When things don't work out as you hoped!

There are not many people who remember the name of the disciple who was chosen to replace Judas (see the scripture below to note his name). There are even fewer people who can recollect the name of the disciple who lost out on being chosen to replace Judas. 

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen 25 as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven. (Acts 1)

We hear very little about these two men after this incident, but what I want to focus on is the attitude of Joseph (Justus). It seems that he didn't take the decision too personally and he carried on serving the early Church. He was someone who had walked with Jesus, as much as the others, and had witnessed many miraculous things. Although he wasn't an official member of the 12, he didn't become bitter and sulk off into the wilderness.

How do we respond to set-backs and disappointments? Isn't it hard not to become bitter and cynical? When things don't work out as you hoped, how do you cope?

Jacob Tanner wrote: "One of the most important things for us to remember as Christians in our effort to avoid cynicism is that our understanding of the world is not dictated by the news but by the Scriptures."

Proverbs 14:6 - Cynics look high and low for wisdom—and never find it; the open-minded find it right on their doorstep! (Eugene Peterson)

Living in Grace

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We don't know how to sit still

Blaise Pascal once remarked that 'most of our human problems come because we don't know how to sit still in our room for an hour.'

This is an interesting take on finding time to be silent before the Lord. Is it true that many of our troubles could stem from our desire to 'fix things' in our own way or time? 

What do you think of this? How often have we run ahead of God, without taking time to know his plan or purpose?

I think it is appropriate to reflect on this in light of the disciple's obedience in Acts 1:8. Jesus told them to 'wait for the gift', which was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We know that they did actually wait, and when the Spirit came it changed everything.

Exercise: Can you find 5 minutes to sit in silence? How would this feed your soul? 

Living in Grace

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Ascension Day reflection

As the global Church marks Ascension Day today, it is worthwhile spending some time reflecting on the significance of this occasion for each of us. Here are a few of my thoughts (but not exhaustive) on this momentous moment. But, before I share my thoughts, let's remind ourselves of what the Bible says about Ascension.

Luke 24:50-53 - "Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52 So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. 53 And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God."

1. Jesus blesses his followers before he goes!

2. The disciple's despair is changed to joy when they receive the blessing.

3. The disciples keep asking Jesus questions that show they haven't understood his mission. However, Jesus keeps steering them back to the point.

4. Jesus promises them the 'power' of God to help them fulfil their mission.

5. The Ascension is both and ending and a beginning. It is the end of Jesus' physical presence on earth, but it is the beginning of disciple's new mission. 

Thought: What does Ascension Day mean for you?

Living in Grace

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Acts 1:6-11 - "So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”

7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

You don't have to save the world!

There are a large number of us who are adversely impacted by events happening around the globe. It is not that we are physically affected in anyway, but we certainly feel frustrated that we can't do anything to help. 

I have found that the emotions, that come along with these feelings of helplessness, can wear us down to a point of paralysis in our present contexts. In other words, we are so caught up in the battles raging elsewhere, that we have no energy to make a difference where we are living now! 

This quote has helped me to have a reality check:

Parker Palmer – “Our real freedom comes from being aware that we do not have to save the world, we must merely make a difference in the place where we live.”

Jesus told his disciples to be witnesses in Jerusalem first. Once they had done that, then they could move out to Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

Living in Grace

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The Ascension of Jesus

Today we mark Ascension day in our Christian calendar. It is a significant day in the life of the church for many reasons and I believe its appropriate for us to pause and remember this occasion.

^7-8 He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.”

^9-11 These were his last words. As they watched, he was taken up and disappeared in a cloud. They stood there, staring into the empty sky. Suddenly two men appeared—in white robes! They said, “You Galileans!—why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky? This very Jesus who was taken up from among you to heaven will come as certainly—and mysteriously—as he left.” - Acts 1:7-11 (Eugene Peterson's paraphrase)

For me, these are a few of the important things that Ascension brings:

1. Jesus' Ascension prepares the way for the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost.
2. The promised Spirit brings life-giving power to the disciples and this also includes us.
3. Jesus returned to the Father and is interceding for us right now.
4. It teaches us that Jesus trusted us with the message of the Gospel. That is a great privilege.
5. Jesus will come again. 
6. All things are in His power and under His authority.
7. It is another reminder that Jesus keeps his promises. Remember what he told his disciples in John 14-16? This is a fulfillment of those promises. 

What does Ascension Day mean for you?

"At His Ascension our Lord entered Heaven, and He keeps the door open for humanity to enter."

Oswald Chambers

"Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendor." - Charles Spurgeon

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Another Ascension Moment

⁵⁰ Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. ⁵¹ While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. ⁵² So they worshipped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. ⁵³ And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God." - Luke 24:50-53

We usually focus our Ascension Day messages around Acts 1:1-11 and there is nothing wrong with this. However, Luke also mentions the Ascension of Jesus in his Gospel and it is an interesting take on this glorious moment. 

The significance of Jesus going back to his father is complex and equally crucial for the Church to understand. But just for today I want us to pause on this truth - one of the last things that Jesus did before he left the earth was BLESS his followers. It was while he was blessing them that he was taken into heaven. 

This is such a powerful image for us to hold onto. Jesus' ascension was not the father "ripping" Jesus away from a timid group of people, but rather a planned moment of implying great trust in the disciples. A moment where God willingly hands over the mantle to us.

May we know Christ's blessing upon our lives as we serve the risen, ascended Lord.

Living in Grace

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Don't forget what Goes before!

As we mark Ascension Day in the Christian community, it is easy to get like the disciples were on that day - dazed and confused. We can end up day-dreaming, looking into the sky, without realising the task that Christ has given to us. If we read the verse before the actual Ascension, we will note that Jesus sends the disciples out as "witnesses" - in the power of the Holy Spirit. That is the great task and we need to remember that!

⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
⁹ After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him." - Acts 1:8-9

Living in Grace
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