Sermon 2nd May 2021 – 5th Sunday of Easter Text: John 15:1-8 – The greatest love of all

 Sermon 2^nd May 2021 – 5^th Sunday of Easter

Text: John 15:1-8 – The greatest love of all

 

ISM’s and Phobias seem to be dominating our world at present. Racism, sexism, ageism Homophobia – transphobia – Islamophobia Whenever we disagree with something or someone we instantly fall into one of these or one of the many other categories which we may not have had any idea existed or we may be shocked to think that someone might categorise us this way. “I’m not racist” – “I’m not sexist”

 

With Jesus as the vine, we don’t have to be born into some particular race, nationality or class of people to belong and be part of him.  Anyone can belong to Jesus’ community and receive, through this vine, the life he gives us from God.  We put aside what the person looks like; how many possessions they have; or where they were born.  We all belong to the true vine. This is our identity.

 

St. John, reinforces for Christians who know this unique identity as children of God, created in God’s image and included in the vine says: "We should … love one another just as he commanded us. Worldly organisations have ways to show you belong – membership cards, uniforms for example, but the sign that shows we belong and remain in the true vine, is that we love one another.  And even more unique is that our love isn’t just for "our own" – it’s not an insiders type of love. We love those who are not even members. In fact Jesus commands us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us.

 

This love flows out to others from Jesus to us and, especially, as we see in the example of Jesus’s lifetime, to the unloved and the excluded, because those were the ones Jesus particularly loved.  Examples of this unconditional love include Zacchaeus, the lepers, the woman caught in adultery, the unclean woman who washed his feet – all people who were despised by others. Since we now have the vine’s life flowing in us, we are called to love as he loved as part of the vine. As John says – we love because God first loved us.

 

The love that is pumped into us through the vine is then pumped out to others, otherwise we are in serious danger of clotting that love. And we know how dangerous and life threatening a blood clot can be in the human body – as a community of faith grafted into the vine, when we stop pumping that love then our community of faith becomes in danger of dying also. Interestingly, in our Gospel reading, John does not say that Jesus is the root, or the stump of the vine.  Otherwise those branches closest to the stump or root could claim they would have a privileged place of honour like first class passengers on a plane who sit nearest to the front. Or like James and his brother John who wanted Jesus to assign them places of prominence in the Kingdom closest to Jesus – one on his left and one on his right. There are no rankings of "first class members" in the church. And if there were then as Jesus says – the least becomes the greatest – the last becomes the first.

 

So Jesus doesn’t call himself the root, or the stump, instead, the image he uses of himself is the "true vine".

We are the "branches" who are to bear "much fruit."  No one is denied the source of life from the vine; nor are any exempted from bearing "much fruit".  But the fruit comes from living in the vine. Jesus is the source of everything we do whether it’s as the branches of the vine, or drinking from the living water or eating the bread of life. The fruit we bear will vary but none is more important than the other.

Just as there are many different types of fruit trees – so too there are many types of fruit that we as Christians produce.

But there are some fruits that we as Christians all produce which St Paul speaks about when he teaches us about the fruits of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. And notice what the very first fruit is – Love. And when Paul speaks about the 3 great gifts – faith, hope and love – but the greatest of these is love. Love, as well as being the fruit actually grows the fruits in our lives. And that means that if we stop loving then our faith not only doesn’t grow but it begins to die. Just like a branch that is broken from a fruit tree, the fruit may live for a short while on the branch but now that it has been removed from the tree or vine it no longer has the life source pumping into it. And that’s what happens to our faith when love is removed, which is what John says too: Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.

 

We never have a reason to not love. No matter how great the hurt is that someone has inflicted on us, healing won’t come through revenge or hate but by love and forgiveness. John pulls no punches and gives no loopholes when he says: Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.

 

As Christians we have been given a great privilege to know the love of God. A love that we need in our lives because at times there is nothing lovely about us that God should love us. And this can make us doubt our salvation – how could God possibly love me. But he does – unconditionally – as Paul says in Romans - God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 

Our relationship with God is not based on anything lovely in us as the saying goes – we are not loved by God because we are beautiful but we are beautiful because we are loved by God. And God said that to Israel as to why he decided to choose them as his chosen nation and people: The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.  But it was because the Lord loved you. But we won’t truly understand or feel this love if we withhold that love from others. As John said; let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.

