GOSPEL MEDITATION

John 19:1–16

Jesus Delivered to be Crucified

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.           Now that Pilate has determined to have Jesus crucified, to satisfy the religious authorities, he orders Jesus flogged.

2.           Soldiers, likely Romans soldiers who were used to inflicting pain, mock Jesus by placing a crown of thorns on His head and draping a purple robe over Him, thus intending to bloody Jesus and humiliate Him. All this in private.

3.           Their mocking continues as they beat Him with their fists. Pilate then escorts Jesus out into the open for all to see, perhaps hoping this treatment would satisfy the crowd. In presenting Jesus he said, “Behold the man!”

4.           This effort failed as the chief priests and officers yell out to crucify Him. Pilate says then for them to take Him away and do it themselves since he found no fault in Jesus.

5.           The Jews had no authority to crucify a criminal, but Jesus was more, since He had stated He is the Son of God. For unknown reasons, Pilate was “even more afraid.”

6.           Taking Jesus back inside his residence, Pilate began questioning Jesus about where He was from, but Jesus remained silent. This infuriated Pilate and he then retorts that he himself had the authority to release Jesus.

7.           Jesus counters that Pilate had no authority except it had been given to him from above. Therefore, the “greater sin” belongs to those who turned Him over to Pilate.

8.           Pilate tries hard to release Jesus, but the religious authorities shouted that if he did, Pilate was no friend of Caesar’s and actually opposed Caesar. So the crowd became political with the idea that a report would be made to Rome.

9.           Pilate took Jesus to the location where judgements were pronounced. Whereupon he called out, “Behold your King!” The crowd yelled to take Him away and crucify Him.

10.         Pilate continues taunting them saying, “Shall I crucify your King?” The crowds reply is one that would seemingly be impossible for a Jew to make, “We have no king but Caesar.”

11.         Pilate then released Jesus to be crucified.

The WHY of this book

If a transgender person showed up at the church of which I am pastor I would welcome him or her and without qualification. If a person wished to keep her or his gender transition quiet, I would do so. This person would be every much a part of the church family as anyone else.

            If this person wished to marry someone of his or her opposite gender identity, I would conduct the ceremony. I would not do so if the result of the marriage would be two women or two men being married to each other.

            If a person who was considering transgendering came to me for counsel, I would hope to work through issues with compassion and understanding to the point there would be a change of direction. And again, if this person rejected my counsel and, after sincere and extensive professional evaluation was absolutely convinced, then I would not reject this person. If this person, however, say a male transitioning to a female, wanted to pursue a female I would object.

Am I saying that a transgender person could be an actual born again Christian? Yes, I am.

Who of us are so perfectly adjusted when it comes to matters of sexuality? There but for the grace of God go I, and we can all say amen to this.

            Life is full of pain and suffering, for all of us, but multiplied for those who go through anxiety as to their gender identity. Yes, there are those who seem to adjust fairly smoothly and go on with their lives as a trans, but this is the exception to the rule as far as I am acquainted with the dynamics. As a pastor for fifty plus years in Marin County, California, a place that accepts about every weird form of sin one could imagine, as a follower of Jesus, I must take a stand.

(note: I am still doing research for this book, perhaps the most challenging and complex book I have ever under taken.)

The Gospel of John–John 18:19-40

The High Priest Questions Jesus; Peter Denies Jesus Again;

Jesus Before Pilate; My Kingdom is not of this World

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.           Two of the passages, the first and the third, speak of Peter. Though boasting that he would never deny knowning Jesus, he nevertheless does so three times. Despite Peter’s status in the early years of the church, the Gospel writers include these, and we are so glad they did or else we would be so very depressed and discouraged since we too betray Jesus though we do not want to.

2.           First Annas, the former high priest, questions Jesus about His followers and teaching. Jesus replies that He has spoken openly in synagogues and in the Temple, so there are no secrets.

