Ready to Rumble (adapted from my Sermon from May 20th, 2012)

Baptists insist that we are not liturgical. We don’t don much in the church calendar usually. We mark Christmas and Easter, Advent, Lent. Sometime Pentecost (next Sunday by the way). Ascension was Thursday. How many of us did some observance for it? Well, this morning, we’re gonna look a bit deeper at Luke’s account of the Ascension. More specifically, I want to look at the Disciples’ response to Jesus’ departing from them, and how our own experience as a church mirrors that (or at least, I think it should). And so, let’s look at three key items (because in a sermon, you need three points, right?… but we’re not liturgical!). We worship, We Pray, We are sent

We Worship

 “Then they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” (Luke 24:52-53)

Worship is a response to what God has done, not a seeking to be filled or seeking to experience God, or merely using words to praise God. It is a response to the call of God to be transformed. The Apostles saw Jesus raised from the dead. Imagine the mind boggling effect that has. When have you ever thought of death as anything other than permanent? What if it’s not? Shouldn’t that change you? Shouldn’t that change everything? Shouldn’t that make a difference? Shouldn’t that become your number one priority? Shouldn’t you want others to know that? (we’ll come back to that in a second). Am I crazy for saying that? If I am, please let me know (I like to know when I’m off my rocker). We should fall in awe of this. It’s ok to be left with your head spinning. It’s earth shattering stuff. This should cause you to pause and say, ok, this God I hear about is real. He raises the dead. Wow. God should rock your world. When God moves, things change.

In the Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe 4 children enter an alternate world, Narnia, where the White Witch holds the land under a curse. And the allegorical Christ figure Aslan seems absent. But the children encounter a family of talking beavers who share whispers…

…Aslan is on the move…

And now a very curious thing happened. None of the children knew who Aslan was any more than you do; but the moment the Beaver had spoken these words everyone felt quite different. Perhaps it has sometimes happened to you in a dream that someone says something which you don’t understand but in the dream it feels as if it had some enormous meaning—either a terrifying one which turns the whole dream into a nightmare or else a lovely meaning too lovely to put into words, which makes the dream so beautiful that you remember it all your life and are always wishing you could get into that dream again. It was like that now. At the name of Aslan each one of the children felt something jump in his inside. Edmund felt a sensation of mysterious horror. Peter felt suddenly brave and adventurous. Susan felt as if some delicious smell or some delightful strain of music had just floated by her. And Lucy got the feeling you have when you wake up in the morning and realise that it is the beginning of the holidays or the beginning of summer.

When God moves, things change, and we need to take notice. But often, just as suddenly as he showed up, we suddenly cease to see him at work. One of the characteristics we see in Aslan is that he is allusive, he shows up suddenly, then for periods folks don’t know what he’s doing. Christ rose from the grave, spent time with his friends, and then left again. He was there blessing them, and then he’s gone again. He left as suddenly as he showed up.

9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

There is joy, even though they now don’t see him. Somehow the presence the disciples had for forty days has filled them with new trust and new confidence. Luke tells us that Jesus “opened their minds so the could understand.” Why Jesus didn’t do that earlier, I’m not sure. The comforter is coming. They get that now. They have seen the power of God revealed in history. God has acted, and shown himself true to his promise, and is preparing to do something new. Whether we see it or not, God is working something. Christ has now risen to the right hand of God. The Saviour was gone, but the comforter was coming. Things are about to get awesome for that little band of ragamuffins. Same goes for this little band of ragamuffins- the church then, and the church now.

Do you crave the real presence of Jesus in your life? Do you already have it? Awesome isn’t it? The Psalms tell us “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Ps. 34:8

God wants to move here. Are you ready for him? Are you ready to rumble? Are you ready to be clothed with power from on high? Are you ready to see what happens when Aslan roars?

But are we able to worship God when he seems absent? Between the time he pours out his Spirit in mighty ways and now, can we continue to worship him? Or will we lose heart? What if the dry spell goes on for days, weeks, years?

We Pray

In Acts 2, the Spirit falls on Pentecost while the church is gathered. For 10 days they stayed in Jerusalem, going to the Temple, and sharing together, worshpping and praying. They were associates of a convicted and executed criminal, and they stay put, even showing up at Jesus’ enemies place of employment. But they worship with joy. With the threat of death right in front of them, they worship, and pray.

When you’re waiting for the Spirit to reveal ministry to you, it should be a no-brainer to pray.

