1 John 3:1-7 is one of today’s Lectionary readings, it offers a robust reminder of God’s love for us and how it ought to shape our conduct. It’s like a warm hug from an affirming friend, reassuring us about the incredible love that God has for us and how it should shape our lives.
John starts by emphatically asserting our status as beloved of God. It’s not a mere nicety, it’s a foundational truth. He addresses us as ‘beloved’, underlining our significance and value in the eyes of God.
Moving on, John delineates our familial relationship with God. We’re not merely acquaintances; we’re reckoned as God’s offspring. This family tie positions us within a privileged circle, under the care and provision of our heavenly parent.
However, there’s a sobering aspect to this family relationship. Despite our esteemed status, our outward appearance might not always reflect it. We’re a work in progress, subject to ongoing refinement.
The crux of John’s message lies in the behavioural implications of our divine lineage. Our conduct should be congruent with our heavenly pedigree. In other words, we’re expected to be Christlike, a reminder to uphold the family name with dignity.
John doesn’t suggest perfection; he acknowledges the inevitability of human fallibility. Nonetheless, he exhorts us to strive towards a life that honours God and exemplifies love towards others.
This passage serves as a stern, yet nurturing admonition; emphasising God’s love for us, our privileged status as his offspring, and the consequent moral imperative to conduct ourselves accordingly.
The Crucifixion must have traumatised Jesus’ disciples and followers, even though he’d tried to prepare them for it, not just once but repeatedly. They failed to realise the full significance of his words and so ‘the penny didn’t drop!’
The bottom had fallen out of their world; they were defeated and downcast, devastated and discouraged.
Significantly, the Risen Jesus came alongside two followers walking on the road to Emmaus. But they were kept from recognising him. The original Greek here uses what’s known as a ‘divine passive’, with God as the implied subject. It’s as if God intentionally blinded their eyes until the moment of revelation, that moment when Jesus broke bread with them. He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’
They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, ‘Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ ‘What things?’ he asked. ‘About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.
No wonder they were surprised that someone hadn’t heard. The Romans conducted crucifixions at major public crossroads to make examples of their victims and warn others against revolt. It really was quite unthinkable to these disciples that a Passover pilgrim wouldn’t have heard about Jesus’ crucifixion.
All their expectations had been dashed, even if they misunderstood or hadn’t fully comprehended the nature of Jesus’ purpose and ministry. The phrase ‘we had hoped’ speaks volumes about their feelings, but it’s also a Messianic reference; his coming to save Israel, the message of Palm Sunday hadn’t taken root in their hearts. One version says they stopped short, sadness written across their faces.
And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.
These verses help us to understand their confusion and disorientation; they were struggling to make sense of it. Wanting to believe the reports, yet doubting in their hearts.
He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Just imagine what it must have been like to have Jesus himself explain the scriptures? But ultimately the road TO Emmaus is the road of confusion, doubt, and weakness.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going further. But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them.
Then comes the moment of insight, the moment of clarity, the moment of recognition; here is such a wonderful moment of recognition and insight: When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’
Suddenly they received new energy from somewhere: They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’
They initially failed to recognize him, but as he stayed and broke bread with them the truth dawned, and they realised they would never ‘walk alone’ again.
The disciples were changed from being defeated and downcast, devastated and discouraged, to being confident in their Saviour and Lord. They faced the future with hope and returned to Jerusalem with a new spring in their step because they were not walking alone.
Good Friday and Easter prove that he knows the worst about us, yet still loves us, enough to die for us, and he’s with us forever in the journey of life. Moments we share with each other in worship, fellowship and eating are so important. The Last Supper in the upper room was a highly significant occasion, as well as being a tremendously poignant one.
As Christians meet together in worship, fellowship and yes, feasting, we’re sharing something divine. The Risen Christ comes and blesses us with his presence: While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’
What incredible moments these must have been as they gathered in the presence of the Risen Lord; such moments of collective insight and clarity, everything falling into place, especially after Jesus opened up the Hebrew Scriptures to them.
In contrast to the road TO Emmaus, the Road FROM Emmaus is the road of clarity, insight, energy, and peace. It’s the way of peace and the presence of Jesus.
Those disciples must have been so weary after their long journey, travelling home always seems longer and harder when the heart and emotions are burdened. But they were still able to offer hospitality though, and I’m sure it was genuine.
How important it is for us to come alongside others on their journey through life and offer love, support and hospitality. None of us fully know what the other person is feeling or going through, the pain and the daily struggles.
Brother, sister, let me serve you, Let me be as Christ to you. Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too.
It can be very moving when we dedicate ourselves to being with each other on life’s sometimes difficult journey, but also sharing the joys as well. Walking with each other and walking with Jesus.
I know thee who thou art, And what thy healing name; For when my fainting heart The burden nigh o’ercame, I saw thy footprints on my road Where lately passed the Son of God.
