15 April 2020
Matthew 28:1-10 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Has Risen
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
14 April 2020
And put your armour on,
Strong in the strength which God supplies
Through His eternal Son.
Strong in the Lord of hosts,
And in His mighty pow’r,
Who in the strength of Jesus trusts
Is more than conqueror.
13 April 2020
Acts 10 verses 39-48
39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
You made One MIstake
There's a story about the pastor who was preaching at an Easter service. He thought it was a great sermon and he started at the resurrection but for some reason he worked back in the story of Christ and his crucifixion. At the end of the service he stood at the door as usual and shook hands with everybody as they left the kirk. Everyone was complimentary as they shook his hand and left. All that is except one wee smart Alex. As he shook the pastors hand he said to him “not a bad sermon! But you made one mistake” The pastor was shocked and annoyed at the boy “ One mistake? What are you talking about?”
The boy looked him straight in the eye and said “ you left him on the cross!” and then he walked away.
The pastor realised that he emphasised the crucifixion during the sermon but had not explained the resurrection in any detail. Then it dawned on him even further, that maybe that was the first time the boy had heard the Easter story
And you know that can happen to the hardiest of Christians. We hear a story we’ve heard over and over again but suddenly its as though we are hearing it for the first time. This Easter as we are separated from our Church buildings and the physical fellowship of our pew pals we hear The Easter story differently. On Social media, on youtube and on the radio and the TV.
Suddenly everything has changed but one thing remains the same. The resurrection is the proof. It’s the proof that something mysterious, supernatural and wonderful took place on the cross. It is Gods receipt to the world. If there was no resurrection there would be no grace, no payment for sins.
But with the resurrection we have hope, we have a debt that has been paid. “ paid on the nail!” We have a new and a living presence in the Living God.
12 April 2020
Luke 24 1-12
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”8 Then they remembered his words.
9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by them, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
It’s Sunday and as we read the passage we know that the women intended to visit the tomb with the spices that they had prepared.
But why?
We know that Jesus was inside the tomb and the stone rolled to secure its entrance. Not just some large boulder but a massive boulder that would take a couple of strong men to secure. So the “inquisitive” in me is asking what were they expecting? How were they going to use their spices? How were they going to get access to the body.?
Surprisingly the stone was rolled away and even more surprising the body was nowhere to be found. “ Then they remembered his words” that on the third day he would rise. Excited the women ran to tell the others what they had found but it was thought they were talking rubbish. Peter then took it upon himself to run to the tomb and he wondered what had happened.
For me the story of Easter Sunday is all about faith. Let's face it there’s no point being a Christian if you don’t believe that he rose on the third day. But we are blessed to know the end of the story. But what about the others?
Well, the women decided to visit a locked tomb with embalming oils. They had so much faith that they would have access to their friend and master Jesus Christ. They found the stone was rolled away and once they reminded of the words of Jesus, they ran back to the disciples excited at what they had found.
Peter ran back to find out for himself what the women had found and we read that he wondered what had happened.
Their faith on resurrection day was tested. Some things were confusing but other things were straightforward. After all they were told that on the third day he would rise from the dead and the body was no longer in the tomb. But still their faith was tested.
Martin Luther King Jnr once said that “ faith is taking the first step when you can't see the whole staircase”. Now a better quote from him is “We must live by Faith and not by Fear”
This Easter Sunday we must not be guided by fear but by faith. Just consider the words of this great hymn
God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my saviour lives
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives
How sweet to hold a newborn baby
And feel the pride and joy He gives
But greater still the calm assurance
This child can face uncertain day, because He lives
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives
And then one day, I'll cross the river
I'll fight life's final war with pain
And then, as death gives way to victory
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He reigns
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives
Have a blessed Easter Sunday
11 April 2020
Luke 23 v 50-end
The Burial of Jesus
50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
10 April 2020
John 19
28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin
09 April 2020
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. "In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
08 April 2020
Matthew 26 verses 14-16
JUDAS AGREES TO BETRAY JESUS
14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
Judas is a pivotal figure in the story of Calvary. He is not only important
But has a lot to teach us apart from being the one who betrayed Jesus.
Judas, one of the most recognised names amongst the original twelve but his life was a mystery as well as a tragedy. Why did he give us the amazing opportunity of a life with Christ, why did he give up the offer of eternal life and was he really a friend of Jesus?
07 April 2020
JESUS PRAYS ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES
LUKE CHAPTER 22 VERSE 39-46
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[c] 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
06 April 2020
John 12:1-11
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.
- We should always honour Jesus from our home.
Your friendship, it is intimate
I feel like moving to the rhythm of Your grace
Your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place
Your love is extravagant
No greater love have I ever known You considered me a friend
Capture my heart again
https://www.youtube.com/watch - Your Love is Extravagant
05 April 2020
Matthew 21 verse 33 to the end.
“Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.
“The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.
“But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
“Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”
“He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
“‘The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
and it is marvellous in our eyes’[h]?
“Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44 Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”[i]
When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.
Restoration
The theme of rejection and restoration run through all the readings associated with Palm Sunday. Christ has had a triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the crowds have praised him. We are now presented with a parable.
