Nt proud of my church today - we sound more like the pharisees than Jesus.
The conversion of Zaccheus
Luke 19:1-10
The parable of the gold coins
Luke 19:11-27
Jesus arrives at Bethany
John 11:56-7, 12:1
The plot against Lazarus
John 12:9-11
Jesus is anointed at Bethany
John 12:2-8
The triumphant entry into Jerusalem
Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19
The news today is full of the protest outside St Paul's cathedral in London. To me, it feels like the church is too scared to speak up, which is a real shame, when the protestors are doing it for us. We sound like we're on the side of the tax collectors and the pharisees. Oh I know that it's more complicated than that, but surely it wouldn't have been that dangerous to take the other side?
A chief tax collector, a man who has dedicate years of hard work to feathering his own nest, who has endured the hatred of his compatriots, decides that Jesus is reason enough to give it all up. He starts acting like a child - a wonderful sign of being set free from his sin. And though the people grumble, Jesus is happy to rejoice with him in his repentance. TO the surly crowd Jesus tells the story of the ten coins - how it isn’t enough to just trust in what you’ve already been given, you need to use your gifts for God’s sake.
Jerusalem is very near now. John tells us how Jesus lodges at Bethany with Mary Martha and Lazarus, and how Mary prefigures his death by anointing him with precious perfume, to the disgust of miserly Judas.
The feast has already begun, Jerusalem is heaving and Jesus finally makes his entrance. He deliberately sets out to fulfill a prophecy by riding in on a donkey. This is a claim to be the Messiah, and the authorities grind their teeth in frustration. They are ready to arrest Jesus now, but they can’t do so in the midst of this ecstatic crowd. They must bide their time.
The conversion of Zaccheus
Luke 19:1-10
The parable of the gold coins
Luke 19:11-27
Jesus arrives at Bethany
John 11:56-7, 12:1
The plot against Lazarus
John 12:9-11
Jesus is anointed at Bethany
John 12:2-8
The triumphant entry into Jerusalem
Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19
The news today is full of the protest outside St Paul's cathedral in London. To me, it feels like the church is too scared to speak up, which is a real shame, when the protestors are doing it for us. We sound like we're on the side of the tax collectors and the pharisees. Oh I know that it's more complicated than that, but surely it wouldn't have been that dangerous to take the other side?
A chief tax collector, a man who has dedicate years of hard work to feathering his own nest, who has endured the hatred of his compatriots, decides that Jesus is reason enough to give it all up. He starts acting like a child - a wonderful sign of being set free from his sin. And though the people grumble, Jesus is happy to rejoice with him in his repentance. TO the surly crowd Jesus tells the story of the ten coins - how it isn’t enough to just trust in what you’ve already been given, you need to use your gifts for God’s sake.
Jerusalem is very near now. John tells us how Jesus lodges at Bethany with Mary Martha and Lazarus, and how Mary prefigures his death by anointing him with precious perfume, to the disgust of miserly Judas.
The feast has already begun, Jerusalem is heaving and Jesus finally makes his entrance. He deliberately sets out to fulfill a prophecy by riding in on a donkey. This is a claim to be the Messiah, and the authorities grind their teeth in frustration. They are ready to arrest Jesus now, but they can’t do so in the midst of this ecstatic crowd. They must bide their time.
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