Thy name is joined with mine By every human tie, And my new name is thine, A child of God am I; And never more alone, since thou Art on the road beside me now.
Beside thee as I walk, I will delight in thee, In sweet communion talk Of all thou art to me; The beauty of thy face behold And know thy mercies manifold.
Let nothing draw me back Or turn my heart from thee, But by the Calvary track Bring me at last to see The courts of God, that city fair, And find my name is written there.
Acts 10:34-43 captures a key moment in the early Christian church, depicting Peter’s realisation of the universality of God’s message and the inclusion of Gentiles in the Christian faith. This passage marks a significant shift in the understanding of God’s plan of salvation.
In these verses, Peter, who was a devout Jew and one of Jesus’ disciples, addresses a Gentile audience, specifically Cornelius, a Roman centurion. Peter begins by acknowledging that God shows no partiality, meaning that his love and salvation are not limited to any particular group or ethnicity. This revelation challenges the traditional Jewish understanding that salvation was exclusive to the Jewish people.
Peter then proceeds to proclaim the core message of Christianity: the gospel of Jesus Christ. He emphasises that Jesus is Lord of all, regardless of nationality or background. Peter recounts the ministry of Jesus, highlighting his baptism by John the Baptist, his anointing with the Holy Spirit, and his acts of healing and liberation. This serves to establish Jesus’ authority and credentials as the Messiah.
Peter also emphasises Jesus’ death and resurrection, declaring that Jesus was crucified, but God raised him from the dead on the third day. This central tenet of Christianity underscores the power of God over death and sin, offering hope and salvation to all who believe.
Moreover, Peter testifies to the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ ministry and resurrection, affirming the reliability of the Christian message. He emphasises that Jesus commanded his disciples to preach and bear witness to him, thus validating their role as messengers of the gospel.
Furthermore, Peter highlights the role of Jesus as the appointed judge of the living and the dead, underscoring the accountability of all people before God. He stresses that through faith in Jesus, forgiveness of sins is available to everyone who believes in him.
This passage concludes with Peter affirming the prophetic testimony concerning Jesus, stating that all who believe in him receive forgiveness of sins through his name. Here, Peter extends the invitation to salvation to his Gentile audience, emphasising that faith in Jesus is the means by which all people can experience reconciliation with God.
Acts 10:34-43 is a turning point in the Book of Acts, illustrating the expansion of the Christian message beyond its Jewish origins and the inclusion of Gentiles in the community of believers. It serves as a foundational text for understanding the universal scope of God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.
Thought: Live as Easter people in a Good Friday world.
Today is Holy Saturday, not Easter Saturday. Easter starts with the resurrection of Jesus when darkness is turned to light. In stillness, earth awaits the resurrection.
Psalm 22 is a poignant and emotive psalm attributed to King David and often considered one of the Messianic Psalms, with Christian interpreters seeing in it prophetic references to the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
The psalm begins with a cry of anguish, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” These words are familiar to Christians as they are echoed by Jesus on the cross in the New Testament. The psalmist expresses feelings of abandonment and distress, yet also maintains trust in God’s faithfulness.
Throughout the psalm, there’s a vivid description of the psalmist’s suffering, with imagery of being surrounded by enemies, mocked and scorned by onlookers, and physically afflicted. Despite the intense suffering described, the psalmist clings to the hope of God’s deliverance, expressing confidence in God’s power to save.
The psalm shifts towards praise and thanksgiving as the psalmist anticipates God’s response to their cries. There’s a sense of victory and vindication as the psalmist declares that God hasn’t despised or scorned their affliction, but rather hears their cries and responds with deliverance.
In the final verses, the psalmist calls on future generations to praise God for His faithfulness and deliverance. They envision a time when all nations will worship and acknowledge God’s sovereignty.
Interpretations of Psalm 22 vary across religious traditions. For Christians, the psalm is often seen as foreshadowing the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, with many phrases and images in the psalm being seen as directly fulfilled in the events of Christ’s crucifixion. In Jewish tradition, Psalm 22 is recited during times of distress and is seen as a prayer for deliverance and redemption.
Overall, Psalm 22 is a powerful expression of faith in the midst of suffering, highlighting the tension between feelings of abandonment and trust in God’s faithfulness. It serves as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, God is present and working towards redemption and deliverance.
On this Good Friday we’re reminded that Christ spoke the first words of this psalm, and possible recited it all, on the Cross. It starts with darkness and despair, yet ends in light and hope. In abandonment and death we look forward to companionship and new life on Easter Sunday.
John 13:1-17 is a profound passage that depicts Jesus’ final meal with his disciples before his crucifixion. It’s the beginning of the ‘Farewell Discourse’ in John’s Gospel, where Jesus prepares his followers for his impending departure.
