Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 30 October 2022
What it means to be Biblical
Scripture References: 1 Timothy 3:14-16, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Corinthians 14:26-33
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CloseAs far as I know, amongst mainstream orthodox Christian denominations, Anglicans are the only mob defined by their liturgy. Now, every church has a liturgy – it is just a flash word for the stuff we do when we gather. However, Anglicans have a historic and set Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Originally written by Thomas Cranmer in 1549 (revised in 1552, and finalised in 1662), the BCP had three aims, as set out in Cranmer’s original Preface. First, it wanted to return the ‘pure word of God’ to the heart of God’s people gathered, so that they ‘might be stirred up to godliness’ and ‘inflamed with a love for His [God’s] true religion’. Second, it was to be in a language that the people could hear, understand, and ‘profit by hearing the same’. And, thirdly, it was to be ‘plain…’ and ‘basic’. Biblical, understandable, simple – that was the aim of Cranmer. Is that what we do here?
Scripture References: 1 Timothy 3:14-16, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Corinthians 14:26-33
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Jesus is returning to Jerusalem for the second day. Jesus is hungry – he is human. Jesus sees fig tree – but, despite its leaves, it has no fruit. Jesus curses the fig tree. Jesus is God, taking on the divine role of pronouncing judgement. This brief episode is a living example of the judgement brought by the king of God’s people returning to his mob: they have become independent, insiders not aligned with the desire of God for the outsider. They are unfruitful, and they are judged. God’s mob, however, have true fruitfulness when they recognise the authority of the king, and completely and totally depend upon him. Such dependency will change the world, because of the one they depend upon!
Jesus has finally made it to Jerusalem. As Matthew prepares us for His entry into Jerusalem, he helps us confront Jesus’ authority, and the way in which it restores the concern of God for the outsider, and confronts the insider. This is the start of the Passover week. Jerusalem is a roiling maelstrom of religious and political fervour. And Matthew organises the narrative of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem around displays of His authority, rooted in recognition of His ‘old power’ – four Old Testament quotations structure the passage. As we come face-to-face with Jesus’ authority, three truths stand out. First, Jesus’ authority is extensive and all-encompassing. Second, Jesus’ authority is for the outsider, and rooted in God’s deep commitment to bring the outsider inside His kingdom. And, third, Jesus authority confronts the insider, and urges them to repentance. Come and meet Jesus, the King, in all His authority, as He enters Jerusalem!
What is greatness? In particular, what is greatness in the kingdom of God? That is the question addressed in the passage from Matthew today. Jesus is approached by two different groups. First, the family of Zebedee: James and John and their mother. Second, two blind men. Jesus asks both groups the same question “What do you want me to do for you?” What they request is quite revealing. And so is Jesus’ response to their requests. The Zebedees request position, status, reward for effort. The blind men request mercy, for their eyes to be open. Which request lines up with Jesus’ teaching previously? Which request do we tend to go to ourselves?
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