19th Sunday after Trinity – Sermon 134

13th February 2011 Off By Derek Buckthorpe

Prayer to start

May the words of my lips and the thought of our hearts be graciously received for the Glory and Honour of our Lord Jesus Christ
AMEN

Introduction

Who’s your favourite hero?

Who’s the person you most admire?

Someone in a book – in a film – or perhaps – closer to home – perhaps in your home?

We all love the idea of heroes – maybe even being one – to someone –

But in our Gospel reading – Jesus reminds us that greatness in the eyes of man – is not the same as greatness in the eyes of God

 

Point 1          Greatness in the eyes of man

 

When I was a boy (my wife will tell you I still am) I used to like reading or watching adventure stories – about heroes of old – King Arthur and his knights of the round table – Robin Hood – or classic western heroes like Davy Crockett – people – who did extraordinary feats – in their time –

Modern day – heroes though are perhaps admired for different reasons – their footballing skills – their looks – their wealth-

Today’s world – defines greatness in terms of power – processions – prestige- position –

We would all rather be generals – than privates

In our self-service culture – its all about winning and being first –

Jesus knew that this would be His last journey to Jerusalem – and the time for the crucifixion was approaching

He tells His disciples- for the third time – about His coming death – and what was going to happen to Him –

But the reaction- from James and John – suggests that His message still hadn’t got through-

‘What is it you want me to do for you?’- said Jesus

‘Allow us to sit with you in your Glory – one at your right and one at your left’

Instead of responding to Jesus’ sacrifice – with some generosity of their own – they disregarded it – and continued jockeying for places behind Him –

Maybe they imagined – that somehow in the last minutes – Jesus would break free – and overpower His oppressors – and take His proper place as leader and ruler of Israel –

James and John didn’t really know what they were asking – but they knew that if everything went well – they wanted to be up there with Jesus – and if there was any Glory to be had – they wanted to be a part of it –

A vicar was retiring after 25 years in a parish – and as he came to clear out his bedroom in the vicarage- he found a small bowl with 5 eggs and £1,000 pounds in.

Baffled he called his wife and said: Darling, what’s this little basket under the bed with five eggs and £1,000 in.

"Oh " she said " I must confess that every time you preach a bad sermon I put an egg in the basket"

Secretly the vicar was pleased: "Not bad – eh – five bad sermons in 25 years" he thought:

"And what about the £1,000?"

"Well every time I get a dozen, I sell them!"

We all like to think we are capable of being up there with the best –

What James and John hadn’t realized was that the place of Jesus’ Glory is in fact the cross – and the places at Jesus’ right and left – were taken by thieves! 

Point 2     

 

But Jesus tries to move them on – and reminds them of the hard reality – of what was about to happen to Him –

‘Can you drink the cup that I drink – or be Baptized with the Baptism – I am Baptized with?’

In OT language – the cup is the cup of God’s wrath – which must be drunk for divine punishment of sins – Here Jesus refers to the suffering He will endure as He takes the place of sinful mankind –

Our OT reading gives us – a vivid description of the treatment He had to face –

‘He was pierced for our transgressions – crushed for our iniquities’

‘-cut from the world of the living’

‘given a burial place among felons – though He had done no violence – had spoken no word of treachery’

‘By His humiliation my servant will justify many’

And the baptism looks back to the beginning of His – ministry- Just as Jesus ‘ own baptism – by John committed Him to this suffering messiah-ship – so His death – is seen as a new kind of baptism –a going down beneath the waters of death – to emerge with sins forgiven – to share in His new life

As Paul writes in Romans chapter 4 verse 6 – ‘By that Baptism into His death – we were buried with Him – in order that as Christ was raised – from the dead by the Glorious Father, so also we might set on a new life’

Jesus asks them this – to remind them – that their expectations must be different to the worlds –

‘among you – whosoever wants to be great – must be your servant – whoever wants to be first – must be the slave of all- For the Son of Man did not come to be served – but to serve’

True greatness comes from serving others – in obedience to God – not blind service – but service in whatever way God asks –

Jesus is the true High Priest – the King of Righteousness – who is one with the Father – chosen by Him to act on our behalf – and Son though He was- learned obedience through His sufferings –

And God was able to deliver Him from death – and enable Him to “become the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him” –

 

 
Point 3       

So what does all this mean for us?

In our Gospel reading – Jesus speaks to His disciples of the cross – but they think only of themselves-

We are all called to serve Christ – for His sake – and not for our own – to seek His kingdom rather than our own welfare

Our faith must not be come another way of putting ourselves first – Its not about what we want to get out – but what we want to put in –

To quote some words form John Wesley – we need to do all the good we can – by all the means we can – in all the ways we can – in all the places we can – at all the times we can – to all the people we can – as long as we ever can

Also in these exchanges- we might have expected Jesus to be the one – most likely to need support – But in fact it was Jesus who was the rock – and the disciples who were the sand – In adversity He gives the strength and support they should be giving Him

Identifying with the feelings of others is the first step – to being able to encourage – and support their needs –

Our closeness to God – and to others – does not depend upon our achievements in life – but on what’s in our hearts – And its God who shapes us for service and gives us a servants heart

Jesus is on His way- to Jerusalem to turn the world’s power system and values upside down – He came to serve and not to be served – to follow God’s lead – and give His life as a ransom – for many – once and for all – as payment for sins –

Jesus is the way that God has chosen to reach us and bring us to Him – The way of sacrificial love

Like James and John – He came to free us from the grips of our lust for power – Jesus is God’s new covenant – and the only way to salvation and the promise of eternal life –

If we want to receive what He has to offer – we have no choice but to follow – Him-

 

Conclusion    

 

So when we want to find our hero – where do we look?

In a book – of course – and in our hearts – Jesus Christ –  

Prayer  

AMEN