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Christian Unity: Its Role in Our Society

“And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.” John 17:11

Do you want to understand what truly matters to people? Pay attention to their prayers. In John 17, Jesus shares his high priestly prayer, revealing his deep concerns and care for us as he intervenes on our behalf before God. At the heart of Jesus’ plea for his church is a desire for unity, as exemplified by the oneness of the Trinity.

The Crucifixion, Giotto, 1307

Christians call this unity communion, which means “oneness with.” We are brought into harmony through the mystical and sacred union with God achieved by Jesus’ sacramental body and blood. This profound connection bears witness to the union between Jesus and the Father, affirming his divine purpose to bring life to the world. Jesus repeats his plea for unity among his followers throughout the prayer, emphasizing his desire for all to be one with God and each other, just as he and the Father are one. This unity is vital, enabling the world to see and believe in God through Jesus. (John 17:21)

Our world is rife with conflict, violence, prejudice, and division, leading to a breakdown of human connectedness and the resulting pain and damage. Unfortunately, even within the church, we often reflect the same worldly tribalist tendencies and behaviors without introspection or remorse. This goes against the Lord’s vision for the church and presents a poor example to those outside the faith who long for a more compassionate and united way of being human amidst the extreme factionalism of our culture.

The cheap and easy communication tools afforded to us by social media sadly seem to do more tearing apart the body of Christ than uniting. Harsh and biting voices are given a platform with amplification making their words carry more weight than they should.

I recently heard an excellent talk by John Meacham about the role of Christian leaders in civil society. “If the American Republic is going to long endure. It will endure not least because of an Anglican Sensibility. The air you and I breathe theologically is one of complexity and tolerance and having the courage to admit you don’t know everything.”

Demonstrating humility in this manner reflects a profound comprehension that none of us possess the complete picture, and we are all capable of making mistakes and surrendering to our negative tendencies.

So Meacham challenged us as Christian leaders:

“Here’s what you all can do stop lamenting and start leading. We know things are bad. We’ve had an insurrection; we get it. Okay, things are so terrible, yes, they’re terrible. Why? Because people tend to be terrible. Okay, this is your job, for God’s sake; I mean, y’all are dealing with first principles. What are you commissioned to do? You’re commissioned to forgive sins, and you’re surprised that the world is sinful?… If everybody loved their neighbor, guess what? Jesus wouldn’t have had to command it!”

John Meacham, Episcopal Parish Network Keynote 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY_KDHGD2hg

The essence of Christian leadership is to remind ourselves of the Gospel’s power to save sinners through God’s grace. In and through gracious respect for the dignity of every human being, we are empowered not to harm each other despite our propensity to sin. Leadership requires bringing this message of God’s redemptive claim of our lives to our collective hearts and minds. As Meacham would challenge: “In this time in which we live, the church has a huge role to play to help our democracy and our relationships with one another to walk this path.”

As the church, our duty and mission have always been to fulfill this responsibility.  We are agents of the gospel and ambassadors of Christ to commissioned for the redemption of humanity.

In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul refers to “mystery” to explain how God works through the church to reveal His plan for the world. (Ephesians 3) Paul then transitions into a prayer for the unfathomable love of God, asking for spiritual strength and for Jesus Christ to dwell within our hearts. As a result, we come to understand God’s vast and extraordinary love.

A new and wonderful phenomenon is emerging in the world through the power of God. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are uniting people from different cultures, languages, and backgrounds. Former enemies are finding reconciliation, while Jews and Gentiles are discovering peace with God through the cross. Laws no longer govern our relationships but by mercy and grace. The blood shed on the cross gives us all access to God; through this entryway, we are baptized into a new identity and humanity. We become a unified structure, citizens and members of the same household, and a spiritual temple for God’s spirit to reside in.

Paul contemplates the profound advantages of the Gospel and offers a prayer for the church, recognizing that its influence extends beyond itself. The Gospel is of immense importance to the world, as it brings about the most crucial outcome of Gospel ministry: unity with God and among people. As the barriers of hostility are dismantled, and the new community of believers comes into being, the Holy Spirit’s radiance illuminates the living temple that rests upon the cornerstone of Jesus Christ and the foundation of the apostles. According to the divine plan, this disclosure signifies the unification of all things in heaven and on earth under a single leader, ultimately allowing God to reign supreme through the one head, Jesus Christ. (See Ephesians 1:10, 22, 23)

As followers of Christ, our unity in Him holds immense importance in the spiritual world as we fight against Satan and the forces of evil. We arm ourselves with spiritual weapons and armor to engage in this battle. Even when it may seem like the Gospel is not making a difference, we find solace in Jesus Christ being the ultimate authority. It’s crucial to remember that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, a fact often overlooked in our current political disputes within the church.

