Sermon for Sunday 8th March 2009

Today’s readings, were described by the present Bishop of Durham, Tom Wright, as being ‘topsy-turvy.’

He said, and I quote –

‘Israel’s God, the World’s creator, took delight in acting in this topsy-turvy fashion in order to redeem a topsy-turvy world, and called his followers to do exactly the same.’

In those same readings, which have come round once again under our triennial lectionary, we have reference to Abraham, who is almost dead, being made the father of many nations.

We have his wife Sarah also of advancing years, and barren, being granted a son by God.

We are told in the Gospel that those who save their lives will lose them.

But those who lose their lives will save them.

What are we, the insiders to make of all of this, and perhaps more importantly, how do the ‘outsiders’, passing through our doors on various occasions, react on hearing this topsy-turvy gospel message?

On this second Sunday in Lent, we need perhaps to remember, that at the end of this season of Lent we will be invited to travel through Holy Week with our Lord and face once again the climb up to the hill of Calvary. Where together, we will witness the death, and look once again into the face of the crucified one, who lost his life in order that not only he, but, others, ourselves included, might save our lives!

In the verses which preceed our Gospel reading today, we have in answer to Jesus’ question ‘Who do people say that I am?’ - Peter’s profession of faith – ‘You are the Christ.’ And having come to that enormous leap of faith, Peter cannot now come to terms with Jesus’ announcement that the future days will culminate in his, Jesus’ death.

‘Get behind me Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’ Is Jesus response to Peter.

Knowing the mind of Christ, is what each one of us has to tease out for ourselves. Either in company with others on the Lent course for example, or by spending extra time during Lent, in seeking that understanding, with the aid one of the many books produced for that purpose, at this time of year.

The message of Abraham as conveyed in both the New Testament reading, and the Old Testament reading set for today, is that age is not a factor in God’s plan for each one of us. For God chose this couple, ignoring their advanced years, because of their‘righteousness of faith.’ Being fully convinced that God was able to do what he promised, was, the foundation stone of Abraham’s faith.

Being fully convinced that Jesus is able to do what he promised, should be one of the foundation stones of our faith also.

But there are times for some, when like Peter, the devil places himself between us and Jesus.

The phrase used by Jesus in today’s Gospel reading – ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’ would have conjured up a frightening picture to his hearers.

To the Zealots of Jesus’ day this phrase might well have been seen as one of their recruiting slogans.

As an urban guerrilla movement, freedom fighters opposed to the rule of Rome, they were well used to the prospect of crucifixion, as a consequence of their activities, if caught.

Hearing Jesus talk about ‘taking up their cross’, had a very real meaning for them.

Since those convicted, would have had to carry their own cross, beam to their place of execution.

So to be invited to take up ‘their’ cross by Jesus –

was tantamount to an invitation to assist in one’s own execution!

As with both the penitential seasons in the church’s year, Advent and Lent, we have the opportunity in these periods of the church’s calendar, to reflect more deeply on our relationship with Jesus. To consider what are those things in our own lives, which prevent us from enjoying a closer relationship with him.

To examine what activities within our own lives prevent our total obedience to him and leave us in danger of attempting to save our lives, only to find that we are in danger of losing them. What are the ‘topsy-turvy’ things in our own lives, which need to be resolved, in order that our relationship with Jesus can become that much closer?

A phrase which a former Bishop of Dorking offered us during our Ordination retreat, which has stayed with me over these past 15 years, are words by Irenaus, a Bishop of Lyons who lived in the late second century.

‘Offer your heart to God in a soft and tractable state, that you may receive the impress of his fingers, lest being hardened, you should escape his workmanship and your life.’

The psalmist has said – ‘The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.’ (Psalm 51 v 17)

And as another person has said – ‘God can mend a broken heart, but he needs all the pieces.’

It is only when like Peter, we recognise Jesus for who he really is for ourselves, and not rely on who others, ‘think’ he might be, that we begin to build that personal relationship with him.

It pays sometimes to see where our Gospel reading for each Sunday sits in relation to what occurs either before or after it.

For before coming into Caesarea Philippi, Jesus and the disciples were in Bethsaida according to Mark’s Gospel. And there, a blind man was brought to Jesus for healing. Having laid his hands on the man the first time, the blind man received partial sight. Jesus, applying his hands to the man’s eyes for the second time, resulted in the man being restored to full vision.

For each person who seeks to enter a relationship with Jesus Christ, the ‘vision’ received will perhaps be gradual. But it will be sufficient to enable the seeker to move on, until the full picture is revealed sometime in the future. I certainly do not as yet have the full picture, but I look forward to that day when all will be revealed.

Just as Jesus gradually revealed himself and the mission that lay before him to His disciples, through questions and teaching, so each one of us will come to a fuller understanding for ourselves, as to what being a follower of Jesus requires from us, if we persevere in the faith.

If we would live the vision, we have to know the man Jesus.

Putting our trust in Jesus, even as Abraham put his trust in God, will result in our also growing stronger in the faith. Being convinced, as Abraham was concerning God’s promises, that Jesus is able to deliver on His promises also, will lead to our also being numbered among the righteous.

Having had the seed of faith implanted into our lives, it is up to each one of us, to ensure that it is nurtured and allowed to grow - unhindered by things which are, as the collect, puts it – ‘contrary to our profession.’

My choice of reading for Lent this year is to read once again a book with sections for each day of Lent by brother Ramon an Anglican Franciscan Friar who died a few years ago called ‘When they crucified my Lord’.

In that book Brother Ramon quotes words from an old Gospel hymn, based on Pilate’s words to the crowd baying for Jesus’ death – ‘What shall I do with Jesus?’ (Matt. 27 v 22)

‘Jesus is standing in Pilate’s hall,
friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all;
listen! What means now this sudden call:
‘What will I do with Jesus?’
‘What will I do with Jesus?’
Neutral I cannot be;
Someday my heart will be asking,
‘What will he do with me?’

In a few weeks time, on Good Friday, we will have the opportunity to stand or kneel once again before the cross on which the crucified Christ will have been raised up.

Those words of Jesus in today’s Gospel may well come into our minds as we look up into the face of the crucified Christ.

‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the Gospel, will save it.’

In this ‘topsy turvy’ world in which we live - the choice is still ours.

© Revd Peter Vickers 2009