Month: May 2024

I sit here at your feet Lord, just enjoying your presence. I know you are a super generous God that you want more from me then just me needing you. You want me and my heart – so I give you that to you as best I can.

“I receive the offer of yourself as part of our relationship with one another. Yes, I want to give – giving is the greatest pleasure. The biggest gift I can give and have given is salvation – through the giving of Jesus on the cross to die on your behalf. Recognizing that and appreciating it gives me the greatest pleasure and yes, I want you and your heart in return. I know you are in part of a process, and I know you still have secret places in your heart that you have not yet given to me, but what is important to me is your intention to give that. So, over time I am helping you to bring those things to the surface and to give them to me. So go ahead now and just sit and enjoy me and my presence.”

We continue in John 2:12-25. John continues to unveil the New Covenant kingdom as it was being introduced by Jesus. The first step, which we saw last week was the introduction of the reminder that the New Covenant was represented by the New Wine. It was really introductory telling the reader that was what Jesus was introducing.

In today’s passage he looks again at the move from the Old Covenant to the New, as the symbols of the Old, which looked forward to a new era with a Messiah king, are to be replaced by Jesus in Himself. The greatest symbol of the Old was, of course the temple. The temple represented the place where God would meet with his people. The ark represented the very presence of God through the tablets on which the law was inscribed. Kept in a box in the holy of holies, behind a solid curtain 10 cm thick reminding the people of how much God was actually separated from them because of their sinfulness and His holiness.

Yet there was the mercy seat above the ark where the sacrifices were laid to demonstrate the only way to access God was through the sacrifice of a living being, which would be laid there. The whole process was overseen by priests, especially a high priest who would act on behalf of the people before Yahweh. In turn God had spoken through his law and continued to speak through the prophets. God appeared distant and unapproachable to the ordinary person. This was the only place where the people could go to meet with God especially at the various feasts.

The passage of today starts with Jesus visiting Jerusalem at one of those feasts, the Passover, which reminded them of God’s rescue act from the Egyptians. The great saving act of the Old Covenant, which was actually looking forward to His ultimate saving act in Jesus. The timing of Jesus’ visit was no coincidence as it brackets the whole of Jesus’ ministry life with the Passover feast, which closes with the bracket, where His whole mission was brought together and completed in His passion and death on the cross, also at the Passover feast.

The scene continues with Jesus’ actions when he enters the temple and declares that the people have lost the original meaning of the temple and drives them out with a whip. He was actually demonstrating that the time of the temple had drawn to a close with this act of judgement. John then uses the demand of the Jews for a sign to highlight what Jesus said He was going to do.

He had come to replace the temple with His own body, fulfilling all the functions and symbols that were incorporated in its original design and function. The finality of the judgement was ultimately brought home when the temple was sacked and destroyed in AD 30.

The fact that Jesus is now the living temple means we are not bound to a place and time in our relationship activities with God. You may find it an interesting activity to see how many of the functions of the temple you can relate to Jesus and His ministry towards us.

Finally, the chapter ends with three interesting vv- 23-25. They actually act again as a transition and introduction to chapter 3 . Why don’t you ponder how they do that, and I will be sharing that most important ch next week with you all?

The fact of Jesus replacing the temple with Himself has vast implications for us today, which we may be taking for granted. I was aroused again at this wonderful plan of God and the beautiful mystery that we can actually have a living, dynamic relationship with Him, because of His great salvation plan through Jesus.

I was also reminded that, just as the stone tablets represented God’s presence in the Holy of Holies, His word does the same today in the scriptures. They are not to be worshiped as such, but act as the door through which we enter into His presence.

I hope you all managed to get your vote done today. Looking forward to meeting with you all again next week.

Amazing love how can it be that thou found out me?

“I did not need to go seeking for you as if I did not know where you were. I created you in the place where I had planned for you to start your life. Your whole life’s plan was in My hand from the beginning. Yet I stood back and allowed you to explore. Yet, you were never far from me and although you were spiritually lost, as it were – you were always in place where I had planned for you to be. When I stepped in and woke you up to my Presence and turned your life around – I welcomed you as one who had returned from the dead. Today you continue to still be part of My plan and I am as close as a brother to you – just as I am to every other believer out there. Enjoy my Presence and My Company as I enjoy yours”.

