Sermon 3rd May 2020 – 4th Sunday of Easter - Text: John 10:1-10 – Our gated community

Sermon 3^rd May 2020 – 4^th Sunday of Easter

Text: John 10:1-10 – Our gated community

We are now in week 5 of our isolation away from our Sunday Church services.

Despite our sadness at not being able to worship together it’s been very encouraging that despite our lockdowns that we are continuing to put a high priority on our Christian faith.

I realise that because of all the people who have been watching these and other church services in not just from our parish but elsewhere

And there has also been the sharing that’s going on – the phone calls to each other to make sure we’re all going okay.

People continuing to support the church through their offerings.

And last week we had a ZOOM catch up where we had around 30 members have a video catchup with each other.

We are all missing gathering together in our church building

But we are in a way going back to how church first begun – in our homes.

Just have a listen again to one of the earliest examples of church gatherings in our first reading:

Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they also broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

And we can even think of St Paul who spent a lot of his worship time in prison where the Book of Acts says they prayed and sang hymns together.

We are all hoping that this pandemic is going to end soon so that we can gather together again in our church buildings.

Until then we have the assurance that we have Jesus as our Good Shepherd to watch over us.

And that’s his role as our Good Shepherd – to watch over us.

As St Peter says in our 2nd reading: For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

What we are going through at present is affecting us in physical ways – but Jesus, our Good Shepherd’s role is to guard over the non-physical – our spiritual wellbeing- the salvation of our souls so that we can dwell in the house of the Lord forever as we heard in Psalm 23.

In the Gospel reading of the Good Shepherd today Jesus uses an interesting image in saying that he is the gate for the sheep.

As the gate Jesus is the one by whom the sheep enter and exit the sheepfold and anyone who enters the sheepfold must go through him.

There are many concerns in this current pandemic and there are many measures that have been implemented to keep us safe;

Social distancing – lockdowns – hygiene and other practices – restrictions on mass gatherings.

At the heart of all this is the suffering people are going through.

And there are various levels of suffering:

The suffering of those who are severely ill, of those who are dying and separated from the comfort of their families and the suffering of those who care for them.

And then there are those who are suffering because of the economic toll: those who have lost their income, their security, their childcare; children unable to attend school; those who are suffering from the strain of isolation, including mental illness, loneliness and anxiety; those who cannot even hold funerals for their loved ones, let alone be with them at the end; those whose wedding plans have be affected;

those who cannot see their children or grandchildren other than by electronic means.

We are all sharing in the suffering during this challenging experience.

And while we are doing it for the good of all it is done with a shared suffering.

And for Christians there is the suffering of not being able to gather together, to congregate which is at the heart of the word “congregation.

The need to quarantine and self-isolate and social-distance affect the very heart of God’s purposes when he said in the beginning – it is not good for man to be alone.

This is not saying that these measures are done to attack God but they affect God’s purposes for us.

And let us remember, there are many people who live alone – who don’t have another family member with whom they live.

So in these times for some people it is particularly difficult for them.

But there are good and positive things we have experienced also.

In this different time of being church we have had an opportunity to act as shepherds to one another.

We support one another through our prayers.

We encourage one other in our phone calls to one another.

We support physically those who are struggling physically, as did the first disciples of Jesus.

All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need

We also maintain our contact with God in word and prayer.

And many I have spoken to have said they have used this time of isolation to read more and spend time in prayer.

They have contacted people they haven’t spoken to for a long time.

That’s what the disciples did in their very first gatherings:

Those who had been baptized devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer.

And though we aren’t at this stage able to gather around the Lord’s Table to break bread we know that in time we will again.

And that’s where we are called to remain strong in our faith knowing that even though we cannot receive the body and blood of Christ in worship, the body and blood of Christ continues to protect us in body and soul as the gate for the sheep.

As the Gate for our faith community, Jesus is protecting us from those who seek to undermine and destroy our faith at this time.

Satan is surely trying hard at this time to dampen our faith and have us feel that God is losing this battle.

He is the one that Jesus says has come to steal, kill and destroy.

He is the one who is trying to enter our gated community by another way as a thief and a bandit

But he cannot.

Because he cannot pass through into the gated community protected by the Gate – Jesus our Good Shepherd.

The work of the shepherd is to care for the sheep.

And this would normally be through gathering for worship – receiving Holy Communion – gathering for fellowship – these are part of the care that our Shepherd gives to us in our normal conditions.

But they are not the only way in these very un-normal conditions.

