Sunday, April 6, 2025
Bible Readings for April 6, 2025
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Bible Readings for April 5, 2025
Friday, April 4, 2025
Mission Yearbook: Around the Table Initiative fosters faith formation through cohorts
Prayer Requests to be shared during Sunday’s service
On Sunday, April 6, Sligo Presbyterian Church will lift to God the following needs:
- Amy Milanovich
- Angel Wright
- Angela Zitman
- Barbara Yarchuk
- Betty Milanovich
- Betty Phillips
- Betty Terwint
- Bill Wingard
- Bob Varner
- Bus's Sister-in-Law
- Butch, Betsy's brother
- Butch, Cass's brother
- Cara Maguire Defibaugh
- Chris Sibert
- Corbin
- Dan Kemp
- Dan Wallace
- Denny Myers
- Duane Quinn
- Gabe
- Jane
- Jason
- Jeb Rapp
- Jim Mahle
- Jim Mason
- Joann Klamer
- Jodi McNaughton
- Jordan Myers
- Lana Todd
- Landdon Chalmers
- Len Gaulin
- Levi Jack
- Libby Miller
- Lori Myers
- Margie Henry
- Mary Lou McCormack
- Mason Martin
- Matt
- Michael Curran
- Nancy Blauser
- Nancy Wilson
- Patty Divins
- Robb Summerville
- Robbie Burns
- Roberta Fetterman
- Robyn Bartmas
- Ron & Shelly Haines
- Ron Lerch
- Rowan Pinson
- Rudy
- Ryan Cornecki & Family
- Sam & Carol Mason
- Tadd French
- The Bus Clark Family
- The Cambrie Priester Family
- The Christopher McNutt Family
- The Landon Akins Family
- Van Watkins
- Wes Summerville
- Zach Schieberl
The Bulletin for the SPC Worship Service - Sunday, April 6, 2025
As we approach Easter, Christians all over the world focus their attention on the cross and tomb. And because of this, the usual challenge to follow Jesus just doesn’t seem appropriate. I mean, let’s face it, we’re not Jesus, and we usually stop short of going all the way to the cross and tomb; therefore, using him as an example just doesn’t seem particularly helpful, not as we deal with issues much less dramatic than the crucifixion and the resurrection. But fortunately, Jesus wasn’t the only character in this story. In fact, there were some who just might provide examples that we should follow while there were others whose actions and attitudes we might want to avoid. And this will be our focus on each of the Sundays leading up to and including Easter.
You see, using the Gospel of John, we’ll look at the following six men and women so that we might better understand who they were, what role they played in this story, and how we might use their examples in our own lives:
- March 16 – Philip
- March 23 – Peter
- March 30 – Annas & Caiaphas
- April 6 – Pilate
- April 13 – Nicodemus
- April 20 – Mary Magdalene
During the fourth service, we'll focus on Pilate, the Roman governor. Below is the bulletin for the service. You can stream the service by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). You can hear a podcast of the service at the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel or the Sligo Presbyterian Spotify Page.
Faces in the Crowd: Characters in the Story of Jesus (Matthew and the Tax Collectors)
- Session 1 - Mary, the Mother of Jesus
- Session 2 - John the Baptist
- Session 3 - Nicodemus
- Session 4 - Mary Magdalene
- Session 5 - Simon Peter (Part 1)
- Session 6 - Simon Peter (Part 2)
- Session 7 - Simon Peter (Part 3)
- Session 8 - Matthew and the Tax Collectors
- Session 9 - John, Thomas and the Rest
- Session 10 - The Scribes, Pharisees and Teachers of the Law
- Session 11 - The Herods
- Session 12 - Pilate and the Other Romans
- Session 13 - The Crowds
- Session 14 - The Rich Young Ruler and His Friends
In our eighth session, we looked at Matthew and the tax collectors. A recording of our discussion and some of the passages we discussed are below.
Matthew was mentioned as an Apostle in Mark, Matthew and Luke.
Mark 3:13-18: He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, and to have authority to cast out demons. So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean,
Matthew 10:1-4: Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.
