Jesus is...

Jesus makes seven "I am" statements recorded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, according to John.
I am the bread of life (6:35,48; cf 6:41,51)
I am the light of the world (8:12)
I am the door (10:7,9)
I am the good shepherd (10:11,14)
I am the resurrection and the life (11:25)
I am the way, and the truth, and the life (14:6)
I am the vine (15:1,5)

"I am," recalls the words of God to Moses out of the burning bush: "I AM WHO I AM." As such, by each of these statements Jesus tells us about his mission: to bring life, to be light, to be the door, to lay down his life for the sheep. And, by each of these statements Jesus also tell us about his person: that he is the second Person of the eternal, triune God, Creator of heaven and earth!

The message of the “I am” statements is that it is only in Jesus, it is only in union with Jesus, it is only by participating in Jesus, it is only by believing in Jesus, that we receive true life in all its facets and on the last day, resurrection.

Proclaim the peace of the risen Jesus

God is the ultimate peace maker. And he paid the final price for peace as he sent his only and beloved Son to become our Prince of Peace. The prophet Isaiah eloquently spoke about the joy Jesus Christ would bring by revealing the good news about God’s peace:

Isa 52:7: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns’” And when Jesus was born angels filled the sky and praised God saying: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favours” (Luke 2:14).

Notice how God’s peace and God’s salvation is mentioned in the same breath by Isaiah. In restoring God’s reign in our lives and on earth, we experience heavenly peace through the salvation that God brings. The angels confirmed that it is Jesus that the prophets spoke about.

In the very next chapter Isaiah describes God’s suffering Servant as “a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief” (Isa 53:3). He suffers not because he did anything wrong, but “he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!” (Isa 53:5). God would restore peace on earth through Christ who carried the punishment for our sins and thus restored our peace with God. People who are at peace with God become family with others who were blessed in the same way. God’s people also have a new respectful relationship with all that God created.

Jesus entered the world as the one who would accomplish the assignment of the suffering Servant. In his resurrection he guarantees that this peace would be maintained through the coming of his Kingdom that he received as he was exalted to sit at the right hand of God.

By God’s grace and mercy we serve the Prince of Peace. His light shines through us and his message comes through us. In Christ the prophetic message also speaks about us, when we are faithful in proclaiming the Good News: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns’ (Isa 52:7)

The risen Jesus gives you peace.

Rom 5: 1. Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom 14: 17. For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Matt. 5: 9. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Various words describe experiencing the joy of living in the Kingdom of the risen Lord. Life, forgiveness and reconciliation are only three of many words that begin to teach about the layer upon layer of the sum total of what happens when we enter into the resurrection life of Jesus.

But “peace” seems to summarise what is essential to sharing in the life of the risen Jesus. That is if we know that biblical peace is much more than the absence of war and enmity. When OT believers greeted each other with “shalom” that we translate as peace, it had a positive message of being whole, complete and content – as the faithful share in the wholeness and divine bliss that God also enjoys.

One can still see a small speck of Paradise if you take time to look for it. Looking at God’s footprint left in unspoiled nature gives a glimpse of the peace that God intended for us when he created the perfect garden, called planet earth, for us to live in. This is why I simply cannot stay away from the Knysna forest and unspoiled beaches of the southern Cape. And where the dust of commercialisation has not covered too much of this footprint, the beautiful Bushveld and its natural wealth of game and tranquillity also speaks about Paradise: completeness found in being in tune with God, with our garden home he gave us and with one another.

The prophets foretold that the Messiah would be a Prince of Peace and that his Kingdom would restore God’s initial intent for us to share in the peace that the human mind cannot comprehend, yet the human soul can experience in his presence.

But the majority of us cannot run away from the man-made rat race, the less than perfect urban concrete and steel cages we erected to facilitate our technology driven and money run lives. Would peace for us only be a dream and forever unfulfilled desire and need?
Well, we will perfectly and completely only return to God’s Peace Paradise when God’s dominion becomes perfect when the risen Christ returns.

But where we as his followers brings about justice and righteousness through proclaiming the Gospel, the footprint of God’s work will also become visible in our contentment within a restored relationship with Christ, with God, with our Christian family and our family at home.

When we live the peace with God that Jesus brought through his sacrifice and his triumph and his exultation, then we, God’s children, become God’s peace footprint in a warring, struggling, conniving society. The wholeness and completeness that the resurrected Christ brings to our lives and relationships with God, people and nature, is called being the salt of the earth, being the light of the world, yes, being the hope of the despondent!

