This year is mainly from the Gospel of Mark, but in a 3 year cycle of gospel reading, with 4 gospels readings from John get inserted, as we have today.
On Christmas Day we went for the big view, as read the start of the Gospel of John. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The unseen creator God’s message to us is Jesus, revealed as a baby at Christmas, but also the Son of God. He came and pitched his tent among us, human, just like us. He brings grace to us. We are worthwhile and precious, not by being successful, or keeping all the God laws, but through the healing gift of forgiveness and utter acceptance of us as we are. ‘From his fulness we have all received grace upon grace. The law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.’ The amazing gift of holiness by participating, sharing in Christ.
We looked at John the Baptist last week and noticed how much of an impact he had – a great prophet, who prepared the way for Jesus by getting the people of Israel to admit that they had been a failure as God’s people, and needed to make a fresh start.
Last week we spent time with the baptism of Jesus. One of our curious questions was – did only Jesus see the Spirit descending on him like a dove? The Gospel of John tells us that John the Baptist witnessed this, understood what it meant and gave witness. He pointed to Jesus as ‘the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.’ The next day two of John’s disciples go to Jesus, and accept the invitation to come and see where Jesus is staying. The next day (hints of something new being created), Jesus goes to Galilee, Philip get called, and he brings in Nat.
We all know Nathaniels- strong opinions, won’t be fooled. Walled off, protected, but stuck. When we are pushed off balance, we are probably Nathaniels – instant strong opinions that protect us from having to look and deal with something new or from a different perspective: Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Philip just tells his mate: Come and see.
What are the daily practices that get us back to being grounded, connected, centred in Christ? Support each other in daily Bible reading or a devotion. Do your walk with God each day, to receive the gift of life anew. A very simple way is to pray, once each day, the Lord’s Prayer, and do that, letting each phrase speak into your heart. A simple 30 seconds a day, and you are praying well!
This text, which falls during the season of Epiphany, is an epiphany, an ‘aha’ moment. Epiphanies tend to transform people. This is seen in Nathaniel’s change and in an epiphany-induced change that Martin Luther King, Jr.’s describes in his book, Stride Toward Freedom:
I was ready to give up. With my cup of coffee sitting untouched before me, I tried to think of a way to move out of the picture without appearing a coward. In this state of exhaustion, when my courage had all but gone, I decided to take my problem to God. With my head in my hands, I bowed over the kitchen table and prayed aloud.
The words I spoke to God that midnight are still vivid in my memory. “I am here taking a stand for what I believe is right. But now I am afraid. The people are looking to me for leadership, and if I stand before them without strength and courage, they too will falter. I am at the end of my powers. I have nothing left. I’ve come to the point where I can’t face it alone.
At that moment, I experienced the presence of the Divine as I had never experienced God before. It seemed as though I could hear the quiet assurance of an inner voice saying: “Stand up for justice, stand up for truth; and God will be at your side forever.” Almost at once my fears began to go. My uncertainty disappeared. I was ready to face anything.
You all have stories of epiphanies – moments of personal revelation. Trust them, value them.
Finally Mysterious promise – heaven opened. Angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man. When Christ uses the title of Son of Man, he is being very human, and down to earth – the place where heaven opens up for you. Always the cross and Easter.