Luke 6:12-16: Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Acts 1:12-13: Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
There’s a story of Matthew's background and calling in Matthew
Matthew 9:9-13: As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
There are similar stories about Levi in Mark and Luke.
Mark 2:14-17: As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard this, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
Luke 5:27-32: After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up, left everything, and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
There’s little evidence in the Gospel of Matthew that it was written by the apostle.
Below are some factors that might speak against Matthew being the author:
- No author is mentioned in the gospel itself. Contrast with Luke.
- There’s no claim that the author was an eye-witness.
- The gospel follows the chronology of Mark and shares material with Luke.
- The gospel was written in Greek, probably to an unsophisticated Jewish audience.
Tax Collectors played a specific role within the Roman Empire .
- The Empire followed a practice known as “tax farming.”
- The money offered was called publicani.
- The collectors were private citizens who agreed to pay the amount owed in a geographic area.
- They covered what they owed by collecting taxes, fees and tolls from the people.
Certain passages reflected how tax collectors were morally viewed.
Matthew 5:46: For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
Mark 2:15-17: And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard this, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
Luke 3:12-13: Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.”
Luke used tax collectors to teach positive lessons.
Luke 15:1-32: Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. “Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”
Luke 18:9-14: He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 19:1-10: He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
Bible Readings for April 4, 2025
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Mission Yearbook: ‘Coldest Night of the Year’ 3K walk raises funds, awareness for Wisconsin warming shelter
Remembering Our Brother, Bus Clark
Below is the obituary for Bus as it appears on the Varner Funeral Home website.
He was born on August 2, 1946 in Dutch Hill, and he was the son of Delmar and Mabel (Fair) Clark.
Bus married Ellen Summerville on January 18, 1969 and she survives. They had 56 wonderful years together.
Bus was a Veteran of the United States Army. He was stationed in Korea for 13 months at the DMZ and also Germany for 13 months.
He was a Strip Coal Miner and Heavy Equipment Operator. He worked for various Coal Companies, C&K Coal Company being one of them and he eventually retired from RFI.
In his spare time he enjoyed mowing his lawn, deer hunting, Steelers games, war movies, tinkering in his garage, the fellowship at his church, his animals, and spending time with family and friends.
He was a member of the Sligo Presbyterian Church.
Bus is survived by his wife Ellen Clark of Sligo, two daughters; Tracy Simpson and her husband Mark of East Brady, Tricia Crawford and her husband Kevin of Sligo, one son, Bradley Clark and his wife Tristian of Butler, two brothers; James Clark and his wife Shirley of Mechanicsburg, and Rickie Clark of GA., five grandchildren; Dawnell, Abigale, Daniel, Sydni, and Riley, two grandpups; Diesel and Mack, five step grandchildren, eight step great-grandchildren, and a sister-in-law, Betty Clark of Lancaster, OH. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by four brothers; Eugene, Paul, Edward and John (Jack) Clark, and a sister, Judy Hyde.
Bus’s family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 PM Sunday April 6, 2025 at the Varner Funeral Home in Sligo. Additional viewing will be held from 10 AM to 11 AM on Monday April 7, 2025 at the Sligo Presbyterian Church. Military Honors will be accorded by the Ceremonial Squads with the American Legion Post 454 and the VFW Post 7132 of Rimersburg at 10:45 AM at the church. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM with Pastor Ed Rudiger, Pastor of the Sligo Presbyterian Church, officiating.
