Getting grounded

Recently, I attended the wake of close long-time friend who died from cancer of the brain, it was interesting; because while we were all sad that this dynamic lover of life was no longer around: we were all genuinely comforted by the fact he had gone to be with the Lord and as cliché as this sounds: this was truly a celebration of a life lived, a life loved, a life that knew where it was going and the impact that had on those gathered.

My mate Ray had a gift of looking past things such as labels, image and ego.

He would cut right down to it and see your heart.

Now, I’ve had a lot of people do that but Ray did it in very cool way: he wouldn’t only see where you were but many times he would offer you A picture of what you could be or where you could be.

If we take a moment to look at Acts, we see lots of ideas about connecting and potential floating around waiting to be examined.

Acts 9:36-43 takes us on a fascinating journey from life to death and back to life again. Which is the whole point of the Gospel isn’t?

The story in today’s reading, reminds us that we are being called to participate In a living, breathing, expansive message! A message of life!

The first indicator of this idea is: that Tabitha’s Greek name is mentioned, pointing to the idea the she was from a multi-cultural background.

Which as we have discussed before, in those days was quite a big deal and is still a barrier for many today. It’s also interesting that in their pain this community called on Peter for help, a Man whose intense faith would have been known to many and it’s also noteworthy due to the fact: that a little while later, he has the famous vision/dream about food and he makes the beautiful declaration in Acts 10 “Now I am certain that God treats all people alike. 35 God is pleased with everyone who worships him and does right, no matter what nation they come from. 36 This is the same message that God gave to the people of Israel, when he sent Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, to offer peace to them.”

If we take a moment to examine the situation Peter has been invited into, what do we see? We see a community in a reflective state of grief:

In their venerable state they’re doing three things simultaneously.

1 they’re reflecting on and living through their sense of loss 2 they’re showing respect to Tabitha’s faith, as we just heard, she was always doing good and helping the poor, so when Peter visits them, he finds them crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

3 They’re remembering who they are in God and they call on Peter to help them walk further into that reality. In fact, I invite you to think about that; the times where you’ve been working through something and you’ve made an active choice to step out into God reality, to community, to good support and the difference it has made.

I don’t know, maybe you’re a solo traveller and the idea of this kind of support is alien to you? Something to think through in any case.

What’s interesting is the ideas of the story travel don’t they?

Firstly, we see Tabitha rise which in turn injects new life into her community.

Secondly, we see the news travels and many come to Christ through it.

Thirdly, of course it plays a part in Peter’s spiritual evolution.

Hope travels guys, love travels! It’s a question of identity, knowing who we are, getting to know ourselves through the lens of love, hope and courage.

The question of identity is at the centre of today’s Gospel.

John is probably the most fascinating Gospel to examine the identity of Jesus in: from beginning to end, it is filled with fascinating claims, many of which are unique to John, including:

• The idea of Logos, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.— John 1:1-3, 14 (NIV)
• The I am statements “I am the way and the truth and the life”
• Jesus’ Farwell discourse in John has a completely different tone and message to the other Gospels.

The first thing we note is that the Gospel for this morning is set against The festival of Dedication which was time when The Jews remembered the reclaiming and cleansing of their temple due to the Maccabean revolt.

Through the revolt The Jews were able to physically and emotionally Reclaim their oneness with God. If there’s one thing that is at the centre of John’s message, it is an unbreakable oneness between God and his children.

I find it interesting that they demand of Jesus “Tell us plainly” when John’s message lays everything out fairly directly, there is nothing being hidden here. Jesus’ audience don’t have connect the dots: John does it for them. It seems to me like they’re hiding behind the question, rather than engaging with it.

I know I’ve done that, gone to a friend or colleague with question, and gotten mad because they didn’t give me the answer I was hoping for.

I don’t know how that applies to you today, but I think it can serve as warning against falling into the trap of “No, that’s not right! My theology and worldview says this”

I invite you think about that for just a moment.

As well as being flavoured with questions, today’s reading also shows us what Jesus’ relationship with the Father is like and it also shows us a picture of our relationship is like.

This is normally the point in my sermon, where I talk about some kind of call to action “Today we are being called to” and so forth:

Today’s Gospel doesn’t contain that. It is rather framed as a pause.

The kind of pause, which allows us to ponder the oneness we have with God through his son Jesus.

The imagery used by Jesus, points us to the idea that we are enough because Jesus loves us and claims us; we belong to him. We are one with him as he is one with our heavenly Father.

It’s interesting to unpack the imagery of sheep, so often sheep are used to describe people who follow blindly, without question or engagement.

However, in John we see a rather different image. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

So there’s a knowing there, a trust, an exchange.

I know for me, that the relationships in my life that are worth anything; are the ones in which honesty is at the forefront, feelings are shared and questions are explored. That’s what’s constantly on offer from God.

I invite you today, as we continue to ponder both the simplicity and depth of the Easter message to take some time and think about the people you love, the relationships in your life that have moved you, had an impact you and as with every time we come to church; it’s a chance to think through what your life is about and the impact you’d like it to have.

Take a moment to consider your oneness with God, you’re completely loved by him, you are his and as we’ve heard “No one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one”

Amen.