And just because our gathering together has ceased for the meantime, it does not mean that Jesus’ shepherding of us has ceased.

No, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who promised, I am with YOU always – till the end of the age.

Presently we are being kept inside the sheepfold.

We don’t know why God is allowing this, but we know that God is caring for us in this time of quarantine and isolation.

Maybe this is the breather God is wanting us to have.

Not that he has created this situation but he is certainly using it.

I can see that and I hope you can too.

It’s not easy.

For some it’s extremely difficult and challenging.

But maybe this is how God is going to create some changes in his church.

We don’t know what the church is going to look like after this is all over.

Will all churches survive?

Will people flock back to church after this is all over?

What will the New Normal look like.

None of us knows the answer to these and a myriad of questions we all have.

We don’t know.

But we don’t focus on what we don’t know.

We focus on what we DO know.

And what we do know is – the Lord is my Shepherd – I shall not want.

What we do know is that – even though we walk through the darkest valleys we shall fear no evil.

What we do know is that – Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

And he remains the Good Shepherd during this time of unprecedented challenges.

Being a Christian and trusting in God doesn’t mean life is always going to be comfortable.

But being a Christian and trusting God means that during those times of uncertainty and suffering we have the assurance of the presence of the Good Shepherd with us.

And that’s what we have before us now.

And we are assured in our Psalm today - goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life, and we will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Sermon 26th April 2020 3rd Sunday of Easter - Text: Luke 24:13-35 – What our eyes don’t see.

Sermon 26^th April 2020

Text: Luke 24:13-35 – What our eyes don’t see.

Three words in our Gospel reading today reflect so much of our society.

Three words that sound so sad they make you want to cry.

We had hoped.

Three words with so much anguish –

We had hoped.

2 disciples are on the road to a town called Emmaus.

They are saddened.

Now even though Easter Sunday was a couple weeks ago, this incident actually happened on that day.

The text says that this is the 3rd day since Jesus had died.

The same Jesus that they had hoped would be the answer to all their problems;

We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place.

Maybe you have hoped more from Jesus at this time?

Maybe you have hoped that Jesus would have brought this pandemic before us to an end.

The disciples’ walk to Emmaus is an interesting walk.

It symbolises our daily walk as Christians.

What’s interesting in all this is that, like Mary at the empty tomb and like the disciples on the beach after Jesus’ resurrection, the presence of Jesus was hidden or as the gospel says, their eyes were kept from recognising him.

But in all 3 situations – Mary at the tomb, Peter and the disciple on the beach, and this walk to Emmaus, Jesus was physically present with them despite them not recognising him.

And that’s the teaching that comes out of our Gospel reading.

And what a comforting and reassuring teaching it is for us in our present situation.

In our daily walk we often go on our way not quite sure if God is with us or not.

Many times our eyes are kept from recognising him with us, like the Emmaus walk.

But being kept from recognising Jesus and Jesus not being present are 2 different matters.

On Easter Sunday we had as our 2nd reading Paul’s letter to the Colossians where he explained the life of the Christian after Jesus’ resurrection.

He said: for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

As Christians this is an important understanding – that we don’t always trust what our eyes see.

We trust what God has promised.

And that means trusting what our eyes don’t see.

That’s why Paul says – your life is hidden WITH Christ – WITH Christ.

But what he also promises is that Christ’s glory is going to be revealed to the world.

And when that happens, you and all the world will see the true life that has been hidden.

St John also said that in the Book of Revelation:

The book that reveals Christ.

“Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”;  and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

The comforting message that Christians have in all this is that we know that despite the current situation God has already won.

Despite what our eyes see or our lives experience – Christ’s victory is ours.

The grave is open, Christ cannot die again, is what we declare.

Despite what our eyes see or our lives experience we have that knowledge.

As the Emmaus disciples walk along, even though their eyes don’t recognise Jesus, he is there with them.

And when they invite him to stay, he does so.

He’s never too busy, he’s never too preoccupied.

And something interesting happens.

Jesus, the invited guest, becomes the host.

As he sits at the table with them he takes bread and breaks it and he gives it to them.

And from that encounter, TWO remarkable things happen.

After he breaks the bread and gives it to them their eyes were opened, and they recognized him;

That’s the first remarkable thing that happened.

But what happens next is even more extraordinary.

He vanished from their sight.

It doesn’t say that he gets up and walks away – no, he vanishes from their sight.

No sooner do they recognise him when he vanishes from their sight.

And doesn’t that happen to us?