3.           Jesus’ statements were considered disrespectful and an officer hit Jesus with his hand. Meanwhile, out in the courtyard of the high priest’s residence, Peter is yet warming himself.

4.           Two people around the fire ask Peter if he was not one of Jesus’ disciples, and both times Peter denies it, making in now three denials. At once a cock crowed. Was this an actual animal or the town crier calling out the final quarter of the night?

5.           Jesus is now brought by the Jewish leaders before the Roman governor Pilate, but do not enter his headquarters (likely in the Fortress Antonio) in order to avoid become unclean. Pilate had travelled from Caesarea for the Passover. He had been appointed by Emperor Tiberius in 26 CE and was dismissed from office in 36 CE, due to pressure from the Judean authorities.

6.           Pilate is reluctant to have Jesus under his jurisdiction but the Jewish leaders press him to so act.

7.           Pilate asks Jesus if He is “King of the Jews,” which is  probably the charge, and a political one, brought by the Jewish leaders. Jesus’ reply has echoed down through history: “My kingdom is not of this world” and that everyone who is of the truth listens to His voice. Pilate’s famous reply is: “What is truth?”

The Resurrection

John 20:1-10

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         The first day of the week, Sunday, unlike the Western version of designations, Mary Magdalene of dubious reputation, made a visit to the tomb where Jesus’ body had been laid.

2.         The tomb itself, belonging to a member of the Council of Israel, Joseph of Arimathea, had been secured by having a large stone plastered in place. But Mary finds that the stone had been taken away.

3.         Mary, thinking there had been a grave robbery, runs to find Peter and the unnamed disciple, and tells them Jesus’ body is missing and nowhere to be found.

4.         So Peter and the un-named disciple rush out to see for themselves. Peter is no match for the speed of the other disciple and arrives at the tomb first.

5.         This disciple looking in saw the linen burial garments lying there. He does not got in himself.

6.         Peter, on arrival goes into the tomb and he also saw the garments lying there, and he also saw the face cloth folded up in a place separate from the other grave clothes.

7.         Then the other disciple enters the tomb, sees that Jesus is not there and “believes.”

8.         For unknown reasons, “they” and likely referring to the whole of the Eleven, had not yet understood that Jesus “must rise from the dead.”

9.         Then, the “disciples” and here John the Apostle, the author, states, “then the disciples went back to their homes.” 10.       The story continues with Mary weeping outside the tomb.

A better life? 

I must bring up the question as to whether those who transition live a better life after the hormones and surgery? Now that their sexual apparatus matches how they feel about themselves, are these people now happy and well adjusted? What I have found after more research is that such is not the case. In fact, in many instances, life becomes more difficult. 

And one more thing–I have discovered that those who seek to transition receive much attention, encouragement, and support. Recently I read the account of a fifth grader saying to a teacher that he thought he ought to be a girl. That started a process, one that the boy’s parents were not permitted to be involved in, and at that young age, this person was rushed to judgment. Yes, there was a required counseling process, but how unbiased would that likely have been? It is almost forbidden, even for parents, to attempt to help a person with gender dysphoria to work through issues.

The Gospel of John

John 18:1–18

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus,

Jesus Before the High Priest &

Peter Denies Jesus

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         After the conversations Jesus has with the disciples (chapters 14, 15, and 16) followed by Jesus’ prayer (chapter 17), they had to have left Jerusalem, crossed the “torrent” of the Kidron, on their way to the Mt. of Olives and a “garden” likely owned by a friend of Jesus, a place where they routinely visited and perhaps camped out.

2.         Judas, knowing where Jesus and the others were headed intercepted them all with a rather large band of armed men. Jesus quickly identified Himself.

3.         Of great unexplained interest, the band of soldiers “drew back and fell to the ground” when Jesus spoke. Jesus then requested His disciples be released.

4.         Peter, drew a sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. (Only Luke, 22:51, tells us Jesus healed the man.)