 

Love is more than an emotion, as we heard from John in last week’s reading: let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. God’s love was shown in action when Jesus laid down his life for us.

And sometimes love demands sacrifice from us when we are called to love we do not want to love. But in love we also find great comfort as perfect love casts out fear. And that fear which is cast our is the fear of knowing that God loves us and assures us of our sins being forgiven and eternal life assured which is how John summarises God’s love: Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment. So let us love one another as Jesus has loved us and by this all people will know we are Jesus disciples and loved children of God.

Sermon 25th April 2021 – Good Shepherd Sunday Text: John 10:1-8 – Sheepish behaviour

 Sermon 25^th April 2021 – Good Shepherd Sunday

Text: John 10:1-8 – Sheepish behaviour

 

To be called a sheep is not a very flattering thing. It is a term usually used when referring to a person who doesn’t think for themselves but just blindly follows everyone else. Sadly this is often how people see Christians – as sheep. People who blindly follow a religion without thinking for themselves.

People who have been brainwashed to blindly accept teachings from a book written thousands of years ago that has no relevance today. I’m sure you’ve heard that reference before and maybe have even been called a sheep yourself for believing in God.

 

When you see sheep in a paddock you can understand why they have that image of blindly following. The shepherd just has to get one or two sheep going a certain way and the rest will follow. You’ll even see that if one sheep jumps an imaginary fence that the rest will also jump that fence which is not there. But is that the image of sheep that Jesus wants us to have of ourselves as he calls himself our Good Shepherd?

 

Is Jesus calling himself our Shepherd because he expects us to blindly follow him without any thought process? Not at all. That’s not the image that Jesus is wanting to portray by calling himself our Shepherd and we his sheep. The relationship of Shepherd and his sheep is one of trust.

 

Listen to how Jesus interacts with Peter when he restores him as his Apostle. Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”  “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”  Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

 

Jesus’ concern for us was not that we blindly followed him but that we were cared for and nurtured. Shepherds were often considered to be at the bottom of the rung of success in Jesus’ time – hence the continuing humble birth when the angels first appear to Shepherds to tell of Jesus’ birth.

But listen to David when he is begging to be given the opportunity to fight Goliath. He calls on his credentials as a Shepherd when speaking to King Saul: David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; all to protect his sheep.

 

And Jesus too talks about us as sheep and his care and concern for us when he is prepared to walk away from everything to come and find us

Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.

 

Does that sound like a God who just wants us to blindly follow him with no regard at all for us? Or then we have today’s explanation by Jesus of what it means to be our Good Shepherd: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Being sheep is nothing about us – it is all about Jesus being our shepherd. He lays down HIS life for us.

That’s what he did on Good Friday – he laid down his life for us in order that we may be raised to new life as he was when we die.

 

This relationship of sheep and shepherd is about the shepherds love and devotion to us and not about any expectation on us to blindly follow and be subservient to him. And that’s exactly what John said in our 2nd reading:

We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us. Jesus greatest concern is for those who do not put their faith and trust in him because no one cares for us like God who created us. Jesus calls them “the hired hands” – people who have no vested interest in us so they protect only themselves and at the first sign of trouble they leave us for dead: The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep.

It’s all about “care”. And our first reading from Acts is very clear what that care all about – it’s about our eternal life. Jesus came as our Good Shepherd to lead us home to our eternal life in Heaven as he lays down his life for us – as God made him who had no sin to become our sin so that we might become his rightousness. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved." And that is confirmed also by our Psalm today: Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

 

As we journey through life it is very easy to be led astray by false  shepherds. We follow the almighty dollar. We follow our careers. We follow our possessions – believing these will bring us hope and security.

What these do is that they can make us quite selfish – thinking of ourselves – just like the hired hand. In times of trouble, false shepherds are no help – they flee at first chance; Our careers, our money, our possessions – these are useless when we are confronting serious life and death issues.

