"Expressing Joy" (Psalm 30)

Introduction



Jesus has risen – that’s what we celebrated last Sunday. We also celebrated the fact that the resurrection of Jesus is our resurrection too! Seven days on, are we still excited that Jesus is risen? How can we tell … if we are still excited by this most life-changing news??



So, today, I am talking about maintaining post-resurrection joy. There should be visible and tangible joy around our faith, as we experience Jesus’ ongoing presence through the Holy Spirit. This is vital, because this is what will sustain us; and also, importantly, embracing resurrection joy … will aid our witness to a greater hope … than what can normally be experienced in the world.



Human Inclination (From Richard Rohr in The Universal Christ)



Studies of the brain have shown that we humans may be hardwired to focus on problems … at the expense of a positive vision. The human brain wraps around fear and problems like ‘Velcro’. We dwell on bad experiences long after the fact, and spend vast amounts of energy anticipating what might go wrong in the future. [I am an optimist, but I can still fall for this type of thinking.] Positivity and gratitude can simply slide away (under the weight of such negativity). We can simply have a toxic attraction to the negative. We need to find ways to counteract this. So let’s talk more about the resurrection.



Resurrection Power



The resurrection of Jesus turns potential defeat into tangible victory. The resurrection of Jesus turns old failure into new possibilities. The resurrection of Jesus should defeat fear. The resurrection of Jesus means, that when persecution comes to us, maybe because of our faith, this is NOT a threat, but rather a compliment. History shows us … that the true message of Jesus is best heard, NOT when it comes from the compromised centre, but rather from the humble margins.



When Jesus lived on earth, Jewish people were under the oppression of Rome … and their spiritual life was under the stringent rules and regulations of self-protective power. Being undistracted and undeterred by this, Jesus stayed ‘on message’ – reflecting and sharing the love of God to everyone he encountered. If we have risen again with Jesus, and he has given us his Spirit, then we should act as Jesus acted, and live as Jesus lived.



To stay ‘on message’ is to love our neighbour. The resurrection of Jesus means that we can positively and enthusiastically embrace all the opportunities that God opens up for us – especially in relation to redeeming and blessing the community around us. WE should NOT harbour any thoughts of defeat or retreat … when Jesus has won such a great victory!



We should NOT be defensive when things don’t go our way, but rather continue to love and support others in practical ways. Again, this is seen through the cross – where the most hideous form of torture, was turned, by God, into the most beautiful vehicle of grace, mercy and forgiveness. And then, the resurrection of Jesus, allows this forgiveness and newly gained freedom to become a whole new basis for our life!



This doesn’t mean life gets any less challenging, it just means we have everything that we need to make it! For any who are struggling, in any particular way, we can be reminded every day, that when the stone was rolled away from the tomb in which Jesus' body had been laid, light flooded into the deepest darkness … to reveal that Jesus Christ no longer lay among the dead, but rather … that he had risen!



An Ancient Psalm (with an ancient prophet)



Embracing joy in our lives was well expressed in Psalm 30. I asked earlier how post-resurrection joy could be evidenced in our lives. One of the answers is revealed in this psalm – praise! Praising God both sustains us and speaks to others. We can praise God because of everything good around us (especially creation). We can praise God because of the great acts of mercy and salvation of Easter. But we can also praise God because of those intimate interventions in each of our lives.



Such as this is expressed by the psalmist David in verse 1 – “I will extol you O Lord, for you have drawn me up”. When God ripped open the heavens, and Jesus came to earth; and when the curtain of the temple was being torn in two from top to bottom – we were being drawn into God’s company … company from which … there is NO reason we should depart. To be “drawn up” is akin to being ‘raised up’ … in terms of a resurrection. Verse 3 actually reads like a resurrection – from being at a very low point … the lowest of the lows … feeling like you are dead and buried – then being ‘raised up’ into a great new opportunity of life.



The resurrection of Jesus, for those of us who are following Jesus as Saviour and Lord, means that we are in a growing vital relationship with God. In God’s company we are also safe from those who want to hurt or discourage or overwhelm us. Although we can still suffer from such attacks, ultimately God will vindicate His children … sustaining them deep in their spirit … healing their brokenness … and saving their soul. We are then … being “drawn up” more and more each day – closer to God, closer to our potential, closer to the person we were born to be. Now … that is a joyful thing!!



So, if we are really embracing that resurrection joy, we will be freely praising God in as many forums as we can find – regular public worship, home bible-study groups, family devotions, and reflective private times. The true praise of God … also finds expression in serving others in the neighbourhood (as an expression of gratitude for what we have).



David, the psalmist, says, “Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones” (v 4a). And singing is certainly a brilliant way to be praising God! There is a sense here of a spontaneous natural response of public praise! And, the psalmist here is wanting others to join in the chorus of praise. Whereas isolated joy will soon fade, singing praise together builds joy in one another. If we, who have experienced God’s love (in redemptive ways) don’t sing praises to God, then who will?!



We are fallible people … who make mistakes – our sins do annoy God. The hurt we cause is definitely problematical. Yet, for the sincerely sorry, and those truly seeking to change, mercy and forgiveness remain close at hand – in this way we read, “For [God’s] anger is but for a moment, His favour is for a lifetime (v 5a). God’s anger, or wrath, is actually NOT about God being against us, far from it – God is always for us!



