Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Sermon – John 18:28-40 – Trial
Beaver Dam and Pitts Creek Churches
March 21, 2010
Listen to this sermon.
We have reached the fifth Sunday on our journey with Jesus toward the cross. Remember the dinner at Bethany with Mary, Martha, Lazarus and Judas when Mary anointed Jesus’ feet for burial? And remember the Greeks coming to Jesus triggering his “hour”? Do you remember the dinner when Jesus gave Judas a piece of bread and Judas left into the night. And do you remember Jesus’ arrest and interrogation by Annas. We remember these things, but to we really believe in Jesus. If we do the promise is eternal life. If we don’t it is darkness and death. This choice cannot be avoided and as we will see today the wrong choice leads to tragic consequence.
But before we get to this please pray with me. “Grant unto us, O Lord, to be occupied in the mysteries of thy Heavenly wisdom, with true progress in piety, to thy glory and our own edification. Amen.” (John Calvin)
28 Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate came out to them and asked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?" 30 "If he were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you." 31 Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." "But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews objected. 32 This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled.
33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" 34 "Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?" 35 "Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?" 36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." 37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." 38 "What is truth?" Pilate asked.
With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. 39 But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?" 40 They shouted back, "No, not him! Give us Barabbas!" Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.
This weekend the Congress of the United States is making a choice. We will make the changes in healthcare the President proposes? Or will we keep the healthcare system we have. Most congressmen decided long ago which side they stand on. But some have tried to straddle the middle and not make a choice. These congressmen have been receiving calls and visits from the President and high officials from both sides. High level negotiations are going deep into the night. Ultimately each congressman must make a decision; they must choose one side or the other.
A government official two thousand year ago was also faced with a choice. Pontius Pilate was forced to believe in Jesus or not. And his decision will follow him for eternity. Pontius Pilate was a minor official in the Roman government. Coming to Judah was probably not a good career move. Judah was basically quiet, on the far edge of the empire and not in a really strategic location. The local government was adequately administered by a cooperative religious authority in Jerusalem called the Sanhedrin. There were a few perks in the job. Pilate got to live in a luxurious palace in Caesarea on the Mediterranean where, if he could avoid making decisions he would be alright.
His major problem concerned some nationalistic tendencies among the local. Chiasmic leaders, often called “anointed ones” would go around the country demanding that the Roman government be overthrown. All Pilate had to do to deal with this threat was to capture the leader and have him killed then the remaining followers would scatter. Another problem was one of the ancient religious festivals called the Passover. This festival commemorated the deliverance of the Hebrew people from oppression in Egypt. Some in the crowd thought that the Roman government should be overthrown as well. And this caused Pilate to leave his seaside estate and travel to Jerusalem for the Passover feast to keep a lid on things, because letting things get out of control would be bad for his career.
On arriving in Jerusalem Pilate received word from the Sanhedrin that one of the anointed ones had been stirring up the countryside with miracles and the expectation was that something big was about to happen in Jerusalem. So Pilate agreed to have this person arrested to keep a lid on everything until after the Passover when people had gone home. Pilate sent some Roman soldiers with the temple guards to make sure that nothing unusual would happen during the arrest. After all you couldn’t be too careful. When Pilate went to sleep that night he had no idea what he had unleashed.
Late that night a group of temple guard came from the High Priest and woke Pilate. He was annoyed having to get up. He was annoyed because Jew called him “unclean” and refused to come into his palace. So Pilate had to put on a robe and come out into the night to talk with them. He asked them why they brought someone to him in the middle of the night. He was annoyed by their answer and asked why the local authorities did not deal with the problem themselves. That’s when Pilate remembered his rule about not stoning people during the crowded Passover celebration. So Pilate took the man into custody and brought him inside.
By now Pilate was wide awake and asked Jesus if he was the King of the Jews. This was what the anointed ones usually claimed. And if Pilate could just get one of them to admit it then he could convict him of treason, execute him on a cross and his disciples would scatter and the problem go away. But Jesus refused to answer Pilate’s question directly and admit to being a king. So Pilate began indirect questioning and asked Jesus about his activities. It was here that Jesus admitted to being a king, but his definition of “king” was very different from Pilate’s. Jesus was not a king in the usual sense. Rather, his kingdom was in heaven.
From ancient times the Hebrews believed that God was their king. The Psalmist said, “The LORD is King for ever and ever.” (Psalm 10:16) And “Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty-- he is the King of glory.” (Psalm 24:7-10) People like David or Solomon might become an earthly king for a time, but they would always be subject to their heavenly king, the LORD God of Israel. The kingship that Jesus was admitting to was this heavenly kingship. The disciple Nathanial confessed his belief in this way, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." (John 1:49) In other words Jesus was saying that he was God.
This gave Pilate a choice: he could believe that what Jesus said was true, that he and God were one and receive the blessing of eternal life, or he could disbelieve Jesus and continue in darkness. Pilate tried to take the middle road and neither believe nor disbelieve. Like Pilate we are given a choice. We can either believe that Jesus is God or not. The miracles we read about in scripture can either convince us or not. Seeing Jesus prophesized in the Old Testament can either convince us or not. The Holy Spirit can either convince or not. We can try to hold off making a decision as long as we can. We can try to hold onto a middle ground. But ultimately we have to make a choice to believe in the truth and walk in the light, or believe a lie and walk in the darkness. The choice is ours.
Pilate tried not to choose. But a choice was forced upon him by the crowd, and Pilate put Jesus to death. And this inconsequential Roman official because the chief arch villain of all time. His name went into a baptismal creed of the Roman Church and we stills say that Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried.”
