Are you an insider or an outsider? We may consider ourselves as insiders in our congregation, or indeed with God. The stark truth is that we all began life as outsiders from God. Our sin, both original, and actual, disqualified us being part of God’s kingdom, and we faced the future of a life separated from God, and estranged from each other and God’s good creation.
The early church’s ‘Aha’ moment is a word of life and hope for you and me. We are on the inside with God because has also granted to us the ‘repentance that leads to life.’ This wasn’t because God looked at us and determined that we met the criteria for kingdom membership. Nothing can be further from the truth.
Rather, it’s only because of the grace that he has shown us in Jesus Christ. Jesus has transformed us from outsiders into insiders through his cross. He came to live in this world as a human being. God’s insider became an outsider to carry our sin and to suffer the holy anger of his Father against all sin and evil, and taking on himself the sentence of death. The grace of God has turned us inside out.
Scientia potentia est. Knowledge is power.
An explorer returned from an exotic far-away land to her own people who were eager to know about the place she had been. The explorer could easily describe the incredible beauty of the place, with its thundering waterfalls, beautiful foliage and extraordinary wildlife, but how could she put into words the feelings that flooded her heart when she heard the night sounds of the forest, or sensed the dangers of the rapids, or experienced the warm hospitality of the local people? So, she tells them they simply must go to the place themselves, it’s the only way for anyone to really know it. To help them with their journey the explorer draws them a map.
Well, immediately the people pounce on the map, they make copies so everyone has access. They frame the map for their town hall and their homes. They study the map and discuss it often. They have debates and arguments about the best route to take; and before long they consider themselves experts on this wonderful place! After all, don’t they know the location of every waterfall, every bend in the river, every mountain range? But no-one ever goes.
Scientia potentia est. But, there’s knowledge and then there’s knowledge.
“If you are the Messiah,” said the Jewish leaders to Jesus, “tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me”
What is the biggest group that you've ever sung with? For those less musically inclined I would anticipate your answer is something like your church congregation. For the more musically involved, maybe it's on the order of hundreds of people. It could even be that you've attended a large concert and sung with thousands of people. But what if I told you that our Revelations reading for this week and the liturgy of our Divine service says that, actually, we regularly lift our voices in worship with not just those around us, but with thousands upon thousands and myriads upon myriads of angels?
In our Gospel reading today, we hear Jesus use the phrase “peace be with you” three times, but in different contexts. First, to the disciples' fear, bringing joy; second, to Thomas’ doubt, inspiring faith; and third, to all believers as they are sent into the world to share this peace through forgiveness. Through His wounds, His presence, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Jesus not only offers peace but equips His followers to carry that peace into a broken world.
Lost connections and unfamiliar histories are revealed as celebrities trace their family trees. That’s the tagline for the popular television series Who Do You Think You Are? now into its 21st season. What makes the series so watchable, I think, is that people aren’t just given a list of facts about a particular ancestor, they are also presented with a story. And, it’s the story that brings the person to life, both the ancestor and the celebrities who invariably become animated (= instilled with life) as they hear the story of their ancestor. The story gives life.
When the women arrive at the tomb on Easter morning what they are confronted with is not a body, but a story. An amazing story: “He is not here, but has risen! Remember how he told you.” The women don’t get to see Jesus right away, but they are animated by the story as they remember Jesus’ words. It’s a story they just have to tell others as they too become part of the story, this life-giving story which we hear and tell again this weekend. This story that becomes our story too.
Eventually the women do see Jesus, and so will we.
The share-market has been in the news a bit lately. Sounds like it has been a rollercoaster ride for investors and retirees as they watch their nest eggs diminish by the day. Maybe you’re a little nervous too? It’s enough to make someone want to pull all their money out and stick it under the mattress where it’s safer. Which may well be a good strategy for some, but for most people by playing it safe they will lose out, and even go backwards. There’s always a risk in investing. Even in Jesus. You see, you could play it safe and not talk at all about Jesus. That may well be a good strategy for some, but for most people it means you will lose out on the full benefits of a relationship with God, and even go backwards spiritually. Worse than that, others will lose out by not hearing about Jesus. There’s always a risk in investing. Even in Jesus. But, there’s also rewards. Big rewards. Why not have a crack?
* The above comments should not be taken as personal financial advice. Before making any decisions I recommend you obtain your own advice and consider the Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Services Guide. However, I take full responsibility for any perceived spiritual advice and recommend it heartily. Unfortunately, yours and my past performance is a reliable indicator of future performance which is why it’s worth investing in Jesus. He’s a good saver.
I learnt this week that the typical Australian bloke weighs 87kg. (No, you don’t have to go weigh yourself right away!) That 87kg of typical Aussie bloke is made up of 57kg of oxygen, 16kg of carbon, 8kg of hydrogen, 3kg of nitrogen, 1kg of calcium and 2kg of assorted other elements.
Now, don’t quote me as an expert on this, but if you were to break that typical Aussie bloke down into his chemical elements and sell them at current market rates you might get something like $200 in your pocket. What’s that . . . 40 coffees from the coffee cart? A general admission ticket to watch Geelong in this year’s AFL Grand Final? A couple of tanks of petrol?
Thank goodness, I say, life is more than economics.
I don’t believe in a patriarchal chief, a judge who never had mercy on a thief, the lord and master who must be waited on– God is mother-sister just as much as father-son.
God is beside us, God has no other home, no other family, we are God’s flesh and bone; he-she is with us and with all humankind– loving his creation always occupies her mind.
Lutheran theologian Robin Mann penned those words back in 1991 for his song God. Version 1.0. Robin tells me they caused quite a stir when they were published in the All Together books. I think I can see why! Robin usually plays with a theologically straight bat which makes these lyrics all the more noteworthy. How do they sit with you? If they make you uncomfortable, that’s good. If they don’t, perhaps they should!
Wife: Mmm, this just speaks to my soul. Doesn’t it just cry out for introspection and evoke questions of perception, existence and meaning? It challenges the viewer to confront the void, explore the boundaries between abstraction and reality, and define personal truth. It’s just stunning!
Husband: Looks like a canvas with a bit of blue Dulux slapped on to me.
I took the above photo at one of the most prestigious art galleries in the world: the Tate Modern in London. (The dialogue is imagined, but probably not far from reality)
I wonder if God were standing in front of that painting what would he see? Actually, I wonder if God were standing in front of those two people, what would he see?