All Saints Day – 1st November 2015 – Year B

All Saints Day – 1^st November 2015 – Year B

Grace to you and Peace from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

The text for this meditation is written in written in the 11^th Chapter of the Gospel according to St John: Verses 32 – 44:

When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

AND

The 21^st Chapter of the Book of Revelation; Verses 5 – 6:

And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.

In the first half of his Gospel, John the Evangelist explains in detail the seven miracles performed by Jesus. He changed water into wine at Cana in Galilee. He healed an official’s son at Cana, cured a paralytic at the pool of Bethesda, multiplied the loaves in Galilee, walked on the sea of Galilee, cured a blind man in Jerusalem, and then . . . . Number 7: He raised Lazarus from the dead, at Bethany.

John wants for us to hear this seventh miracle as a culmination that led up through all the other miracles, all of which directly highlighted Jesus’ glory. When Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead and given him back to his family, the opponents of Jesus decided this miracle was finally too much. Now they really had to kill Jesus, because otherwise, as one of them said, “Now the whole world will run after him.”

It is as if John were trying to help us see just how good the Good News about Jesus is. Starting with something small—they ran out of wine at Cana. Leading up to something so big that they couldn’t even imagine that He could do anything about it.

They would have understood if Jesus had healed Lazarus, if he had “kept him from dying,” as some of them said in verse 37. “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” - but they didn’t dream of asking Jesus to bring Lazarus back to them, alive and well.  No, it was too late. John heightens this tension by having Martha say, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.”

Surely as devout Jews, in their worship and studies in the Synagogue they would of heard about and read the text of Isaiah 25?
‘On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever.
Then the Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.
It will be said on that day,
Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’

Perhaps they did not believe that the Lord of hosts would do as he had promised, and destroy death, the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations? – Then again – Do we?
Did they believe that the Lord God would wipe away the tears from all faces? – Do we believe that?
Were they guilty of placing limits on God? – Are we also guilty?

As I meditated on these Bible texts, my heart was heavy. In this week alone, here in Australia there has been a number of senseless killings; a child has been murdered, only 11 years old, young people in their teens have died in traffic accidents, there have been earthquakes in Pakistan and thousands have been killed and rendered homeless, ISIS Jihadist continue to terrorise Iraq and Syria. Death, grieving and confusion are all around us. What of Isaiah 25? What are we to make of that in light of the daily tragedy? Are we tempted like Mary to say “Lord if you were here all this would not have happened?” – Isn’t that the catch-cry of the non-believer – why does your God allow all this suffering?

Deep within me I can feel the hurt of the love ones; those left behind and those supporting them. It is not just the hurt of somebody losing someone. Our feelings and actions are complicated by the thoughts we usually have around people’s death, of needing somehow to find a way to put right, either through words or deeds, what has gone wrong, if at all possible. Has the person had “enough” life? Has their life been “good enough” or “full enough”? Was their death meaningful? Did it do anyone else some good? How much suffering should one expect? How much life does one deserve? It seems that whilst as ‘good Christians’ in such times we turn to God’s Word, but at the same time we need to somehow ‘defend’ God’s Word as though that is our responsibility. Grief and anger are the tools of Satan - "it's not fair - where was God when all this was happening" - and he plants the seed of doubt in our hearts and minds eroding our faith in grace and promise of our Lord and saviour jesus Christ.

When Jesus stood with Mary and Martha in Bethany, I think the thoughts swirling around Lazarus' sister's heads  were not so different from anyone who has experience the sudden unexplained death of a family member or loved one. Grief, anger, betrayal, a sense of permanent loss! How could this death be anything but a terrible wrong? 


Did you notice that Jesus did not offer pat answers and reassurances to Mary and Martha? What He did do on that sad day in Bethany, was that He followed through on the promise he makes to all mankind!. Jesus removed the 'Shroud of Death' from Lazarus by restoring his physical life! You can be sure that at some time in the future, when Lazarus' body failed,  Jesus again restored Lazarus to eternal life. Jesus challenge to the crowd on that day and His challenge to us today was “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 


Friends, by “the glory of God” Jesus did not mean that they would see a spectacle that would impress them, some sort of resurrection sideshow! He meant that they would see that God's Glory comes in the form of pure unadulterated love for each and everyone of us, and not even death or Satan can destroy that

Mary and Martha, four days earlier, had suffered a loss that shattered their household. Their beloved brother Lazarus had died after an illness. They had sent for Jesus, and when he didn’t come Lazarus had died. Then, they stopped waiting for Jesus – But - he came anyway. Are we, in our grieving process tempted to stop looking for Jesus? - fear not my friends, here is here anyway.