There are times when we feel so close to God and yet times that he seems so far away, even absent.

And yet, God never moves away – he is always with us.

Just like St Paul talks about in Colossians – his presence is hidden.

Not gone – hidden.

Friends, this is so important for us to understand.

Not just at present as we live in the midst of this pandemic – but always.

Because once this pandemic is over and we can gather again especially around the altar to receive Holy Communion – we are still going to face the normal every day challenges of life.

Totally unrelated to the pandemic we will experience the everyday challenges of life.

Sickness, death, crime, accidents, natural disasters – because these are still part of the everyday life we see.

Life was not perfect before this pandemic hit us – and it won’t be after we’re through it.

But it’s what we don’t see that becomes all important.

The hidden presence of Christ with us.

Even when we gather again for worship – our eyes see bread and wine – but it’s what our eyes don’t see that is important – the body and blood of Christ.

Our eyes will see some splashes of water on an infant’s head – not much more.

But what our eyes won’t see is this child being rescued by God from the powers of darkness and brought into the Kingdom of Light.

It’s not about what we see but about what God has promised.

It’s not about what we see but about what we believe.

It’s not about what we see but about what God has done.

And that’s exactly what the Book of Hebrews says regarding faith:

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see

Certain of what we do not see.

Did you hear that – Certain of what we DO NOT SEE.

Friends, please don’t worry or fear about what we see happening at present.

Please don’t worry or fear about what we cannot see.

Mary thought she was speaking with the gardener,

Jesus stood there on the beach among the fishermen disciples, although the disciples had no idea that it was Jesus.

And it says: None of the disciples dared to ask him who he was; they knew it was the Lord.

And today, the 2 Emmaus walk disciples didn’t recognise Jesus standing and talking with them even though their hearts were burning.

Often it is only in hindsight that we see and understand the presence of God with us.

Like the 2 Emmaus disciples.

After Jesus had vanished they realised his presence with them as they had walked – were not our hearts burning.

How often have you not looked back and seen how God has gotten you through a difficult time.

But at the time it seemed like he was not there.

Like that beautiful piece of writing we know as footsteps, in those times when we thought we were walking alone, we have discovered that Jesus was not just walking beside us by carrying us.

Let me remind you of that piece of writing as we close.

One night I dreamed a dream.

As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,

One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that at many times along the path of my life, especially at the very lowest and saddest times, there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said You would always walk with me all the way.

But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life, there was only one set of footprints.

I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you

During your trials and testings when you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you."

Friends, we never walk alone.

Jesus promised in our baptism, I am with you always till the end of the age.

And that promise is true and remains true.

Sermon 19th April 2020 – 2nd Sunday of Easter: Text: John 20:19-31 – God is in control – even if you don’t see it.

Sermon 19^th April 2020 – 2^nd Sunday of Easter:

Text: John 20:19-31 – God is in control – even if you don’t see it.

Over the Easter period I spoke at length about the effects of the Pandemic and its effects on us particularly the isolation that has been placed on us as we quarantine ourselves to try and stop the spread.

So I thought I would perhaps focus on something else.

But when I read the Gospel reading today – a reading that we have every first Sunday after Easter, I felt that this was such an opportunity to speak into exactly what we are experiencing at present.

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews.

How similar to what we are experiencing at present.

The Disciples of Jesus locked away behind closed doors in fear.

Gathered in fear and confusion, they lock the doors, and wait.

And that’s just what we are doing.

Gathering in fear and confusion and waiting.

Waiting to be told it’s safe to go back out and be with people.

Be with our families.

Be with loved ones.

Be with our brothers and sisters in Christ and worship.

But what this Gospel reading also reminds us is that as we wait, Jesus is waiting with us.

Despite the locked doors – despite the fears – Jesus breaks through them and announces his Peace with them.

Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."

Where are you finding your peace at the moment?

Where are you taking your comfort from?

The disciples were taking their comfort from hiding behind locked doors.

But for how long could they do that?

Eventually they will have to brave the outside world.

Then where will they find their strength – their comfort – their peace?

At the moment a lot of people are feeling the pressure of the uncertainty of not knowing when this is going to end.

And the uncertainty of when it ends what it will look like as we are told that there will be a new normal.

Will our churches be allowed to have unlimited numbers in them?

Or will they have to follow the previous rules and limit the amount of people.

Will we be discouraged from shaking hands?

Will we automatically go into lockdown this time next year.

Again, we don’t know.

But what we do know is that God is and always will be in control.

But it’s a question of – what does that mean?

