Month: July 2025

How great thou art, then sings my soul my Saviour God to thee, how great thou art and I bow in humble adoration.

” I appreciate your humble adoration, I appreciate your worship – that you can see and declare My worth. That is why I created you and countless others who have gone before you. Not to achieve greatness or a claim, but to recognise something of My greatness and be moved to a true and humble adoration, no matter what the circumstances are that you are experiencing, no matter the challenges – to see past that, to get a glimpse of My greatness and to be filled with joy by what you see, hear and experience of Me. So continue to draw near and look up and perceive Me and My greatness for who I am and enjoy Me”

We read on, in ch 19 verses 1-16 of John’s gospel account. The interaction continues between Pilate and Jesus, with the Jews shouting in the background as the crucifixion looms darker ahead.

Perhaps the key verse here is 7b: “because he claimed to be Son of God” .We should remember that the triple question John seeks to answer in the gospel is: Who is this Man? What has He come to do? What should our response be? So we have been reading of the focus of the accusation against Jesus, that He claimed to be “the King of the Jews”. This is escalated in this passage cf 19:1-3, 5, where they go through the mockery of “Crowning Him”. But the real issue comes to the fore now in vs 7. He is actually claiming divinity!

This was a serious accusation from the Jewish point of view. This was the real reason they used to have Him crucified. So the reader, you and I, are called to make a decision. Who do we think Jesus really was and is? John has spent His whole gospel laying out the many proofs of who Jesus is, the real issue is: who do you think Jesus is? Do you really believe all the material John has put together as proof? I think it was a huge step in my faith life when the penny really dropped and I suddenly knew that Jesus is in fact God Himself in human form.

Standing back and allowing my mind and emotions to take in this scene in John 19, the feelings of hopeless confusion easily flood over me. Put into today’s context one sees the protests around the world and how easily they escalate and end in violence. Here, Jesus is the focus of the “protest”. I’m sure many of the people present there didn’t even understand the issues, but were carried along by the rising sense of crowd power and emotion

In the midst of all this we have a word from Jesus. A word for then, but also a word for us today, when Pilate says “Do you not realise I have power either to free you or crucify you” and then Jesus’s clear and ultimate answer into eternity, “You would not have any power over Me if it were not given you”. As completely out of control everything appeared to be, God/Jesus had complete control and was only allowing the riot, to achieve its purpose. The crucifixion was central to God’s plan and this is how it was going to play out.

I don’t pretend to understand all the relevant movements in the story. Why God chose to use these evil people to accomplish His purposes. Why God chose this evil man, Pilate to be in a place of authority, and used him to play a key role. Yet even as I write that, I realise I am as much one of the people that would have shouted and agreed with the mob. It was equally necessary for my salvation as it was for each of you, dear readers. So, I submit to His complete wisdom in carrying it out like this. What this does bring home to me is that no matter how confused and bad matters seem to be in our world today, it is always God’s plan being worked out for His ultimate glory. That gives me huge peace and assurance as I look at the chaos in the world today.

Nest week we will look at the actual crucifixion. Till then bless you all.

My Maker and my King I owe all to thee.

“It is good to set yourself aside as you meet with Me so that you can clearly hear what I have to say to you. It is so easy to do good things, but in the process have the attitude that you are seeking to make a name for yourself. So it is good to humble yourself in My presence and allow your compass to be reset so that I am your True North and the light by which you live. I am that light which illuminates your life, both from outside as well as inside. It is not necessary to generate a light for yourself. Allow yourself to sink into My arms as you remind yourself that I am your Maker and your King and you do owe everything to Me because you belong to Me.”

As I was reading the next passage from John’s gospel story, I felt almost as if I was entering a holy space as we approach the central point of the whole Message of God collected in the bible. So we take up the story as Jesus is taken to Pilate: John 18:28-40.

This section, deals with Jesus’s interaction with Pontius Pilate, the Roman prelate who held the power of life and death over Jesus. But did he really? Jesus makes it quite clear that, while he had the legal right to pronounce a death sentence, this right had been given him by none other than God Himself. V 36.