But Jesus laid down his life for us so we can be assured of eternal life through him.

 

Being a sheep also means being a part of a community, a herd. Community is where we find support and security particularly during those times of concern and insecurity, which we all face. When Peter sank while walking on the water because of his concerns over the wind and the waves – Jesus took his hand and placed him back in the boat with the other disciples.

When the Good Shepherd found the lost sheep he carried him home – back to the flock of sheep. Sheep know that they need other sheep, desperately – because their very lives depend on it. That’s why they follow the shepherd because they know that they are safe in his hands.

 

Likewise, God places us within communities of faith to strengthen our faith and also to use us to strengthen one another. As John said in our 2nd reading: We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us-- and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.

 

I have no problem being called a sheep. Just like I have no problem when people say that my Christian faith is a crutch. Even though it’s intended as an insult that’s exactly what my faith is. We use a crutch when we are hurt and need support. Your rod and your staff – they comfort me. We don’t blindly follow a religion as Christians – we follow our Good Shepherd because he has promised to take us home with him to heaven.

 

So let us not be ashamed to be called sheep in following Jesus for there is no other name by which we can be saved.

Easter Sunday – 4th April 2021

 Easter Sunday – 4^th April 2021

 

I will never forget last Easter Sunday. There were just 4 of us at Ringwood for that day. We had our organist playing the organ instead of recorded music. We had a member providing real flowers and reading the bible readings. And we had a third person who doubled up filming and reading the prayers  And myself.

 

It was the most difficult service I have ever had to lead – the most joyous day of the church year – singing all those beautiful hymns – and apart from the 4 of us – an empty church. Knox remained closed – completely empty.

Each week I recorded the service to an empty church. It helped me to understand the emotions that must have faced Mary as she went to the tomb and did not find Jesus there. She discovered an empty tomb – in a similar way that I encountered an empty church. But even though the tomb where Jesus body had been careful placed was empty, Jesus was present in a much more personal way.

 

We too have had to understand and experience Jesus in a different way during these past 12 months. It may have been by watching YouTube recordings at home on your TV. You may have participated in a live stream via Zoom You may have watched several different church services from around Victoria – Australia or even around the world – and they may not have all been Lutheran services. But what Mary would discover was that even though the tomb was empty – Jesus was very much present. Likewise, even though our church buildings remained closed and empty – Jesus was very much present with us And Mary’s experience reveals to us that Jesus is always with us and especially in those times when he seems not to be. When he is speaking with Mary she is so sad because she believes that Jesus is missing – and that she is speaking with the gardener. And then he becomes very personal with her and calls her by name – Mary!

 

Do you ever feel that Jesus is missing when you need him? Maybe in a time of suffering. Maybe in a time of confusion or despair. Or maybe in your everyday life where your prayer life or time with God just seems to struggle and it seems like God is just not there for you. Easter Sunday reminds us that God is nearer than we realise – as he was with Mary. Mary thought his body had been taken away to an unknown place only to discover that Jesus is there with her the entire time. Likewise Jesus is with you at all times and he calls your name. You don’t have to look for God – he has come to you.

 

At Christmas time we heard that promise when Mary and Joseph were told he would be called Immanuel which means “God with us”. In 40 day’s time when Jesus ascends to Heaven – it will look like it again that he is leaving, but he will assure his disciples and you – I am with you always till the end of the age. Last Easter Sunday was really difficult for me and I’m sure it was for everyone wondering where is God when our churches are shut. But remember, it was only the church buildings that were shut. God was with you in your lounge rooms – maybe not in your Sunday best but maybe still in your PJs – or maybe you watched the service the next day.

 

Easter Sunday means that Jesus is with us ALWAYS till the end of the age. And he knows your name just as he knew Mary’s name even though she did not recognise him. But the most glorious news of Easter Sunday is that Jesus promised that he is with us always until the end of the age – but when that end of the age comes it doesn’t mean that Jesus won’t be with us – no, Easter Sunday means that when the end of the age comes we will be with Jesus in Heaven – not till the end of the age because in Heaven life is eternal. And that’s what Jesus has won for us as he rose from the dead and just as Jesus rose from the dead so shall we.