One sentence I’ve heard a lot lately is “we’ve been praying for this for so long”.

Funny question: do we know what we’re praying for? And do we expect to see it happen? Or are we “practical atheists”? Do we profess belief and then act as if God isn’t there? Do we pray, and then live as if we don’t expect God to act? When we pray, do we assume God will answer? And will his answer be yes?

Do we pray big enough? Specifically enough?

I’d love to know what the church was praying for those ten days between the ascension and Pentecost; to be a fly on the wall of those first gatherings. Jesus had promised this new power and mission. Just hang tight. Something big is coming. Uh… ok Jesus, wanna fill us in a bit more?…

But can we translate that to the experience of our own congregation? Is it appropriate to look around us and say, ok God we want to see something happen here. We trust that there will be something big. But when? And what will it look like? I think so. We’ve been praying. Long before I came here to Centre Street, people were praying. Before I was even born some of this congregation were praying for a moment like this. A time when this congregation would be called to rediscover the call of the Kingdom of God, and be filled with the Spirit and see the mighty hand of God do something spectacular.

So we pray. We have prayed. We are praying and we will continue to pray. We pray for power from on high. We pray and anticipate that God is about to show up.

Is that how you pray?

So, what happens when God shows up…

We are sent

The Apostles are given a promise- a promise that they will be sent out. Christ arose, and handed the ministry to the Church. In order to guide the process along, he send the promised one, the Holy Spirit, and the Church is clothed with power. “I am going to send you what my father has promised” he says. The disciples are given an “open-ended commission” (Darrell Bock, Luke, NIVAC, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, 622); just do it. Get to it. Not a single task, but a call to make their lives about something else; testify to the living, risen Christ in them (and also in us)- to witness to the power of God to raise the dead, and presence of the comforter; to preach repentance and forgiveness in all nations. That’s what we’re empowered to do. To set the captives free. Bless the hurting, comfort those who mourn, protect the vulnerable, and live out the character of God in front of the world. The Spirit sends us out there, to extend the Kingdom of God into our world.

Hallowed be thy Name; thy Kingdom Come; thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Translation: God, make Earth more like Heaven. Make this place reflect the goodness you have. Bring together earth and heaven, God and mankind. Make us people who are a visible sign of God’s goodness. God, change the very reality in which we exist.

Are you up for that?

Why do you gather with God’s people? Because you’ve always done it? You feel like it’s your duty? It makes you feel warm and fuzzy? When we come together for worship and prayer we are supposed to be seeking out the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and giving thanks to God for who he is and what he’s doing. It’s a response. A recognition of God’s ability and inherent goodness, and a pursuit of the power to bring about transformation. That’s why Paul writes:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

Sometimes we are met with a powerful moment, where God is so present it’s impossible to not see it. Then, suddenly, we can’t seem to see him working. So how do we sustain ourselves in those times when we want, or crave the presence of Christ but don’t see him working?

Are we able to worship God in those dry times? We may have Easter Sunday experiences. Peaks, mountaintop moments. But we also have times where we’re seemingly sitting on our hands waiting for God to fill us in on what’s on the horizon.

In those times we need to redouble our commitment to worship and prayer. We seek out God and his Kingdom. Different folks have different opinions on the Lord’s Prayer. As I mentioned earlier, Baptists try to claim that we aren’t liturgical, so we shy away from memorized prayer sometimes. But if you find comfort in it, use it. But know what you’re asking. When you pray Hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, what are you asking? Are you prepared for what will happen when that prayer gets answered?

Are you ready to see the power of God poured out? Are you ready to roll up your sleeves? Are you ready to rumble?

On Justice

Southern Ontario is today dealing with some tough stuff. Sentencing for Michael Rafferty, who was found guilty of kidnapping, assaulting and murdering 8 year Victoria (Tori) Stafford in 2009, happened today in London, ON. When the guilty verdict came in on Friday, most folks were pleased, but then of course there’s the discussion on what justice means in a case like this.

Rafferty will be going to prison for a long time (until at least 2034). 1st degree murder means automatic life sentence (25 years before eligible for parole). The 10 years for each of the other two charges will be served concurrently.

But is that justice? Does placing this man in a government funded facility for 25 years make the situation better? I caught a clip on the news of Tori’s dad saying that the guilty verdict does not bring Victoria back, but does mean this man won’t be able to hurt anyone else.

