Year B Proper 21 30 September 2012
Esther 7: 1-6, 9-10; 9: 2--22 Psalm 124 James 5: 13-20 Mark 9: 38-50
There is a tension among Christians as to what is sacred and what is secular. I’m aware that some Christian churches will not have me come and play my Christian music in their church or endorse my music for their functions because I perform secular music. It is a strange phenomenon because Christians do have secular jobs, but don’t very often see that it is possible that God blesses and encourages our secular work. (And it doesn’t seem to be realized that secular music is the bread and butter for a person in music ministry).
Our readings this week are such, that they sent me on a journey to find out the back ground of some scripture that I found difficult to grasp, and in the process I found a theme that speaks to me and urges me to see that God is working in all places and through all things in our lives….even and especially when we cannot sense him.
Our first reading comes from the book of Esther and is quite violent and dramatic. Esther was a Jewish girl who became Queen to a foreign King while the Jews were living in exile. She kept her nationality a secret and could not approach the King without fear of death. An edict had been given that on a set day those who wished to could legally kill all the Jews. The person who instigated this edict wanted to wipe out every Jew in existence…. Sounds a little like what happened in the 20th century. Esther, after prayer and fasting, approached the King about the matter and the Jews were given the legal right to defend themselves and fight back. The long and short of the story is that it was a great victory.
After researching, I discovered that Esther sounds like the Hebrew word for “hidden”. I also discovered some amazing facts about the feast of Purim which is the feast instigated through this event. It is mentioned at the conclusion of our scripture reading. From the Website for the Jewish Renewal Congregation of Philadelphia and written by Rabbi Emanuel Feldman:
“Purim: a story of heroism and evil undone by goodness.
And also a holiday of masks: On Purim everyone wears costumes and masks. That is part of the celebration! Adults and kids, all come to the reading of the Megillah dressed in elaborate disguises! Purim is a Mardi Gras of disguises _ reality is hidden, garbed in funny, gaudy, attractive clever, glittery, cute, silly, but always false appearances.
It is a clue to the meaning of the holiday, and the story. Truth can be disguised. Sometimes even the main character is hidden. Sometimes even God is hidden.” (http://www.pnaior-phila.org/learn-about/the-months-of-spring-pesach-through-purim)
Megillah is the term used for the reading of the book of Esther which takes place at this festival and is a word that also sounds like a Hebrew word; it sounds like the Hebrew for “revealed”.
In the circumstances of the Jewish people it seemed that God was hidden. The Jews, as represented by Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, were a minority group who refused to bow to public pressure. He would not bow to man and he would not bow to idols, but it was this act that resulted in all Jews nearly being annihilated. Ever sense that fear?
I’ve been watching the television show, “Can of Worms”, and I’ve commented to Brittany that there are many people who don’t seem to have solid or valid reasons for their opinions, but their opinion is the seemingly “trendy” one. For example: “Oh no, people shouldn’t have to speak English to live in Australia – that’s not being culturally sensitive”, “Of course homosexuals should be allowed to marry”, “Yes, I would certainly let my 15 year old daughter have sex in my house – better that than some dirty motel or car etc…” - More important than the opinion themselves is to realize whether we really think things through or simply “bow” to popular societal conformity.
We also have an example from Mordecai, in our first reading, and a warning from our Gospel, to exhort us to be true to the ways of God.
Mark 9:42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.”
“Little ones” refers to those of low status. I would imagine this means that we have a responsibility to pass on the ways of God and be true to his word as revealed in the scriptures. If we interpret or compromise scripture in such a way as to be socially accepted, and in the process influence others to sin, then this warning is certainly for us!
Mordecai was true to God, but he and his entire race were hated because of it. It was a time in the history of the Jews when God seemed silent, but surely God was working through all their circumstances to save them. It was not advisable for a Jew to marry someone of a different race, yet that is what Esther did and that is how she came to be in a position to save her people. We need to be aware of the Spirit of God working in all our earthly circumstances not just those that we deem to be “holy”.
Our Gospel talks rather mysteriously about salt.
Mark 9:49-50 “Everyone will be salted with fire. “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.””
Sacrifices were to be presented with salt. Jewish meals are not thought to be complete without salt. Bread dipped in salt at the onset of a meal was a blessing to the bread.
Our lives are made holy in our earthly and secular lives, because though it may seem that God is hidden and silent, we are His people and he is working to bring about his purpose through our circumstances.
