"An Enemy Becomes a Friend" (Acts 9:1-19)

Introduction

Here is the remarkable narrative of the chief persecutor of the early church movement becoming the greatest missionary in its history. You would be struggling to find a bigger turn around!! Yet this is an inspiring story about what God can make happen. God had the help of a sincere follower named Ananias, and the prior preaching of Stephen; but largely God instigated this turn of events completely on his own initiative. God had a hand on Saul’s life, even though Saul was such an extreme opponent of Jesus. There was something about this Saul, that was just so well suited to God’s mission agenda. If only Saul could meet Jesus! As it turned out, Saul was perfectly suited to spreading the Gospel (in the power of the Holy Spirit) right across the known world.

Later, Saul would get a new name to be known by … Paul. As our character is known through our name, it was most appropriate that Saul would become Paul, because there had been a complete and thorough change. We know that there would have been a process of Paul meeting with the apostles and other disciples, as well as much reflection in the intimate company of God, before everything fell into place. But even then, the book of Acts reveals a remarkable and dramatic change where an enemy of Jesus becomes his friend, and immediately starts preaching for the One he just days before preached against. This has been described as the second greatest event in human history after the death and resurrection of Jesus. This is because Paul would largely be responsible for beginning the broad spread of the Gospel to Gentile peoples.

Text

What do you notice? What stands out in this text??

(a)  The Violence of Saul (v.1-2)

The old Saul was so committed to crushing all witness to the name of Jesus, that he sought permission from the Jewish leadership to have a roving commission … arresting all the Christians he could find and bring them to trial [Jesus-followers were then known as people of “the Way”]. Saul could get away with doing just about anything to non-Roman citizens. We know from Acts 7-8 that Saul was present and approving of the stoning death of the evangelist Stephen – perhaps even playing a leading role in this outcome. Listen to Acts 8:3 – “But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison”. In a later testimony about his life (26:11), Paul confessed that, “By punishing them often in all the synagogues I tried to force them to blaspheme [torture?]; and since I was so furiously enraged at them, I pursued them even to foreign cities”. This was no mere casual opposition, but rather highly calculated aggression. Remarkably, this person, yes this person, can be described as God’s “chosen instrument” (v.15).

Why was Saul like this? Here was a man wrapped up in rigid and inflexible law – this is how he had been educated – this is what he lived and breathed. He saw nothing else. [Saul saw himself as faultless in legalistic righteousness (Philippians 3:6).] There would be no reform to religion in Israel under Saul’s watch! Saul had no time for followers of a presumed dead man (named Jesus) who preached grace and forgiveness, and who had defied the law (especially the Sabbath law by healing on it). Any claims about this man’s resurrection must be squashed. The idea that Jesus was God incarnate could not be tolerated. And thus Saul actively pursued anyone who claimed the name of Jesus with violent intent. Interesting though, that the sort of focus and motivation that Saul applied to his persecution, could later be applied positively and gracefully to God’s mission. Far from experiencing God’s wrath, we might even hear God saying, ‘Here’s a good man to get for my team’! Here is a talented man, who just needs a credible cause!

(b) Seeing the Light (v.3-6)

So God in Jesus revealed himself to Saul on the road to Damascus. A “light from heaven” flashed around Saul. This was so dramatic and unexpected that Saul fell to the ground. There on the ground he heard a voice (refer verse 4): How could it be that someone so steeped in the religion of Yahweh could possibly pervert God’s cause and persecute God’s people? And Jesus who promised to be with his disciples always, was always going to take this persecution personally! Saul thought he was just stamping on a ragtag band of nuts, but it turned out that he was actually persecuting the very God he thought he knew (but obviously didn’t).

For Saul, this could only be God speaking, but this was a God that Saul didn’t as yet know … “Who are you, Lord”? There had been thus far no personal relationship through which Saul could really know God. So, when Saul had heard about Jesus, he hadn’t recognised him as God. And this kept him operating on the wrong side (the side of the enemy)! But then Jesus identified himself, and this must have been very impressive, for it was enough for Saul to do as he was instructed. [It’s one thing to sense Jesus, it is another to respond (but respond he did)!]

