O Father
Teacher of my heart
Giver of wisdom
I give myself to you
—
Ancient of Days
I go to the cross
Knowing this is the eternal plan
—
I set my face
Hard as flint
Walking to the cross
Suffering ahead
Vindication follows
—
Salvation for fallen men
Won on my body
Purchased in blood
Lovingly shed
Scripture
Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
Observation
Jesus sends two of His disciples ahead to collect a colt that is there. If anyone asks, they are to say, “The Lord needs it.”
They go and find the colt. When questioned, they repeat what Jesus had told them. They return with the colt to Jesus who rides it into the city.
As they enter the city, people throw their cloaks and branches on the road ahead of Him, and the crowds call out, “Hosanna in the highest!”
Jesus then goes to the Temple and looks at everything before returning to Bethany.
Application
Many people claim Jesus for all kinds of selfish reasons. The crowds see Jesus as a political liberator. Many are not interested in a Saviour- they just want political independence for the Romans.
Many still claim Jesus for self-centred motives. They might be in church for social reaosns or because the music appeals to them.
These are the same people who quickly turned and called for Jesus’ crucifixion a few days later.
It’s fine and understandable to start with Jesus for the wrong reasons. True disciples move on and recognise that it’s not about me, it’s all about Jesus.
Prayer
Lord show me how to follow you for your glory not my own selfish motives. Amen.
Scripture
“But I, when I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all men to myself.”
Observation
Some Greek-speaking Jews come to Philip with a request to see Jesus. He takes Andrew with him to see Jesus.
Jesus replies that the hour for His glorification is coming. A seed of wheat must fall to the ground and die in order to reproduce. A man must die to his own life in order to live.
Jesus says His hour is come and despite His troubled heart, He must continue. He cries out, “Father glorify your name.” A voice from heaven says “I have glorified it, and I will again.”
Some hear the voice while others think it is an angel or thunder.
Jesus then says the world is about to be judged, and satan driven out. Jesus will be lifted up from the earth and will draw all men to Himself.
Application
Jesus’ death is the death of a seed that multiplies. He is the one who is lifted up and draws all people to Himself. He lays down His life in order to save His own eternal life and to save our lives too.
The Greeks asked to see Jesus the teacher. But when we see Jesus, we see Him lifted up on the cross, His sacrifice bringing billions of people to salvation.
This is the glorious message of Easter- the God of all creation lays down His life to redeem His creation.
If you want to see Jesus in all His glory, look to the cross. Yes the broken, battered Jesus is glorified in His costly suffering.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me a sinner. Thank you for the cross for paying the price of my sin. Amen.
Covenanter God
Calling people home
Tempering wrath at sin
With the grace of Father’s heart.
—
Spirit-sending Saviour
Show us your ways
Righteousness rises
As forgiveness flows.
—
Crucified God
Suffering for sinners
Reconciling all
Who receive your love.
Scripture
God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world but to save the world through him.
Observation
This passage is a part of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus.
Jesus says that just as Moses lifted up the bronze snake for healing, the Son of Man must also be lifted up to give eternal life to all who believe in Him.
God loved the world so much that He sent His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life.
Jesus did not come into the world to bring judgement. Yet everyone who rejects Him rejects the light and loves darkness. Therefore they are judged by their actions for loving evil and rejecting truth.
Application
Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Everybody is invited to the Feast of Salvation. There are no prerequisites for eternity.
But we have to choose. Jesus is the way to eternal life. If we reject that way we say that we prefer the darkness, the way of satan.
So, in coming to save the world, Jesus condemns those who reject His way.
There is a very sharp line between heaven and hell, salvation and damnation. That line goes right through Jesus.
The question God will ask to judge us is: Do you follow the way of Jesus?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, today I turn from my sin and I lay down my life to follow you. Amen.
Scripture
So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness towards us as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
Observation
We were once dead in our sins, just like the rest of the world, captive to the devil. We used to live by our fleshly desires and were subject to God’s wrath.
But God reached down to us in grace, giving us life when He raised Christ from the dead. He will point to us in future ages as examples of the wealth of His grace.
We are saved by grace, not by our own deeds. He has created us in Christ to do good deeds.
Application
It is all grace!
We have not earned our salvation. God saved us by grace to be an example to future generations. That is not as impressive as it may sound- “I saved him/her from his/her sinful lifestyle so I can certainly save a lesser sinner like you!”
We are not saved BY our good deeds as so many people think. The truth is that nobody is that good! No, we are saved FOR good deeds, saved for a life of loving holy living.
The legendary sinner becomes a legendary saint, all by the grace of God.
Prayer
Lord, without your grace I can do no good thing. Without your grace I would be on the way to hell. Thank you for saving me through Jesus Christ, Amen
Scripture
So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.
Observation
The Canaanite king of Arad attacks the Israelites, capturing some of them. The people call out to the Lord, vowing to destroy the city if the Lord gives them victory. They do this, destroying the towns and the people.
As they travel on, the people become impatient, and they speak out against God and against Moses. The Lord sends venomous snakes which kill many people. The Israelites repent, Moses prays, and the Lord tells him to make a bronze snake which will bring healing to people who are bitten.
Application
The story of Israel is replete with ups and downs, victories and defeats. All through their history, there are times of awesome faith in the Lord and there are times of terrible unbelief and sin.
All of us go through similar cycles of great faith and great sin.
The key to overcoming and walking in victory is simple: Don’t give up.
Today’s defeat, sin or opposition can so quickly turn to victory as we surrender ourselves to the Lord and let Him have His way in us.
Prayer
Praise be to you heavenly Father. Please help me to walk increasingly in your ways, overcoming every sin and temptation. Amen.
Scripture
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
Observation
The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is God’s power.
God undermines worldly wisdom by making it look foolish. Jews look for signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but it is Christ who saves all who believe.
God’s stupidity is wiser than the smartest human and His apparent weakness is stronger than anything man can do.
Application
You can’t get to heaven by human wisdom and reasoning. If you could, every philosopher would get there. Every form of military might, political power, financial muscle is useless before the God who made the universe with a word and can destroy it in an instant.
To be saved, we must embrace the cross, the “weakness” of God.
Sure, it doesn’t make sense to the logical mind obsessed with power.
But the cross is the logical outcome of a God who loves the world so much that He would put aside His strength, become vulnerable to our sin, and pay the price for sins He never committed. All for love’s sake.
Prayer
Father, I receive your love. The cross has set me free from death. Thank you. Amen.
Like a marathon runner
The sun runs across the sky
Day after day
Never tiring
Never serving
The heavens praise God’s glory
—
The law of God
Teaches our soul
Day after day
Never tiring
Never swerving
Bringing joy to all who listen.
Scripture
“I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”
Observation
Ten “word “ or commandments for the people of God:
1. No other gods
2. Do not worship idols
3. Do not misuse the name of the Lord
4. Do not work on the Sabbath
5. Honour your parents
6. Do not murder
7. Do not commit adultery
8. Do not steal
9. Do not give false testimony
10. Do not covet
Application
Many many things have been written and spoken about these simple commandments. Together they are a minimum standard of behaviour for a person to obey God and live His way.
Of course, Jesus takes this much further, dealing with the thoughts that precede the action.
Some people bridle at the suggestion that there are standards of behaviour for christians. “We are under grace, not law,” they say. This is true, but the requirements of responding to grace are far more stringent that mere law can dictate.
Jesus bought me out of slavery to sin and death. That says to me that I am His slave now and that means He has the right to tell me how to live.
Prayer
Lord please help me to honour you with my mind, my body, my thoughts and my words. Amen.
New Life Narrabri 