Pastoral Letter 207
Dear Members of St. Andrew’s Uniting Church, Friends and Adherents,
Grace and peace to you all.
Tomorrow, we commence the sixth week of Lent, which takes us into the Passion, or the Holy Week and we reflect on the suffering and the anguish of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who was prepared to give His life as a ransom for our sins. As we will reflect and retell the story of His suffering and death, let us remember that all those things happened by His grace and because of His unconditional love. What an amazing grace demonstrated in the ultimate sacrifice on the cross.
Palm Sunday is the day we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where He was condemned, tortured and crucified only to rise again on Easter morning conquering death and sin. So, as we continue our journey with Him at the end of this Lent season, let us be ready to acknowledge what He has done to save us.
Last Sunday I was at the Willoughby Armenian Evangelical Church for the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia’s (AMAA) Sunday Worship. Our friend, Bob Minton, covered for me, leading the Service and preaching. Once again, a big thank you to Bob for doing this service for God’s glory. Following the Sunday Service, AMAA had their Annual Fundraising Luncheon, here in our War Memorial Hall. They were able to raise $27,000 dollars from the set target of $50,000 for “Housing Project” for the refugees of Artsakh. Still new donations are coming in and hopefully reach the target. The AMAA thanks our church for providing the space free of charge to have the fundraising function and for their continuous support to the projects.
Last Wednesday we had our Bus Trip to Wentworth Falls Lake. We stope ad Jamisontown, at Trench Reserve near the Nepean River, for a big Morning Tea. After that we headed to Wentworth Falls Lake, where we had our lunch, sausage sizzle BBQ and a good time, enjoying the company. Before heading back to Longueville, we stopped at Schwartz German Bakery for coffee and deserts. Those who joined us, had a good time and returned back safely. A big thank you to Rev. Gaby and Bankstown Uniting Church for providing their bus for the day and driving. Already we are planning the next trip.
Last week, just before Palm Sunday and Easter, the church roof restoration has been completed; the moved tiles are back in place, the whole ridge caps all the way were reinstalled with new ones, flushing fixed, two new whirlybirds installed, and all the gutters were cleaned. We have been given ten years guarantee for the job done. Also, buy the government initiative, our both hot water electrical thanks were changed with brand new ones at no cost. These tanks are more electrically efficient.
Please continue to pray for those who are going through difficult and tough time, seeking God’s presence, help and healing.
If you are not able to join us tomorrow, please light a candle and join us following the attached Order of Service.
Please let me know if you or anyone else has prayer points.
Here are some prayer points for this week:
- Pray for this Lent season, as we reflect examining our faith in Christ and move into the Holy week.
- Pray for the Middle East, and the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
- Pray for the people Artsakh who are refugees in different parts of Armenia facing many challenges.
- Pray for the poor, the sick, the struggling and the stressed.
- Pray for those who are going through a difficult time with health and financial issues.
- Pray for our church and our future plans as we seek God’s guidance.
Best Regards
In Christ
Krikor
MESSAGE
“Are We Going After Him?”
John 12: 16 – 19
In the television program Australian Idol, we see special guests, well known celebrities, come in to listen and coach young talented performers and to give advice. It is interesting to note the reactions on the young performers’ faces when they first meet these “famous” people. Most seem to be in some kind of shock. As for most of them that meeting is probably a once in a lifetime meeting. They become so excited and grateful.
Meeting or even catching a glimpse of some famous person can draw out people by the hundreds.
We recall in previous years the visits of Royal Family members, world political leaders, religious people like the Pope, where we see people who want to be near, and to hear what those famous people might say. Thousands of people, young and old, endeavour to get near as much as they can, to touch or lay a hand on them, hand out the program, piece of paper, a musical album, a tennis ball, or anything with a significant meaning to get a signature.
We always see people get close to a famous person, like musicians, athletes, actors, etc. trying to have a good glimpse or even a handshake and a touch of hand, to have a wonderful memory of that famous person. People do similar things to express their feelings and loyalty.
On Palm Sunday, some two thousand years ago, a great man came to Jerusalem. To this point, Jesus had performed many miracles, but it seems that the healing of Lazarus had been the last push for the Pharisee’s.