God’s anger is activated because God loves us so much (and wants to be present with us), yet sometimes our self-obsession or bad judgment get in the way. God’s wrath is actually a gift of grace to facilitate our repentance. God is wholly on our side. Jesus will be with us always (Matt 28:20). So, just like the psalmist David notes, as we truly regret and confess our transgressions of the day … say, at the end of the day … as night comes – our joy can return each morning (v 5b) … for we are free again! Such a release from our burdens should bring a definite sense of joy!



The real test of course comes in significant times of trouble. Can we maintain our attitude of praise then? Will we express our faith in a similar way … whether things are going well or otherwise? Can our relationship with God be so assured, so vital, so real, so active – that we can be like the prophet Habakkuk (3:17-18)?



                                Though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit is on the vines;

                                Though the produce of the olive fails, and the fields yield no food;

                                Though the flock is cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls;

                                Yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will exult in the God of my salvation.



Here we have the epitome of agricultural disaster and farming tragedy … a real nightmare scenario – yet … a determination to praise God nonetheless. This is based purely on a/our relationship with God through Jesus. And within this determination to praise, and in the activity of praise itself … comes, I reckon, the wherewithal to survive the calamity – the sort of positive and assured attitude that holds us firmly in our faith. God is on our side (no matter how it looks)!! God will help us cope with all difficulties and opposition. God will give us the strength to walk in difficult places.



Sometimes we go through seasons of deep pain and hardship. But no matter what we’ve lost, or wanted … but never had, we can, like Habakkuk, rejoice in our [ongoing] relationship with a loving God; even when it feels like we have nothing else, [God] will never fail or abandon us (Kirsten Holmberg ODB). Though the healing we receive may be very different to what we wanted or imagined, we can be confident that this is the best way forward for us. After the apostle Paul (in Romans 8:37-39) cites many examples of things that can disrupt our life, he concludes that nothing at all can separate us from God’s love!



There is often a decision to make here. Just like in any relationship, where we have to decide to work at it, or make new sacrifices for the benefit of another – we have to continually make that conscious decision and effort to praise God … even when we don’t feel like it. If we are to beat that ‘toxic attraction to the negative’, we need to deliberately practice gratitude and other positive responses, thus beginning to re-wire our default settings toward trust and hopefulness. We must make a daily (or even hourly) choice to focus on what is good, true and beautiful (Rohr).



Although the apostle Paul was imprisoned and in chains when he wrote his letter to the Philippians, he was still able to write, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice” (4:4). This is when we can really experience the dramatic turnaround spoken of in Psalm 30 (vs 11-12). Whatever we mourn for … in our lives, in our families, in the world at large – through our faith and praise … God can move us toward “dancing”. This is true resurrection life!



I often come to worship on Sunday mornings bearing the pressures of past and future weeks, and needing to get up here and try to say something sensible and helpful and Spirit-led. What helps me to be released in praise, which in turn releases my Spirit to respond to God’s Spirit – is letting my body move (some may call it “dancing”) … not just to the rhythm of the music, but also to memories of God’s past faithfulness, and also to hopeful expectations of what God is about to do somewhere in His Kingdom!!



Whereas for some, the “dancing” remains a bubbly feeling on the inside, the crestfallen faces of the past become light-filled and joyful. And voices, that may have once remained silent, pour forth grateful words that point to the worthiness and wonder of our loving Creator God and Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ. Our life was in jeopardy, but we were given it back (in a very different way); and the joy that we can express, can testify to so many … who also need an experience of resurrection. 



Conclusion



Frances Hogan writes: An Easter Church is one that has passed through the crucible of suffering, and has gone on to the joy of the victory of Christ, in living the resurrection in its daily pilgrimage. 


To make the decision to respond to the love of God to us … through praise … singing God’s praises, and thus expressing joy – will both sustain and grow our faith, while providing the very much needed witness … to the hope that is brought by Jesus. Amen! 

Resurrection Sunday message

The resurrection of Jesus changes everything! When Jesus’ burial place was found to be empty … the world changed forever!! When those devoted women visited the tomb … they expected to witness death, but instead found life! After a short period of uncertainty and confusion, their sense of hopelessness began to turn toward hope. These women remembered what Jesus had said – they had been there in Galilee when he said it. They remembered what Jesus had said … about being raised back to life on the third day. This was hard to believe at the time – very much out of the ordinary … indeed extraordinary – but has turned out to be true! Awesome!! And new faith was born that day! 

It actually did make sense … when you think about it. God - who created the world out of nothing - could NOT possibly be beaten by any band of people, so intent on their own way ... that they crucified Jesus. They couldn’t win, evil cannot win, death cannot win! Only God wins!! And Jesus was innocent after all!! The resurrection does actually make sense. Jesus did heal others, and himself ... raised people from the dead. God was all over this!

