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Title
Spiritual Grace Comes from Obeying the Suffering Christ
Outline
I have read a number of books and articles on leadership
They usually talk about have a good self-concept
Then they talk about leading with the air of authority
That means brooking no contradiction once one has made their decision
If one has doubts, then “fake it until you make it”
That is what has gotten Mr Putin in trouble, but he is only the latest and most obvious leader to do follow that path
How different are our readings
In Acts the real leaders obey the one leader
The Sanhedrin and the high priest had all the marks and perks of leadership; they arrested the Apostles in order to eliminate dissent
But Peter and the other apostles were convinced that God had inspired their teaching, that he had commanded them to preach in the Temple, and so, when they were forbidden to preach, “We must obey God rather than men.”
They followed the crucified Christ, so when unjustly flogged in public, “they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.”
They viewed it as closer identification with the Christ who suffered and therefore an honor.
They did not threaten the Sanhedrin, although they did proclaim the truth they had witnessed.
In Revelation they worship the lamb who suffered
Earlier in the chapter John hears about “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David” who “has conquered.
He looks and instead of a lion sees a lamb with its throat freshly slit.
He was slaughtered as an offering because he followed the will of God.
Therefore all heaven calls out, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
Finally our gospel has this lamb as the God-man giving commands
Tired expert fishermen are told where to fish; they obey and the catch reveals the “fish buyer” to be the Lord.
After giving them breakfast, he speaks to Peter: “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Three times, once for each denial, but never with a cutting word.
Peter responds with a heartfelt confession he, I am sure, wished he had made in the high priest’s courtyard, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus three times repeats the second instruction of the day: “Feed my lambs” or “tend my sheep” or “feed my sheep.”
That is messy and sometimes stinky work, not work that will get you places in society.
But Peter will stick to it for 30 or 35 years.
But Jesus also gives a prediction.
Your future will be, not a golden throne in a cathedral in Rome (later, less glorious Popes would enjoy that) but a cross outside the city gates of Rome.
A long obedience in the same direction will be rewarded with identification with the suffering Christ.
Sisters, this is the stuff of Christian leadership
It is not that we seek suffering or deny that suffering hurts.
It is that we hear the call of God, or our Lord, sometimes directly, sometimes through his appointed leaders, and we say a determined “Yes.”
And we find that the kids we teach, young or old, are not always cute little duckings all in a row trotting after us, but at times like messy sheep.
And we also discover that the leaders of this age are not applauding us but may persecute us - sisters and priests in the Ukraine are dying as they try to care for their flocks.
And that gives us joy, not because it feels good, but because we know we are experientially closer to the lamb that was slain and therefore closer to experiencing life in union with him in his resurrection.
Spiritual Grace Comes from Obeying the Suffering Christ.
Readings
FIRST READING
Acts 5:27–32, 40b–41
27 When they had brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, 28 “We gave you strict orders [did we not?] to stop teaching in that name.
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
31 God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
32 We are witnesses of these things, as is the holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him.”
40 After recalling the apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them.
41 So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.
RESPONSE
Psalm 30:2a
2 I praise you, LORD, for you raised me up
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
PSALM
Psalm 30:2, 4–6, 11–13
2 I praise you, LORD, for you raised me up
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
4 LORD, you brought my soul up from Sheol;
you let me live, from going down to the pit.
5 Sing praise to the LORD, you faithful;
give thanks to his holy memory.
6 For his anger lasts but a moment;
his favor a lifetime.
At dusk weeping comes for the night;
but at dawn there is rejoicing.
11 Hear, O LORD, have mercy on me;
LORD, be my helper.”
12 You changed my mourning into dancing;
you took off my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness.
13 So that my glory may praise you
and not be silent.
O LORD, my God,
forever will I give you thanks.
SECOND READING
Revelation 5:11–14
11 I looked again and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders.
They were countless in number, 12 and they cried out in a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength,
honor and glory and blessing.”
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out:
“To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor, glory and might,
forever and ever.”
14 The four living creatures answered, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Text
GOSPEL
Option A
John 21:1–19
CHAPTER 21
1 After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.
He revealed himself in this way. 2 Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples.
3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They said to him, “We also will come with you.”
So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5 Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”
They answered him, “No.” 6 So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.”
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