One could only imagine that the witness to Jesus that he had previously heard preached by Stephen … now actually started to ring true. How could one ever be satisfied living under the [religious] law?! How could one ever really be free or at peace?! How could one ever really be forgiven, such that life was better?! One could only become more and more disappointed with their failure. The only answer could be grace that cut across the law. The cross and resurrection could actually make sense! Saul had heard Stephen say some quite radical words as his stoning proceeded (quoted in 7:56-60):

·        I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!

·        Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

·        Lord, do not hold this sin against them.

Was there something in these words, or Stephen’s extraordinary faith and courage, that was emblazoned on Saul’s memory? Did Stephen exhibit an inner certainty or peace in the face of violence!? Had this unsettled Saul? Had this planted sufficient seeds for what was coming next? See how God prepares the way! Are we also being led to consider whether there was some deep discontent in Saul after all … that just needed to intersect with Jesus? Did Saul have misgivings about his life, and his zealousness was actually more a reaction to his doubts?

In any case, this one brief moment in time had such high impact; it changed Saul’s plans completely, it changed everything.

Michael Hardin writes of this radical change in Paul:

The deep structure of Saul changed and became Paul. His entire way of thinking was shattered and rebuilt on a new foundation, Jesus Christ. The way he had perceived and directed his life to this point was entirely transformed. (“The Jesus Driven Life, p.210-11, emphasis added).

Saul was probably around 37 years old at this point; by no means too late to make such radical change in his life: darkness to light, persecutor to apostle.

(c)  Starting a New Journey (v.6-19)

Saul had been blinded, presumably by the light, and could see nothing. The one who had done so many dark deeds could not physically stand up to so much light. Spiritual darkness was now matched with physical blindness. This immediately suggests that his previous vision had been defective, and that Saul needed completely new sight through which to see everything properly … to newly perceive truth. This period of temporary blindness was preparing Paul to be able to see in all new ways.

One could not easily make such a radical shift from enemy to friend without completely fresh sight and new vision to see things differently. Here for Saul was three days of soul-searching and contemplation and repentance. Fasting was also part of this new discernment (v.9b). The questions to consider?!? How is God now moving in the world? What is God’s will? What is my true role in God’s mission? In his praying, God was also preparing Saul for the impending visit of Ananias, that would build on his personal encounter with Jesus.

One could also not easily move from enemy to friend without help? God provided this help in the person of Ananias. [Interesting to compare the “Here I am Lord” (v.10) of Ananias with the “Who are you Lord” of Saul.] When called upon though, Ananias expressed his very serious reservations – the name of Saul struck fear into members of the Jesus-following community. Despite these very understandable reservations, Ananias raised the courage, and went as instructed by God to minister to Saul – and remarkably addressed Saul as … “Brother Saul” (v.17). It is Jesus that can make former enemies … brothers! From Saul’s side, he was experiencing kindness and ministry … from one … that a few days earlier he would have chained up and taken back to Jerusalem.

Ananias “laid his hands” on Saul – a powerful act demonstrating healing, acceptance, blessing and calling (v.17). This would mean that Saul regained his physical sight in acknowledgement of new spiritual sight – seeing as he had never been able to see before. This would mean that Saul would be filled with the Holy Spirit – bringing the empowerment of God and the presence of Jesus … this being Saul’s own Pentecost experience (preparing him to share the Gospel across cultures and boundaries). Saul would then be baptised by immersion in water, to show publicly that he too now had died to his old life and been raised to new life in Christ.

Saul, or Paul as he will soon be better known, is now a follower of Jesus too! The fast was over. Paul would work on regaining his strength. The mission was on!! Saul immediately started preaching the name of Jesus (as Son of God) in the same synagogues in which he had previously planned to arrest all the Jesus-followers worshipping therein.

Conclusion

Happy days!?! Well not completely. Paul would operate under the Holy Spirit and bring the name of Jesus to many a person. He would travel widely and plant churches and be deeply invested in their development and growing maturity. He would, often from prison, write letters to these churches; responding to the questions they had, or responding to situations (often unfortunate) that he had become aware of. Many of these exact letters were so well thought of (and so inspired), that they were long-preserved and form a major part of our new testament.

