Service at All Saints Church 24th March 11am
In recent times, there seems to have been an increase in the number of people publicly protesting about something. They gather in their numbers in places where they will receive the most publicity and the biggest audiences. Often they wear bright colours, shout through megaphones, and carry large signboards, all to bring attention to their cause. Nearly always they wave some form of flag or banner because this is the best way to make a statement. Throughout history, flags and banners have represented the beliefs and purposes of those who carry them. Flown as signals, rallying points and standards of identification, flags define battle lines, give direction and encouragement, and unify a group.
If you “fly your flag” you behave in a way that shows that you are proud of your country, or organisation.
If you “keep the flag flying” you continue to support something, especially when it is not popular to do so.
If you “nail your flag (or colours) to the mast” it expresses a defiant refusal to surrender.
The Bible is full of references to flags and banners.
Moses built an altar and named it 'The Lord is My Banner’ (Exodus 17:15)
In the Tabernacle in the desert, each of the 12 tribes of Israel had their own banner with the tribe logo on them. (Numbers 2:34)
Psalm 20 verse 5 says “in the name of our God we will put up our flags!”
“Who is to be feared like an army with flags?” says the Song of Solomon (6:10)
And probably the most famous example of a group ‘flying their flags’ is the crowd on the road side as Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. It may have been short-lived, but for that moment everyone there believed in Jesus, supported Jesus and praised Jesus! With palm branches as their impromptu banners, they were public, loud and brave in the face of the occupying Romans!
How good it would be if today’s Church would raise it’s banner a little higher, nail it to the mast and keep it flying in the face of adversity and criticism.
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