Ever recall the saying, “being so heavenly minded that you are of no earthly good”… kind of like asking if salt loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again. It is a rhetorical question, not meant to be answered, but meant to be realized that we need to be authentic in our lives. We are people that God is dealing with through the ongoing work of His Holy Spirit. He “salts” us – that is, he organizes our lives so that all things work together in our lives to achieve His purpose. Some of these things certainly feel they are like the fire of hell, but that is not the end of the story…..
Our Psalm and our reading from James both assure us of the help from God;
James 5:13-16 “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
The Jewish people keep the festival of the Purim, and according to the research I did, it seems to be held 30days before the feast of Passover…. in some ways as a preparation for Passover. We acknowledge the Passover as part of our Easter preparations but the feast of the Purim is not part of our tradition. I think it is something that I could do with celebrating as a reminder to me that God is not absent and that the undesirable experiences of my life are not the end of the story – God is designing, salting and making holy every part of my life, and in time the joy of victory will come. (I imagine that Jesus celebrated the Purim very meaningfully as he prepared for his Passover)!!
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Reflection for 23rd September 2012
Year B Proper 20 23 September 2012
Proverbs 31: 10-31 Psalm 1 James 3:13 - 4: 3, 7-8a Mark 9: 30-37
When I was downloading the readings for this week I groaned when I saw Proverbs 31. I thought it was the reading about that amazing woman that makes me feel inadequate. I was right, the reading is about this perfect woman who seems to be super human, but I was also wrong because she no longer made me feel inadequate. The difference is time and circumstance….and understanding.
Once upon a time I felt I was judged as being an inadequate mother and wife and the woman from Proverbs 31 proved it by comparison. The reading speaks of a woman who manages her household, cares for her family and servants and also has her own personal work that she seems to also find time for. If we leave it at that we miss the point, and I think that I had previously overlooked the point of the reading. The point being that this woman was who she was, and could do what she could do, because she was a woman of God.
Proverbs 31:30-31 “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
This is a lady from a respectable, well established and wealthy family. We read that she has servants for whom she provides food, and that she cares for the poor and needy. This is a lady who doesn’t want for anything and could well “Lord” it over others and enjoy her position, but she doesn’t. Instead she uses her position as a gift from God to be used for the benefit and blessing of others.
This sheds some light on our Gospel reading. Once again Jesus talks of his death and resurrection, as if emphasizing to the disciples the truth of the matter, but then he asks them what they were talking about on the road. He knew well what they were talking about. They were arguing about who was the greatest among them.
Perhaps they were beginning to believe that Jesus would indeed die and so they needed to know who would take over as leader….. Maybe they missed the bit about his resurrection…. I suspect that Jesus heard the conversation and let it develop until all their ambitions were exposed.
James 3:14 “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.”
Sometimes it isn’t until a situation arises that we become aware of our own ambitions and envy and when we do become aware we need to heed the words of James because there are two natural responses. One is to deny that the envy and ambition exists. The envy and ambition will continue to drive our actions and poison our being like an invisible evil force. The other natural response is to own the ambition as something we boast about….. “I want that thing, and I envy that person …” etc..
James tells us to do neither of these things. Instead we need to acknowledge it and confess it. We need to look at our desires in the light of the wisdom that Jesus has shown us.
James 4:1-3 “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
“You desire but do not have, so you kill……” You may read that immediately say that doesn’t apply to you, but have you ever stifled someone’s creativity because you wanted to be the one seen as in charge? Or put someone “in their place”, for the same reason? Have you ever talked about someone behind their back and spread rumours simply because you don’t like the fact that they look better than you or seem to have more than you?
James tells us that we do not have, because we haven’t asked God, and if we have asked, we ask with wrong motives. Sometimes we might even almost convince ourselves that our motives are in line with what God wants, but God isn’t fooled.
Jesus let the disciple show their true colours. Their ambition and jealousy was revealed, and then he told the disciples that whoever wants to be first must become the servant of all. He took a child and explained that to be a servant means to welcome, care for and serve even children.
In that ancient culture children were the last people that were to be respected. In complete contrast to our own culture, if a house was burning down it would be expected that you’d save the elders first and the children last. Children were not even considered heirs until they came of age. So to then be told that the most important person in the kingdom of God must be a servant to little children was somewhat a shock.