First, God transforms the death of His Son on the cross ... into the path of forgiveness and salvation, and then raises Jesus from the dead … to be the leader of a new spiritual Kingdom. Everything changes at Easter! The women told Peter, the disciple, who was completely deflated by both Jesus’ death and his own failure. Peter initially doubted the news, like many would have – but at least he was smart enough to run to the tomb … to check it all out. 

Ultimately, when they met up with Jesus in person, Peter and all the other disciples came to believe that indeed Jesus had risen from the dead. There were still the physical signs of crucifixion - this was assuredly their friend and master ... Jesus. A man ... that they knew had been killed two days ago … was there with them, asking for something to eat. That this Jesus was also God in the flesh … was seen in his freedom of movement, preparing to return to be with his Father. 

Why is all this so important? Many people live in desperate circumstances. They have lost hope. They have fallen into one addiction or another. Sadly, some people hurt themselves, as their spirit sinks. Some days we ourselves can even feel quite anxious and hopeless. Various pressures come upon us. The world, as we look at it, is very messy and full of problems. Our very soul becomes bruised. As I spoke about on Good Friday, the ancient prophet Isaiah had called out for God to tear open the heavens and come to His rebellious, desperate and hurting people on earth (64:1), for this would be our only ultimate hope. In the fullness of time, in the person of Jesus, this is what happened. [And at the moment when Jesus died ... when the curtain of the temple was torn in two - this symbolised a new and open access to God.] 

Today we celebrate the greatest of all turnarounds. What seemed to be defeat for Jesus’ followers of the day ... their leader being killed on a cross – becomes a victory, as One ... who was dead in a tomb ... rises to live again! It’s NOT as if the crucifixion never happened, or is now forgotten. It certainly happened - it can't be forgotten. It just means that all the forgiveness gained through the cross event, now has a new vehicle through which to thrive and multiply. Followers of Jesus aren’t just forgiven … and then stationary – followers of Jesus are forgiven … and on the move! 

The cross is NOT the end, but rather the beginning … the new beginning. And it is the resurrection of Jesus that takes us forward. This is NOT our old life with a ‘band-aid’, but rather a totally new life. This is NOT a solitary pursuit, but rather a new life launched in partnership with Jesus (in the company of others). This is a new life focussed totally on Jesus … while looking outwards towards all the needs (small and large) around us. We get to learn from all our mistakes, and see them transformed into ways of helping others.

So, the resurrection of Jesus can be our resurrection too!!! As God raises Jesus, all followers of Jesus are raised too! Today is a day to be joyful, walk tall, almost walk on air … as Jesus himself walked on the surface of the water (even when the conditions were quite rough). We have moved from brokenness to new creation, and from an old sense of failure toward new purpose. 

It’s like we are there in Jesus’ tomb. Such has been the weight of life upon us. But then, the stone [covering the entrance] is rolled away – light floods into the deepest caverns of darkness, and we are awakened to the possibility that there is new life available. We don’t actually start again from birth – a shame for some of us at our age; but in another way we should be bursting out of those eggs with new vitality – for JESUS is ALIVE, and so are WE!! I, like many, get down-in-the-dumps at times … life can be very frustrating; but today is a day for us to remember the positive possibilities and celebrate! For those who are struggling – can I say with empathy and understanding – Jesus who was dead is now alive! This changes everything!! 

Many here today are witnesses to the reality of Jesus’ resurrection (even though none of us witnessed this in a historical sense, for this all happened 2000 years ago). Yet ever since billions of people have staked their lives, sometimes at mortal risk, on the reality and power of Jesus’ resurrection. In this, the first disciples, with new found courage, led the way. Many ‘believers’, over the centuries, have made a significant difference in the communities and nations they have lived in. Many have shared their faith with their families and neighbours. Most have found ways of worshipping Jesus and serving God in faith-filled communities. Since the Holy Spirit brought further witness to Jesus … through a broad sweep of spiritual gifts - God has NOT left the world unattended! 

As I said, none of us witnessed Jesus’ resurrection when it occurred back 2000 years ago, but many of us here can clearly testify to the reality and power of Jesus’ resurrection, because of what has happened in our lives. And testify we must! That is what today is about! Celebrating and speaking about something that changed the world … and can continue to do so!! Jesus' resurrection has become our resurrection too! 

Good Friday message

Introduction



In Isaiah 64 verse 1, we hear the prophet cry out to God: “O that You would tear open the heavens and come down”. This was Isaiah’s response to the plight of humanity. And, if Isaiah was anything like us, he would also have been carrying some form of heartbreak in his own life. Isaiah correctly interpreted, that if anything was really going to change for the better in this world – then God would have to come here and sort it out.



The world was created in love with hope – humanity given responsibility, yet also freewill. Unfortunately, people continually chose themselves and their own interests above God, and everything and everybody suffered accordingly. And history has shown that humanity would NOT be able to fix themselves! “O that You would tear open the heavens and come down”!



Well, in the fullness of time, God DID tear open the heavens and come down. Jesus, the Anointed One, the Son of God, member of the Holy Trinity – the Community of God – entered the world and took up residence amongst humanity. And that one incarnation of grace DID change everything! NOT that the world became a better place overnight necessarily, but Jesus brought the capacity to change people’s minds and hearts back to God’s ways – and in so doing, transform all sorts of circumstances and behaviours.