So here’s the dilemma-  what is justice really? Is punishing some for their crimes just, or simple retribution? Are we not called in the Bible to foster/facilitate reconciliation and restoration?

In this case, nothing will restore the Stafford family. Nothing seems “just”. Most of us would have the initial instinct to do far more to this man than cage him for 25 years. I shudder when I think of the nasty things I am inclined to want to see happen to him. But that won’t make things any better- except perhaps to alleviate the initial anger.

But does punishing an already broken man make things better? He is broken. We all are. But this man’s brokenness is of a whole other magnitude. The judge at sentencing today called Rafferty a “monster”. But still, somehow, he is actually made in the image of God. This man doesn’t need to be punished, but to have his life altered, reversed, redeemed from what it is. He needs salvation.

What if we prayed for Michael Rafferty?

What if we loved Michael Rafferty?

Could we? Should we?

Now don’t me wrong here, I’m not saying he shouldn’t go to jail. It would be a heinously unjust decision to allow this man access to other children. As a father of two daughters, I know I don’t want Michael Rafferty on the streets. I also don’t want someone made in the image of God left to “rot in jail”. Yes, as deplorable and difficult as it may be to see that in writing (I want to vomit typing it), Michael Rafferty is a human being, made in God’s image, albeit, one who has rejected God’s design to such an extent that any remnant of the image is so obscured we may never see it. But we are called to love our enemies; to forgive those who trespass against us; and to reconcile sinners to God. Somehow, we need to make his incarceration a means to bring the gospel.

Not easy.

I don’t want to really. But I know we have to.

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).

Sometimes our calling is hard. Sometimes “eye for an eye” makes more sense. What Michael Rafferty has done may be the most heinous kind of evil- disturbing, vomit-inducing, rage inspiring kind of evil. But we are told to overcome evil with good.

So what does that mean for us? How do we overcome this evil with good? How do we do what is best for Tori’s family, while still trying to bring goodness to Michael Rafferty, and his partner in this, Terri-Lynne McClintic? I don’t think we’ll ever know.

Music and Stuff

I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting music. This can at times be an expesive endeavour. I have a 160 GB ipod, which still has lots of space left, but I’m doing pretty good at accumulating a prolific library of tunes (30.4 GB, over 4 500 songs). Well, when the offer of free downloads comes my way, I get a tad excited. Here’s a few cool resources which may help some of you discover some intriguing new sounds:

Humble Beast Records:  Hip Hop outfit, which offers many of their recordings for free download. You can send a donation to help support what they do, or purchase hard copies of their music at a reasonable price. But these guys are phenomenal if you like hip hop. These are Christian folks who make real hip hop; the real, raw street poetry, reminiscent of the truest artists in the genre.

Come and Live: A variety of Christian artists, who provide music free of charge (donations welcomed) and raise funds through concerts, donations, merch, etc. which goes to evangelistic ministries. The artists cover a wide array of genres. Lots of options especially in the ambient rock scene, so if you like bands like Anberlin, Switchfoot and others like them, there’s lots there, as well as a few hardcore/post-hardcore stuff, and several worship bands. The top played album on my laptop is one I got here (Ascend the Hill Hymns: Take the World But Give Me Jesus).

Noisetrade: Tons of free stuff from all genres. Pretty sweet stuff available. Takes some browsing around to find new artists you might like, but worth the effort often. Some cool stuff I got there includes stuff Chadwick Stokes, All Sons & Daughters, Jars of Clay, Branches, The Civil Wars (Live at Eddie’s Attic), Craig Rigney, Foy Vance, Flogging Molly and a whole bunch more. It’s all available free, but “tips” are accepted.

All three of these sources are connected to social media, and allow for listeners to share their finds, and spread the word to support the artists. Supporting new up and coming artists is certainly a worthwhile endeavour. Check these guys out, if you’re so inclined. Support indie music.

Life, brokenness and grace

Tomorrow would be three weeks since my last post. Yes, I’ve been AWOL from the blogosphere. I hope any readers I have left will forgive that. It’s be a busy time for me as Community Outreach Pastor, and for this Church as a whole. With so much going on, blogging has taken a back seat.

Now that I’m back, I hope you’ll indulge a little Theological Reflection on the events of April 2012 here. Without getting into details of any kind, I have to reflect openly and honestly (hard to do in a public sphere) on some things. But there’s a few things which this month  has brought to the front of my mind.