Pilate, a really evil man, who was later banished and ended his life by suicide, is merely the tool which God has used to continue to work out His redemption plan.

In this interaction with Jesus one can sense how Jesus was ultimately in control of the conversation, despite Pilate’s superior position. The central point of this passage lies in the words of Jesus in vv 36,37. Especially the statement: “For this reason I was born”. What Jesus says about His Kingdom is so important. It was important then. As John uses this to remind the reader thatJesus’s program was far greater than just an insurrection in Israel.

It is just as important for us today to remember this central fact. God’s kingdom, while hugely real, operates on a different level, an unseen level, to what we see in the world. It is a global kingdom, crossing all lines of state. The members of that kingdom are made up of every one who is a true “born again” believer. The main law of that kingdom is Love. Love for the King and flowing from that love for each of the other members of the kingdom. All the other laws flow from that central one.

The key that was to unlock this new kingdom lay at the door now. As we approach the inevitable and awful mistreatment of this King, it is hard to see how this was going to be the greatest moment of Jesus glorification. But we will come to that later. John just wants the reader to place himself into this scene and experience something of its awfulness as the story rises to its climax.

The other thing that struck me here is the incredible, vitriolic hate, expressed against this innocent man. This was no doubt a sign of the intense spiritual battle that was going on in the “heavenly realms” and being expressed here. Although Jesus conquered the “Evil one” on the cross we are still being drawn into his rearguard action, aimed at destroying the Kingdom by destroying every member. Read Revelation ch 12 for a very picturesque description of what is going on even now.

It is important that we recognise that this spiritual battle is still going on so that we can take our stand against the Evil One, (1 Peter 5:8) and not be mislead by his attractive lies.

With that, make sure Jesus is your True North and have a blessed week.

Every morning I wake to this thought – “Amazing love, how can it be that thou my God should die for me?”

“Maybe it is especially amazing that the thought of love should be centred on the whole concept of death. However, consider this – after the curse I passed on the world, every human’s mind is focused, if not all the time, at least some of the time on death. Death is the greatest enemy to each one of you. That is why I chose to come and taste it, after that, pass through it opening the way to My glory through My resurrection. So as you focus on your reading today the spectre of death becomes greater and greater, but at the same time it is not the end – just as your death is not the end– rather see it as a gateway to glory – the golden light shines beyond the Gateway, lighting up My glory which you will share in.”

As we continue reading in John’s gospel we are immersed in the final climax as Jesus’s death looms larger and larger. Today, as we read John 18:12-27, I invite you to allow your imagination to take you into that scene. Feel the anticipation, the fear, the darkness still enveloping, the smell of terror and experience the violent antagonism. And most of all the additional loneliness as one by one all Jesus’s friends and followers desert Him and everyone around Him is focussed on doing Him the utmost harm, even to death.

As the officials take Jesus to Annas there is a verse which reminds us of the whole purpose of what is going on. It is slipped in, almost unseen, but should be a reminder to the reader of what this happening is all about. Vs 14 “ Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for all the people.” His words, so prophetic were obviously meant in a different way by him, yet is a summary of what Jesus was going through.

Today’s section is dominated by the description of Peter’s denial. Jesus had warned him earlier, after he had insisted on his eternal allegiance, that he would deny Jesus three times before the cock crowed (John 13:38). While much of the rest of what was happening is dealt with quite succinctly, the three denials of Peter are described in graphic detail.

Now I have heard a number of sermons where Peter is used as an example of unfaithfulness and desertion. However, I want to suggest that we should not be too hard on Peter. Firstly, Peter was the only disciple that did not run away completely. Why are the rest of the disciples not equally criticised? Secondly, may I respectfully ask you, dear reader, whether you too have not at some stage effectively denied your relationship and love of Christ? Maybe in a general discussion or even in a one on one conversation? The moment is there for you to speak up, but your courage just fails you in that instant.