And those who chose to follow Jesus … could then form themselves into the church; which could, at her best, offer the world a higher vision of ethics and morals, as well as compassion and service in the community.



The Suffering Servant



Earlier in Isaiah (in chapter 53) there was another vision of how God would ultimately act to redeem the world. This would involve God’s Son being a suffering servant. This would NOT only display what the grace of God meant, and bring an offer of forgiveness and the lifting of burdens to humanity – but this would also indicate that any and all human suffering would be wholly understood in the heavens.



We could NOT say, not for too long anyway, that God doesn’t understand. For those who may tend to think this way … we have Isaiah 53. This is where we read that Jesus would become human in every way, that he would be, “despised and rejected”, that he would suffer affliction and oppression, that he would carry the burden and weight of all our transgressions, his body being “crushed” along the way.



A Great Impression



We would have to be impressed with Jesus. And we would have to be so thankful to God for this intervention on our behalf. As we read the various Gospel passages about the crucifixion, as we engage deeply with the words and the scene, and as we place ourselves at the foot of the cross – we can sense our sins being lifted.



And if we ever think that we are too bad, or too lost, or feel too ashamed … to ever be forgiven, then we need to hear Jesus forgiving even those who put him on the cross, and also those who were mocking him in a vast variety of ways. Jesus simply said, “Father, forgive them; for they do NOT know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34)! A lot of our transgressions are likely to be unthinking – but having come to terms with their cost, and considered this matter seriously – such extraordinary forgiveness can also be received by us!



An Available God



It was thought that God was inaccessible – removed from everyday life – too ‘holy’ to be approached by any ordinary person. Only the high priest could go through the curtain into the ‘Holy of Holies’ in the innermost temple and seek forgiveness for the people. But Jesus showed that God was different to this view of things.



Jesus went so far as to touch people with leprosy, and be anointed by women of poor reputation. Jesus partied with the worst of sinners, while strongly challenging those who would criticise him for this. Jesus was a person for the people – all those who would have a view toward becoming humble, repenting, and having their lives changed. Even when Jesus was tired, he made himself available to huge crowds, and healed many from their troublesome ailments. It turns out that God wants to be very available and easily accessible.



So, there, that day, crucifixion Friday, we read that, “… the curtain of the temple was torn in two [from top to bottom]” (Luke 23:45, Mark 15:38). Heaven opened, the body of Jesus was ripped apart, and now, as a result, old barriers were torn down! Now, most assuredly, there was open and free access to God – Jew, Gentile; slave, free; male, female – everybody … equally. We only have to call out his name … JESUS … and there he is!!



We only have to accept Jesus’ open invitation into His Kingdom. There are now, if we release our sin into the scope of Jesus’ forgiveness, NO barriers between us and God. The shame that tends to separate can be dismissed – past history can be put behind us! The curtain of the temple has been torn in two [from top to bottom]!



This is the beginning of deep personal relationships with our Creator God. There is now NO reason why we cannot maintain and grow a life-long relationship with Jesus! We are free to gather in faith-filled communities, worship God, remembering such sacrifice and service through sharing in communion, encourage one another, pray, share in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and teach one another more about the wonder of knowing Jesus.



In such community as this, we can come to lead transparent lives, always ready to confess any failures. For, the world needs a church where there are NO cover-ups, and where there is NO need for any secret confession boxes – just clear loving mutual accountability to one another under God.



And we can be on mission, bringing the truth and the power of the message of the cross, through deed and word, to all those who will be prepared to see and listen! It all starts here … at the foot of the cross. It starts when we concede we need change – we need saving. Our transgressions against God and others are still on top of us – our burdens are just too weighty. So, we kneel, and cry out to Jesus, ask for forgiveness and a new start – and that’s what we will get!



Conclusion



One of the two guys on the crosses near to Jesus … realised that all the mocking that was going on toward Jesus … was completely wrong. How could you mock this Jesus, when he had done nothing wrong. And he said words to the effect … “look at people like me – we deserve some form of punishment … but NOT this Jesus”! This guy on the next-door cross, wanted to escape all this negativity and hopelessness; and he believed that when Jesus forgave his tormentors … that this was God speaking. He also had come to see, in wanting to be a part of Jesus’ Kingdom …  that this Jesus would be able to, in some way, conquer death. We might also sense here … real regret, and thoughts of a wasted life.



Desiring salvation, this man cried out to Jesus, “Jesus … remember me when you come into Your Kingdom”. A modest, humble, sincere, believing request … that at some point, Jesus would … indeed … remember and save him. Jesus’ response, of course, brought much more than this – Jesus promised that from today, from this very moment, a life had completely changed – from the depths of despair … to an experience of “Paradise” (Luke 23:42-43). At Calvary, two men met that day … on adjoining crosses – both in agony. Yet, One was dying as a gift to the other – the innocent dying for the guilty. A connection was made; and a relationship began!! Praise God. This can be our experience as well. Amen!