The scene is set during the Passover Feast. Jesus, fully aware of his divine authority and the events about to unfold, chooses to perform a humble act of service: He washes his disciples’ feet. This was a task typically reserved for the lowest servant, yet here the Master kneels before his followers. It’s a powerful act of love and a reversal of social norms.
When Peter resists, Jesus insists, explaining that the washing is necessary for Peter to share in Jesus’ life and mission. After completing the task, Jesus returns to his place and addresses his disciples. He explains that he’s set an example for them. Just as he, their Lord and Teacher, has washed their feet, so they should wash one another’s feet. It’s a lesson in humility and service, emphasising that leadership in the Kingdom of God is marked not by dominance, but by loving service.
The passage also touches on themes of cleanliness and preparation. While the physical act of washing is symbolic, it points to the spiritual cleansing necessary for fellowship with Christ. Jesus’ actions prefigure his ultimate service and sacrifice on the cross, where he will offer himself for the cleansing of humankind’s sin.
On this Maundy Thursday, we’re called to emulate Jesus’ humility and servanthood, transforming our lives, relationships, and attitudes towards others.
It’s exciting to be in a crowd, but it can also be very frightening. The mood of a crowd can rapidly change, the dynamic of the mob can quickly take over. Who knows what the crowd will do next, especially if its expectations are not met?
The crowds surrounding Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem were no different. The emotions and excitement were reaching fever pitch, and the conditions were right for the whole thing to turn nasty.
You can read the story of the first Palm Sunday in Luke 19:28-44.
There would have been thousands of hot, excited, sweaty people all wanting to see Jesus; all wanting to know who he was, all wanting to see what he would do.
Jesus approaches and enters Jerusalem in the full knowledge that both the religious and political leaders were feeling threatened by his teaching and ministry, and that the crowd could easily turn if he didn’t fulfil their expectations and hopes.
The first Palm Sunday was a dramatic and hugely significant day in the life and ministry of Jesus. Prior to this, Jesus had resolutely set his face towards Jerusalem, to very publicly announce the coming of his kingdom.
He carefully chose a time when the people would be gathered in Jerusalem, and he chose a way of proclaiming his kingdom that was unmistakable.
But, as Jesus approached Jerusalem, he wept over it: If you, even you, had only recognised on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
These weren’t the words of a human king, but rather the words of divine Saviour whose heart broke because of the spiritual and moral blindness of the people. He’d come to bring true peace, but they didn’t want it.
The crowd in Jerusalem thought they understood as they cheered, shouted, waved, and threw palm branches, but completely misunderstood Jesus’ identity.
They were full of nationalistic fervour and failed to recognise the true nature of Jesus’ kingship. Palms had been a symbol of Jewish nationalism from the time of the Maccabees and appeared on Jewish coins during their revolutionary struggle against the Romans, and now they were oppressed by them.
Jesus showed the people his true identity by riding on a donkey; a sign, according to the Old Testament, of the Messiah coming in peace. The people expected the Messiah to bring victory by force, but Jesus came to conquer by the Cross. The way of Jesus is not one of hatred, force or violence, rather it’s the way of sacrificial love.
The praise and adulation of the crowd was not the glory Jesus wanted, his glory was to come through self-sacrifice and suffering.
On this Palm Sunday, may we make our own decision to set our face towards Jerusalem; resolving to go God’s way, despite the expectations of the crowds, and live like Jesus.
Palm Sunday this year falls on the day we remember Óscar Romero, the Archbishop of San Salvador who championed the cause of the poor and marginalised. He was assassinated on Monday, 24 March 1980, at the age of 62.
So, instead of concentrating on the events of the first Palm Sunday, I’d like to celebrate Óscar Romero and learn from the life of this extraordinary man, a hero of faith, prayer, and justice.
Óscar Romero was the Archbishop of San Salvador at a time of terrible violence and oppression during El Salvador’s civil war. He was a contemplative and conservative man, but a fierce opponent of economic inequality and of the kidnapping, torture, and murder of his people.
He became a beacon of hope for the poor. Although his killers were never identified, it’s almost certain that Romero’s very public stand against the injustice of the military government was the reason he was shot dead as he celebrated Mass.
Romero saw that love can’t be theoretical, neither is it soft or weak, but there is a violence to love. Not a violence that hurts people, but a violence that resists anything that harms people. It stands up to the powers that exploit and destroy others; it’s this kind of love that Jesus demonstrated on the cross.
Read: Philippians 2:5-11 (one of the Lectionary Bible readings for today).
Óscar Romero wrote: “All of us, if we really want to know the meaning of conversion and of faith and confidence in another, must become poor, or at least make the cause of the poor our own inner motivation. That is when one begins to experience faith and conversion: when one has the heart of the poor, when one knows that financial capital, political influence, and power are worthless, and that without God we are nothing. To feel that need of God is faith and conversion.”