Pilate teaches us that we must choose either to believe or not believe. Believe that Jesus is the son of God and receive eternal life. Or believe something else and walk in the darkness. It’s up to you. You can’t straddle the fence on this one. You choose one or the other. My choice is to accept the evidence of Jesus miracles, the testimony of scripture, and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and believe that Jesus is God. Amen.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Holy Week at Beaver Dam and Pitts Creek
Holy Week at Beaver Dam and Pitts Creek Presbyterian Churches
Palm Sunday – “Lifted Up” – John 19:14-22 – Rev. Jeff Howard
Beaver Dam at 9:30 AM
Pitts Creek at 11:00 AM
Tuesday – “Upon the Cross” - Isaiah 53:5-6; Luke 24:33-48 - Dr. Grace Howard
Pitts Creek at 6:00 AM
Wednesday – “His Pierced Side” - Psalm 22:1-18; John 20:19-29 – Rev. Jeff Howard
Pitts Creek at 6:00 AM
Maundy Thursday – “The Last Supper” - Psalm 102; Luke 22:7-23 – Dr. Grace Howard
Pitts Creek at 6:00 AM
Maundy Thursday – “The Stone of Sin” – Pastor & Elders of Pitts Creek & Beaver Dam
Pitts Creek at 6:30 PM
Good Friday – “The Cross” - Psalm 35:14-21, John 19 – Dr. Grace Howard
Pitts Creek at 6:00 AM
Good Friday - “Into Thy Hands” - Luke 23:46 – Rev. Jeff Howard
Pocomoke Ministerial Association
Community Good Friday Service
12:00 – 3:00 PM at Bethany Methodist Church
Holy Saturday – “Waiting Time” – Psalm 95, Matthew 17 – Dr. Grace Howard
Pitts Creek at 6:00 AM
Holy Saturday – Easter Egg Hunt – All Children Welcome
Pitts Creek at 3:00 PM
-
Easter Sunday – “I Have Seen the Lord!” – John 20:1-18 – Rev. Jeff Howard
Cypress Park at 6:30AM (followed by fellowship at Pitts Creek)
Beaver Dam at 9:30 AM
Pitts Creek at 11:00 AM
Beaver Dam Presbyterian Church, 345 Makemie Rd., South Pocomoke
Pitts Creek Presbyterian Church, 208 Market St., Pocomoke
Palm Sunday – “Lifted Up” – John 19:14-22 – Rev. Jeff Howard
Beaver Dam at 9:30 AM
Pitts Creek at 11:00 AM
Tuesday – “Upon the Cross” - Isaiah 53:5-6; Luke 24:33-48 - Dr. Grace Howard
Pitts Creek at 6:00 AM
Wednesday – “His Pierced Side” - Psalm 22:1-18; John 20:19-29 – Rev. Jeff Howard
Pitts Creek at 6:00 AM
Maundy Thursday – “The Last Supper” - Psalm 102; Luke 22:7-23 – Dr. Grace Howard
Pitts Creek at 6:00 AM
Maundy Thursday – “The Stone of Sin” – Pastor & Elders of Pitts Creek & Beaver Dam
Pitts Creek at 6:30 PM
Good Friday – “The Cross” - Psalm 35:14-21, John 19 – Dr. Grace Howard
Pitts Creek at 6:00 AM
Good Friday - “Into Thy Hands” - Luke 23:46 – Rev. Jeff Howard
Pocomoke Ministerial Association
Community Good Friday Service
12:00 – 3:00 PM at Bethany Methodist Church
Holy Saturday – “Waiting Time” – Psalm 95, Matthew 17 – Dr. Grace Howard
Pitts Creek at 6:00 AM
Holy Saturday – Easter Egg Hunt – All Children Welcome
Pitts Creek at 3:00 PM
-
Easter Sunday – “I Have Seen the Lord!” – John 20:1-18 – Rev. Jeff Howard
Cypress Park at 6:30AM (followed by fellowship at Pitts Creek)
Beaver Dam at 9:30 AM
Pitts Creek at 11:00 AM
Beaver Dam Presbyterian Church, 345 Makemie Rd., South Pocomoke
Pitts Creek Presbyterian Church, 208 Market St., Pocomoke
April Tie Column
From the Pastor’s Desk
"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:21-26)
On April 4th we will celebrate Easter. Chocolate Easter Bunnies, Easter eggs, and colorful Easter baskets will lift our spirits. Family and friends will gather for a festive meal. And we will wear our finest clothes to church. Easter is a wonderful time especially since it falls in the spring with the blooming of flowers and the time of planting on our farms.
But the most important thing about Easter is not the chocolate candy and colored eggs. The most important thing about Easter is the question Jesus asks, “Do you believe?” Do you believe in Jesus? This is the central question at Easter. The good news of Easter is that if you truly believe in Jesus you will live forever. So there is a lot at stake this Easter: the blessing of eternal life.
In order to believe in Jesus we must have evidence. We have to see the documents and hear from the witnesses. That is what we do at church on Sunday mornings. We look at the documents and hear from the witnesses as recorded for us in the Bible. As we do this the Holy Spirit acts upon to bring us the gift of belief and with it the promise of eternal life.
So I urge you to come to church this Easter. We will be gathering at Cypress Park at 6:30 AM, Beaver Dam at 9:30 and Pitts Creek at 11:00. Bring your friends and families. Listen as the evidence for Jesus is presented. Experience for yourself the power of the Holy Spirit. And come to belief in Jesus Christ which leads to life eternal.
Blessings,
Pastor Jeff Howard
"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:21-26)
On April 4th we will celebrate Easter. Chocolate Easter Bunnies, Easter eggs, and colorful Easter baskets will lift our spirits. Family and friends will gather for a festive meal. And we will wear our finest clothes to church. Easter is a wonderful time especially since it falls in the spring with the blooming of flowers and the time of planting on our farms.
But the most important thing about Easter is not the chocolate candy and colored eggs. The most important thing about Easter is the question Jesus asks, “Do you believe?” Do you believe in Jesus? This is the central question at Easter. The good news of Easter is that if you truly believe in Jesus you will live forever. So there is a lot at stake this Easter: the blessing of eternal life.
In order to believe in Jesus we must have evidence. We have to see the documents and hear from the witnesses. That is what we do at church on Sunday mornings. We look at the documents and hear from the witnesses as recorded for us in the Bible. As we do this the Holy Spirit acts upon to bring us the gift of belief and with it the promise of eternal life.
So I urge you to come to church this Easter. We will be gathering at Cypress Park at 6:30 AM, Beaver Dam at 9:30 and Pitts Creek at 11:00. Bring your friends and families. Listen as the evidence for Jesus is presented. Experience for yourself the power of the Holy Spirit. And come to belief in Jesus Christ which leads to life eternal.
Blessings,
Pastor Jeff Howard
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sermon – John 18:21-27 - Testimony
Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Sermon – John 18:21-27 - Testimony
Beaver Dam and Pitts Creek Churches
March 14, 2010
Listen to this sermon.