But this ministry and mission was carried out often under severe opposition and persecution. Ironic isn’t it. This was foreseen and communicated to Ananias (refer verse 16). To any that thought that Paul was getting off lightly for his hideous acts, we get this – “I myself [i.e. God] will show him [i.e. Paul] how much he must suffer for the sake of my name”. To any notion of ours that God’s mission would be easy – same verse! Paul would know what travelling against the tide sometimes means!

So, what do we get out of all this??

(i)                What a mighty God we serve. Not only did God come to our neighbourhood in Jesus, to empathise, teach, heal and save, God changed the chief persecutor into the greatest missionary, so that the Good News of Jesus could reach all the way to me!

(ii)              When Jesus-followers were unfairly persecuted, God stepped in and challenged the chief persecutor. Whereas this in itself does not stamp out persecution, it does remind us that God does not forget the oppressed, will enter and abide in their suffering, and ultimately bring the victory.

(iii)            We should never limit what God can achieve. We should not let our limited vision impede or ignore God’s big picture activity.

(iv)            God chooses to use us on mission despite what we have done in the past. In fact, our sins of the past, and our present salvation, and the tremendous difference between the two, should motivate us about those who remain lost.

(v)              We may be needed on the frontline like Paul; or perhaps more likely, as part of the team, like Ananias, who was ready, willing, able, faithful and courageous enough … to fulfil the small but absolutely significant role God had for him to perform.

(vi)            We can ourselves be changed. If any are lost in guilt and shame, or caught up in any addictive behaviour, or have hateful or violent thoughts toward another – God will come to us in his light and offer us a personal relationship with him through Jesus. There is staggering forgiveness on offer for us today!

(vii)          The Jesus-following life on mission for God is not easy and takes us out of our comfort zones; yet brings get purpose and meaning, and leads to all sorts of growth, and becoming more close to the image of Jesus.

"A Hero of Repentance" (Luke 19:1-10)

1.     A Surprise Response (v.2-3)

Zacchaeus was a “chief” tax collector and “rich”, so, we are being led to think, this would the last person to be interested in Jesus. Zacchaeus was regarded as a traitor (to the Jews), having sold out to be a public servant of the Romans. He was known (and hated) for extracting as much tax as possible from the people, profiting from whatever extra he could gain over-and-above what the Roman government required.

People could have seen Zacchaeus as well and truly hardened, in the face of the rejection he had become used to. To the contrary though, Zacchaeus was “trying to see who Jesus was”; indicating that he was a (spiritual) seeker – in turn indicating that he may actually have been uncomfortable in his skin, and uncomfortable with the way he was conducting his life. He may have been sick of the rejection and isolation. Maybe, despite his wealth, he felt empty inside. Maybe Zacchaeus had heard certain things about Jesus that interested him? Could this Jesus address his need? Maybe he heard about Levi/Matthew – a tax collector who had previously become a devoted disciple?

What does all this suggest??? There may be spiritual seekers in the most unlikely of places. Don’t let’s write anyone off, or see anyone beyond the grasp of God’s grace. Also, some people are not far off the Kingdom of God … maybe just needing to let go of one thing … to make sufficient space for God. People may be more interested than we think, or more discontented than they appear; and they may respond more readily (if given a clear enough presentation). We know that God is reaching out far and wide!

2.     A Committed Attitude (v.3-4)

Let’s think for a moment about ourselves. Sometimes we might let … what we might see as our limitations or deficiencies … get in the way of chasing down Jesus or responding to Jesus’ call on our life. Not so Zacchaeus! He didn’t let … how other people viewed him, his lack of height [not as short as Ne-hi-miah], or that Jesus was already being mobbed … get in the way of his search and his goal. Sometimes we can make all sorts of excuses, rather than taking every opportunity to embrace Jesus, learn from him, truly become his follower, and get about making other disciples for Jesus. Zacchaeus sought the best vantage point, and clambered up a sturdy sycamore tree.

Jesus would notice someone as inquisitive as this! When Jesus later called out to Zacchaeus (v.5), “Zacchaeus hurried down, and was happy to welcome Jesus” (v.6). Actually it’s a wonder that Zacchaeus didn’t fall right out of the tree when Jesus called out to him! He was just trying to get a look at Jesus, and maybe listen to what he was saying, but then … Jesus called out to him by name! We might also consider that God had been preparing Zacchaeus for quite a while for this encounter. Which raises the thought process about who God might already be preparing for an encounter with Jesus right now … through us?!?

