Last week we talked about “carrying our cross with some examples of “martyrs”. 
When John got home he read about MLK Jr, and some of his experiences with his father in Jim Crow South  – living the truth that he was created a man in the image of God. God made him "Somebody!"  Carrying our cross can be as simple as this.

In light of that explore Exodus 20 – 10 Words – not as something to be done to earn God’s approval, but given to people already brought out o slavery with God’s presence in their midst – in clouds and tent of meeting.10 Words taught them to live as people marked by God’s compassion and generosity – displaying that justice, mercy, aroha for all – Blessed to be a blessing

John portrays Jesus as one step further – not marked by God’s compassion and generosity, but God’s compassion and generosity enfleshed! He is God’s compassion and generosity.

Read John 2 and John’s “Temple Incident” in light of that, remembering that when John is written there is no temple! Jesus is not superseding  the temple – the temple is already gone

Through the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, we are God’s compassion and generosity in our place

What I want to happen:

How do we embody God’s compassion and generosity in our lives.

We finished by watching some of Rev Dr. Rodney Aist's reflections on the desert in the Youtube video "St George's College Jerusalem: Ways in the Wilderness".

You can read the notes for this sermon here