Gutsy Faith

Introduction to reading:

Our journey through the Narrative Lectionary started in September, we read from the Old testament until Christmas, then the Gospel of John, now moving into Acts, then an epistle for a couple of weeks, then Pentecost.

SUMMARY

Acts of the Apostles is written by the same person who wrote the gospel of Luke, so expect A different writing to style to John.

The Acts of the Apostles portrays Jesus' followers from their days with the risen Jesus in Jerusalem to Paul's mission in Rome. Initial chapters focus on the life of the early community of believers in Jerusalem and the work of the Holy Spirit among them. Called, inspired, and even driven by the Holy Spirit, the apostles spread the gospel throughout northern Mediterranean lands. The story of Paul's call to spread the news of Jesus is the central emphasis of the second half of Acts.[i]

Reading: Acts 8: 1-3, 9:1-19 

Proclamation: Gutsy faith[ii]

I am guessing most of you have heard the story of the dramatic experience of Saul. I have been in places where some people felt less “Christian” because they didn’t have a dramatic experience to tell about when they first met Jesus, or when they decided to follow Jesus.

Saul is changed during this experience, but to me the hero in this story is Ananias.

Before we look deeper at this story, a few comments about the passage:

·         The name of Saul/Paul. Saul was a person with Jewish background who was a Roman citizen[iii]. His name Saul, a Jewish name, and Paul, a Roman name. Like being called John or Johann [German] or Giovanni [Italian], same name, different language. Not too long ago in our history, if you were called Johann, you would change your name to John if you migrated to an English speaking country.

·         Saul was persecuting followers of the Way. The term Christians was not yet in use.
“ “The Way” is a powerful metaphor for Christian identity. Instead of being identified by a set of beliefs, these faithful communities were known by their character in the world. Christian faith was a way of life and one that impelled individuals and communities to leave the safe confines of home and church to walk on the road God had set out. “The Way” suggests that faith is a living, active way of life.” [iv]

·         Jesus asked Saul “Saul! Saul! Why are you so cruel to me?”. Persecuting followers of Jesus, was the same as persecuting Jesus himself.

·         Saul was unable to see and did not eat or drink for three days – I wonder if this is a connection or allusion to 3 days that Jonah was in the belly of the whale and three days that Jesus was in the tomb?
Jonah was another person who argued with God, though Ananias did not run away.

·         The book of Acts was written by a Christian for other Christians. This means they knew who Saul was, and the ending of the story.

That is some of the detail, but what of the experience of Saul, and of Ananias.

Firstly Ananias, all we hear of Ananias is in this passage. Basically, he is a follower of Jesus, living in Damascus. He hears a message from the Lord, and after questioning the wisdom of the request, he goes, and does as he had been told. A minor part in the overall story of the Bible. I wonder what would have happened to Saul if Ananias had said no to God.

Ananias is an example of being a disciple, sometimes that means showing mercy to those you really don’t want to show mercy to at all.  He is faithful and trusting of God and does what he is called to do.[v]

In talking the experience of Saul as a conversion experience, I think we miss the bigness of what happened. Yes, Saul was a changed person, he went persecuting the followers of Jesus, to believing in Jesus.

But this experience was more than a change of mind and heart, it was transformation, a call and a commission to spread the good news. The commission did not come in the voice from the blinding light, it wasn’t even to Saul at this point, but to Ananias: I have chosen him to tell foreigners, kings, and the people of Israel about me.

Often when we talk about a conversion experience, it is something we have done. We have heard about the good news, about the love of God, and we have decided to follow Jesus.

But here, conversion happens to Paul. He isn’t looking for a change of heart or mind.

He isn’t convinced by the logic of the resurrection, or of his need for forgiveness. All we are told is that Ananias prayed for him, as he was instructed, the Saul regained his sight and was baptised.

“What Saul went through is something that God does.  It is not a self-improvement project. God is in the business of choosing people that most of us would never choose like Jacob who was a thief and a crook or even Moses who killed a man. By showing such extreme examples, we show that God is the one that changes us and not us.” [vi]

Change is not about learning to be a better person, but allowing God to make us better persons, persons on a mission.[vii]

Where does this leave us?

Are we like Ananias, being asked to extend grace, mercy, and forgiveness, because God called us to, not because people deserved it?[viii]

Are we being commissioned to spread the Good News:

Good News that reaches to the widest edges of the world seeking the lost?

Good News that turns to the powerful of the world and demands justice, grace, and peace.

Good News comes with a price, a price we must wonder if we are willing to embrace as Jesus’ disciples.[ix]

We won’t all have an experience like that of Saul on the Damascus Road.

We won’t all be asked to face someone we fear will kill us as Ananias was.