We have come to the fourth Sunday of Lent. Our journey with Jesus through the Gospel of John to the cross is over half way complete. Despite being subject to an arrest warrant issued by the religious leaders in Jerusalem Jesus has returned to the city to celebrate the Passover feast. On the way to Jerusalem Jesus visited the home of his friends Martha, Mary, Lazarus and Judas in Bethany. At dinner his feet were anointed for his burial by Mary making Judas angry. Jesus then entered Jerusalem where he met with some gentiles who had witnessed his signs and had come to belief. This convinced Jesus that his hour of glorification had come and therefore it was time for his death, resurrection and ascension to his Father in heaven. Then Jesus gathered with his disciples for dinner and we watched as Judas’ anger caused him to leave the light of faith and enter into the darkness of unbelief. Judas then led some soldiers to Jesus and after a scuffle Jesus was arrested and brought to the former high priest, Annas, for interrogation. Today we will look at the testimony of Jesus before Annas and the testimony of his disciple Peter.
But before we get to this let’s pray: “Grant unto us, O Lord, to be occupied in the mysteries of thy Heavenly wisdom, with true progress in piety, to thy glory and our own edification. Amen.” (John Calvin)
John 18:12-27 12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people. 15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. 17 "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, "I am not." 18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself. 19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said." 22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded. 23 "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" 24 Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest. 25 As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it, saying, "I am not." 26 One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the olive grove?" 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
Annas was, arguably, the most powerful Jewish leader in Jerusalem. He had served as High Priest until deposed by the Roman Governor Gratus in 5 AD. Then four of his sons and a son-in-law, Caiaphas, served as High Priest, but Annas remained very powerful. John tells us the story of the interrogation of Jesus by this powerful person. This interrogation is the direct result of an arrest warrant issued by Caiaphas who was concerned that the raising of Lazarus from death to life had caused great excitement among the population which could lead to a violent Roman response. So out of fear of the Romans, Caiaphas had prophesized, as High Priest, that one man, Jesus, would die for the benefit of the nation. An arrest warrant had been issued and Roman soldiers and temple guards had executed the warrant and brought Jesus in for questioning. Jesus would have the opportunity to give his testimony.
Earlier in the Gospel of John, in the fifth chapter, Jesus had talked about testimony and what kind of testimony would be required to prove that what he was teaching was true. Jesus explained that his own testimony would not be enough proof. The reason for this was that the ancient rabbis had said that one’s own testimony might be self-serving so it couldn’t be trusted. You needed someone to corroborate personal testimony to make it trustworthy. So Jesus knew that anything he might say would not be used for his defense so he refused to answer Annas’ questions.
Annas also asked Jesus about his disciples presumably so that they could be questioned to corroborate Jesus’ own testimony. But Jesus had said that no human testimony could ever be accepted for his claims. Even John the Baptist, who had testified to the light, would ultimately be found as unreliable. And just look at how unreliable Peter turned out to be when questioned in Annas’ courtyard in today’s scripture. Since no human testimony could be used in Jesus’ defense he refused to answer Annas’ questions directly, was hit in the mouth by a guard, and sent to trial before the Roman Governor, Pilate.
This idea that human testimony is unreliable should be troubling in the modern church. Many churches feature personal testimonies in worship. People are encouraged to come forward and testify about God’s work in their lives. Testimony is common on Christian radio and television and in Christian books. We love to listen to these stories because they inspire and motivate us. But we must be warned by scripture that human testimony can never give us a complete picture of who Jesus is.
According to Jesus there are three kinds of testimony that do testify to who he is and can be trusted. The first of these testimonies are the works of Jesus. What Jesus did, his signs and miracles, testify to his identity. Turning water into wine, bringing a blind man to sight, multiplying the loaves and fishes, and raising Lazarus from the dead all testify to who Jesus is. This testimony is what Annas most fears, because it not only testifies to the identity of Jesus, but it also has the power to transform the nation upsetting his careful plan of quiet cooperation with the Romans. Annas wants this testimony stopped, so Jesus is sent to trial without additional questioning.
Jesus said that there was a second source of reliable testimony about his identity. This source is God who, through the Holy Spirit, convinces believers that the testimony of the signs and miracles is true. Annas, although a powerful religious leader, obviously did not have this testimony from God. If he had, he would have seen the signs and come to belief in Jesus. But, not having the testimony of the Holy Spirit in his heart, Annas was not able to understand the meaning of Jesus’ miracles. This is very helpful for us. If we are having trouble believing in Jesus we can get help by asking God in prayer for the Holy Spirit to deliver to us the gift of belief.
And the third source of reliable testimony about Jesus, according to Jesus, is the Holy Word of God, the Bible. The scripture, both Old and New Testaments testify to Jesus’ identity and work. And through the scripture the Holy Spirit works to assure us of the reliability of the testimony of scripture as it tells us about the miracles of Jesus.
Last week I was asked to testify about my belief before New Castle Presbytery. I was required to write a one page statement of faith and a one page autobiography. These were posted on the presbytery web site for all commissioners to read prior to the presbytery meeting. And the commissioners were offered the opportunity to ask me questions about my background and beliefs prior to accepting me as a member of presbytery and pastor of this church. This is an important process to ensure that only believers in Jesus, who know Jesus, by his works, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and by knowledge of scripture, become Ministers of the Word and Sacrament. I had no fear of this process because I knew it was necessary to preserve the purity of our faith. But even my testimony is insufficient. The only things I can do are to tell you about Jesus’ miracles, encourage you to see Jesus in scripture, and pray that the Holy Spirit will bring you to belief.
Finally, let’s get back to Peter. Peter was one of Jesus’ closest disciples leading every list. He was a believer. He was an eyewitness to Jesus’ miracles. He had listened to Jesus’ teachings from scripture. He understood from God who Jesus was. But when he was asked to give his own testimony about Jesus he failed miserably. “Your not one of his disciples are you? Of course not!”
Don’t let this happen to you. Always be ready to give an account of your faith to anyone who asks. Testify to all the things that God has done in your life. But remember that this is not enough. To bring someone to belief in Jesus Christ they must hear about his miracles, recognize him in scripture, and experience the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. And since this is what we do in church why not bring people right here. So testify about all the blessings you have received from God and invite others to come with you to church to find Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus, we ask that you help us to experience you miracles in our lives and testify to our blessings. Help us to believe in the miracles that you performed and to see you in scripture. Open our ears so that we may hear God testify on your behalf. And we thank you for the gift of belief that leads to eternal life. Amen.