What does it mean that God is in control?

When we have trust in God in times of uncertainty and believe in him – then God is in control.

St Peter tells us what that means in our 2nd reading.

He says:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

A lot of words to take in but note the particulars of what Peter is saying:

God has given us an inheritances that is imperishable and kept safe in heaven.

We are protected by the power of God through faith.

Peter is writing into a time of uncertainty also.

Christians were being persecuted and had to flee for safety so their future was unknown.

So in his opening he addresses his letter to - God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces.

Peter knows that the times are difficult for them, just as they are difficult for us as we live under directions that don’t just affect our family lives but also our churches that remain shut.

And so Peter encourages to trust God and to do so by asking them to:

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor or Prime Minister or Premier in our situation.

Like everyone else, I am struggling to come to terms with what is going on.

I miss seeing my family and friends in person.

I miss going to the gym at 3.30 in the morning.

I miss giving and receiving Holy Communion.

I keep asking myself, what is God doing about this.

But then I read what Peter says about this in our 2nd reading:

In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith … may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.

That’s how God remains in control  - when we continue to give him praise and glory and honour in these times of uncertainty

Sometimes I feel a bit like “doubting Thomas”.

Sometimes I feel like God is not in control unless I can see him and touch him.

But as Peter says -  even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

And no one can take that from us – the salvation of our souls is guaranteed and that’s all that matters.

In fact this is what Jesus challenges us to do in these circumstances – to trust and believe even though we see no reason to do so.

When doubting Thomas is granted permission to touch and see so that he can believe that Jesus is really there with him Jesus responds:

"Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

Friends, this is what we have been asked to do in these circumstances.

To trust and believe in what we cannot currently see – that God is and always will be in control.

Is fear holding us back from witnessing to our faith before the world today?

Is fear keeping us locked inside with feelings that Jesus is not with us?

Then let Jesus break down those locked doors of fear and join you to give you hope.

Hope that God is with you.

Hope that God is in control.

Hope that God will get us through this.

While our restrictions can keep us behind doors only we can allow fear to reside with us.

Fear is what replaces faith when we take our eyes of God.

And it is easy to take our eyes off God when it seems like he is not in control.

God is in control and will always be in control.

Whenever we're afraid and lock ourselves away in fear, God comes to us in the midst of our fear and says, "Peace be with you."

We will get through this and once we are able to again venture out again, we are sent to bring Good News of God’s presence with all.

Because once this is over there will still be fears by the general public.

Fears of standing on our own 2 feet once the Government assistances ends.

Once the banks and other institutions start removing their amnesties and want to be paid.

As God sent Jesus, so God sends us to bring Good News.

And that Good News can begin today despite our lockdowns.

If you’re out for a walk – greet people with a smile of hope.

Share these or other sermons with them.

Maybe even greet other people with “God bless you” or offer to keep them in your prayers.

Many I saw last weekend greeted me with a Happy Easter – what an opportunity.

While there is still that uncertainty let us focus on the certainty that was declared on Easter Sunday

Christ is risen – he has risen indeed. So let us go in the peace of the Lord.

Sermon Easter Sunday Text: Matthew 28:1-10 – Fear and Joy

Sermon Easter Sunday

Text: Matthew 28:1-10 – Fear and Joy

If we could sum up the feeling of the world at present I believe the word “fear” best sums up how people are feeling.

Fear of catching COVID-19

Fear of the economic cost

Fear of keeping my job.

Fear of how long this is going to go on for.

Fear of inadvertently breaking the rules and getting fined like that teenage girl who received a $1,600 fine when her mother took her out for a driving lesson.

Fear.

Fear is also at the heart of our Easter Sunday Gospel reading.

When the 2 Marys went to the tomb to tend to Jesus’ dead body a great earthquake happened – an angel of the Lord came and rolled away the stone covering the tomb and then sat on it.

Matthew says that the guards there shook with fear and became like dead men.

When the angel spoke to the 2 Marys – they too feared.

But their fear was different.

It says they left the tomb quickly with fear AND GREAT JOY.

Notice the difference.

The guards had fear and they became like dead men.

The 2 Marys had fear but it was a fear that was comforted by Joy.

Joy in the knowledge that Jesus was alive and had risen from the dead.

Likewise, as we live in the midst of this pandemic – we have a level of fear – even as Christians.

We don’t become flippant about it and disregard the warnings.

We don’t act irresponsibly and ignore the safety aspects thinking “God will protect me from getting it”.