 

GOOD FRIDAY 2nd April 2021

 GOOD FRIDAY 2^nd April 2021

 

Today is a day that weighs heavy on the church.  Each year on Good Friday, we hear the account of Jesus’ gruesome death;  Each year we experience those same emotions that accompany Jesus’ death: the anguish and disbelief. We hear the same details – the same bible readings – but each year it seems to fit a little bit differently to the situation we are going through: No doubt, this year, we hear it in the midst of the pandemic. Maybe, even at times, we’ve cried out during the lockdowns, particularly of our church buildings, my God, my God, why have you forsaken us. And therefore, each year it strikes a little differently.

 

This year the death of our Lord is met with the continuing fears of the pandemic even though we have, according to our media “eradicated” it once again –  and even though there is a vaccine rollout, people are still anxious - frightened.  Nevertheless, there is good news here, if we have ears to hear.

But sometimes the good news is hidden in the despair in much the same way that the Good of Good Friday is hid beneath the despair of Jesus humiliation, suffering and death.

 

On the surface there is nothing “GOOD” about Good Friday. It is bleak – it is dark – it is death.

Our church is bare – no flowers – no colourful trimmings of the altar. Even my colourful stole is black.

We don’t gather in celebration around the altar to receive the body and blood of Christ. But Good Friday is a step on the way to Easter Sunday where the Good comes to life – literally. But it’s the bleakness of Good Friday that hides that Good even from Jesus who cried out to his Father wondering why he had abandoned him – who cried out in the Garden of Gethsemane:  “take this cup from me”.

 

But hidden behind Jesus’ death is victory over death as his journey does not end there but begins there. Where on the 3rd day we will gather again – in the same place – but not at a place that is surrounded by death but with new life. Where the women looking for Jesus’ body are asked by the angels - "Why do you look for the living among the dead?

 

As we too journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday – and I’m not talking about the 3 days but our entire life is lived between the death of Good Friday and the life of Easter Sunday – we can be overcome by the bleakness of life. And even once this pandemic is fully over there will be something to take its place to darken our hopes and dreams. And so we live as Christians not in the bleakness of Good Friday but in the shadow of Easter Sunday – which at present is a shadow because it has not fully arrived for us yet. And that’s what St Paul says in Colossians chapter 3: He says: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

 

So we continue to live overshadowed by the bleakness of Good Friday but we are drawn by God into the light of Easter Sunday so we do not live in despair but in hope. Hope that the new dawn is coming – as Psalm 30 says: Weeping may endure for a night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning. And that shout of joy is the resurrection shout that the grave is empty – that Christ is risen.

Where O death is your victory – thanks be to God because he gives to us the victory over death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Maundy Thursday – 1st April 2021

 Maundy Thursday – 1^st April 2021

A lot of things have changed in the way we do worship in this past 12 months. And Maundy Thursday is no exception. Much in our bible reading tonight would not be allowed under Covid restrictions. First there was the celebration of the very first Holy Communion service together. If we look at artwork depicting that scene then there was no social distancing between Jesus and the 12 disciples. There were no masks. And they were sharing the Common Cup – the Holy Grail as it is often referred to - for the blood of Christ and one loaf of bread passed from one person to another. And then there was Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. Totally unhygienic when we are discouraged to even shake hands.

 

Our present Holy Communion service resembles nothing like that first communion service: Individual cups – masks, gloves, tongs, sanitizer – no sharing of the peace – elbow bumps instead of handshaking. Nevertheless these are not what are central to what Jesus was teaching his disciples and us. Jesus explained to his disciples what was central in all that they do: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 

Yes, I would love things to be different – to be the way they were. But let us not forget where we were 12 months ago. We were at home, locked out of our church buildings, and without the sacrament for something like 6 months. I thank God every day that we can be back together even if we have to make some small  sacrifices – even if we have to one day start wearing masks again during worship.

 

I think of a story I heard when I listed to a speaker talk about Christians in some persecuted countries where Christianity is forbidden – where Bibles are banned. If they can get their hands on a bible, they will tear out its pages so they can share even just a page with as many people as they can – even one page per household.