But we are all asked to listen for the call of God in our lives; to follow in the way of Jesus – offering grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

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[i] http://www.enterthebible.org/newtestament.aspx?rid=12

[ii] The title comes from a commentary on the Annunciation http://www.rickmorley.com/archives/1218?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gutsy-faith-greater-than-the-angels-a-reflection-on-the-annunciation

[iii] https://comesundaydoc.org/2018/04/11/sometimes-by-step-easter-3/

[iv] http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2835

[v] https://comesundaydoc.org/2018/04/11/sometimes-by-step-easter-3/

[vi] https://comesundaydoc.org/2018/04/11/sometimes-by-step-easter-3/

[vii] https://comesundaydoc.org/2018/04/11/sometimes-by-step-easter-3/

[viii] http://rev-o-lution.org/2016/04/01/worship-resources-for-april-10-2016-third-sunday-of-easter/

[ix] http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2835

which kingdom, which truth

Usually we hear this passage as part of the series of readings on Good Friday. The arrest, the trial before the religious leaders then this trial before Pilate, condemnation, humiliation, crucifixion, burial. We hear it as one long story.

Here we have just 13 verses.

13 verses that tell as a lot about Jesus, and we also learn about some of the other characters in this part of the story.

Last Sunday we heard about the arrest in the garden, the trial before Annas and the denial of Peter. We thought about where we, like Peter, say “I am not one of that man’s followers.”

This week, I wonder which person you most identify with?

Caiaphas: wanting this man gone, but without the authority to do away with him. He needed to stay on the right side of the Roman authorities.

I wonder in what ways we compromise ourselves to stay on good terms with someone in power?

Pilate: the most powerful person in the region. Pilate has been appointed governor by Rome. He was known as being ruthless and brutal. He lived, not in Jerusalem but in a Roman enclave on the coast of the Mediterranean. He is likely in Jerusalem because of the Passover, he will be there with soldiers to keep ‘the peace’.[i] He doesn’t want any trouble on his watch, which means we see him give into the religious leaders, even though he sees no reason to condemn Jesus.

I wonder how we use the power we have? Do we take risks, challenge injustice or play it safe?

Then there is the crowd. I don’t know what to make of them, maybe some genuinely believed that Jesus was a criminal; but I wonder what happens when we are in a group, and you don’t want to stand out, so you do not speak up.

I have noticed in this Parish, that at times people will make a comment to me privately, but not speak in a meeting where a decision is being made. I wonder why people are unwilling to speak up in this place?

and we come to Jesus: a man who seems not to be able to answer a question with a simple answer, even to save his own neck.

But what do we hear Jesus saying? Jesus challenges Pilate in response to each question.

Pilate asks: “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jesus answers: “Are you asking this on your own or did someone tell you about me?”

Are the questions we ask, and the criticisms we make, our own, or are we speaking someone else’s words?

There are so many opinions available, in newspapers, on TV and on-line, as well as family and friends; do we just take an opinion and make it our own, or do we do the hard work of checking and thinking for our self. It is often easier to go along with the group; to align ourselves with a group or political party or social commentator.

Then Jesus seems to ignore Pilate’s next comment, and says, “My kingdom doesn’t belong to this world. If it did, my followers would have fought to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. No, my kingdom doesn’t belong to this world.”

The kingdom of Caesar or the Kingdom of God;
a kingdom based on fear or a kingdom based on grace;
a kingdom based on violence or a kingdom based on love;
a kingdom that values strength or a kingdom that embraces our weaknesses.

Which kingdom will you choose?

Pilate replied. “So you are a king,”

Jesus told him “You are saying that I am a king,”. “I was born into this world to tell about the truth. And everyone who belongs to the truth knows my voice.”

everyone who belongs to the truth knows my voice,
where have we heard that before? this phrase reminds of John chapter 10, Jesus says: “I know my sheep, and they know me.” [John 10:14 CEV]

“My sheep know my voice, and I know them. They follow me, and I give them eternal life, so that they will never be lost.” [John 10:27-28a CEV]

Jesus said: I have come to:

to testify to the truth NIV and NRSV,
to bear witness to the truth RSV
to tell about the truth CEV
so that I could witness to the truth MSG

notice isn’t to give you the truth, or to tell you the truth, but to tell you about, to witness to the truth.

Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?”

We don’t hear the answer Jesus gave to this question; or if he gave an answer.

What might Jesus be talking about?

The people we have met in the readings last week and this all seem to have something holding them back:

Peter: violence in the garden, fear in the courtyard
Caiaphas and the religious leaders: backroom deals and false testimony
Pilate: anything to keep the peace
the crowd: fear at standing out as being different

Jesus is the one who is consistently authentic.
Jesus is the one who is aware of the reality of his life,
the reason for his life
Jesus is the one who has lived true to his own values:
    grace and love and forgiveness and healing.