Jesus was teaching his disciples to trust in God with all their heart and mind and soul and strength. They were learning; but even to them, there did seem to be a point at which one could no longer count on God. Even the Disciples felt God could do nothing about death. Which seemed wrong to them, but there you have it. Life has its problems, and then you die. The Disciples also were struck down with the human condition of sin and doubt! 

Standing with Mary and Martha in Bethany, Jesus wept. I am sure those around him took Jesus’ tears as sadness and frustration at His inability to fix the problem! - Friends; Jesus’ tears were shed on that day for the human predicament (our sin - our doubt), and that includes us; that we should live with death believing it has the final say for us. That it was and is a shroud over us. That we should think that the creator was a worldly Saviour only and that we had to make the best of life while it lasted, and, eventually, to fight what would always be a losing battle, against the last worst enemy - death!

Jesus said, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and his feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go!” – we confess in worship that we are born in bondage to sin and the absolution that comes directly from Jesus is that we are forgiven and cut free from our bondage. Lazarus renewed earthly life, like our new eternal life,  came without bondage, past sins totally forgiven. 

Which is to say that the Lord who created us in love in a past so far away we can’t remember it, is Lord even over death and the devil. The Alpha is also the Omega. “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever.”

If that were not good enough, John turns the page and begins the second half of his Gospel, in which there is really only one sign, one miracle. The glory of God as revealed there in the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ - our pathway to a renewed forgiven life into eternity.

The Alpha and the Omega – the beginning and the end. To me, my friends, that statement alone says volumes about the real love of God. There is great glory in the Alpha, the creation of the heavens and earth and the myriad of miraculous life forms and environment in which we live. That was amazing, that was perfect; in looking at it God could have called it quits then; because it was soon after that we, mankind, human beings in all our imperfection, set in motion generations of unbelievable disasters. The Old Testament is full of them; in more modern times people killed more than one hundred million people in wars, genocides, and or other atrocious great events just during the twentieth century. That’s a very rough count, a modest estimate. Who could begin to count the single murders, plus all the other hurts, the deliberate kind that ruin people’s days, destroy their reputations. Frauds committed on the elderly. Abuse suffered by the children. Yet through Jesus Christ’s Easter experience God is still the Omega who promises to love and forgive us forever, no matter what into eternity..

Friends we know this time is not the beginning, and the end times are beyond our understanding, so we are called, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, to cling to the knowledge that the Grace of God comes to us by faith where we are each day. Paul tells us in Romans 8: 36 – 39 that even as we face death each day, we are more than conquerors because nothing in all creation, including bodily death, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 “I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end,” says the Lord of love, even though our physical bodies may perish and die, our Lord and Saviour has promised to give us life - giving water into eternity. Grieve we will and grieve we must, but in Jesus promise we find our eternal comfort.

To the love of that Lord, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend all those departed friends we remember this day with love — for me, as an ex Infantry Officer, that is family and friends and most importantly Brothers and Sisters in arms who paid the supreme sacrifice defending our rights to live our lives in God given freedom and peace. — I invite you now to prayerfully remember those family and friends who were near to you who have died in the Lord . . .

In hope of the resurrection to life eternal, we confess our faith in the God of love and mercy who is the Alpha . . . and the Omega.  Amen.

The love and peace of our great Triune God that is beyond all human understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen

Pentecost 22 – 25 October 2015 – Year B

Pentecost 22 – 25 October 2015 – Year B

Grace to you and peace from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

The text for this meditation is written in the 10^th Chapter of the Gospel according to St Mark: Verses 46 – 52 - As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and said, ‘Call him here.’ And they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take heart; get up, he is calling you.’ So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

There are some times in our lives when a particular need is so pressing that nothing else seems important by comparison. If you’ve ever been lost in the bush, you know that if a magic Leprechaun were to appear while you were stumbling over tree stumps – your once in a lifetime wish would be, at that moment, to find your way home. In my military career, I have experienced life threating situations, but regardless of my training or experience, if I had been given the choice of being there and being rewarded in some way or be out of the situation, I would have elected to be out every time.