Interment will follow in the Sligo Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Sligo Presbyterian Building Fund, P.O. Box 310 Sligo, PA. 16255.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.Varnerfuneralhome.com
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
On the Road to Jerusalem: A Study of Luke (Beginning the Journey - Luke 9:51–10:24)
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- Session 1 - The Announcements (Luke 1:1-56)
- Session 2 - The Births (Luke 1:57–2:21)
- Session 3 - Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:22-52)
- Session 4 - The Ministry of the Baptist (Luke 3:1-20)
- Session 5 - Jesus is Identified (Luke 3:21–4:13)
- Session 6 - Off and Running (Luke 4:14–5:16)
- Session 7 - Early Controversies (Luke 5:17–6:11)
- Session 8 - Choosing and Preparing the 12 (Luke 6:12-49)
- Session 9 - The Christ (Luke 7:1-50)
- Session 10 - Hearing and Doing (Luke 8:1-21)
- Session 11 - Revealing the Power of God (Luke 8:22-56)
- Session 12 - You Are the Christ of God (Luke 9:1-27)
- Session 13 - A Different Kind of Christ (Luke 9:28-50)
- Session 14 - Beginning the Journey (Luke 9:51–10:24)
- Session 15 - Love of God and Neighbor (Luke 10:25-42)
- Session 16 - Prayer (Luke 11:1-13)
- Session 17 - Conflicts and Controversies (Luke 11:14-11:54)
- Session 18 - Getting Ready [Part 1] (Luke 12:1-12:34)
- Session 19 - Getting Ready [Part 2] (Luke 12:35–13:9)
- Session 20 - Unexpected Reversals (Luke 13:10-13:35)
- Session 21 - Kingdom Etiquette (Luke 14:1-35)
- Session 22 - Parables of Joy (Luke 15:1-32)
- Session 23 - The Problem with Wealth (Luke 16:1-31)
- Session 24 - Forgiveness and Faith (Luke 17:1-19)
- Session 25 - The Kingdom Is Coming (Luke 17:20–18:8)
- Session 26 - Rich and Poor (Luke 18:9-18:30)
- Session 27 - Approaching the City (Luke 18:31–19:28)
- Session 28 - The Entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19:29-48)
- Session 29 - Jesus in the Temple Again (Luke 20:1–21:4)
- Session 30 - The Coming End (Luke 21:5-38)
- Session 31 - The Last Supper (Luke 22:1-20)
- Session 32 - Parting Words (Luke 22:21-38)
- Session 33 - Prayer, Arrest and Denials (Luke 22:39-62)
- Session 34 - Trials (Luke 22:63–23:25)
- Session 35 - Crucifixion and Death (Luke 23:26-56)
- Session 36 - Empty Tomb and Emmaus Road (Luke 24:1-35)
- Session 37 - The Blessing and Departure (Luke 24:36-53)
In our fourteenth session, we looked at Luke 9:51–10:24 and talked about Jesus beginning his journey to Jerusalem. The discussion and passage are below.
Luke 9:51–10:24 [New Revised Standard Version]
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”
Bible Readings for April 2, 2025
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Mission Yearbook: ‘Along the Road’ podcast explores the global Presbyterian family
The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, March 30, 2025
As we approach Easter, Christians all over the world focus their attention on the cross and tomb. And because of this, the usual challenge to follow Jesus just doesn’t seem appropriate. I mean, let’s face it, we’re not Jesus, and we usually stop short of going all the way to the cross and tomb; therefore, using him as an example just doesn’t seem particularly helpful, not as we deal with issues much less dramatic than the crucifixion and the resurrection. But fortunately, Jesus wasn’t the only character in this story. In fact, there were some who just might provide examples that we should follow while there were others whose actions and attitudes we might want to avoid. And this will be our focus on each of the Sundays leading up to and including Easter.
You see, using the Gospel of John, we’ll look at the following six men and women so that we might better understand who they were, what role they played in this story, and how we might use their examples in our own lives:
- March 16 – Philip
- March 23 – Peter
- March 30 – Annas
- April 6 – Pilate
- April 13 – Nicodemus
- April 20 – Mary Magdalene
On Sunday, March 30, we looked at the High Priests Caiaphas and Annas and discussed how we might develop better priorities. Below is a video of the service, the podcast of the sermon and the service bulletin. You can stream the service by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). You can hear a podcast of the service at the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel or the Sligo Presbyterian Spotify Page.
