Daily Bread

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ And he said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.’

Harsh words from Jesus? He certainly didn't seem to mince his words! Reading this passage again, I wonder what it means for someone, or how anyone can, be 'ashamed' of Jesus and his good news? I suppose those would have been ashamed of this itinerant rabbi, would be those who felt he was bringing shame to the Hebrew or Jewish faith — those were not open to both his person and his message.

Communities often get locked into practices and ways of being, where doctrines and traditions become entrenched and immovable beasts, and it is understandable. Doctrines and traditions provide security and comfort, especially when the world around us in insecure and ever-changing.

This week I met with a dear friend who said that when I first introduced changes at our local parish church she felt worried and anxious. She articulated how there were so many things in her life that were unstable or in flux — things out of her control — and that the one thing she held dear — the one thing that seemed stable and unchanging — was her church, and that was changing too! I totally get that, and I applaud her for hanging in there and seeing things through. She told me that in over forty years of church membership she has never felt such peace as she does currently. How lovely is that?

Our faith journey is exactly that, a journey. We are not running on a tread-mill that goes nowhere, but have embarked on a new way of living. Jesus did not say, "Stay where you are," but, "Follow me!"

Being a Christian is not to obey a set of doctrines or traditions but to follow the person of Jesus Christ and allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit of God — to never be ashamed, and to put our trust in God.

Holy God
Today, I choose to hear the good news
and to follow Jesus Christ.
And in the words of the song 'Oceans'

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find you in the mystery
In oceans deep my faith will stand

I will call upon your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in your embrace
I am yours and you are mine