This week Rev. Alan Reynolds has kindly prepared our reflection. Our very many thanks for his preparation and teaching.
"Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together!" (Psalms 34:3)
Hymn
Confession
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned against you, through our own fault, in thought and word and deed, and in what we have left undone. For your Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, forgive us all that is past, and grant that we may serve you in newness of life, to the glory of your name. Amen.
May the Father forgive us by the death of his Son and strengthen us to live in the power of the Spirit all our days. Amen.
Word of God
Please read Psalm 34:1-10 (available online here).
Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Word of God
Please read Revelation 7:9-17 (available online here) and Matthew 17:14-27 (available online here).
Reflection: Matthew 17:14-27
When there are profound changes impacting upon life, there are 3 possible responses:
a) Be like the 19th Century Luddites – going around smashing the newfangled industrial machines which are spoiling their settled ways of life.
b) Be a revolutionary and embrace the new, and out with the old!
c) Respond by attempting a middle way – evolution. Best of the old and best of the new.
Jesus for some was seen as a threat. For others, a sign of hope. Many in the middle – not sure – but happy enough to eat his bread and receive healing. Tensions soon appear. Jesus’ sayings are unsettling, even odd. (Matt. 18.8) ‘Cut off your hand/foot.’ (Matt. 17.21) ‘Faith can move mountains.’
(Matt. 19.24) ‘Camel & eye of the needle.’ In today’s reading in Matthew 17. 27 we have the strange word to Peter – Go and fish and use the coin in its mouth for the Temple Tax! Whether by parable or by sayings, Jesus invites us to go beyond the comfortable and familiar – into the deeper world of the Kingdom of God. This will be costly for all. (matt. 17.22)
The Coin and the Fish The hidden question behind the saying = Should we still be paying this Temple Tax when its all passing away (its worship practices and sacrifices.) (It’s also possible that by the time Matthew writes the Temple has been destroyed by the Romans – AD66)
This leads to the big questions = What is the nature of our life in God, in the Kingdom? Keep the old ways of Law and ritual or enter the new world of GRACE that is coming through Christ and his sacrifice?
RELIGION and the Life of the Kingdom. We now live under Grace not Law. The problem with all Religion/Churches is we tend to become arthritic, even fossilized = out of touch with where the Spirit is leading. So we have the clash between old and new. e.g. New Testament updates – No eye for eye living/ All foods are clean/ Love is your weapon…
STATE and CULTURE and the Life of the Kingdom. How do we respond to the World?
Rome = Authority, with persecutions. Today = our secular West invites a “me” centred freedom. We have the saying, “Render to Caesar …. Render to God ...” (Luke 20.25) Paul echoes a similar teaching (Romans 13) The issue throughout Christian history = How do we honour God with a life of integrity in an often hostile/apathetic world that is pagan or secular or with religious views we disagree with? This becomes a pressing problem today as our thousand year old British Christian culture continues to ebb away. We discover we live in a very pluralistic world.
The Shadow of the Cross. We note that in Matthew 17. 22-24, poignant words from Jesus. In the increasingly hostile response from the Authorities, he knows what lies ahead. There will be suffering – death – but also life in the Father’s Kingdom. The Cross will not only cast a SHADOW over everything – it will be a SCANDAL – a criminals death. Could there be no other way? Does Grace and forgiveness require such sacrificial love? Unfortunately our human history shows throughout – Church or State do not like challenge! Any reforming/transforming – ideas, beliefs, ways of living – come at a heavy price.
Power does not simply ‘roll over!’. Jesus is aware of this: “New wine requires new wineskins.” (Matt.9.17) Truth and Grace and integrity will find a way.
Neither the Temple or even mighty Rome last. We should remember that all life is transitory. Learn how to stand back and see God’s biggest picture. We are on a moving escalator. What survives of the past are the eternal truths that keep coming to us – asking us to step up – discover the right path – find the healing grace for our destructive desires. “ME” / “US” are not the final things.
What survives is the – LIFE – LOVE – LIGHT that constantly flows from God, through Christ.
Prayers
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word, we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
You may like to continue with your own prayers and the Lord’s Prayer using the following pattern, filling in what you would ask for them:
Gracious Father, we pray for our families …
... for those who live near us …
… for school pupils, teachers and other staff …
… for our key workers, leaders and government …
… for those who are sick or grieving …
… for our brothers and sisters in Christ all around the world …
… for the persecuted, broken and hurting …
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Conclusion
Merciful God, teach us to be faithful in change and uncertainty, that trusting in your word and obeying your will we may enter the unfailing joy of Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.