reflection

Reflection on John 20:1-18

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+20.1-18

Scripture

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Observation

While it is still dark, Mary goes to the tomb and finds the stone has been removed. She runs to tell Peter and the others that the Lord is gone.

Peter and John go to the tomb and find that the body is indeed gone. They return home, but Mary remains.

Jesus then appears to Mary, but she doesn’t recognise Him. He says her name and she realises who He is. Mary then returns to the disciples and tells them, “I have seen the Lord.”

Application

The events surrounding the resurrection were very confusing for the followers of Jesus. They were not expecting this at all, despite Jesus’ prophecies concerning it.

The great fact of history remains- Jesus died but now He is alive. Because He lives, we shall live with Him forever.

Hallelujah!

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the Good News of Easter. Thank you for the promise of eternal life. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 15:19-26

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15.19-26

Scripture

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Observation

If our hope in Christ is only for this world we are to be pitied. But Christ has been raised from the dead, and His resurrection is the beginning of the resurrection of all His disciples.

Then the end will come . Jesus will hand over the kingdom to His Father, after He has destroyed every power and authority.

When Christ has overcome all these things, even death, then He will be subject to the Father so God may be all in all.

Application

Jesus is alive! This is the wondrous message of Easter Day. The one who was dead is now alive.

Paul tells us that Jesus’ death and resurrection is like a first fruit or an opening chapter in the resurrection of all people.

Jesus is destined to rule over every power and authority in the world and then hand it all over to the Father.

Prayer

Thank you Father for the good news of the kingdom. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 10:34-48

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts+10:34-48

Scripture

“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him up on the third day and caused him to be seen.”

Observation

Peter is addressing the household of Cornelius, a God-fearing centurion. Peter shares about his vision and his realisation that God accepts people from every nation.

Jesus brought the Good News to the Jews and was crucified, but God raised Him from the dead. He was seen by many people, but not by everyone.

While Peter is talking the Holy Spirit falls on all who hear the message, and they speak in tongues. Peter then orders the new believers to be baptised.

Application

We are witnesses of these things. Every believer who has a relationship with Jesus is a witness. We have experienced the power of the Gospel and the filling of the Holy Spirit. Therefore we must testify.

The amazing fact of Easter is that Jesus was crucified for our sins and then raised up to life.

The power of God is such that He brings the dead back to life and promises eternal life to every person who acknowledges that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner. Make the message of Easter- death and resurrection- a living reality in me. Amen.

Reflection on Luke 18:28-40

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+19.28-40

 

Scripture

As he was now approaching the Mount of Olives the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen.

 

Observation

Jesus heads towards Jerusalem. At the mount of Olives He sends two disciples to the village to fetch a colt. If they are challenged they are to simply say “The Lord has need of it.” They find it just as Jesus had said.

 

They bring the colt to Jesus and He sits on it. The crowd spread their cloaks on the road and the disciples start to praise God aloud.

 

The Pharisees tell Jesus to order the disciples to stop, but He says if they are silent the stones would shout out.

 

Application

The “multitude of the disciples” praise God for the “deeds of power that they had seen”

 

A multitude of disciples praising God. Not just a few of the close associates, but a multitude of disciples, a crowd.

 

In our increasingly secular and anti-christian culture, we can feel isolated at times. But we are a part of a multitude, a growing crowd of followers of Jesus who have seen His deeds of power and rejoice in Him.

 

Do not be afraid to publicly proclaim His praise.

 

Prayer

Lord I thank you for the deeds of power you have worked in my life. Help me to praise you in all that I do and to lift high the name of Jesus everywhere I go. Amen.

 

 

Reflection on Philippians 3:1-14

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=philippians+3.1-14

Scripture

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call in God in Christ Jesus.

Observation

Paul tells us to beware of the mutilators of the flesh, those who trust in circumcision rather than in Christ. Paul is the peak of Jewishness and if anyone had reason to trust in the flesh it was him.

Now whatever gains he had he counts them all but loss. Everything is rubbish compared with the surpassing value of knowing Christ. His one goal now is to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. He has not yet achieved this but he presses on towards the goal for the prize of knowing Christ.

Application

For Paul there was only one thing in life worth pursuing- a closer relationship with Christ.

