Thaddaeus

Introduction

Theme: Christ calls us into an invitational relationship in which cooperative grace creates an intimate transformation not a forced macro event of power and superiority. It is not legalism but a result of a inward change. We act different because we are different.Why not just tell everyone to do it and then everyone will understand and do so.

There are two types of people in this world— those that hate Corn Mazes and those that love them. Corn gets eight feet tall and almost impossible to see over. There is a particular maze experience that will forever be in my mind. Every fall we attend a an activity such as this. Several years ago a group from my church went to a local maze and my mother came along with us. We set the time of the picnic and sent everyone off. Time went by and people began to trickle back but no mom. The time came to eat and almost everyone was back except my mother. After some more time we went looking for her to know avail only to see her coming out of the corn maze through the side escorted by an employee. She had gotten lost and after a long try of working it out herself realized she needed help. She called up to the spotter seated in the middle he was able to give her directions but she still had trouble. She just couldn’t see the big picture.

Judas Thaddaeus Labbaeus

Trinomial name (meaning of three names)

Judas: Jehovah Leads, Thaddaeus: Breast child, Labbaeus: heart child

These three names help us to discern a little more about his character. Thaddaeus was a man of faith and purity. He was gentle and docile. This tenderhearted individual was likely an interesting juxtaposition with the others like Peter, James, and John, or even Simon the Zealot.

Thaddaeus has a moment of individual conversation with Jesus. Jesus is in the middle of his his farewell discourse when Thaddaeus interrupts him. Thaddaeus poses a very interesting question:

John 14:22 “Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?””

This follower asks his teacher if we could use other words “If this is the time to go out go big— a shock and awe moment. Jesus has a chance to seize the opportunity of being in audience of the High Priest and Pilot, all he needs to do is blow their minds and this whole action takes off. Make it big and dramatic Jesus and then we can see how it will work out. A big miracle that will make everyone believe.

We know this inquiry comes from the purest of heart. Jesus does not treat Thaddaeus the way he responded to Simon-Peter. There is no harsh rebuke. Instead Jesus continues his discourse as the response. Jesus brings forward the challenge John 14:23 “Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”

Jesus is sharing with Thaddaeus that he is not hear to change political powers and work to convince the world why it needs to believe in him. The Kingdom of God is breaking through into each heart that turns and receives God in Jesus Christ and therefore the upside down kingdom is manifest.

Jesus doesn’t ride into Jerusalem on a war horse but on a donkey, lowly and humble. It is not a hostile takeover that forces all to bend the knee to his reign but a life changed by hearing his voice, seeing his work, and believing that he is the Son of God.

Isaiah 55:8–9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” —this is about one life at a time.

Jesus charges his disciples with the task. They are the ones who witnessed, who experienced, who know and heard him, by their testimony the world will know the name of Jesus.

When I was in a seminary class I remember a conversation between some young students, the professor, and myself. The topic was poverty and wealth discrepancy in the U.S. Please note that this is not a political statement but is a tension between seeing the macro and the micro. My seminary colleagues were extremely upset as to why I did not agree with the premise that forced generosity is not generosity only a tax. My challenge was simple what are they doing to now with their own resources or time, talents, and finances to bring about relief of poverty around them? Their answer shocked me—it was none. They were not even giving to the church. Morality cannot be legislated it must be received. The witness of the church is through the small insignificant acts each day that live out Christ’s commands.

Godliness comes from “Godwithness”

“A single person whose heart is set aflame with the love of God can create a wildfire that spreads far and wide.”- Pastor Rudy Rasmus

John’s Gospel: New birth and new creation is the internal and intimate emergence of the Kingdom of God that manifests externally through changed hearts and lives.

We look like Jesus to the world. Love has a name and it is Jesus.

The power of a testimony is that it can’t be refuted. It is the most powerful gift you have been given. To know why you believe in Jesus and why you are different because of it is the precious gift. Grace has changed you.

Prevenient Grace

Justifying Grace

Sanctifying Grace

Holiness means to be set apart. This is not limited to a clergy person.

1 Peter 1:4–5 “and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

The Church has a witness:

Obedience flows out of faith. Everything Jesus wants to accomplish through your life in this world pours out of you. What we believe is the source of our activity. It is the evidence of what he is doing in you.

Our spiritual transformation produces a powerful bond of community. We are becoming a holy people that does holy things because we believe and serve a holy God.

“Christianity begins, just where Heathen morality ends: poverty of spirit, conviction of sin, the renouncing ourselves, the not having our own righteousness, the very first point in the religion of Jesus Christ, leaving all Pagan religion behind.”—John Wesley

“Whether these gifts of the Holy Ghost were designed to remain in the church throughout all ages; and whether or no they will be restored at the nearer approach of the restitution of all things, are questions which it is not needful to decide. But it is needful to observe this, that even in the infancy of the church, God divided them with a sparing hand. Were all even then prophets? Were all workers of miracles? Had all the gifts of healing? Did all speak with tongues? No, in no wise… It was therefore for a more excellent purpose than this, that they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.”—John Wesley

1 Corinthians 1:27 “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;”

Matthew 25:31–46 ““When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick o…”

We don’t get it most of the time as to why God does what he does. But ultimately we can’t see the way God sees. We are limited. God chose to come to this earth as a person. Jesus the 2nd person of the Trinity chose to use people to spread the message, do miracles, and bear witness to the power and wonder of God and what he has done in the world.