That’s how Satan tempted Jesus when he told him to jump off the top of the temple because God will not let him get hurt and catch him.

No, we abide by what the Government has asked us to do.

We follow all the recommendations of hygiene, social distancing, self isolation.

We haven’t looked for loopholes or flaunted the rules.

Following the rules is not a lack of faith or suggesting that God is not in control.

The difference is that we place God above it all, knowing that he is in control of everything.

The 2 Marys believed that Jesus had risen from the dead and had great joy.

But they still lived in the midst of knowing that the Jewish leaders who put Jesus to death and the Roman Government were still hostile towards them – so there is that physical fear – it’s human nature.

They weren’t quite sure what the future might hold for them physically but they knew that Jesus was alive – and that created joy.

And that’s the same situation for us.

It’s not a lack of faith to be fearful of what is ahead.

The difference for us is that we can place all our fears upon Jesus.

That’s what St Paul encouraged us to do in the mixture of heavenly faith and earthly fears.

He says: you have been raised with Christ – the Easter message.

So seek things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God – the Easter resurrection message.

So Paul is clear on our Christian joy – Christ has risen and ascended – and we too have been raised with Christ.

Notice Paul writes in the present tense – you HAVE been raised – not WILL be raised.

But Paul also acknowledges that even though we have been saved by Christ that we are still affected the things of this world that can create fear.

He says “your life is hidden with Christ in God”.

Hidden behind the veil of sin and worldly flesh that still strikes fear.

But what is different for us who put our hope in Jesus Christ is that we have that comfort and joy of knowing that anything the world throws at us that can create fear does not have the final word.

And that’s the joy that Easter Sunday brings to us – is that God has the last word.

Whereas death was the last word – life in Christ is now the new last word.

A life that is hidden with Christ – safe with Christ until Christ returns and reveals his glory and our glory.

At present that glory is hidden to the world.

A world that has been brought to its knees in fear.

But we have been brought to our knees in praise of Jesus Christ.

The world around us is closing down – including our church buildings which have been closed.

But the grave has been opened forever and no one can close it.

At the moment we are caught between 2 worlds.

The world we live in physically – we are in the world but not of the world – as we often say.

But we are also citizens of heaven.

So, we live here but our true citizenship is in heaven because of Easter.

So it’s okay to be fearful but our fears are overcome by the joy of knowing that Jesus has won the victory.

That Jesus has defeated death – the worst weapon that Satan and the world had against us.

So Jesus says to you – as he said to the 2 Marys in their fear – Do not be afraid go and tell the others that they will see me.

Friends, let us also not be afraid when the fears of the world confront us as they presently are –

But let us go and tell the world about the joy we have and the joy they too can have because Jesus has been raised from the dead and so have we.

Christ is risen – he is risen indeed.

Let us go in the peace of the Lord.

Amen.

Video link Good Friday

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuApjZ5870El70sbDLkDalg

Good Friday Sermon 10th April 2020 The 7 last words of Jesus

Good Friday Sermon 10^th April 2020

The 7 last words of Jesus

Father forgive them for they know not what they do.

I was watching a special on TV last week about the Coronavirus and the presenter said – let’s get the world through this pandemic and as soon as we’ve beaten it we’ll find out who is responsible and make them pay for it.

Is that really the attitude we want to have?

When we are through this all I want to give thanks to God and keep praying for those who are affected by it still. The sick, the unemployed, the financially crippled, the grieving.

I’ve heard all the conspiracy theories about how it started.

I’ve heard all the rumours about how and where it started.

I’ve seen the videos of the racial abuse because people want to blame someone.

We recently had Psalm 130 in our worship which included the verse:

If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness;

Jesus death is all about forgiveness and not blame.

What amazing words that come from our Lord to his heavenly Father – forgive them.

Jesus could have asked his Father to take revenge and to punish those who put him to death.

But he doesn’t.

The nature of God is to forgive – love keeps no record of wrongs.

And the very nature of God is described many times in the Old Testament – slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Let us also example God’s nature with one another and forgive as we have been forgiven.

Father forgive them for they know not what they do.

Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.

We are told that the restrictions we are facing could go on for 6 months.

No one knows.

We’ve shown signs that we are doing the right things but no one is suggesting that we cut short the isolation and shutdowns we are facing.

We are all worried about the future.

Will we recover – will we ever get back to normal or will there be a new normal we will all have to adjust to?

And what is concerning is that we haven’t even entered the normal flu season which affects thousands and thousands of people.

We don’t know what the future holds.