“Jesus’ truth -- his testimony and his person -- is an expression of the divine love he embodies and comes to reveal. This truth brings comfort (John 14:1-7), freedom (8:31-32), and joy (15:11). … God’s truth is from above and offers a peace “not as the world gives.” It calls the one being freed to a new perspective and new life -- abundant but also transformed.” ^[ii]

But when we base our lives on the values of the kingdom of the world, on power, fear and violence, then the truth of God’s transforming love is a threat.[iii]

Last week we thought about where we, like Peter, say “I am not one of that man’s followers.”

This week, I wonder which kingdom we choose, not in a one off decision, but in the myriad decisions we make each day.

Is it the kingdom of truth and grace,
of love and forgiveness,
the kingdom that embraces us as we are
and transforms our lives?

Or do we allow the crowd to sway us, to close our ears and hearts to God’s voice?

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[i] https://www.workingpreacher.org/popoutplayer.aspx?podcast_id=990

[ii] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3407

[iii] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3407

I am , I am not

Introduction to the Reading

Just before we hear the Scripture reading this morning, a quick recap:

2 weeks ago, we thought about the raising of Lazarus, and the various responses to that event.

Last week, Jesus washing the feet of the disciples.

in the same chapter, Jesus foretells his betrayal, and the denial by Peter;

in the next chapter, Jesus tells the disciples about the Holy Spirit that will come,

Chapter 15 begins with I am the true vine and my father is the vine grower and then,

still in this long section of teaching, Jesus prays for the disciples. We start our reading at the end of that prayer.

John 17:25- 18:27 

This is another action packed story.

After the time spent with the disciples, Jesus and the disciples moved across the Kidron valley, which is at one edge of the city walls.  

Scene 1: The arrest scene:

Now in a garden, Jesus and the disciples notice some people arriving.

Jesus asks: who are you looking for

Guards say: Jesus

Jesus says: I am

Guards fall down

And the exchange again, this time without the guards falling down.

Other gospels have Jesus praying and the disciples sleeping, not John, here we have a bold Jesus. Jesus says I am, the same name that we have for God in the conversation with Moses.

It also is a reminder of all the I am statements John records:

I am the bread of life 6:35

I am the light of the world 8:12

I am the gate for the sheep 10:7

I am the good shepherd 10:11

I am the resurrection and the life 11:25

I am the way, the truth and the life 14:6

I am the true Vine 15:1

Recap scene 1: arrest, Jesus says I am

scene 2: we move from the garden to the trial in the courtyard of the house of the  high priest. Annas questions Jesus about what he has been teaching, and Jesus responds that all his teaching has been in public, ‘I have said nothing in secret’.

Jesus is then sent to Caiaphas, the current high priest, and son-in-law of Annas.

the secrecy of the religious leaders in looking for ways to kill Jesus, the secrecy of Judas in betraying Jesus are contrasted with the openness of Jesus.

While this is happening, also in the courtyard is

scene 3:

Peter and another disciple follow the guards and Jesus, to see where they are taking Jesus. We don’t know the name of the other disciple, but he is known to the High Priest, and it seems on good terms, as he is allowed to freely enter the courtyard. This disciple arranges for Peter to be allowed in. the person on the gate, asks:

“Aren’t you one of that man’s followers?”

Peter says: I am not!

Then warming himself around a fire,

 “Aren’t you one of that man’s followers?”

Peter says: I am not!

And a relative of the guard whose ear Peter had cut off: “Didn’t I see you in the garden with that man?”

Peter denies it.

We don’t hear where the other disciples are at this point, so let’s not be too hard on Peter.

Ever wish you were somewhere else?  

When we hear or see violence, racism or sexism, do we speak up?
...Do something?
…...Or just try and blend into the background.

I wonder if Peter felt a bit like that. Jesus has been arrested and he is trying to find out what is happening, without getting involved. Impetuous Peter, is trying to play it cool.

Many Bibles put headings on paragraphs or sections, and you may already know I don’t like them, the heading on this is ‘Peter denies Jesus’, but I think Peter does more than that. Peter denies himself.

In the other gospels, Peter says, I do not know this man.
Here in John it says: I am not (one of that man’s followers)

Where Jesus says: I am

Peter says: I am not

When do we say: I am not!
…. I am not one of that man’s followers
Not necessarily in so few words.

In what ways do we deny our relationship with Jesus?
in what ways do we deny the presence of God in our lives?
in what ways do we deny our own truth?

