Hebrews 5:1-10 (NRSV)

Saturday after the First Sunday in Lent

Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honour, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’; as he says also in another place, ‘You are a priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.’

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

When reading this portion of the letter, it’s hard for me not to immediately hear, “you are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek,” and not have it resonate back to the readings used at the service of my own ordination to the priesthood in December of 2007. Before that, when this passage from the letter to the Hebrews was ever read, that particular part seemed to be glossed over, even sometimes struggling to even pronounce the name Melchizedek. 

The long obscure name means something, especially if the writer of the letter is saying that Jesus is himself a “high priest,” an honor reserved only for those who were Levites and the line of Aaron. However, Melchizedek's priesthood predates Aaron and the Levitical line. Melchizedek shows up in Genesis and is referred to as a priest prior to the covenant with Abraham and prior to the Torah being given to Moses. 

When Jesus is called a High Priest, it is with reference to both of these previous priesthoods. Like Melchizedek, Jesus is ordained (set apart) as a priest that comes before the Law given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Like the Levite priests, Jesus offers sacrifice to satisfy the Law when he offers himself as a sacrifice for our sins. However, the difference is that Jesus only had to offer sacrifice once, for all, redeeming everyone who will come to God through him. Therefore Jesus is our great intercessor and mediator (our priest), the ultimate one who reconciles the creation to the creator.

It is good for us to take a minute to think about important the writer to the Hebrews thought it was to connect Jesus’ sacrifice to the priesthood, especially the priesthood of Melchizedek. In modern times, we realize that the sacrifice for our sins is completed. The saving work was done by Jesus on the cross. We are called, therefore, as his followers to make sacrifices of praise in thanksgiving, sacrifices of money to provide for the forgotten and those in need, and sacrifices of time for prayer. 

In the season of Lent, a time for preparation and introspection, we can ask the question, “what in our life are we willing to sacrifice in order for God to be glorified?”

Titus 3:1-15 (NRSV)

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Titus 3:1-15

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure.

I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. After a first and second admonition, have nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions, since you know that such a person is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned.

When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Make every effort to send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way, and see that they lack nothing. And let people learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet urgent needs, so that they may not be unproductive.

All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with all of you.

In the conclusion of his letter, Paul reminds Titus that Jesus saves us, “not because of any works of righteousness that we have done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth (baptism) and renewal by the Holy Spirit (confirmation).” Like yesterday’s reflection, Paul assures that salvation is open to everyone. And he’s reminding Titus that it is God’s grace justifies us through these sacraments. All we have to do is accept it.

It is easy for us to be sucked in to being “do gooders.” Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with doing good, but doing good works just for the sake of doing good works is a slippery slope. It can lead to feelings of self-salvation. I feel that Christians (those who have come to believe) should do good works as a response to our gift of salvation. We need to remember that good works alone will never save you. We are saved by grace.

As I think about the litany that Paul offers us today (Paul loves litanies): avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, I think we can understand what he thinks Titus may be up against. By the list, I am thinking that he may be battling a culture of self-serving people. You know that type. People that ask the same question of everything, “what’s in it for me!” These are the folks out to “follow the law” and be good and do all the right cultural things, thinking that it will somehow save them. However, they remain spiritually lost because the second piece (the reason) of the puzzle is missing. Jesus gives the believer a reason and a purpose.

On our journey through the season of Lent, it is a time for us to be reminded that our gift of salvation is a precious one. It was paid for by the work of Jesus on the cross. We have been made worthy only through Jesus dying for us. Worthy to be reconciled to God, our creator, who loves us more than we can understand. We need to also remember that we can’t get through this life alone. We can only do it by God’s grace and help.

Titus 2:1-15 (NRSV)

But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine. Tell the older men to be temperate, serious, prudent, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in behaviour, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, being submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.

Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.

Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to answer back, not to pilfer, but to show complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Saviour.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one look down on you.