But for a thief on the cross he didn’t have to worry about the future because Jesus said to him “TODAY” you will be with me in paradise.

How could Jesus make that promise?

Does he know what sort of life that thief had lived?

Doesn’t he have to be punished for all the crimes he has committed?

Jesus’ death today means that Jesus can assure him that TODAY he has the assurance of living in paradise.

And so too, TODAY, you have the assurance of living in paradise with God.

There is no exam at the end – there is no balancing of the books

Jesus death means that all our sins have been paid in full.

So the promise of paradise can be made today.

And that means we can enjoy living the blessings today – not tomorrow – not in 6 months time.

Times are not easy at present but St Paul reminds us that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that awaits us in heaven.

And that joy can be experienced today because our future home in heaven is assured today.

And only Jesus can give you that comfort today even if everything around us is crumbling.

Woman behold your son. Then he said to the disciple – behold your mother.

Even as he was about to die, Jesus is concerned about his family – both his biological family and also his Godly family – his disciples.

In this time of social isolation our families have also been our lifeblood.

Our families with whom we have been isolated and who we have been able to speak to either by phone or other technology.

But also our Christian brothers and sisters.

As I have rung you I have been overwhelmed by those who have told me that someone else from the congregation has also spoken to them.

I have had people contact me asking if I know anyone who needs any shopping done – who needs their garden looked after.

This is family – especially the family of God.

We are all aching because we cannot gather together to worship our heavenly Father but until that day we continue to be the family of God to one another.

And through this love connection we will get through.

The book of Hebrews says – let us not stop meeting together as some are in the habit of doing.

That is not what we are doing –

We are still meeting together and we thank God that the technology that has often frustrated us with mobile phones going off during church or our faces glued to screens – has now been used by God for his purposes.

You are family of God – let us be the family of God to each other.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Need I say more?

Isn’t this on the tips of many people’s tongues.

Isn’t it strange to hear those words come out of Jesus’ mouth?

What Jesus is here showing is the difference between reality and feelings.

It feels like God has abandoned him.

He is experiencing the full extent of the pain of sin.

He is experiencing hell – the absence of God.

A pain that cannot be compared to anything we experience in this life time – the separation from God.

But that’s not the reality.

The reality is that God abandons no one.

God promised in our baptism through Jesus – I am with you always till the end of the age.

Maybe it feels like God has abandoned the world – abandoned us – abandoned YOU.

But that is not the reality.

God is with you and he shares your pain which he did, fully on the Cross.

And as Jesus will experience on the Third Day when he rises from the dead – the sting of death is gone.

The victory is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When Christ, who is your glory appears then you also shall appear with him in Glory.

Until then our Glory is hidden – but real.

God has NOT abandoned you and never will.

I thirst.

Just as Jesus thirst on the cross, so too we are thirsting for his body and blood.

Jesus promised the Samaritan woman at the well that he can give to us Living Water so that we shall never thirst again.

Jesus promised in the beatitudes - Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled"

It may be a while before we can gather together again around the Table of our Lord and have our thirst quenched, but let us be assured that Jesus knows our thirst and what a celebration it will be when we can gather again.

It will be like the woman who lost a coin and when she found it gathered all her neighbours to come and celebrate with her.

I hope and pray that when that day comes that our churches will be overflowing with members, friends and those who have not been to church for a long time will come and celebrate with the angels, archangels and all the company of heaven to have our thirst quenched by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is finished

“It is finished” is often misunderstood as a sign of defeat.

That Jesus cannot take any more and has given up.

But that cannot be further from the truth.

It is a cry of victory.

The battle is over – I have won.

Satan tried his best to direct Jesus away from this end.

He tempted him 4 times – the last one his greatest – come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God.

But he didn’t.

Despite the pain, despite the abandonment, despite the betrayal, despite the denials – Jesus remained on the cross for you  and finished his mission of defeating Satan and death.

It is finished.

Father into your hands I commit my spirit.

When all is said and done what more comforting place can we find that in our loving Father’s hands.

With all the pain and hardships happening all around us today where can we find more comfort than in the loving hands of our Father in Heaven.

When the prodigal had nowhere else to turn he returns to his Father because he knows that despite all that he has done wrong, he is still his Father.

When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.

But it is his father who when he sees his son returning rushes out to him and throws him arm around him as the prodigal son places himself into his Fathers hands.

Despite what is happening all around us – the statistics – the warnings – the predictions – the fallout – the uncertainty – let us, like Jesus today, commit ourselves into our Father’s hands.