reflection

Reflection on Mark 13:1-8

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Scripture
“When you hear of wars and rumours of was, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”

Observation
Jesus and His disciples leave the Temple building, and one of them exclaims, “Look at these magnificent buildings!”

Jesus replies that the Temple will be so obliterated that not one stone will remain on another. He goes on to tell them that many will come claiming to be Jesus and to speak in His name, and they will deceive many people. There will be wars and rumours of wars, but the disciples are not to be alarmed.

Application
Although people often look at this passage as being about the end times, it primarily refers to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, when the Temple, which seemed so magnificent and indestructible, was totally destroyed.

There are two warnings in this passage that apply to us.

  1. Do not be deceived by false messiahs claiming to come in the name of the Lord. The people of God must exercise discernment. Jesus said, “My sheep know my voice.” When celebrity preachers or political leaders offer a different gospel or a different salvation, we must recognise that they are a false messiah, a false teacher, a false leader- even if they claim to be born again.
  2. We must not be alarmed by the tumult of the nations. Wars have always been a part of human existence. In fact, we live in an era of unprecedented peace, yet people are more fearful than ever. Our focus must always be on Jesus rather than the affairs of the nations.

When people offer “peace in our time” without Jesus then we can be certain that they are a false messiah. Only Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Peace without Him is a false peace, brittle and short-lived.

Prayer
Help me, Holy Spirit, to discern what is true, edifying and from you. Let me see the truth in every situation and trust my fears and anxieties to you. Amen

Reflection on Hebrews 10:11-25

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Scripture

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another– and all the more as we see the Day coming.

Observation

Priests offer sacrifices over and over, but Christ our High Priest offered the one perfect sacrifice and then sat down at God’s right hand. This one sacrifice atoned for all sin and so there is no longer any need for sacrifices.

Therefore we have confidence to enter the Holy Place knowing that our hearts and consciences have been made clean. We should spur one another on to good deeds, continuing to meet together to encourage one another.

Application

There is a wrong belief amongst some people that we don’t need church to walk with Jesus. Apparently that belief was there from the beginning, but in our increasingly individualistic and fragmented society it is becoming more common.

On the one hand, the New Testament reassures us that we have the Holy Spirit and don’t need anyone to teach us the ways of the Lord. On the other hand, the New Testament also emphasises frequently the corporate nature of the church which is described as the Body of Christ,

We need each other to ensure that we keep growing in Christ. We need each other to complement one another’s spiritual gifts. When we are left to our own devices it is easy to be deceived into believing that we are doing well. When we meet together the exuberance of others might encourage us to go deeper in Christ. Seeing others grow in the Lord can encourage us to see that we have more to learn, more to repent, more to grow.

Prayer

Thank you Jesus for the church, the Body of Christ in the world. Help me to be an encourager to my fellow christians and to be encouraged by them. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Samuel 1:1-20

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Scripture

In due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.”

Observation

Hannah, one of two wives to Elkanah, is desperate for a child. One time after the sacrificial meal that the family shares at Shiloh, she goes into the Tabernacle to pray.

She is in such anguish of spirit that Eli the priest thinks she is drunk. When she explains her anguish and sorrow, Eli blesses her.

The family returns home, and Hannah eventually has a baby. She names him Samuel, and he grows up to be the great prophet to Israel.

Application

This passage tells us four things about prayer.

1. God reacts to real faith. Hannah knows that God can hear our prayers and she is certain about His faithfulness. Her faith is so deep that when Eli says to her, “May God grant your request”, she accepts that her prayer has already been answered.

2. God reacts to our struggles and the distress of our prayers. Prayer is not an intellectual exercise where we think nice thoughts. It is a deeply spiritual process that can engage our emotions. Hannah’s prayer was so emotional because it was fuelled by the distress in her heart. It was s emotional that Eli the priest thought she was drunk.

3. God is not limited by the corruption or godlessness of a religious system. Eli’s sons were notorious for eating the best parts of the food brought for sacrifice, which was against the religious law, but God was still at work. The voice of God was not heard in the land, but God was still at work.

4. God’s timing is not always the same as ours. Sometimes He delays answers to prayer to provoke us to a deeper faith in Him. Sometimes He gives us blessings and responsibilities before we think we are ready for them. His timing is always perfect, even if it seems inconvenient.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the knowledge that you answer our prayers, the fervent prayers of a heart that is surrendered to you. Amen.

Reflection on Mark 12:28-34

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Scripture

When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

Observation

One of the teachers of the Law hears the debate going on between Jesus and those who are seeking to catch Him in His words. He asks Jesus, “What is the most important commandment?”

Jesus replies, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And the second most important is to love your neighbour as you love yourself.’

The man affirms Jesus’ response because he sees that loving God and loving your neighbour are more important than burnt offerings and sacrifices.