Sometimes our needs are more serious and more dramatic. A sick child takes precedence over everything else that goes on in a home. A life-threatening injury can make even the worst financial or professional problems seem insignificant. A chronic ailment can be a constant barrier to the kind of life we want to live.

One of the key figures in our story today had just such a need. His name was Bartimaeus – literally “Son of Timaeus” in Aramaic; and he was blind. Mind you, Bartimaeus was not blind in an era of seeing-eye dogs, Braille, occupational therapy, and health insurance. He lived in a time where the sightless had to depend on the charity of others. If they were fortunate, their families cared for them. If they were not fortunate, they begged on the street.

Bartimaeus was not fortunate. He spent his days on the side of the busy highway from Jericho to Jerusalem; perhaps hoping that the faithful headed to the Holy City would gain God’s favour by throwing him a coin or two. More than likely, he caught as many curses and insults as he did coins, and, just like today, a blind pauper made a tempting target for the punches of bullies and the nimble fingers of thieves.

It is a gross understatement to say that Bartimaeus did not lead a happy life. All that he needed, though, was one thing to turn his life around. One simple change would have allowed him to leave the side of the road and actually walk upon it. All that he needed was his sight, and for that he needed a miracle.

Somehow, despite a miserable life that seems like barely a life at all, Bartimaeus managed to keep hoping for that miracle. In fact, our text for today takes us to the side of the road just as Bartimaeus’ miraculous opportunity is – quite literally – passing him by. Jesus and his followers are going through on their way to Jerusalem, a trip that will end in Jesus’ death and resurrection. On their way out of town, their group moves past the spot where Bartimaeus is begging for coins.

Bartimaeus hears more commotion than usual. Perhaps James and John are still arguing about who will sit at Jesus’ right and left hands in the coming Kingdom. Perhaps there is a crowd, still following Jesus for the spectacle or for the free food or to hear more of his teachings. Whatever catches Bartimaeus’ attention, he quickly figures out that it – at the centre of the noise – is Jesus of Nazareth.

If we could freeze Bartimaeus at that very moment, it would be the perfect symbol of where almost everyone finds themselves at some time or another. It’s also a great snapshot of where much of the world is right now. Bartimaeus knows that his life is in shambles and broken; and he knows that he cannot provide what he needs to be whole and healthy and at peace. He sits in darkness, and he knows that only Jesus can offer him healing and hope; but he has no way to find Jesus. He cannot see, and with all of the shouting voices in the crowd, Bartimaeus does not know which one to follow.

Struggling in the darkness, wanting to find Jesus, but not knowing how to get to him. Friends, at some times all of us face the light of a new day feeling exactly the same way. In fact some of us attend worship services and Bible Studies simply because someone gave the time and effort to guide us to the place where we could find the presence of God.

Bartimaeus had no one like that. He shouts at the top of his lungs, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” When he calls out, a lifetime of desperation and loneliness gives strength to his voice. Even over the noise of the crowd, some people there hear him.

Unfortunately, they have their own priorities. They’ve come to Jesus for their own reasons. Some of them, like Bartimaeus, want a miracle; and the last thing they want is someone else butting in. Some of them are there for the teaching. They want to hear Jesus’ theological thoughts; and they don’t want Him distracted by another one of these annoying outcasts that He’s so fond of. So for whatever their personal reasons, the crowd tries to silence Bartimaeus.

What of the crowd?

If Bartimaeus is a picture of our own needs and the needs of the world, the crowd is, sadly, a potential image of the Church. Often we of the Church surrounded Jesus, each of us crowding Him with our own expectations of what He can do for us. Friends, at times, our personal agendas become a wall that boxes Jesus in, and keeps those with real needs out.

