Wakefield Cathedral
Sunday, 25th July 2021
Matthew 20:20-28 / Jeremiah 45:1-5 / Acts 11:27-12:2
It is said that “membership has its rewards”.
Whether that refers to a particular credit card, a political party, some sort of club, or even a gym – the phrase implies a certain degree of smugness, even elitism, and certainly privilege.
What then, are the privileges of being in a Christian community?
Is there a badge or a hat? Perhaps for some…..
What about free gifts….? Or special treatment?
Do we get to ask questions….. to ask for something more than we already have?
Does membership prompt me to question my own motives?
More on that story later!
Todays Gospel is yet another example of everything being turned upside-down when viewed through a Jesus-lens; of the Twelve still not “getting it”, and the narrative bringing its harsh climax even closer.
In the previous verses, Jesus had given the Twelve a right good talking to! He reminded them, YET AGAIN, of how this was all going to turn out!
Weren’t they listening?
If they were not listening or comprehending, then why not?
Well…
Whatever Messiah they had hoped for, Jesus turns up on a donkey – talking about loving neighbours!
Whatever King they they thought they might get, Jesus washes their feet and speaks of being a servant first….
They might have encountered an edgy, special, challenging young man on a mission, and thought – yes, lets follow this guy and see where it leads….
After all, they too were young men, probably frustrated with poor leadership, in an occupied homeland…
Yet the rabble rousing is not what they imagined, and Jesus spoke gently to the poor and downtrodden, telling them that God loved them still….. and all would be well.
Surely though, all this talk of being arrested and tortured, and worse….I know he keeps on telling us…. But, really?
Isn’t there going to be some kind of reward here, in this land, in this time….. something for us?
Something for me….?
Perhaps the author of Matthew is trying to give a different emphasis or gravity to this encounter by posing the question via a woman?
In Mark’s Gospel parallel, James and John approach Jesus and ask Him directly for the same elevation as we hear of in Matthew. It would seem that having those words of entreaty – almost a demand – from a mother, a woman of high regard and respect, would make a difference, another perspective perhaps?
We often receive the presence of women, amongst Jesus’s companions, as “followers” and “supporters”. And yet this woman, Salome, is clearly one of the disciples, in whom Jesus has trust.
Jesus receives her gladly, yet responds directly to the Sons of Thunder – in whom He knows are many such questions and frustrations!
Salome – the mother of Zebedee’s Sons – a supporter of Jesus and the team – present at the end, we are told; perhaps she was a confident and encouraging mother to two head-strong young men – anxious to ensure they ‘do well’,
And we don’t know how Zebedee reacted to his sons’ leaving the family fishing enterprise to follow Jesus. Did their mother go along to keep them heading in the right direction? To make it all worthwhile?
And then, is this an encounter of Jesus with a woman like the one He had at the Well?
Actually I don’t think it’s that kind of discourse.
Here is a QUESTION – to test once more the nature of Jesus, and the Mission He is leading…. a question to test the narrative:
What is the nature – the essence – of the Kingdom, of which Jesus speaks?
James, John and their mum got in first with a very human – though ill conceived – idea.
The other disciples…. Were they so pious as to dismiss this out of hand? Maybe we might like too think that…., or maybe they were a little envious because they had not asked first?
To be honest, there is a strong flavour of naked ambition in many of these discourses between Jesus and the disciples.
And every time, the response: It is not the aspiration to greatness of any kind that will bring us into the kingdom…..
Every time, with Jesus, we see the natural ways of the world turned upside-down – He will push back against what is considered the norm;
Power and riches dissolve into sacrifice and faithful service to God.
Jesus knew that the cup from which he drank – so often an Old Testament metaphor for God’s vengeance – would be filled with death…..
He asks: “Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?”
Could they really have known what He meant?
Jesus looked at his friends and agonised over what their fates might be.
James was the first apostolic martyr: put to death by Herod Agrippa, sometime in the mid-40’s.
James the Greater – isn’t that title a little ironic?