Sermon – John 18:21-27 - Testimony
Beaver Dam and Pitts Creek Churches
March 14, 2010
Listen to this sermon.
We have come to the fourth Sunday of Lent. Our journey with Jesus through the Gospel of John to the cross is over half way complete. Despite being subject to an arrest warrant issued by the religious leaders in Jerusalem Jesus has returned to the city to celebrate the Passover feast. On the way to Jerusalem Jesus visited the home of his friends Martha, Mary, Lazarus and Judas in Bethany. At dinner his feet were anointed for his burial by Mary making Judas angry. Jesus then entered Jerusalem where he met with some gentiles who had witnessed his signs and had come to belief. This convinced Jesus that his hour of glorification had come and therefore it was time for his death, resurrection and ascension to his Father in heaven. Then Jesus gathered with his disciples for dinner and we watched as Judas’ anger caused him to leave the light of faith and enter into the darkness of unbelief. Judas then led some soldiers to Jesus and after a scuffle Jesus was arrested and brought to the former high priest, Annas, for interrogation. Today we will look at the testimony of Jesus before Annas and the testimony of his disciple Peter.
But before we get to this let’s pray: “Grant unto us, O Lord, to be occupied in the mysteries of thy Heavenly wisdom, with true progress in piety, to thy glory and our own edification. Amen.” (John Calvin)
John 18:12-27 12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people. 15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. 17 "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, "I am not." 18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself. 19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said." 22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded. 23 "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" 24 Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest. 25 As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it, saying, "I am not." 26 One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the olive grove?" 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
Annas was, arguably, the most powerful Jewish leader in Jerusalem. He had served as High Priest until deposed by the Roman Governor Gratus in 5 AD. Then four of his sons and a son-in-law, Caiaphas, served as High Priest, but Annas remained very powerful. John tells us the story of the interrogation of Jesus by this powerful person. This interrogation is the direct result of an arrest warrant issued by Caiaphas who was concerned that the raising of Lazarus from death to life had caused great excitement among the population which could lead to a violent Roman response. So out of fear of the Romans, Caiaphas had prophesized, as High Priest, that one man, Jesus, would die for the benefit of the nation. An arrest warrant had been issued and Roman soldiers and temple guards had executed the warrant and brought Jesus in for questioning. Jesus would have the opportunity to give his testimony.
Earlier in the Gospel of John, in the fifth chapter, Jesus had talked about testimony and what kind of testimony would be required to prove that what he was teaching was true. Jesus explained that his own testimony would not be enough proof. The reason for this was that the ancient rabbis had said that one’s own testimony might be self-serving so it couldn’t be trusted. You needed someone to corroborate personal testimony to make it trustworthy. So Jesus knew that anything he might say would not be used for his defense so he refused to answer Annas’ questions.
Annas also asked Jesus about his disciples presumably so that they could be questioned to corroborate Jesus’ own testimony. But Jesus had said that no human testimony could ever be accepted for his claims. Even John the Baptist, who had testified to the light, would ultimately be found as unreliable. And just look at how unreliable Peter turned out to be when questioned in Annas’ courtyard in today’s scripture. Since no human testimony could be used in Jesus’ defense he refused to answer Annas’ questions directly, was hit in the mouth by a guard, and sent to trial before the Roman Governor, Pilate.
This idea that human testimony is unreliable should be troubling in the modern church. Many churches feature personal testimonies in worship. People are encouraged to come forward and testify about God’s work in their lives. Testimony is common on Christian radio and television and in Christian books. We love to listen to these stories because they inspire and motivate us. But we must be warned by scripture that human testimony can never give us a complete picture of who Jesus is.
According to Jesus there are three kinds of testimony that do testify to who he is and can be trusted. The first of these testimonies are the works of Jesus. What Jesus did, his signs and miracles, testify to his identity. Turning water into wine, bringing a blind man to sight, multiplying the loaves and fishes, and raising Lazarus from the dead all testify to who Jesus is. This testimony is what Annas most fears, because it not only testifies to the identity of Jesus, but it also has the power to transform the nation upsetting his careful plan of quiet cooperation with the Romans. Annas wants this testimony stopped, so Jesus is sent to trial without additional questioning.
Jesus said that there was a second source of reliable testimony about his identity. This source is God who, through the Holy Spirit, convinces believers that the testimony of the signs and miracles is true. Annas, although a powerful religious leader, obviously did not have this testimony from God. If he had, he would have seen the signs and come to belief in Jesus. But, not having the testimony of the Holy Spirit in his heart, Annas was not able to understand the meaning of Jesus’ miracles. This is very helpful for us. If we are having trouble believing in Jesus we can get help by asking God in prayer for the Holy Spirit to deliver to us the gift of belief.
And the third source of reliable testimony about Jesus, according to Jesus, is the Holy Word of God, the Bible. The scripture, both Old and New Testaments testify to Jesus’ identity and work. And through the scripture the Holy Spirit works to assure us of the reliability of the testimony of scripture as it tells us about the miracles of Jesus.
Last week I was asked to testify about my belief before New Castle Presbytery. I was required to write a one page statement of faith and a one page autobiography. These were posted on the presbytery web site for all commissioners to read prior to the presbytery meeting. And the commissioners were offered the opportunity to ask me questions about my background and beliefs prior to accepting me as a member of presbytery and pastor of this church. This is an important process to ensure that only believers in Jesus, who know Jesus, by his works, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and by knowledge of scripture, become Ministers of the Word and Sacrament. I had no fear of this process because I knew it was necessary to preserve the purity of our faith. But even my testimony is insufficient. The only things I can do are to tell you about Jesus’ miracles, encourage you to see Jesus in scripture, and pray that the Holy Spirit will bring you to belief.
Finally, let’s get back to Peter. Peter was one of Jesus’ closest disciples leading every list. He was a believer. He was an eyewitness to Jesus’ miracles. He had listened to Jesus’ teachings from scripture. He understood from God who Jesus was. But when he was asked to give his own testimony about Jesus he failed miserably. “Your not one of his disciples are you? Of course not!”