Now we know why Jesus said: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matt 5:9)

Eastertide teaches us to let go!

To fully find life again, Mary Magdalene had to let go! (John 20: 11 – 18)
The preacher Bill Coffin said that the hope of the resurrection is “to convert us from something less than life to the possibility of full life itself.”

This is what happened to Mary. Her experience of the joy of resurrection life begins when Jesus said her name, “Mary” and then said, “It’s time to let go.” In letting go, we can be converted to the possibilities of full life again.

In letting go in a resurrection world, we can again experience life after pain and sadness and we can expel bitterness. We can find the possibility of full life itself.

These words describe Mary Magdalene.
She cries at the tomb, because she is so sure that Jesus is dead.
She cries for him and she cries for herself and her loss. Yet when Jesus said her name, he is not dead any more, and neither is she!

We need a Saviour to dry the whole world’s tears. And we have a Saviour, the almighty Christ, who dries our tears - one person and one name at a time! Jesus calls us by the name to let go and to start living again. Believe it, because Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed.

Eastertide: Pray in the Name of the risen Jesus

How do you pray in the Name of Jesus?
In several passages from the Gospel according to John, Jesus instructs us to pray in his Name. For example:
“I will do whatever you ask in my Name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my Name you ask me for anything, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14; see also 15:16; 16:23-24, 26)
This command has led many Christians to end their prayers with words such as “in Jesus name” or “through Jesus Christ our Lord”, before they say “Amen.”

We can only approach God in the Name of Jesus, because we are under the authority of the living Lord. We come into God’s presence, not in our merit, but because the risen Jesus is our Head and King. We are welcome in God’s presence not as a result of who we are, but simply because we belong to Christ.

If we are to pray in the Name of King Jesus, our prayers should be about the agenda of King Jesus. This means that our minds and hearts must be formed and directed by Scripture. It also means that we have to set aside quiet times to listen to the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit who speaks the will of Jesus. When we pray in the Name of Jesus, we do not only approach God under the authority of Jesus, but we come to the Father with the desires of Jesus.

Praying in the Name of Jesus has very little to do with the words we use to end our prayers. Yes, it is a good practice to end our prayers saying, “in the Name of Jesus” or “through Jesus Christ our Lord”. But if we believe that to say this is some sort of magic formula that ensures that God will do what we ask, we should stop saying these words until we are in tune with the Lord and his desires. Self-centred prayers cannot be fixed by a formula of words at the end. There is no example or command in the Bible of how to end our prayers. And the Lord’s Prayer does not say “in Jesus Name” at the end.

But the Lord’s Prayer says – Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. And this is what it means to pray in the Name of Jesus. To come by his authority, with his will, before his Father. To pray in his Name means to desire the heavenly rule of the Son of God to break visibly into this world, on this planet, in my life and where I am called to make a difference.

If saying “in the Name of Jesus” at the end of our prayers helps us to remember that we seek the will of Christ in prayer, we have the freedom to do so. But it is not mentioning the Name of Jesus at the end that makes it a Christian prayer, but by surrendering to his will throughout my prayer that it becomes an approach of the Father in his Name.
It is not so much the words I say at the end of the prayer that makes the difference, but it is my relationship with the risen Lord and my obedience to him throughout my prayer, that makes it a prayer in his Name.

What members of the Centurion West Presbyterian Church said about their experience of Eastertide

I asked few members about their experience of Eastertide in our congregation and this is what they said:

One of the elders said: Holy Week and Eastertide celebrations at our church is a time to remember more intensely that Jesus died for our sins and to celebrate his resurrection from death. It is a time to honour him, recognizing that we can only hope to have eternal life through him. It also is the confirmation of all that Jesus preached and taught during his ministry.

A Steward said: When Christians commemorate Jesus’ way to the cross, the price he paid for the salvation of sinners like me, and his glorious resurrection, gives rise to a sense of thankfulness to God, our Saviour, Friend, Father and Helper. It is a privilege to be part of a congregation where one experiences the love and care of fellow Christians during Eastertide. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another,” Jesus said.

