Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

The title to this post is, as many will recognise, the first line of an old Negro spiritual - songs that were sung by African slaves in the cotton plantations of the southern states of the "New World" of North America.  The answer, of course, is that all of us were represented as the Lamb, slain from before the foundation of the world, hung on that old rugged Cross.

But who was there, physically, on that day almost 2,000 years ago?  Well, there were the men who engineered His death - the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  The Pharisees were teachers of the Mosaic Law.  They ran the schools and synagogues and, in a sense, considered themselves to be the national conscience of the Jewish people.  They were men of high moral character.   Jesus, Himself, said "... unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 5:20).  They certainly had very strict attitude to life and their religious beliefs. They accepted the Scriptures (our Old Testament) as the Word of God.  Why should such men have wanted to destroy Jesus?  Simply because he was a threat to their status and authority!  They regarded it as their sole prerogative to keep the nation together spiritually, so when Jesus said: "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." (John 14:6), they were angered to the point of scheming His death.  They are an illustration of how men who are moral and upright can go wrong!

Then there were the Sadducees.  They were a group of aristocratic priests who were not only the spiritual leaders of the people, but also statesmen.  At the time when the Lord Jesus lived out His incarnate life, they were more concerned about politics than spirituality, and went out of their way to maintain good relationships with the occupying Roman forces.  Concerned for their own position, they were concerned that Jesus might start an insurrection that would bring the might of Imperial Rome down upon them, and upon the nation.  The well-known words of their leader - the High Priest, Caiaphas: "... that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish." (John 11:50), reveal the deep intent of their hearts.  They saw the Lord as a hindrance to their self-interest and self-concerns.  So, because it seemed to them to be expedient, they had Him nailed to a Cross.

This topic is going to take two posts, but permit me to mention one other person. He was not physically present at the crucifixion - but was instrumental in bringing it about.  His name was Judas Iscariot.  I don't know what a modern psycho-analyst would discover if he could have Judas Iscariot on his consulting room couch for a full session.  However, two questions surely arise when we look at this man - how could anyone who had know the Christ so well; who hard lived with Him, travelled with Him, dined with Him, listened to His teaching; do such a traitorous thing? Secondly, why would he do it for such a paltry sum of money - the price laid down for a slave!? (see Ex.21:32).  The only answer with which we may come up is that it was a mixture of greed, and attempting to 'force the hand' of Jesus. He may have travelled with the Lord, but did he ever enter into a genuine relationship with Him?  

In the very first sermon that I ever preached - almost fifty years ago! - I made the point that there were those who sit in church buildings, Sunday by Sunday, without any serious commitment to the Christ in their hearts.  They may persuade themselves that, because they have gone through certain ecclesiastical rituals, and have their names on a membership roll, that they are "Christians"! However, they are merely using the name, without any real relationship to the Lord.  Judas Iscariot would seem to have been of that ilk!

Of course, when we look at these people, we must also look at ourselves.   Perhaps at this mid-point of this Holy Week, we need to check who is in control in our lives. Does Jesus have full authority - or is He a threat to the authority we want to retain for ourselves?  Are we more concerned for our own position in society, than for His honour and glory?   Do we have a genuine relationship with Jesus - or are we depending on externals?  These are important questions.  They are personal questions.  They are questions that need to be asked - and answered - honestly!

A good legacy.

Earlier today, one of my Canadian friends posted a video-clip on Facebook.  Well worth watching!

 

As a retired teacher, I loved it. The teacher in the clip and I had so much in common. Even with the going to the toilet (UK-speak for the bathroom: if it doesn't have a bath, it isn't a bathroom!!!). In my case, I pointed out that, in their teens, they ought to be able to exercise a certain amount of control over their bladders; that they had regular intervals in which to attend to such bodily functions; and, when a girl insisted that it was "that time of the month", I let her know that I was noting the date, and that she would not get away with that excuse for at least another four weeks!

I also encouraged my charges to think; to consider evidence; not to be biased. I taught them the difference between asking "Can I ...?" and "May I ...?" - even 'though I was not their teacher of English! We had a lot of fun in class - but they knew where I had drawn the line (and it was I who drew it!). What did I make - I endeavoured to make well-rounded, positive, contributory, well-mannered, members of society

The result?! Some 80% of my Facebook contacts are former pupils - and only at their request! Actually, I have almost 100 who have made the request but whom I have not accepted - either because I don't recall them or, in some cases, because I recall them only too well! I have had pupils contact me to apologise for their deviant behaviour in my class - indicative, I would hope of their having absorbed something positive, even if it didn't blossom for many years.  There are some with whom I meet, from time to time, for a coffee (or, in my case, usually a Green Tea!).

The moral - for any adult who is involved with youngsters? You never know the effect that you are having on young, impressionable, minds - so be careful! Let them see, in you, "... whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious," whatever is excellent, whatever is worthy of praise. (see Philippians 4:8). You will have no regrets!

Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill (2)

I may not be known to many, but I am certainly known to my MSPs and, indeed, to my representative in the Westminster Parliament as well.  I only wish that others, who are just as capable as I - and many who are more so - would take the time and effort to contact their political representatives and remind them that, in a democracy, that is exactly what they are - representatives of the people who elected them to high office!

Following the letter below that I sent out at the end of last week, I received a couple of responses that sought to show that my concerns were unfounded.  This is a copy of the response sent to those responses!

"Dear [name]

Thank you for your prompt response.

I appreciate all that you have written.  However, I am still concerned about, for example, the list of "corporate parents", in Part 7 of the Bill, who will, as I understand the situation, be able to provide a "nominated person" for every child.  I accept that a Health Visitor has a part - one would claim, an important part - to play in the early days of a child's life; that a schoolteacher will be keeping an eye on all of his/her charges and be in a position to raise any legitimate concerns.  This kind of scenario is not the issue.

However, when I see that, e.g., the Chief Constable of Police Scotland is on the list, I wonder exactly what is going on!   Is my grandchild of six years of age deemed worthy of police attention without any misdemeanour having been committed?  If he does happen to commit a chargeable offence, will not the police be automatically involved in any case?

You kindly refer me to the Pilot Project in the Highlands, but fail to mention that some 8,000 children (approximately 20%) have plans that are led by social workers or head teachers!  Is this truly indicative of the level of poor parenting in that area of our land?

I would respectfully suggest that this Bill, like so many pushed through by this current government, is poorly thought out, and may well lead to a plethora of unintended consequences.  As I have already urged, please vote against this Bill - at least Part 3, and its associated Part 7.

Kind regards."

Let more of us ensure that our elected representatives are aware that they are answerable to us, the electorate.  Please check out this blog for any future, contentious, issues.  There are a number 'in the pipeline'!