What about when we say: I am not enough
What about when we try and fit in with the crowd
What about when we feel powerless to change anything,
and so we become spectators,
onlookers,
peeking around corners,
staying out of trouble.

At the workshop some of us attended yesterday, one person talked of how Christianity had started on the fringes, the edges of society, moved to the centre with Constantine, and then popes and bishops held power with kings and emperors. Now Christianity is moving from the centre to the edges. The Christian Church is no longer a dominant player in our society.

Increasingly we will need to find our voice,
our voice that tells of the transforming love of God in our life
our voice that tells our story
my voice that tells my story
your voice that tells your story
     a story of fear
     a story of difficult decisions
     a story of mistakes
     a story of love and grace and community and inclusion.

What people saw in Jesus all those years ago, is what people still look for today;
     authenticity,
     honesty,
     knowing who you are and
     living by your values.

Do our words and actions say: I am, or I am not one of that man’s followers

Do our lives say: I am, or I am not one of that man’s followers

Our response to challenge
our response to poverty and violence and despair,
will all speak louder than our words and prayers.

In what ways do we deny our relationship with Jesus?
in what ways do we deny the presence of God in our lives?
in what ways do we deny our own truth?

He loved to the end

The first reading is one I really like. While similar stories appear in other gospels, in this case, Mary the sister of Lazarus anoints Jesus six days before Passover.

Mary has recognised who Jesus is, and what is going to happen.

She uses what she has in a simple, generous, thoughtful act.  

But this story is also scandalous!

Women did not touch men they were not related to.

Yet Mary takes perfume, worth about a year’s wages, and pours it over his feet.

Not only does Mary touch Jesus but dries his feet with her hair?!

Imagine that in your mind.

An act of love and adoration, a very personal tribute to a friend and saviour.

Then we read in the beginning of chapter 13 of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. Travelling on dusty roads with minimal footwear, meant dirty feet.

People reclined when they ate, so your feet, your dirty feet, were near food and other people. As you arrived for a meal, your host would have water ready to pour over your feet, and someone to dry them for you. if you had a servant, this was one of their tasks.

Here Jesus is doing the work of a servant.

This morning, if I said I was going to wash your feet, how would you feel?

Would you volunteer to have your feet washed?

At college one year, just before Easter we did foot washing. One of the students in my year refused to take his shoes off, he could not imagine anyone washing his feet.

John does not record a ‘last supper’ scene, with broken bread and wine passed around.[i]

John includes the washing of the feet and is the only gospel writer to do so.

John does not have Jesus saying eat and drink and remember me.

John has Jesus saying: “if your Lord and teacher has washed your feet, you should do the same for each other. I have set the example, and you should do for each other exactly what I have done for you.”

“The primary act of radical, self-giving, poured-out love that plays out on Jesus’ last night isn’t in broken bread but in Jesus washing the dusty, sweaty feet of his own.”[ii]

What does this say to us about Jesus?

What does this say to us about love?

Jesus who let a woman touch him

Jesus who broke down barriers of life and death

Jesus who broke down barriers between male and female

Jesus who broke down barriers between heaven and earth.

Jesus who loved to the end.

Love that is not about roses and chocolates,

Love that serves

In these passages we see Jesus accepting a gift from a woman, giving her status and power.

We see Jesus letting go of power, by taking on the role of a servant

We see Jesus accepting the generosity of another

We see Jesus setting an example of service.

Jesus asks the disciples: Do you understand what I have done?

I wonder how often we don’t understand the words and actions of Jesus.  We might like to think we know what Jesus meant, but I wonder if that is true.

I think that we might be closer to God, and each other, if we stopped pretending we know the answer to everything.

If we accepted that faith is an experience, a journeying, a relationship. Faith isn’t about knowing all the answers, and sometimes even with faith we will not have any answers.

Sometimes all we have is faith that Jesus sits with us in the midst of questions that have no answers.

Jesus asks the disciples: Do you understand what I have done?

I am confident that the disciples knew Jesus had just washed their feet, but what did it mean, to Jesus and to the disciples?

John is the one who records the new commandment, a little later in chapter 13: John 13:34-35

“But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.”

Sometimes I think we take the Bible and Jesus too simply, we take a lot if it at face value and miss the beauty and wonder, the amazing truth contained in the scriptures.

And sometimes I wonder if we try and make it all so complicated, trying to avoid the parts we don’t like.

What if Jesus is saying, accept the love that is freely given to you,

Accept that I love you, enough to wash your feet, enough to die for you

What if Jesus is saying something as simple, yet profound, as you are loved.

How will you respond with love to Jesus?

How will you show love as a disciple of Jesus?

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[i] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3405

[ii] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3405