A student at our Bible School said: To me celebrating Eastertide means that Jesus loved me (a sinner) so much that he conquered death so that I can have eternal life with him - to be able to call him Father and Friend. It helps me to have a relationship with him and to grow to fullness until the day he will come and fetch me to be with him. It is his gift to us all – yet his grace & mercy we will only fully understand when we will be in heaven with him.

A leading elder said: To me, reaching others with the message of Easter- the hope that is the result of the death and resurrection of Jesus - is the crux of Christianity. Our Eastertide services encourage us to celebrate the salvation through the death of Jesus, in order to rejoice because he rose again and lives to intercede for us.

Easter lasts more than a day!

We celebrated Easter on Easter Sunday on 24 April.
But all Christian worship testifies to the resurrection of Christ. Jesus rose on the first day of the week. And we worship on the first day of every week, Sundays, to say to the world that we serve a risen Saviour. Sunday worship speaks on every Sunday of the importance of the resurrection to every Christian and all of humanity.

But because the resurrection of Jesus is the pinnacle of our faith, we also have 50 days, until Ascension Day and Pentecost Sunday that we call Eastertide – a Season of focused learning about the impact on our lives when we say that we serve a risen Saviour. Not to mention the eternal impact!

Fifty days of Easter? What would we do for 50 days? Surely we so not suggest fifty consecutive Easter egg hunts, or fifty “leg of lamb dinners” in a row. And celebrating Eastertide is not duplicating Easter Sunday fifty times over in Church. No, it’s taking time to reflect upon and delight in the truth of serving a living Lord.

The basic truth of Easter is simple: Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Therefore the implications of the resurrection are more than we can learn about during a 20 minute sermon on Easter Sunday! So we need the 50 days of Eastertide to reflect deeply on the many-sided meaning of our Lord’s resurrection.
Here are some themes to think and learn and pray about during Eastertide:

• You can meditate upon what the resurrection says about who Jesus Christ really is – the all powerful and righteous Son of God - (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:25-28).
• You may try to find the meaning of the truth that “our death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54-56).
• You should ask what does it mean that the power and might of the risen Jesus is available to Christians today (Ephesians 1:15-23).
• You will have to think of how the resurrection of Jesus assures of our own resurrection (1 Corinthians 15).

Eastertide allows us to think deeply and to pray diligently about what the resurrection of Jesus means to me personally, to us as God’s people, and to the whole world.
Let’s celebrate and learn exuberantly!

Testimony of the Tombstone

Testimony of the Tombstone of Jesus. (Matt. 28: 1-8)
The stone that was rolled into the opening of the tomb, in order to seal it, did not stay there. An angel of the Lord came to the tomb to roll it away.

The stone symbolized the bondage of death. Rolling it away is a symbol of the life that Jesus Christ gives us. Listen to the stone’s testimony! It cries out that Jesus conquered death.

But why was the stone rolled away? If you think that the stone was rolled away for the Lord to come out, you are wrong. Jesus had no need for the stone to be rolled away. We find, later on in the accounts of his appearances, that when the disciples were hiding in a locked room, the resurrected Jesus just walked right in. He needed no door. No wall could hold him. In his resurrection body, he could not be bound by the stone, a symbol of death. The stone was not rolled away for him to come out.

The stone was rolled away so that we could look in. It was rolled away that the followers of Jesus could see that he is not held by the tomb, because he is alive! The empty tomb is important evidence of the resurrection of Jesus. The empty tomb even today is evidence to all that Jesus is not dead, yes, that he is alive.

The significance of the stone rolled away is explained by the angel, "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." Jesus Christ lived, died, was buried, and rose again from the dead to become our righteousness with God. With a mighty arm, God the Father reached down and broke the bondage of death and through the power of the Holy Spirit called his Son from the grave. Jesus arose, and the stone was rolled away that we can look in and see and know that it is true.

And so he became the Lord of all. And he became the Lord of those whom he has saved.
As you see the empty tomb – are you ready to surrender to him?
To obey, follow and love him with all your heart and strength!

Eastertide: looking for the living Lord.

Eastertide: looking for the living Lord.

On Good Friday some women "stood at a distance" on Golgotha Hill, watching the crucifixion and death of Christ (Lk 23:49; 24:10). Later, they followed Joseph, an influential man who received permission to bury Jesus, and saw the tomb and how Christ's body was laid in it by Joseph. (Lk 23:55). "They went home and prepared spices and perfumes." (Lk 23:56) As soon as he Sabbath is over, they decided, they would give their Teacher and Friend, a proper burial.