I am always skeptical when someone claims to have all the right answers. And, it would be presumptuous for me to claim that I know the answers. Therefore, I think it is my job, as pastor, to help people live with the questions within the mysteries of God. I like to let God reveal the truth to others through my faith, in love, and endurance.

As I sit and think about this portion of the letter to Titus, I struggle with some of the imagery that swirls around in my head. Images of slavery, subjugation, and other old world patriarchal images. They are all there. However, if we look deeper at what Paul is trying to tell Titus, then the message (the sound doctrine) starts to surface above the social condition of the times.

If we take out all the literal and specific men, women, and slave talk, then several things that Paul says to Titus resonates with me. Paul lists a litany of behaviors for Titus: Consistency, temperance, seriousness, prudence, a sound faith in love and endurance… reverence, not slanderous, sober, self-controlled, committed to family, keepers of the house, a model of good works, teacher of integrity, confident speaker, humble, servant of others… These behaviors in any society would be considered correct or upright behaviors or traits for anyyone. Traits that would apply to all, not just men or women. Everyone, regardless of class or condition. The first sentence in the last paragraph drew me to that conclusion. Paul says “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all!” If salvation is brought to all, then God has made God's self accessible to everyone.

I wrote on Ash Wednesday about the “Spiritual Training Camp” that the writer of the letter to the Hebrew’s was describing. I saw the image of the season of Lent as being a time devoted to spiritual training. Today, Paul's words to Titus help guide us in our training, reminding us to continue to prepare ourselves because we are still a work in progress. We don’t have all the answers. We may never have all the answers. Nevertheless, part of not having all the answers, (part of living with the questions) makes ourselves open to the Holy Spirit and ready for anything that God might be doing with us. So, we should order our lives, be strong in the faith, and prepare. For the Glory of God has yet to be fully revealed in us.

Mark 14:12-25 (NRSV)

On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, "Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?"  So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?'  He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there."  So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.

When it was evening, he came with the twelve.  And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me."  They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, "Surely, not I?"  He said to them, "It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me.  For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!  It would have been better for that one not to have been born."  While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body."  Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it.  He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.  Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."

“New in the Kingdom of God” is the phrase that stands out today.  I envision everything made new in the Kingdom of God.  Many argue whether the Kingdom of God is something to come upon earth or if the Kingdom of God refers to an ethereal heaven.  All I know is what scripture tells us about the Kingdom, and in this passage it would seem to refer to heaven where Jesus drinks the new wine.

This scripture passage is perfect for today which is Maundy Thursday.  This is the day that Jesus commands us to continue the practice of repeating his last supper until he comes again.  In the act of remembrance, Jesus is present with us in the breaking and sharing of the one bread and the drinking of the wine which is his body and blood.

In Mark’s Gospel story, Jesus’ last supper is set in the context of the Jewish Passover meal.  The Passover meal for the Jewish faith is a anamnesis, or a calling forward of the events when Moses led Israel out of Egypt through the Red Sea.  As believers in Jesus, we share this tradition of anamnesis, and recall Jesus’ new covenant with us in the ritual meal of bread and wine.  The promises to us are a share with Jesus in the resurrection, and an eternal life with God.  In this passage, the disciples would understand what a blood covenant is.

In the beginning of the passage, Jesus knows what the disciples will encounter when they go into the city to prepare the Passover meal.  He gives them specific directions and describes what they will find.  At the table, Jesus even predicts his betrayal from those among him.

Our call today is in the first part of the passage – in the preparation.  As we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Our Lord, we are to prepare to celebrate His feast of the new covenant.  We are called to prepare and participate with him at the meal and on the journey to the cross.

Maundy Thursday is the night when Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane after celebration the most sacred meal of the Jewish faith, a reenacted memory of God’s salvation of God’s chosen people.  The Christian commemoration of the night remembers the great feast and the arrest of Jesus and leaves us in the darkness of the garden.  For us it is a powerful calling forward of that wonderfully terrible night.

