Ruined or Restored?

Today's news tells us of the appalling situation for Syrian refugees. 

The civil was there has been brutal and deadly, and nearly half the population has fled, desperate to avoid injury or death. The cities and towns are ruined by relentless bombardment. As one commentator mentioned, in the recent Gaza conflict, 2000 have been killed. In the Syrian conflict, that number is over 100,000.

Is there hope of restoration? Comments from one of President Assad's advisors present a regime still trying to convince the world that they are the good guys.

There doesn't seem to be any realistic good news coming soon.

Over 2500 years ago, a prophet of God spoke to a broken and despairing people. 'How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! 

The watchmen shout and sing with joy, for before their very eyes they see the Lord returning to Jerusalem. 

Let the ruins of Jerusalem break into joyful song, for the Lord has comforted his people. He has redeemed Jerusalem.' (Isaiah 52.7-9)

Jerusalem had been destroyed by the conquering Babylonian army, who had been brutal in their defeat of the small nation of Judah. Vast numbers had been deported to exile, and all hope of return or restoration had gone. 

But then the prophet Isaiah announces this extraordinary turn around. The ruined, boulder strewn streets are told that they will start singing for joy, because the One True God is about to act, to bring the captives back.

In the coming of Jesus, that prophecy was fulfilled, though the leaders of his time didn't see it that way, and he was executed. But, as we know, that was not the end of the story, for in the resurrection, we can see that the One True God is reigning as King.

Today, we will not encounter the problems of Syrian refugees, but our world is well and truly broken and ruined. So we all need to know that in Jesus we have God's final word of hope and restoration for a ruined world. And that message can bring change to the broken and ruined people we may encounter today.

Best wishes,

Richard

Protecting Children

The Rotherham report is shocking and appalling. We shall be hearing much more on this topic, for many different reasons, for some time to come.

Children have always been the most vulnerable members of any society. Pictures of children facing starvation, or as victims of bombing or earthquakes, are familiar scene in the media. It is for good reasons that the post war charity was named 'Save the Children'. 

Jesus had many encounters with children, and some of his most challenging comments referred to children and their care.'One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. 

When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.' (Mark 10.13-16)

Not only does Jesus see children as worthy of the highest value, he also sees in their helpless dependence a model for the way in which all of us must come to Him. Many are the adults who will not become childlike in their reception of Jesus. Adult arrogance is a besetting sin.

But Jesus also sees that adults have a high responsibility in their care of children. “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.' (Mark 9.42)

It is in this matter that the Rotherham report demands decisive action to remove those adults who have so obviously failed in their care of children.

It is because St. Andrew's Church takes these words of Jesus seriously that we invest heavily in our Youth & Children's ministry. We want many more children and young people to discover the wonder of being friends with Jesus. And there is no better way to be active in protecting children that to share the Good News of Jesus with them and their families.

Best wishes,

Richard 

Darkness and Light

It is striking that the flag which proclaims the presence of the Islamic State is black. Obviously, that makes the Arabic writing stand out more clearly, but the behaviour of their fighters reveals what Joseph Conrad called 'The Heart of Darkness'.

My prayer for the disintegrating Syria, for Israel & Palestine and now the terrible situation in Iraq has always been that the light of Jesus might be seen there. It is striking how often Jesus spoke of the effect of light in dark places.'Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8.12)

But Jesus was also aware that people have to choose whether or not to accept the results of being in the light, and not everyone will take that moral challenge. 'God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.' (John 3.19)

Today, people like you and me have the chance to live a different sort of life, making a difference where we are are. Again, Jesus set out this challenge very clearly.'“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.' (Matthew 5.14-16)

So we must resist the temptation to keep our light hidden, and instead bring hopeful change to those around us.

Best wishes,

Richard

Armed and Dangerous

The police in St. Louis, Missouri, have shot dead another black man, but this one was armed and dangerous, brandishing a knife, so they say.

The militants from the extremist group calling themselves Islamic State have executed an American hostage, in retaliation for the US air strikes against their colleagues in Iraq. This group is already notorious for their brutality and we know that their being armed makes them extremely dangerous.

The latest breakdown in the Gaza ceasefire is because both sides claim the other side is armed and dangerous.

