Today we are invited to ponder

Psalm 119:9-16
Haggai 2:1-9, 20-23
John 12:34-50

Haggai is one of the less well known parts of the Bible, at just two chapters or thirty-eight verses long it does not exactly constitute a major work.  I have read it, but to be honest have never really given it much thought.  We have two writings, I would suggest since each chapter opens the same way, describing oracles or prophecies that were delivered, it appears, within a period of about three months.  In the first the people are heavily chastised for their misguided priorities - they live in panelled houses whilst the Temple lies in ruins.  In the second chapter we move on to promises, a rebuilt temple of greater glory than the former.  The 'trick' of course is not to confuse the literal Temple, lovely though it may have been with the Temple-mindset which is really what is alluded to here.  Making our own lives more comfortable, acquiring more possessions to the detriment of all things spiritual is not acceptable.

The John passage seems to offer a summary of much of what this gospel writer is about, with its emphasis on Jesus as the Light.  But if we slow down a little, we find a few less familiar verses...

The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?"
Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going.  While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light." After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.

John 12:34 - 36 NRSV

Two things strike me...

Firstly, here is a clear - and valid - question about the Messiah.  The Messianic age lasts forever, according to Jewish teaching, so if Jesus is as he claims Messiah, how can he go away?  Presumably the writer of the fourth the gospel anticipated this being a question relevant for his readers - could they hold together traditional understandings of Messiah with the reality of a Jesus who died (albeit then resurrected) and a world where suffering continued.  Good question!  And still one we ought to wrestle with today.

Secondly, the last sentence makes me chuckle - Jesus left and hid!  It is so very human.  To keep engaging with the people, answering the questions and so on would have an impact on the turn of events.  The writer needs Jesus to arrive safe and sound at his passion, the plotters and perpetrators of the jumped up trial need clear space to make their plans.  All has to come together at the right time in the right way.

[M]any, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God.

John 12: 42 - 43 NRSV

Here is another hint at the cost of discipleship - people became what we would now call crypto-Christians, people who who believed in Jesus but hid their faith away because they did not want to risk ridicule or rejection, being more concerned about human approval.  A reminder for me, anyway, of the need to think whose approval I seek - that of you, gentle reader, or that of God.  Hmm.

What do I make of all this, Lord?

What do I do with these verses that tease and challenge?

As I sit in the comfort of my home, tapping on my laptop

Enjoying the bounty of Western society.

How do I make sense of it Lord?

This dawning Messianic age, with a messiah who dies?

As I hear in the news of suffering, injustice, disaster

Throughout the world for which Christ died.

Are you still hiding, Lord?

Waiting for the moment to be right for you?

To transform the battered creation

Bringing new life, new hope, new love.

I believe you, Lord, I believe

Yet sometimes I hide too

Unwilling, unable to speak out

Afraid they'll reject me, like they did you.

Forgive me my duplicity

Wanting your approval and theirs

Wanting to have it all

Wanting it to be easy

Then lead me from my hiding place

And renew my courage

To live and work

For your praise and glory

Amen.