To Save, Not Condemn

Gospel: John 12: 44-50

For the second time in the Gospel of John we find Jesus saying that he came not to condemn the world, but to save the world.  We might find that message refreshing as religion so often postures itself in condemnatory tones.  We also might well ask ourselves in what way Jesus set about to save the world.  The most popular answer is that his death magically cancelled away all our sins, and all is now right with the world.  Even one who scarcely watches the news knows this is not so.

The entire life of Jesus was set about to save the world.  He went about from place to place healing people of their infirmities, turning away no one.  He freed people from the demons that possessed them and held them captive.  He sat at table with all sorts of people eating and drinking with them.  He fed vast crowds of people with fish and bread, again excluding no one, making sure everyone was fed, everyone was healed.  And he chose non-violence.  He chose to die an unjust death rather than wield the sword.

It is the entire arc of Jesus' life and death that is salvific for the whole world.  It is only in a life of caring for others in the way Jesus did, and in setting aside violence and strife, that we can find salvation.  The alternative is the life of self-interest and violence to which we are accustomed, the ways that lead to poverty, crime, and degradation.  By choosing to follow the way of Jesus we follow the path of light, the path that leads to salvation for ourselves and others. 

Are You the Messiah?

Gospel: John 10: 22-30

Jesus never directly states that he is the Messiah of God.  Even when directly asked in today's Gospel portion, Jesus merely refers those who ask to the works he performs.  The Messiah was said to be the healer of the nation, the liberator of Israel, and the provider for the people.  Jesus went about healing people of their infirmities, liberating them from their demons and what possessed them, and feeding people at table and in fields.  The works seemed to fit the title.

However, people in Jesus' day saw the works as a means to an end rather than the end itself.  They saw the healings and such as all well and good, but for them the important thing was to turn that work into what they saw as the real work - the use of political and military power to oust the Romans from the region and restore the kingdom of Israel.  At that point, in their view, these works of healing, exorcism, and feeding are no longer important or necessary.

But for Jesus, the works of healing, liberation, and nourishing are the end in itself.  That is the work of the Messiah, not the political and military aims.  Since that time, the debate over the Messiah continues along the same lines.  Many would use Jesus' works for political and military ends, while others see the healing, liberating, and nourishing as the work itself.  The example of Jesus makes clear what the authentic answer to the question is in every time and place. 

The Model Leader

Gospel: John 10: 11-18

Everyone has a sense of who truly cares for them in their lives.  The people who spend time with them, who pay attention to them, and respect them are those we come to trust as those who have our interests and welfare at heart.  We may find such people among our family, friends, teachers, mentors, and clergy.  Their interest in our life has nothing to do with their self-interest or gain.  They genuinely care for us as we are and for ourselves alone.

We might find such relationships rare nowadays where self-interest and transactional relationships seem to be the norm of modern society.  Nevertheless we have this ideal of a shepherd - one we seek for ourselves, and one we seek to be ourselves for others.  This ideal is found in the person of Jesus who sent from place to place modeling this care for others: engaging people face to face in their needs and at table, sharing and listening to others in their hopes and fears, joys and sorrows.  

People long for and need such people in their lives, and they need to be such for others as well.  So often even church feels transactional and self-interested activity where selling time shares in a pew is really the goal rather than care for others.  Today is a day for us to reflect on how we might model the example of Jesus in being a good shepherd for others.  It is a day to reflect on who those shepherds are in our lives, people we trust and rely on.