The image of the vineyard has often been used to represent Gods people. God, the careful owner tending it like a loving gardener even when the vines are not bearing good fruit or growing wild. And so the parable of the wicked tenants unfolds. He wants them to understand the gift that they are rejecting. The tenants in the parable are not only rejecting the landowner they are killing the slaves and then they are killing the son.
Jesus then quotes Psalm 118 calling to mind that the stone the builders reject will become the cornerstone, and the one who was rejected will be restored, the one who was despised will become honoured, and the one who was tortured and killed will live. Through him the vineyard will be restored to its former glory.
A foretaste of Glory Devine
While reading for this parable I read someone who quoted “ We too are called to bear fruit as a choice vine. Fruit that can be transformed into wine for the feasting and celebration but as part of that restoration process, we must taste the bitter wine on the lips of the son who was sent to save us.
Again even in these strange times we can still bear fruit. We can prepare for the harvest and look forward to that time of restoration. The day we can walk back through the doors of our church building.
Someone commented on my use of hymns on YouTube that accompany the readings in Words for Life. The answer to that is simple, its somewhere to go when you are feeling frightened or stressed. Its something to focus on when we are being bombarded with stats and figures on our current dilemma. It’s a prayer when we cannot find the words. It’s a part of worship when we are forced to worship alone. As restoration follows rejection and as glory follows suffering we are all looking forward to the day when we can walk into our churches and see the faces of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are all looking forward to joining each other singing and praising God free from lockdown and restoring the vineyard to its former glory. Amen
And so another beautiful hymn to consider this morning is “I come to the garden alone”
I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses
And He walks with me and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known
He speaks, and the sound of his voice is so sweet
The birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gives to me
Within my heart is to ringing.
And He walks with me and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known
I stay in the garden with Him,
Though the night around me is falling.
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
And He walks with me and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
https://www.youtube.com/watch - I Come to the Garden Alone
04 April 2020
Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time
Mark 10 32-34
They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
(do watch the clip of the hymn on Youtube below, if you can)
https://www.youtube.com/watch - How Great Thou Art
03 April 2020
Are you a life worthy of the Gospel?
Philippians 1:27-30 New International Version (NIV)
- Paul tells us to " conduct ourselves", and that should be in the way we think and the way we act. Reputation is everything and flying the flag for Christ was never going to be easy.
- Paul also tells us to " stand firm". Sure we will be opposed in a lot of the things we believe in but we have to be that anchor fastened to the rock and yes we stand amazed in the presence. I find sometimes when I cannot find the words for a prayer and I find myself on shaky ground, if I listen to or thing or read the lyrics to a favourite hymn I am able to stand firm in the faith that I have
- And finally Pauls tells us that " it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him but to suffer for him" Christ died for our sins and as we approach Calvary this lent we would be dishonouring Christ and the gospel to disregard him or the gospel.
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
(do watch the clip of the hymn on Youtube below, if you can)
https://www.youtube.com/watch - In Christ Alone
02 April 2020
John 12 verses 12-19
Jesus comes to Jerusalem as king
The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
‘Hosanna![Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’
‘Blessed is the king of Israel!’
Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written:’ Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.’
At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realise that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him. Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, ‘See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!’
The Lamb of God
The powers that be had asked “what next?”. Then they went on to consider “ How can we get this Jesus”. Jesus is in control. He presents himself to them on a donkey. While people would go on to claim him as “ King of kings” on this day and on this triumphal entry into Jerusalem Jesus was the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. More powerful than any world leader. More effective than any great king. But yet he rides into town on a lowly donkey making himself the sacrifice that could save the world.
While we are in this lockdown situation. There has never been a better time for reflection. We are not going out anywhere so we could today think about the Easter story as it's about to unfold to us over the next few days. We are trying to keep in touch with so many friends on the phone and on social media. But remember that friend that “has all our sins and grief’s to bear” And as we think about all the sins that we can bring to the foot of the cross.
Max Lucado tells us “In Psalm 23:3 David said it like this, “He leads me in the paths of righteousness.” The path of righteousness is a narrow, winding trail up a steep hill. At the top is a cross. At the base of the cross are bags, countless bags full of innumerable sins. Calvary is the compost pile for guilt. Would you like to leave yours there as well?”
Let's think of this time that we have as not simply a time of lockdown, but a time of prayer and reflection. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged
Take it to…
Amen
(do watch the clip below if you can)
https://www.youtube.com/watch - What a Friend We Have in Jesus
A message from Ramsay :
Psalm 1:1-6 – Real Christianity
Today, we turn our thoughts to the Psalm that we read, Psalm 1. This is a Psalm that has some very valuable lessons for us as we live in the world today, not least in these trying times of Covid-19. These are difficult and for some, anxious times. How do we live as salt and light in these days? Psalm 1 is helpful because it gives us an Old Testament lesson in authentic and genuine Christianity. We have here in crystal clear language, two contrasting ways of living – the way of faith and the way of unbelief; the way of God and the way of the world. There is so much false understanding about Christianity these days, and in this psalm, we see three things about authentic faith as follows:-
(with apologies from the editor as this is published here a day late)
01 April 2020
Matthew 22 verses 23-33
That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. “Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. Finally, the woman died. Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?”