reflection

Reflection on 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

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Scripture

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?

Observation

The apostle Paul is filled with joy because of the Thessalonian believers. He prays night and day that he will be able to see them face to face to restore whatever is lacking in their faith.

Paul concludes this chapter by praying that the Lord makes them increase in love for one another and for all people; and that they will be strengthened in holiness to be found blameless on the day of the coming of the Lord Jesus.

Application

Paul is passionate in his love for the church of Thessalonica. He is filled with joy over them and prays for them day and night.

The local church should be a source of joy for each of us. That’s not always true of course. We can take our faith community for granted. Perhaps people don’t meet our expectations. Some churches, like some families, are abusive or toxic.

Regardless of the state of the church, we have a duty to pray for it “day and night” as Paul did for the Thessalonians. Pray for God’s grace for the pastor and leaders; pray for the mission of the church; pray for the really annoying people.

Prayer

Lord I thank you for my church and for the joy I find in the people you have brought into my life. Amen

Reflection on Jeremiah 33:14-22

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Scripture

In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he will execute justice and righteousness in the land.

Observation

The Lord will fulfil the promises that He made to His people. A new righteous Branch of David will spring up to execute justice and righteousness. Jerusalem will be called “The Lord is our righteousness.”

There will always be a man to sit on David’s throne and a man in the Lord’s presence to offer sacrifices. This is as unbreakable as the covenant with day and night.

Application

Jesus is the fulfilment of the Davidic covenant. He reigns on the throne of God for ever, a descendant of David.

Jesus is also our High Priest, standing for ever in the presence of the Father offering an eternal sacrifice on behalf of all people.

This New Covenant, a continuation and fulfilment of the Old Covenant, began in a stable in Bethlehem 2000 years ago and continues into eternity.

Because of this covenant, we Gentiles and sinners have full access to God and guaranteed access to eternal life.

Prayer

Thank you Father for your great love shown in the Covenant you established in Christ. Amen.

Reflection on John 18:33-37

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Scripture
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

Observation
Pilate summons Jesus and asks Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus asks Pilate if he came tot his question by himself. Pilate then asks Jesus what crime He has committed to lead to His arrest.

Jesus replies that His kingdom is not from this world. His followers could have used violence to prevent His arrest but this is not the way of His kingdom.

Application
In a time of terrorist atrocities and refugee crises, we need to remember that God’s kingdom is different to the kingdoms of this world.

God’s kingdom is about the the power of love more than anything else. We face terrorist threats not be revenge but with firm love. We face refugee crises with genuine love and compassion not with hard-heartedness.

In our personal relationships the same principles apply, We might face workplace bullying, unfair systems, difficult families. The correct response is never violence but firm love.

God’s ways are not the ways of the world, and His kingdom advances by very different paths to the kingdoms of this world.

Prayer
Lord help me to live by kingdom values and not the values of this world. Please lead me in every situation, every relationship. Amen.

Reflection on Mark 13:1-8

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Scripture
Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he’, and they will lead many astray.”

Observation
The disciples marvel at the Temple, its size and splendour. But Jesus says, “Not one of these stones will be left upon another.”

They go to the Mount of Olives and the disciples ask Jesus when these things will happen and what will be the signs that they are near. Jesus says they must be careful that no one leads them astray. There will be wars, earthquakes, and famines but these are the beginnings of the birth pangs.

Application
The disciples look at the Temple as a magnificent creation but Jesus warns them that it will soon be utterly destroyed. A few decades later in 70 AD the Temple was totally destroyed, never to be rebuilt.

The Old Covenant with its system of sacrifices has been replaced by the one true sacrifice of Christ. The two covenants cannot coexist, and God allowed the old Temple to be forever destroyed so that there could be no more repetition of vain sacrifices.

We must take heed of of Jesus’ warning not to be led astray by false messiahs, and others claiming to have the latest revelation.

Hold firm to Christ, even in the midst of disaster, desolation and trauma.

Prayer
Father please help me to stand firm in Christ, to not be side tracked or deceived by anyone. Amen.

Reflection on Hebrews 10:11-25

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Reflection on Hebrews 10:11-25

Scripture
Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

Observation
Every priest stands day after day offering imperfect sacrifices. But Christ offered His sacrifice and then sat down at the right hand of the Father. By a single offering, He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.

We have confidence then to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Christ. Let us approach the Father in full confidence. We must hold fast to the faith and provoke one another to love and good deeds.

Application
What an awesome sacrifice Christ has offered for our salvation- Himself. This sacrifice is perfect and covers every sin, every transgression. And there is no longer any need for other sacrifices.

Jesus has done it all.

One death perfectly offered covering every sin.

Nothing needs to be added to this perfect sacrifice.

Prayer

Thank you Father for the assurance that I can boldly enter your presence, any time and in any place, all through the death of Christ the perfect sacrifice. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Samuel 1:1-20

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Scripture

Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.”

Observation

A man named Elkanah from Ephraim has two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah has children but Hannah does not.

