21st Sunday in Ordinary Time - Who do you think I am?

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When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”. They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 

Matthew 16.13-16

I rather like the TV programme ‘Who do you think you are?’ I enjoy the journey of the subject celebrity as they explore their family tree. But, in looking at their ancestors, do they find out who they are as people?

This is much like the situation we have with Jesus as he attempts to find out if his mission to fulfil God’s promise to reconcile humankind to himself will have any life beyond his own. ‘Who do people say the son of man is?’ The disciples answer Elijah, Jeremiah and John the Baptist. These are all significant prophets, fearless and devout who boldly spoke out against the wicked leaders of the nation. God’s chosen challenged injustice, immorality and corruption.

Jesus was much more than these and it is Peter’s reply to Jesus’ second question, ‘Who do you say I am?’ that gives him the assurance he needs to head before journeying to Jerusalem and the cross that awaits him.He was not just God’s mouthpiece; he was God’s Messiah. Not just challenging the religious elite but supplanting them as God’s king. He is the one true king; the one Israel had been waiting for; the one of whom the Psalms and the prophets had spoken.

This was risky. It was likely to attract attention, condemnation and, no doubt, hostility from the religious and secular authorities. It is no less risky now to challenge those who rule by injustice, cruelty, prejudice, hypocrisy, greed, self-interest and might.

This passage teaches us, that to truly know Jesus, we must embark upon a journey of personal discovery. When he asks you, ‘Who do you think I am?’, nobody can tell you what to answer, none of us cannot rely upon second-hand experience. We must discover Jesus for ourselves. We might know everything there is to know about Jesus and still not be a Christian. Being a Christian is not knowing about Christ but knowing Christ in our lives.

He asks all of us, ‘Who do you think I am?’ What answer will you give? Will Jesus know that his work is safe when you provide your response?

Messiah, joy of every heart,

Thou, thou the King of Glory art!

The Father’s everlasting Son!

Thee it delights Thy Church to own;

For all our hopes on Thee depend,

Whose glorious mercies never end.

                        Charles Wesley (1707 – 88)

 

The Methodist Church provides worship and devotional resources at www.methodist.org.uk

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Facing the Future

 

‘A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon possessed and suffering terribly.”

He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel. It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.

“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

Then Jesus said to her, “Woman you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.’ Matthew 15. 22-28 (edited)

It comes as a shock to hear Jesus apparently refusing to help someone in need because she is from the wrong race. So, we must ask ourselves, ‘What is going on here?’

Jesus’ Gospel message was aimed at the Hebrew nation first. His message and new life where to be brought to the world by the people God had chosen, the promise bearers. It is too our shame, that many Christians, even today, have forgotten this. Jesus limited his mission almost entirely to the Jewish people to be sure that God’s kingdom would flourish.

But the future has an uncanny knack of breaking into the present. It caught him on the hop. The nascent Kingdom mission was not yet ready for the outside world yet, that lay in the future and beyond the cross.

Jesus responds to the love and faith expressed in the woman’s demands. Does he mean to be offensive by using a word that the Jews would use to insult Gentiles? I don’t think so! Jesus is trying to reveal the potential of her faith. She calls him ‘Son of David’ and ‘Master’ and understands his authority. She worships and petitions him.

Jesus recognises that she has great love, a strong faith, indomitable persistence and a cheerful outlook. She gave a forthright riposte when she reminds him that, although the heavenly banquet was prepared for God’s children, there would be enough scraps remaining for Gentile ‘dogs’ to enjoy. The future was breaking in. Perhaps Jesus was not ready for the cross, but the woman insisted upon Easter now.

Being a Christian in the world today often means patiently waiting for the unfolding of God’s plan. Yet there are those whose faith would still badger and harry God in prayer for the future to be brought to the here and now. William Wilberforce fought hard to end the slave trade when others would dely. That is the persistent faith that Jesus praised in the Canaanite woman.

The Black Lives Matter campaign has reminded us that our society remains damaged while prejudice, injustice and fear persist. We need the faith of the Canaanite woman to badger and harry God in prayer and to be persistent in action to drive this out. While one life remains trapped in the slavery of past misdeeds, our work in God’s kingdom is incomplete. Be persistent in mission, be persistent in faith, be persistent in prayer.