"Keeping Our Eyes Open" (Luke 19:41-46)

Introduction



We often bemoan the type of world we live in. Violent assaults, murder, abuse, break-ins, racist attitudes, division, war, persecution, injustice. The question is … where do we go with this? We will, or should, go to God in prayer, desperately seeking better! But followers of Jesus will also consider what we should do ourselves in response to the world’s woes. God is continually opening opportunities for us to make a difference for good, and the Holy Spirit is with us … to help us to interpret and discern the best way forward.



God’s Visitation



We see in our text (Luke 19:41-46), that when Jesus, coming down from the Mount of Olives, had a clear view of Jerusalem, he could only weep. His tears welled up with the prophets of old, as he saw brokenness, illness, poverty and greed. Such unaddressed social dysfunction had brought this nation undone in times past, and would do so again. This was because, in essence, God was being ignored. You would think, that when God presented himself in human form, in the person of Jesus, there would have been an instantaneous response! Nuh! Life as normal in Jerusalem.



Jesus was basically rejected there. There were some who followed Jesus; and some willing to proclaim him … as long as it suited them – but the crowd was easily turned. On [what has become known as] Palm Sunday, many joined the authentic disciples, and got carried away with some leafy palm branches – joining the chorus of ‘Hosanna’ … because they thought Jesus might just overturn Rome. But how many of these would, just a few days later, under the influence of corrupt leadership and peer pressure, cry out something entirely different – ‘Crucify Him’!! Love thrown back in God’s face!



We know that God reversed the negative side of this, to produce a stream of forgiveness and new life. But this … still … is so often rejected. Sadly, some people can’t get past their brokenness … or the addictions that hold them captive. Certain people, who consider themselves well-off, have too much vested interest in maintaining things the way they are – being blind and deaf to their own deeper spiritual need. Others have never had the good news of Jesus properly presented to them, in a way where words, lifestyle and service … have added up with integrity.



The result – we look upon our world, nation and community … and often weep. Whether it was that particular time of visitation from God in the form of Jesus, or whether it is the church’s active witness to Jesus now – there is a general resistance to the true things of the Spirit. Not to say, of course, there is no interest – there is plenty of interest in pursuing types of ‘spirituality’ – but these are often those forms of thinking … that either allow ourselves to stay in the centre and determine the parameters (where we remain ‘god’), or conversely … giving away all decision-making responsibility to others … in some form of cult.



What about the very sensible notion of relational beings joining together to worship and serve their Creator … while encouraging and supporting one another! Why not that!?! Perhaps because this means giving over ultimate control to Jesus – not so attractive for many – while retaining responsibility for the use of one’s time, resources and abilities – again such mutual accountability is not so popular! In one way, I don’t understand the reluctance, in another way I do! How do we best respond to all this?



Compassion and Hope



I think Jesus looked into people’s hearts and minds, and understood. Jesus, although sometimes frustrated, kept on applying compassion and hope through all the encounters and conversations he had with people. To the one who was too reliant on his wealth, Jesus said to him (for his own good), “Go and give it all away”. Whereas this one went away sad, we know that Jesus was right, because when Zacchaeus decided to give away all his ill-gotten gains, there was an instant and remarkable change in him (Luke 19:1-10).



When Jesus called ‘broken’ people to him, there was a desire to heal their bodies and minds on the road to healing their spirits. On one such occasion, when there were 9 out of 10 healed ‘lepers’ that failed to return to thank Jesus, thereby missing the extra blessing, yet we know that the one who did return … received ‘salvation’ (Luke 17:11-19).



There were those who had no idea about the fight between good and evil, flesh and spirit – they just did their duty. When Jesus looked down at the ignorant Roman soldiers gambling over his clothes – he didn’t speak words of anger, but rather words of forgiveness (Luke 23:32-38). And we might easily infer … that this was the main reason why one particular Roman centurion came to testify that the person on the cross before him … was “Truly … God’s Son” (Mark 15:39). Jesus kept on applying compassion and hope through all the encounters and conversations he had with people, and this made a difference.



We rejoice when anyone responds positively to Jesus, but can weep (like Jesus) when nothing changes. As we read in these verses from Luke 19 – whether this is individual lives, or community well-being, or the fall of a whole nation – when God is ignored – things go from bad to worse. This is inevitable … when the very reasonable teachings of Jesus fall on deaf ears. This is because Jesus was God’s only answer to sin, rebellion and selfishness. This was God’s ultimate moment of visitation, and it was being ignored! There will always be consequences when people live selfishly, or bring division, without concern for the community as a whole. And, wherever and whenever we fail to consider the situation of our vulnerable brother or sister – heaven weeps!



The Jesus Example



What can we do about this? Well, as usual, Jesus gives us the necessary heads-up! And there are two ways we can look at this.

1. How We Receive People

On this particular day, Jesus wiped his eyes, and I imagined he prayed – and then he did what needed to be done. People were being cheated financially, people were being blocked entry into their special place of prayer and worship, and the whole spiritual potential of the temple for the well-being of the people … was being obliterated and completely dishonoured. Jesus stepped in … to set things right!!



In so doing, Jesus challenged society about the plight of the poor, about the need for open, equitable and welcoming access to places of worship, and about the fact that serious spiritual engagement moves well beyond rules and regulations, well beyond offices and titles, well beyond functions and activities, to … a dramatically different kind of Spirit-led loving and serving community, that, rather than demanding anything, offers a whole lot of new opportunities.