3.     A Hospitable God (v.5, 7)

Jesus went about engaging with him in the most, culturally speaking, intimate and friendly way – he arranged to eat with him and stay at his house. We should note that Jesus interrupted his journey, and his travel plans for the day, to spend time in Zach’s home. This despite the guy being the “chief” of sinners – a traitorous thief and oppressor of the poor. Jesus was actually now going to share life with Zacchaeus.

This may have been quite threatening for Zacchaeus, especially given any sense of shame or guilt that he might have been experiencing. But everything happened so quickly, as if all Zach’s doubts and fears were swept away by all this acceptance and grace. Jesus had seen someone that may be open to God, and thus was prepared to meet with Zacchaeus in his own territory. Why??? To build a relationship, to build some trust, to encourage Zach towards the greater person that lay within. Jesus’ actions here also challenged a culture which determined that to eat with a ‘sinner’ made one unclean; Zacchaeus knowing that Jesus would be heavily critiqued for being at his place, but that Jesus had done this anyway! This was an exciting turn of events!!

God is on about … Jesus was on about … saving the “lost” (refer verse 10). We don’t sit here so much in the glory of being saved (or we shouldn’t); we sit here in deep concern for the lost (having already experienced the answer ourselves). Jesus was on the move for three years, passing through here and there, sometimes pausing for a deep and significant conversation along the way, all to “seek out and to save the lost”. And Jesus showed that God knows the name of all the “lost”. So when we say that, “God so loved the world”, we should understand this in terms of a very large collection of names!

4.     A Grumbling Audience (v.7)

Isn’t it just the way, that when something good happens to one or some, others will find a reason to grumble. Why?? Jealousy … ‘why not me’! Anger … ‘he is the chief of sinners’! A leopard doesn’t change its spots, they say … well maybe it can! Nothing is impossible for God. Here was a rich man going through the eye of a needle into the Kingdom of God! However, we tend to look to ourselves first … how this is affecting me! This is not the way of oneness nor community. The reason for the grumbling around Zacchaeus, is that everyone thought that they were better than Zacchaeus, and had far more rightful claim on Jesus’ time and attention.

This is why Jesus, sometime previously, had made the radical statement, when he called  that other tax collector Levi/Matthew to be his disciple, that, “Those who are well [i.e. think they are well], have no need of a physician, but [rather] those who are sick … I have come to call not the righteous [i.e. those who already think they are righteous], but [rather] sinners to repentance [i.e. those who are honest enough about themselves to want to change]”.

Those who know they should embrace change, but can’t or won’t, may tend to “grumble” when they see others flourishing and growing. However, Jesus was not deterred by the grumbling of the crowd, the accusations about Zacchaeus, or his own agenda for the day. Here was one who could be restored! Paul wrote, “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7).

5.     Real Repentance (v.8)

In verse 8 we read a spontaneous, almost joyous, sincere, public, and costly … commitment to ‘repentance’. [There may have been further conversations taking place b/t Jesus and Zach, but Luke’s narrative here cuts straight to the chase.] And Zacchaeus also referred to Jesus as “Lord”. What brought this on?? Jesus’ thorough welcome and acceptance … connected with … Zacchaeus’ deep-felt need. At the same time there was this revelation of what was wrong in Zach’s life, and what had to be dealt with. Zacchaeus had wanted desperately to see who this Jesus was, and now he had met him – he was mightily impressed.

Where this was all heading was good – “salvation” (v.9), but for now the path to this better life still lay heavily and weightily blocked. ‘Repentance’ is not just being sorry (and asking for forgiveness) – it is a determination to do things differently … to turn in a new direction. ‘Repentance’ also means to make amends wherever possible; not in the sense that we try to prove ourselves worthy, but rather in the sense that we show ourselves to be sincere and wholehearted. This is why Zacchaeus is a ‘hero’ of repentance.