The story of Palm Sunday is reported in John chapter 12, but chapter 11 reports Jesus bringing back to life a dead man named Lazarus. In response to this act, multitudes of people believed Him and knew that there was something different about Jesus. He was not like other prophets and teachers. He was really the Son of God and hence they went after Him and followed him.
On the other hand, the response of the Pharisee’s was a bit different. In John 11, 47-48 we read: Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
They were worried and were looking for a way to deal with this matter.
The Passover was at hand and the celebration of God’s provision for Israel was about to commence. And with Jesus entry into Jerusalem, God’s ultimate Passover lamb was coming to be sacrificed.
I have often wondered why the crowd of people that came to hail the arriving king, so quickly turned from praise and adoration to the desire and even pleasure at seeing Christ crucified. Here they are going out to honour the arrival of a king, the waving and laying of palm branches was a common greeting for kings. Crowds often gather to welcome dignitaries. But the reason for their turning becomes more apparent with an understanding of what the crowd was looking for.
The Pharisee’s didn’t understand the mission of Christ. If we recall what they said: “If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
They thought that Jesus will take their place as spiritual leaders of Israel. Yes, He certainly will. Jesus will take their place as national leaders of Israel. Yes, He will. But that was not why He was coming to Jerusalem on that day. The people were in fact looking for this king that would set them free from Rome and restore them to national fame.
Hosanna, Hosanna; we sing it today, but do we know what the words mean. Literally the words mean, “Save Now, Save Now.” Set us free, give us prosperity, give us health, do for us what you did for Lazarus and so many others. Give us, give us, give us and give us NOW.
But Jesus response to their call for a military hero was: “I come in peace.” You see kings don’t arrive on a lowly donkey; they arrive in style. Kings arrive on private planes, Kings are driven in limousines, and barricades are set up for the signatories, to keep the people’s arms away.
In that period, kings came to town on the back of a mighty stallion, restrained in armour. But Jesus came on the back of a donkey. John states as a fulfilment of prophecy. Jesus didn’t come to fulfil the expectations of the people for a national leader, to overthrow some government. He came as the prince of peace. He came to offer His life as a ransom for all that would believe. He came to offer eternal life – “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (Jn. 17:3)
Many people were coming to see Jesus because they thought He was going to set them free from bondage. But there were actually three groups of people that were present on the first Palm Sunday.
Notice in verse 12 it states that “a great multitude” came out of Jerusalem to meet Jesus. Then notice verse 17 states that a “multitude” was with Him when He raised Lazarus, and this multitude was “bearing witness” about Jesus.
The three groups were:
- There was the group that heard Jesus was coming and went out to meet Him.
- There was the group that were traveling with Christ and went into the city to proclaim His coming.
- There was this third group that responded based on testimony.
Now we have no doubt that none of these realized who Christ was. They all came because Jesus had raised Lazarus. Verse 16 states that even the disciples didn’t understand what was happening yet.
My question is:
Why have you and I come to follow Jesus?
- If we have come because of the miracles He has done, even in our lives; we can quickly become disillusioned and fall away.
- If we have come because of what we believe Christ can offer to meet our physical needs, what will be our response when He doesn’t meet them?
But if we come, because He is God, who loves us, and who came to bring peace between us and God in heaven, then we will become true followers.
On the first Sunday of every month, we share the Lord’s Table and celebrate Communion. This habit is good, and we do this faithfully every month.
This celebration is for those who believe that in His death on the cross, Jesus gave eternal life to all those that will believe.
This is for those that are followers of Christ, not based on what He can give, but because of what He has already given.
In verse 19, the Pharisee’s said: “…look, how the world has gone after him.”
Our notice board outside says: “Jesus is in town! Will you follow Him?”
Will we be willing to leave everything and go after Him. This is the duty of each and every Christian who believes and trusts Him.
I thank God that He has come after the world. He has left the wonderful and glorious life of heaven.
A notice board said:
“Don’t make me come down there! – Signed, God”
But He did. He came to the world and to us. All we have to do is to follow Him.
The question remains the same: “Are we going after Him?”
Amen!