Then it is daybreak on Sunday. To their great surprise the tomb is empty. There is no body.
All of a sudden there is a bright light. Standing before them were two men in gleaming white robes (Lk 24:4). They were angels, sent by God. The women trembled in fear and fell to the ground (Lk 24:5). And then they heard the question, the message of the angels, the message of God: "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" You hear the reproach: why are you doing something so foolish? Why are you doing something so unnecessary? "Why do you look for the living among the dead?"

But where should we look for Jesus? Where will we find the living Lord?
We see the living Jesus in the church at worship: a church singing, praying, praising, and testifying reveals the living Jesus. We see the living Jesus when, like the women, we spread the glad tidings that he has risen indeed. (Lk 24:9,10).

When believers are "like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose," there you see the living Christ (Phil 2:2). When believers "do nothing out of selfish conceit, but in humility consider other better than themselves", there you see the living Christ (Phil 2:3). When God's children use their material and spiritual gifts to help others, there too you see the living Jesus.

Finally, we should be looking for Jesus — the living Jesus — in our heart. If only we believe, then Jesus lives in us, making and shaping and moulding us in his image.
How beautifully the old hymn expresses the need to have a relationship with the living Lord. When we do, we will find the living Christ - in our hearts, involved in every aspect of our lives!

I serve a risen Saviour, he's in the world today;
I know that he is living, whatever people say;
I see his hand of mercy, I hear his voice of cheer,
and every time I need him he's always near.

He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me
and talks with me, along life's narrow way.
He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know he lives?
He lives within my heart!!!

Easter and Eastertide...

Easter is about Resurrection!
Easter has become a popular time for holidays. Precious family time, or time of rest, is enjoyed. Families enjoy egg hunts, picnics and get-togethers.

But what about the real meaning of Easter? Do we give it enough thought and time?
The Bible tells us the real meaning of Easter is the resurrection of Christ. That is why for 6 Sundays after the first Easter Sunday we continue to celebrate this most important of all Christian truths, that Jesus rose from the dead - and we call it Eastertide.

Indeed, all Christian worship testifies to the resurrection of Christ. The fact that Christians worship on Sunday, the first day of the week, instead of on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, testifies that the resurrection is the fundamental truth of the whole of Christianity.
Jesus rose on the first day of the week. And we worship on the first day of every week, to say to the world that we serve a risen Saviour. Sunday worship speaks on every Sunday of the importance of the resurrection to every Christian and all of humanity.

We should ask - what if Easter had never happened? The depressing reality of what life would be like had Christ not risen from the dead, is that life would be despair. Only in the resurrection of Christ can we be filled with hope for the future and for eternity. Without his resurrection, life would be hopeless and our faith and prayers pointless and in vain.

But Jesus is alive. He did conquer and we are redeemed!
Let’s continue to celebrate Eastertide with joy, vigour, commitment, faithfulness and much love.

Fourteen Stations of the Resurrection Booklet!

I am not going to continue to publish our devotions on the fourteen Stations of the Resurrection here, but as from tomorrow move on to other thoughts on Eastertide.

But I published a booklet that contains devotional thoughts and prayers on all fourten stations at the following link.
Please down load it there, free of charge, to read the rest of the series:

http://www.centurionwest.co.za/articles.htm

We are told about all these appearances that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ of God, his eternal Son, who died for our sins, and triumphed over our sins and enemies to save us for his Father and his Kingdom and to be witnesses of his glorious resurrection!

Jesus has risen indeed!
And we too shall rise in and through his victory!

Seventh Station of the Resurrection.

Jesus gives the disciples his peace and the authority to proclaim the forgiveness of sins.
Seventh Station of the Resurrection.

John 20: 19b, 20b-23: "Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, 'Peace be with you'... The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.' And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained'".

The peace of Christ is with me always. He has called me to be his own, that I may tell others of him and of everything he taught. He gives me the confidence of his life and the hope of his resurrection, the power of his Spirit and the joy of his presence. He is with me always. I pray that I will know him, and bring others to see his authority to forgive and his love that saves.

Prayer: Lord, teach me how to teach this truth, give me the words to say and give me strength that I may honour you with my ministry. You made me your messenger to proclaim the forgiveness of sins. You truly bring good news to my life and through my life to all who receive your forgiveness in faith. Amen.

