Jesus in conversation with the past
Albert Bogle
June 17, 2016
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Mark 9:30-37
Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time
30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him,and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meantand were afraid to ask him about it.
33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms,he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
There is a great deal that requires to be reformed when it comes to searching for a more equitable society here in these Islands we call Great Britain. We must never become complacent in seeking out justice and fairness for all. Yet for me at least there is something precious and good about the lifestyle we all enjoy as subjects of the United Kingdom. Yes, I understand we are all different. The four nations that make up the UK all value their distinctive identities yet we live together, in comparative harmony, whether nationalist or unionists whether we call ourselves citizens or subjects.
Regardless of our political affiliations we share a common heritage and understanding of democracy. One which places the ballet box at the entrance to any change of direction we wish to take as a nation. This kind of democracy offers us protection and freedom. In other words we recognise that it is unhealthy for power to be concentrated in one person or political party for too long. Democracy gives us the freedom to vote into power a different set of politicians every four years.
The heritage of our Christian faith has played a part in our democracy. It has brought us in the past into times of controversy and indeed violent opposition to the State. It reminds us that left to our own devices humanity can sink to the lowest selfish common denominator and in doing so, much of the good we know and experience can be eradicated in a generation.
However today we can see that many of these conflicts have allowed us the opportunity to learn from the mistakes of history. All of us in the coming weeks require to seek the wisdom of the Almighty as we prepare to cast a vote that could change the future of our country for may years to come.
Lord,
Help me to read the signs of the times
Give me the wisdom to know the difference
Between power from within and power from without
Power that seeks to control
And power that seeks to release
Lord,
Today we pray for all who exercise influence over us
Employers and trade unions
The advertisers and the journalists
The politicians and business leaders
Friends and family
Above all thank you for the example of Jesus
Who gave up all power
So that we who are powerless might become
Reconciled and renewed
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