Mark 10:17-31 (NRSV)

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"  Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.  You know the commandments: 'You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.'"  He said to him, "Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth."  Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."  When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.  Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!"  And the disciples were perplexed at these words.  But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."  They were greatly astounded and said to one another, "Then who can be saved?"  Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible."  Peter began to say to him, "Look, we have left everything and followed you."  Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions and in the age to come eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first."

A man asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  This earnest question is on the heart of all believers.  Today, Jesus offers the man and us a direct answer.  However, like the man, we may not like what Jesus is saying at first.  This scripture passage was also delt with on 2/5/2012.

The concept of wealth is a serious matter, especially in our capitalistic society where money is the scorecard by which people are measured.  It is almost as if society says, “he who dies with the most toys, wins!”  Jesus gives us a different opportunity to follow in a way that frees us from the bounds of society’s fixation on money.  He says that one must not be bounded by or governed by money.  The man in the scripture goes away grieving.  I wonder if the man sold his possessions.

If we sell everything we have, are we guaranteed salvation or eternal life?  I’m not sure that Jesus intends for us to live in poverty.  However, some have embraced this manner of life.  Having resources and money (like anything else) are hindrances to our salvation if we let their importance come between us and God.  Jesus wants us to understand this, emphatically.

Jesus uses hyperbole again, as he explains that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.  This is a ridiculous comparison, but makes the point.  He contrast this impossible feat by setting up the relationship that “for God, all things are possible.”  Jesus says that the believers will receive their reward now and in eternal life.

The call that I hear today is for us to be responsible with what God has entrusted to us.  We, as holders of the resources, should be diligent about building up the kingdom of God and using our wealth and resources to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

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 12:44-50 (NRSV)

Then Jesus cried aloud: 'Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me.  And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.  I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.  I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.  The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak.  And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.'

Today is the first Sunday in Lent.  The rhythm of the daily office moves away from the prayer of Jesus in John chapter 17 back to chapter 12.  The word that surfaces today in my initial reading is judge.  Jesus says that he didn’t come to judge the world, but to save it.

Jesus’ proclaims that belief in him constitutes belief in the one who sent him (the Father).  He has come to show the way (as the light) and deliver the world to salvation.  The world that rejects Jesus, rejects the Father, and is subject to the judgment of the Father.

Everyone who believes in Jesus, as a true disciple, does not believe only in Him, but in the Father who sent Him.  Jesus displays the glory of the Father and we learn to obey, love, and trust in him.  As believers, we are freed from the darkness of ignorance, sin, and misery.  We learn that the commandment of God is everlasting life, but the same commandment will seal the fate of all who reject it, despise it, or neglect it.

If we are to follow in the way of Jesus, then we are also called not to judge.  God is the only judge, and will deal justly.  The way I read this, it seems like those who reject, despise, or neglect God have already judged themselves.

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.

Mark 10:23-31 (NRSV)

Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!"  And the disciples were perplexed at these words.  But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."  They were greatly astounded and said to one another, "Then who can be saved?"  Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible."  Peter began to say to him, "Look, we have left everything and followed you."  Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age-houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions-and in the age to come eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first."

 

“Then who can be saved?!?”  That is a good question!  Jesus directly provides us with an indirect answer that perplexes his disciples, mystifies us, and makes some churches squirm.  I have been around some Christians that take the word “saved” to an astounding level, as if it were the ONLY reason to believe or go to Church…  I have often been the “smart aleck” and asked “from what” – or "yes, it happened on a Friday about 2000 years ago, but we didn't realize it till Sunday morning..."  knowing full well that it would launch a theological debate about soteriology (the doctrine of salvation through Jesus Christ).  Sorry, I am about nurturing people in the faith, so I'm not into the body count for Christ.  It’s almost as if some folks think the church is about selling some sort of celestial fire insurance (sorry, I won’t rant any longer).  Regardless of what our thoughts are surrounding the subject, we all want to know, “who can be saved?”

