I’m back to normal, mostly, and effectively not dead. Also, I’m totally not preaching exactly this sermon; it ended up clunkier than I wanted.
John 10:22-30; Revelation 7:9-17; Psalm 23; Acts 9:36-43
When Christianity first appeared on the world stage in the early 1st Century, as highlighted in the book of Acts, it was the underdog. At first it was persecuted by the Jews, who saw them as a heretical group who followed the teachings of an executed blasphemer and thus worthy of imprisonment and sometimes even death. Then the Romans stepped up their own persecution of Christians, first because of the high tensions between Jews and Romans (because most outsiders viewed Christianity as a sect of Judaism), and later because Christians were blamed by Nero for the fire of Rome. There was then limited persecution under Domitian, Trajan, Decius, and Valerian, but nothing like that which happened under Diocletian.
In 303, the oracle of Apollo gave a statement which was interpreted to support a plan of heavy persecution of Christians, which became official on February 24, 303. The “Edict against the Christians” ordered the destruction of Bibles, hymnals, and churches; banned public worship; withdrew the rights of Christians to access the judicial system, and imprisoned clergy. Christian politicians, aristocrats, and soldiers lost all of their rank and privileges; freed Christian slaves were forced to return to slavery.
Then, in February 313, Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, eliminated all persecution of Christians, and even restored the property which had previously been confiscated. Constantine’s public acceptance and practice of Christianity led a number of public officials also converting, as the religion of the emperor was the “in” religion. Christianity continued to grow, so much that on February 27 380, the joint emperors Theodosius I, Gratian, and Valentinian II issued the Edict of Thessalonica, which made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.
After that, things started to go downhill. With it’s new-found status of official religion, the Church started to actively persecute those who it considered heretics. Sadly, it never really got over this proclivity. After the dismantling of the western half Roman Empire, the only true power structure still in place was the Church, and it took on a great deal of authority. Anyone who taught something against the Church’s interpretation was tried and often executed.
By the time of the Reformation, this attitude was firmly adopted. It wasn’t until Martin Luther secured the patronage and protection of Elector Frederick III that anyone had actually avoided the systematic persecution or those who preached anything not completely in agreement with church doctrine. Of course, instead of acceptance of slightly different specifics while still in agreement over the most important things, the Church (which I’ll start referring to as the Catholic Church, to avoid confusion) instituted a counter-Reformation, including something called the Inquisition, which I believe we’re reasonably familiar with.
Sadly, this systematic persecution of those who aren’t the same kind of Christian as “us” hasn’t quite gone away. Utah has been a notable exception, but in most places I’ve lived, the different kinds of Christians don’t really get along all that well. It’s even worse when Christians interact with non-Christians, as we tend to assume that there’s something wrong with them and their unbelief needs to be fixed.
Now that was a whole lot of background, all to basically show that Christianity in the 4th Century when from being persecuted to being the persecutor. But it’s important, especially considering our gospel text today. I almost thought of reading the verses around this text, but decided instead to cover it here. John records immediately before this that Jesus had said he is the good shepherd who will lay down his life for his sheep, though he will take it up again, and that’s why the Father sent him. Those who heard him weren’t sure how to respond, some said he was demon-possessed and insane, others were impressed by his miracles or saw some sense in what he was saying.
Then John tells us that the people gathered around him and asked, rather bluntly, if he was the Messiah, and to give them a straight answer about it. Jesus basically says, “I did give you a straight answer, in what I’ve said and done, but you still didn’t listen because you’re not my sheep. My sheep know my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, because the Father, who is greater than everything, has given them to me and no one can take them from the Father.”
Then he goes and says something they weren’t expecting. “I and the Father are one.” Now here our reading ends, but the very next verse says, “Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him.” Here’s what’s most interesting to me about all this: Jesus doesn’t really resist them, even though he managed to escape their grasp eventually. All Jesus does is have a conversation.
When Jesus encountered opposition to his ministry, he didn’t get upset and start yelling. He didn’t use the power he had available as God’s Son to smite anyone. He was just himself. He even says, “Do not believe in me unless I do what my Father does. But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand.” Jesus considers the best testimony of who he is to be how he acts.
I always wonder how differently we would react to those who are opposed to us if we really let our actions speak for us, like Jesus seems to be saying here. What if we really heard and responded to what others were saying instead of putting up walls and assuming they are wrong? Now I’m not saying that we should compromise the truths of Scripture, instead I’m saying we should pay closer attention to the truths of Scripture. Jesus never compromised himself, but he always dealt with those he encountered lovingly, even those who wanted to kill him.
It seems to me that for the past several years Christianity is getting more and more defensive; as if it’s preparing to be on the receiving end of a siege. It’s putting up walls, preparing defenses, and settling in for a long fight. Let me tell you something, when a castle is under siege, the one with the most supplies wins. The loser is usually the one who runs out of food first. As Christians, our “food” is God’s Word, and it’s time we stop talking about God’s Word, and instead start feeding ourselves with it. It’s time to refocus on God’s story – the way He’s interacted with us through the prophets, apostles, and most importantly His Son – and really be God’s sheep, following his voice and example to do what the Father does.