Maybe we should see this denial in a broader picture. The intense pressure on the disciples with everyone turning on Jesus and the natural tendency of us humans to flee from that. The important thing is that the story does not end here. As much detail that is given here to Peter’s actions, the gospel will end with the restoration Jesus offers him, which is dealt with in just as much detail.

So even when we do drop Jesus by not speaking up at a specific time, He will not condemn us for that and will keep restoring us. Then, of course we are in a period of time when the Holy Spirit had not yet been given to the world, so Peter was operating in his own strength. Later He became the chief spokesman for the disciples for instance in Acts ch 2. And then tradition has it that he died by being crucified himself, asking to be done upside down because he did not want to take any of the glory of Christ’s death away from Him.

In the centre of this description of Peter’s denial, we return to the farce of a trial that Jesus is going through. As you read those verses 19-24, what is your instinctive reaction? The sense John is building is the extremely unfair way Jesus is being treated. Above all that He is completely innocent of the charges being put to Him. At the same time, His calm reaction to these accusers. It is so important that the reader not be confused into thinking that He deserved this punishment, because the whole gospel pivots on the fact of His innocence so that His death on our behalf could be effective.

I hope that as we read these last chapters in John’s gospel we will be captivated afresh by this amazing story about such an amazing love that He should die for you and I.

God bless till next week.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus – Oh the wonder of it all, that God loves me.

“It may be a wonder to you that I love you and every precious soul I have created. But the whole purpose of My creation exercise has been to make a platform where I can demonstrate My wonder and My glory and have a creature to respond to Me in love and awe. Those who I have created in My image to be able to relate to Me and worship Me, giving Me the Glory I deserve. Your great reward is still coming when you will pass into My presence and remain there in worship for all eternity. So do not lose your sense of wonder because that is what I want from you.”

Our reading today launches into the final action leading up to Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection. We are just reading John 18:1-11 today.

Standing back and looking at the whole scene in the garden there is a certain symbolism which we should not miss. The whole of the story of God’s creation started in a garden called Eden. Everything was perfect. God with His beloved creatures Adam and Eve, relating freely to each other. They were completely free with one condition; they had to recognise God for who He is and follow Him willingly. Enter a serpent who offers a different perspective and they fall completely for it, as it seems to offer them autonomy from God. We all know the consequences which resulted in the chaos we still experience today. However from the beginning God has had a plan and that plan was coming to fruition in a garden in Palestine thousands of years later.

Here God Himself, in human flesh faces the serpent in the form of a detachment of soldiers led by a great traitor, Judas. Initially it appears as if Satan is once again going to win the battle for the world and the souls of men everywhere. But such is the enigma of Christianity, the apparent loss of this skirmish is the beginning of the greatest victory of all time.

In this paragraph we see the clear indication that God is in charge. Firstly in the soldiers initial reaction to Jesus’s identification of who He is, “I Am” in vs 5. Then the remark in vs 9 “This happened so that the words He had spoken would be fulfilled.” Finally His statement in vs 11, “Shall I not drink this cup which the Father has given Me?”

Reflecting on the passage I find it interesting that the soldiers were prepared to go on with the arrest, even after their initial reaction to Jesus’s identification of who He is. It shows the perverse nature of humanity. I think that sometimes when we are about to do something contrary to God’s will we may also stand up and continue despite the sense of God’s presence. Fortunately we have a forgiving Father who patiently draws us back to Himself, even though we may have to live with the consequences of our actions.

To me the main message of this opening section of action is that even when we are in the garden of conflict and suffering we are living with a Saviour who has experienced the greatest suffering possible yet won the victory for us. That even when all appears to be lost there is an underlying golden thread of ultimate victory which will be our reward.

The other encouragement we can get from this passage is that when we experience one of the greatest trials as humans, when someone who we love and trust betrays us, Jesus has been there and understands and can minister to us. Judas had walked with Jesus for three years, been intimately close to Him and shared in everything all the other disciples shared, yet for a few pieces of silver was prepared to betray Jesus, knowing that it would lead to His death.