Sixth Station of the Resurrection

Jesus appears to the disciples in Jerusalem.
Sixth Station of the Resurrection.

"'Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have,' And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet" (Luke 24: 38-40).

Jesus is truly alive! He was dead, but now he lives. Even when I think he left me, he is still here beside me and proclaims his Word to me. His promises are forever true. My troubles and distress will never change the reality that he is alive and that he triumphed over death.

Prayer: Grant me hope through the Word that shows me your hands and feet and thus brings me your life. Thank you for your life and that you share your life with me. Amen.

Fifth Station of the Resurrection

Jesus is known in the breaking of bread.
Fifth Station of the Resurrection.

Luke 24: 29-32: " ...They urged him, 'Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.' So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that while he was with them at the table, He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that, their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, 'Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us."

The Word of the Lord of life will soothe our burning hearts. What he promised will not change, for he is the Way, the Truth and the Life. In him we find so much more than words, we find the bread of life. As we have fellowship with him, when we share bread with him, we find hope and light. May he open my eyes by his Spirit through my fellowship with him, the Living Lord.

Prayer: Break bread with me, dear Lord, and grant me faith. Give me light that I may understand everything you want to say to me by being with me always and everywhere. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your persistence in teaching even me. Amen.

Fourth Station of the Resurrection

Jesus appears on the road to Emmaus.
Fourth Station of the Resurrection.

"...It happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.... And he said to them, 'Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?' Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures" (Luke 24: 15, 25-27).

Our Lord is alive! He was dead, but now he is alive! Even when I think he has left me, he is still here beside me and proclaims his Word to me. His promises are forever true. My own fear, doubt and distress cannot change the reality that he is alive and that he triumphed over death. He grants me hope through the Word that brings me his life. Let me remember all his promises, and know that his life gives joy for all eternity.

Prayer: Thank you Lord, for your life and that you share your life with me through your Word. Amen.

Third Station of the Resurrection

Mary Magdalene meets the risen Jesus
Third Station of the Resurrection.

"She turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?' She thought he was the gardener and said to him, 'Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni,’ which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, 'Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' Mary of Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, 'I have seen the Lord,' and what he told her" (John 20: 14b-18).

Without Christ I am lost, yet when I am with him, I am found. He found me, called me by my name, even when I did not recognize him. He blessed me with the hope of his Life. That Jeus found me remains my only comfort in life and in death. He delivered me from the bonds which once held me, and they can hold me no more. Jesus helps me to know him, and to live and enjoy the freedom he has brought me through his resurrection.
I am eternally grateful that he is my Saviour and my Lord. Amen.

Second Station of the Resurrection

The finding of the empty tomb.
Second Station of the Resurrection

"Then the other disciple (John) also went in (to the empty grave), the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed" (John 20: 8).

The Lord Jesus died, but now he lives forever.
I too was dead in my sins, buried in impurity and I was lost. His life gives me life, and his resurrection gives me hope. In the power of the risen Christ I become a new person. Even though I am easily scared and confused, the living Jesus comes to me to comfort me, because he will always remain with me, giving me faith.

Prayer: Dear Lord, fill my heart with the joy and peace of your eternal Life. Thank you that you by grace through faith live in me! Amen.

First Station of the Resurrection.

First Station of the Resurrection.
Jesus is raised from the dead.

The angel of the Lord said to the women: 'Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.’ (Matthew 28: 5b-6a).

Even when we are looking for the Lord Jesus without the hope that it will change anything, like the women came to the grave on that first Easter morning expecting a corpse, the message of the Angel of the Lord that he has been raised gives us hope. When I am afraid, the open, empty grave grants me peace again.
Draw on the memory of the first time you in faith knew that he has risen indeed – alithos anesti! Rest on the true gospel that Christ has risen – Christos anesti!

Prayer: Dear Lord, because you are alive, I too shall truly have that hope in you that will take my fear away. Amen.

Eastertide: Jesus is alive!

Jesus is alive!
On Friday you witnessed a gruesome and unreasonable death on Golgotha. A man was slain and tortured and died a horrible death.

But Easter Sunday was completely different. On Easter Sunday we see the eternal transformation of the Messiah. We see Christ, now raised and with heavenly qualities! And it is not only Jesus who is transformed by his resurrection. His followers are too. Their sorrow is turned into Easter joy! Despair is turned into hope! Unbelief is changed into faith.

