A Word in Time

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While this hatred was coming from the religious authorities, Jesus’ words make clear that the hatred is not only of him but of God, and so those who are supposed to be God’s representatives are actually demonstrating hatred for God. To underline the religious teachers' complete misunderstanding, the quote that is “written in their law” from Psalm 35:19 highlights that they have not recognised that this animosity without cause was predicted. Perhaps a clue to what's going on in Abraham’s mind is contained in verse 8 when he answers Isaac’s question "God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt-offering, my son." Abraham is doing as commanded, but he has faith in God, and believes that all will be well.

Where might we need to remove our ‘rose-tinted glasses’ so that we can see God around us in the present? When God speaks to us he may ask for a sacrifice. Have you ever found God asking more of you than you feel able to offer?Bearing in mind that Christians speak of God as being loving, gracious and generous, what are your images or ideas about any possible future judgement? If we have the eyes to see, and if we recognise the 'signs of the kingdom' all around us, we also can be part of the ongoing narrative of God’s people. So let’s stay on the right wavelength! The account of Christ’s actions and subsequent exultation, and the way belief and action are linked, form the core of the early chapters of Paul’s letter to the Philippians. The demands to live in a certain way are a necessary obligation laid upon all Christians. We can claim to be ‘in Christ’ because of what Christ has done and not because of any action of our own. So, according to Paul, our faith and subsequent behaviour is the result of what Christ has done for us, not the cause of it. The American Christian band, Casting Crowns, have a lyric that runs: It should be remembered that it was fairly common at the time for religious debate to include fiery rhetoric and quite extreme imagery. This was often done for effect and some of the most vehement language was used among people from the same faith group – the language of a family squabble as it were, and not to be taken too seriously or literally. And it has to be said that viewed in the wider context of the New Testament, some of the language and imagery found in the second letter of Peter is somewhat marginal.

What can we learn about the Lord’s purpose for the world from reading about the relationship between the brothers? How might it speak to us today? Maybe you are familiar with CS Lewis’ series of books known as The C hronicles of Narnia. The first in the series is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the final volume is The Last Battle. At the end of this final book in the series, the lion, Aslan, reveals that the stories have been a dream, he calls the people to know that the conflict, the pain, and the trauma of battle is over. Aslan declares that the dream is ended – this is the morning. Then he said to them all, 'If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’ (v. 23) What Jesus does subverts such expectations: he finds and sits on a donkey. Jesus would know his own scriptures, including the reference which the gospel writer quotes ( v. 15) of the coming king riding a donkey, which comes from Zechariah ( Zechariah 9:9). But Zechariah’s king comes in humility ( 9:9) and – tellingly – has a global horizon: he comes to ‘command peace to the nations’ ( 9:10), not merely Israel’s vindication. Jesus again – metaphorically – ‘slips away’ from the crowd’s agenda to pursue the paradoxical, costly glory ( John 12:23; 17:1) and all-embracing love that will lead him to his death on the cross.And into that silence comes the sound of people – broken, bewildered and bereaved. For not all who have participated in conflict have died – many more continue to live with their injured bodies, their troubled minds, their disturbed spirits – and we will remember them. Not all who suffer the effects of conflict have engaged in battle; those who are left behind are also profoundly affected. And we will remember them. For members of the Early Church, angels were considered so important that the writer of the book of Hebrews (which was written before the destruction of the Jewish Temple in 70 AD), deemed it of the highest importance to get angels into the very first chapter. And furthermore, our author also felt compelled to state their heavenly hierarchy in relation to Jesus. What do you make of the interaction between Jesus and his mother? Who has shown confidence in you in your faith life?