This story is so familiar, maybe before you finish, close your eyes and imagine the scene. The dark, then a group of men running with torches clamouring for blood like a pack of hounds. Imagine the emotions of the disciples and of course Jesus who is the target. Smell the night air, the oil from the lights, the heavy scent of the garden and the smell of fear. He did this all for us and this was just the beginning of this long and fearful night.

God bless till next week.

Behold the wondrous mystery – of Christ who died for me. Yes oh Lord, although you have revealed much of Yourself, You still remain largely a mystery. Yet I am not a mystery to You because You know me so intimately that You know my thoughts even before I speak.

”You are right to understand that there is much about Me which is still mysterious to you and to the whole world. I have created you into a wondrous being, incredibly complex in design. Even the most astute scientists don’t understand everything about man. Your minds are finite and could not take it all in. Yet you can enjoy Me fully because you can know that behind the mystery is all My goodness and love. Enjoy everything you know about Me, what I have revealed about Myself and enjoy knowing that there is so much more to learn about Me.”

Today we come to the end of the “high priestly prayer” of Jesus in John 17:20 – 26. We have looked at the long prayer Jesus prayed for His disciples, those who were intimately connected to Him during His earthly life. Although that prayer was specifically intended for these men we could nevertheless draw some important words which are still applicable to us today.

The section we are looking at today covers His prayer for “all those who will believe in Me through their (the disciple’s) message.”vs 20. In other words all Christians including each one of us. Let us look at the priorities which He raises in this prayer of His.

His first priority is that of unity among believers. This unity is intimately bound to the unity between Jesus and the Father and is the surest demonstration of our faith, vv 23 and again 24.This is a theme from way back cf 14:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men shall know that you are My disciples.” The whole section which follows that statement shows us the importance and value of abiding as a demonstration of relationship which flows from Jesus’s relationship with the Father. This relationship then underpins the whole idea and practical application which is ultmately displayed in unity.

Sadly, one of the greatest problems in the Christian Church today is disunity. People who call themselves Jesus followers, squabbling and arguing and splitting apart into multiple denominations. Families rent apart in strife followed by divorce. I think this is one of our greatest challenges today. To be able to love one another, despite our many differences. The world, which is in constant conflict on a national as well as a personal level, should be looking at the Christian Church in wonder at how we demonstrate His love. Instead they often see exactly the same problems as they are experiencing. This is a huge challenge to us both in our prayer life as well as our everyday actions.

True unity comes from the Spirit’s work as He first brings us to humility and dependence on God’s grace. Disunity mostly arises from pride and selfcentredness causing a sense of entitlement. A symptom at best, of immaturity in the faith, at worst of not being believers at all. On top of that I would be remiss if I did not mention the role of Satan who recognises this weak spot and capitilises by promoting differences and strife and thus making the church ineffectual in its great task of spreading the gospel.

Jesus then goes on to discuss Glory. He has given all believers His glory, the glory which the Father gave Him. This is more of a nebulous concept which I suppose we will only appreciate when we are fully exposed to the the Father’s glory in the new heavens and the new earth. It is the ultmate goal in our relationship with Yahweh though, which is indicated by it being one of these priority themes in this prayer.

The third idea which is brought forward is the reality of God’s love. vs 23b 26c. A major part of Jesus’s revelation to the world and especially to His disciples is His love. That is what underpins everything else in what He has said and is the fitting last word in the prayer.

Looking back at this prayer should make us reconsider what the focus of our prayers and actions should be. As we demonstrate the Father’s love for Jesus and thus His love for us we must remember that that love was shown most graphically by His death on the cross on our behalf. Greater love can no man have than that he should die for you. Twice He includes in the prayer the importance of making Him and His love known. Firstly in vs 20, it is through the Apostles’ message, ie God’s word that people come to believe, and in vs 26 as Jesus makes His love known, how else will the nonbeliever get to know Him if we don’t tell them. Romans 10:11ff

Once again a fistful of input to chew on. Enjoy doing that till we meet again next week.