The perfect picture of a leader in the kingdom of God is that one that we find in Proverbs 31. Once again this will be a shock to many people because firstly she is not a man. This woman does not have a view of herself that places her above others, but she uses her gifts for the blessing of all.
The world truly is crazy. We live in a world where homosexuals are fighting for their rights to marriage and yet we in the church still can’t acknowledge women leaders. As my friend, Mike Nelson, once said, “after all… we can’t just let anyone tell us about Jesus!!!” (He was being sarcastic).
Once upon a very long time ago when God was inspiring a very wise man to write the book of proverbs, he chose to portray a leader and he chose a woman. But let’s be realistic about this…. It isn’t the fact that she was female that was important, it was that she feared God and used her gifts for the benefits of others. Free will means that we need to choose if we will fear God and use our gifts for the benefits of others, but there are no limitations on God’s gifts and there are no boundaries when God empowers.
Proverbs 31: 10-31 Psalm 1 James 3:13 - 4: 3, 7-8a Mark 9: 30-37
When I was downloading the readings for this week I groaned when I saw Proverbs 31. I thought it was the reading about that amazing woman that makes me feel inadequate. I was right, the reading is about this perfect woman who seems to be super human, but I was also wrong because she no longer made me feel inadequate. The difference is time and circumstance….and understanding.
Once upon a time I felt I was judged as being an inadequate mother and wife and the woman from Proverbs 31 proved it by comparison. The reading speaks of a woman who manages her household, cares for her family and servants and also has her own personal work that she seems to also find time for. If we leave it at that we miss the point, and I think that I had previously overlooked the point of the reading. The point being that this woman was who she was, and could do what she could do, because she was a woman of God.
Proverbs 31:30-31 “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
This is a lady from a respectable, well established and wealthy family. We read that she has servants for whom she provides food, and that she cares for the poor and needy. This is a lady who doesn’t want for anything and could well “Lord” it over others and enjoy her position, but she doesn’t. Instead she uses her position as a gift from God to be used for the benefit and blessing of others.
This sheds some light on our Gospel reading. Once again Jesus talks of his death and resurrection, as if emphasizing to the disciples the truth of the matter, but then he asks them what they were talking about on the road. He knew well what they were talking about. They were arguing about who was the greatest among them.
Perhaps they were beginning to believe that Jesus would indeed die and so they needed to know who would take over as leader….. Maybe they missed the bit about his resurrection…. I suspect that Jesus heard the conversation and let it develop until all their ambitions were exposed.
James 3:14 “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.”
Sometimes it isn’t until a situation arises that we become aware of our own ambitions and envy and when we do become aware we need to heed the words of James because there are two natural responses. One is to deny that the envy and ambition exists. The envy and ambition will continue to drive our actions and poison our being like an invisible evil force. The other natural response is to own the ambition as something we boast about….. “I want that thing, and I envy that person …” etc..
James tells us to do neither of these things. Instead we need to acknowledge it and confess it. We need to look at our desires in the light of the wisdom that Jesus has shown us.
James 4:1-3 “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
“You desire but do not have, so you kill……” You may read that immediately say that doesn’t apply to you, but have you ever stifled someone’s creativity because you wanted to be the one seen as in charge? Or put someone “in their place”, for the same reason? Have you ever talked about someone behind their back and spread rumours simply because you don’t like the fact that they look better than you or seem to have more than you?
James tells us that we do not have, because we haven’t asked God, and if we have asked, we ask with wrong motives. Sometimes we might even almost convince ourselves that our motives are in line with what God wants, but God isn’t fooled.
Jesus let the disciple show their true colours. Their ambition and jealousy was revealed, and then he told the disciples that whoever wants to be first must become the servant of all. He took a child and explained that to be a servant means to welcome, care for and serve even children.
In that ancient culture children were the last people that were to be respected. In complete contrast to our own culture, if a house was burning down it would be expected that you’d save the elders first and the children last. Children were not even considered heirs until they came of age. So to then be told that the most important person in the kingdom of God must be a servant to little children was somewhat a shock.
The perfect picture of a leader in the kingdom of God is that one that we find in Proverbs 31. Once again this will be a shock to many people because firstly she is not a man. This woman does not have a view of herself that places her above others, but she uses her gifts for the blessing of all.