That doesn’t disrespect or lessen its sacredness but shows a deep hunger for God’s word. I’m looking forward to the day we can offer the common cup again – and here at Our Saviour’s the breaking of actual bread rather than wafers.

 

But what is essential in this Sacrament? It is Christ’s true presence – his body and blood for the forgiveness of sins – and that is not compromised by gloves, masks, individual cups. Some argue that the individual cups aren’t what we should be using – but let us be careful that we don’t believe that Christ cannot be present  because of human rules and tradition because that is what Luther fought tooth and nail against when he insisted on the true presence of Christ. There were those he fought against that who said Christ couldn’t not be present in the bread and wine because he is at the right hand of God. Therefore the bread and wine can only “represent” his body and blood.

 

Or think of Phillip and the Ethiopian eunuch who wanted to be baptised. Phillip didn’t say – not until we get you to a baptismal font and do it there. Neither did Phillip insist he do a series of Pastor’s Classes before he would consider baptising him. Jesus spelt out clearly to his disciples what he desires: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 

If we have love for God and one another, I believe that we can look past the things we would like to have as we gather compared to the things that make our gathering sacred and special – God’s Word and Sacrament even with the restrictions that are presently placed upon us. We’ve even had to accept that not every service will have live music – but again – is that what makes God’s presence in and among us?

I think of Paul and Silas in prison in Acts 16:25 - About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. There was no band or organ for their hymns.

 

Sometimes what is central to our faith and salvation can be lost because of the layers we put on them. Jesus always brought things back to where the central teaching was: Where 2 or 3 are gathered, there I am in the midst of them. Accepting the Kingdom of God with a childlike faith. St Paul was the same in our 2nd reading today when speaking about Holy Communion: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Just like Baptism where we don’t put any instructions on how or where other than the words Jesus commanded – in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – we don’t put conditions on “this bread” or “this cup” other than Jesus’ words which we call – the Words of Institution – that consecrate the elements for use in the body and blood of Christ. Otherwise we will place a heavy burden on consciences that there is something that we must contribute which causes doubts as to whether Jesus is truly present – and whether our sins are truly forgiven.

 

Jesus reminds us – it is our love for one another as he has loved us that will proclaim to the world that we are his disciples. And sometimes that love is asked of us as we show that we are prepared to let go of our traditions for the sake of the greater good. I don’t like wearing a mask or gloves or not having the common cup available for Holy Communion – but if these allow us to gather and receive the body and blood of Christ together then I will think of what Paul said – when he was confronted with eating meat sacrificed to idols – which he was very happy to do – but if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.

 

So in all that we do, whether it is here in church or out in the public – let us show that same love for one another as Christ has loved us and by this EVERYONE will know that we are Christ’s disciples – if we have love for one another. And no greater love do we see than Christ sacrificing his own life to give us his body and blood in the sacrament.

Sermon 28th March 2021– Palm Sunday Text: Mark 11:1-11 – My rights

 Sermon 28^th March 2021– Palm Sunday Text: Mark 11:1-11 – My rights

 

MY RIGHTS is a phrase we are hearing more and more these days –  It’s my right to do this or not do this. It’s my body, my choice. Palm Sunday is an example of Jesus choosing the greater good rather than his own rights.

 

On Palm Sunday we celebrate what is called Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. But this is the entry that Jesus had been telling his disciples about when he said: that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed. With the crowds shouting their support for him it must have been tempting for Jesus to follow Peter’s suggestion instead when he responded to Jesus - “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!” Jesus could have demanded his own rights and gone on to be their earthly leader – but for how long? But Jesus chose not too, as St Paul stated:  though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with Godas something to be exploited,  but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant. being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross.

 

Jesus didn’t succumb to temptation but continued towards Jerusalem and ultimately his death.

Let us not think for a moment that this was an easy decision for Jesus simply because he was the Son of God. As well as being God Jesus was also human like you and me and agonised over what Jerusalem would mean: In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus says: My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me.

But Jesus then considered the greater good rather than his own rights and said: Yet not what I will, but your will be done.” Jesus chose the greater good over that of his own rights, a lesson that is sorely missing in today’s “me” generation.

