As part of a social experiment, Londoners were offered up to £50 with no strings attached by a person in the street. Only three out of ten people approached took up the generous offer.

Two men in suits were approached and offered £20, but they were sceptical about the motive behind the offering, immediately responding: “What have you got to do for it?” Another group of men who were offered cash were also cynical and asked “what’s the catch?”, while a man offered a £50 note simply said “No, I don’t want it.”
London Evening Standard, 20/8/2015

I suspect the reason behind that (true) story is that our lack of trust has been learned the hard way though experiences of being betrayed. So we look for a motive. We know the phrases – ‘There’s no such thing as a free lunch’. ‘You never get something for nothing’. ‘If something looks too good to be true, it probably is’

We also know the hymn ‘Gentle Jesus, meek and mild’. Yes He certainly is, but not all the time. In today’s Gospel we see a rather different Jesus – ‘Irritated Jesus, frustrated and annoyed’. People have heard Him speak. He has healed many. They have seen Him perform miracles. He invites them to rejoice. He offers forgiveness.

And they turn away.

Perhaps you can’t totally blame them – they have heard prophets before who have promised them wealth and success, but haven’t delivered – In many cases, leaving people robbed of everything they have.

So they want to know Jesus’ motive – and when they hear that simply out of love for them, He freely offers freedom, they refuse to accept Him.

‘What do I have to do to be free?’, they ask. What will it cost me?

Just believe, He says. I’ll buy it for you. On a cross.

What then are we to say??? Paul’s rhetorical question offers a response to the previous chapter 5, (specifically 5:20 ‘where sin increases, grace abounds all the more’) in which he proclaims that God’s Grace in Jesus is the response to human sin. He wonders whether when people accept this, and particularly when they hear elsewhere that they have to forgive others seventy times seven, that they will think that they may just as well keep on sinning because their sin will be forgiven every time. In fact, the greater the sin, the greater the forgiveness. In that case, the prodigal son may as well come home bringing his washing for his Mum, enjoy the fattened calf for dinner and then clear off to his previous life again.

Paul addresses the concern that by claiming salvation through grace alone, people will simply behave as they pleased without any moral constraint. Through the years, theologians have struggled with this – Martin Luther even had a name for those who believed it – he called it ‘antinomianism’.

In response he said that the Christian way of life post-Baptism is a process of growing throughout our lives, being simultaneously both sinner and saint, continually taking three steps forward, two steps back. Paul describes this as dying to sin and being born again in Christ. In Him, we are aware of our sin and its consequences.

The argument is complex, and the discussion continues. However, when it comes down to it in our day-to-day lives, it is quite simple. When we are baptised in Christ, washed free of our past, we have the opportunity of starting again. We try – and will inevitably fail. But that mustn’t stop us trying.

Peter. Fisherman. Impetuous, always speaking his mind and acting on impulse. Rock on whom the church was founded.
James son of Zebedee. Another fisherman
John. Brother of James. Both known as the ‘Sons of Thunder’
Andrew. Peter’s brother. The first to be called by Jesus.
Philip. Probably Greek-speaking. Brings Nathaniel to Jesus.
Bartholomew??
Matthew. Tax collector – member of One of the most reviled professions in first-century Judaism. Matthew collected taxes for Rome from his fellow Jews in Capernaum.
Thomas – ‘Doubting’ Thomas? Or ‘Practical’ Thomas?
James son of Alphaeus??
Thaddeus also known as Jude the apostle.
Simon the Zealot. may have belonged to a Jewish sect known as the Zealots, who were bent on revolution and looking for a Messiah to violently overthrow Rome. Or he may have simply been zealous for the Mosaic Law. Or zealous for Jesus and his teachings.
Judas Iscariot. The betrayer. Many different opinions on his motives. In art, usually depicted wearing yellow clothing and with red hair

What a bunch. Fishermen. A tax collector. A terrorist. A sceptic. Couple of hotheads. Not sure they’re the ones I’d pick, if I were Jesus. Not even sure they’re entirely trustworthy. Surely it would be more effective to go for celebrities – people who are well known and who could act as ‘influencers’?

Well, actually, no. The Gospel isn’t a fashion accessory. It’s real, and it needs real people to proclaim it. Jesus doesn’t choose people for their looks – He is interested in picking the right ones to do the job and to initiate the word being spread abroad. He chose ‘ordinary’ (actually, no-one is ‘ordinary’ as far as Jesus is concerned) people who would be believed by their friends and neighbours – in turn they would spread the word to their own contacts, and so on in turn. To use a current term – going ‘viral’.

Someone once asked who would be the best person to talk about Jesus to a lorry driver. To which the answer is ‘another lorry driver’.

Who would be the best person to talk to your friends and family about Jesus?

You.

What is Faith? The assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

Faith. The difference that allows us to persevere when we appear to be in a situation of little hope, when doubt ties us down and restricts us from doing what we know we must, when we are attacked by secular rationality that questions our belief.

Faith. When all we have is the promise of Salvation to which we cling, like a lifebelt in stormy seas. When we cannot imagine how God’s promise can be achieved in us. When it appears our suffering can never end.

Faith. When we feel that we can never be forgiven for our past, when we appeal for mercy, when we are told that we are forgiven, whoever we are, whatever we have done.

Faith. That Jesus heals in body, mind and spirit.
Faith. To know that however cold the winter, however dark the night, a new Spring morning will flood creation with light and warmth.

Faith. To strive for righteousness, knowing that without God’s Holy Spirit as our guide alongside us, we will fail. And when we do fail, we get up and start again.

Faith. When we unreservedly place our trust in a risen Christ.

Faith. To proclaim the name of Jesus without fear.

What would it take to set the World on fire?
One match.
What did it take to bring forgiveness, joy and peace?
One breath.
Who does God send to tell the World?
You.