From time to time we hear talk of ‘British values’. It is as though we in the UK have merits denied to others. It’s almost as though we set ourselves apart as an example to the rest of the world. Jesus said something to make us think again about this.
‘What will anyone gain by winning he whole world at the cost of his life?’ At this point in the Gospel story Jesus began to talk in sombre style about his life’s purpose. His disciples were shortly afterwards present at a mountainside experience when his unusual nature, his identity, was on display. As with his temptation in the wilderness it was clear that there was something different about Jesus, about his origin and his destiny. The disciples were dumbfounded. This was beyond their understanding. We find this account in Matthew 16 and 17.
We take it that the disciples were representative men of their time and place. They had ingrained habits of thought and all that characterised the children of Israel in their understanding of godhead. It did not make sense that their extraordinary teacher who gave them so much to think about was heading for misunderstanding and rejection by those who should have given him the best of welcomes. Would we have thought differently if it had happened to us?
At this turning-point in the story the disciples are being obliged to consider what really mattered to them in life, what was worth securing at all costs, what they really valued. In those days there was not the inclination as there is nowadays to divide a population into winners and losers. Life was more static, more predictable. There was not so much to win and much more to lose before the days of mass production and mass consumption dangled prizes before everyone. But the essential question remained.
It was not until after his death that it began to become apparent what this life had been about. The enormity of events involving Jesus was being brought home to Jesus’s disciples, particularly the inner ring of Peter, James and John, but the pattern behind that choice was to turn on what his death and resurrection signified.
Here we have Jesus talking about the things that matter – not just today, not just in the northern hemisphere, not just to people who see themselves as the inventors of parliamentary democracy, cricket and fair play. He is speaking of what is of value to all the world’s peoples. Hopefully we understand that but we can’t claim it as a ‘British’ value.
GLASTONBURY
Hardly anywhere in Britain can claim to be more British than Glastonbury. Replete with legends about Joseph of Arimathea, a visit to England by Jesus, a thorn tree and having echoes of Camelot, the town cxrries a crushing historical burden. David MacGeoch leads a strong ministry team at St John’s. The church aims to be ‘a spiritual centre at the heart of the town for everyone.’
If you have a comment on this post please send an email to Revd John King at johnc.king@talktalk.net Edited extracts may be published. To forward this to a friend click on the chain icon below.
留言