We are broken. Yes, even those who are in Christ. We are messy, imperfect, hurting, broken people. Even in the midst of the Kingdom work there is much negativity among God’s people in all places and times. The Gentile mission described in Acts came along with resistance and conflict. The Reformation lead countless folks to an awakening of the gospel, but also met with bloodshed, hatred, and all out war among Christians.

So it is with us. Our striving to do the will of God is met with opposition, even from within. We mourn this. We try to reconcile it. Many tears have been shed among our people recently. Some filled with joy that we have brought several folks to the gospel, and seen their lives transformed. Other tears have been sadness and hurt and anger because we still struggle to know how we are to live in community with our brethren in the faith.

I know it seems odd for a Pastor to publicly post that the congregation he works with is conflicted. But if we are actually honest with ourselves and others, Churches are not filled with perfect people who manage to love unconditionally as we are called to do. How we use conflict is what matters. Are we able to dialogue in respect and love, or do we resort to name calling, factionalism, stubborn refusal to listen, or anger/hostility? Do we live in love, open to hear, or do we show up to the conversation looking for a fight?

God has called his Church to be a people who can disagree in love. To the Roman church (12:9-18), Paul wrote:

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

In the Psalms of Ascent, we find these short, but startlingly beautiful beautiful words of the value of community (Psalm 133):

¹ How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!

² It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
³ It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.

This would be sung as the Israelites went to worship at the Temple. It speaks of anticipating the blessing which comes when God’s people are gathered unified. But what happens when God’s people aren’t unified? We immediately see the impact. So what do we do? I love these words from Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “He who looks upon his brother should know that he will be eternally united with him in Jesus Christ… God himself taught us to meet one another as God has met us Christ” (Life Together. San Francisco: Harper Collins 1954, 24-25). In other words, get it right, because we are stuck with one another FOREVER. Respond to others with the love and grace shown to us in Christ.

It’s amazing how quickly we sometimes forget that. We bicker over man-made rules as if they are life and death. We get hostile over processes. We lose sight of the gospel call. We neglect to recognize we live under God’s rule, and in his Kingdom. All things should work towards that.

Ideally.

But this is not an ideal world.

We are not an ideal people… yet.

In spite of what Christ has done, and is doing, we remain broken;

hurting;

factitious;

divided.

Centre Street Baptist Church is not a people who have it all together. There, I said it. It’s out there. Shouldn’t be a secret to anyone. We are not always united. Sometimes we argue. Sometimes we mess up. What defines us, and all congregations of God’s people is the one we cry out to when things are amiss. We are always called to be built upon grace.

Grace.

χαρις 

My second daughter bears the name Karyss (a sort of transliteration of the Greek χαρις). Grace. The semantic range of χαρις includes grace, favour, kindness, blessing. We are to be people who show favour, kindness and blessing to our brothers and sisters.

How do we live in grace?

How do broken people bless the folks they adamantly object to? How do they bless those who persecute (in Romans 12:14, quoted above, Paul uses εὐλογεῖτε- “speak well”)? How do we speak well to those who speak harshly to us? How do we serve the Kingdom without getting grace right among ourselves? How can God work when are so broken?

I think of Joseph’s words to his brothers, “You intended to harm me,but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” His brothers who hurt him, sold him, disgraced him, were shown forgiveness, because somehow God made something good out of sin. We serve a God who raises the dead; God who can turn sin and hatred into salvation and healing; God who can bless people through their sin. Yes, God can use your sin to bless you. Think about that. It’s mind-boggling.

Easter “Hangover”

My “Sabbath” is Monday. Like many pastors I do this very intentionally. Sundays are just chaotic, and overwhelming for introverted folks like me. Easter weekend amplifies this situation considerably. We did a communion service Friday, a SONrise service at 9am on Sunday, followed by Breakfast, followed by our 11am service, which featured 4 baptisms. It was phenomenally powerful on all accounts. Tears of joy were flowing, people were hearing from God in new and encouraging ways. It’s been many years since Centre Street has had 4 baptisms on the same day (plus 2 more last December). Good things are happening.

On the flip side, that sort of pace takes a toll. On top of all that Easter goodness, there’s the Church’s two bible studies (each of Pastor’s leading one) plus the Marriage Course, plus our regular, ongoing outreach projects and planning for upcoming events. And then, on top of this, our Sr. Pastor had a medical emergency in the family taking him out of the office for two days. A multi-pastor staff is great when it can be done as passing the baton back and forth is sometimes necessary.