Each year, the family goes to sacrifice at Shiloh, and Elkinah portions out the sacrifice amongst the family. For Hannah this emphasises her barrenness.

Hannah goes to the temple to pray. She is so distressed that as she prays she weeps and no words come from her mouth. Eli the priest assumes she is drunk, but when she explains herself to him, he gives his blessing.

In time, Hannah conceives and bears a child.

Application

There is a time for orderly prayer.

There is a time for desperate shouts to the Lord.

And there is a time when words and voice fail us in our distress.

Religious people are always ready to disparage the prayer of desperation, whether they are noisy shouts or wordless sobs. They want religion to be controlled and controllable, civilised and respectable.

Faith is knowing that in the middle of the greatest hurt, at the centre of the worst storm, when life doesn’t make sense, then we cling on to God knowing that He has answers for our need.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you that you meet me in the darkest places. When hope eludes me and the darkness comes in like a flood, help me to hold tightly to you. Amen.

Reflection on Mark 12:38-44

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Scripture
“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and be greeted with respect in the market places.”

Observation
Jesus warns against the religion of people who teach for selfish reasons and who use their status to draw attention to themselves.

While watching people bring their offerings to the temple, Jesus comments on the relative sacrifice being made by rich and poor people. The rich people give a small fraction of their wealth, but a poor widow who gives two small coins is giving everything she has to live on.

Application
The Lord judges our words and actions differently to us. We tend to look at the outward appearance and make judgements. But God looks at our hearts and what really motivates us.

Any work that we do, or any gifts that we give, for the Lord must be done with an honest heart. Are my prayers in cell group really an expression of the hopes of my heart, or are they to impress other people? Do I give generously and sacrificially for church, missions and the poor, or is it spare change that I might just as easily spend on coffee?

Prayer
Lord, examine my heart and enable me to see my true motives in serving you and in giving to others. Cleanse me from every impure motive. Amen.

Reflection on Ruth 3:1-10, 4:13-22

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Scripture
The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel!”

Observation
The story of the Lord’s provision for Naomi and Ruth now reaches its climax.

Naomi tells Ruth that Boaz, the landowner who has allowed them to glean in his fields, has obligations to them by virtue of his being a kinsman-redeemer. She tells Ruth to go that night and lie with him at his feet.

In the night, Boaz stirs and discovers her. He tells her that, while it is true that he is a kinsman-redeemer, there is another who is a nearer relative.

Boaz sorts out the protocol with the other relative, and then, having established that the other man is unwilling to meet his obligations, Boaz marries Ruth. In time, Ruth bears a child, Obed, the grandfather of King David.

Application
From being a foreign woman with no husband, therefore vulnerable and having zero status, Ruth is propelled into a family line that eventually leads to David and thence to Jesus.

The outsider is brought in and adopted into the royal family line.

This tells us a lot about God’s provision for those who are humble and of good heart.

It is also a stunning picture of what God has done for us in Christ. We were once on the outside of God’s kingdom, but He has brought us in ad made of us a royal priesthood.

Prayer
Father, you are so kind and gracious. I was once a sinner and far from you. But in Jesus you have brought me into your royal family. Thank you! Amen.

Reflection on Mark 12:28-34

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Scripture
“To love him with all your heart, with al your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

Observation
A teacher of the Law hears Jesus debating with various religious leaders. He asks Jesus which commandment is the most important.

Jesus replies that there are two: to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself.

The teacher recognises that this is a good answer- to love God and neighbour is more important than all sacrifices. Jesus sees his heart and tells him he is not far from God’s kingdom.

Application
A teacher of the Law comes to Jesus to ask questions, but unlike other leaders, he is not looking to trick Jesus or to justify himself- he just wants to please God the best way he can.

There is a profound difference in heart attitudes between those looking for religious knowledge or brownie points to assuage feelings of guilt, and those who genuinely love the Lord and desire to please Him.

This is the fundamental key to walking in the ways of God.

Prayer
Lord you have shown us that love for you and love for people are at the heart of your kingdom. Help me to walk in the way of love today. Amen.

Reflection on Hebrews 9:11-15

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Scripture
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Observation
Christ became the perfect High Priest through His own blood sacrifice. This blood is of infinitely greater value than the blood of animals. The blood of bulls and goats cleanses us from outward actions; how much more will the blood of Christ cleanse our consciences!

All other high priests passed through a tabernacle made by human hands. But Christ went through a tabernacle that is in heaven and is not touched by the decay of creation.

So Christ us the mediator of a new covenant that those who are called may receive an eternal inheritance.

Application
There is a tendency in some parts of the church to add various parts of Old Testament religion such as Sabbath observances and other parts of the Law.

The writer of Hebrews makes it clear that this is pointless. We have a greater High Priest, a perfect sacrifice, a permanent tabernacle. Why would we want to go back?

To add to what Christ has already done is arrogance and folly. Hebrews describes these things as “acts that lead to death” or “lifeless rituals.”

We must remain thankful for what God has done for us in Christ. To add anything to this wondrous gift is to make it less precious.

Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you have done it all! Thank you. Amen