But the process of ‘repentance’ extends even further than this, towards the societal culture that sin operates in. At the time of his call, the prophet Isaiah said, “… I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). To ‘repent’ of one’s own sin, should speak positively into any similar darkness in others. One person’s act of repentance can even speak into the whole of society, making statements about what is right and what is wrong. Zacchaeus was leading the way in saying that how he had been conducting business was completely immoral and unethical. There was now one less corrupt tax collector tormenting society!

{Conversely, if we notice certain shortcomings in another, or in society in general, this should first cause us to look into ourselves, to see if we are complicit ourselves in perpetuating such activity.}

Before he sought to make amends to specific people (v.8b), Zacchaeus gave away half of his possessions to the poor (v.8a). Zacchaeus was saying that Jesus was right about caring for the poor, and that the entrenched and unjust system that Zacchaeus had been cooperating with … was wrong. He would do what he could about the misery that had been caused.

[This is how, in another way, former PM Kevin Rudd could stand up in the federal parliament and say “sorry” to the stolen generations of indigenous peoples on behalf of a whole nation. This was a statement of what was wrong, and the whole’s nations culpability, and the need to ‘repent’. This is how, in another way, former PM John Howard could demand the handing in and destruction of the unnecessary weapons lying around in the community (liable to be misused). This was a general call to ‘repentance’ of the need for such arms, and a communal statement of regret to the victims of Port Arthur (and their families).]

We don’t know what other personal and social sins Zacchaeus had to repent about; what we do know is the economic and business attitudes that had to be changed. So let us understand that ‘repentance’ that brings salvation encompasses all of life, and particular and specific areas of our life, not just a general “Jesus died for my sins”. Receiving Jesus should make some serious differences, not just forgiveness for moral lapses, but also deep and thorough changes of perspective (in line with Jesus’ ways).

Zacchaeus could have worked the other way around, i.e. paid back those he had cheated four times over first, and then given away half of what was left. That would be the cheaper and safer approach. However, he chose to put himself at risk and become personally vulnerable, by giving away half of his possessions first, and then starting the process of repayment (and this would likely not have been a small list to deal with).             

6.     Salvation Arrives Home (v.9)

Just as dramatic as Zach’s statement of repentance, is Jesus’ response – “Today … (refer v.9)”! Jesus publicly gives back to this rejected traitor, scorned by all apart from his fellow thieves, his full Jewish identity … “he too is a son of Abraham”. Repentance and forgiveness turns everything back to the way God wants it to be. One who was lost has been reclaimed. Zacchaeus could now become the person he was designed to be.

Salvation arrives where a new trust has formed and been put into action. Zacchaeus has become a disciple of Jesus as evidenced by his new attitudes. The wealth which Zacchaeus once relied upon has become a non-issue. The sincerity that Zacchaeus brought to his new relationship with Jesus, would see him naturally repent of all negatives in his life, as he became aware of them. Salvation is about freedom … freedom from any sin that diminishes and destroys our spirit – freedom from anything that interferes with or disrupts our relationship with God.

Whether it be money and power like Zacchaeus, or anything else, salvation means that we live under the sway of God’s will for our lives. We were lost, but now have been found. Perhaps not [found] up a sycamore tree, but somewhere! Salvation has visited Zach’s house, which is not only good news for him, but also to all those others who lived there or spent time there. There was a new Lord at that home now, and this should be a positive experience for everyone there and all the neighbours beside.

"The Power of One that is Many" (John 17:20-23)

Introduction

(a)  The value of teamwork. A lot to be done, which is best shared, with opportunity and growth to be the outcomes.

(b) What lies beneath teamwork and unity?! Connectedness!

Context

This is part of a much longer prayer that Jesus prayed just prior to his crucifixion. In this prayer we see Jesus’ dedication to God’s purposes, and his great love for his disciples. We also see expressed here a great concern for how the mission of Jesus will be continued in the post-Jesus period.

Text

Let us listen to the words of Jesus:

"I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

A Question

What does it mean to be “one” (or “completely one”)???

