Journey to the cross- The Commotion

"Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves, and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He was teaching and saying, 'Is it not written 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers.' And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill him; for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching. And when evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city" (Mark 11:15-19).

That is it, all my hard work over the last three days, gone to the drain, thanks to that joker on you left hand side standing next to the fig tree.

Then everyone is talking about pigeons? Pigeons are everywhere but why is everyone just talking about it like the British  people just won't stop complaining about the Weather. Apparently, some pigeons even flew to the Holy of Holies, and the priest was not in the best of spirit when they saw the pigeons flying and making a nuisance of themselves. I can tell you! It is gonna take ages to round them up.

Mind you, I am sure pigeons are homing birds. Aren't they? In that case, if I shake a bag of food, and back they all come. Though my coins that I worked hard for, won't do that. If it would, it would not help my circumstance as you know what all those beggars are like in the temple courts-one chink of a coin they would come running like chickens round the seed. When that madman turned the table over, half the money didn't even hit the floor before it was gone!

Poor Jedidiah, got told to get off the courtyard! What is the world coming too? He wasn't doing any trouble, I know those Ark of the Covenant models he sells are on a tacky side, but still the point is that Jedidiah doesn't deserve to get off the courtyard. Crucifixion's too good for guys like that. What do we pay the temple guards for, anyway? They should be making sure these luncatics don't even get-in-especially if they are armed.

You got to be careful around here, people spurting insults like there is no tomorrow, and no one wants that, especially in their little holy bubble. Can you hear, that? Absolutely quietness, I bet you, that they are planning on something.

But you see! We are smart enough not to say it to their face. As we don't want to cause a commotion, not on their home ground. So we are still going to be alive by the end of the week. Well that is my hope!

Journey to the cross: The Donkey

Now when they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 telling them, “Go to the village ahead of you. Right away you will find a donkey tied there, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you are to say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet. (Matthew 21: 1-11)

Jesus asked Matthew and Judas to go to the village and find a donkey in town. Of they went, trodding along  and bickering with each other on their way to town to find a donkey.

"Judas you haven't spoken since Jesus asked us to fetch a donkey, are you OK? As you never shut up? Oh, you are not steamed up about getting a donkey? After all, Jesus put us in charge because he relies on us, has complete trust and faith that we accomplish this task. Furthermore, if we couldn't he wouldn't put us in charge. Got that! Now please, would you just cheer up, even a minute, I don't think I can handle another second of your grumpy face."

"Just hold your horses please, a baby donkey is silly, its not an animal for a saviour of Jerusalem to ride on? I said to Jesus I knew a quy with a good horse, but oh no he wasn't having any of it. I tell you something, people would think  Jesus lose his marbles by riding on a flipping baby donkey?"

"Really, is that why you got your grumpiness face, over nothing. Did you not hear the crowds roaring-hosanna to the Son of David, and all the rest of it. If you didn't, something is definitely wrong with you, we were right in the middle of it! There was nowhere to hide. Mind you, I never thought a poor fisherman from Galilee would be able to say that!"

"You always think you a better than me, don't you. They might be cheering today, as you cannot boo to a king when he is standing near you? He might chop your head off! What he should off done, was to ride in with a horse and start a revolution. I told him if he waited. we would get somewhere. Though he wasn't listening, just gave me that funny look to say he has and if I was a little child being rebellious towards a parents or an adult. That was my que to get that annoying, ridiculous, ludicrous donkey."

"Ah poor little Judas! Cannot deal being wrong, can you? Is your pride hurt by going to find a donkey and not a horse? Were you born to better things?

"Would you just shut up, Peter!! You are doing my head in. I can deal being wrong, but you stepped over the boundary with pride. Just if Jesus wants to be king, he ought to start acting like one.  You know act your age than the shoe size. That's what I think, anyhow."

" Oh come on, it's only banter, don't be so stroppy! Maybe Jesus is finding his feet of being a king. It might be a lot of work that goes undercover that meets the eye. It reminded me of that bit from Zechariah, you know?  How does it go?  'Rejoice, daughter of Zion!  Here comes your king, triumphant and victorious; humble, and riding on a donkey."  Something like that, anyway.  Surely fulfilling ancient prophecy is pretty good for a messiah?