5.         Jesus knows what will follow, the trials, and does not want any further disruptions.

6.         First the armed band take Jesus to Annas, the father-in-law of the current high priest, Caiaphas, likely since Annas had been high priest, from 7 to 14 CE and was much respected by the Jews.

7.         It was Caiaphas who earlier, and unwittingly, stated that it was better for one man to die than the whole nation. (John 11:45–53)

8.         Peter, with another disciple, and most probably John, followed the soldiers. This unnamed disciple was known by the high priest and is allowed into the court yard of Annas, who then succeeded in getting Peter inside also.

9.         The servant girl who had been watching the front gate and had admitted John, thought she recognized Peter as a disciple of Jesus. Peter responded, “I am not.” Thus fulfilled what Jesus said in Luke 22:31–34. 10.       Peter remained in the court yard and warmed himself at a fire along with other servants and even some of the arresting band.

(Here is an excerpt from my book, The Third Sex? Revisited: Homosexual and Transgender Issues from a Biblical Perspective)

Born Homosexual or Not?

The question I asked in The Third Sex? forty-four years ago was whether homosexuals were born that way or not. Most, but not all, homosexuals want to believe they were.¹ Despite the fact that each person I interviewed for the books published on homosexuality said they were born gay, and a number said they had never had a heterosexual thought, on examination of the conversations from which the interviews were drawn, it appeared to me that each person had merely adopted the prem­ise they were born gay. There was no hard science behind their gay identities. I came to the conclusion that being born gay was little more than a cultural myth in the homosexual communi­ty. “I was born gay, so homosexuality is natural for me” was an identity marker that went with the territory.

Born gay? How could that happen? Did the natural selection mechanism run amok? Or, what purpose or advantage was oper­ative in the evolutionary/biological process, if homosexuality is

normal? It is plain that the body parts weren’t naturally designed to fit as they are with heterosexuals. The homosexual act among human beings goes against what is natural, because sex is not for pleasure alone; the sexual uniting of a man and a woman was designed to perpetuate the species.

1 Some gays grew up fearful of, hateful of, neglected by, rejected by, or molested by a parent of the opposite sex. Some encountered other scenarios, whereby sex with a member of the opposite sex was impossible but the call of the hormones was present, nevertheless. Others learned to get their sex where they could get it and found, for any number of reasons, that it was easier and quicker to find a homosexual partner than a heterosexual partner. The point is that not all homosexuals will claim they were born that way. Some even will engage in homosexuality because it seems sexier or more exciting than the normal version.

The Gospel of John

John 17

The High Priestly Prayer

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         This prayer of Jesus concluded His final words to the Eleven, and perhaps at the Garden.

2.         We can imagine Jesus lifting His eyes heavenward, arms raised, the common form of prayer among the Jews, and speaking so all could hear.

3.         Jesus appears to be repeating certain phrases and concepts making it easier for His hearers to retain the message.

4.         In the first part, verses 1 to 5, Jesus emphasizes the nature of eternal life. To know the Father is to have eternal life, since this knowing depends on the inner working of the Holy Spirit. Glory, referring to being in the presence of God or in fellowship with God, is key throughout the prayer.

5.         Verses 6 to 19 have a number of key elements, and one is that the Father has given Jesus’ followers to Him, and here we see the emphasis on God’s choosing or election. 

6.         Jesus is speaking as though all His work has been accomplished already, though it is still in front of Him, it will be done.

7.         Another emphasis here is that the Father keeps us from the “evil one” and indeed the follower of Jesus is “sanctified” meaning set aside or apart, and this through the Spirit.

8.         In the last segment, verses 20 to 26, Jesus speaks of those who will believe in Him through their “word.” This word is, in the Greek, Logos and is the core theme of the entire Gospel. (see John 1:1)

9.         The “oneness” of the Triune God and the oneness of the believer with the Father and the Son is emphasized. And there is so much more.

