Another re read - Getting Personal

Re reading Kathy Galloway's book 'Getting Personal' is proving to be so worth while. It's disturbing that the many themes she speaks of back in the 1980s and 1990s are still so relevant and many issues have not been faced up to.

Through her many insightful reflections Kathy sets the challenge that means and ends do need to match. This is another must read book.

In attending the Palm Sunday service it made me think about the means and the end. 

When Jesus made his choice out in the wilderness it was as much about means as anything else. So when some three years later Jesus chooses to ride into Jerusalem it was a continuation of a choice he had made. Jesus annoyed people to the point they wanted him dead. Jesus was no populist. While some people in the city may have cheered him, there was a growing awareness of being on a collision course that would see practically all those around him run away leaving him isolated. Jesus had chosen to live by grace and to show grace and he chose to go to Jerusalem.

Kathy in her book writes a reflection 'Jesus was Young' which with insight helps us understand this annoying Jesus.

He was seen as being 'too young for real power'.

'he didn't endear himself to his elders '

'unemployed, given up a good trade to wander with no fixed abode'.

'He kind of disowned his family... not married, had no children, a target for accusations of irresponsibility and refusing to play his part in the upholding of society'....

'His friends were questionable, in some cases downright disreputable, ...criminals, drunks and prostitutes....

Spoke out strongly against status quo, the establishment, and corruption in high places - in the government, military, in the church. He refused to take part in an uprising, not defend himself when attacked. He spoke more about money than sex......

And Kathy goes on to say... 'If we met him today, we might be warned against him as a bad influence on young people, and there would probably be a police file on him.

...His qualities included idealism, a quick temper, a tendency to do things on the spur of the moment....

....What an irritant, how infuriating he must have been to the power-holders and power-brokers, this young upstart from an unfashionable place....

I love this insight that Kathy gives, the Jesus she knows and writes about. 

To hear the call of Jesus to 'come follow me' is to make the choice to walk the way of Jesus, it is the way of the Cross, it is to disturb and at times become the outsider. 

So Jesus on that first Holy week goes into the Capital loving people all the way to what will be the cross. This is his 'means' loving, forgiving, liberating, compassionate, and in so doing disturbs, disrupts, annoys and the end will be seen on a Cross, but that Cross will come to be understood as part of the means for it will lead to the end that is new life, resurrection and life forever with God. Jesus made his choice and stuck with it. We who say yes to following need to do the same.

Let us pray –

Thank you, living God, 

for the sure foundation of our faith: 

built not on rules, but on life: 

your life in your son Jesus Christ. 

We thank you

that your offer of love is unconditional: 

not governed by chance, 

but by the deep and broad grace

you have shown the world in Jesus.

We thank you

that your call is not only to a few but to all: 

a call to repent, a call to believe. 

We thank you

that choice and not chance

governs our discipleship:

the choice to say yes,

and become followers of the way. 

We thank you

that your offer is for life fulfilled 

through service and self-giving:

losing our lives to find them.

We thank you

that your kingdom

is not built on fickle and temporary whims,

but the firm foundation principles

of justice and righteousness.

We thank you

that our life with you

is not a lottery, but a firm offer.

Living God, we choose the life you offer, 

and ask for strength

to live by your invitation. Amen    © Mark Goodhand  March 7th 2021