"Oh, Bartholomew the scholar.  Ancient prophecy's all very well, but it's not much use in the here and now, is it?  What we want is the new world Jesus was talking about, with us all on thrones and the Romans kicked out.  Isn't that what we're following him for?  Isn't it, James?  John?  You two were quick enough to try and bag yourselves the best seats for when Jesus is in charge."

"Hey, stop pressing people buttons, that was our mum, not us.  Anyway, you heard what Jesus said about that.  'The last will be first and the first will be last,' - which now I think about it, fits in pretty well with his king-riding-on-a-donkey act.  If you're looking for power and glory, Judas, I think you're following the wrong guy."

"Yes, and that's just what's so frustrating.  He could do anything, Jesus could. Anything!  He's got that spark, that... that.. charisma.  You've seen him!  He just has to crook a finger and people will do what he wants.  If anyone could save this wretched country he could - and I thought he was going to do it!  And then he sat on a donkey and threw it all away.  Just threw it all away."

What a run!

First time ever since a long time, on purpose I left my phone at home, took my fitbit off and run, with no plan, no destination, no maps. Just two feet and roads! In the end I run to Wylam and back via a massive hill. And something just hit me, O.K. first off don't worry I am not injured just has a light bulb moment. I haven't been doing any Christianity work, apart from going to church I tend to set aside ten minutes in the morning reading the bible and ten minutes in the evening. Recently, that came to a standstill. So as I was running and let my mind go off on one. I thought to myself, you know what I miss reading the bible and getting closer to God.

I like Lent, it gives us a chance to start new, with a new clean slate, though first of all you have confess any sins and receiving absolution. I have been taking part in Lent, again like last year I didn't give up something as I always found that my attention is not Jesus it's on that one particular thing that I gave up. Instead, I had the phrase 'What Would Jesus Do?' and do one thing for someone like sending them a card saying you miss them. Say hello to someone! Really simple things, but it can make a difference to that person who receives your kindness. In a way, it shows Jesus love.

Despite how it can often feel, Christianity is not about manufacturing suitable emotions.  Christianity is a statement of fact.  Christ reigns.  I do not.  However sinful I do or do not feel, Lent is a time of moving myself from a throne to a cross, in order that Christ may move from a cross to a throne.

We are now about to enter a week called, 'Holy Week,' we are reminded of what Jesus did for us and how His actions define Him. Because He rose from the grave, we know that Jesus is the author and perfecter of our lives. He is our security and significance.

I decided after I came back from my run, that I would be writing a series, called 'Journey to the cross.' I feel the name fit quite appropriately, since I am nowhere near the cross  and following Jesus. After all in holy week and easter as a whole we are reminded that Jesus died on the Cross for us, for our sins.

If you are interested in reading the 'Journey to the cross,' come back on the Sunday 25th March, I got a bit writing to do till then!!!!!!!!

Reflection on Easter Sunday

Sometimes it doesn’t work out as you expect.
Sometimes even though you know
the game is up,
even though you know
the inevitable outcome,
even sometimes when you have given up yourself…
…it doesn’t work out as you expect.

There are those days when the child,
who has been running away for years,
every week, without fail,
…doesn’t.

The day when the disabled child,
is finally accepted for who they are.
When the traveller,
for so long the outsider,
suddenly becomes a friend.

There are those days when,
in the face of despair,
for some unexpected and
incomprehensible reason,
our long dead hopes
are brought back to life.

There are those days
we suddenly realise
the stone has been moved…
… and the tomb is empty.

Reflection on Holy Saturday

What was it like for the first disciples?
What was it like to live on that first Holy Saturday
when all hope is gone,
when all that we love is lost,
when God is dead?

We know the end of the story.
We know of resurrection,
so we do not wish to dwell in this dark place,
we want to rush on to Easter Sunday,
when life returns.

It is too hard to live on Holy Saturday,
to spend our time in the dark and conflicted places
of Golgotha and Gethsemane,
the place where despair has all the best answers
to our questions.

But what of the people who have no choice?
What of the people who always live on Holy Saturday.
The child beaten and abused at home
whose only hope is to run away?
The child living with alcohol misusing parents,
Trapped, too young, into adult responsibilities.
The disabled child,
never given the chance to join in.
The refugee child,
always a problem,
never simply a person.

What must it be like to live on Holy Saturday,
when we do not know how the story ends?

