Month: April 2024

As a deer pants for water so my soul pants for you oh God my Father.

” My aim in creating you and every person on this earth is to have fellows who long to be with me – with the same desire as that deer – who pants for water after running through the mountains, now totally exhausted. That is why I have created you all so that you will seek me and my promise, ever faithful and ever true, is that I will be found of you. That is why I came, Immanuel to be God with you to open the way for intimate communication which would be fulfilling to you and would fulfil my desire for a people who want to worship me and place me first in their lives. To you all then I promise the closest of fellowship, always ready to hear you and to respond, always ready to cover you with my grace. So – yes – here I am with you this morning as I have promised.”

We continue then with John’s introduction. He starts, as we saw last time with a description of the One about whom the whole book is going to be about. Firstly, he describes Him as the “Word”, foundational to God, the Father’s communication with His creation and each one of us. Today we see that the next step as we look back at God’s creation process was to give life to it. From the very beginning, His creation was to be alive, dynamic, developing, growing, interacting. God describes this life as giving light to His creation. Gen 1:3

In the presence of light there is always the possibility of darkness. Darkness where the light does not reach. God has used darkness in this world creatively. Every day ends with a period of darkness called night, when life on earth comes to rest and restore. This period is essential for the proper functioning of God’s creation. However, even when it is dark His creation is dynamically active in many ways.

Then in Genesis we are introduced to a new dimension. Adam’s revolt against the rule of God in his life. This revolt placed a barrier between man and God and we see that barrier is often called darkness. So, we see in Isaiah 9:2 the promise of God through Isaiah was that He would send someone to “The people walking in darkness”. This One would be “a Great light“. He would be called ” Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Back to John who then, identifies this One whom he is introducing as that Light who would bring two things to the people. He would bring life. That is, he would bring a new sort of life, because everyone without that light is, “dead in their trespasses and sins” (Ephes 2:1). To do that He would as the light, remove the darkness of sin which is the barrier between us and Him.

This metaphor of light is most powerful. No life is possible without light. So, in reality we only live because there is light, but much more we can only have true life once we have experienced the illumination of God’s supernatural light in our lives. Yet sin still lurks. As darkness spoils the light and hides much, sin has that effect on our lives preventing true life and true fellowship. Yet this Light who comes will remove that darkness. Without the light of this One whom John is describing we would still be in darkness and separated from God.

The next step is most amazing: v5b “the darkness did not understand this light“. And one step further we see in v 11 that though He specifically came first to His own people, they would not receive Him. It is amazing to think that this huge, unsurpassed gift should have been rejected by the very people He came to give life to. Then comes the frightening part, it is only those who accept Him that will benefit from His presence as the Light.

In fact, this life which He has brought, if it is received will qualify the receiver to be called a “child of God” v 12. Then note in v 13 that this adoption into God’s family is not something which is just sort of passed down. To benefit fully from this promise, the one who receives God needs to be reborn. A birth described as from God. Only that one will qualify to be called a child of God.

To summarize then, the reader doesn’t just have to know about this Person John is writing about to benefit from His coming into the world. The One described as “The Word” and “The Light“. The reader needs to respond to this message by receiving this One. Note there is nothing the reader needs to do to qualify, he/she simply needs to receive this One.

Lots to chew on. See you next week again.

My songs have focused on God the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and the kaleidoscope of meaning that brings, ending with the focus on “Jesus humble and holy” as the visible representation of God and everything about him.

“You will never appreciate Jesus fully if you don’t see him and experience him and his love against the backdrop of Me – Yahweh, the Great I Am the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. As I have chosen to communicate with you My creation, so I bring my Son as the ultimate communicator with you, walking among you and speaking to you as He represents My very presence with you. However, even as He has given His life to set you free from your bondage to sin – your mind is still clouded by the remnants of that sin within you. This is the main obstacle to hearing Me speak to you clearly through My son who is My Word incarnate. Your desire to hear Me speak and willingness to obey draws that curtain aside to a large degree. Yes, I want to communicate with you – do you want to hear and are you prepared to obey?”

