Song: Come thou long expected Jesus
Prayer:
Loving God, as we look forward to the gift of Jesus this Advent, we think with gratitude of all that we have and all that you give us. We long to trust you with our whole selves, but in fear we so often hold back. Please give us faith to trust that when we give you what we have, there will be enough and more to spare for everyone.
Loving God, at this time of togetherness, we pray for those for whom this is a painful and lonely time of year. May we open ourselves to the action of your Spirit, helping us to be your hands, your feet and your eyes in a hurting world. Please give us courage to step out of our comfort zones in response to the stories and needs of others.
Loving God, we thank you for the riches that we have in one another. For the hard work of our ministers, our lay workers, and for all who participate in our shared life. May each person with whom we come into contact, feel that they are valued, known and loved.
Merciful God, in our greed and our fear that we do not have enough, we exploit our brothers and sisters across the world. Teach us to delight in your creation, not grasp its resources. We pray for those whose livelihoods have been destroyed as a result of climate change. Stir up our hearts to turnaround to new and just ways of living, and to speak out for those whose voices are unheard.
Loving God, please guide our leaders at this time of uncertainty in the worldwide pandemic. Help all those who make decisions to think first of the most vulnerable. We pray for your peace and healing presence for those living with fear and anxiety.
Loving God, in this time of Advent waiting, help us to trust in your abundant love to sustain us daily. Please give us a deepening awareness of your presence, and we ask that the assurance of your love for us would shine through us to bless those we meet.
Amen
Song: Born in the night
Born in the Night, Mary's Child (youtube.com)
Reading: Matthew’s gospel, chapter 27; verses 32 to 56
Song: Lord Jesus Christ
Lord Jesus Christ You have come to us - Living Lord Hymn - Lyrics Video (youtube.com)
Matthew’s gospel is written by Matthew, one of Jesus’ disciples. It tells the story of Jesus’ life and ministry.
Prior to today’s reading we have had the account of Jesus observing the last supper with his disciples. This was followed by him going to the Mount of Olives tom pray, the disciples abandoning, and betraying of him.
Then there was a sham trial, by a group who had already decided that they wanted him crucifying, and the subsequent handing over to the Roman authorities, who alone had the power to execute. Pontius Pilate wanted to release him, but bowed to the pressure from the crowd. Then Jesus was abused by soldiers in the praetorium.
In verse 37, we read that above his head was the written charge against him: “This is Jesus, the king of the Jews.” This is not just a notice, it is an allegation, an accusation,.
It is an absolutely mind-blowing thought that Mankind could put God on trial; The infinite God could be accused by finite people. Probably, this is the ultimate sin, an act of rebellion attempting to make ourselves King!
In John’s gospel, he wrote “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” The charge placed on the cross is humanity mocking God.
In Chapter 1, Matthew records the genealogy of Jesus, and traces a line of descent through David, the greatest King, to Abraham, the symbol of the Jewish nation. The accusation of the cross is written in our lives when we sin. We are rejecting God’s kingship in our act of rebellion. Romans chapter 6, verse 23 says that the wages of Sin is death; This is a terrible place to be, deserving condemnation from God.
The charge does not just mock God, it mocks the Jewish leaders as well. It is placed above his head, a place where it is visible to the maximum number of people. The notice being above his head is symbolic of Jesus taking the sins of other upon himself. This means that others can receive the righteousness which he had already.
Even the act of sitting down has a symbolism. The soldiers who had mocked and beaten him, then crucified him. The sitting down in a symbol of finishing work, of completion. They thought that Jesus was finished. But, this was no ordinary crucifixion; three hours of darkness, the temple curtain torn in two, the rocks split, the tombs opened and the dead raised all point to this not being normal at all!
The soldier who had done this dead exclaimed that surely this was the son of God. Not just the King of the Jews, but the Son of God!
Like the soldiers, we are included; no matter what we have don, no-one is too far removed to be forgiven, to receive Jesus as King.
Think about the charge; think about the response of the soldier who saw his sins washed away.
If you are unsure about your destiny, accept this offer. It is available to all, just as it was to the soldier.
We were all sinners.
We were all lost.
We have been saved.
Song: Sing we the King
MHB 116 - Sing we the King who is coming to reign (youtube.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment