{"id":2029,"date":"2017-01-13T10:29:19","date_gmt":"2017-01-12T23:29:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/?p=2029"},"modified":"2017-01-13T10:30:25","modified_gmt":"2017-01-12T23:30:25","slug":"the-scope-of-the-cross-shadow-01-01-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/?p=2029","title":{"rendered":"The Scope Of The Cross’ Shadow 01-01-2017"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Scope of the Cross\u2019 Shadow.<\/strong><\/span>
\nHebrews 2: 10 \u2013 18;\u00a0 Matthew 2: 13 – 23<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
A cynical historian once said of Christmas that it was only popular because it was all about the birth of a child, and it meant no more than that.\u00a0 I think the historian was right in one sense. I think our society has taken on board Christmas because it comes across as a happy family life event. It\u2019s easy to accommodate. It isn\u2019t threatening. It leaves us with a good feeling. Christmas gives us a fun time.<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
On the other hand the historian has got it all wrong. Our society that celebrates Christmas misses entirely the back, front and future story of Christmas.\u00a0 The shadow of the Cross falls across this event. Suffering and death lurk in the shadows. Vulnerability is just around the corner. Power and fear oozes through the cracks of this story.<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
The Wisemen from the east have come and gone back a different way because they were suspicious and fearful. King Herod, like all dictators, suffered with a measure of paranoia.\u00a0 He heard about this special baby from the wisemen and ordered all the boy children of two years and younger around Bethlehem to be killed.\u00a0 We have no evidence of this massacre outside of the Gospel. Did it take place?\u00a0 William Barclay, famous NT commentator of the early part of 20th Century, noted that massacres have gone unnoticed before. He mentions that a notable Scottish political diarist known for his thoroughness who failed to mention the massacre of Glencoe in 1692.\u00a0 It was quite probable that Herod ordered the deaths of the children. King Herod had killed the members of the Sanhedrin when he came to power. Some time later he had 300 court officials executed. He also murdered his wife Mariamne and her mother Alexander. Herod was no stranger to arbitrary assassinations. This passage leaves us in no doubt that though the birth of Jesus brought great joy for some; it also brought great danger and suffering to others and not least the holy family.<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
Joseph and Mary\u2019s flight to safety in Egypt is most probable given the political nature of Herod\u2019s reign.\u00a0 And Egypt is the logical place to go to. There they would be beyond the influence of Herod. Equally important they would have been amongst fellow Jews. There were many Jewish communities in Egypt. Jews had often fled to Egypt and many remained. In fact the northern city of Alexandria held the largest group of Jewish people in the world. Yes, there were more Jews in Alexandria than in Jerusalem. (Remember at one time Melbourne held the largest number of Greek speaking Greeks outside of Athens.)<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
Matthew uses the holy family\u2019s flight to Egypt to show that Jesus stands in the full tradition of Israel. Notice that Matthew has said nothing about the shepherds, angels and the holy family\u2019s quiet return to Nazareth. Instead we have the visit of the wisemen, the warning to Joseph of Herod\u2019s decision to kill baby boys and the flight to Egypt. These are all historically plausible stories. Matthew has presented his material in such a way as to draw parallels with Moses. Moses is hidden in the bulrushes and Jesus in an obscure manger. Pharaoh orders all Jewish boys to be killed and so does Herod. Moses is saved by Pharaoh\u2019s daughter and Jesus by the angels. Moses fled for his life to the land of Midian and Jesus to Egypt. God messages Moses saying that those who wanted him dead have died.\u00a0 Joseph receives the same message that Herod has died and its safe to return. Matthew wants to show that Jesus\u2019 early experience parallels Moses the Great Lawgiver. Matthew writing for a Jewish Christian community wants to make it quite clear that Jesus is fulfilling the Covenant (OT) not replacing it [Mt 5: 17f]<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
I want to draw out two lessons from this text.\u00a0 The first is that this is a new start.\u00a0 The second is that any new start has its dangers.<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
The coming of Jesus heralds a new start for Israel.\u00a0 Jesus\u2019 birth came at a time when there was a widespread hope that God would save Israel. They believed God would send the Messiah. Matthew and the first Christians believed that Jesus was this new start. And without doubt Christ Jesus initiated a new start. Jesus radically re-interpreted the Jewish story.<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
The history of the Israelites is one of fresh starts. The Church\u2019s history shows the same pattern. God is always willing to work with us afresh.\u00a0 Traditionally we have taken the New Year as a time for reflection and a new start. Some take time to reflect on the past year and on the year ahead. Professionally I do that every year.<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
In one of my pastoral visits this week I was asked whether I had a strategy for growing the church at Leighmoor. I said I didn\u2019t. I do have strategies to build up our faith and for helping us through the transitions of life. Those life changes that lie ahead of us also include, for me, the possibility of this church needing to close down one day. I do work at preparing you to be independent of the minister and embrace change.\u00a0 But the question was a challenge, helpful and vital. It is challenging because our denomination faces major decline. It was helpful because it told me that others are concerned. I can\u2019t work alone at this. We have to do it together. And it was vital because growing the Church is God\u2019s Mission to this world.<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
I\u2019m not simply passing the buck when I say that the strategy must be ours.\u00a0 So I am calling a meeting to begin a discussion on this matter for Sunday the 15th January after worship. I believe we should be asking ourselves what we should be doing to make this church grow? Or to put the question theologically, what are we doing to allow the Holy Spirit to bring about renewal in our lives so that others are blessed and accept Jesus as Lord?\u00a0 There is a negative side, which is what are we doing that is stopping growth? I want to suggest that the first thing we can do is renew our commitment to Jesus and seek God\u2019s Holy Spirit. I invite you later to take up the covenant pledge. But I want to warn you that I sense God is challenging me to lead us through some changes. We should be open to this based on God\u2019s general faithfulness to us and in particular God\u2019s blessing resting on this church.\u00a0 I was particularly encouraged by the number first time worshippers this Christmas and the return of some once-a-year attenders. God is honouring our Christmas services. Let us make sure we remain awake to God\u2019s wishes and people\u2019s needs.<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
The second lesson I want us to take home this day is that any fresh start has dangers, any new beginning, any raising of the standards will be met with frustration, failures and opposition. The Christ-child faced real dangers, so has the Church down through the ages. The scope of the Cross\u2019 shadow reached down to the cradle and it crosses our paths as well. Today there are still Christians facing persecution. But remember we are not alone and God will strengthen us in all situations. In my preparation I was reminded of this delightful legend regarding God\u2019s protection of the Christ-child.<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0\u2018When Joseph, Mary and Jesus were on their way to Egypt, they stopped in the late evening and sought refuge in a cave. It was very cold, so cold that the ground was white with hoar frost. A little spider saw the little baby Jesus, and he wished that he could do something for Jesus to keep him warm. So he did what he only could do. He spun his web across the entrance of the cave as if his web was a curtain. Not much help you might think. A spider\u2019s web won\u2019t keep you warm. Along the path that night came a platoon of Herod\u2019s soldiers looking for baby boys to kill. They came to the cave and paused at the entrance seeing the spider\u2019s web glistening white with the hoar frost. About to break through and search for baby boys the officer in charge told the soldiers to move on because no one had entered the cave that night, as the web was unbroken. And so the spider doing what it only could do saved the Christ-child. [William Barclay, Matthew 1. p.26]<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
This legend holds two truths. Firstly, God protects us. God protects us in strange ways. So let us step into 2017 together in faith. Second truth is that let us do what we can do. Then we may see more clearly see what is possible to do and then move on to the impossible with God\u2019s help.<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
*******<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
Peter C Whitaker, Leighmoor UC:\u00a0 01\/01\/2017<\/strong><\/span>
\npgwhitaker@tpg.com.au<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u00a0\/ www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Scope of the Cross\u2019 Shadow. Hebrews 2: 10 \u2013 18;\u00a0 Matthew 2: 13 – 23 A cynical historian once said of Christmas that it was only popular because it was all about the birth of a child, and it meant no more than that.\u00a0 I think the historian was right in one sense. I think our society has taken on board Christmas because it comes across as a happy family life event. It\u2019s easy to accommodate. It isn\u2019t threatening. It leaves us with a good feeling. Christmas gives us a fun time. On the other hand the historian has got it all wrong. Our society that celebrates Christmas misses entirely the back, front and future story of Christmas.\u00a0 The shadow of the Cross falls across this event. Suffering and death lurk in the shadows. Vulnerability is just around the corner. Power and fear oozes through the cracks of this story. The Wisemen from the east have come and gone back a different way because they were suspicious and fearful. King Herod, like all dictators, suffered with a measure of paranoia.\u00a0 He heard about this special baby from the wisemen and ordered all the boy children of two years and younger around Bethlehem to be killed.\u00a0 We have no evidence of this massacre outside of the Gospel. Did it take place?\u00a0 William Barclay, famous NT commentator of the early part of 20th Century, noted that massacres have gone unnoticed before. He mentions that a notable Scottish political diarist known for his thoroughness who failed to mention the massacre of Glencoe in 1692.\u00a0 It was quite probable that Herod ordered the deaths of the children. King Herod had killed the members of the Sanhedrin when he came to power. Some time later he had 300 court officials executed. He also murdered his wife Mariamne and her mother Alexander. Herod was no stranger to arbitrary assassinations. This passage leaves us in no doubt that though the birth of Jesus brought great joy for some; it also brought great danger and suffering to others and not least the holy family. Joseph and Mary\u2019s flight to safety in Egypt is most probable given the political nature of Herod\u2019s reign.\u00a0 And Egypt is the logical place to go to. There they would be beyond the influence of Herod. Equally important they would have been amongst fellow Jews. There were many Jewish communities in Egypt. Jews had often fled to Egypt and many remained. In fact the northern city of Alexandria held the largest group of Jewish people in the world. Yes, there were more Jews in Alexandria than in Jerusalem. (Remember at one time Melbourne held the largest number of Greek speaking Greeks outside of Athens.) Matthew uses the holy family\u2019s flight to Egypt to show that Jesus stands in the full tradition of Israel. Notice that Matthew has said nothing about the shepherds, angels and the holy family\u2019s quiet return to Nazareth. Instead we have the visit of the wisemen, the warning to Joseph of Herod\u2019s decision to kill baby boys and the flight to Egypt. These are all historically plausible stories. Matthew has presented his material in such a way as to draw parallels with Moses. Moses is hidden in the bulrushes and Jesus in an obscure manger. Pharaoh orders all Jewish boys to be killed and so does Herod. Moses is saved by Pharaoh\u2019s daughter and Jesus by the angels. Moses fled for his life to the land of Midian and Jesus to Egypt. God messages Moses saying that those who wanted him dead have died.\u00a0 Joseph receives the same message that Herod has died and its safe to return. Matthew wants to show that Jesus\u2019 early experience parallels Moses the Great Lawgiver. Matthew writing for a Jewish Christian community wants to make it quite clear that Jesus is fulfilling the Covenant (OT) not replacing it [Mt 5: 17f] I want to draw out two lessons from this text.\u00a0 The first is that this is a new start.\u00a0 The second is that any new start has its dangers. The coming of Jesus heralds a new start for Israel.\u00a0 Jesus\u2019 birth came at a time when there was a widespread hope that God would save Israel. They believed God would send the Messiah. Matthew and the first Christians believed that Jesus was this new start. And without doubt Christ Jesus initiated a new start. Jesus radically re-interpreted the Jewish story. The history of the Israelites is one of fresh starts. The Church\u2019s history shows the same pattern. God is always willing to work with us afresh.\u00a0 Traditionally we have taken the New Year as a time for reflection and a new start. Some take time to reflect on the past year and on the year ahead. Professionally I do that every year. In one of my pastoral visits this week I was asked whether I had a strategy for growing the church at Leighmoor. I said I didn\u2019t. I do have strategies to build up our faith and for helping us through the transitions of life. Those life changes that lie ahead of us also include, for me, the possibility of this church needing to close down one day. I do work at preparing you to be independent of the minister and embrace change.\u00a0 But the question was a challenge, helpful and vital. It is challenging because our denomination faces major decline. It was helpful because it told me that others are concerned. I can\u2019t work alone at this. We have to do it together. And it was vital because growing the Church is God\u2019s Mission to this world. I\u2019m not simply passing the buck when I say that the strategy must be ours.\u00a0 So I am calling a meeting to begin a discussion on this matter for Sunday the 15th January after worship. I believe we should be asking ourselves what we should be doing to make this church grow? Or to put the question theologically, what are we doing to<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2029","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Leighmoor.Master","author_link":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/author\/leighmoor-master"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"Sermons<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"The Scope of the Cross\u2019 Shadow. Hebrews 2: 10 \u2013 18;\u00a0 Matthew 2: 13 – 23 A cynical historian once said of Christmas that it was only popular because it was all about the birth of a child, and it meant no more than that.\u00a0 I think the historian was right in one sense. I…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2029","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2029"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2029\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2031,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2029\/revisions\/2031"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2029"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2029"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}