“The violence we preach is not the violence of the sword, the violence of hatred. It is the violence of love, of brotherhood, the violence that wills to beat weapons into sickles for work.”
On this Palm Sunday, let’s reflect on the life of Óscar Romero and consider how he followed Jesus, the one who rode into Jerusalem as the Prince of Peace.
Following on from last Sunday we again turn to John’s Gospel, to a passage that captures a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus, where the narrative shifts towards his impending crucifixion. John 12:20-33 (click on link) is rich with symbolism and theological significance, marking the beginning of the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
The passage begins with some Greeks, most likely Jewish diaspora, expressing their desire to see Jesus during the Passover festival. Their request is significant as it symbolises the reach of Jesus’ message beyond the Jewish community to the wider world. This event triggers Jesus to declare that “the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (John 12:23), indicating his awareness of the approaching sacrifice he’s about to make.
Jesus uses the metaphor of a grain of wheat to explain the necessity of his death; unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains a single seed, but if it dies, it produces many seeds (John 12:24). This analogy illustrates the paradoxical nature of life and death in the Christian faith, where through death comes greater life and fruitfulness.
He then speaks of the cost of discipleship, urging his followers to love their life less than their devotion to him, promising that those who serve him must follow him, and in doing so, the Father (John 12:25-26) will honour them. This teaching emphasises the idea of self-denial and the pursuit of eternal life over temporary worldly pleasures.
As Jesus contemplates his death, he admits to being troubled, but resolves that it’s for this purpose he’s come to this hour. He refuses to ask for deliverance from this hour, instead, he calls on God’s name to be glorified, to which a voice from heaven responds, affirming that it’s been glorified and will be glorified again (John 12:27-28). This divine interaction serves as a testament to Jesus’ obedience to God’s will and the divine plan of salvation.
Jesus explains that his crucifixion will serve as judgement on this world and will drive out Satan, the ruler of this world (John 12:31). He also prophesies that when he’s lifted up from the earth, he will draw all people to himself (John 12:32), alluding to his death on the cross and the universal salvation it offers.
The passage concludes with the crowd questioning Jesus about his statements, as they understood from Scripture that the Christ would remain forever. Jesus responds by urging them to walk in the light while they have it, to avoid being overtaken by darkness (John 12:34-36). This final exhortation serves as a call to faith and a warning of the consequences of rejecting the light, namely Jesus himself.
In summary, John 12:20-33 presents a profound theological discourse that sets the stage for the passion narrative. It highlights the global scope of Jesus’ mission, the sacrificial nature of his death, the call to discipleship, and the cosmic implications of the crucifixion. It’s a cornerstone for understanding the depth of Jesus’ teachings and the redemptive purpose of his death. May we seek to understand this better for ourselves, especially as we approach Palm Sunday and Holy Week.
On the first three Sundays of Lent, we’ve been considering some noteworthy events in the life of Jesus. This Sunday we turn to John 3:14-21 which contains some of the most well-known verses in Christian theology, particularly regarding the concept of salvation and God’s love for humankind
In this passage, Jesus makes a reference to an incident from the Old Testament, specifically to when Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness. This event is recorded in Numbers 21:4-9, where the Israelites, plagued by venomous snakes, were instructed to look upon a bronze serpent raised on a pole by Moses, and those who looked upon it were saved from death. Jesus uses this historical event as an analogy for his own impending crucifixion. Just as the bronze serpent was lifted to save those who looked upon it, Jesus would be lifted on the cross to bring salvation to all who believe in him.
Verse 16 contains one the most famous and profound statement in the entire Bible: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. This verse encapsulates the essence of Christian faith, God’s immense love for humankind and his sacrificial gift of Jesus Christ to provide salvation and eternal life to those who believe in him.
The subsequent verses emphasise the purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world; not to condemn it, but to save it. However, it also highlights the human response to Jesus’ message; those who believe in him are not condemned, but those who do not believe stand condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
The passage contrasts light and darkness, righteousness, and sin. Jesus is depicted as the light that has come into the world, but some people prefer darkness because their deeds are evil. This reflects the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil, belief and unbelief, which is a recurring theme throughout the Gospel of John.
Furthermore, the passage stresses the importance of faith and belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Belief in Jesus is not merely acknowledging his existence or his teachings but involves a deep, personal trust and surrender to him as Lord and Saviour. Those who believe in him are granted eternal life, while those who reject him face judgment.
Overall, John 3:14-21 presents a powerful message about God’s love, the purpose of Jesus’ incarnation, the necessity of faith, and the consequences of unbelief. It’s a foundational passage for Christian theology, encapsulating the core principles of salvation and redemption through Jesus Christ. The passage continues to inspire and challenge us to live lives of faith and obedience to the teachings of Jesus.
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