Don't be Numbered With Them.



 

‘Many of

His disciples

left Him.’

 

You know the story.

Palm Sunday.

The search for a donkey.

The cheering crowds.

The quickly gathered leaves.

Coats thrown on the ground.

A welcome fit for a King.



And within days, Jesus goes alone to the Cross, to do a work for us that no one else could do.

Usually we journey in our hearts and minds through that week with Him.

Usually eight services in as many days, perhaps lit on an occasional year with mention of the Queen at Armagh Cathedral presenting the Maundy Monies, or a Kids' Brunch in the parish, or the once long sought for Agreement.

Holy Week. It’s barely noticed these days. Few businesses will close for the Three Hours on Good Friday, if anyone still remembers what that even means, and the lasting impression usually is of fluffy bunnies and Easter chicks.

Yes, the church has a bit of a job to do. Or does it?

This year will not be the same. Christians will not have the infrastructure around them to forget to attend.

As a child, it was still at the stage where we knew we were supposed to go to church at least once in Holy Week. Somehow, that was what was expected. Nowadays, it’s reduced to reminding the faithful at every possibly opportunity, that there are two great Holy Days in the Christian year, Christmas and Easter, and that Christians ought to find themselves in a place of Christian worship on those days.

But in truth, when you need reminding that something should be done, then perhaps it’s time for a rethink.

This year I cannot shake off the little phrase I noticed when a friend shared a reading from St John 6. You know the one with the loaves and fishes, the walking on water, and the teaching from Jesus that He is the Bread Of Life.

It is riven with the preparation for the Palm Sunday crowds, ahead of that lonely walk to the Cross.

+John writes, ‘Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.’ Throughout His ministry Jesus seems determined to avoid success by force. He will not be a false king.

When He is ready to speak, following the miracle of the fish and bread, He tells them of a different bread; of Himself, the Bread of Heaven, of our need to work for a bread that does not spoil.

Sometimes when reading the Gospels I laugh out loud, sometimes I squirm with recognition. Jesus knew they grumbled and told them to stop it.  They questioned His teaching, His claim to be the Bread from the Father. But he has the measure of them.

He reminded them that it is the work of the Spirit which will last, and +John notes that

‘From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.’

‘From this time on, many of His disciples turned back.’   … not the Palm Sunday crowd looking for an earthly hero king, not the by standers, the casual attenders, not the half hearted listeners. No, His disciples.  Isn’t this the same Jesus who knew, years before, that when called to the work and joy of His Kingdom, many would have every excuse not to respond… the new oxen, the new field, even the new marriage and family life.

I wonder what He felt on seeing the cheering Palm Sunday crowd. We know that His heart was still set on honoring His Father as He reordered the Temple as a place of prayer for all nations. We know that He was every aware of how Judas and Peter would behave in the days ahead. We know that he did not need to defend His reputation to Pilate, but kept silence a sheep before its shearers.

From that time on many of His own disciples turned back. I guess, that as I get ready for  a Quiet Evening on Palm Sunday, or the reopening of church buildings for Good Friday or Easter Day, that although my mind is wondering who and how many might attend on a great Holy day, but my heart and spirit are sitting with that little unsettling word from John, who noted how many of His own deserted Him.

Discipleship is not about the special event, or the large gathering. It isn’t even the well done from others, much as that is welcome. It is the heart-set, quiet and determined resolve to follow on in the ways of Jesus, come what may.

‘Though none go with me, still I will follow.’

I am reminded that Peter himself resolved to follow Jesus to the very end.

Yet the Lord went to the Cross, alone.

Perhaps the words from St John should act as a warning then, that many will fall away. My resolve then should be, not be numbered amongst them. Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Some Gifts Are Perfectly Timed ...

Image
Jesus appeared to His disciples  by the Sea of Galilee 'Wherefore I pray and beseech you,  as many as are here present,  to accompany me with a pure heart,  and humble voice,  unto the throne of the heavenly grace...' Some Gifts Are Perfectly Timed ... The watercolour above was an unexpected gift.  The artist, is a parishioner*, and has the lovely habit of the right word at the right time.  And sometimes the right picture too. It came by post, during the days set apart.  Whether rightly or not, I had anxiously opened it outside, disposed of the envelope, and set about reading the words inside.  It was several days before I lifted it again, looked more carefully, and realised that it was an original water-colouring, that there was a little ichthus* painted on the side of His boat, and the whole  scene was referring me to Galilee. Of course I was delighted by the card,  and the sentiment...
Read more

For the Days When All We Hear Is,' We Don't Know.'

Image
  From Everlasting  For days when all we hear is, ‘We don’t know.’ These days, when I write asking for dates, guidance or information, the answer is often,   ‘We don’t know.’ The unknown is sometimes more difficult to negotiate and navigate, that working with the difficult known. That’s my abiding memory of the first lockdown, learning that even a difficult time is made easier if you can see light at the end. It might be someone actually making a decision about exams dates or putting in place what must have been a difficult decision to close Church buildings for the first time. Sometimes when the decision is actually made, we are able to make the adjustments necessary when living though even the most challenging times. One of the notable stresses of this current lockdown is the shifting end date. It feels like a never-ending journey. I notice it in information I am preparing to the parish here.  There isn’t any guidance to share about confirmation be...
Read more

When The Shine Wears Off

Image
  When the Shine Wears Off Today was not a great day.  It had lots of potential, but it started without prayer.  And so working in my own strength and measure, I quickly forgot whose ministry it is, and who is Head of the Church. Each difficulty I met today, and there were a few, I took as a measure of my own work and worth; someone de-registering from our records, a leader or two who decided not to come back to their role in September, leadership holes beginning to appear here and there, third hand criticism that we don’t provide enough in one area, a phone call or two needed to still waters that might become choppy, and to cap it all … no one to click through a power-point on Sunday. Imagine. How did our forebears ever manage without digital technology? On another day, I would smile politely, and carry on. Today I was easily discouraged, because I forgot, again, that it isn’t my Church, it is His, it’s not my ministry, rather it is His, and the flock I am called t...
Read more