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Sunday's Message - Beside(s) Jesus: The High Priests Caiaphas and Annas
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You see, using the Gospel of John, we’ll look at the following six men and women so that we might better understand who they were, what role they played in this story, and how we might use their examples in our own lives:
- March 16 – Philip
- March 23 – Peter
- March 30 – Caiaphas and Annas
- April 6 – Pilate
- April 13 – Nicodemus
- April 20 – Mary Magdalene
On Sunday, March 30, we looked at the High Priests Caiaphas and Annas and discussed how we might develop better priorities. Below is the podcast and text of the sermon. You can stream the service by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). You can hear a podcast of the service at the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel or the Sligo Presbyterian Spotify Page.
Well, here we are, a little bit closer to both Easter and the chicken Mike is frying up in the kitchen for what I can safely say is my first picnic of 2025. And since we’re having it indoors, the good news is we don’t have to worry about our beans giving soggy or our deviled eggs being carried away by ants.
And I’ve got to tell you, I believe this priority business may be something pretty important for us to think about, because, whether we recognize it or not, we’re constantly setting priorities and acting on those priorities we’ve set. And you know, we can see what they are actually in what we say and what we do. In other words, our words and our actions show the world what we believe, what we think, what we value. In a very real way, they reflect our priorities. Now, in my opinion, this is neither good nor bad; that’s just the way it is. We get into trouble, though, when we’re not aware that it’s happening and the priorities which shape our behavior are tucked away in the dark. And right there’s the problem, especially when what we assume is important to us isn’t reflected in our words and work. You see, that’s the problem when our real priorities are lurking in the shadows.
And so, this morning, we’re going to bring them into the light. Using the examples of Caiaphas and Annas and some of the other Jewish leaders as described in the Gospel of John, we’re going to consider how we might become a little more intentional in identifying and setting our priorities. And as we’ve done the last couple of weeks, we’ll do this by answering three questions. First, what role did Caiaphas and Annas play in the last week of Jesus’s life? And second, who were the Jewish leaders according to John? And then, third, how can we use the example of Caiaphas and Annas as we consider the priorities we actually follow, whether we know them or not.
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Many of the people who had come to visit Mary saw the things Jesus did, and they put their faith in him. Others went to the Pharisees and told what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called the council together and said, “What should we do? This man is working a lot of miracles. If we don’t stop him now, everyone will put their faith in him. Then the Romans will come and destroy our temple and our nation.”
One of the council members was Caiaphas, who was also high priest that year. He spoke up and said, “You people don’t have any sense at all! Don’t you know it is better for one person to die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed?” Caiaphas did not say this on his own. As high priest that year, he was prophesying that Jesus would die for the nation. Yet Jesus would not die just for the Jewish nation. He would die to bring together all of God’s scattered people. From that day on, the council started making plans to put Jesus to death. [John 11:45-53, CEV]
Now that was a story that sort of focused on Caiaphas. And I think we need to keep it in mind when we read about Annas about five days later, you know, after Gethsemane.
The Roman officer and his men, together with the temple police, arrested Jesus and tied him up. They took him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. This was the same Caiaphas who had told the Jewish leaders, “It is better if one person dies for the people.”
The high priest questioned Jesus about his followers and his teaching. But Jesus told him, “I have spoken freely in front of everyone. And I have always taught in our synagogues and in the temple, where all of our people come together. I have not said anything in secret. Why are you questioning me? Why don’t you ask the people who heard me? They know what I have said.”
As soon as Jesus said this, one of the temple police hit him and said, “That’s no way to talk to the high priest!”
Jesus answered, “If I have done something wrong, say so. But if not, why did you hit me?” Jesus was still tied up, and Annas sent him to Caiaphas the high priest. [John 18:12-14, 19-23, CEV]
Now that’s what the Evangelists had to say about our dynamic priestly duo.
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As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who had been blind since birth. Jesus’ disciples asked, “Teacher, why was this man born blind? Was it because he or his parents sinned?”
“No, it wasn’t!” Jesus answered. “But because of his blindness, you will see God work a miracle for him. As long as it is day, we must do what the one who sent me wants me to do. When night comes, no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light for the world.”