The ‘insiders’ are being challenged to better consider the needs of the ‘outsiders’! What changes are required?! As well as our church being known for valuable engagement within our local community, we need to also be known as a welcoming “house of prayer” (verse 46) for all comers. This means that our gatherings are safe, peace-filled, hopeful, concerned, caring, encouraging, supportive, prayerful, positive and spiritually intuitive environments (especially for those most in need).



This requires an openness … far beyond traditional institutional thinking – to the Holy Spirit breathing God’s will amongst us and through us. When a church is truly a “house of prayer”, we will, together, be expecting God to turn up – and for good, remarkable, extraordinary and redemptive things … to happen!

2. How We Approach People

After we wipe our tears away, we need to keep our eyes open to see how we might be able, with the Spirit’s leading, to intervene (like Jesus did). This could be very dramatically like Jesus, but more likely … will be in a very humble gentle way – simply by being present just exactly where we need to be present. Being present to reassure someone, to help someone, to pray for someone, to invite someone into community, and to reveal to someone how faith has worked and is working for you.



We will need great insight, discernment and wisdom – for each situation, each human dilemma … will be unique and likely require a different and special approach. This is God’s work through us. This is another of God’s little visitations. This is how we know that God will go with us – indeed before us – God is actually drawing us toward people. And God will bring about good results – for it is God, well before us, who wants no-one to be lost.



So this is why we can pray with our eyes open. We ask God … who are you leading us to, which situation needs us to be involved, where are you already preparing the way – keeping our eyes and ears open for the answer. The highlight of the Esther story (in the OT) for me (for those who know it), is the part where cousin Mordecai tells Queen Esther … that this is her moment to shine – this is her moment to be courageous, and speak to the king about undoing a great injustice (Esther 4:12-14).



Since God has redeemed our future for us, as son and daughters of God, and brothers and sisters of Jesus, we are invited through the Holy Spirit to participate in God’s redemptive work. We are on mission! Each of us gets to wake up every morning, open our eyes, sense the light of the dawn – and then engage in the dark places of our neighbourhood (where God weeps) … to make a difference for good.



We need to look at Jesus … until we can look out at the world with His kind of eyes (R Rohr).



Conclusion



Jesus held nothing back in his care for those he encountered. Jesus’ tears speak loudly of his abiding love for the citizens of Jerusalem. The same would be the case, whenever, in any generation and place, Jesus sees human potential being wasted. This is an abiding love that seeks social justice, redemption and renewal for all.



A mature Christian sees the potential of Christ in everyone and everything around us. Authentic experiences of God … should always expand our seeing – and never constrict our vision! This means … we will NOT fight, exclude or reject anyone, including those very different to us, and even those who don’t particularly like us.



With us in mind as well, Jesus travelled down into Jerusalem, suffered all the dishonour he witnessed at the temple … in his own body – despite being the Son of God! Jesus wasn’t deterred, not for more than a second, from fulfilling the greatest rescue plan in the history of humankind.



Because we can become forgiven disciples of this Jesus today … the suffering servant of all humanity – we can see the poor released, the thieves convicted of their sin, the violent drop their weapons, the ‘hate speech’ be silenced, and the church restored into a “house of prayer”.



Our society, largely without knowing it, is depending on us – to inject an appreciation of God into our streets. Amen.

"New Wine Deserves Fresh Bottles" (Mark 2:21-22)

Introduction



What happens when we come to Jesus and accept him into our life as our Saviour and friend? Hopefully … a lot! However, sometimes, we can just stick the band-aid called ‘forgiveness’ on some of our bleeding sores, and then try to cope the same way we always have. When some other sore eventually breaks out, we head again for that ‘forgiveness’ bottle, and dab it on. This offer of ‘forgiveness’ can make us feel better in the short-term … for there is some release from guilt, and our burden can feel a little lighter.



Yet, this is NOT so far away from the ‘old covenant’ – where sacrifices were brought … because the ‘law’ had been infringed, but having settled the account … life went back to normal. This is why the ‘law’ was only a pointer, and such sacrifices were effectually inadequate. Hearts needed to be changed. And in the fullness of time, this is what Jesus came to change – hearts. The ‘new covenant’ is NOT only about ‘forgiveness’, but also a total change in perspective. So, NOT a band-aid, NOR a bottle of disinfectant – but rather a major operation! Or, as Richard Rohr puts is, we DON’T need problem-solving religion, but rather healing and transformation!



The Old Wardrobe



If we look at verse 21, Jesus guides us away from any sort of patch-up job. Jesus is a total new way of dressing ourselves – not just a bright gold coat [like Joffa’s gold jacket] that we stick on to cover all the old and soiled clothes below. This won’t work – we’ll still smell. And the old will also start to infect the new. And a new patch will just tear away from the old coat. We need to think bigger – towards a whole new wardrobe (of clothes)! For Jesus has won the battle with evil, and offers us a life of victory.



