The Sermon in a Nutshell
The Sunday of Pentecost
Scripture: John 7:37-52; 8:12
Secular society tells us that Jesus had some good ideas about loving others and helping those in need, but those bits about him being the Son of God and rising from the dead are just stories. He’s just a fairy tale.
At first, we may find this comforting. After all, if Jesus is just a story, then there’s no judgment of right and wrong; we can live our lives on our own terms without worrying about repentance and judgment.
But the problem with living life on our own terms is that not everything that feels good is actually good for us. We need rules and guidance in order to grow and mature, just as musicians need music theory to make beautiful music.
This attitude is not new. It’s the attitude the temple authorities and the Pharisees had. They didn’t believe that Jesus was the Christ. Instead, they wanted to live life by their own rules, and so they sent the police to go and arrest Jesus. Yet, Jesus wins them over.
Christ is the one who can truly quench our thirst and give us life. Following Christ is not a restriction but a freedom that allows us to become something new and grow.
He gives us what we need and teaches us so that we can become what we’re meant to be: complete human beings in communion with God.
All that is required of us is a decision: to trust Christ and follow Him. As we do this, we will be walking in the light.