AfterWords: Towards the Cross - Reversals

 

John 19:1-16a

An Upside-Down World – This is a story of reversals: people being and doing other than expected, other than who they are. Pilate—the Roman governor—takes the side of the Jewish rabbi who may rival Caesar. Three times, Pilate declares, “I find no fault in this man.” The Jewish religious leaders clamor for the death of one of their own while affirming allegiance to Caesar! What in the world?! What brings on these kinds of reversal? We need to know because we’re guilty of the same thing at times.

Reversals – Reversals grow mostly out of fear. Pilate fears for his job, and he fears the Jewish leaders who have caused problems for him in the past. The Jewish leaders fear the new ideas and popularity of this rabbi. They all fear upsetting the precariously balanced cart of status quo that keeps the peace in Judea.

Reversals Today –In the important story of Creation, God makes us stewards creation (Gen. 1:26-30). While we expect Christians champion Creation care, we often find a reversal—Christians simply ignore or even work against Creation care. Why?

Often, people act out of fear of being labeled. Tragically, conservatives and progressives have divvied up the world. Environment (Creation care) now falls to the side of progressives, so if anyone suggests anything about caring for Creation, they are labeled. They choose to remain silent out of fear of what others will think or how they’ll be labeled though Scripture is clear on the issue—we are charged with caring for Creation.

In the New Testament, Jesus speaks much about wealth and finances. Christians should know where to stand on the side of fiscal responsibility. We should champion financial responsibility…personal and national. We should support reigning in wasteful spending and seeking a balanced budget, but too many Christians take a reversal because fiscal responsibility is a theme championed by conservatives. Too many Christians remain silent out of fear of what others may think or how they’ll be labeled though Scripture is clear—we are to be fiscally responsible.

This is important to Jesus –  When religious leaders declare that Jesus casts out demons because he’s possessed by demons (Mark 4), Jesus says, “…Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, ²⁹ but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven…” (Mark 3). As Isaiah says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil….” (Isa. 5:20). When we call what is of God “not of God,” we are disowning God and ourselves as Christians.

Conclusions – Reversals: Being who we are not or taking a stand opposed to all we claim as Christians...often out of fear. We may be afraid that if we side with Jesus we may be labeled. In the Gospels, Jesus is called/labeled “a drunkard,” “a glutton,” “a sinner,” “a Samaritan,” “a friend of tax collectors,” and “a friend of prostitutes.” How does Jesus react? He doesn’t. He doesn’t let labels stop him from standing on the side of God, on the side of agape-love…loving kindness. For any issue I face, I now ask, 1. What does Jesus show or teach about this? 2. What does the New Testament say or teach about this? 3. What does anything in Scripture show or say about this?

Call me progressive, call me conservative, call me smart or call me dumb, call me too Gringo or too Valle. Call me what you will—I stand with Jesus and for those things Jesus stands for. When you and I stand with Jesus, we not only stand together, we stand on the side of God. As John has said over and over, in Jesus we find life...life to the full, lasting life, eternal life.

O God, what do I need to do differently, what needs to change in my life?
Show me what I need to let go off; show me what I need to take up…
That I may grow closer to You. Amen

May we all follow Jesus…always…in all things, for in him we find life. Amen.

Sunday, March 22, 2026
Towards the Cross - Reversals
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Living Well...Writing Stories

 

The decisions we make today will define the stories that get told about us…we are all writing a story with our lives.
~ Josh Becker

That’s a sobering thought. And, I might add, it is probably something we should hear from time to time…just to remind us that we do not live unto ourselves, that people around us are watching us and listening to us. They tell our stories and will tell our stories, whether we want them to or not.

Near our home in Lance aux Epines, Grenada, where I grew up, two old women lived together in a small house. We really never knew them. In fact, we couldn’t get to know them because every time we got close to their home, they would come out and threaten us—“Get away from here, or we’ll call the police!” We didn’t even have malicious intentions…well, not in the beginning anyway.

They continued to over-react and threaten us for seemingly no reasons at all every time we were perceived as too close to their home. So, we began to push back. And, then Halloween came around. Of course, we had to trick-or-treat at every house around us, so the “old ladies”—the “old queens,” as we called them—wouldn’t be spared. They were given the wonderful opportunity of gifting us with candies…but, again, “Get out of here!” So, we children regrouped, made a plan, rained down rocks on their roof. At that time in Grenada, all of the roofs were corrugated tin…and the sound of raining stones was quite deafening for them, I’m sure. They called the police…but, really—it took them an hour to arrive, and we were long gone.