Anyway, the point of this all… Spiritual “highs” often meet with a “crash” afterwards. Sunday afternoon is usually enough time to recover. Sometimes it carries over into Monday (hence the Monday off) when something big has happened. But every now and then I find Tuesday morning tough. I still feel depleted. Well, here I am on a Wednesday afternoon, third cup of coffee on the go, eyes drooping, head pounding (maybe because of the excessive coffee…) and feeling “zonked”.

Ok, that sounds like complaining, or looking for sympathy. That’s not how I mean it. Easter was such a glorious and encouraging day. I feel so blessed to have been a part of it. People heard and saw the gospel right in front of them. I am so thankful to God for the chance to baptize these young women, and proclaim new life. I’m reflecting out loud as I discover the depth of this spiritual/ministry truth.

It’s a hard thing to explain exactly how it works; the “hangover” which comes after pouring yourself out into worship and proclamation. It certainly isn’t physically strenuous activity. But afterwards you feel exhausted, drained, “empty” even.

I think this goes along with Paul’s comment to the Romans to be a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). Jesus, we are told, “emptied himself” (Philippians 2:7- ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσεν in the Greek, which the NIV translates as “made himself nothing”). Jesus poured himself out, removed himself for his people. Emptied himself of everything. Sacrificing self can be grueling on the body, mind and spirit. God has prescribed rest for a reason. Not just for pastors, but for all of us. Written into our lives is a time of peace, quiet, rest, and seeking revitalization. Our church has term limits in place, and encourages a “year off” for many of our lay leaders, so they have a cycle which includes rest; a time of renewal and refreshment, a Sabbath year if you will. God commanded Israel to give the land rest, “But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of Sabbath rest, a sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards” (Leviticus 25:4). Part of being finite is that there is a limit to what we (all of creation) can give with sustainability.

Pastor Dorman is now on vacation- a much needed time of peace and allowing himself to be free to enjoy peace. I head to Beaverton in less than two weeks for four days of worshiping and encouragement with other pastors. To any pastors out there- build these times into the cycle of the church year. Post-Easter, Post-Christmas, and summer time is a time where rest is needed. Take the time. Also around any other major church occasions, it is so vital to find renewal. It’s not just about having time away, but time away at the right times. Our world has seasons. Our lives have seasons also. Right now, our church has seen rebirth, and having been in two birthing rooms, I have seen what bringing new life does to the body and the rest which must come afterwards. Ok, that analogy has serious limits. I am not claiming to have produced this life. In that scenario, I’m more like the midwife than the mom. But point is bringing a baby into the world drains the folks involved.

Seek the Lord. Find times and places to be filled. Jesus took time apart. In Mark 6:46, we are told that after the monumental feeding of 5000, “he went up on mountainside to pray”. He finds solitude to rest from the demands of serving selflessly.

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” ~Mark 2:27

Boring?

Thanks to Supersimbo who shared this video. I don’t always love what I hear from John Piper, but this is awesome.

Lamb of God?

For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed… 1 Corinthians 5:7

This Friday I’m bringing the Good Friday sermon in a joint service of Sparta, New Sarum & Centre Street Baptist Churches (10:30 @ New Sarum Baptist). I’m battling with it though. I chose as the text on which to base my message John 1:29-36:

²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰ This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ³¹ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

³² Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. ³³ And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ ³⁴ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

 ³⁵ The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. ³⁶ When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

So, what on earth the Evangelist and John the Baptist are trying to convey is really tough slugging. I came across an article by Christopher Skinner which outlines the various approaches (9, yes 9 separate suggestions) to trying to figure it out (“Another Look at the ‘Lamb of God’”, Biblioteca Sacra 161, Jan. 2004, pg. 89-104). I won’t try to get into it all here.

Part of the problem surrounds the issue of Jesus’ death around the Passover Festival. Paul equates Jesus with the Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7). Is this what John’s Gospel is getting at? Is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” a reference to Passover? Well, no, because the Passover lamb doesn’t take away sin. Passover is not about taking away sins. If Jesus’ function as Lamb of God was connected to atonement for sin, it would have been better illustrated by a death on the Day of Atonement, where blood is shed for the atonement of the sin of all Israel.