In Christ there is no east or west,
in him no south or north,
but one great fellowship of love
throughout the whole wide earth.

John Oxenham, pseud.   (1852–1941)

The Methodist Church provides worship and devotional resources at www.methodist.org.uk

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - The Outstretched Hand

'But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 

“Lord, if it is you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 

Matthew 14.27-31

Learning to swim involves a lot of trust. Water is dangerous. You must trust the person teaching you. But, why is it that we cannot put that same trust in God?

The storm reflects Peter’s inner turmoil. He had no doubt that he could walk on water to meet Jesus but, realising the destructive potential of the storm, he lost all his courage. But, Jesus reached out calmly and saved him.

This story reveals that God in Christ can be trusted to lead us out of danger and onto the right path to his kingdom.

We find it hard to trust in God; even though he is all powerful. We would prefer to rely upon ourselves, even though we are weak and fallible. The clamour of the storm about us, the chaos of modern living, the background of conflict, disaster, pandemic and economic crisis manifests itself in the inner turmoil in our lives. Often, we find it difficult to hear God's still, small voice telling us what we need to do or to see Jesus reaching out to lift us up.

It is only when we truly trust in God that we discover how trustworthy God is. Commitment to God is about taking risks. Nothing was ever achieved without taking a risk for his sake. Taking that risk truly shows that we are prepared to place our trust in God. Christ is here to guide us and hold out a helping hand when life’s storms threaten to overwhelm us.

Not in the storm but in the moment of silent prayer, in the quiet contemplation of the Bible, in the barely heard whisper you will find God speaking and we need to grasp the opportunity he offers with both hands.

Eternal Father, strong to save, whose arm doth bind the restless                                     wave, who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep its own appointed limits keep: O Saviour, whose almighty word the winds and waves submissive                                     heard, who walked upon the foaming deep, and calm amid its rage didst sleep:       O hear us when we cry to thee     or those in peril on the sea.

O sacred Spirit, who dost brood upon the chaos dark and rude, who made its angry tumult cease, and gavest light and life and peace: O Trinity of love and powershield all who sail in danger’s hour; from rock and tempest, fire and foe, protect them wheresoe'er they go:   and ever let there rise to thee   glad hymns of praise from land                                       and sea. William Whiting (1825–1878)

 

The Methodist Church provides worship and devotional resources at www.methodist.org.uk

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Changing Hearts

‘And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about 5000 men besides women and children.’  Matthew 14.19-21

Are there still miracles? Surely certainly not in the same leagues as the miracles that Christ performed. The important thing about miracles is not how or why they occur but, what they tell us about God.

There are three ways of looking at the miracle of the Feeding of the 5000: -

1.    It was the multiplication of loaves and fish. That tells us something of the authority of Jesus and God’s generosity but little else.

2.    Secondly, it is an enactment of the sacrament of Holy Communion, spiritual and physical needs met.

3.    But my preference is the miracle of the changed heart.

Most of the crowd would have come so far without a packed lunch. But people are selfish, and they wouldn’t have thought to share their food with the less well prepared but equally hungry. Jesus sets an example. He took the little that his disciples had, blessed it and began to share it willingly with those around him. Jesus’ generosity rubbed off and before long all began to share and soon all were satisfied.

This is love opening up grudging hearts. It is Christ entering people and changing them. In a very real sense this is the miracle of Holy Communion, Christ fed them with himself and sent his Spirit to dwell within them. That is the miracle.

The effect on our lives, if we live in faith, is that we cannot keep God’s love to ourselves. We see around us those who have a longing to experience God’s love too. Just as Jesus shared the little food he had and encouraged generosity in others, so we must share God’s love with those who come to us in need.

Break thou the bread of life, O Lord, to me, as thou didst break the loaves beside the sea. Beyond the sacred page I seek thee, Lord; my spirit longs for thee, O living Word!

Thou art the Bread of Life, O Lord, to me, thy holy word the truth that saveth me; give me to eat and live with thee above; teach me to love thy truth, for thou art love.

O send thy Spirit, Lord, now unto me, that he may touch my eyes, and make me see; show me the truth concealed within thy word, and in thy book revealed I see the Lord. Mary Artemisia Lathbury (v1) (1841–1913 & Alexander Groves (v2&3) (1842–1909)

The Methodist Church provides worship and devotional resources at www.methodist.org.uk