Jesus is alive, because his work in and amongst us has not been completed:
Jesus has not finished his work when it comes to Mary Magdalene. He meets her in the garden. He talks to her. Do you see the change in Mary? She was crying. She was sad. She was upset. But now she was filled with excitement and she brought joyful news to the disciples!

Jesus is alive. Jesus still has to restore the joy of his people.
He appears before the disciples and they are "overjoyed" (Jn 20:20). He sends them to tell others about the Good News that he is alive. (Jn 20:21). Jesus gives them his Spirit (Jn 20:22) and gives them the authority to proclaim the forgiveness of sins (Jn 20:23).

Jesus is alive! His work is not finished. He knows there are doubters and skeptics. He appears to Thomas. Thomas sees Jesus and he believes (Jn 20:28). "My Lord and my God!" he says to Jesus (Jn 20:28). Thomas receives assurance of faith.

Jesus is alive. He has not finished his work. He speaks to Peter about his denial. He forgives him. He ordains him a shepherd of his flock. He takes away his fear and gives him the back bone he needs to do Gods work.

Jesus is alive! He still has not finished his work. He is thinking of you and me. We do not see Jesus' hands, feet and side. He does not appear to us in the same way he appeared to them during the days before his ascension. But by his Word and Spirit Jesus works faith in us. Jesus refers to us when he says, "blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (Jn 20:29).

Jesus works in you and me, every day!
Because he is alive!

christos anesti; alithos anesti

Christ has risen, he has risen indeed!

Easter Sunday Prayers - 2011

A litany of responsive prayers based on
Fourteen Stations of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
to be used during worship on Easter Sunday.

Minister: Almighty God of love, of life and of salvation - listen to our prayer and receive our thanks and our devotions.

1. Minister: Jesus has risen from the dead. "And the angel of the Lord said to the women: 'Do not be afraid! He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.".
Congregation: Christ has risen indeed! Dear Lord Jesus, because you are alive, I too shall live.

2. Minister: John went into the empty tomb, and he saw and believed.
Congregation: Lord Jesus, you were dead and now you live forever. Fill my heart with the joy and peace of your eternal Life.

3. Minister: Mary Magdalene met the risen Jesus, but did not know it was him. Jesus said to her, 'Mary!" She turned and said to him ‘Rabbouni,.
Congregation: Dear Jesus, without you finding me, I would be lost. You called me by my name, even when I did not recognize you. I worship you, my Saviour and my Lord.

4. Minister: Jesus appeared on the road to Emmaus and walked with 2 disciples. 'Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke, he said!
Congregation: Lord Jesus, you are alive! Grant me hope through the Word that brings me your life!.

5. Minister: Jesus was known in the breaking of bread with two disciples from Emmaus.
Congregation: O Lord of life, your Word will soothe our burning hearts. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your persistence in teaching even me.

6. Minister: Jesus also appeared to the disciples in Jerusalem.
Congregation: Lord Jesus, you are truly alive! Grant me hope through the Word that shows me your hands and feet and thus brings me faith and life.

7. Minister: Jesus gave the disciples his peace and the authority to proclaim the forgiveness of sins.
Congregation: Heavenly Lord, you made me your messenger to proclaim the forgiveness of sins. You truly bring good news to all who receive you in faith.

8. Minister: Jesus strengthened the faith of Thomas .
Congregation: Oh holy Christ, my Lord and my God! In you I find the power to live, to be free of doubt, and to know you always.

9. Minister: Jesus appeared by the Sea of Tiberias and called the disciples to have breakfast with him.
Congregation: Dear Lord Jesus, I offer my life to you who calls and enables me.

10. Minister: Jesus forgave Peter that he denied his Lord and asked, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?'
Congregation: Forgiving Christ, I do love you. I will express my love by keeping your lambs and grazing your sheep. I will build up your Church.

11. Minister: Jesus commissioned the disciples on the mountain to go and make disciples of all the nations.
Congregation: Heavenly Lord, you are with me always. I pray that I will know you, and bring others to see your power and love.

12. Minister: The Lord Jesus ascended to heaven.
Congregation: My Lord, you have risen from the grave, and you have risen to heaven. Help me to be ready on the day when you descend from the clouds to reign forevermore.

13. Minister: Then the disciples waited in prayer for ten days.
Congregation: Lord Jesus Christ, help me to pray with patience and endurance, never losing faith in your passion to save sinners.

