Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

Gospel centred sermons, based on the lectionary often in advance.

Jun 5, 2020

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18, NRSV)

Trinity Part 5

“The church took a Jewish boy and made him God.” I remember hearing these words from David Marr, the witty Australian broadcaster and journalist. He has a flair for biting satire, and I love his style, even though I do not always love his substance. In this case he is wrong.

It was the first followers of Jesus who recognised him as God, and it was Jesus himself in his teaching, especially the sermon on the Mount, in his healings and exorcisms, and in his “I am” statements in John’s gospel who claimed the authority of God. Paul recognises this authority in many of his letters and in more than half a dozen places in the stories about Jesus, people worship him, both before and after the resurrection. I believe Jesus is human and is God. Even if I was wrong it was the first century church including Jesus’ first followers who recognised him as their “Lord” and worshipped him.

It is difficult to understand how Jesus could be fully God and fully human just as it is difficult to understand how God could be truly One but also Three, but as I’ve said over the last few days this was the experience of the first believers including those who met Jesus face to face. It has also been the experience of believers since and we find lots of evidence for it in the Bible.

Jesus uses his Godly authority to tell his followers to make disciples, and at least part of this was to introduce them and connect them to God in teaching and baptism as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If we follow Jesus’ example and method, then we are to bring God’s healing, speak of God’s forgiveness and of forgiving each other, be the guest of sinners, and speak out against hypocrisy. We are to share our relationship with Jesus, as he shared his relationship with God the Father.

God of mercy and grace we thank you that you came among us in Jesus and are with us still by your Spirit, help us to faithfully share the relationship we have with you, so that others may come to know your healing, forgiveness, friendship, new life and authority. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.