The scripture doesn’t say that those that have wealth are out.  Neither does it say you need to be poor.  Jesus just says it will be difficult for the wealthy.  (You have got to love Peter at this point, who has literally given up everything to follow Jesus.)  Jesus does assure us that whatever we give up for the sake of the good news, we will receive a hundredfold and eternal life.  So this makes one think…  what does salvation cost?  I don’t think that we, as mortals, can put a price on it.  It is beyond our understanding and impossible for us, but not impossible for God.  That may be the point of this passage.

To me the passage is saying a lot about the complexity of salvation in a very concise way.  I feel that the passage is trying to say that the way to salvation is a very difficult process, that requires us to unload our burdens, make ourselves vulnerable and submit to a process of formation that will take us against the norms of society.  It all starts with a belief in Jesus as Lord and progresses from there.  I am not saying that it’s anything you must do, but more what must be done to you and an acceptance of what has been done for you.  Jesus is the way to eternal life…  Jesus suffered death on the cross and bore the offenses of the whole world with him (yes, including ours)…  Jesus rose again, putting an end to death…  Those who believe in this are in fact saved (this is assured by scripture in several references).  But is that it?  Is that all there is to it?  That doesn’t feel as difficult as Jesus makes it seem in this passage.  So, the question that I offer now is…  We are saved by belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, what then are we going to do with it?

I feel that the call of the gospel today is formation (not salvation, but formation).  There are many ways to engage a process of formation.  Study, reflection, worship, outreach, sharing, discipleship, whatever you call it…  it’s all participation within the context of a Christian community.  Not home alone, but participating with others who nurture each other and hold each other up as the church.  I feel the gospel calling me to continuous formation, as the living Christ forms, informs, and transforms my life.  Only then can I truly understand the complexity of my salvation, and appreciate the sacrifices Jesus made on my behalf so many years ago.

John 7:37-52 (NRSV)

On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.  As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.'"  Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.  When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, "This is really the prophet."  Others said, "This is the Messiah."  But some asked, "Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he?  Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?"  So there was a division in the crowd because of him.  Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.  Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not arrest him?"  The police answered, "Never has anyone spoken like this!"  Then the Pharisees replied, "Surely you have not been deceived too, have you?  Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him?  But this crowd, which does not know the law-they are accursed."  Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, "Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?"  They replied, "Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you?  Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee."

“Why did you not arrest him?” – The leaders are at it again, and are afraid of Jesus and his prophetic message.  The festival has ended and Jesus offers us an invitation again to believe in him and the message that he brings.  He is the source of ‘living water’ – and offers the world a drink.

The Pharisees and scribes continue to question his authority and the source of Jesus’ message.  They get tied up in the semantics of where he is from and whether he fits the prophecy that has been handed down from the patriarchs and prophets.  It is interesting that they still havent done anything about Jesus who is obvoiusly upsetting the apple cart.

Nicodemus, a friend and follower of Jesus, moves in and returns the challenge.  He reminds the leaders that the law requires a hearing to determine if there is any quilt.  (We should remember that what Jesus is doing is not illegal.  It's upsetting the leadership, but it's not illegal)  The leaders are quick to challenge and dismiss Nicodemus too, stating that he must be a supporter because he is from the same place.

It seems that this texts has a lot to do with location.  Why is that where Jesus lives have so much bearing on who he is?  It kind of reminds me of someone (possibly from a small town in the south) saying to someone else, "hey boy - where are you from?" -- followed by "you ain't from around here are you!"  There are already folks that are outwardly calling him prophet and messiah and I think that the leaders are feeling more threatened than ever.  I feel that this text has a call to us to believe.  Not listen to the leaders who are condemning Jesus, but be willing to fully believe and then take a drink from the source of the living water, which is our salvation.