The world truly is crazy. We live in a world where homosexuals are fighting for their rights to marriage and yet we in the church still can’t acknowledge women leaders. As my friend, Mike Nelson, once said, “after all… we can’t just let anyone tell us about Jesus!!!” (He was being sarcastic).
Once upon a very long time ago when God was inspiring a very wise man to write the book of proverbs, he chose to portray a leader and he chose a woman. But let’s be realistic about this…. It isn’t the fact that she was female that was important, it was that she feared God and used her gifts for the benefits of others. Free will means that we need to choose if we will fear God and use our gifts for the benefits of others, but there are no limitations on God’s gifts and there are no boundaries when God empowers.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Reflection on Readings for 16 September 2012 Proper 19 year B
Year B Proper 19 16 September 2012
Proverbs 1: 20-33 Psalm 19 James 3: 1-12 Mark 8: 27-38
I’ve been thinking about writing a book about how to teach children to sing. It would be called “HOW TO TEACH CHILDREN TO SING – what the kids have taught me!” It is amazing how you can never know some things until you come face to face with real live problems…. Sometimes these just leave you stumped, other times something awesome will happen and you’ll realize a simple solution.
Teaching and learning, and teachers learning from the learners, brings to mind an advertisement on television for a documentary about child protégés and geniuses. I know that there are stand out brilliances, but often it will be in one area and I worry that the labeling of the geniuses doesn’t really reflect the full spectrum of intelligence.
When studying teaching we touched on the idea of multiple intelligences, meaning that while one is intelligent in mathematics, another might be intelligent in social ways (and there are many other intelligence types). All intelligence types are important, but our society tends to highlight some more than others. The reason I mention this is because the theme running through our readings is wisdom.
Is wisdom something that we hear much of in our society? Many elements are grouped together that make up what we perceive to be intelligence. These include knowledge, skill and talent and when these are found in people they are recognized and appreciated, and often thought to be something for the select few. Our scripture readings indicate something different about wisdom.
Our readings begin with the book of Proverbs. A Proverb is a wise saying, and the book of Proverbs begins with the call of wisdom. In this, Wisdom is personified and declares her will to be known to all;
Proverbs 1:20-23 “Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.”
My singing students are going to have a concert on the 2nd of December at Holy Trinity. They will be performing their country Gospel songs. I am encouraging the students to introduce the song themselves and talk a little about their song. My student yesterday had a practice and said, “The song is about how fools don’t follow God”. Her song is a perfect summary of this week’s readings. The chorus lyrics are; “’Cause when the man said, “this way to heaven, fools knew a better way to go. ‘Cause when the man said, “this way to heaven”, this mad crazy world said, “NO”!”
This tells us the key to wisdom. Although wisdom takes into account knowledge and intelligence, skill and talent, it is unique. You don’t need to have an incredible I.Q. to have wisdom, and you don’t need to know everything or have great skill or talent, but you do need to trust in God.
From Proverbs 1: 29-31 “since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD. Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.”
King David speaks with wisdom when he composes his Psalm. In Psalm 19 he tells us that creation declares the glory of God. The majesty of creation is a testimony and witness that God is God – and all that it means to be God. The more that we know about creation, the more incredibly intricate we realize it to be. Surely this “screams” that it was created by a being of more intelligence than we can imagine and is not a mere accident or coincidence of an astronomical event.
King David also speaks with wisdom when he admits that no one can discern their own error, thus admitting human frailty and humility before a perfect God. To turn to God means to admit that God is sovereign and that we are not in control, we can’t save ourselves, we are not perfect and we need a saviour.
Right, so we’ve arrived at this point where we acknowledge that we need God, we want to follow God and all is good …….. Laugh out loud! Being human, we continue to have “Peter” moments.
Our Gospel reading tells us about the discourse between Jesus and his disciples. They’ve heard people talking about who Jesus is. Eventually we find out who the disciples, especially Peter, think that Jesus is. “You are the Messiah”!
Messiah or Christ – the anointed one, is the answer that Peter gives on behalf of the disciples, but we discover that there is more to this. Before we continue, ask yourself who you think that Jesus is, because it is vitally important.
Recently on television’s “Can of worms” a celebrity guest was asked to choose a preference out of three impossible experiences. The celebrity declared choice number one, to go back in time to talk with Jesus. She prefaced the choice with the words, “If there was a Jesus, if he ever existed……”
She revealed an error that many people believe to be true, and that is that Jesus’ existence is a matter of faith. There are so many documents that refer to Jesus of Nazareth that we can pretty much know as a fact that Jesus was an historical figure. (and by the way – you don’t need to go back in time to talk to him).