This seems to involve how we consider ourselves to be, how we view our connection with one another, and then … how we act as a result of that connection. This doesn’t begin with frantic activity trying to prove how effectively we can work together, but rather begins with a state of being – who we are together. We could use the word ‘unity’ or ‘united’, but that sometimes can become a little artificial, like putting up a ‘united front’ (that actually covers up for the real situation). We can try to force a sort of unity, attempting to force square blocks into round holes in doing so. With a sort of forced unity approach, we can become scared of having different views or diverse personalities because this might upset the apple cart.

“Oneness” takes us deeper than this. “Oneness” is an understanding, and an acceptance, that when we come to know Jesus as our Saviour, we are also, with NO choice in the matter, becoming related to all those who have made the same decision. “Oneness”, therefore, is a deeply spiritual reality. As we fight it, as we may do, we will undermine God’s (mighty) work of redemption (because this is contrary to the most powerful brand of witness we can have – mutual love). And thus, reacting against “oneness”, would be something we would be ultimately responsible for and held accountable to.

We shouldn’t have to force unity, we should just be “one”. We are part of one another. We are spiritually tied to each other as we are tied to God. This is more than about friendships (that might naturally emerge around common interests), but rather about a broad compatibility that is found through our mutual relationship with Jesus. This compatibility works with differing personalities toward common agreed goals. Our doing (or our activity) would then be not so much an effort, but rather more an expression of our being.

Now, this scripture in John shows that, our only real hope for this “oneness” lies first within the “Oneness” of the Trinity … the Community of God … Father, Son and Spirit, and that we would actually be residing within that Divine “Oneness” ourselves. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are perfectly “one”. These members of the Divine Trinity have different roles or functions, but are “one” or ‘completely unified’ in purpose – having a single harmonious will. They function in different ways, but always toward the same end (in perfectly complimentary ways). They are completely open to one another, knowing their mutual dependence; and because they are God, there is a thorough likemindedness.

This is what we are being drawn into. Our “oneness” is at home in God’s “Oneness”. In this way we can collectively partner with God in addressing people’s need and the problems of the world. Together we can discern God’s will for our church and some of the solutions that our community requires. Because Jesus died to take away our sin and free us from our burdens and brokenness, we can share in his “glory” together – a shared experience of resurrected eternal life.

For us though, the practice of “oneness” still isn’t always easy – it can come across some opposition. Jesus, when on earth in a fully human form, had this “oneness” and likemindedness tested: first, in his wilderness experience of temptation – tempted to step outside of God’s will, where due to his relationship with God and knowledge of God’s Word – Jesus didn’t budge; second, in the garden just prior to his crucifixion, under the burden of great suffering, where he ultimately concluded, “Not my will, but Thy Will”. The “oneness” that Jesus prayed for, he actually modelled, even under duress; yet in Jesus praying for this on behalf of his disciples, we recognise potential challenges that we have to face up to.

“Oneness” is practiced and recognised through functioning relationships. We acknowledge our “oneness” with other believers as a spiritual reality, but it only becomes seen … as it is practiced through community. What Jesus prayed, was that the disciples would be seen to be “one” in all the practicalities of sharing the Gospel. Also, as other people responded, on the Day of Pentecost, and on subsequent great days of preaching and healing, that these people too would become part of this very clear expression of “oneness”.

In effect, this would mean that as believers gathered together constantly in their local house churches, and committed themselves to the furtherance of the Gospel together, that they would practice being “one”. As we read in Acts 2 and Acts 4 we see great evidence that this was happening in a variety of ways, and the world was noticing! You may recall that, in Acts chapter 12, when Peter had been arrested and thrown into prison, the believers were all together as “one” praying for Peter, with extraordinary results.

A Second Question

So what is the purpose of being “one”??

It is stated twice in a couple of verses. That the world may know … and believe in Jesus … that God sent Jesus … and that the reason behind this was God’s love for all humanity. It is so the Gospel message (which is all about God’s love for humanity) stands out as plausible, real and transformational. It is so that the message we bring makes sense, has integrity, and is worth attention and reflection (and adherence). There is a real expectation in these words of Jesus (v.20) that people will respond to the “oneness” and the witness (to Jesus) of the disciples. And of course this is what has happened over 20-odd centuries, and continues to happen across the world.

