Last Thursday After the Epiphany 2021

 John 1:29-34 (NRSV)

The next day [John] saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After I come to a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” I did not know him, but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’

When I think of John the Baptizer, I think of one who thrives on being the second chair. Anyone who has ever played an instrument in a band or orchestra can understand what I mean by the term "second chair." You know, the one who is pretty great in his own right but enjoys giving the credit to others. The one that isn't the lead but has distinct merit and purpose.

In this passage, John is telling those gathered that he is not the messiah. After seeing Jesus from a distance, he declares Jesus to be the "Lamb of God." This was the day after the miraculous baptism scene, where John saw the heavens opened and a dove descending on Jesus. 

Like the painting above by Annibale Carracci (ca. 1600), most of the artistic images depict John pointing to Jesus. Some works have him pointing directly to Jesus; others have him pointing up, but always pointing. We learn from scripture that John is doing his job by "pointing to the Christ." John always points to Jesus with everything he is, proclaiming Jesus to be the anointed one of God, the one who "baptizes with the Holy Spirit." 

Being the second chair to Jesus is John's purpose. Being the second chair to Jesus is our purpose as we always try to point to Jesus and God with our lives and actions. The question for us during the season of Lent becomes, "how might we point the way to God for others more fully?"

John 5:25-29 (NRSV)

"Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.  For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.  Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

The hour is coming.  We know not when, but it’s coming.  This phrase stands out as Jesus gives instructions about how and when others will participate in the resurrection.

Jesus plainly tells them that the only way to receive eternal life and avoid condemnation was to believe in Him.  He states those that believe in Him shall pass from death into eternal life.  Jesus emphasizes the importance of His words saying "Verily, verily."  Jesus' reference to the "hour is coming and now is" announces himself as the Messiah. Therefore, Jesus was telling them that He was the Messiah and His message was proclaiming salvation through belief in the Himself.

He says that those that hear shall live.  Jesus is saying that all the spiritually dead hear the message of salvation, but those that hear and respond in faith are the ones who will be saved.  His reference to life is not simply being physically alive, but being spiritually alive.  There can be no real “life” apart from Jesus Christ.

This Third Sunday in Lent gives us an opportunity to ponder our salvation and belief that we will (when the hour comes) participate with Jesus in the resurrection.  Our call today is to continue to trust and believe that God’s promises are true, and our intent to please God does in fact please God.  Eternal life will be our eternal reward.

John 18:15-18, 25-27 (NRSV)

Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus.  Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate.  So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in.  The woman said to Peter, 'You are not also one of this man's disciples, are you?' He said, 'I am not.'

Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves.  Peter also was standing with them and warming himself.  Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.  Jesus answered, 'I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together.  I have said nothing in secret.  Why do you ask me?  Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.'  When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, 'Is that how you answer the high priest?'  Jesus answered, 'If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong.  But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?'  Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.  Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself.  They asked him, 'You are not also one of his disciples, are you?'  He denied it and said, 'I am not.'  One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, 'Did I not see you in the garden with him?'  Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.

The phrase that stands out to me is, “testify to the wrong.”  We fast forward this morning in the Gospel according to John to Peter’s denial of Jesus.  I feel that this is an interesting and sharp contrast to yesterday’s reading and Peter’s bold proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah of God.

In this passage, Jesus has been arrested and taken to the high priest.  He is subjugated to more questions about his actions and his identity.  Even though they have arrested him, he still has done nothing wrong.  In fact, Jesus reminds them that he has taught openly in the synagogues and in the streets.  He is struck, and challenges the justness of the striking willing to accept it if he has done wrong.

The piece in the story that is interesting is the actions of Peter.  Peter gets to the inside of the courtyard by who he knows.  Yet, when he is there he tries to play incognito, and not be recognized.  This is a stark difference in the Peter who recently took up a sword to defend Jesus’ arrest, not to mention the Peter who was quick to announce Jesus’ identity as the holy one of God.  Peter takes an observant back seat in this reading, and does not step out on a limb.  In fact, he denies even knowing Jesus when asked.  One can argue that Jesus prophesied this would happen, and it was necessary to bring about his arrest and ultimate crucifixion.  However, it’s not in the scope of the reading and therefore will not be addressed.

What my wonder is, would we dare to be as bold as Peter was originally for the Gospel, or would we turn tail and run?  Would we stand up with Christ or would we deny that we ever knew him, fearing for our own life.  Self preservation is extremely human, and avoiding a difficult situation is even more human.

I would like to think that the Gospel calls us to be bold and not deny Christ.  However, knowing that Peter denied Jesus to save his own skin makes me think.  Are we any better than the Apostle who holds the keys to the Kingdom?  I do believe that we are called to a level of boldness that enables us to reach down deep and hold onto what we believe.  My question is, do we let it be to our demise?

Luke 9:18-27 (NRSV)

Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, 'Who do the crowds say that I am?'  They answered, 'John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.'  He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?'  Peter answered, 'The Messiah of God.'  He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, 'The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.'  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.  For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.  What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?  Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.  But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.'

Jesus asks, “who do you say that I am?”  Our readings today take the normal Sunday detour from the Gospel of John to the Gospel of Luke.  The story today isn’t one in the context of Jesus running from the Jews, but it is a question of Jesus’ identity.  Jesus asks his disciples about what people are saying and he gets all kinds of answers from John the Baptist to any other of the wide range of prophets.

It is Peter who steps forward in his boldness to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah of God.  Jesus is quick to put a damper on Peter’s proclamation, explaining that it’s not time yet.  Jesus makes the offer that if any want to become his followers, that they are welcome to deny themselves and take up their own cross and follow him.  He makes the claim that this self denial for his ways leads one to eternal life and the kingdom of God.

I feel that the call comes from Jesus’ direct words, “deny yourself and take up your cross daily and follow me.”  We are called to participate and learn from Jesus about the way that leads to eternal life.  We are given the chance to see the salvation of God through self denial and sacrifice to proclaim the good news.

Some have suggested that the hardships that we endure are somehow “our cross to bear.”  However, I don’t think that this is the point of Jesus’ offer.  The cross is Jesus’ fate and a symbol of his ultimate sacrifice.  Our way of participation is pure belief, self denial, and acceptance of Jesus’ way and his teaching.  Jesus is the messiah of God, and through following him we will see the kingdom of God.