Jesus was a man who existed in time. From ancient documents both non-Christian and Christian reports we can discern some facts about the person of Jesus….. he was reported to have performed miracles, did good works and was crucified, his followers claimed he rose from the dead. BUT, who is he really? Was he a prophet? Was he a good man but deluded? Was he a deceiver?
According to our scriptures Jesus was crucified because he claimed to be God.
Now this is where Peter got into strife. Peter and the disciples believe Jesus to be the Messiah – which is true, but they didn’t realize that he was the visible expression of God…. at least not until after. From the Gospel of John 8:58 Jesus declares, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was, I am!”
Peter, after declaring that Jesus was the Messiah, took Jesus aside to tell him that he was wrong in saying that he would have to suffer. Peter failed to grasp the full identity of Jesus. No wonder that Jesus told his disciple not to tell anyone who he was. These disciples were both learners and followers of Jesus. This meant that they would pass on his teachings to others. It was important that they “got it right”.
Our reading from James has a warning for those of us who teach…. More specifically, for those of us who teach about Jesus. James 3:1-2 “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.”
The reading echoes the sentiments of our Psalmist, none of us are perfect, and we need to be constantly aware of this and diligent in watching the words that we say. Something that is a pet hate with me is this; I go to a shop to buy something, after having done some research on the item, but still having more questions, only to have the assistant fake their way through inadequately answering questions. Because I’ve researched I can tell that they are faking it and know nothing. I would much prefer to have someone say, “I’m sorry, I don’t know the answer. Let me find someone else who can help you.”
Over the years there have been theological heresies that have come into being because we wanted an answer that fitted with our lifestyle. I will not name any, but I’m sure that you can think of some…. But think again and check that these are not just those that suit you.
When I’m teaching and stuck, I usually research on the net, but I’m now thinking I really need to communicate with other teachers to find out what they do with these cases. Likewise, we in the church need to be in conversation with other Christians. This is the reason for our “multiple intelligences”…. We need to lean on each other and empower the gifts in each other. These gifts are for all our good and to benefit all of society. None of us needs to know everything, but we do need the wisdom to acknowledge that we are not perfect, our knowledge is imperfect and that we need each other.
The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, but who is the Lord? And yes, the proverb does say “fear” and I won’t soften this, because although God is love we need to have a healthy respect for His being and do not dare to speak for him unless we are sure of his will.
Proverbs 1: 20-33 Psalm 19 James 3: 1-12 Mark 8: 27-38
I’ve been thinking about writing a book about how to teach children to sing. It would be called “HOW TO TEACH CHILDREN TO SING – what the kids have taught me!” It is amazing how you can never know some things until you come face to face with real live problems…. Sometimes these just leave you stumped, other times something awesome will happen and you’ll realize a simple solution.
Teaching and learning, and teachers learning from the learners, brings to mind an advertisement on television for a documentary about child protégés and geniuses. I know that there are stand out brilliances, but often it will be in one area and I worry that the labeling of the geniuses doesn’t really reflect the full spectrum of intelligence.
When studying teaching we touched on the idea of multiple intelligences, meaning that while one is intelligent in mathematics, another might be intelligent in social ways (and there are many other intelligence types). All intelligence types are important, but our society tends to highlight some more than others. The reason I mention this is because the theme running through our readings is wisdom.
Is wisdom something that we hear much of in our society? Many elements are grouped together that make up what we perceive to be intelligence. These include knowledge, skill and talent and when these are found in people they are recognized and appreciated, and often thought to be something for the select few. Our scripture readings indicate something different about wisdom.
Our readings begin with the book of Proverbs. A Proverb is a wise saying, and the book of Proverbs begins with the call of wisdom. In this, Wisdom is personified and declares her will to be known to all;
Proverbs 1:20-23 “Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.”
My singing students are going to have a concert on the 2nd of December at Holy Trinity. They will be performing their country Gospel songs. I am encouraging the students to introduce the song themselves and talk a little about their song. My student yesterday had a practice and said, “The song is about how fools don’t follow God”. Her song is a perfect summary of this week’s readings. The chorus lyrics are; “’Cause when the man said, “this way to heaven, fools knew a better way to go. ‘Cause when the man said, “this way to heaven”, this mad crazy world said, “NO”!”
