bible

Reflection on Luke 23:36-43

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Scripture
And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Observation
Jesus is led away to be crucified.
A man called Simon is forced to carry the cross for Jesus. A large crowd follows, including many grieving women. Jesus turns to them and tells them not to weep for Him, but for themselves, for times of awful suffering are coming.
Two other men are crucified with Jesus.
Jesus calls out “Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
The crowds watch. The leaders scoff. The soldiers mock.
One of the criminals with Jesus asks Jesus to remember him when He comes into His Kingdom. Jesus assures him, that he will be in paradise that very day.

Application
Jesus is a King unlike any other.
The Kings of this earth lord it over their subjects, but Jesus dies for His.
The Kings of this earth try to make it seem like their people have never had it better, but Jesus promises something far better than we can imagine.
The Kings of this earth kill their rebels, but Jesus raises them to new life.

Prayer
King Jesus this day I commit myself to following you wherever you lead me. Whether it is a cross or a crown that you call me to take up, I will do it for your glory. Amen.

Reflection on Colosssians 1:11-20

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Scripture
He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

Observation
Paul prays for the Colossians to be filled with strength to endure, with joy and thanksgiving to the Father who enables us to share in the inheritance of His people. The Father has transferred us from the kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of Christ who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
Christ is the image of God and, like God is eternal. He is the one who created all things and holds all things together. Everything exists for Christ, including the church, His body.

Application
We have been set free from our sins by Christ. We were once in bondage to the kingdom of darkness, but Christ has set us free.
We need to understand this deeply. People sin because they feel they have no choice. People labour under feelings of guilt because they fail to appreciate the depths of God’s grace.
Christ has set us free from all of this.
Let us rejoice in His goodness to us and be thankful to our heavenly Father.

Prayer
Thank you Jesus for setting me free. Through your death my sin has been forgiven and I am now a child of the kingdom of light. Amen

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Reflection on Jeremiah 23:1-6

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Scripture

“What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people- the shepherds of my sheep- for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for,” says the Lord.

Observation

The Lord proclaims judgement for the leaders of Judah- the kings and priests who were supposed to look out for the safety of their people but through their disobedience to the Lord actually destroyed the people.

The leaders will receive judgement, but the Lord Himself will gather together the sheep of his flock from all over the world. He will appoint responsible shepherds who will protect the Lord’s sheep.

The Lord will send a righteous King who will rule with justice and wisdom and bring safety to his people.

Application

God takes seriously the responsibilities of those who are in leadership whether political or religious leadership.

Those of us who are called to serve in this way should approach our task with solemnity. It is so easy to lead people away from the Lord rather than towards Him. We can do this through our silly words, inconsistent actions and loveless attitudes.

Jesus is our true King. As leaders we need to copy closely Hid perfect example.

Prayer

Lord make me like you. May everything I say and do reflect who you are. Amen.

 

 

Reflection on Luke 21:5-19

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Scripture
“By standing firm, you will win your souls.”

Observation
The disciples admire the architecture of the Temple, but Jesus says that te time will come when it will be totally demolished and left in ruins.

Alarmed, they ask Jesus when  it will all happen. He gives them the signs: false Messiahs, wars, earthquakes, plagues, signs in the heavens.

What is worse is that the disciples will face persecution. They will be put on trial for their faith but they are to see this as an opportunity to share the gospel for Jesus himself will give them the words to speak.

The disciples will be hated for being followers of Jesus, but if they stand firm in their faith they will be saved.

Application
Like many prophetic words in scripture, this has several points of reference.

Firstly it speaks of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Romans in 70 A.D.

It also relates to the catastrophic events of the end times and the return of Jesus.

There is a third reference also to the present age. All of the signs of the end have always been here, including the persecution of faithful Jesus followers.

We must always be ready to give an account for our faith in Jesus, even if we are called before authorities. No matter how bad things seem, Jesus will always be with us, empowering and speaking through us.

To come through the times of trial it is only necessary to stand firm and to never give up.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for your reassurance that when I trust you, you are with me. In the worst of situations you never leave me. Help me to trust you in the dark times. Amen

Reflection on 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

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Scripture

As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.

 Observation

Paul commands the Thessalonians to stay away from believers who refuse to work for a living. Paul had told them to imitate his live which was far from idle. His attitude was that he should not be a burden to anyone. If people do not work they should not eat.

 Those who are idle must settle down and work for a living. They must never tire of doing good in the name of the Lord.

 Application

It is fairly common for people to think that the Lord should provide for their needs and they should not have to work to sustain themselves. We live in a culture of entitlement in which many people, christian and otherwise, think the world owes them a living.

 Paul tells us that we must all work to support ourselves. We must not remain idle because we have a calling to work for God’s good purposes in this world.

Those who are unable to work for wages because of the economy should do voluntary work or engage in some micro-business such as growing vegetables and selling them.

 For people who are tuned into the Holy Spirit, there is always something productive that can be done.

 Prayer

Lord God help me to be fruitful for you today. Amen.

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Reflection on Isaiah 65:17-25

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Scripture

Look! I am creating a new heaven and a new earth, and no one will even think of the old ones any more.

Observation

the Lord is bringing about a new heaven and a new earth, a whole new creation. In this new state of being, there will be no weeping or mourning. Babies will no longer die, and even adults will live past 100 years.

 There will be no more loss at the hands of enemy invaders, and everyone will live in their own home enjoying the fruit of their land.

 Even nature will be different wolves and lambs will feed together and lions will eat hay. This is all God’s promise.

 Application

When God intervenes, everything changes. We know that this is true and we look forward to the future life when all aspects of sin and death will be vanquished for ever.

 The promise is not just for the future because the Kingdom of God is here now, even if only in a muted form. We should expect these promises to be seen in our lives now to some extent.

 Death will remain as a sign of the brokenness of creation, but God does heal. Fighting and violence are everywhere but God’s peace breaks into lives in surprising ways.

 Let’s look forward to the consummation of the Kingdom, but let us also equally celebrate God’s work in the here and now.

 Prayer

Thank you Lord for the promise of a whole new creation where storms and earthquakes, sickness and violence are banished for ever. Help me also to see your goodness in the present age and to celebrate your mighty works. Amen.

 

Reflection on Luke 20:27-38

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Scripture
“So he is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him.”

Observation
Some Sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection from the dead, put a trick question, a hypothetical, to Jesus to prove their intellectual superiority. They put to him a situation which they suppose shows the contradictions in believing in heaven. A woman who has multiple husbands (brothers who were required under the law of Moses to provide for heirs for widows), dies childless. Whose husband will she be in the resurrection?

Jesus replies by pointing out that heaven is different to earth. It’s a different world with different needs so the present rules do not apply.

He goes on to say that if God is the God of the living, and not the dead, and if God describes Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, then clearly these people are still alive.

Application
Religion multiplies ridiculous questions because it engages the soul not the spirit. Religion is about finding the loopholes and exploiting them like an unethical lawyer, and keeping God in a safe corner.

Jesus came to set us free from this. Rather than boxing God in, Jesus calls us to taste His freedom.

No more hypotheticals trying to get our finite minds around the infinite God. Rather, let’s walk in relationship with the God of the living, and let His life free us from the constraints of religious thinking.

This is not to decry doctrine, because we need to have categories to describe our infinite Father. When doctrines become the only definition of truth, when they seek to exclude people rather than include, then we are far from the path of life.

Prayer
Lord I don’t understand the details of eternity, but I trust you enough to know that you have it worked out. Thank you that you are equipping me for heaven. Please grow your grace in me each day. Amen.