Monday 18 March 2024

A big misunderstanding?


When Jesus had set his mind and heart towards Jerusalem, he pronounced:

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified" - John 12:23 (NIV)

It is believed that in saying this, Jesus was referring back to the words of Daniel and thus fulfilling them: 

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." - Daniel 7:13-14

The trouble came when the crowds understood the phrase, 'be glorified', to mean something very different from what Jesus was thinking. William Barclay helps us to understand this on a deeper level:

“By glorified the people meant that the subjected kingdoms of the earth would grovel before the conqueror’s feet; by glorified He meant crucified!” 

Throughout Jesus' ministry and especially in his final weeks, people superimposed their own ideas of salvation, victory and glory, unto Jesus' true meaning. 

Thought: In what ways, could I misunderstand the message of the Cross?

Living in Grace

D3LM3 


Sunday 17 March 2024

A thought for Saint Patrick's Day


Most of us are aware that Patrick is the patron Saint of Ireland, and yet he was not technically Irish at all. He was born in Britain and taken captive by Irish raiders in the early 400's. After spending 6 years as a shepherd/slave in Ireland, he managed to escape back to his homeland. It was during this captivity that his relationship with God deepened to a very devout level, and this continued while he settled back in Britain. 

However, God called Patrick back to serve the people of Ireland and so he went back there to share the Gospel with his previous enemies and captors. I can't think of a more profound example of God's love and grace than someone doing what Patrick did. It was his faith and love that continued to spread Christianity through Ireland, and so he is now revered as Saint Patrick. What a remarkable story!

"If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God." - Patrick 

May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us, may the hand of God protect us, may the word of God direct us. Be always ours this day and for evermore. - Patrick

Living in Grace

D3LM3


Thursday 14 March 2024

Are your hearts hardened?


Jesus sure knows how to ask tough questions! When his disciples were arguing over who forgotten the rest of the picnic lunch, Jesus was probing to see if they had made any spiritual connection between the leaven and the Pharisees. Of course, they hadn't! Like most of us, they only saw what was physically before them, without truly comprehending the spiritual depth of Jesus question.

So, when he asks the disciples, "Are your hearts hardened? (Mark 8:17)", I wonder what actually went through their minds? 

This is a great question for us to mull over during Lent? Is there a part of our own hearts that has become calloused? Hardened? Dull? 

What kind of things can turn our once vibrant hearts into hearts of stone?

Will we allow the Spirit of Christ the opportunity to soften our hearts?

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” - Ezekiel 36:26

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Tuesday 12 March 2024

Don't you see?



In the space of a few verses in Mark 8, Jesus asks his disciples a series of questions. We dealt with one of these yesterday, but today we note another question that he asks of them? 

"Meanwhile, the disciples were finding fault with each other because they had forgotten to bring bread. Jesus overheard and said, “Why are you fussing because you forgot bread? Don’t you see the point of all this?" - Mark 8:16-19 (Eugene Peterson)

They were struggling to see beyond the earthy nature of the lack of bread. All they could think of was that Jesus was complaining about the lack of bread, but in the meantime, he was trying to explain to them the spiritual dangers of the 'leaven' in the bread - referring to the Pharisees and Herod.

As Christians we need to spend time in the presence of God to fully 'see' his ways and to grasp the meaning of the gospel. There are times when we think we understand, but we really don't! 

There is an ancient proverb that states: "There are none so blind as those who will not see!" - This speaks of those who show no desire to see or understand the truth that stares them in the face. 

Living in Grace
D3LM3


Monday 11 March 2024

Don't you remember?


Lent is time for remembering. We should remember all that Jesus has done for us and all that we are invited to be a part of. We should also take the time to remember how God has taken care of us in the past and how he will continue to be with us in the future. When Jesus was trying to teach his disciples about trusting in his provision, he seemed to get a little exasperated at time. In Mark 8 we read:

And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

“Twelve,” they replied.

20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

They answered, “Seven.” 
(Mark 8:18-20)

They had recently witnessed these great miracles and yet they still doubted whether Jesus could meet their needs in the future. Their forgetfulness reveals the immaturity of their faith.

Question: What has God helped you with, in the past? Is there a reason why God can't help you in the future?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Thursday 7 March 2024

Which person are we?


Elizabeth Browning wrote these words:

“Earth is crammed with heaven,

And every common bush afire with God.

But only he who sees, takes off his shoes.

The rest sit round it and pluck berries.”


One may have to read these 4 lines a few times before they truly begin to sink in. Elizabeth Browning suggests there are two common responses to the beauty of Creation. Some people just want to consume what they see, without much thought for the Creator, while others are moved to awe and wonder. Their response is Moses-like, they take off their shoes and realise they are witnessing a marvel from God.


Which person are we?


"Dominion and awe belong to God; he establishes order in the heights of heaven." - Job 25:2


Living in Grace

D3LM3

Wednesday 6 March 2024

A lesson in faith


"Faith isn't about having everything figured out ahead of time; faith is about following the quiet voice of God without having everything figured out ahead of time." - Rachel Held Evans

In our season of prayer and listening, let us tune our ears to the voice of Jesus. As we listen to his voice, so we can take the next step in faith. 

"The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
    the God of glory thunders,
    the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
    the voice of the Lord is majestic.
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
    the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon leap like a calf,
    Sirion like a young wild ox.
The voice of the Lord strikes
    with flashes of lightning.
The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
    the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
The voice of the Lord twists the oaks
    and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!” - Psalm 29:3-9

Living in Grace

D3LM3

P.S. - "No step taken in faith is wasted, not by a God who makes all things new." - Rachel Held Evans