Jesus tells the man that he is not far from the Kingdom of God.

Application

Many people take this exchange out of its context and assume that Jesus is all about love- love for God and love for our neighbours.

In a sense this is true, but it misses the full truth. The man was commended by Jesus for his understanding. He declared, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” He did not say, “You are in the kingdom.”

To say we must love God and love our neighbour is what logicians call a “necessary but not sufficient” condition. Yes, those who are in the kingdom will do these things, but so will some who are not in the kingdom.

To say that love for God and for other people is the way into the kingdom overlooks the effect of sin in our lives. I am a sinner so I cannot love God fully. I am a sinner so my love for my neighbour will always be corrupted by judgement or expectation of a return or by resentment.

Before we can love we must deal with the sin problem. We must experience God’s total and unconditional grace. When we say “Yes” to Jesus, He washes away our sins and transforms our heart.

It is Jesus alone who enables us to fulfil His commandment to love.

Prayer

Jesus, I thank you that your love for me enables me to love you and my neighbour. Continue to remove sin from my heart so that my love is pure. Amen.

Reflection on Hebrews 9:11-14

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Scripture

When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation.

Observation

This passage compares the high priesthood of Christ in the new covenant with the high priests of the old covenant.

Christ came into the world as high priest through the heavenly “tabernacle” not through one made by human hands. His own perfect blood is the sacrifice that cleanses. His blood cleanses our consciences, and not just the outward appearance. The result is that we are set free from acts that lead to death and enabled to serve the living God.

Application

There is a tendency amongst some christians to want to in some way go back to the sacrifices, ceremonies and worship laid out in the Law of Moses. They argue that by following these practices which were ordained by God, they are in some way superior to those who do not follow them.

The writer of “Hebrews”, though, paints a very different picture. The tabernacle, the sacrifices and the cleansing blood of the Old Testament Law have been replaced by the perfect offering of Jesus. Even the tabernacle that He passed through was better, being heavenly not earthly. The blood he offered was perfect and can cleanse us from sin and not just the outward actions of sin.

In Christ we have all we need to be reconciled to God and empowered to be His servants. We are the royal priesthood, because we serve the greatest High Priest.

Everything in the Old Testament was a picture of the reality to come. Let us not confuse the picture with the living reality.

Prayer

Thank you Jesus for coming into this world as the perfect sacrifice for all the sins of mankind. Thank you for dying for me and setting me free to serve you. Amen.

Reflection on Ruth 1:1-18

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Scripture

“Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God”

Observation

The story of Ruth begins with multiple tragedies, but ends with great favour from the Lord.

A man named Elimelech goes to Moab to escape a great famine in the land of Israel. He takes his wife and two sons with him. While they are there, Elimelech dies. His two sons marry Moabite women, but they die also, leaving Naomi with her two daughters-in-law.

When Naomi hears that the famine in her home town is over, she goes back to Judah. Along the way she implores the two women to go back to their homes. One does this, but the other, Ruth, declares that she is going to stay with Naomi and go wherever she goes.

Application

Ruth’s faithfulness to Naomi is seen in this declaration: “Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God”

She had no natural reason to stick with Naomi and travel to a strange land with her. Obviously there was a deep bond of affection between these two women. Perhaps she had seen signs of a better religion, a better culture, a better people than the ones she had grown up with.

It is faithfulness that opens the door for God’s blessing. This is still true today. If we want to see God’s blessings in our life we need to be faithful to the people He puts us with, faithful to the call He places on our life, and faithful above all else to the name of Jesus.

Prayer

Thank you Father for the example of Ruth who shows us how to live in humble obedience to you, even though she was not one of your chosen people. Please help me to be faithful to you. Amen.

Reflection on Job 42:1-16

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Scripture

‘I had only heard about you before .Now I have seen you with my own eyes.”

Observation

After the Lord’s confrontation with Job, Job now replies.

Job recognises that he was wrong to question the Lord’s wisdom because he was so ignorant. Having seen the Lord, Job now repents of his pride.

The Lord then speaks to Job’s friends and orders them to offer some burnt offerings, asking Job to pray for them.

The Lord then restores Job’s fortunes- wealth, livestock, sons and daughters. He lives a long and full life, dying at an old age.

Application

It makes a difference when we experience the Lord for ourselves instead of relying on other people’s knowledge of the Lord.

Job was a righteous man before, but in his suffering he sees the Lord and talks with the Lord for the first time.

We were meant for relationship with God. If we don’t have that relationship we will try to fill it in all kinds of unhealthy ways.

Religion is the substitution of laws, rituals, sacrifices and other behaviour patterns for the relationship for which we were created. So Job offered sacrifice after sacrifice to keep himself and his family right with God. He knew no better because he had only heard about God; he didn’t know God.