These very different stories show how we are used to people justifying their violent behaviour when they can point the finger at others who need to be stopped from using their positions of power to cause damage to others. In the background lurks the claim of righteous self-defence.

Is there a different way?

St. Paul was used to the rough and brutal Roman world, and he describes his response to the struggles he has faced. But he did not use the violence of others as an excuse for his own violence.

'We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defence. We serve God whether people honour us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us.' (2 Corinthians 6.4-8)

It is striking that Paul talks of power and weapons, but it is God's power and the weapons are weapons of righteousness. He talks of serving God, which shows itself in sincere love for people.

In this brutal and dangerous world, I pray that people who follow Jesus will live in such a way that others are brought to the freedom of the children of our Father.

Best wishes,

Richard.

Just War?

When is it good to be violent and kill people? When can violence be used in self-defence? Many of these questions have been summarised in Christian theology and ethical debate over the issue of 'The Just War'.

These interesting academic questions are being addressed daily in the struggles in the wider Middle East. My sympathies are usually with the underdogs and the weakest, and I am suspicious of the 'might is right' views of many. 

Because all the settings in the present conflicts are complex, there are no simple and easy answers. Understanding the history and background to each setting is itself difficult for outsiders like ourselves. Until last week, we had probably never heard of the Yazidis, nor were we aware of the long history of Christians in Iraq.

Behind many of my reflections is the dialogue between Jesus and the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate. 

'Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him. 

Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?” 

“Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?” 

Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18.33-36)

There have been many debates about whether these words mean Christians should be pacifists, and refuse to fight in any setting. But many serious Christian disciples have accepted that there is a place for taking up arms to fight the evil and wickedness of others, in a proportionate and limited way. It is that which makes for a Just War.

Sadly, in the present Middle East, whether in Gaza or from the Islamic State group, there is no sense of limitation or proportionality.

I continue to pray that the light and life of Jesus will break into these places of darkness and death.

Best wishes,

Richard

The Only Remedy

Today's Centenary of the outbreak of the Great War brings many sobering reflections. 

'The war to end all wars' turned out to be far from the mark, and brutal and destructive wars continue with increasing visibility and publicity. The best efforts of peace makers seem doomed, as wickedness and hatred grow relentlessly.

Jesus lived in much the same world, apart from the absence of television! The Roman military machine was well known for its efficient brutality.

And in that setting Jesus, laid down the most astonishing challenge.'“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbour’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.' (Matthew 5.43-45, 48)

The only way to eliminate our enemies is not to kill them, but to act in love towards them, so that we become friends. In practice, that often starts when we can pray God's blessing on those who are our enemies. That seems to bring about the change in us that is the next step to dealing with the enmity.

But this is the only remedy that works to bring about a new world order. 

Today, I pray that the light and love of Jesus will come to those places where darkness and hatred rule.

Best wishes,

Richard

The Price of Peace

As we prepare to recall the start of the Great War - the 'war to end all wars', as people said, when it was over - it is good to hear that there is a fragile ceasefire in Gaza.

We can see, all too obviously, that the price of war and conflict is horrendous. 

In modern warfare, it is not only the soldiers and combatants that are killed and injured. Unlike most earlier conflicts, these days it is the civilians, especially women and children, that seem to be the most vulnerable. 

And after all this senseless suffering, nothing is gained by all the killing and suffering, because sooner or later, people have to talk, and find a way forward which brings about a new relationship.

This is true whatever the situation - whether it is international conflicts or family crises.

So if the price of war and conflict is high, what is the price of peace?

The New Testament is very alive to this question.

In the ancient world, in political, religious and cultural terms, there was inherent conflict between Roman, Greek, Jewish and pagan world views. St. Paul describes this graphically in his letter to the Church in Ephesus, on the western edge of 'Asia Minor' (=western Turkey)

'Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. In those days you were living apart from Christ. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. 

For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 

Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. 

He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.' (Ephesians 2.11, 13-14, 16-17)

Paul points to the costly death of Jesus, the shedding of his blood, as the means by which peace between people and God, and between different groups of people, can be won. There is no other way.

There is no peace to be had from constantly warring. 

Peace only comes when one side chooses to make peace, whatever the cost, and invites the other side into that process. Then a new relationship can be built. That way brings hope.

Today, we can all be peace makers, if we are ready to pay the price.

Best wishes,

Richard