Colossians 3:12 says, “As God’s chosen ones [i.e. the ones God has reached out to in grace], holy [set-apart, with a calling] and beloved – clothe yourselves with [all these new things:] compassion, kindness, humility, meekness [not controlling – gentle, while strong in character] and patience”; and to this, later is added, “forgiveness, love, peace and gratitude” (vs 13-16). This is our new clothing – no room for the ‘old rags’. We need Jesus to take control of everything we wear.



The Old Wineskins



This message is entitled, ‘New wine deserves fresh bottles’. I’m sure that’s true, even though I don’t really know anything about wine. Of course, the ‘new wine’ I refer to here, is NOT something you drink, but rather SOMEONE that you have a relationship with. Jesus is our “new wine”. As the metaphor goes … “old wineskins” will be totally unsuitable to contain this “new wine”.



As the gases of the new fermenting wine expand, the old wineskin lacks elasticity – meaning … our old lives and our old ways do NOT have the capacity to store the ‘new wine’ which is ‘Jesus’. There is too much rigidity – if you like, too much accommodation to sin – the “old wineskin’ will just be too brittle. When Jesus says, “No one puts new wine into old wineskins” – the audience is meant to say, ‘No, that would be stupid’! Nothing would be gained, and a lot would be lost!!



The Old Religion



Jesus was firstly talking about trying to squeeze the new revelation about Jesus being the Messiah … into the old religious ways that had developed among the ancient people of God. Strict rules around what you ate, and whose hospitality you accepted, had tended toward separating people from one another. Proscribed routines about fasting and practicing the Sabbath, although there were some good intentions here, had become the end in themselves, rather than spiritual disciplines toward the greater goals of compassionate and just living.



The deeply-entrenched comfortable anti-change conservatism of some groups … that blocks growth, can also be seen in individuals. And when such individuals group together, we might understand why organisations can become so hard to move at times. Jesus came to put an end to any anti-God practices, and any incorrect or insufficient views about God. To know God – we could now look to Jesus (who is the Messiah – the Anointed One)! Jesus shows what God is like … as the suffering servant on a cross. And, Jesus reveals God’s very deepest desires (Telford Work).



The Living Water



Jesus is also the “living water” – a metaphor from John’s Gospel. Jesus is the only way our real thirst can be quenched. And, dirty old soft-drink bottles will be totally wrong for that fresh beautiful spring water – because it could be spoiled and wasted. Whereas many may still say, ‘No thanks’, others have drunk deeply of this “living water”!



The Samaritan woman that Jesus met up with at Jacob’s well (in John chapter 4), had been so impressed by him, and told her whole village so – that she certainly seems to have decided to leave her past behind – her sins, and the abuse she had suffered, to fully experience the ‘living water’ Jesus had to give her. Jesus had entered into her life story, ignoring the social barriers that may have otherwise prevented such an encounter, understanding her social isolation, engaging with her struggles with relationships, NOT being deterred by her life situation, and was responsive to her honesty.



The key turning point in this story, which I hadn’t noticed before, is that having received the offer of ‘living water’, this woman, “left her water jar, and went back to the city” (John 4:28). This was highly symbolic of something revolutionary happening! The ‘living water’ that Jesus offered her, was destined to fill a different sort of vessel – her whole life – “the water I will give will become … a spring of water gushing up to eternal life (4:14)!



The Way Forward



Some might think that they can take up a bit of the ‘new’, while keeping a bit of the ‘old’ … and still hold all this together. These verses in Mark 2 suggest otherwise! Mixing the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ doesn’t work – not for long – not with any real growth – and eventually it all falls apart! And, if we are completely honest – the ‘old’ wasn’t really working that well for us anyway!!



We wonder why some people have come to some level of faith, seemed strong enough for a while, and then faded away. Here is the reason = new patches on old clothes, or new wine in old wineskins! Jesus doesn’t want to be our periodical local-repair-man or on-call ‘Mr Fix-it’; Jesus wants to be our ‘Lord’ – never in an oppressive way, but rather in a creative, expressive and liberating way!! Jesus CANNOT be squeezed into ‘old’ ways.



So, what would we mean by the ‘old’??

(i)                Guilt and shame – i.e. how we feel about what we have done, any the negative ways we feel about ourselves. This can be very heavy and destructive. This can make us feel very negative toward ourselves, and therefore we can tend to reject any positive opportunities that come. For example, when Jesus first approached Simon Peter … with the greatest of invitations of following him [Jesus], Simon Peter at first said, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8).

Sure, we regret how we have hurt others and ourselves – that is an important part of repentance and why we won’t repeat such mistakes, but we need to be freed from this burden, and to forgive ourselves. And, Jesus took this burden … each of our burdens … to the cross, so that we might live again! We have to be able to anticipate the dramatic change that is possible, so that we can fully receive God’s radical mercy.

(ii)              Resentment, worse … unforgiveness, worse … bitterness, worse … hatred, toward certain people – and sometimes there is a reason for this (we have been unfairly hurt), other times … there is no good reason to feel this way. Actually, where we hold this stuff, there is not much room for the ‘new’ to take over! We cannot hate those that God still loves, and the worst victim of our bitterness is ourselves!