Don’t let this happen to you. Always be ready to give an account of your faith to anyone who asks. Testify to all the things that God has done in your life. But remember that this is not enough. To bring someone to belief in Jesus Christ they must hear about his miracles, recognize him in scripture, and experience the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. And since this is what we do in church why not bring people right here. So testify about all the blessings you have received from God and invite others to come with you to church to find Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus, we ask that you help us to experience you miracles in our lives and testify to our blessings. Help us to believe in the miracles that you performed and to see you in scripture. Open our ears so that we may hear God testify on your behalf. And we thank you for the gift of belief that leads to eternal life. Amen.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Sermon – John 13:21-30 – Betrayal
Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Sermon – John 13:21-30 – Betrayal
Beaver Dam and Pitts Creek Churches
March 7, 2010
Listen to this sermon.
This is the third Sunday in Lent and this is my third Sunday sermon drawn from the Gospel of John. We have been accompanying Jesus on his journey to the cross. We started two weeks ago at a dinner in Bethany with Jesus’ close friends, Martha, Mary, Lazarus, and Judas, and saw Judas get angry when Mary anointed Jesus not for a crown but for death. Last week we were with Jesus when some non-Jewish Greeks wanted to see him and come to belief. This fulfilled Jesus mission on earth and triggered the events we now see unfolding which constitute the glorification of Jesus, his death, resurrection and ascension to heaven. The next event in John’s gospel is a dinner held the night before the Passover. This dinner started with foot washing about which we will talk about on Maundy Thursday. Today we will be looking at the dinner itself, and then we will gather around this table for our own supper with our Lord.
But before sitting down to dinner with Jesus and his disciples let’s pray. “Grant unto us, O Lord, to be occupied in the mysteries of thy Heavenly wisdom, with true progress in piety, to thy glory and our own edification. Amen.” (John Calvin)
John 13:21-30 21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me." 22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means." 25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" 26 Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, 28 but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
Jesus and his disciples have gathered for dinner. They are arranged in a configuration common for Roman meals called a triclinium. There is a central table with couches assembled in a horseshoe manner around the table. Jesus and his disciples have reclined on the couches. They are resting on their left elbows and eating with their right hands. With this arrangement the disciples clearly see people to their right, but those on their left would be behind their backs and out of sight. Jesus and two disciples are reclining at the position of honor at the head of the table. The other disciples are in groups of five along either side of the table. They eat by picking up a small piece of bread with their right hands, dipping the bread it in a bowl of olive oil, and eating it.
During the supper Jesus was very troubled. He realized that his death was at hand, and this affected him as much as the death of his friend Lazarus did earlier. Jesus told his disciples that truly someone would betray him. The Greek word that is translated as “betray” in your Bibles is paradidomi. This word means that you hand over something of personal value to someone else. For example, if you go to settlement on a house and you are the seller, you hand over the deed to your house to someone else. In ancient times, if your brother was captured in battle you would redeem him and hand him over to his family. Paradidomi would be translated here as “deliverance”. But if you handed someone on your side over to the enemy paradidomi would be translated as “betrayal”. Bible translators have assumed that Jesus is talking about Judas handing Jesus over to the authorities in Jerusalem. So they have translated paradidomi as “betrayal”. But we can’t be so sure that this is correct. Jesus’ own disciples have no idea what Jesus was talking about. So how could we know what he was talking about without looking at this passage a little closer?
Peter was sitting on the right side of the table. He was in the line of sight of the disciple on Jesus right hand. This disciple was called “the disciple that Jesus loved”. We don’t know who this was, but tradition says that this is John the son of Zebedee who had earlier asked Jesus to be permitted to sit at his right hand in heaven. Tradition also tells us that John the son of Zebedee was the author of the fourth gospel, the one we are reading. So it is possible that Peter gave some kind of hand signal to John the son of Zebedee to ask Jesus what he was talking about. John leaned his head back so he could see Jesus sitting behind him and asked him to explain what he was talking about.
At this time Jesus then picked up a small morsel of bread with his right hand, dipped it in the olive oil and said that he was talking about the one to whom he would give this bread. Jesus then leaned back and offered the piece of bread to the disciple reclining at his left. This disciple was Judas Iscariot, who was seated at a place of honor to the left of Jesus Christ. We are then told that Jesus told him to do his deed quickly. At this point the other disciples still have no clue what Jesus is talking about. All they could do was to speculate on what Judas might we doing.
This is a most confusing passage. It is about handing over something of personal value. But from the way it is written we don’t really know who is handing over what and to whom. We can read ahead and see Judas handing Jesus over to the authorities in Jerusalem. But how could this be possible? Jesus is under the authority of God. How could Judas take Jesus away from God and hand him over to the Sanhedrin?
I believe that the author of the fourth gospel is a magician. He makes you think that something is in his right hand when it is really in his left. Someone has handed over something of personal value here but it may not be who or what we think. We think that we see Judas handing Jesus over to the Jerusalem authorities. But really it is Jesus who has handed over something of personal value, his friend Judas to the authority of Satan by casting him out into the night. And Judas has handed over to Satan something of great personal value, his faith in Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
Like Judas, we are offered a choice between light and darkness, between belief and unbelief. If we believe in the death, resurrection of ascension of Jesus Christ, then we walk in the light and receive the blessings of eternal life. But if we walk away from belief in Jesus then we also walk away from the light and we return to the darkness of sin and death.
So as we gather around this table today with Jesus we have a choice to make. As we eat the bread and drink the juice will we leave this sanctuary with Judas and enter the darkness of night? Or will this communion with our savior strengthen our faith so that we remain in the light?
A couple of years ago I was asked to do a funeral for Mark. Mark was a homeless man who spent most days sitting on a stone wall next to my apartment building. He was an alcoholic and was addicted to pain killers. I got to know Mark and his wife Kathy from conversations we had whenever I walked over the church. He came, a couple of times, to a Sunday Night dinner that we served to the poor of Eagle Rock. But he was not active in church and I saw no evidence that he believed in Jesus Christ. He died one morning from an overdose of pain killers. I remained on the sidewalk with his wife until the medical examiner came to take away the body, and I allowed Kathy to use my cell phone to call his family. The next day Mark’s brother called me on that cell phone to talk with me about Mark. He wanted a funeral for Mark, but was very concerned for his brother because his lack of faith in Jesus. I did the funeral and talked a lot about God’s love that day. But sadness permeated the family because they knew that Mark had no faith. And I was sad because I could not assure them about his eternal life.
Don’t let this happen to you. Hold onto you faith in Jesus Christ. Always remain in the light. Continue in you baptismal belief in the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. And then I can assure you of the blessing of God of eternal life.