The story we have about the “old ladies” is a story of rejection, rudeness, and retribution. Imagine how different might that story have been if the ladies had taken time to tell one of us about their desire for quiet and solitude, if they had engaged us just briefly to tell us that they were in fact ‘old’ and just wanted to be left be. Their decisions and actions indeed determined their stories. (Oh, I cannot in any way justify the silly, childish response on our part, so I won’t even try! Now, that foolishness is part of my story….)

Dr. Sarah Wingard was a person to be feared above all others in our English department in college. Yet, she was perhaps the least imposing person physically—her slight, barely-5-foot frame and arthritis twisted hands might have suggested weakness. However, sitting in her British Lit class revealed an amazingly intimidating person with a withering look—she quickly became larger than life.

She was not really an amazing lecturer, but somehow she captured our minds and carried us with her through centuries of literature, introducing us to hundreds of unforgettable writers and characters. While the average person on our campus would have known well the reputation of this professor, a few of us developed a different take on Dr. Wingard: She was a person who cared about her students, but one wouldn’t find that out until one needed care.

I had been wrestling with some depression, issues of personal identity, and some soggy winter weather—all three of which conspired to keep me snuzzled in my bed for a day or two…or three. Then, the knock came at the door late one morning as a voice of one of my classmates called through:

“Hey, Jon. Dr. Wingard wants you at her office today at 2pm.”

She sent word to me to be at her office? Yikes! I knew I was in for it now. I had skipped her class twice that week. With fear and trepidation, and with a pocket full of well-crafted excuses and explanations, I walked across campus to the humanities building and up to her office door. I rapped softly and heard that strong voice, “Come in.” I went in. She sat behind her large desk piled with papers and books. “Sit down, Jon.” So, I sat.

“What’s going on, Jon—you’ve missed two classes, and you’re going to get so far behind you won’t be able to catch up. You’re too smart and too good a student to let that happen. What’s going on?”

All of my pretense fell away, my excuses went out the window…and I told her about my depression and of my struggles. She listened earnestly and then gently reminded me of the poets we had studied, of their struggles…and she pointed me back to the same literature we had studied in class: “There, in those words, you will find words that will lift you and carry you and inspire you.” At the end of our chat, she looked me in the eye and said, “I will see you in class tomorrow.”

She was right. To this day, the words of Wordsworth and Blake and Shelley do move me and carry me, literature does lift me. And, because of her compassion that Thursday afternoon, to this day I remember Dr. Wingard as a ‘formidable’ professor yet as a person who cared enough to call me out of my pit and point me towards the light.

Our decisions, our actions, and our reactions do pen our stories—the ones others tell about us. When we reach out to others, when we engage, when we act out of good intentions, we write stories that others will eagerly tell with joy. When we refuse to engage or when we engage negatively, we write stories that others will tell as well…stories of warning and how not to be.

Today, I determine anew to act in ways that write a good story because someday, somewhere, someone will tell stories of Jon to others. May I (and we) live well that ours may be good stories….

AfterWords: Towards the Cross - Truth

 

John 18:28-40a

“What is Truth?” – …retorted Pilate.” That’s a fair question and question for the philosophical age Jesus and Pilate lived in. They inhabit a world only 350 years removed from Aristotle, and the Greeks ruled this region until 63BC—until 90 years before this conversation. Little did we that this question from the 1^st Century would be important for us in the 21^st Century. We find ourselves surrounded by cries of lies, half-truths, fake news, and so much more. Can we even know truth? Jesus says that we can know the truth, so it must be something accessible.

What is truth? Aristotle’s says simply, “Truth is the way things are.” Truth is what actually is. Thanks to the “spin” of the 21^st Century, truth has become elusive in a time when we have more information than ever before, yet we are inundated with lies and deceptions. We long for truth…to simply know things as they are.

Jesus and Truth – In today’s reading, we find an often-overlooked statement: “…The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth” (John 18:37b). Jesus’ very reason for being is to “testify to the truth.” In this Gospel, we find that John is the philosopher among the disciples as he records Jesus speaking about truth almost 20 times.

“…A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth….” (John 4:23)

“To [those] who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘…you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” (John 8:31-32)

“But when…the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. ” (John 16:12)

But, the truth about what? What is the truth he testifies to?