Considering how this passage is often engaged with, it’s probably better that we refer to him now as James the Apostle!
Today would have been my father’s birthday – He found it amusing that his birthday fell on this festival – always with the emphasis on “…the Greater!” He was a priest of humble service to others – and would not have welcomed higher office. And yet, his affinity with James the Greater did make me wonder about his humility!
How we see ourselves, eh?
Talking of which….
Earlier I considered my motives for membership of church, and how they have influenced my discipleship.
Many years ago, although I didn’t really know it, God wanted me to come back to worship, in church.
So I came here.
Then God suggested that there was some sort of direction I should be taking…. I didn’t really understand that….then…
But I listened…
I was quite shy, and sat at the back. God suggested I step forward, so I became a server.
And other things happened to increase the opportunity to serve – many of which I wasn’t that keen on, to be honest! But some of it was fun! And that’s ok, isn’t it?
I had always feared my ignorance of scripture.
So encouraged by others, I trained as a Lay Reader….. but that meant preaching – which I wasn’t keen on and which still terrifies me!
Thankfully, over time, confidence increases – the Spirit is working in us – and things begin to coalesce into new directions.
The journey and the route we are taken on, are often beyond our sight or knowing – even shrouded in darkness.
I have sat in this church and, in harsh bitter moments, I have questioned the motives of others: why are they here? Why do we worship like this? Why are you preaching like that? Why does music seem more important to some? Why are our doors closed? Why are our doors open? Who are these new people….
What is the point of all this? I don’t like it…. I want it to all be different…. Why aren’t you listening to me?
And for all that, I have felt shame and remorse.
Yet such emotions and projections of our fears and doubts are very real and are a part of our faith journey….
It is indeed a strange path we walk with a very patient God.
I am a part of the Body of Christ, and a member of the Christian community, near and far. Yet only God can know why I am here or for what purpose I am doing what I do.
I never asked God to place me in front of others to say “hey! I know all about Jesus. Let me tell you all about Him!”
The Spirit moves us forward, often into the light, away from comfort and security… not always in ways we might have chosen!
You will have your own story – your own journeys – and we are different, you and I – yet I am sure we would find some commonality in our narratives….
Serving God and building the Kingdom happens every day.
Sometimes we sense the awesomeness of worshipping God.
Sometimes we don’t.
Yet the Spirit keeps on calling.
We are disciples: not seeking to be first, but waiting upon God.
Hopefully our only motivation is serving God…..
We are members of something special…
And the rewards….. ?
Well, sometimes we are told we will get them in heaven…
That sounds OK…. In certain circumstances….
Actually, there is a reward in love – it’s always a two-way thing, whatever the situation.
There is a reward in being a part of something that invites and welcomes… transforms with joy!
And a reward in knowing we are many… and thus, not alone…
Our actions here, our engagement in worship and prayer….
Lives lived doing the best we can to be disciples?
This is something to share….
Our question to Jesus might be different:
“Jesus, what do you want me to do next…?”
A few weeks ago, at the Ordination of Priests, Archdeacon Peter imparted some good wisdom to Tim and Rob, including the instruction to “point people to Jesus”. He said that this was the “calling of the priest”.
I believe that, as disciples, we are all tasked with pointing people to Jesus. Not pointing to ourselves first, or implying that we have chosen to share the cup with Jesus and thus we have become chosen ourselves….
No, regardless of our journey with Jesus – whatever we are called to – we are tasked with helping one another to be found by Jesus. Once found, we might hope and pray for a deepening friendship and a flourishing faith, to walk whatever road this leads to….
Now that’s a mission that has GREATNESS all the way!
This week, I pray you will ask God what you should do next, to serve the Kingdom….
I pray you will all find some small way to point others towards Jesus.
For to be found and loved…. ?
Let that Joy be your motivation!
And right there, is where we find the rewards of discipleship.
Amen.
Ref: Wright, N.T. (2002) Matthew for Everyone – Part 2 (16-28), SPCK