PGA Chaplain Bible Studies
Study Thirty Seven October 6th to 12th 2008.
Reading – John Chapter 20:21-23.
“A faith to be shared”
“Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father sent me, I am sending you.”And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”(John Chapter 20: verses 21 to 23 New International Version).
I recall after a game of golf over drinks at a Mid Amateur Championship last year, having a great conversation about Jesus with the group I played with. Then a friend of one of the players arrived at our table and was so embarrassed about our conversation that he walked away and waited until we had finished.
For many in Australia faith is a private matter and many feel uncomfortable about talking about God or Jesus. Some say we should not do this out of respect for others who may believe different or that it causes arguments, but these are usually excuses for talking about something that makes us feel uncomfortable.
I think the main reason is that talking about God touches the depths of our being, the values we hold and the kind of life that we live. If God is not at the centre of our life, it’s better to avoid this. I love talking about Jesus because he means so much to me. But there is a more important reason why we should be talking about Jesus. The reason is in our reading today. Jesus said to his followers; “As the Father sent me, I am sending you.”
In our reading this week, the risen Jesus has appeared to his followers hiding behind closed doors. Jesus brings a word of peace that we reflected on last week that shows he has overcome death and brought new life to the world. Then Jesus moves on to the next period of the disciple’s life by telling them he is sending them and that they will be given the Holy Spirit.
The Christian faith is a declaration of what God has done for the world in Jesus Christ. Jesus has defeated death, has taken away the sin of the world and brought us into favour with God. This message of love is to be proclaimed to the world. Of course not everybody is interested and some may even resent it, but all that Jesus means and is; is for everyone in the world.
On many occasions people have said to me about Jesus that they have their own faith. They assume that being a follower of Jesus is only a private matter for them. What they believe about Jesus is their business and not for anyone else. This is certainly a mistake when considering the words of Jesus. He sends us to share his love and our second chance at life with the world. His message is for everyone and how everyone spends eternity is determined by their relationship to Jesus.
We love to share good news and celebrate our victories with others. God is the same. He sends us to share his love with anyone we have a chance to. This has more meaning and significance than any financial crash, any golf victory and any matter of the weather and life. Somehow we speak of these other things so openly, yet cram up about the great deeds of God. What a shame!
We go and share because we care about God and others.
Prayer.
Lord, let my conversations reflect the things I really value, and may this include you. Amen
|