Truth – Truth is the way things are. Jesus reveals who he is and what this truth means:

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (Jn. 6:35)

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness….” (Jn 8:12)

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (Jn.10:11)

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die… (Jn. 11:25)

“I am the way and the truth and the life. (Jn. 14:6)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (Jn. 15:5)

Here is the truth of God in Christ Jesus: God fills our deepest longings, our greatest hungers; God is light in our darkness; God allows Jesus to die that we might have life—real life; God gives us life beyond this temporal existence on Earth; God provides a way for us to know and come to God; God gives our lives meaning, purpose, and direction…and enables us to live a life of goodness and kindness. Jesus reveals the truth about God, the truth about us, and the truth about life.

Conclusions – Perhaps the truth that Jesus declares comes together best in John’s truth declaration:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

The truth about God—God loves the world…everyone…you, me, America, Mexico, Canada, Colombia, Germany, Norway, Algeria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Iraq, Iran, India, Pakistan, China, Japan…the whole world.

The truth about us—We are a broken and rotten bunch bound for death and condemnation, and we need God, all of us…Americans, Mexicans, Canadians, Venezuelans, Israelis, Palestinians, Iranians, Chinese…you get the idea.

The truth about life—The God who loves us wants us to have life, real life, lasting life…all of us…Americans, Mexicans, Canadians, Venezuelans, Israelis, Iranians, Chinese…you get the idea.

This is how things are. Compared to this, all other truth becomes secondary, all other truth pales. We cannot change the truth that Jesus reveals to us…but the truth can change us and how we see the world. Today, let us take hold of the truth Jesus reveals that we might know God, that we might have life…we, all of us…Americans, Mexicans, Canadians…you get the idea. AMEN

Sunday, March 15, 2026
Towards the Cross - Truth
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9AM - HERE
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Saying "No" to Culture...and "Yes" to Faith

 

https://jonaherrin.substack.com/p/saying-no-to-cultureand-yes-to-faith

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More Writings from Jon A Herrin

 

https://jonaherrin.substack.com/p/gods-expansive-grace

Join me in A life of wondering and wandering...a life of seeking joy and simplicity. Grateful to share my experiences and insights through the magic of the written word.

AfterWords: Towards the Cross - Denials

 

John 18:12-19; 24-27

During this Lenten season, we continue our journey towards the cross. We ask God daily, “What needs to change? What can I do differently? What do I need to give up or take on in my life to bring me closer to You?”

Today’s reading brings us closer to the Cross. Jesus had his last supper with the disciples. They all went out to Gethsemani for prayer where Jesus is arrested and the arduous trial period begins.

Peter…the Denier? — We wonder how Peter could deny Jesus, and we’re wondering if we might do the same. We may think of Peter as weak because of his denials, but we find that Peter is really the bravest of them all. Do you recall the story here? Peter, James, and John are right near Jesus when the Roman guards come to arrest him. When the guards arrive, who is the only one who leaps to his feet and draws his sword to protect his Lord? Peter. Jesus tells him to put away his sword and then heals the man Peter has struck. Peter is no coward. After Judas identifies Jesus, the guards close in, and the disciples scatter. Who is the one to follow behind and to sneak into the courtyard of Annas, into that burrow of snakes? Peter. Peter is no coward.

Peter does not deny his faith in Jesus, he doesn’t deny that Jesus is Messiah, he doesn’t deny that Jesus is Son of God. Peter denies his relationship to Jesus.

“You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” … “I am not.”
“You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” … “I am not.”
“Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” … Again Peter denied it, and…a rooster began to crow.

When we look closely at what is happening here, we may begin to see more of ourselves.

21^st Century Denials — How do our denials tend to happen today? Today, we deny the power of God in our lives, the activity of God in our lives. When life is good, we presume too often it’s due to our amazing wits and general exceptionalism. Jesus reminds us that all good things come from God:

“…[God] causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matt. 5:45)

The first part—rising sun—is the gift of a new day of life, and the second is the gift of life-giving rain. Everything good is from God—even our very lives exist because of the goodness of God. When we don’t acknowledge God’s part in our lives, we essentially deny God.

