From Numbers 21, we see the punishment for rebellion against God. We also see God in his mercy providing a way of redemption: a bronze snake. A replica of the poisonous snake, all the bitten who looked on it lived. We see then from John 3 that Jesus too has been made sin for us – he is a replica of our sinfulness, bearing it all. Those who look to him – who believe in Jesus – are saved; those who don’t are not. Why? Because people loved the darkness more than the light; so many prefer to die rather than to trust in God’s Son.

It is now a mere six days before the Passover celebration would begin. Jesus is visiting Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. During the meal, Mary poured expensive perfume over Jesus’ feet, wiping it with her hair. Jesus notes that she did it “in preparation for my burial”. Did Mary knowingly do so? Mary has abandoned all reserve in her regard for Jesus. She is willing to give up an incredible fortune to honour Jesus. Judas, meanwhile grumbles at the cost of the perfume. Ostensibly, he is interested in the poor – but really, he was a petty thief: if he’d had that money, it would have been in his pocket, not on Jesus’ feet.

The whole meal is one of celebration for the man who had raised Lazarus from the dead – proof of his goodness. Mary thought him worthy. Martha served the food. (Her act of love?)

But the goodness of Jesus to Lazarus meant that the leading priests decided to kill him too – because of the draw he was for people believing in Jesus. Does following Jesus open us to the same antagonism as Jesus?

From Luke, we read that “Satan entered into Judas”, who discusses with the authorities the best way to betray Jesus. They “promised to give him money” – at least on some level, Judas seems to have been motivated by greed. Why would Judas betray someone as loving and gracious as Jesus?

The disciples have realised that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Now, Jesus starts telling them that he will go to Jerusalem, suffer, be killed, and on the third day rise from the dead. Peter reprimands Jesus for saying this. Jesus says “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me.” Peter was seeing things from a human perspective, not God’s.

Jesus disturbed the disciple’s ideas of what the Messiah would be like. They didn’t like the idea of a Messiah that would die.

Jesus disturbs all those who follow him: to do so means giving up our lives for his sake. What does that mean for us here in Golden Bay?

Jesus disturbs our idea of “comfortable religion” – but reminds us that it is better to be disturbed now than on the Day of judgement.

We will enter into communion as a reminder that Jesus’ kingdom has been inaugurated, and will soon come. (verse 28)

Why is it that Jesus would eat with the “scum” of the earth? By refusing to play by the rules of status, Jesus shows us the heart of God – and highlights our own sinfulness.

Why didn’t Jesus encourage his disciples to fast? By refusing to play by the rules of religion, Jesus shows us that what matters is not religious observance but relationship with him. He also shows us that dried-out legalism is like an old garment which will tear: his new kingdom comes with new expectations.

Why did Jesus allow his disciples to “work” on the Sabbath? By refusing to play by the religious rules, Jesus reminds us that as the “Son of Man” he is the Lord over everything – even over the Sabbath. It is even shown in the Scriptures that the law was made to meet the needs of the people – and not the other way round. The law was made for us; we weren’t made for the law.

As we approach Easter – what were some of the ways that Jesus “disturbed” the status quo and upset those who would kill him.

Some controversial verses – but all for the encouragement of the church.

Sermon on 1 Corinthians 13.

Paul wrote to a church where there were serious social divides. How does one celebrate the Lord’s Supper in such a context – and how does the Corinthian situation and Paul’s solution apply to us today?