Villain to Apostle; Betrayer to Shepherd | Rev. John Arnold

We are easily anesthetized by the routine and mundane. When disaster strikes in the form of war, earthquakes, civil unrest, etc., we take ourselves off autopilot and come alive, and we often (and secretly) find life more meaningful for a while. Something similar can happen with Bible prophecy. The recent events in the Middle East has excited some in an unhealthy way. Yet as Jesus made his way to Jerusalem he challenged us to find our purpose and meaning in the responsibilities and blessings of attaching ourselves to Him and participating in His life. This we will find more purposeful (and challenging) than the “thrill” of any disaster or future speculation.

Sometimes life is amazing; And sometimes we must take up our cross and follow Jesus. Our Lectionary brings us the story of men who chose to turn to God even when their neighbours didn’t listen, even when the people around them persecuted them and oppressed them, even when turning to God meant a long, difficult journey that would result in more pain and suffering. But they still walked after God.

The Trinity is one of the hardest doctrines to define and understand. What is not hard to understand is that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together in unity and they share a love for one another from eternity. Jesus doesn’t ask us to be able to define the Trinity, although it’s important to know that He is God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But He does ask us to love one another. He does ask us to earnestly seek peace—to be unified. He asks us to follow His example and serve another

We are now in the Pentecost season and we’re celebrating the very Person who creates, sustains, and renews all of life. Sadly, many of us think of the Holy Spirit as an abstract power largely there for our blessing or equipping. But more than just being the source of gifts, it is through that Spirit that we are given the indwelling Presence of divine (eternal) life that we share with the Father and the Son. When Jesus talks about this indwelling He connects this reality to love, preventing us from treating our relationship with Him and with one another as something for our own benefit. And just as the Holy Spirit continually renews the creation He will continually renew us. Our readings today point the way to respond to that invitation.

The festival of Shavuot (Pentecost, lit. weeks) celebrates one of the most glorious events in Scripture – God’s revelation at Sinai. Once we grasp that glory is the tangible manifestation of God’s presence and goodness, we gain a deeper understanding of Jesus’ teachings in John’s gospel, where he promises to share His glory with us. This is not a mystical experience that falls out of the sky but it comes when we imitate Him in love and unity.

There is an unceasing human longing to return to Eden, and in virtually every generation since our expulsion we have hoped to regain a paradise lost. Yet our ultimate destination is not a garden, but a city – the New Jerusalem. The imagery of this place where God will finally dwell with his people is of a garden-city, dazzling with precious jewels, healing trees, and a crystal clear river flowing over pure gold. We may be tempted to think of this like a fairy-tale, except that Paul reminds us of all that we’ve already received in the Holy Spirit – and it’s just a downpayment of glorious things to come. (Eph. 1)

Secular historian Tom Holland has shown how the Christian revolution and its concept of sacrificial love has changed our world – so much so that we tend to take it for granted. Yet while love remains central to our lives and culture, it is often misunderstood and distorted. Jesus commands his friends to love one another as he loved them, and in John's gospel we see how it's practical and concrete: Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman; his provision at the wedding at Cana; how he deals with Judas, and more ... Passages in Deuteronomy help us understand Jesus’ biblical concept of love and reject the way our modern culture distorts and practices “love."

Love for Jesus as a prerequisite for a life of peace and serenity and as the basis for service in the kingdom of God that is acceptable to God.

Peter and Paul stand as shocking examples of grace—one denied Christ, the other persecuted Him. Yet Jesus comes to both not with condemnation, but with a call: “Follow me.” Peter is restored with a meal and a mission: “Feed my sheep.” Saul, struck blind, is given new sight and sent to proclaim the very name he tried to destroy. Their stories remind us: God doesn't call the worthy—He calls the willing. And following Jesus means not escaping suffering, but sharing in it for the sake of the gospel.

Peter’s sermon at Caesarea proclaimed the reality of the Resurrection that should shape culture, politics and everyday life. That message is just as relevant for us today as we face many of the same issues. We have a high calling to live in the light and power of the Resurrection and carry the Good News of God to the world.