Hebrews 2: 1; 9; 17-18

2Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it…..⁹but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower^* than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God^* he might taste death for everyone….¹⁷Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters^* in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

The writer to the Hebrews emphasises the permanent and enduring and supreme nature of the teachings of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  It is often asked why God allows bad things to happen and appear powerless to do anything about it. Why does God appear inactive in the struggle against oppression? In this passage we see that the early believers recognised that God is not and has not been inactive or unresponsive to the suffering and oppression of our world. Our Creator Redeemer became fully human; accepted all our needs and met the onslaught of death, violence and despotism with love and reconciliation. God became one of us, suffered as we do and satisfied the causes and demands of suffering through self-sacrifice. God does not and has not sat back inert to the forces that rage against life and liberty. For those close to Jesus and those who came under His direct teaching it was clear that there was enough blood spilt at Calvary, at the cross, to satisfy any need for bloodshed. It is finished! A new age has begun, the example has been set that in the face of death and suffering the response of the Creator Redeemer  is resurrection not revenge; new life; a new way of being in the world living out the freedom of the liberation story of Jesus of Nazareth.  God has acted in Christ non-violently by taking onto Himself the sufferings of humanity. How will we respond? Resurrection or revenge? Will we be peace-making, feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, caring for the sick, protecting the vulnerable, and caring for each other in community? Or will WE be inert bystanders appearing powerless in the face of oppression? God has spoken through His Son. Will we speak out through practicing the teachings of Jesus? 

The life giving power of gentleness

Philippians 2: 5-8

⁵Let the same mind be in you that was^* in Christ Jesus,
⁶ who, though he was in the form of God,
   did not regard equality with God
   as something to be exploited,
⁷ but emptied himself,
   taking the form of a slave,
   being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
⁸   he humbled himself
   and became obedient to the point of death—
   even death on a cross.

The apostle Paul reveals to us how the early believers and community of disciples understood the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a story that began before time and will continue after time. It is a story of compassion, love and mercy.  The story of Jesus is a story that demonstrates that it is humility and peace-making; self-sacrifice and generosity that changes things. Here we see Jesus portrayed as the One who changes everything but does so not by exercising the destructive power to get your own way by any means possible; Jesus changes things through love. If we are to change ourselves and our communities it will be through nonviolence, compassion and gentleness.  These are the elements of a sound mind, a healthy mind and of a healthy collective consciousness: value nonviolence, have an attitude of compassion and believe in the life giving power of gentleness. Is this how the story of Jesus Christ is taught today? Are we faithfully living out our part of the authentic story of Jesus? 

Some people are addicted to anger. The only way they can relieve their depression and feel alive is by creating conflict.

Saddleback church is speaking on 'The Strength of Gentleness'.... Check out the online campus .... 

Saddleback Online Campus 

To the churches of Galatia and to a church near you….

Galatians 1: 3-5

To the churches of Galatia and to a church near you….

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, ⁴who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, ⁵to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

The introduction to the Galatians gives us an insight into the importance of the two main aspects of our lives as disciples; the personal and the communal. Paul writes as an individual and as part of a community. He also writes to individual persons and a community (see verses 1-2). Likewise, we receive the Word of God in these two ways: as individuals and as a community of believers; these are the two interdependent elements of discipleship. You cannot have one without the other.

Paul’s prayer for this group of churches and disciples is for them to receive the gospel of grace and peace. The question is will they receive it? It is the gift from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a gift of freedom; setting us free from meeting our individual and communal needs our own way. We have a tendency to please ourselves, become introverted and self-obsessed; always trying to keep up with the demands of a society gone mad with greed and its own self-importance.  This is the will of God; this is the good news! We have been set free from these destructive, self-obsessed values, attitudes and beliefs through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We don’t get our freedom because we deserve it more than others; we get it because we are valued by God our Creator Redeemer as He values all of His creation.  To know this is to receive the peace that we are loved, highly valued and set free to live in the community of peace together. Will you join me in a community of peace free from the self-centred obsessions of the society in which we live?  May we live in the peace of Christ and glorify God through being transformed individually and collectively into a community of peace.

A matter of integrity

In January 2013, Steve Chalke, Founder of Oasis and leader of Oasis Church Waterloo, published an article in Christianity Magazine entitled ‘A Matter of Integrity.’ The article raises important questions around how we interpret the bible, particularly on the issue of same-sex relationships.

As well as the article that appeared in Christianity Magazine, Steve has also written an extended version that explores the issues and theology in greater depth. Read it at the link below....

A matter of integrity... How should we read the bible and make sense of it in our own time/

Has Steve Chalke fallen for the oldest trick in the Book?

Check out the following article...

Has Steve Chalke fallen for the oldest trick in the book?

Disciples on the Way: War and Peace... A chance to join the conversation

The Anabaptist Network  UK are supporting two events sponsored by Ekklesia and being held in Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, 235 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8EP. The two questions being asked are: 'Can We Make Peace Practical in a Violent World?' and 'Baptism As a Gateway To Conflict Transformation?'    

These are questions very close to my own heart and ministry and I'd love to be there to listen and share in the discussions. I am committing time to thinking about how to develop the conversation in my own community. We will be rooting our discussion in scripture, the Story of Jesus and how disciples in the 21st century can live out practically their baptismal vows to be peacemakers. Why not join us?  Let's all support these two very important events in any way we can. The link below gives all the details.  

   Disciples on the Way: War and peace

The BBC Web Site (Religion and Ethic Page) reports ' When the hosts of the 2014 World Cup take on Croatia in the opening match of the tournament on June 12th, God will also be on the pitch. And whoever opens the score sheet for Brazil, it's likely that Jesus will get the credit.'  

Its no secret that I enjoy football. This BBC article describes the reported  influence that some forms of religion has on one of the greatest football teams in the world. This appears to be very strange. It seems bizarre to think that God or Karma or whatever deity takes your interest for that matter, will be wearing the top or waving the flag of any particular team in the world cup. 'Divine Rights' do take on strange manifestations. On reflection it's not so new; football  and religion have been mutual victims long before this. The separation of Church and State is accepted by some of us, as a fundamental principle, to ensure that any citizen can exercise the freedom, to have a religious faith or not. The separation of Church / Religion from sport seems an equally sound policy if we would have an inclusive, community building approach to involvement in one of the great pleasures of life; sport. The BBC article is worth a read.... Brazil: Where God is on the pitch 

   

The Truth About Poverty: something worth supporting....

On their website the Poverty Truth Commission write.... 'The Poverty Truth Commission has been a two year project bringing together some of Scotland's civic leaders with people at the sharp end of poverty. They have worked together to discover the truths about poverty, and explore real solutions to it. They have also become friends. This website explains the story of the Commission and its Commissioners and also hopes to inspire people to think about working in a new way - where those affected by decisions are included in the decision making.'  Give the site a visit and see if you can help... povertytruthcommission.org

Jürgen Moltmann "The Crucified God"

Jesus was not only executed as a blasphemer against the law, but as a rebel against the state. Crucifixion was a punishment for escaped slaves and for rebels against Roman rule. It was a political punishment for rebellion against the social and political order of the Roman empire. However tolerant the Romans are said and thought to have been in matters of religion, the Roman empire and the peace it brought came to be associated with the compulsory recognition of the Roman emperor cult. And so Jesus was crucified not just to maintain the good order of Jerusalem, but in the name of the state gods of Rome to assure the peace of the empire....... Jürgen Moltmann "The Crucified God"

What is the religious law and what are the state gods that seek to kill off the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth today?