(iii)            Ways of believing, thinking, feeling, speaking and acting … totally contrary to the ways of God and the example of Jesus. Examples would be selfishness, fits of anger, negativity, fear, judgment, any tendency to fragment or divide. These may be comfortable clothes – but they are wearing out a great rate! This includes the notion (a belief that is really a lie) that if I can just get more of something (e.g. fun, money, relationships, work) – then the pain will go away.

Can I say, with some hesitation, that I am often surprised by what I hear coming out of the mouth of those who also worship Jesus! But then, sometimes I am also taken aback by what I’m thinking quietly to myself!! This is where the ‘old’ clothes haven’t yet been discarded … in favour of the ‘new’! There are weeds and rocks for us to dispense with!

Now … no judgments here! Jesus didn’t make judgments; what he did was, with a heart full of compassion, offer healing, forgiveness, a new start, a better and more hopeful future – his own friendship. Jesus kept inviting himself to other people’s homes for dinner, so he could just spend some time with them (and see where that might go). And in the ultimate tale of grace, Jesus told a story about a father who was so keen to be reunited with his estranged son, that, no longer worried about the depth of problems his son had got into, the father rushed to him with arms wide open, calling for a huge reunion party. This was how God promoted ‘new creation’ – with extraordinary love.



The New Creation



Yet, ultimately, we do need to undergo a thorough and complete overhaul – from the old life … to the ‘new creation’. We can’t just try to patch over our problems. Jesus is far too revolutionary to be restricted in old garments or dirty bottles. Paul speaks of this ideal in this way, “So if anyone is in Christ, there is new creation: everything old has passed away; see everything has become new” (2 Cor 5:17). Being “in Christ”, of course, means total commitment!



This is the ideal – this is the way forward – NOT new patches on old clothes, NOT ‘new wine’ in ‘old wineskins’ – but rather a total ‘new creation’. This doesn’t mean that we lose our unique personality – nor the vast learning experiences we have already gathered. This DOES mean that our life is repackaged … WITHOUT the negative pressure of guilt, shame, resentment or false beliefs (lies); AND WITH … the wonderful Lordship of Jesus over our lives! We become more gloriously alive than ever before!!



We don’t have to do this alone, we shouldn’t try to do this alone, we actually can’t do this alone – it is nigh on impossible; but then we have the Holy Spirit, the day-by-day presence of Jesus, to set our course, and keep us on track. Our relationship with Jesus sets us free from the powers that previously distorted and arrested our spiritual development – now we can flourish (T Work)! The ‘new creation’ is seen … as together … we love our neighbour, share and serve in community, and worship God in Spirit and in truth.



What’s at Stake?



This is all so crucial – because we, despite the perfection of our original creation, have been marred and broken by the ‘sin’ within us, and the ‘sin’ and ‘darkness’ around us. We need to be “new creation”. This is all so crucial – for the world, even our own community, even our neighbour, even our own family, need to experience this ‘new creation’. Periods of perceived evangelical success (or ‘revival’) can layer over the need to move from ‘old’ to ‘new’ – large numbers coming forward, but many never really becoming disciples – evidenced by lack of any real change. “New creation” requires deep lasting transformation!



Paul talks about all this on an even larger scale (later in Romans 8:19-21), when he writes: “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; … in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay, and will obtain the freedom of the children of God”. The ‘new creation’ restores the integrity of the original creation – where people live in peace, where difference is understood, where leadership equals service, where grace reigns, where the character of Jesus is evident.



The world will NOT be saved and transformed by people covered in band-aids, but rather through people walking wholly in the reflected glory of the Holy Spirit – identifiably and obviously – ‘children of God’. So we need to dispense with the ‘old’ … to make space for the new – the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. We don’t just want to tinker with the old car in the garage (in the limits of our own abilities – and only a temporary fix), we need a total rebuild – just like a new car with all the best features.



Conclusion



Are we fully in this process of renewal? Have we put ourselves on the starting line … and then moved forward? Do we still need to accept Jesus’ invitation into a ‘new’ life? Do we want to discover what our life is meant to look like, and what our purpose or calling is? This is why Jesus also talked about (in John’s Gospel chapter 3) being ‘born again’ or ‘born anew’. This is our spiritual re-start. We cannot physically start again, but we can spiritually – which can then lead to drastically different lifestyles and outcomes.



Where all lives on earth had fallen short – then came One who didn’t fall short. And Jesus is seeking to draw us into such a life, that proceeds from his life, that in turn proceeds from God; and though still human and imperfect, has now been founded in a new space with a new foundation and a new set of principles (simply based around ‘goodness’). Jesus will NOT coerce us, NOR manipulate us, NOR neglect us into submission – Jesus will only love us, bring us empathy, and invite us into responding to him.



Are we letting Jesus put an end to the ‘old’? What are the new things that Jesus wants to begin in me?? How am I encouraging these to grow? In the most challenging of scriptures, Paul writes: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith – test yourselves; do you not realise that Jesus Christ is in you – unless, indeed, you fail to meet the test”! (2 Corinthians 13:5). Please accept the invitation to be “new creation” – allowing the ‘new wine’ that is Jesus … to dwell in a fresh ‘wineskin’.