Just a few words on John’s gospel so that we can set the scene. Even a superficial reading will show that this gospel is different to the other three. Without going into great detail, the main differences are that he focuses much more on personal relationships. There are no parables used for teaching. The main backdrop are the seven miracles or signs that make up the bulk of the material. Ultimately, they are gathered together in the statement in John 20:30 : “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have eternal life”. Keep this purpose in mind all the time you are reading this gospel.

We will read the gospel slowly as we digest the material, with the aim of getting to know our Lord and Saviour better and more intimately. This week I will focus on the 5 introductory vv.

The first sentence describing Jesus as the Word have opened a new understanding for me of the whole question of communication. To communicate we firstly need a language. So, God created a language which He calls His word. He has used this tool from the very beginning, even to the creation of the universe. Remember Genesis “and God spoke…..” and it was so. What has happened to this means of communication over the years. Firstly, we are reminded of Babel, where God confused the languages and we have reaped the effect of that with thousands of languages spoken throughout the world.

During the OT time there have been many prophets who spoke God’s word, but Jesus brought a new dimension: “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us through His Son whom He appointed heir over everything….” Heb 1:1,2

In that first vs in John we also read that this “Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God from the beginning”. Hebrews puts it this way in 13 “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word” Nixon says that this does not mean that the Word is the same person as God, but has the same nature as God.

Gathering this together before your head explodes, explores the fact of the very intimate relationship which exists between God and Jesus. Now without taking too great a leap we can see that God has and is using this relationship with Jesus who came to the earth to open the way to make relationships with his people possible and desirable, seeking to draw each one of us into a deeper relationship with Him.

Taking this a bit further, each one of us has a language that we speak to ourselves in. How does that fit with the Logos of God? How does His influence bear on this inner conversation.

There is so much to think about in these vv in John and the parallel in Hebrews, why don’t you spend some time considering the various aspects of what these vv are speaking about. I am going to leave it there and pick up next week again.

The Lord is by my side and I will trust in Him alone as He leads me beside still waters and makes me lie down in pastures green.

“My people of old would have understood much better what it means when I am called your Shepherd. It is a just a notion to most of the city dwellers today and even farmers don’t view the role of a shepherd it in the same light as the people of old. In those days the Shepherd was intimately involved with his sheep, he knew each one – maybe he had names for then, but he knew each one’s characteristics, the bold, the inquisitive, the brave, the foolish, the fearful – but he loved each one and was committed to them to the point of laying down his life to protect them. This picture would have come to the minds of my people – but it would still only have been a faint reflection of what I am to you all – I intimately know every thought and movement you make and I have already laid down my life for you”.

As we come to the end of 1 Samuel in ch’s 30 and 31, the message fits with what we have been looking at during the last few weeks surrounding Easter.

In ch 30 David, providentially returns to where his people have been attacked and taken hostage while he was away offering to fight for Achish. His reaction speaks to me: in the face of this apparent disaster, he does not just rush off to try and rescue them, rather we read in vs 6 that he “found strength in the Lord” and this led him to “enquire of the Lord” what he should do. vs 7. I must confess that my reaction in such crises is usually to spring into action immediately and only later to turn to the Lord for guidance and help.

The Lord encourages him to follow the Philistines and enables him to catch up to them and rescue everything they had taken, unhurt. vs 19. He also manages to take a large amount of plunder. The rest of the chapter is taken up with how he shares the plunder and uses it to consolidate his relationships with the elders of Judah vs 6 in preparation for taking over the crown.

We reach the climax of 1 Samuel in ch 31 as the story is taken up of the fight Saul is having with the Philistines, which David has no part of. The fight is a disaster for Saul and his sons. They are all killed. So the rule of Saul comes to a “fitting” end as we look back on the events that have unfolded around his kingship in this book.

