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Reflection on John 20:19-31

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John20

Scripture

Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Observation
On Resurrection Sunday the disciples are meeting behind locked doors. Suddenly Jesus is there in the room!

Jesus commissions them to go in His name and then breathes the Holy Spirit on them. He gives them authority to forgive sins.

Thomas is not with them at this time, and he is sceptical about their report. He says that he won’t believe it unless he sees and touches Jesus’ wounds.

The next Sunday they are together and again Jesus appears. This time Thomas is with them. Jesus invites him to touch the wounds. Thomas believes.

Application
It is exciting when Jesus shows up! How much more for these disciples who did not yet know the full story.

Jesus is alive still, ascended into heaven where He reigns with the Father.

He has given us Holy Spirit to empower us to be His witnesses. He has given us His authority to embody the life of grace.

All power and all authority. There is nothing that can stand in the way of us serving and representing the risen Lord.

Prayer

Hallelujah! Jesus you are the risen Lord! Help me to serve you in all that I do. Amen.

Reflection on 1 John 1:1-2:2

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1John

Scripture

If we claim to have no sin we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.

Observation

John proclaims the Christ, the pre-existent one. He saw Him and touched Him. He is the life and the truth.

God is light and there is no darkness in Him. If someone claims to have fellowship with God but lives in the darkness, he is not walking in the truth.

If a person claims to have no sin, they are deceiving themselves. But if we confess our sins to God, He will forgive us and cleanse us from all wickedness.

Application

Jesus is the light. He leads us in the way of truth and to the Father.

We must have an honest assessment of ourselves. To say we are without sin is to deceive ourselves.

Everybody sins.

But to those who confess their sins honestly before God, there is forgiveness and grace.

No sin is too big for God, no crime too heinous that grace will not cover it.

Prayer

Thank you for your grace Lord, setting me fre from sin. Amen.

Reflection on Mark 16:1-8

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Scripture

The angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid His body.”

Observation
The two Marys go out after Sabbath ends on Saturday evening and purchase spices to anoint Jesus’ body.

They go to the Tomb at sunrise on Sunday and discover that someone has rolled the stone from the entrance of the tomb. Inside, they discover a young man clothed in white. He tells them Jesus is not there, He has risen from the dead. They are to go and tell the disciples to go to Galilee where they will see Him.

Application
Jesus is alive!

Sins are forgiven!

Death is conquered!

The Kingdom of God is here!

The reality of the resurrection is our sign that Jesus us who He says He is.

The war with God is over, if only we will surrender to Him and bow our lives to Jesus.

Prayer
How awesome is the message of Easter. Lord you have defeated sin and overcome death. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ! Amen.

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

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Picture from deviantart by Xiphos71

Scripture

I passed on to you what was most important and what was passed on to me: Christ died for our sins as the Scriptures said. He was buried and He was raised from the dead on the third day just as the Scriptures said.

Observation
The Good News will save us if we continue to believe it. The Good News is that Christ died for our sins and on the third day He was raised to life. All of this was predicted in the Scriptures.

The risen Lord was seen on many occasions. On one occasion 500 people saw Him at once. Finally Paul also saw Him.

Application
Christ died for my sins, but His death is not the last word. On the third day after His death He was raised from the dead and appeared to many of His followers.

Many religious leaders have lived and died, but only one left His burial place and continues to live.

Christ has defeated sin and death. Now we can be sure that we will live for ever if we hold fast to Him.

Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ in your death you defeated death, and now I know I will live with you for ever. Thank you! Amen.

Reflection on Acts 10:34-43

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Scripture

“In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.”

Observation
Peter is at the house of Cornelius, having been prepared by a vision to go to a Gentile’s house. He recounts the vision he received from the Lord, and Cornelius then tells of the angelic visitation he had which had prompted him to invite Peter.

Peter realises that God shows no favouritism, that He accepts people from every nation. The Good News that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ is for all people.

The apostles are the witnesses of all that Jesus did, of His death and resurrection.

Application
Jesus is Lord of all, and the peace of His Kingdom is open to all who put their faith in Him.

This is the wonderful message of Easter- Christ was crucified for our sins and He rose again to show He has conquered sin and death for ever.

The promise is to all people. Just put your trust in Him and confess that He is Lord, and you will be saved.

Prayer
Thank you Lord Jesus for the gift of salvation. You bought it with your own death, but now you give freely to all who will receive you. Amen.

Reflection on Philippians 2:5-11

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Scripture

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Observation
Christ is the Son of God. He is divine, co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit.. Yet He did not cling to that position. Instead He let go and humbled Himself, becoming human.

In total obedience to God, He humbled Himself to the place of suffering, the cross.

Then God lifted Him up, raised Him from the grave and up to heaven, giving Him the name above all names so that every tongue will confess He is Lord and every knee bow to Him to the glory of God the Father.

Application
The way up is down!

With God our status or position is not to be held on to tightly.

Satan sought equality with God and failed.

Jesus let go of His equality with God and was lifted up.

Here is a mystery that is also a key to life in God’s kingdom. We win by losing, we gain by serving, we are at our highest when we are most humble.

Whatever source of pride we have we must let go of it and allow God to take it and redeem it.

My attitude must be like Christ, who set aside all heavenly thrones to become the servant of all, dying for our salvation, in order to be exalted above all creation.

Prayer
Father I see that I need to set aside all pride and selfish ambition. Help me to have the heart of a servant so that you will be glorified in me. Amen.

Reflection on Isaiah 50:4-9

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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

Reflection on Mark 11:1-11

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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.

Reflection on John 12:20-33

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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.