In saying this, I am not acting as Judge over the Church, but one only has to look back in history to see the trail of persecution, division, wars and bitter resentment brought about by mankind putting labels on God’s Holy assembly, the Church on earth, to suit their own needs and agendas. We reflect with shame on the atrocities that have been committed in God’s name; and on those who have been cast out from worship because they did not measure up to mankind’s rules imposed on God’s gracious gift to us in the name of Jesus Christ His only Son. When reflecting on the crowd confronting Bartimaeus in this Gospel reading, we must ask ourselves “are we jealously guarding our Church against those whom we consider unacceptable, or are we complying with the command of Jesus in Matthew 28 to seek out, evangelise and Baptise, those lost souls in our community?” – Jesus commands us to listen for the cry of those who are in need and are seeking him.

Well, Bartimaeus refuses to be silenced. He shouts again, even louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” That must have taken some courage, to lie defenceless and in the dark screaming the name of Jesus while a threatening crowd worked to silence him. Importantly, when Bartimaeus can’t find Jesus on the first try, he tries again.

You know it’s so easy for a Christian to forget that lesson in worship, and in life. After all, Jesus is right here with us. But the truth is – it doesn’t always feel that way. We drink Christ’s blood and eat His body to be again joined with Christ’s in forgiveness and eternal salvation in the merciful presence of God; but sometimes that just doesn’t sink in.

Bartimaeus says – keep trying! Whatever that means for each of us, keep doing it. Keep praying, keep reading, keep studying, keep singing, keep preaching. Keep seeking. In these times God will come to us; but also in our human frailties there will be roadblocks moments on our faith journeys that we can only get through if we keep calling on Jesus.

It works, just as it did for Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus calls into the darkness a second time. When he does, Jesus hears him and stops walking. Jesus tells the crowd, “Call him here,” and when He says it, the nature of the crowd changes. They stop being an impediment to the work of God, and become its instrument. Suddenly to them this man is acceptable in Jesus’ sight.

Hearing Jesus’ command, the crowd calls to the man, “Take heart; get up, He is calling you.” On hearing this, Bartimaeus gets up and – leaving his cloak, perhaps his only possession, behind – runs to Jesus. He gives up all he has and answers the call.

Bartimaeus hears Jesus’ question and immediately knows the answer. “What do you want me to do for you?”

Friends, this is an important question. Bartimaeus has been shouting at the top of his lungs, begging – no longer for coin – but for the chance to meet Jesus. Dear friends in Christ, this is not a bad question to ask ourselves as well. What do we want from Jesus? Why are we seeking Him? Do we want wealth? Power? Prestige? Healing? Companionship? What are we here for? Some of us will get what we seek, others will not; we have no choice but to trust the wisdom of God.

As people of faith, or even as people seeking faith, that does not stop us from trying. Bartimaeus answers Jesus, “Teacher, let me see again.”

Jesus responds, “Go, your faith has made you well,” and immediately Bartimaeus can see.

Think about that! Jesus doesn’t say “I have healed you.” He isn’t theatrical, Jesus simply tells Bartimaeus that his faith has already healed him.

It wasn’t finally meeting Jesus that gave Bartimaeus his sight. It was having the faith to seek Jesus in the first place. Interestingly, the word that our NRSV translates as “made well” is the same word for salvation. It means completeness and restoration.

It was Bartimaeus faith that kept him persistent in seeking Jesus and it was ultimately his faith that healed him. Not faith in himself but faith in Jesus, the Son of God.

Whatever darkness clouds our vision, whatever forces stand between us and salvation; we cannot let anything distract us from the only answer that can restore us and make us whole: the merciful love of God, the physical presence of Jesus, the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Bartimaeus, like Job is restored to health and freedom of opportunity. We don’t really know just what he did with his life after that, but our reading does tell us that he followed in the path of Jesus,

The miracle of Bartimaeus’, the experiences of Job serve to remind us that regardless of our opinions, our wealth our standing in life, we live entirely by and through the Grace of God through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We live in the love He lavished on us on the cross, but in the Holy Scriptures we are constantly reminded that our life can only be complete if we become conduits of God’s love; the vessel through which it flows on to those fellow beings in need. If we can do that, if we can cling to our faith we can be assured that regardless of what life throws at us, in Christ, we will prevail. Amen.

The love and peace of God that exceeds all human understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen

Merv James