From Deuteronomy we know that it was always God’s plan to have a king in Israel. This king would be a forerunner of the Forever King and Messiah Jesus. However, Saul’s kingship did not arise from God’s primary will. The people had been agitating for a king “like their pagan nations around them”. Although God allowed the choice of Saul in this mould and even had him anointed, he was always going to be a king like the pagan’s kings. Against this background God’s first choice king – king David is chosen and secretly anointed. Saul, motivated by Satan does everything he can think of to get rid of David and really gives him a hard time.

But now, in one fell swoop God takes Saul and his sons completely out of the picture, opening the way for David to rule. Does this final end of Saul’s rule remind you of anything?

I have recently been reading Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth and early years and there is a distinct parallel in Satan’s desire to get rid of Him. In addition to that, immediately after He is baptized He goes into the desert where He is tempted. Preparing and strengthening Him for the task ahead. So, in a similar way David undergoes this harsh rejection and several attacks by Satan after his anointing as king, which we can say was all in God’s plan as He prepared David for his years of kingly rule.

Not on the same scale, but how often does God use trials, difficulties and challenges to test each one of us. We are warned of this, for instance in James 1, but this should not dishearten us, but rather spur us on to grow in the area of service God has for us. There is not one of us who does not have a part to play in God’s kingdom growth, he uses each one according to his/her character, personality and gifts He has blessed us with to be part of this wonderful kingdom plan of His.

Next week I have decided to start reading John’s gospel, so why don’t you join me. If you have received any insights in 1 Samuel which I have not dealt with, why not share them with the rest of us. To open the dialogue box, simply tap or click on the title of the talk.

As the reality of Resurrection Sunday leads me on to a new beginning, I am singing words which are so real, “Take my heart lord, prone to wander and seal it with Thy mercy and Thy love.”

“I am God, I am your God and I still reign – no matter what the world seems to be shouting with all the pain, sorrow, hate and selfishness. I am God and I still reign. Yet as I have created all my creatures I have given them the choice to follow me or not. At the same time I continue to woo you and love you and help you with this enigmatic thought that even as you decide to follow me and love me – your heart is prone to wander. So come and walk with me as I continue to protect it with my streams of mercy and of love”.

Last week we considered the importance of understanding that the Old Covenant has been finally ended, making way for the New Covenant. Having discussed the reality that this fact has for each one of us, as we consider the New Covenant and its full impact. I want to pick up from there and talk a little about the importance of understanding the difference between the two Covenants.

We have said that Jesus’ death heralded the definitive end of the O.C. As God withdrew over silent Saturday the world was being prepared for the momentous news of what His death had accomplished. This is the nucleus of the New C. You can read this for yourselves in Hebrews 8:6-13. This Covenant was proved real by Jesus’ resurrection on Sunday.

Here are the main components:

1. God would imprint His laws on the minds and hearts of every person who becomes part of this Covenant (vs 10b). This will be through the work of the Holy Spirit, whom God would pour out in a new way at Pentecost. This means that each person will have the presence of the Holy Spirit within them to help with their obedience.
2. Each person would have a new relationship with God from that moment onward (vs 10c,11) Every person would “know the Lord”. “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ” (John 17:3). This would mean that each one would have personal access to God through Jesus and no longer need a priest and special sacrifices to approach a holy God.
3. Each person would have complete and permanent forgiveness of their sins (vs 12). Although this truth is dealt with in one sentence in this description of the New Covenant, it lies at the very heart of Jesus’ death on the cross. It was and is always sin which separates us from God. By His death Jesus dealt with that by taking the punishment for our sins upon Himself.
4. So these all were of course, all through work of Jesus on the cross.

So, the resurrection proved that this new period in God’s story had been inaugurated. It underscored in a physical way these immense spiritual lessons. Of course, there was another aspect to God’s story which is intimately tied up with the resurrection. This is the fact that this was a demonstration and a proof of God’s promise of eternal life for each person who believes and is born of the Spirit.

The resurrection sets Christianity apart from any other religion as it underscores the meaning of the events of the cross and the fulfilment of all God’s promises throughout the O.T. Hence in the book of Acts Luke repeatedly provides proof of the reality of the resurrection. May it be and remain a reality for each one of you.