After Jesus said this, he spit on the ground. He made some mud and smeared it on the man’s eyes. Then he said, “Go wash off the mud in Siloam Pool.” The man went and washed in Siloam, which means “One Who Is Sent.” When he had washed off the mud, he could see. [John 9:1-7, CEV]
Now, by any measure, what Jesus did was pretty spectacular. But not for the Jewish leaders. You see, how they responded was shaped by the values they had and the priorities they’d already set. And I think that’s clear in their first encounter with the healed man.
The day when Jesus made the mud and healed the man was a Sabbath. So the people took the man to the Pharisees. They asked him how he was able to see, and he answered, “Jesus made some mud and smeared it on my eyes. Then after I washed it off, I could see.”You see, in the first encounter, since they’d already decided to get Jesus, what they said was shaped by their priorities. And you know, it got even worse when they talked to the man again.
Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus doesn’t come from God. If he did, he would not break the law of the Sabbath.” [John 9:13-16, CEV]
The leaders called the man back and said, “Swear by God to tell the truth! We know that Jesus is a sinner.”
The man replied, “I don’t know if he is a sinner or not. All I know is that I used to be blind, but now I can see!” [John 9:24-25, CEV]
And then, by the end, this was what happened.
The leaders insulted the man and said, “You are his follower! We are followers of Moses. We are sure God spoke to Moses, but we don’t even know where Jesus comes from.”
“How strange!” the man replied. “He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know where he comes from. We know that God listens only to people who love and obey him. God doesn’t listen to sinners. And this is the first time in history anyone has ever given sight to someone born blind. Jesus could not do anything unless he came from God.”
The leaders told the man, “You have been a sinner since the day you were born! Do you think you can teach us anything?” Then they said, “You can never come back into any of our synagogues!” [John 9:28-34, CEV]
You see, their desire to label Jesus a sinner which would enable them to “find a more permanent solution to their problem,” this was how the Evangelist John saw those Jewish leaders, including Caiaphas and Annas.
Which leaves us the simple question: How? How can we avoid setting the same kind of horrible priorities that led these High Priests of Judaism to send their messiah and God’s son to the cross? I mean, how might we take some control over the priorities we set so that we might better understand and shape our own words and actions? In other words, how can we expose our actual priorities to a little bit of light? Now that’s the question.
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My children, I will be with you for only a little while longer. Then you will look for me, but you won’t find me. I tell you just as I told the people, “You cannot go where I am going.” But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples. [John 13:33-35, CEV]
You see, I think we can better control our priorities when we’re clear about the values we hold. That’s one.
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Thomas, whose nickname was “Twin,” said to the other disciples, “Come on. Let’s go, so we can die with him.” [John 11:1-16, CEV]
You see, in setting his priorities, Thomas was crystal clear about the situation Jesus and his fellow disciples faced. And we can be the same, and I think that’s the second thing we can do.
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Jesus said:
The time has come for the Son of Man to be given his glory. I tell you for certain that a grain of wheat that falls on the ground will never be more than one grain unless it dies. But if it dies, it will produce lots of wheat. If you love your life, you will lose it. If you give it up in this world, you will be given eternal life. If you serve me, you must go with me. My servants will be with me wherever I am. If you serve me, my Father will honor you.
Now I am deeply troubled, and I don’t know what to say. But I must not ask my Father to keep me from this time of suffering. In fact, I came into the world to suffer. So Father, bring glory to yourself. [John 12:23-28a, CEV]
I’ll tell you, if we want to shape and to control our priorities better than we do now, I think it’s important to be clear about the consequences we anticipate. And that’s the third thing we can do.
Of course, right now, I hope our priorities are set, especially if you’re staying for the first picnic of the season. I know mine are. I mean, since I value spending some quality time with all of y’all and since I know we’re all going to be together around the tables in the Fellowship Hall and since I’m confident that the chicken and sides are going to be great, kicking back and enjoying some outstanding food and fellowship, that’s my priority at this time. And as we leave here this morning and go about our daily living, well, we can do the same. You see, if we’re clear about the values we hold and if we’re clear about the situations we face and if we’re clear about the consequences we anticipate, I believe we’ll avoid the priority trap that caught both Caiaphas and Annas.
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