© Copyright, Christ Church, Blacklands and St. Andrew, Hastings Parochial Church Council. 2011 to 2024. No part of this web-site may be copied by any means, or added to any data feed, without express permission.
Welcome to Christ Church, Blacklands & St. Andrew, Laton Road, Hastings
The Crucified King: Discovering the Jesus of the Fourth Gospel
Notes on a talk given in Blacklands Church on Sunday 17th February.
It’s a strange but true paradox that the world often hates the people who do the most good. On the eve of his crucifixion Jesus said something that must have chilled the hearts of the disciples, “If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you” (John Ch.15). Christians in the first century endured ruthless persecution. Nero the Roman Emperor entertained to the crowds by feeding them to the lions. The Colosseum in Rome stands today as a stark reminder of the cost of Christian discipleship in those days. It did not deter people from becoming Christians and the Church continued to grow.
Persecution is by no means a thing of the past. It is happening in many parts of the world today. In some Muslim countries it is illegal for Muslims to become Christians. Those who do are disowned by their families, often lose their jobs, and in some cases are physically ill treated. We should not forget China with a population in excess of a billion. It is not illegal to be a Christian in China but open expressions of faith can lead to trouble with the authorities. In spite of this the Church continues to grow, though some of the larger churches are forced to meet in small groups, just like it was in New Testament times.
For the past two years I am pleased that Blacklands Church has included ‘The Barnabas Fund’ in its giving to overseas mission. The Barnabas Fund supports Christians facing persecution in many parts of the world today. You can read about their work in their bi-monthly magazine in the church.
A few years ago at a gathering of church leaders under the auspices of the World Council of Churches, Bishop Bromley Oxnam said: “In deep humility I must confess I have never had to suffer for my faith….. I was born in a free land….. I have inherited a faith for which others have died. I bow in respectful homage to those Christians who know the meaning of the prison cell, hunger and rejection, those who are today living through the fires of persecution”
What about Christians in Britain’s secular society? There have been issues about wearing a cross at work and also the case of a Registrar who lost her job for refusing the conduct a Civil Partnership ceremony. I do however think it is premature to talk of a vendetta against Christians. Even so, it can be tough for a young Christian at school. Peer pressure, teasing, even bullying can make things very unpleasant. Adults also might find that their Christian commitment provokes a hostile response in the work place. Though we are a tolerant society, there are strong political and social pressures, to get everyone thinking and doing the same thing, especially when it comes to moral issues and life-style. It is based on the false assumption that the majority is always right. It aims to promote a ‘cultural consensus’.
Jesus repeatedly challenged many of the moral and social ‘norms’ of his day. He affirmed woman, welcomed little children, spoke to Samaritans, He mixed with tax-collectors and cheats like Matthew and Zacchaeus yet at the same time challenged their life-style and dishonesty. He showed tough love and concern for the needy and vulnerable. He proclaimed a message of repentance and forgiveness, asserting human nature to be basically flawed and in need of redemption. His ‘tough’ love was finally tried and tested on the cross of Calvary.
A letter from Geoffrey Boland of Bournemouth, published on 7th February in ‘The Times’ newspaper at the time of the ‘Gay’ Marriage debate in Parliament makes an important point. “I agree with Andrew Adonis that ‘true followers of Jesus Christ never had it easy’ (Opinion, Feb 5). But why does he, like many others, continue to paint Jesus as an all-embracing liberal who loves and accepts everything and everybody? If you read the gospels carefully you will observe that he was tough, challenging, and to some of his hearers offensive. He was utterly convinced of the need to obey God’s word and he did not expect everyone to agree with him. He said it would be a minority rather that a majority that would follow him. Tough love means saying “No” to some things……”
‘Today, Jesus calls you and me to be bold and more confident about our faith, embracing tough love, supporting the persecuted, and following the ‘Crucified Christ’.
John Fletcher
From Canon John Fletcher