Matt 21:1-11 - The Humble Entry
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- Written by: Chris Appleby
The Modest Entry audio (4MB)
Matt 21:1-11
Have you ever wondered whether Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday surprised people? I mean, if he was entering the city as a king why didn’t he ride a chariot or a warhorse. You certainly wouldn’t expect him to ride a donkey, would you? Yet that’s exactly what Jesus does. He climbs on the least impressive of mounts and rides it into the city. And to our modern minds it all seems a little strange. Of course most of us have heard the story so often that we’re probably no longer surprised by it, but it is a surprising story, and no doubt it was just as surprising to many of those who witnessed it.
In fact what he does in riding a donkey is as significant to those of his day as the US President arriving on Air Force 1 would be for us.
1 Cor 3:1-17 - Building God’s Church
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- Written by: Chris Appleby
Building God’s Church audio (3MB)
1 Cor 3:1-17
Well it’s great to celebrate two years in this great building, to see how well it’s been used over that time and how well the congregation has grown. But perhaps a day like this is an opportunity for us to stop and think about what sort of church we’re building and how to make it stronger. In the passage we’re looking at today Paul uses the image of a building to describe the Church. In fact he uses three different metaphors to teach the Corinthians what it takes to build a healthy church. So let’s look at the passage and see what we can learn for ourselves.
He begins by pointing out that no matter how mature they thought they were, their actions actually showed the opposite. They thought they were filled with the Spirit and so were mature Christians but what he sees is quarrelling and jealousy.
Matt 26:17-30
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- Written by: Chris Appleby
The Lord's Supper audio (6MB)
Matt 26:17-30
The Lord’s Command to Prepare
It’s interesting to read the different accounts of the events around the crucifixion. Sometimes you pick up an interesting detail that’s in this account but not in the others. But equally instructive can be the things that are left out. In the case of Matthew’s account here, there are very few details given. In Mark and Luke the disciples are told to find a man carrying a jar of water, but here it’s just a certain man. In the other accounts two disciples, Peter and John, Luke tells us, are sent to prepare the meal. Here it’s a general command to all the disciples. It’s as though Matthew wants to cut down the detail so we’ll focus on what really matters. And what’s that? Look at the passage. Can you see what details are given?
Matt 25:31-45 - Goats and Sheep
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- Written by: Chris Appleby
Sheep or Goats audio (6MB)
Matt 25:31-45A
Matthew begins his record of Jesus teaching with the Sermon on the Mount, and that sermon finishes with the parable of the houses built on rock or sand, a parable of reward and judgement. And, significantly, Matthew finishes his account of Jesus teaching with this story of the last judgement.
Jesus tells them that when the Son of Man returns in glory he will sit on the throne of his glory and the reason he sits is to judge. There’s a cataclysmic nature to Jesus return. I think we sometimes imagine a scene where people are hanging around for Jesus to call them in to the courthouse. But here the judgement is closely tied to his return. This is reminiscent of the passage in Phil 2 where we read that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that he’s Lord. There’s to be a spontaneous response to his return.
Good Friday 2014
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- Written by: Chris Appleby
A Good Friday Set of meditations written by Chris Appleby, Ruth Newmarch and George Hemmings for St Thomas' Burwood, April 2014 with sonnets by Malcolm Guite.
John 18:19-24; 28-38 - CA
- Sonnet 1
John 18:19-24 “19Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. 20Jesus answered, "I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said." 22When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?" 23Jesus answered, "If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?" 24Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.”
John 18:28-38 “28Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate's headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. 29So Pilate went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?" 30They answered, "If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you." 31Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law." The Jews replied, "We are not permitted to put anyone to death." 32(This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.) 33Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" 34Jesus answered, "Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?" 35Pilate replied, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?" 36Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here." 37Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." 38Pilate asked him, "What is truth?" After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, "I find no case against him.”
The moment of judgement has arrived. Jesus is brought to Annas, then Caiaphas then to Pilate. John leaves out the brief excursion to Herod’s palace. Each of these men has the opportunity to examine Jesus and make a judgement about who he is. But none of them is able or willing to make a definitive statement. They ask lots of questions, to which Jesus gives very guarded answers but no firm judgement is made. Even when Pilate asks the Jewish leaders what the charges are they fail to say what he’s done wrong.
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THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE
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The 39 Articles of Religion are a summary of Anglican beliefs produced in 1562. This version has slightly updated language.
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