Many people are seduced into believing that we can share worldly goals as well as godly goals. As Christians our focus must always be on Christ and Him alone.

Our work must be to glorify God. Our home life and social life must equally be avenues for pursuing Christ.

This means that we are not free to do what pleases us. In everything Christ calls the shots. It is not good enough to plan our own destiny and ask for God to bless it.

A football player who presses towards the goal is not free to pursue his own game. He is part of a team under the direction of a captain and a coach. In the same way, our lives must be subject in every way to he direction of the Holy Spirit, Otherwise we will miss our goal- fellowship with God.

Prayer

Lord help me to press towards the goal of communion with you. May I not be distracted by the things of this world, but rather let me be always focussed on you. Amen.

Reflection on Isaiah 43:16-21

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+chp43.16-21

I am the Lord your rescuer

Who makes a path through the sea

Who defeats your enemy

And saves your soul

–

Don’t dwell on the past.

Remember where you came from

My mighty deeds

And acts of grace

Remember but don’t live there

–

I am doing a New Thing

Yes for this day, this hour

I am still your rescuer

I still do bold new things

Bringing life where there is none

Blessing you with water for life.

Reflection on Luke 15:11-32

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+15%3A11-32

Scripture

“But we had to celebrate and rejoice because this brother of your was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.”

Observation

The parable of the Prodigal Son is so familiar to us that even people who don’t know the Bible at all well know the story.

The younger of two sons goes away with his share of the father’s property. He spends it all on indulgent living and eventually returns home thinking to hire himself as a servant.

The father runs to meet him, overwhelmed with joy at his return. He orders a feast to be prepared to celebrate.

The older brother is angry at this celebration. He is slighted by the fact that he has, in his opinion, slaved away and never been rewarded.

Application

God’s love is immense, unmeasurable and unfathomable. Anyone who wants to can come to Him, be forgiven and welcomed back to the family. No sin is so big that it cannot be forgiven when we repent.

If God’s love is so big and unlimited, we, his children, need to be people of big hearts. Too often christians can be like the older brother- too focussed on working for God to be able to rejoice at the salvation of a sinner. We need to remember always that we are sinners saved by grace.

Prayer

Lord help me to be as gracious to prodigals as you are. Amen.

Reflection on 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

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Scripture

In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.

Observation

Anyone in Christ is a new creation- the old has passed away and the new has come. This is God’s gift to us and part of His plan to reconcile the world to Himself.

God has reconciled us to Him, and He now gives us the ministry of reconciliation.

God makes us His ambassadors, carrying this message to a world that does not know Him.

Application

When we came into a relationship with Christ, we became a new creation. Our old life passed away and we became new in every way because the Holy Spirit came into us with a new perspective and understanding about what our life is meant to be about.

We changed from people motivated by worldly concerns to people who desire to please God.

Having been reconciled to God, given a new start and new direction, we become messengers of God’s reconciling work- ambassadors for Christ,

Prayer

Help me Father to live out your reconciling work in every part of my life. Amen.

Reflection on Joshua 5:1-12

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Scripture

“Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.”

Observation

The children of Israel have crossed the Jordan and entered the Promised Land. The neighbouring kings have heard how the Lord has helped His people, and they are afraid.

The Lord commands Joshua to circumcise all those who were born in the wilderness. They remain camped at Gilgal until everyone is healed.

The Lord says to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.”

The Israelites celebrate the Passover in Gilgal, and from that day the manna ceases.

Application

Circumcision was a physical sign of the covenant for the Jews. They had not circumcised their babies in the wilderness, so in one of their first acts in the Promised Land, they remedy the situation.

The Lord’s commentary on this is that it rolls away the disgrace of Egypt from them.

We carry all kinds of emotional scars and feelings of shame and worthlessness. He Lord wants to roll away from us the disgrace of the world.

When we come to Christ we are a new creation. The old has gone and the new has come. For many people, it takes time to let the new creation to seep through their hearts and out into their lives.

We need to embrace all that God is doing in our lives so that He can roll away our disgrace.

Prayer

Lord I confess my hurt to you and I ask you to roll away all disgrace, shame and guilt in the name of Jesus. Amen.