 

So much today is not thought of for the greater good but for my own rights. It’s all about my rights – my opinion – my desires. And when something violates “my” rights we demand action. My way – or we threaten to sue looking for compensation. We choose and keep leaders based on opinion polls rather than how good their policies are. And the trend these days for Governments once they are elected is not what good they can bring to the people but how we can ensure we are elected next time. And these days we are not prepared to go through some period of pain for the greater good but want my rights.

 

There is this “demanding my rights” feel about the way many approach life today. We see it in politics – we see it in the church – we see it on the roads – in schools – in universities – in sport – in our daily routines – we see it in the Covid restrictions which people disagree with (such as mask wearing). Jesus on the other hand led a humble life. He had rights that he did not take up. He did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited. Jesus was truly God but he emptied himself of any right to use it to his advantage.

 

When we was arrested and Peter wanted to defend Jesus honour, Jesus said – Don’t you think I  could call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

But how would that have served the common good? Instead - Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross.

 

We are called in Paul’s 2nd reading to let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus. And therefore we forgo our rights for the greater good. And that’s okay because you will not miss out.

Instead, Jesus says, a greater reward is reserved when he says - your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Instead of allowing our anger to govern and our thoughts, words and deeds, we allow the peace of God that goes beyond understanding to watch guard over us.

You only have to look at the anger of people when their rights are violated. We see people explode with road rage – or standing there at the shop counter demanding their rights – yelling at the person on the end of the phone. We saw so much of that during our Covid restrictions with people demanding “My Rights”.

 

But look at Jesus and how he kept his composure even to the point of death when he cried out to his father – not to avenge his blood but to forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing. And because of his humility, Paul says, God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name. Sometimes the rights of the greater good exceed the individual rights as we see on Palm Sunday when Jesus goes from hero to outcast because he refused to demand his right to Kingship. True kingship was awaiting him and also you as you claim the crown of glory for yourself.

 

Your life may not always go according to your expected rights but that is what the cross represents. It represents forgoing at times our own rights for the greater good. And the greater good is that all people coming to the knowledge of God and being saved. Whatever it is that you are doing you have an opportunity to show the grace and love of God to others particularly when you refrain from showing anger and instead showing love. Instead of demanding “my rights” we look for ways that we can serve others as Jesus did becoming a servant of all. It’s a sad quality that is missing in today’s society as people will usually respond by saying “I know my rights”.

 

God had the right to turn his back on humanity when we disobeyed him but it was while we were yet sinners that Christ died for us. And this is the mind that we too should have that sometimes in advancing God’s kingdom we forgo our rights for the greater good of sharing the gospel. But Jesus promises no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

 

Sermon 21st March 2021 – 5th Sunday in Lent Hebrews 5:5-10 – Suffering’s hidden mystery

 Sermon 21^st March 2021 – 5^th Sunday in Lent

Hebrews 5:5-10 – Suffering’s hidden mystery

 

With the AFL football season starting this week there is a sense of privilege for those who were fortunate enough to have had a ticket to watch their team play. For 2 of the biggest clubs in the AFL, Richmond and Carlton, getting a ticket was never going to be easy. The game usually attracts around 90,000 because of the footy starved public. But with Covid restrictions limiting the MCG to 50,000, Richmond was given 25,000 and Carlton 2,000 of those tickets. It was always going to be impossible to make everyone happy. Sometimes life is unfair and there is nothing we can do about it – it is totally out of our control.

 

In our Gospel reading today we have some spectators who are also wanting to see a major event that is happening. There is a festival happening in Jerusalem for the Passover and a huge crowd was gathering for the event because they heard that Jesus was going to be attending. Some Greeks came to Phillip and said that they would love to be able to see Jesus. Because they were not members of the Jewish race they felt they were not going to be given that opportunity. They had heard of all the great things Jesus had been doing – the miracles and teaching with authority and no doubt wanted to see this first hand. In fact this was just after Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead and everyone was talking about it.