When hope is absent
who will be there to look after them?
Who will be there for the children
on their Holy Saturday?

Reflection on good friday

It was the Romans who killed you,

who nailed you to a cross

to punish you for thinking differently.

Murdered for daring to challenge the might of Imperial Rome.

Murdered for daring to suggest that the world should be different, 

that it could be rearranged for once,

not to make the powerful comfortable,

but deeply uncomfortable.

Or, 

maybe it was the religious leaders who wanted you dead?

For challenging their deeply and sincerely held religious truths, 

for shaking things up and rocking the boat,

for daring to suggest that just because 

we have always done it like this,

we always must?

We cannot challenge the guardians of tradition,

where would we be without it?

Better surely to let one man die….

No!

It was the crowd!

It was their fault

It must have the been the crowd who gathered and cried “Crucify!”

who are the ones who killed you.

What they need, you see, is a scapegoat, 

someone for the Romans to blame,

so that they won’t come looking for anyone else. 

Or 

maybe it was me?

Maybe you should pity me, 

for on this Good Friday,

I will stand with the Romans,

because I, who have everything,

don’t really want anything to change.

I will stand with the religious leaders,

and make sure that my traditions are honoured,

no matter who they exclude.

I will stand with the crowd,

who already know who is to blame 

for all that goes wrong.

And I will cry “Crucify”

Not the blog post I was intending to post

Sometimes my mind and my fingers aren't not on the same page and it's one of those days. So you might wish to read this post and ponder about Lent and Easter. Maybe soon, my mind and fingers are going to be on the same page.

What is Easter all about and why do lent?

If you ask children this question you might get random answers.You might get an answer of pancakes, well they are tasty aren't they. My favorite topping is maple syrup and a bit of apple. Then you have easter eggs. Oh and don't forget hot cross buns! Though they must be a significant reason why we celebrate easter apart from the food we eat.

So why do we celebrate easter, you may be asking. It’s  the time of year when we remember Jesus’ death and resurrection.

The word ‘lent’ as come from an Anglo Saxon word ‘Lenten’ which means spring. Lent represents the 40 day period of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. Lent runs from Ash Wednesday the Holy Saturday (the day before Easter). Many people, rather than fasting food completely, fast from a pleasure, desserts or watching TV. What are you giving up for lent?

My answer to that, is nothing. Not because I’m perfect, or a perfect Christian. But my experience is that my energy is solely on not having this one desired thing. For me, i’m bad with a cup of tea and coffee. So the 40 days, I am focusing on coffee and tea. Which isn’t the right way to go about lent. Is it?

I bet you didn’t know this, in some churches, some of the decorations are removed during lent such as flowers, as a sign of grieving. Lent is never mentioned in the Bible. Maybe you call me an evangelical Christian, I recognise that because Jesus has died for us, we no longer have to be mournful and sad, and we definitely don’t need to do anything to earn forgiveness!

You might be saying to yourself, I hope. What you are saying, Rebecca. That Jesus death was pleasant. Of course not, yes, Jesus’ death was horrible and unpleasant, but it was also victorious and life-giving! Yes, we should be repentant  of our sin, but we do not need to dwell in it any longer.

So no, you do not have to celebrate Lent, and in fact some ways of making Lent may in fact be unhelpful for your walk with God. So the answer to my previous question about having 40 days focusing on coffee and tea, is that the right way about participating lent? Didn’t think so, either.

See that? That’s the end of your nose. Any maybe just a short space in front of it. Pretty easy to focus on that isn't it? What does lent mean for you? Is it focusing on your nose? Is it focusing on your desired beverage or food? Thank you, it’s about Jesus.

I might not be giving up something this year for lent. Though I am doing lent in a very unique manner. Some of you have good eye to detail and looked at my card. No don’t worry, I won’t be asking you make cross stitch cards. Maybe you are like me , you give up something you like and your attention for 40 days is that one thing. I am urging you to do not that. As we discovered this morning that lent is about Jesus. Jesus loves us no matter what. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone gives a bit of love now and then. Which is why, I am doing lent in a strange way by doing something thoughtful to a person. It could be a simple as holding a door for someone. It could be a big kindness by asking someone on the street that you believe is homeless and ask them if they would a like of tea.  Or it could be just you want to show your friend how much they are appreciated by sending them a card or give them a call.

During lent, make sure you are focusing on Jesus!