As you gather around this table, remember that you walk in the light. As you eat the small morsel of bread and drink from the cup remember that you are at table with our Lord and he is the one who blesses you. Believe in his death, resurrection of ascension of Christ and be assured of eternal life. Amen
Sermon – John 13:21-30 – Betrayal
Beaver Dam and Pitts Creek Churches
March 7, 2010
Listen to this sermon.
This is the third Sunday in Lent and this is my third Sunday sermon drawn from the Gospel of John. We have been accompanying Jesus on his journey to the cross. We started two weeks ago at a dinner in Bethany with Jesus’ close friends, Martha, Mary, Lazarus, and Judas, and saw Judas get angry when Mary anointed Jesus not for a crown but for death. Last week we were with Jesus when some non-Jewish Greeks wanted to see him and come to belief. This fulfilled Jesus mission on earth and triggered the events we now see unfolding which constitute the glorification of Jesus, his death, resurrection and ascension to heaven. The next event in John’s gospel is a dinner held the night before the Passover. This dinner started with foot washing about which we will talk about on Maundy Thursday. Today we will be looking at the dinner itself, and then we will gather around this table for our own supper with our Lord.
But before sitting down to dinner with Jesus and his disciples let’s pray. “Grant unto us, O Lord, to be occupied in the mysteries of thy Heavenly wisdom, with true progress in piety, to thy glory and our own edification. Amen.” (John Calvin)
John 13:21-30 21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me." 22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means." 25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" 26 Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, 28 but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
Jesus and his disciples have gathered for dinner. They are arranged in a configuration common for Roman meals called a triclinium. There is a central table with couches assembled in a horseshoe manner around the table. Jesus and his disciples have reclined on the couches. They are resting on their left elbows and eating with their right hands. With this arrangement the disciples clearly see people to their right, but those on their left would be behind their backs and out of sight. Jesus and two disciples are reclining at the position of honor at the head of the table. The other disciples are in groups of five along either side of the table. They eat by picking up a small piece of bread with their right hands, dipping the bread it in a bowl of olive oil, and eating it.
During the supper Jesus was very troubled. He realized that his death was at hand, and this affected him as much as the death of his friend Lazarus did earlier. Jesus told his disciples that truly someone would betray him. The Greek word that is translated as “betray” in your Bibles is paradidomi. This word means that you hand over something of personal value to someone else. For example, if you go to settlement on a house and you are the seller, you hand over the deed to your house to someone else. In ancient times, if your brother was captured in battle you would redeem him and hand him over to his family. Paradidomi would be translated here as “deliverance”. But if you handed someone on your side over to the enemy paradidomi would be translated as “betrayal”. Bible translators have assumed that Jesus is talking about Judas handing Jesus over to the authorities in Jerusalem. So they have translated paradidomi as “betrayal”. But we can’t be so sure that this is correct. Jesus’ own disciples have no idea what Jesus was talking about. So how could we know what he was talking about without looking at this passage a little closer?
Peter was sitting on the right side of the table. He was in the line of sight of the disciple on Jesus right hand. This disciple was called “the disciple that Jesus loved”. We don’t know who this was, but tradition says that this is John the son of Zebedee who had earlier asked Jesus to be permitted to sit at his right hand in heaven. Tradition also tells us that John the son of Zebedee was the author of the fourth gospel, the one we are reading. So it is possible that Peter gave some kind of hand signal to John the son of Zebedee to ask Jesus what he was talking about. John leaned his head back so he could see Jesus sitting behind him and asked him to explain what he was talking about.
At this time Jesus then picked up a small morsel of bread with his right hand, dipped it in the olive oil and said that he was talking about the one to whom he would give this bread. Jesus then leaned back and offered the piece of bread to the disciple reclining at his left. This disciple was Judas Iscariot, who was seated at a place of honor to the left of Jesus Christ. We are then told that Jesus told him to do his deed quickly. At this point the other disciples still have no clue what Jesus is talking about. All they could do was to speculate on what Judas might we doing.
This is a most confusing passage. It is about handing over something of personal value. But from the way it is written we don’t really know who is handing over what and to whom. We can read ahead and see Judas handing Jesus over to the authorities in Jerusalem. But how could this be possible? Jesus is under the authority of God. How could Judas take Jesus away from God and hand him over to the Sanhedrin?
I believe that the author of the fourth gospel is a magician. He makes you think that something is in his right hand when it is really in his left. Someone has handed over something of personal value here but it may not be who or what we think. We think that we see Judas handing Jesus over to the Jerusalem authorities. But really it is Jesus who has handed over something of personal value, his friend Judas to the authority of Satan by casting him out into the night. And Judas has handed over to Satan something of great personal value, his faith in Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
Like Judas, we are offered a choice between light and darkness, between belief and unbelief. If we believe in the death, resurrection of ascension of Jesus Christ, then we walk in the light and receive the blessings of eternal life. But if we walk away from belief in Jesus then we also walk away from the light and we return to the darkness of sin and death.
So as we gather around this table today with Jesus we have a choice to make. As we eat the bread and drink the juice will we leave this sanctuary with Judas and enter the darkness of night? Or will this communion with our savior strengthen our faith so that we remain in the light?
A couple of years ago I was asked to do a funeral for Mark. Mark was a homeless man who spent most days sitting on a stone wall next to my apartment building. He was an alcoholic and was addicted to pain killers. I got to know Mark and his wife Kathy from conversations we had whenever I walked over the church. He came, a couple of times, to a Sunday Night dinner that we served to the poor of Eagle Rock. But he was not active in church and I saw no evidence that he believed in Jesus Christ. He died one morning from an overdose of pain killers. I remained on the sidewalk with his wife until the medical examiner came to take away the body, and I allowed Kathy to use my cell phone to call his family. The next day Mark’s brother called me on that cell phone to talk with me about Mark. He wanted a funeral for Mark, but was very concerned for his brother because his lack of faith in Jesus. I did the funeral and talked a lot about God’s love that day. But sadness permeated the family because they knew that Mark had no faith. And I was sad because I could not assure them about his eternal life.
Don’t let this happen to you. Hold onto you faith in Jesus Christ. Always remain in the light. Continue in you baptismal belief in the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. And then I can assure you of the blessing of God of eternal life.
