Horsearm Creek is starting to dry out. Lovely ride around town. #cycling #Narrabri #Biketooter
Today’s Bike Ride
Quote for the Day
The evil of today is different than the evil of yesterday or of tomorrow, and when Jesus enjoins us to be “shrewd as serpents,” it means we must understand this. Eric Metaxas
Reflection on Matthew 27: 15-28
Scripture
Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours.” And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death – we and our children.”
Observation
Each year the governor releases one prisoner to the crowd. Pilate gives the crowd the choice between Jesus and Barabbas, a notorious criminal.
Pilate’s wife send a message to him, pleading for him to release Jesus, whom she says is innocent.
The crowd calls for Barabbas to be freed and Jesus to be crucified. Pilate then dramatically washes his hands, and says,” I am innocent of this man’s blood.” The crowd calls out that they and their children will take responsibility for His death.
Jesus is sent to be flogged and crucified.
Application
Pilate paints himself as a victim in the dispute over Jesus. He sees that Jesus has committed no crime, but out of fear, he hands Jesus over to be flogged and crucified.
The Jewish leaders and the crowd, on the other hand, call for the blood guilt to be on themselves and their children.
Every single person that has ever lived shares in the guilt over Jesus’ death. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s standard. It is for this reason that Jesus came and died. Only people who have never sinned are truly free of the guilt over Jesus’ death.
But God graciously forgives all of our sins because of the blood of Jesus. Hallelujah! He is the one who sets is free from sin, once and for all.
Prayer
Thank you Jesus for dying for me. Thank you for your forgiveness. Amen.
Today’s Bike Ride
Nice ride to Jacks Creek and Gun Club Roads this morning.#cycling #narrabri #Biketooter
Quote for the Day
So that day Bonhoeffer doubtless saw what was being celebrated in that church as concerning. He knew that when the German Lutheran church had become so comfortable that it ceased to see what it really means to follow Christ, danger was at hand. By that time, Germany and Lutheranism—which is to say church and state—had effectively melted together in many people’s minds. And on this Reformation Day when everyone celebrated German Lutheranism, this reality was greatly underscored, at least for Bonhoeffer. Eric Metaxas
Reflection on Matthew 27: 1-14
Scripture
When Judas, who had betrayed him, realised that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders.
Observation
The priests and Elders take Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor .
When Judas realises that Jesus is going to die, he is filled with remorse. He takes the payment for his betrayal back to the priests and elders. He tells them “I have betrayed an innocent man.”
Judas throws the coins down in the temple and goes out and hangs himself. The priests pick up the coins, and they decide to buy a Potter’s field to use as a cemetery. This fulfils the prophecy in Zachariah 11:12-13.
Pilate questions Jesus, asking him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”Hhe replies, “You have said it.”
The priests and elders bring their accusations against Jesus, but He makes no response, much to the governor’s surprise.
Application
Judas is filled with remorse, but he does not repent of his sins.
Remorse is about feeling bad for my actions, but not necessarily about seeking God’s forgiveness, nor turning away from sin. Lots of people feel guilt at times, but they do not turn that guilt into repentance. They fail to connect their sin to God’s law and God’s mercy.
If Judas had repented, he would have been forgiven by Jesus. He did not have to hang himself; he could have experienced the abundant life that comes from following Christ.
The contrast with Peter is very clear. Peter denied he even knew Jesus. but he repented, and Jesus welcomed him back into the fold. But for Judas, there was no way back because he did not repent.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for the assurance that no sin is too big for you to forgive as long as I repent. Amen.
Quote for the Day
But we also cringe at the thought of this in that particular church in Germany because we now know—from the example of what took place under Hitler—that if the lines between church and state are not kept bright and clear, religious liberty can be thrown out the window and an all-powerful state can crush the Church under its heel and out of existence. Eric Metaxas
Today’s Bike Ride
It is another few days until spring is officially here, but it is already feeling warmer. I was going to go for a longer ride, but they are doing major roadworks on Yarrie Lake Rd so I came home sooner than I expected. #cycling #Narrabri #Biketooter
Today’s Sermon
It Seems Those Paper Straws Might Be Worse For The Environment
From Jo Nova:
Paper straws have ‘forever chemicals’ that may be worse for us and the environment than plastic
Written by Jo Nova
Would you like PFAS with that?
Wouldn’t you know — to make paper straws resistant to water, it seems we have to add Teflon type chemicals that stick around for thousands of years.
Researchers analyzed 39 brands of straws in Belgium and found two thirds contained PFAS, and the paper straws were the worst. Fully 90% of all the paper straws contained some form of PFAS. 80% of Bamboo straws did too, as did 75% of plastic straws. Even 40% of glass straws contained PFAS. The only type of straws that were free of it were steel.
The UK, Canadian, Belgium, New Zealand, and Australian governments banned plastic straws, as did some US States because “they were bad for the environment”.
Paper drinking straws may be harmful and may not be better for the environment than plastic versions
Science Daily
In the first analysis of its kind in Europe, and only the second in the world, Belgian researchers tested 39 brands of straws for the group of synthetic chemicals known as poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
PFAS were found in the majority of the straws tested and were most common in those made from paper and bamboo, the study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Food Additives and Contaminants, found.
PFAS are used to make everyday products, from outdoor clothing to non-stick pans, resistant to water, heat and stains. They are, however, potentially harmful to people, wildlife and the environment.
They break down very slowly over time and can persist over thousands of years in the environment, a property that has led to them being known as “forever chemicals.”
They have been associated with a number of health problems, including lower response to vaccines, lower birth weight, thyroid disease, increased cholesterol levels, liver damage, kidney cancer and testicular cancer.
Maybe accidental, maybe not…
It isn’t known whether the PFAS were added to the straws by the manufacturers for waterproofing or whether were the result of contamination. Potential sources of contamination include the soil the plant-based materials were grown in and the water used in the manufacturing process.
However, the presence of the chemicals in almost every brand of paper straw means it is likely that it was, in some cases, being used as a water-repellent coating, say the researchers.
Calling these straws “paper”, 100% biodegradable and fully compostable seems like false advertising.
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