We have to be sure to note again though, the converse or opposite of “oneness” has sad implications, because this undermines (or even potentially destroys) our witness to the “sent one” (Jesus)! A lack of love makes it hard to reveal God’s love. Let us not forget the privilege we have, in being drawn into a Divine circle of love in which the Father, Son and Holy Spirit exist, and where we can reside as well!!

Paul’s Body Analogy

The apostle Paul reflects on this “oneness” by using the example of the human body (1 Corinthians 12). All the different looking body parts with all their different functions … all necessarily brought together towards a common purpose of active life; where any particular disfunction upsets the whole. One part shouldn’t try to be a different part because a foot cannot properly perform the role of a hand – only a hand is properly fitted to do the work of a hand. No part lacks value; all parts are indispensable (to each other). An arm can’t be jealous about a leg, because the arm has got its own job to do – and the whole cannot do without the arm being an arm.

And all this proper functioning, and the correct use of all gifts (which is what the body metaphor is about), is in aid of … ??? … serving "the common good"!! Here described is the most wonderful collaboration of gifts, abilities and resources that you could imagine … toward the attainment of a collective goal. And like “oneness” being drawn into the Trinity, the spiritual body metaphor has Jesus as its head – where the ultimate thinking and decision-making is done.

A spirit of “oneness” acknowledges a great diversity of backgrounds, personalities, temperaments, needs, beliefs, opinions, desires, interests and gifts; and the bigger you grow the greater the diversity becomes. But the spirit of “oneness” only admits one purpose – the sharing of the good news of Jesus in love!! This is so rich; because we can bring together so many experiences of life (and of God) into a magnificent tapestry of witness. This is the power of “one” – the “one” that is many!! We learnt again last week, that there are NO limits to God’s desire to love even the most hardened or broken people.

“Oneness” in Action

I don’t plan to address the big historical picture of the divisions that have occurred between Christians, largely driven by pride, intolerance, error and personal power agendas. That is far too big a subject, and a far too enormous task to fix. We first need to understand, apply and practice our own “oneness” … as an example (before we point fingers in other directions). “Oneness” begins with me, acknowledging my spiritual connection to you. "Oneness" begins with us, acknowledging our spiritual connection with each other.

Most of us also know Christians in the other local churches, and we should be sure to extend and embrace our “oneness” across any artificial boundary towards them. We can express “oneness” while respecting different traditions that see us worshipping in different forms. [One example may be holding hands with our Anglican friends as they host the Bright Community Garden.]

“Oneness” cannot be legislated or enforced, it can only be lived and learnt. We must work on our relationships in the Body of Christ. If the good news of Jesus is truly good news, then we should be able to give it credibility through harmonious relationships. And it is love that drives “oneness”! There are some Biblical markers that we might assess ourselves against, as challenging as they are:

·        Paul speaking of the ‘body’ – “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26)

·        Paul again – “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15)

·        James 5:16 – “… Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed”.

Here are some other markers we could consider:

·        Encouragement in the face of the world’s critical ways

·        Self-control in the face of the world’s hostility

·        Sharing in the face of the world’s selfishness

·        Generosity in the face of the world’s self-centredness

·        Cooperation in the face of the world’s individualism

·        Faithfulness in the face of the world’s betrayal

·        Honesty in the face of the world’s deceptions

·        Gentleness in the face of the world’s quest for power

·        Forgiveness in the face of the world’s desire for revenge

·        Peace-making in the face of the world’s tendency for violence

·        Joy in the face of the world’s despair.

As mentioned in the earlier verses in John 17 (v.11-19), there can be opposition to those who take a path that might bring some challenge to the status-quo or light into the darkness. Jesus has different priorities and attitudes to the world. So, no wonder Jesus prayed for a “oneness” that would hold a consistent witness together under duress. We can be sorely tested! We can be discouraged, disrupted and diverted! But any such opposition can be responded to with a “oneness” wholly focussed on the will of God.

Prayer Support

If we bring this text into the present, and why shouldn’t we – we see that Jesus is praying for us. What more do we need!?! Jesus is praying for his disciples and his church to be successful in their mission of representing him in the world of each generation. As we consider the challenge of being “one” with a group of very different people, and also the challenge of sharing the good news of Jesus with a very complex community of need – we should be amply reassured that as Jesus is praying for us, we might be and do exactly that! Amen!!