The other issue is an interesting question- on what day of the week was Jesus crucified? Ok, why ask that? Good Friday, right? Well, John’s gospel says that it may not be. John 19:31 says, “Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath.” In Jewish thinking, the day starts at sundown. The Passover meal, eaten after sundown is the beginning of the week long Passover observance, and the day before is the “Day of Preparation”, on which the Passover lambs are killed. At twilight of that day (14th day of the first month on the old Jewish calendar) the Festival of Unleavened Bread begins. So, in John’s Gospel, Jesus is crucified on the 14th.

In the synoptics, the Last Supper is the Passover meal (Matthew 26:17, Mark 14:12, Luke 22:7). Mark 14:12 is very interesting, as it points out, “On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”” In other words, in the synoptic Gospels, Jesus is crucified the day after the lambs for Passover are slaughtered (so Jesus dies on the 15th) but in John’s Gospel, Jesus is crucified on the same day that the lambs are slaughtered (the 14th). Houston, we have a problem. These guys can’t even agree on which day Jesus actually died. They can’t both be right.

Timelines differ in the various Gospel accounts a few times. Like Jesus’ confrontation of the money changers- which happens during Passover in John 2 (perhaps two years before the crucifixion), but in Matthew, it’s the day Jesus rides into Jerusalem, before, Passover, just days before the crucifixion. But in the case of dating Jesus’ death, we have a really serious issue here. Did Jesus die on the Day of Preparation (i.e. Thursday) or on the Day of Passover (i.e. Friday)? Interestingly, Matthew 12:40, Jesus says, “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Well, if he dies Friday, and rises on Sunday morning, that’s two nights. So Matthew now has internal tension. Either the connection to Jonah’s 3 days and 3 nights is not to be read literally or there’s something odd happening.

Also an issue is Sabbath. The synoptics tells us that Jesus is burried quickly as Sabbath is approaching (i.e. it’s almost sundown on Friday). But, Passover is to be a special Sabbath- no work on the first day of the Festival (i.e. the 15th of the first month- see John 19:31; Leviticus 23:7). If that’s the case, why is the Sanhedrin having a trial on the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread in the synopitcs? Either they themselves are violating Sabbath and the Passover Festival is not being done properly or else there’s an issue of dating. John’s timeline looks more reliable in this sense. But then, if that’s the case, the Last Supper isn’t a Passover Meal. Things aren’t simple anymore. We have to question one or more of our Easter assumptions. There’s no way around this discrepancy. Ok, before people starting letting fly with accusations that I am suggesting we reject the authority of Scripture, I have to say this is a problem, but not a doctrinal one. Whether Jesus died on the 14th or 15th, is neither here no there really. The Scriptures authoritatively give us the Word of God. They reveal God in history. If they disagree on dates, it does not disqualify the theological point revealed.

Now, John’s gospel is the only one in which Jesus is called “Lamb of God”. In fact, the title “Lamb of God” appears only here in John 1:29 & 36, and it is in a case of direct speech by John the Baptist. So, the evangelist may not know what the Baptist meant by his comment, or perhaps the evangelist is trying to lay down some foreshadowing by quoting something from the Baptist that Matthew, Mark and Luke do not include. Does John the Baptist know what lies ahead for Jesus? The Passover Lamb link works well in John’s timeline, but the idea that Jesus being Passover Lamb is linked with atonement is stretching the meaning of Passover. Passover is a celebration of YHWH sparing the firstborn sons of the Israelites. It isn’t about shed blood for atonement for sins.

So what does John the Baptist mean when he calls Jesus “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”? Is he equating him with Passover? I don’t think so; perhaps with atonement. But then we have to ask another tough question, what does it mean that Jesus takes (not will take- it’s a present active participle, meaning “one who takes away”) away the sin of the world? God can forgive sin without bloodshed, can’t he? Well, Jesus gets himself in a lot of trouble when he proclaims forgiveness of sin to a paralyzed man in Mark 2:1-12. The is pre-Calvary forgiveness of sins.

Perhaps the key is the fact that in John 1:29 “sin” is singular. Collective, single unit sin. Jesus death is not about taking away sins (in Mark 2:5, he refers to forgiven sins- plural), but sin as a single entity. He lifts sin from mankind, not by dying in the place of the one who has committed sins, but by carrying sin and putting it to death. May seem to some like a distinction without a difference, but I see something big here. Jesus lifts our very nature, or at the very least the evil aspect of our beings. He doesn’t just take the blame for wrong actions, he looks to remove the cause of wrong actions. He takes away the part of us which leads to death. He removes that identifying mark on us, and gives us a new identity; a mark of righteousness and life, so that death and wrath might pass over.