O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior,
The Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the
Great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away
all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us
from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body
and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith,
one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all
of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth
and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and
one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer, p. 818)
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Meaning of a Name: A Lesson in Angelic Etymology

An exegetical prize can be discovered at the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel as you unravel a subtle etymological prophetic puzzle in the first and last chapters. The story begins with a divine messenger challenging the disillusioned Joseph not to divorce his seemingly unfaithful bride to be. How could she be pregnant? Yet, Only God — the Angel of the Lord reveals that this pregnancy is a gift from God to the world—a Holy Spirit begotten Savior for his people. Joseph is given the honor and privilege of naming the child, Jesus.

Image: ‘Joseph’s Dream’, painting by Gaetano Gandolfi, c. 1790 (Public Domain).

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins”.

Matthew 1:20-21

The Gospel writer adds a little prophetic mystery to the occasion as he quotes the prophecy from Isaiah 7:14:

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

    “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

        and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us).

Matthew 1:22-23

Matthew does not always explain how he sees a prophecy fulfilled in Jesus, but drawing these types of redemptive historical threads together is something he will often do throughout the entire Gospel. It happens around 130 times. Because Matthew was written to a primarily Jewish audience, he aims to show how Jesus was the long-awaited Jewish Messiah. At face value, the Isaiah prophecy is fulfilled in the virgin birth.  The part about “Immanuel” seems to be something of a prophetic misfire. Didn’t the Angel of the Lord know the plan? Why would he tell Joseph to name him Jesus when clearly his name should be Immanuel!? Perhaps that part of the prophecy does not apply. But then you have Matthew’s parenthetical etymology lesson in the name “Immanuel”—“which means, God with us”. Matthew is very specific to point out that Immanuel is a compound of two Hebrew words, עִמָּנוּ אֵל (ʿimánu meaning “with us” and ʾélmeaning God). What is going on here? 

The key is in the word lesson given to Joseph by the Angel of the Lord. But first, let me give the background of the the English spelling of the name “Jesus”. The English translation “Jesus” corresponds to the Greek spelling Ἰησοῦς (Iesous) which corresponds to the Aramaic name יֵשׁוּעַ‎ (Yēšūa’) which is short for Hebrew  יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehōshu’a, Joshua, which means “Yahweh is Salvation”). Whew! Got all that? Stay with me, it will be worth it.

Back to the angelic etymology… Joseph is told to name him Jesus/Yesua/Yehoshua/Yahweh is Salvation (and here is the angelic etymological lesson) “for he will save his people from their sins.” The mystery is revealed: the baby in Mary’s womb is none other than Yahweh conceived as a baby, born to save his people from their sins. In other words, Immanuel! God is with us as a human baby.  To make the point explicit, Matthew quotes the prophet Isaiah with the parenthetical etymological note that the Hebrew name Emmanuel means, “God with us”.

In a very Jewish way, Matthew’s Gospel is making exactly the same point that John’s prologue is making. God has become flesh and has made his dwelling among us. (see John 1:14)

Matthew ends his Gospel with the Great Commission to go forth into all the world and make disciples of all people in the authority and in the name of Jesus. We are teach the world the obedience of faith in Jesus Christ. There is a wonderful connection as Matthew ties the end of his Gospel with the beginning. As he quotes the one who is named: Jesus/Yesua/Yehoshua/Yahweh is Salvation/Immanuel. Only, “God with us” has transfigured into “Jesus with us”.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age”.

Matthew 28:18-20

This Christmas give your life to the one who came to save his people from their sins. “God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son to the end that all who believe in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The Scriptures testify over and over that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. The gift in the birth of Jesus demonstrates the heights and depths which your creator is willing to scale in order to bring you into a loving relationship with him. Simply ask Jesus to come into your heart with a prayer. “Jesus save me from my sins, and be with me forever.” Jesus loves you and desires your heart, your life, your all—he desires to be with you. Give your life to the one who gave his life for you. Jesus. Immanuel.