Our adventure continues today in John 2:1-11. This section describes the well-known miracle of Jesus turning water into wine. Most people know it superficially as His first miracle, but there is much symbolism in this passage which gives it more meaning.

Firstly, the wedding. The picture of marriage is used throughout the scriptures to describe God’s desired relationship with His people. In the OT the people were often accused of committing adultery when they worshiped foreign gods. The New Covenant heralds a new beginning and Jesus is referred to as the bridegroom by John the Baptist in 3:29. Ultimately when time is brought to a close, we are told of an event, “The Marriage Supper of the Lamb”, describing the ultimate completion of God’s great plan. Here we have a wedding looking forward to these exciting events starting to unfold.

The picture of changing water into wine also tells the story that the wine of the New Covenant (Jer 31:12) is replacing the water of the Old. Wine representing vitality, flavour and power, compared to the powerless, tasteless water of the OT. In Mark Jesus speaks of putting New Wine into New Wine skins. So, this chapter acts as an acted parable introducing the fact that Jesus, the Messiah is introducing the Messianic age.

Furthermore, we have His statement in 2:4 where He says, “My time has not yet come”. This statement is repeated several times as the gospel unfolds (cf 7:6, 8, 30; 8:20) then in 12:33, 13:1, 17:1, as His passion approaches, he changes to say, “The hour has now come”. It appears he was trying not to be too visible before the time for his crucifixion had come. Yet He was clear when that would happen eventually.

The last remark I want to make is that the NIV does not clearly indicate quite how abrupt his answer to his mother is in 2:4. This is a reminder that for her to achieve eternal life she would have to, like everyone else come to a point of putting her faith in Jesus. For this reason, it appears that he purposefully is drawing slightly away from her. It is not because of lack of love because remember how he tells John while he is dying on the cross to look after his mother, but He needs her to realize that a mother – son relationship is not going to get her into the kingdom.

Having said all that, we must also accept the wonderful and obvious theme of the story where Jesus is willing to be involved in the most mundane areas of our lives, like a wedding.

This is also the first of the miraculous signs which prove that Jesus is who He said He was. (John 20:30,31.)

So, what was Jesus saying to me from this passage. The wonder of the whole plan of God and the revelation of the coming of the New Covenant age remain a great encouragement to my faith. The detailed care and concern by Jesus of the people, including His mother, also gives me much comfort and assurance of not only His greater plan for the world but for each one of us personally. It was also a reminder that the greater purpose of Jesus was to die on our behalf on the cross, which He obviously recognized from the beginning. Thus, dealing with our greatest need – salvation and forgiveness of our sins.

God bless. See you next week after you have voted.

In the midst of the storms of life – here in the love of Christ I stand with my feet firmly placed on the Rock – the Rock of Ages which was cleft for me.

“My desire for you is that you have that sense of safety and security that’s can only come if you have a sure footing on the only One who is immovable. But at the same time, I am not only a rock I am also soft and receptive and seek to surround you with feelings and assurance of My love that I will keep you safely standing on the Rock. As you have that absolute assurance you are able to move out and be My witness without the fear that your foot is going to slip and that you will stumble. If you are in danger of stumbling my arms are always there around you, holding on to you firmly to keep you going on the right path.”

As we now continue in ch 1 of John’s gospel, he is painting a picture of the One about whom this gospel is all about. Reading today from vs 35 to 51. John uses the calling and introduction of the various disciples as a backdrop to this unveiling of the One whom he introduced as the Light of the World and the Word in the opening vs.

In vs 35 He is given the title “Lamb of God“. This is the second time John uses this title which not only reveals who Jesus is but what He has come to do. He is THE Lamb of God. A special Lamb linking to the OT sacrificial system. His purpose is to die on behalf of the people to atone for their sins.

The next title is in vs 38, “Rabbi “, which means teacher. He is going to be THE teacher, not in the mold of the rabbi’s of the day. “Truly, truly” He often repeats, reminding us of the fact that He only speaks the real truth.