 

Phillip went to Andrew and told him about their request and together they went and told Jesus. But we’re not actually told whether or not they got to see Jesus. But it would not be long before everyone would get to see Jesus but not in the way they would have thought. They would see Jesus in a way that would shatter their expectations as they see him in a way that was not very glorious but in absolute shame hanging lifeless on a cross – crucified in humiliation in a most undignified death. They would now walk past shaking their heads in disgust – he saved others but could not even save himself.

 

But what they would not understand in all this is that they were witnessing the most glorious display of love and power by Jesus and his Heavenly Father. And that’s what Jesus explains before this happens:  The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Jesus is about to experience his death on the cross for our sins. One death that would create new life for many. But his concern is that his disciples will not understand what this means and reassures them that death in this situation is not the end of life but the beginning of a new life. And from here on all death will be the path to eternal life as St Paul says in Romans 6:  Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

And Jesus uses the example of a seed that must die in order for not only the new life that will come from it but further seeds that will create even more new life and more seeds.

 

Jesus’ death is not an indication of defeat – which is what it will look like - but a hidden victory. Notice what was said in the Hebrews reading about that death to assure us that Satan had not gotten the upper hand:

Jesus offered up prayers with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. The writer admits that God was able to save his own Son from death – and that he heard Jesus’ cry out to him - but that would mean we would not receive eternal life when we die. So the writer of Hebrews wants to assure each of us that God also hears our prayers – our cries and tears – and we are asked to trust him especially during those times when we feel God has not heard our prayers because of our suffering.

 

As we have journeyed through these 12 months of Covid I’m sure we all cried out at some time to God wondering what was going on. Asking to reopen our churches and for a while we wondered if indeed God was aware of our plight and able to help. In any time of suffering the question can easily arise – where is God in all this? When the Israelites were exiled to Babylon they’re captors taunted them also – where is your God?

If there is a loving God why does he allow us to suffer? These are all valid questions but we can begin to understand through Jesus’ suffering that our suffering is part of the mystery of God that we do not understand. It’s not suggesting in any way that God sends suffering.

 

But who could ever understand what St Paul says in Romans 5 when he says that he rejoices in his suffering:

We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. He rejoices in his suffering??? St Paul saw a mysterious closeness to God in times of suffering in 2 Corinthians when he wrote: Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Paul, again, delights in suffering.

 

That word “rest on me” is the key word to understanding. The Greek word is sken-o-ow – which is the same word in John 1:14 where John says – the Word became flesh and dwelt with us – rest on me – and dwelt are from the same word used in the Old Testament for the Tabernacle – which was the tent in which God lived with the Israelites and when God was present – the glory cloud or the Shekinah cloud (same word – sken-o-ow) would come an rest on the tabernacle. So what Jesus is teaching us – and what Paul discovered in suffering – is that there is this mystery hidden of God’s glory and presence with us in our suffering. Which is what Paul is referring to in Colossians chapter 3 when he says - For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God – hidden under a cloud of suffering. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. The glory cloud revealing God’s presence that has been hidden in us in our suffering

No one wants to suffer but suffering is not a sign that there is something wrong. Well, let me correct that – there is something wrong in the world – we call that sin.

 

But our suffering is not a punishment – it’s not a sign of God’s displeasure – but in our suffering God draws even closer to us. It’s like a parent who loves their child. But when their child suffers there comes a deeper love of agony watching your child suffer – to the point that if you could – you would take that suffering on yourself if you could free your child from their suffering. And that’s what God did for us. He took on our sin and punishment for sin and took our place on the cross. God made him who had no sin to become sin for us so that we would become the righteousness of God. That’s the mystery of why God, while we were yet sinners, loved us and sent his son to die for us. And that’s the new covenant that Jeremiah spoke of when he said - for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. And now, Jesus, who in the days of his flesh, offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission – now cries out to his heavenly Father for you – to the one who can save you from death and is heard because he is at the right hand of God interceding for you.

 

So may that Good News comfort you in your suffering and now that we know God hears your prayer, let us also cry out for the world – for those that do not yet know the love and mystery of God – let us cry out to God who hears us and is able to save the world from death and ask that his glory is made known to all people that all may come to know God and be saved.