Living Hope
Throughout Lent we have been looking at the book ‘Living Hope’ and have seen how God deals with imperfect people and how hope is fostered and grown as we notice what He has done and is doing, as we do this in community, not just in isolation and as we step up with courage to mirror God’s heart in our communities. On Good Friday we looked at the Phil Wickham song ‘Living Hope’ to see what it has to tell us about our new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Pet 1:3-4)
The first verse tells us about the problem in our world: sin. This is described as a chasm, a gap so wide we could not bridge it, or a mountain so high we could not climb it. We need to understand the problems are so great that we cannot solve them on our own.
God has taken the initiative in bridging this gap, however, through His loving kindness and mercy. As the song says,
“The God of ages stepped down from glory,
To wear my sin and bear my shame.’ (‘Living Hope’, Phil Wickham & Brian Johnson)
As a result of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we are forgiven and called God’s own. Our response is praise and thanksgiving:
‘Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free.
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me.
You have broken every chain,
There’s salvation in Your name.
Jesus Christ, my living hope.’ (‘Living Hope’, Phil Wickham & Brian Johnson)
The final verse reminds us that Easter is a package: death-and-resurrection. The resurrection reminds us that death had no claim on Jesus, for the silent Lamb was without sin, and so could also be the roaring lion, proclaiming victory. Our only response can be deep gratitude and thanksgiving.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-1fwZtKJSM
The Aftermath Of War
As any student of history will testify, the end of a war often brings a fresh set of problems; peace is not easy to negotiate and not always easy to live with. In 2 Samuel 19 we see that Absalom’s rebellion has ended with the death of the king’s son, but there are still plenty of disputes to be settled before David can resume peaceful ruling. At first, he does not help the situation: he is so grief-stricken by his son’s death that even his own army feel humiliated and ashamed. It takes the blunt speaking of Joab to remind David that he has a duty to the whole nation and not just his son. As Prov 27:15 reminds us, ‘Better is open rebuke than hidden love.’
David demonstrates to us in this chapter how to deal with former enemies and allies and anyone in between! It’s only natural that Abishai wants Shimei to be killed for his open rebellion, but David listens to the man’s change of heart and shows forgiveness and compassion to him, refusing to follow the world’s need for revenge. He shows the benefit of the doubt to Mephibosheth, whose actions Ziba had condemned, allowing half his lands to be restored to him. He is generous without fault to Barzillai, an 80-year-old who used his wealth to help David in times of need. David consistently shows us that those who have been forgiven much can forgive freely, live graciously and generously and show mercy to all.
Sadly, the people of Israel don’t find it as easy to get along with each other, and we see complaining, bickering and arguing throughout this chapter. This very human tendency is seen repeatedly in the people of God throughout their wilderness wanderings as well, and it’s no wonder that Paul tells the Galatians, ‘If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. (Gal 5:15) We have to learn from our humble Saviour as well as from David if want to live at peace with each other. (Phil 2:1-11)
Maundy Thursday
Today is Maundy Thursday, the day when we remember in particular Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, teaching them about many things and inaugurating Holy Communion at the Last Supper, that meal when He took bread and wine and pointed ahead to His death very plainly, urging us to remember His sacrifice each time we celebrate the Eucharist.
John tells us at the start of this mammoth teaching session that Jesus, having loved his own who were in the world, loved them to the end. (John 13:1) Some translations say ‘He loved them fully‘ or ‘He showed them the full extent of His love.’ Even though He knew Judas had betrayed him and that Peter was about to deny Him, with the other disciples fleeing when danger loomed, Jesus loved them. His love for us is not defined by our faithfulness or service. His love is unconditional and unchanging.
What always strikes me about these last hours of liberty before His arrest, trial and crucifixion is that Jesus still thought about other people, loved them and cared for them. Though He was sorrowful and in deep anguish at times, He did not allow self-pity or fear to cloud His judgment or actions. He thought about other people, even as He carried the cross and bore the pain and suffering of crucifixion, telling the women not to weep for Him (Luke 23:28) and arranging for John to care for His mother after His death. (John 19:26-27) His love was constant and faithful, even to the end.
That gives us great hope as we wait patiently for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. We have a Saviour who loves us to the end, who thinks about us and who cares for us. May we mirror His faithful love to those around us as we remember today.
Who God Is
In our service tonight there was discussion about Isaiah 40:12-31. We saw that God wants His people to comprehend who He is, what He can do and how that affects us. There was discussion about the difference between knowing about God and knowing God personally, about how to meditate on Him and the difference which that makes to us. The Israelites faced difficult circumstances, as do we, but how God is affects how we react to those circumstances. Since He is unchanging and faithful in HIs love to us, that gives us hope, no matter what our circumstances.
God showed Himself to the Israelites to be great and is the same yesterday, today and forever, which means we can rely on His greatness and help in our everyday lives and challenges.
Palm Sunday
The children celebrated Palm Sunday tonight with their own re-enactment of the story.
The Donkey And The Horse
This morning we looked at the Triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (Matt 22:1-11), noticing that the form of transport chosen by Jesus (a colt, the foal of a donkey) demonstrated not only His organisational prowess or the fulfilment of prophecy (Zech 9:9) but His method of ruling – through lowliness and humility, service and self-denial (see also Mark 10:45). Jesus was indeed God’s king, chosen to bring peace to mankind, but the way He would do this would be through His death on a cross, not through military might.
As we look back during Advent to the first coming of Jesus but also look ahead to His second coming, so the triumphal entry of Palm Sunday points us to the time when Jesus will come again, this time riding on a white horse, bringing with Him an army of believers. Then He will be known as ‘Faithful and True’, the ‘Word of God’, ‘King of Kings and Lord of lords.’ (Rev 19:11-16) Then He will come not only to bring salvation to those who have believed in Him but to judge the world. (Heb 9:28) We will then see Jesus not as the One bearing our punishment and shame (see Isaiah 53) but as the One who will ‘mete out God’s judgment on those who rejected His offer of peace.’ (Joe Beard)
God’s story encompasses all of history. We look back at that first Easter with hearts of gratitude because it shows us the way of salvation. It shows us that there is hope for the hopeless, that God Himself has made a way for us to be reconciled to Him. But we also look ahead to the completion of God’s plans and the fulfilment of all prophecy. We share in Holy Communion only ‘until He comes’ (see 1 Cor 11:23-26) God’s story is in several acts: Jesus came to earth from glory. He lived and served in humility, becoming obedient to death on a cross. He died on the cross for our sins, but there is now an empty tomb, for He rose again. He ascended to heaven, and we are now in that final stage of history, waiting for His triumphant return. Come, Lord Jesus.