, maybe today God is challenging you. What are you being asked to do about it? The prophet only speaks the word of God- it is God / Jesus who IS the resurrection and the life. This resurrection life is the gift of God to us – when we are in the church it can’t help but be alive if we are.
“The leg bone’s connected to the hip bone….. them bones, them bones, them bones!”
Don’t know if you recall the old song but it comes from our 1st reading from Ezekiel. Ezekiel has a vision of a valley of dry bones. These bones were not simply dry, but very dry. I guess you could say it was a valley of no life and no hope…. A valley of death!
One thing that is really lacking in our modern western society is the ability to properly grieve. It is something that really strikes me throughout these readings as something that the people of God did very well. Ezekiel and other prophets lamented and grieved over the state of Israel and the sins of the nation to the extent that we have a book in the Bible called Lamentations – tears that were put into music. We probably think that the last thing we would want to do as people who grieve, is to sing, but I, as a singer and songwriter have experienced the benefit of this often. I’m sure it surprised many to see that I sang at Joe’s funeral, and I’m sure many would not understand. Joe knew and had planned his funeral this way, but more than this, singing is my lamenting… my tears… my outlet and often the resolution for the inner turmoil.
Our Psalmist in this week’s psalm expresses the fullness of his heart and cries out from the depths…
Psalm 130: 1-5 “1 Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”
And here we come to an important fact; if God kept a record of our sins none of us could stand. Without God’s mercy none of us has any hope.
In more ways than one we are “dead”. Perhaps through grief or disillusionment you can relate to the emotional deadness. The band, Evenesence, sang in one of their songs “bring me to life”. Many people are living lives aided by anti-depressants – why? It seems to me that the underlying reason is to cope with the inner sense of “deadness”…. Or what I believe to be very deep grief. What do we do with this grief? As I have already stated, our society just doesn’t cope with grief.
In our Gospel reading Jesus weeps. It has been made a verse all on its own but few realize the significance. “Jesus wept.”
I was recently having a melt down and sent a text to a friend – my way of coping and reaching out. The text I received back stated “turn to God and he will let his light shine through”. You know this person missed the point altogether and I just wanted to slap them. Even the apostle, Thomas, who had no idea of what was really going on, knew how to support someone in grief when he said, in John 11:16 “….., “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”” He understood the concept of standing with someone in their grief.
The reason Jesus was weeping was because his friend who he loved deeply had died. The sisters who Jesus also loved deeply were grieving and Jesus filled with love and compassion shared their grief. Jesus knew that this story had a happy ending and yet he didn’t say to them, “Cheer up, God has it all under control” he wept with them. We know from the dialogue that Jesus had with the sisters that they believed in God and the resurrection of the dead – so they didn’t need reminding of their hope in God, but they received the comfort and love of a friend – who just happened to be THE resurrection and life.
We can be dead emotionally due to our grief and disillusionment with life on planet Earth, but we are also, without the sacrifice of Jesus and the gift of God’s grace, dead spiritually. Not only this, but we are subject to death as a physical reality. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of people who state the death of a beloved Grandmother as a reason for turning away from God – the reality of our physical life is physical death. I don’t believe God meant it to be this way and I believe this is why we can’t comprehend death – we were not created with death in mind. But death rules because of sin – physical death and spiritual and emotional death – when you think about it, in every way, death is the consequence of sin.
Jesus declares to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life” John 11:25,26 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?””
Jesus well and truly died on the cross. His blood was completely shed and the soldiers had no need to break his legs to make him die quicker, because he was already dead, but just to be sure, they pierced his side with their sword and blood and water came out – ie. He was dead and all his blood shed. On the third day, Jesus was again alive. How could this be? He is the resurrection and the life. If we cannot believe this, we are left quite rightly depressed as we are subject to the hopeless reality of a senseless and hopeless life, where everything is meaningless – let’s eat and be merry for tomorrow we die! However, if we can grasp the reality of the situation we can have the amazing and blessed assurance of love and eternal life in our relationship with him.
As a community, a church or a nation we can be rather dead also. The same solution is for all our deadness. Jesus – the resurrection and life.
The Israelite nation was described by God in the words of Ezekiel as being “dry bones” . These bones were in a pile and not connected in any way. But God commanded his prophet to speak his word to them:
Ezekiel 37: 4-6 “Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”
If God can make dry bones into a living army of people He can do anything. But what is He telling us through the vision of Ezekiel? He commands the prophet to speak – to proclaim the word of God. We, the church are the prophet to our nation and community and we need to proclaim loud and clear. And in that message is that we live, not by any strategy, but through the life of God.- Ezekiel is told to prophesy breathe into the bones. This is the Holy Spirit.
If we have the Holy Spirit we are alive. It isn’t a particular program or activity or movement that brings life. It isn’t a particular denomination…. Remember the letter to one of the churches in Revelation says, “You have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead.” The dead are raised by the word of God. The prophet is faithful and speaks God’s word, but it is this speaking exactly what God commands that brings life, which means that we, the church, need to be waiting on the Spirit of God for our direction and walking in line with the Spirit.
Romans 8:6- “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.”
In the same way that God brings us to life, and promises eternal life, by the gift of His Spirit, we need to live in that “alive” reality. We need to dedicate our lives to walking in the Spirit and in this way we will find our churches alive, our community alive and our nation alive.
The same person who sent me that text message has been disillusioned with our church and recently stated, “Yes but, where is the church headed?” Implying that the church is in bad shape and getting worse. The prophets were always disillusioned with God’s chosen people and their wayward sinfulness, but they never opted out. They prophesied God’s word over and over and when God said to Ezekiel to prophesy life into the dry bones that is what he did.
So many people are only going to church occasionally and stating that they don’t get much out of church. WE ARE THE CHURCH. And the church is headed where ever you take it. If it seems the church is dry bones, maybe today God is challenging you. What are you being asked to do about it? The prophet only speaks the word of God- it is God / Jesus who IS the resurrection and the life. This resurrection life is the gift of God to us – when we are in the church it can’t help but be alive if we are.
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