As you gather around this table, remember that you walk in the light. As you eat the small morsel of bread and drink from the cup remember that you are at table with our Lord and he is the one who blesses you. Believe in his death, resurrection of ascension of Christ and be assured of eternal life. Amen
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Sermon John 12:20-36 – It Is Time To Be Glorified
Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Sermon John 12:20-36 – It Is Time To Be Glorified
Beaver Dam and Pitts Creek churches
February 28, 2010
Listen to this sermon.
This morning I am continuing with my series of sermons drawn from the Gospel of John. These texts are traditionally read by the church during Holy Week as we move from Palm Sunday, to the Last Supper, to Good Friday and finally to the glorious events on Easter morning. But I have chosen to bring these texts to you for Lent so that we may look at them in more detail and use this period as a way of preparing ourselves for the coming of Holy Week.
Last week we joined with Martha, Lazarus, Mary and Judas as they hosted Jesus at their home for dinner a week before the beginning of Passover. We watched as Mary tenderly anointed Jesus’ body with expensive perfume. And with the warrant out for Jesus’ arrest we heard him interpret Mary’s actions as a preparation for his death. This infuriated Judas who expected that Jesus would be anointed as king, and caused him to lose his faith in Jesus.
This story was followed in John by Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. We will talk about donkeys and palm branches in a few weeks when we get to Palm Sunday. But today we will look at what happened after Jesus entered the city. As soon as Jesus arrived in Jerusalem two gentiles, non-Jewish God Fearers, who had come to worship God at the Passover festival, approached one of Jesus’ disciples, Phillip, for help in meeting Jesus. This triggered an extraordinary series of events as Jesus realized that his hour had come. So what was it about this visit of a couple of foreigners that convinced Jesus that his glorification was near? Before we get to this question please pray with me. “Grant unto us, O Lord, to be occupied in the mysteries of thy Heavenly wisdom, with true progress in piety, to thy glory and our own edification. Amen.” (John Calvin)
John 12:20-36 20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. 27 "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 30 Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. 34 The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this 'Son of Man'?" 35 Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
Jesus realized that his hour had come when he was told by Phillip and Andrew that some Gentiles had come to see him. Early in his ministry when Jesus’ mother suggested that he do something when the wine ran out at a wedding, Jesus told her that his time had not yet come. And later after arguments with the Pharisees they tried to arrest him, but could not because his time had not yet come. But when Gentiles came to see him, Jesus realized that his hour had finally come. This hour was the time of his glorification when he would be crucified, rise from the dead, and ascends to the Father. But why would this hour be triggered by some Gentiles coming to see Jesus?
In John’s theology seeing is the same as believing. People see Jesus’ signs and then believe in him. Jesus put it this way:
John 6:40 40 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
So the gentiles who came to see Jesus were also coming as believers hoping for the blessing of eternal life. Up to this point in the Gospel of John, Jesus’ ministry had always been to the Jews. But now, non-Jewish believers in God were coming to faith in Jesus. And this fulfilled Jesus’ mission on earth to bring all people to faith. Consider the following story from the Gospel of John:
John 10:11-16 (Jesus said,)11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-- and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
So Jesus, the Good Shepherd, was not here just for the Jews. He came to earth as the Good Shepherd for everyone, Jew and non-Jew alike. So when the Gentiles came to see and believe, Jesus knew that his hour had come because his mission had been fulfilled. All people were coming to faith. So it was time for Jesus’ glorification, his death, resurrection and ascension to heaven. And through this glorification the gate would be open for all people on earth to find God.
The key to church growth is the glorification of Jesus Christ. His death on a cross,
resurrection to new life, and ascension to the right hand of the Father is the seed that grows into the church. And each of us is called to follow Jesus on this pathway. We are called to death, resurrection and ascension to new life in Jesus Christ. This is the purpose of our lives – our own glorification. And our glorification is the seed that builds up the church.
I am not a farmer, and have never been a farmer. And with many farmers in the congregation it is a little intimidating trying to explain a parable from Jesus about farming. So I ask for you indulgence, and if I get some of the details wrong please forgive me. Suppose that a farmer has a barn full of corn. And all spring and summer he eats the corn. The next year he notices that he has less corn in the barn than the year before, but he continues eating it never planting any. This goes on year after year until there is no more corn in the barn. The farmer then complains about his bad luck and has to sell the farm. What would you call a farmer like that? You would probably call him a fool for doing such a foolish thing. Seed should not be eaten. Seeds should be planted and with the right soil, moisture, temperature and sunlight, all provided by God, they will grow into abundance.
Now suppose that someone comes to church and notices that there are fewer people in the pews than the year before. “There must be something wrong”, he thinks. But nothing is done about it. The next year he sees even fewer people in the pews and grows a little more concerned, but does nothing. After many years the congregation is too small and is merged with another church and the building sold, and he still does nothing. What would you call such a person as this?
Several years ago I was the Multicultural Intern at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. A young man from Korea came to an International Student Ministry my wife Grace and I had started. Daniel was a talented musician and loved worship. While taking English classes at Cal State LA he started a small group Bible study in his dorm room for other Korean students. He encouraged the students to come with him to our ministry by giving them rides, and encouraging them to sing and play instruments in the praise band he established for us. Through Daniel’s work we soon had over 40 students at the church every Saturday night. Daniel was a seed which God planted in Pasadena CA to bear fruit for ministry and church growth.
You are the seeds that God has planted here in Pocomoke to bear fruit in this church. The time has come when, with our glorification, all of Pocomoke will come to faith. Now is our hour when we, by our actions, show the love of Christ to our neighbors and friends. Now is our time to testify to others about how God has blessed us so richly. The hour has come when we need to be fruitful seeds by inviting our families and friends to come, see and believe in Jesus.
Of course inviting people to come to church is hard. People lead busy lives. We don’t want to interfere with their lives or add to their burdens. And inviting people who are different from us, “gentiles”, here in Pocomoke is even harder. The devil would like nothing better than to stop us right here and now. But remember that it is God who glorifies us. It is God who wants the church to grow. And it is God who strengthens us to accomplish His will that everyone be brought to faith. Remember these words from God to Isaiah that you heard earlier:
Isaiah 49:6 "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."
So with God’s strength behind us we cannot fail. With Christ’s glorification the Devil has no power to stop us. With confidence in your own glorification go into the world and bring the people of Pocomoke to faith in Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for the gift of your death, resurrection and ascension. You glory has been the light of the church for two thousand years. We ask that you use us as seeds to grow this church. Make this a place of prayer for all people. Amen.