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All Out

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. As we pray to the Lord of the harvest our vision and heart becomes for those who are not yet part of the church. The call of the disciple is to be “all in”, the call of the apostle is to be “all out” in the world in evangelical mission. 

https://vimeo.com/727039657
Sermon: All Out preached at Church of St. John the Divine in Houston, TX on 3 July 2022. Come visit: https://www.sjd.org/

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two

10 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’

16 “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

The Return of the Seventy-Two

17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

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All In

Jesus calls his followers to be completely devoted and dedicated to him. He has done everything for us to set us free from the bondage sin and death. Walk in the freedom he has graciously given you by being “all in” with the Holy Spirit and the free gift of God’s salvation.

https://vimeo.com/724477371
Sermon: All In preached at Church of St. John the Divine in Houston, TX on 26 June 2022. Come visit: https://www.sjd.org/

Galatians 5:1,13-25

Christ Has Set Us Free

5 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Keep in Step with the Spirit

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Luke 9:51-62

A Samaritan Village Rejects Jesus

51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village.

The Cost of Following Jesus

57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

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A Message from The Reverend Charlie Holt

Dear Members of the Diocese of Florida and the Episcopal Church,

Since my initial letter to you in May, I have continued to listen and have conversations with individuals across our Diocese and Church to build important relationships, openly discuss and alleviate concerns and begin our relationship free of misunderstanding.

In an effort to continue down that path, I wanted to take time to respond to the concerns recently raised by the LGBTQ+ Caucus to the 80th General Convention as well as share more context with you and our broader community. I have done so in the video below. Additionally, several faith leaders and ministry partners from Sanford, Florida have shared testimony of our relationship and times together, which you may view below the video. I hope both of these materials provide you with more clarity and context about my position on these important topics. If you have further questions, please contact me any time at [email protected] and I’ll be happy to arrange a conversation.

Letters from Sanford

I am faithfully yours in Christ Jesus our Lord,

The Reverend Charlie Holt Bishop Coadjutor Elect, Diocese of Florida

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What is in a Name?

The story of the world is to make a name for oneself – the ego drama. In Christ and through the Holy Spirit, God is uniting the world in his Name. The promise of Pentecost: everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. 

https://vimeo.com/717518411
Sermon: What is in a Name? preached at Church of St. John the Divine in Houston, TX on 5 June 2022. Come visit: https://www.sjd.org/

Acts 2:1-21

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

2 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    and your young men shall see visions,
    and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood,
    before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

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Trivial Pursuit

The challenge of the book of Revelation is that there’s more to life than what we see or experience. Without a connection to the author of life and surrender to the grand story, life becomes merely a trivial pursuit. Jesus informs everything. He alone gives significance meaning and abundant life to those who will surrender their hearts and lives to him. The Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, Jesus is Lord overall.

https://vimeo.com/715004235
Sermon: Trivial Pursuit preached at Church of St. John the Divine in Houston, TX on 29 May 2022. Come visit: https://www.sjd.org/

Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21

12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

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The Great Multitude

As we go through great tribulation in our day, an eternal perspective provides great hope. One day all the pain and suffering and sorrow will be no more. The lamb upon the throne will wipe away every tier from our eyes.

https://vimeo.com/707819420
Sermon: The Great Multitude preached at Church of St. John the Divine in Houston, TX on 8 May 2022. Come visit: https://www.sjd.org/

Revelation 7:9-17

A Great Multitude from Every Nation

9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God,
    and serve him day and night in his temple;
    and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
    the sun shall not strike them,
    nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
    and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

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Eternal Reality vs. Virtual Reality

The statistics are sobering, the disembodied virtual world of social media has led to an epidemic of loneliness and sadness. The glorious revelation of Jesus Christ alone gives the eternal perspective needed to bring life and hope to those lost in the malaise of social disconnect.

https://vimeo.com/702910155
Sermon: Eternal Reality vs. Virtual Reality preached at Church of St. John the Divine in Houston, TX on 24 April 2022. Come visit: https://www.sjd.org/

Revelation 1:1-8

Prologue

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Greeting to the Seven Churches

4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

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Have I The Authority?

The world often confuses authority and worldly power. Nowhere is this dynamic more clearly seen than in the passion narrative of our Lord Jesus Christ. True authority is exercised in the power of the Spirit bearing witness to the truth.

https://vimeo.com/700074374
Sermon: Have I The Authority? preached at Church of St. John the Divine in Houston, TX on 15 April 2022. Come visit: https://www.sjd.org/

John 19:1-11

Jesus Delivered to Be Crucified

19 Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. 2 And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. 3 They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. 4 Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” 5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” 6 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” 7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. 9 He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”