I'M OFF ON HOLS TO PORTUGAL FOR 2 WEEKS SO I REGRET THAT MY NEXT MID WEEK BLOG WILL NOT BE UNTIL WED. 13 JULY.
TAKE CARE AND EVERY BLESSING
JOHN
Monday, 20 June 2011
Mid-week reflection
Scripture Union
22 July, Day 290
John chapter 11
A matter of life and death.
Consider
Jesus is fully God and fully human. This great and beautiful mystery is at the foundation of our faith and is encapsulated in the story of the death and rising of Lazarus in chapter 11 of John’s gospel. We see Jesus’ godliness in the power he has to restore life to Lazarus, who has been dead for four days. In his other miracles, too, and through his teaching we know that Jesus is indeed the creator God who existed before time began and who possesses “all power and authority in heaven and on earth.” Yet who can doubt his humanity. Jesus was, “deeply moved at the death of his great friend Lazarus and at the grief of his sisters. We are told, “Jesus wept” [35], the shortest sentence in the bible, but surely one of the most revealing. Jesus, like you and me needs friends and tastes grief at the loss of a loved one and was fully, 100% human!!
Reflect
So often we read of a new miracle drug that will save thousands of lives. Research and development into new products to ease suffering is clearly a good thing and here in the West at least we are blessed with benefits of modern medicines and other treatments that enhance the quality of life but do they really save lives or just postpone the inevitability of death? Contrast the immortality, which the world seeks, with the resurrection which Jesus offers. We know our loved ones will not return in the way Lazarus did, but we place them in the loving embrace of the Father and trust that when his plan for humanity is fulfilled, they will be transformed into new life. A life of companionship with God, who will “wipe away every tear from their eyes” and in which “death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more.” [Rev. 21]
Pray
Risen Lord, who conquered death and restored life.
The resurrection is beyond the capability of even my wildest imagination and I cannot grasp what it means for myself or those I have loved.
But when my turn comes to leave this world may I trust my body to your loving care and enter into your unimaginable glory.
Amen
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Mid-week reflection
Based on Scripture Union, "The Bible in a Year." Day 283
John chapter 6
Consider
Who could forget a picnic organised by Jesus?
The opening verses of chapter 6 of John's gospel describe the feeding of the 5000, the only miracle to be recorded in all four gospels. A crowd of people follow Jesus because they had seen "the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick," [verse 2]. They are further convinced that someone great is in their midst when they are all fed "as much as they wanted" [11] from the snack box of a boy. Why, you may ask, does God not perform more miracles? Surely that would generate more devout Christians!!
Not so! This episode demonstrates how fickle faith can be that is based on miraculous deeds alone. The crowd were impressed with Jesus' power and had personally benefited from it. Next they want to apply it to further their own ends and "make him king by force," so that he would use his great power to overthrow the Romans. But Jesus has no intention to rule over an earthly kingdom. He wants our loyalty for reasons other than his ability to improve our well being with his amazing deeds.
Notice toward the end of the chapter how shallow is the loyalty of some of the crowd when "many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him." [verse 66]. Perhaps this explains why Jesus used miracles so sparingly and why he often instructed those who had been direct beneficiaries oh his power to keep it to themselves.
What counts in the end, is a relationship with Jesus based on trust, forgiveness and especially love. It is the words of Jesus rather than his wonders that demand devotion, so that with Peter, in verse 68, we can say, "Lord, you have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
Reflect
John chapter 6
Consider
Who could forget a picnic organised by Jesus?
The opening verses of chapter 6 of John's gospel describe the feeding of the 5000, the only miracle to be recorded in all four gospels. A crowd of people follow Jesus because they had seen "the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick," [verse 2]. They are further convinced that someone great is in their midst when they are all fed "as much as they wanted" [11] from the snack box of a boy. Why, you may ask, does God not perform more miracles? Surely that would generate more devout Christians!!
Not so! This episode demonstrates how fickle faith can be that is based on miraculous deeds alone. The crowd were impressed with Jesus' power and had personally benefited from it. Next they want to apply it to further their own ends and "make him king by force," so that he would use his great power to overthrow the Romans. But Jesus has no intention to rule over an earthly kingdom. He wants our loyalty for reasons other than his ability to improve our well being with his amazing deeds.
Notice toward the end of the chapter how shallow is the loyalty of some of the crowd when "many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him." [verse 66]. Perhaps this explains why Jesus used miracles so sparingly and why he often instructed those who had been direct beneficiaries oh his power to keep it to themselves.
What counts in the end, is a relationship with Jesus based on trust, forgiveness and especially love. It is the words of Jesus rather than his wonders that demand devotion, so that with Peter, in verse 68, we can say, "Lord, you have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
Reflect
- On those times when you wanted God to do something for you. Perhaps you have prayed for God to intervene in quite a desperate situation but feel that your prayers have gone unanswered.
- On the words of Jesus which spaek of eternal life and promise that in the end all will be well
- That in the business of life that you find time to hear the words of Jesus.
- For the ability to listen without distraction to the words of Jesus.
- To allow those words to echo in your mind, to wash over you and change your life.
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