When we allow Jesus into only part of our lives, we deny Jesus. If we allow Jesus to guide us on Sunday but follow some other voice Monday through Friday, we are denying Jesus’ lordship in our lives. If we open our hearts to the Word on Sunday but spend more time following the Dow Jones rather than Jesus Monday through Friday, we deny Jesus.

If we hold on to fear in our lives, we deny the power and presence of Jesus in our lives. Jesus speaks these words to his disciples and to us:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

The sense here is that when we find ourselves becoming afraid, we catch ourselves. We stop and remember: Jesus says we are not to be afraid. When we ignore the words of Jesus, we deny Jesus, we deny the faith. We are not to be afraid or to live our lives in fear. That is not real living.

Conclusions — “What needs to change? What can I do differently? What do I need to give up or take on in my life to bring me closer to You?” John has told us over and over and over? “…these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). Jesus wants to bring us life. We find life when we embrace Jesus and all the Jesus is about…each and every day. This may require that we let go of our egotism and perceived self-sufficiency…that we let go of following someone else or some other philosophy of life…that we let go of the fear we’ve become so comfortable with. When we do these things, we proclaim Jesus rather than deny him…and we find life. This is God’s call to us today.

Sunday, March 8, 2026
Towards the Cross - Denials
Watch/Listen: 
9AM - HERE
11AM - HERE

AfterWords: Towards the Cross--Humility

 

John 13:1-17

We continue our journey today through the Gospel of John, through this season of Lent, towards the Cross. In these opening words, we find these verses:

Jesus knew … that he had come from God and was returning to God, so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. (Jn 13:3-4)

This reveals Jesus’ motivation, the why of his life. What moves us to act? What are the motivations of our lives? Jesus was very aware of his motivation—his relationship with God. And, what would happen if God and our relationship with God were our motivations?

Washing feet was the work of slaves, servants. It was an important part of hygiene since people walked the streets with dogs, sheep, donkeys, camels, and the occasional horse. Feet got nasty in the streets of Jerusalem and in every other village, so having one’s feet washed a part of their lives.

First, Jesus does this for his disciples and calls them to do so for one another. Jesus doesn’t say, “Go out and wash everyone’s feet!” This is the people of God taking care of the people of God. While caring for those outside the church might be easier and more exciting, Jesus wants us to take care of each other, to serve each other. Are we taking care of each other? Are we helping one another as we help those outside? “By this the world will know you are my disciples if you love one another….”

Jesus washes feet without being asked. No one says, “Wow…me feet sure are dirty. I wish someone would wash my feet.” Jesus sees the need and responds. How often do we wait for someone to ask? How often do we sit around, aware of a need, and say to ourselves, “Well, if he asks me…if she asks me….” Or, worse, “Well, that’s not MY job…I hope someone takes care of that….”

Finally, we note the obvious…that the disciples’ feet are dirty. If the disciples’ feet are dirty, it means they’ve been in the streets, among people who need to hear the Good News of God. Are our feet dirty? Have we been in the streets? Have we been among people as disciples? Have we been getting our feet…or our hands…or anything dirty to suggest we’ve been among people who need to know the Good News of God’s love?

Jesus—Lord and Teacher, Rabbi, Son of God—shows us that we are to serve one another. We seem to get it idea of loving neighbor, caring for the needy, but we sometimes forget one another. When Jesus says, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you,” he is not talking about washing feet—he is talking about the dirty work of slaves, doing what needs to be done, and doing out of our love for God.

The “greatest” Christians are those who served—who spent their lives serving others. We look to Mother Teresa, E. Stanley Jones, and the millions of silently serving Christians who never had a book written about them because they weren’t making headlines; they were simply serving others. Simone Wiel writes, “Christianity is pre-eminently the religion of slaves, that slaves cannot help belonging to it, and I among others.” Does that offend you? Jesus has shown us over and over, and he has even told us: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve….” (Matthew 20:28).

Jesus today offers us different way—a life motivated by God, a life in the world as we share the Good News of God by word and deed, a life of caring for one another and serving one another. During this Lenten Season, we pray…

  “O God, what needs to change in my life today?
    What do I need to do differently?
    What do I need to get out of my life and what do I need to add to my life?”

Let us open our eyes to see what needs to be done, let us serve one another, and let us do this as we are motivated by God’s love. Above all, let’s make sure our feet get dirty. Amen

Sunday, March 1, 2026
Towards the Cross - Humility
Watch/Listen: 
9AM - HERE
11AM - HERE