We each need to have our own encounter with God. It may not be God audibly addressing us out of a whirlwind. It might be as simple as a deep conviction that we need a saviour and God has given that saviour to us in Jesus. It might be what John Wesley called a “Strange warming of the heart” as he heard Scripture being read. It might be a vision of the risen Christ.

When we have that encounter and decide to follow Jesus, handing everything over to Him, the Holy Spirit comes into our lives to empower us and equip us for the walk of faith. Then we are completely new, born again in Christ Jesus,

Prayer

Thank you Lord for saving me. Help me to live every day in the power of your love. Amen.

Reflection on Mark 10:17-31

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Scripture

At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad because he had great wealth.

Observation

A rich young man comes to Jesus and asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus responds by listing the commandments. The man replies that he has kept them all.

Jesus then tells him he must give all he has to the poor, and then he will have treasure in heaven.

The man is sad at this, because he is rich.

The disciples are amazed and ask Jess if the rich cannot be saved, then who can be saved. Jesus tells them that what is impossible for men id possible with God.

Application

Jesus tells the rich young man that he must give all his wealth away to the poor and then he will have treasure in heaven. The man goes away sad because he has so much money.

This prescription of giving away possessions is not for everybody. Jesus gives this instruction to test this particular man’s motives.

When we put conditions on our discipleship with Jesus, we are setting up idols and are not really being disciples at all. For this man, wealth was more important than eternal life. He wanted eternity, but he wanted to enjoy this life first.

What are the idols that get in the way of my life? I am convinced that Jesus is first in everything, but there may be a point at which I say “No” to Him. I hope not. I sincerely believe not. Nobody knows what their idols are until God demands that we let them go.

Some people have placed their family above Jesus. They will not follow Him because they fear losing their family. For others, it is work or business opportunities.

Jesus will not tolerate second place in anyone’s life.

We must always be prepared to give up anything that we own for the sake of God’s kingdom.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please show me any idols that I have which stop me from following you completely, and give me the grace to let them go. Amen.

Reflection on Hebrews 4:12-16

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Scripture

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest sword, cutting between soul and spirit, joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Observation

God’s word is powerful and alive. It exposes our secret thoughts and desires. Nothing is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed to Him.

Jesus is our High Priest in heaven. Having faced every temptation but remaining sinless, He understands our struggles. Now we can come boldly into God’s presence and find mercy and grace.

Application

The word of God is alive. The Bible is not some dusty old book that is out of date. It speaks to us because it is God’s timeless word. It brings conviction of sin and revelation of grace.

The word of God is powerful because it transforms lives of individuals and nations. As people are impacted by the word, their consciences are awakened to see how the world can be made a better place, more reflective of God’s kingdom.

The word of God is sharp. It gets right into our soul and spirit. It brings life to our spirit, empowering our relationship with Jesus. It rebukes our soul, convicting and cleansing us of sin.

The word of God exposes our secret thoughts and desires. We can put on a “holy” exterior that impresses people. But God looks at the heart, at what is going on inside us where nobody else can see. The word confronts our secret desires- both good and bad- and brings them to the surface.

To fully allow the word of God to have its full power in our lives, we need to read it in prayerful reverence, allowing the Holy Spirit to highlight words and sentences that we need to examine.

Prayer

Lord God, please help me to read your word regularly, prayerfully and attentively so that you can change my heart. Amen.

Reflection on Mark 10:1-16

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Scripture

When Jesus saw what was happening, he became indignant with his disciples and said to them, “Let all the little children come to me and never hinder them! Don’t you know that God’s kingdom realm exists for such as these?”

Observation

While Jesus is teaching the crowds, some Pharisees come to trap Him with a question. They ask if it is permissible for a man to divorce his wife.

Jesus replies that Moses permitted them to divorce, but this was an exception for their hard hearts. In fact it was God’s purpose from the beginning of creation for a man and woman to be joined together as one flesh. Nobody can separate what God has joined together.

Some parents want Jesus to bless their children, but the disciples keep sending them away. Jesus rebukes them, telling them that everyone who wants to enter the Kingdom must come to Him as a little child.

Application

The Pharisees come to Jesus wanting to show that they are better than Him at interpreting God’s will. Jesus says that this is not the way to God’s Kingdom. We must come as little children, ready to receive Him as God’s Word.

For many people, we start our walk with Jesus like a little child, ready to soak up everything Jesus will say to us. Then gradually we become like the Pharisees, the experts, the know-it-alls,

Religion is a very hard attitude to kill in our hearts. We desperately need to tame God, and so we become the experts on what He is like and what He wants.

Child- like humility and acceptance that we don’t have all the answers are the attitudes that bring us closer to God and His Kingdom.

Prayer

Lord, help me to repent of all my expert knowledge about you. Help me to be the little child in love with you. Amen.