In vs 41 we have Andrew revealing who Jesus really is –“the Messiah” that is the Christ. Undoubted, they did not really understand the full meaning of this title which described the expected king who everyone was waiting for and looking for. The full understanding what this title meant would only come after Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection and ascension, at Pentecost.

In vs 45 Philip describes Jesus as “The One Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets wrote”. Moses had written about the Prophet as someone special differentiating Him from the other prophets. (Deut 18:15-19).

The interchange with Nathaniel is a bit more difficult to unravel The NIV translation is unhelpful where he describes Jesus as a true Israelite. It has more to do with an Israelite without guile and reflects on their further conversation. What is insightful here is the revelation of Jesus that He knew everything about Nathaniel, revealing a special, unheard of, supernatural knowledge.

The chapter ends with Jesus repeating the dream that Jacob had, had described in Gen 8:13-17. Jacob a man with guile in contrast to Jesus. The dream as Jacob awakes gives two more aspects to Jesus’ nature and character. In Vs 17 of Gen 28, Jacob “says surely this is none other than the house of God; the gate of heaven”.

In the very next chapter of John, Jesus reveals that He is going to replace the temple (2:19), The House of God and later He describes Himself as the “Gate” John 10:17.

The chapter ends with Jesus calling Himself by the name that He prefers, throughout His ministry. “The Son of Man“. This name comes from Daniel in 7:13 where He is pictured with “The Ancient of Days“, the name for Yahweh Himself.

John has skillfully woven these names into the narrative of the calling of a number of His disciples. These are pictured as very real humans, not in any way polished over to look better than they were. As you read this passage one cannot help feeling that this story is absolutely real. Jesus is slowly appearing like a multicoloured jewel against the background of these various people.

Each of these names describes something of Jesus ‘s person and character, what a beautiful way to get to know our glorious Saviour more completely and deeply. Why don’t you choose one name every day this week and glorify Him just according to that?

Bless you all see you next week. Sorry I was late this week I had an unexpected visitor who delayed me. My son Paul.

I hear the words, “Come to me and rest in my love”. Thankyou Lord for receiving me and loving me – just the way I am. I spend some time just quietly imagining that I am sitting next to my Father and feeling His love and acceptance, recognizing his desire to protect me and provide for me. I ponder on the enigma of “the Lord of the universe – nailed to a tree “- for me as much as anyone else – such love!

” Yes, come to me is my invitation to you with whatever cares you may have, whether you are feeling weary or discourage or full of joy – I welcome you to sit beside me and receive my love and my forgiveness for your self-centredness and self-will. My offer to you is twofold – rest from your cares, with forgiveness opening the way for me to show my love and secondly, the invitation to take up my yoke – which has been specifically designed for you and as you start drawing on my yoke – serving me – you will sense I am yoked next to you and drawing with you so that it will be easy and you will not grow weary again”.

Our reading today is from John 1:19-34. John, the writer, returns to speaking about John (the Baptist), continuing to link his unveiling of who Jesus is/was from the Old Testament. John, the Baptist now has a chance to speak.

Firstly, he emphatically denies that he is the expected Messiah. Remember the expectation was high in Israel at the time for the imminent arrival of the Messiah, the future king who would come to rescue His people, Israel. John’s behaviour had obviously attracted the attention among others of the priests and Levites. So, their first interest was the question of whether he was in fact the Christ. As we read on through this passage, we see that there is an apparent emphasis on baptism. Apparently, there was an understanding that such a baptism would be associated with the coming of the Messiah. This explains the question in vs 24; “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ?”

John fields this question by directing the questioners attention to the fact that he himself is insignificant, placing himself in the position of “One calling in the desert, ‘Making straight the way of the Lord'”, a prophecy from Isaiah 40:3.

The thrust firstly of his reply is to compare himself in all humility to the real Messiah. He was not worthy of tying the thongs of His sandals. He was before him, existing from time immemorial and much greater. And while John’s baptism was with water, meaning it was symbolic of washing away sins on repentance, the One coming after him would baptize with the Spirit, bringing real transformation and power.

Now, I was involved in the 80’s in the Charismatic movement, where I was saved. I was attracted to the main teaching they were propagating which was the need and value of being baptized in the Spirit. Their teaching was that this baptism happened after salvation and empowered one for service. They spoke much of the power – dunamis (from which comes the word dynamite) which came with the Spirit’s presence. This is clearly a wrong doctrine, but in a way, they were right in their observation that the average Christian did not seem to have any power.