Sermon John 12:20-36 – It Is Time To Be Glorified
Beaver Dam and Pitts Creek churches
February 28, 2010
Listen to this sermon.
This morning I am continuing with my series of sermons drawn from the Gospel of John. These texts are traditionally read by the church during Holy Week as we move from Palm Sunday, to the Last Supper, to Good Friday and finally to the glorious events on Easter morning. But I have chosen to bring these texts to you for Lent so that we may look at them in more detail and use this period as a way of preparing ourselves for the coming of Holy Week.
Last week we joined with Martha, Lazarus, Mary and Judas as they hosted Jesus at their home for dinner a week before the beginning of Passover. We watched as Mary tenderly anointed Jesus’ body with expensive perfume. And with the warrant out for Jesus’ arrest we heard him interpret Mary’s actions as a preparation for his death. This infuriated Judas who expected that Jesus would be anointed as king, and caused him to lose his faith in Jesus.
This story was followed in John by Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. We will talk about donkeys and palm branches in a few weeks when we get to Palm Sunday. But today we will look at what happened after Jesus entered the city. As soon as Jesus arrived in Jerusalem two gentiles, non-Jewish God Fearers, who had come to worship God at the Passover festival, approached one of Jesus’ disciples, Phillip, for help in meeting Jesus. This triggered an extraordinary series of events as Jesus realized that his hour had come. So what was it about this visit of a couple of foreigners that convinced Jesus that his glorification was near? Before we get to this question please pray with me. “Grant unto us, O Lord, to be occupied in the mysteries of thy Heavenly wisdom, with true progress in piety, to thy glory and our own edification. Amen.” (John Calvin)
John 12:20-36 20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. 27 "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 30 Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. 34 The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this 'Son of Man'?" 35 Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
Jesus realized that his hour had come when he was told by Phillip and Andrew that some Gentiles had come to see him. Early in his ministry when Jesus’ mother suggested that he do something when the wine ran out at a wedding, Jesus told her that his time had not yet come. And later after arguments with the Pharisees they tried to arrest him, but could not because his time had not yet come. But when Gentiles came to see him, Jesus realized that his hour had finally come. This hour was the time of his glorification when he would be crucified, rise from the dead, and ascends to the Father. But why would this hour be triggered by some Gentiles coming to see Jesus?
In John’s theology seeing is the same as believing. People see Jesus’ signs and then believe in him. Jesus put it this way:
John 6:40 40 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
So the gentiles who came to see Jesus were also coming as believers hoping for the blessing of eternal life. Up to this point in the Gospel of John, Jesus’ ministry had always been to the Jews. But now, non-Jewish believers in God were coming to faith in Jesus. And this fulfilled Jesus’ mission on earth to bring all people to faith. Consider the following story from the Gospel of John:
John 10:11-16 (Jesus said,)11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-- and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
So Jesus, the Good Shepherd, was not here just for the Jews. He came to earth as the Good Shepherd for everyone, Jew and non-Jew alike. So when the Gentiles came to see and believe, Jesus knew that his hour had come because his mission had been fulfilled. All people were coming to faith. So it was time for Jesus’ glorification, his death, resurrection and ascension to heaven. And through this glorification the gate would be open for all people on earth to find God.
The key to church growth is the glorification of Jesus Christ. His death on a cross,
resurrection to new life, and ascension to the right hand of the Father is the seed that grows into the church. And each of us is called to follow Jesus on this pathway. We are called to death, resurrection and ascension to new life in Jesus Christ. This is the purpose of our lives – our own glorification. And our glorification is the seed that builds up the church.
I am not a farmer, and have never been a farmer. And with many farmers in the congregation it is a little intimidating trying to explain a parable from Jesus about farming. So I ask for you indulgence, and if I get some of the details wrong please forgive me. Suppose that a farmer has a barn full of corn. And all spring and summer he eats the corn. The next year he notices that he has less corn in the barn than the year before, but he continues eating it never planting any. This goes on year after year until there is no more corn in the barn. The farmer then complains about his bad luck and has to sell the farm. What would you call a farmer like that? You would probably call him a fool for doing such a foolish thing. Seed should not be eaten. Seeds should be planted and with the right soil, moisture, temperature and sunlight, all provided by God, they will grow into abundance.
Now suppose that someone comes to church and notices that there are fewer people in the pews than the year before. “There must be something wrong”, he thinks. But nothing is done about it. The next year he sees even fewer people in the pews and grows a little more concerned, but does nothing. After many years the congregation is too small and is merged with another church and the building sold, and he still does nothing. What would you call such a person as this?
Several years ago I was the Multicultural Intern at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. A young man from Korea came to an International Student Ministry my wife Grace and I had started. Daniel was a talented musician and loved worship. While taking English classes at Cal State LA he started a small group Bible study in his dorm room for other Korean students. He encouraged the students to come with him to our ministry by giving them rides, and encouraging them to sing and play instruments in the praise band he established for us. Through Daniel’s work we soon had over 40 students at the church every Saturday night. Daniel was a seed which God planted in Pasadena CA to bear fruit for ministry and church growth.
You are the seeds that God has planted here in Pocomoke to bear fruit in this church. The time has come when, with our glorification, all of Pocomoke will come to faith. Now is our hour when we, by our actions, show the love of Christ to our neighbors and friends. Now is our time to testify to others about how God has blessed us so richly. The hour has come when we need to be fruitful seeds by inviting our families and friends to come, see and believe in Jesus.
Of course inviting people to come to church is hard. People lead busy lives. We don’t want to interfere with their lives or add to their burdens. And inviting people who are different from us, “gentiles”, here in Pocomoke is even harder. The devil would like nothing better than to stop us right here and now. But remember that it is God who glorifies us. It is God who wants the church to grow. And it is God who strengthens us to accomplish His will that everyone be brought to faith. Remember these words from God to Isaiah that you heard earlier:
Isaiah 49:6 "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."
So with God’s strength behind us we cannot fail. With Christ’s glorification the Devil has no power to stop us. With confidence in your own glorification go into the world and bring the people of Pocomoke to faith in Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for the gift of your death, resurrection and ascension. You glory has been the light of the church for two thousand years. We ask that you use us as seeds to grow this church. Make this a place of prayer for all people. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)