This tells us the key to wisdom. Although wisdom takes into account knowledge and intelligence, skill and talent, it is unique. You don’t need to have an incredible I.Q. to have wisdom, and you don’t need to know everything or have great skill or talent, but you do need to trust in God.
From Proverbs 1: 29-31 “since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD. Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.”
King David speaks with wisdom when he composes his Psalm. In Psalm 19 he tells us that creation declares the glory of God. The majesty of creation is a testimony and witness that God is God – and all that it means to be God. The more that we know about creation, the more incredibly intricate we realize it to be. Surely this “screams” that it was created by a being of more intelligence than we can imagine and is not a mere accident or coincidence of an astronomical event.
King David also speaks with wisdom when he admits that no one can discern their own error, thus admitting human frailty and humility before a perfect God. To turn to God means to admit that God is sovereign and that we are not in control, we can’t save ourselves, we are not perfect and we need a saviour.
Right, so we’ve arrived at this point where we acknowledge that we need God, we want to follow God and all is good …….. Laugh out loud! Being human, we continue to have “Peter” moments.
Our Gospel reading tells us about the discourse between Jesus and his disciples. They’ve heard people talking about who Jesus is. Eventually we find out who the disciples, especially Peter, think that Jesus is. “You are the Messiah”!
Messiah or Christ – the anointed one, is the answer that Peter gives on behalf of the disciples, but we discover that there is more to this. Before we continue, ask yourself who you think that Jesus is, because it is vitally important.
Recently on television’s “Can of worms” a celebrity guest was asked to choose a preference out of three impossible experiences. The celebrity declared choice number one, to go back in time to talk with Jesus. She prefaced the choice with the words, “If there was a Jesus, if he ever existed……”
She revealed an error that many people believe to be true, and that is that Jesus’ existence is a matter of faith. There are so many documents that refer to Jesus of Nazareth that we can pretty much know as a fact that Jesus was an historical figure. (and by the way – you don’t need to go back in time to talk to him).
Jesus was a man who existed in time. From ancient documents both non-Christian and Christian reports we can discern some facts about the person of Jesus….. he was reported to have performed miracles, did good works and was crucified, his followers claimed he rose from the dead. BUT, who is he really? Was he a prophet? Was he a good man but deluded? Was he a deceiver?
According to our scriptures Jesus was crucified because he claimed to be God.
Now this is where Peter got into strife. Peter and the disciples believe Jesus to be the Messiah – which is true, but they didn’t realize that he was the visible expression of God…. at least not until after. From the Gospel of John 8:58 Jesus declares, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was, I am!”
Peter, after declaring that Jesus was the Messiah, took Jesus aside to tell him that he was wrong in saying that he would have to suffer. Peter failed to grasp the full identity of Jesus. No wonder that Jesus told his disciple not to tell anyone who he was. These disciples were both learners and followers of Jesus. This meant that they would pass on his teachings to others. It was important that they “got it right”.
Our reading from James has a warning for those of us who teach…. More specifically, for those of us who teach about Jesus. James 3:1-2 “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.”
The reading echoes the sentiments of our Psalmist, none of us are perfect, and we need to be constantly aware of this and diligent in watching the words that we say. Something that is a pet hate with me is this; I go to a shop to buy something, after having done some research on the item, but still having more questions, only to have the assistant fake their way through inadequately answering questions. Because I’ve researched I can tell that they are faking it and know nothing. I would much prefer to have someone say, “I’m sorry, I don’t know the answer. Let me find someone else who can help you.”
Over the years there have been theological heresies that have come into being because we wanted an answer that fitted with our lifestyle. I will not name any, but I’m sure that you can think of some…. But think again and check that these are not just those that suit you.
When I’m teaching and stuck, I usually research on the net, but I’m now thinking I really need to communicate with other teachers to find out what they do with these cases. Likewise, we in the church need to be in conversation with other Christians. This is the reason for our “multiple intelligences”…. We need to lean on each other and empower the gifts in each other. These gifts are for all our good and to benefit all of society. None of us needs to know everything, but we do need the wisdom to acknowledge that we are not perfect, our knowledge is imperfect and that we need each other.
The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, but who is the Lord? And yes, the proverb does say “fear” and I won’t soften this, because although God is love we need to have a healthy respect for His being and do not dare to speak for him unless we are sure of his will.
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