Firstly, the term Baptism in the Spirit describes our initial entry into the kingdom. It is another term for being born again, saved, converted etc. Paul makes this clear in 1 Co 12:13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free —and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. There is no room there for someone to be a real Christian without this transformation which the Spirit brings.

However, having said that, their observation was and still is correct in many respects. There are heaps of people who call themselves Christian, the churches are full of them who don’t show the dynamic power of Christ’s presence in them. Paul describes this accurately in 2 Timothy 3:5 as having a form of godliness but denying its power. He uses this description to describe the church in the last days. They were just wrong in assuming that all these people are really Christians and this explanation of a “second blessing” as they often referred to it, explained it to themselves.

The reality of our gospel message is that each one of us, baptized in the Spirit, live in the power of God’s Spirit and presence every day. His Spirit enables us to be witnesses to His living presence, by our love and ability to reach out across difficulties to each other and the world.

Coming back to John’s testimony he draws it all together in the last paragraph where he refers to seeing Jesus being baptized and the Spirit literally visible in the form of a dove settling on him. He finally sums it all up in the last vs 1:34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.

As we see these proofs mount up as to who Jesus really is, my hope and expectation is that you will grow incrementally in your faith as we see more and more of them in this glorious gospel of John. God bless till next week.

The wonder of the cross strikes me again. The Source of life – represented by Light – comes to the earth and dies on a Cross. His absence represented by instant darkness. How much more intimate can His identification with us be?

”Yes, my heart seeks to reach out to your heart so that you may just know something of my love. That love that took me to the cross, and in knowing that love, in experiencing that love which I have poured out and continue to pour out – you have the occasion to respond by giving me your Love – you’re all. Abandoning your earthly treasures, all the things of this world you love, taking up your cross and following me by giving your Love fully to me. This is a process which becomes more real as time passes and you grow nearer to Me, but I am helping you with my grace all along to be able to release your grip on this world and turn and give me all of you.”

Back to John 1. As John has identified this One about whom his gospel account is going to be about, as the Word, Creator, the Source of Life represented by light, he first shows the link to the Old Testament scriptures and experience of God’s chosen people.

This link was in the form of a man also called John, described here as a “witness” to the True Light. John, the writer does not expand on this one who acts as a witness, preparing the people for the coming of the Real Light of the World. Nevertheless, it is an important link which indicates the progression of God’s story and reminds the reader that the coming of the One who is now the focus of the story, doesn’t just happen on the scene as it were, but was planned for from the beginning.

Our focus then moves to vs 14. The esoteric description of the One, as The Word and The Light is now described as becoming real to the world by taking on flesh to be among us. The word described in vs 14 as “dwelling” is actually “tabernacling”, dwelling in a tent. This shows that His presence here in the flesh was always going to be temporary. This is huge. Matthew describes this concept in ch 1 as Jesus being called “Emmanuel” – “God with us”.

This is really the Almighty Creator described in vs 1 who has come to live among mankind and experience his life with him. It is actually easy to let this reality become everyday as we become used to it. We should never lose our awe at what He did.

He ends that paragraph with the statement that Jesus came from the Father bringing the fulness of grace and truth. John, (the Baptist) testifies and emphasizes that Jesus way surpasses him in greatness and then returns to the concept of the grace. Jesus represents the “fulness of grace and truth“, bringing a completely new era. Vs 16 is difficult to translate from the Greek. The RSV says, “From His fulness we have all received grace upon grace”. The picture is one of Jesus Himself bringing an overflowing fulness of grace, which He represents in Himself first. This concept of the fulness of grace is then contrasted with the Old Testament, describing it as the era of the law given by Moses. Jesus comes bringing a completely new era.

May you be conscious of this overflowing grace which is always with us in the person of Jesus in the coming week. We don’t have to ask for more of His grace, but maybe that we should become more conscious of how magnificent and complete what is already there for us. Paul said in 2 Cor 12:9 that Jesus told him that, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”. The weaker you feel, the more conscious you will be of God’s grace.