Reading: John 12:12-36

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is the culmination of his determination to voluntarily, obediently, and intentionally go toward the very place where he will suffer, die and rise. Jesus clearly knows this is his path and heads toward Jerusalem and all that awaits him. Our reading briefly gives an account of his arrival, the humility that enters on a young colt, the crowds that praise him for the miracle of Lazarus’ raising, and the religious leader’s resentment toward him and his popularity even here in the Holy City. There is a surprising repetition in the remainder of the passage above: “glorify” (John 12:16, John 12:23, John 12:28). Coupled with this humble entry we have a picture of God who displays his glory in the most unexpected ways: suffering, humility, service, forgiveness, and grace.

Reading: Joel 2:12-19

We know very little about the prophet Joel and there is debate about the time and circumstance surrounding this short prophecy. Joel moves effortlessly between talk of invading locusts and invading armies. To what extent is this a literal or metaphorical writing? In the absence of the capacity to locate the writing with historical certainty there is a certain timelessness to the book of Joel. It seems to have the capacity to find meaning in many contexts. Joel can certainly be read in light of any historical environmental crisis - including our own. In fact there is a distinct connection here between God’s anger, the capacity of the environment to sustain, and the grace of God demonstrated through the blessing of a fruitful land. As is characteristic of the prophets, there is a call to a return to God on a heart level - not simply a ritual level.

Simplicity

Vision for Mosaic for 2024

Silence & Solitude

Being spiritually alive, and emotionally healthy doesn’t 'just happen' and it doesn’t always come easily. We live in a world where there is an enemy who wants us be unhealthy in these areas. Today we’re going to open this new series by taking a look at the greatest enemy of spiritual health.

Ephesians 6:10-20 & 1 Peter 5:6-9

Reading: Luke 1:46-56

As we begin to move closer to Christmas we are returning to the opening accounts of the Gospel of Luke. Luke is one of the Gospels that tells a number of stories around the birth of Jesus. One of these is the prophetic song of Mary as she celebrates the generosity and grace of God in sending the unborn Jesus into the world. Mary recognises here that God has ‘exalted the humble’. This ins not simply an account of God’s work in this young girl, but also a way of pointing to themes in the Gospel of Luke. Mercy, the blessing of ‘generations’, the scattering of the ‘round and haughty’, and the filling of the ‘hungry’.

Title: Jesus and Politics

Reading: Luke 23:1-25 & 24:1-12

The account of Jesus’ trial brings political power and Jesus into direct conflict. The telling of the account reveals the initial reluctance of Pilate and Herod to convict. Pressure from the religious leaders and the crowd eventually prevail and Jesus is convicted, executed, and buried. It is a sobering account of the world’s rejection of the values Jesus stood for and their threat to those with an interest in the status quo. Jesus’ story, however, does not end in death. Rather it takes a predicted - and yet surprising - turn when Jesus rises from the dead. This is the life-through-death-to-life path we are invited to follow.

Reading: Luke 11:33-54

Our passage begins by alluding to the possibility that the very ‘light’ we choose to live by can actually be ‘darkness’. It is a disturbing image pointing to the blindness that religion can inspire. This saying of Jesus precedes an encounter with a Pharisee over a meal. Here Jesus is judged to have fallen short of the religious requirements surrounding food consumption. Jesus fails to wash his hands prior to eating. Jesus is aware of this unspoken criticism and sparks a wave of anti-beatitudes against the gathered religious leaders. Jesus repeatedly uses the phrase ‘What sorrow awaits you…’ Central to all this is the cutting phrase ‘you ignore justice and the love of God.’ Strangely, part of Jesus criticism is that they align themselves with a religious history that executes the very messengers of God. Strangely, they prove to be so blind - read lit by darkness - that they leave with plans to murder again.

The Baptism of Jesus