The Gospel of John

John 16:25–33

I Have Overcome the World

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         Commentators point out that to some degree Jesus is re-stating Himself in this passage. And well He should as we have a tendency to forget even key messages.

2.         Jesus’ time with His disciples is down to a few hours or less. He is emphasizing things that He wants the eleven to hold on to.

3.         He even states that He had been using “figures of speech,” which have not been clear to them. This  will now change.

4.         Verses 26 and 27 are confusing to us, we will have to admit, and even the best over the centuries have confessed as much. He seems to say that His followers will pray, make requests based on all that Jesus is and has accomplished, but He Himself will not stand between the Father and His disciples. And the reason is that the Father Himself loves His followers.

5.         Now, in verse 28, Jesus simply and clearly states that He is leaving the world and going to the Father.

6.         The disciples vigorously say they understand His plain speech, whereas before they did not.

7.         Then verse 30 is the disciples’ statement of faith.

8.         Jesus’ response, “Do you now believe?” is even yet more mysterious. Is this a rebuke, as some say, or is it an acceptance of truth from His followers, as others say?

9.         Now Jesus says something that His hearers would surely doubt. They would be scattered. We see as much in Luke 24:50-51. Indeed events are about to occur that would send them home and hiding.

10.       Nevertheless the Father does not abandon Him.

11.       Jesus now comforts His disciples, after what may have been a mild rebuke, and lets them know they have peace that grows out their relationship with Him. Indeed, in the world, they will have much trouble, but He has overcome the world.

Prelude to Transgender Issues

First, the reader should know something of who I am, and second, why I am presenting this “Transgender Issues” section within The Third Sex? Revisited. 

I am an Evangelical Christian and longtime pastor of a small Baptist church in Mill Valley, California. Theologically I could be described as Reformed, meaning I hold to the doctrines of grace or election. I am Trinitarian and believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. 

It is necessary at this point in history to be careful with the designation evangelical. A biblically oriented evangelical is someone who promotes the message of Jesus Christ. The word evangelical means good message or news. “Gospel” is an old English word that means good news. What I mean is that evangelical does not have to be politicized. I am conservative in my outlook, but neither I nor the church I pastor take a stance for one political party or another. People at Miller Avenue do not know how I vote, and no party or candidate is endorsed. Jesus is our Leader and Lord, no one else. 

My calling as a Christian is to present the person and work of Jesus Christ. By “person” I mean, who Jesus is, that He is God become flesh, the Word become flesh, and is the Messiah spoken of in the Hebrew Bible. By “work” I mean His sacrifice for sin on the cross, His resurrection from the dead, His ascent into heaven where He is “seated” at the right hand of the Father, and that He will return for His Chosen People at some point in the future. 108 

This is much of who I am. Additionally, I am called, like all Christians are called, to bear witness to the saving work of Jesus Christ to all people. My sense of it is that those within the LGBTQ+ spectrum are wary of people like me, since we usually are not pro-gay. I want to be clear: I consider homosexual behavior to be sinful. Let me also tell you that I, too, am a sinner, a bigger one than you might imagine, especially when I contemplate the utter holiness of God. 

More Important than Sexual Identity 

There is something far more important than our sexuality and personal identity, important as these are. As a messenger of the love and grace of Jesus, I have spent a fair amount of time and effort examining the issues I raise in this book and in its predecessors. However, as I try to come to an understanding of homosexuality and transgenderism in particular, I am struck by what is commonly known as narcissism. Narcissism is usually seen as a sign of mental imbalance, but it also points to the condition of sin gripping closely, and I see this danger present in much of the LGBTQ+ community. The search for peace and contentment is not to be found in fulfilling our hormonal urges or being who we think we are supposed to be, and the attempts to control how others see us and refer to us in speech and actions mask what is actually self-contempt. This extreme self-focus is like a poison to the system, killing any joy or peace that might have existed there. 

I am reaching out to those who are struggling to find peace with God, however clumsy my effort might appear.