14. Minister: The Holy Spirit descended on God’s people at Pentecost
Fill me Lord, with your Spirit.
The Spirit has come and Jesus will soon return.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit!
Amen.

Holy Week 2011: Good Friday

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Chorus:
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
where I all of my sins have laid down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
I’m redeemed, wear my blood-washed new gown.

To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I'll share.
Chorus:
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
where I all of my sins have laid down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it someday for a crown.

Chorus:
So God’s church commenced there at the cross,
in his blood we are bonded and free;
I will cherish the old rugged cross,
serve my Saviour and new family.

Chorus:
Jesus called at the old rugged cross:
“Why my God, why did you forsake me!”
as he suffered my hell, all my loss,
God abandoned him on Calvary.

Chorus:
Jesus thirsts at the old rugged cross.
He, the water of life, suffered loss;
Jesus quenched all my longing that day,
as his life on the alter he laid.

Chorus:
It is finished, he cried on that cross,
it is finished, my work I have done.
He completed salvation that day,
he redeemed me,
God’s merciful Son.

Chorus:
Jesus died, yes he died on that cross,
as he breathed his last breath on that day.
In our dear Father’s hand he was then,
as his life on the alter he laid.

Maundy Thursday of Holy Week 2011: Tenebrae

Prepare for the Tenebrae service and Good Friday Commemoration.

During services on Maundy Thursday, tonight, and tomorrow on Good Friday:
• Let us reflect and meditate on the last words of Christ spoken from that
cross: words of grace, love, hope, agony, suffering, finality, and rest.
• Let us remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the atonement of our sins.
• Let us recognize the seriousness of our sin that caused him the agony.
• Let us repent and turn to God for forgiveness.
• Let us realize the greatness of the Holy Trinity, the one and only God who saves.
• Let us respond to the Lord in reverent worship, prayer, and obedience.
• And let us return on Easter Sunday in the glorious hope of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

On Maundy Thursday you are asked to meditate on the fact that it was on the Thursday evening before Good Friday that Jesus and his disciples were together for the last time, when he and they stood in the shadow of the cross, when he washed their feet and instituted the Holy Supper.
It is to stand in the shadows within the darkness of Christ’s suffering.
The gradual extinguishing of the lights and candles is symbolic of the advancing darkness that came over Jesus as a result of the flight, the denial and betrayal of his disciples, the bitter hate of his enemies, the shadows of the cross.
The moments of total darkness in church recalls the time when he was in the tomb.
And the relighting of the central candle is a prophecy of Easter so soon to dawn.

The purpose of the service is to recreate the abandonment and agony of the events, and it is left unfinished, because the story isn’t over until Sunday – Resurrection Day. Today and Friday we do not hear a “happy ending story” but it speaks of love and divine commitment to us, God’s people.

Attending the Easter Service on Sunday without attending Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, is like watching the happy ending of a movie, without seeing the suspense of the beginning or the frightening, sad plot that develops in the middle. To experience only the end without feeling the middle is to rob one of the intense joy, faith and love at the end, that comes on the Lord’s Day, on the Resurrection day.

You see,
• There can be no faith through hearing the Word, without listening to what Jesus said on the cross.
• There can be no joy of atonement, without the death of the Sacrificial Lamb.
• There can be no joy of life, without the dreadful death of the Saviour.
• There can be no joy of Paradise, without the Redeemer’s forsakenness by God.
• There is no forgiveness without the bitter pain of repentance.
• There is no grace and mercy, without the wrath of God satisfied.
• There is no salvation, without God acting to redeem us by slaying his Son.
• There is no joy of thanksgiving, without reverent worship and prayer.

Experience the terror and the agony of Christ’s death, in order to return to the glorious hope and gladness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the Lord’s glorious Day of the celebration of life on Easter Sunday.

Wednesday of Holy Week 2011: The Fourteenth Station of the cross. (Last Station).

Jesus is placed in the Tomb
The Fourteenth Station of the cross. (Last Station).

Luke 23:50-54: Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.

The burial explains the place from which Jesus was raised. It also makes it absolutely clear that Jesus really died on the cross.
The main purpose of The Stations of the Cross is to draw us more deeply into the mystery and mercy, and also the reality of the cross, so that we might truly and powerfully experience the love of God.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, we remember that you really died. You experienced the ultimate penalty for our sin, for my sin. Your real death opened up the door for me to experience real life. Faced with such a merciful mystery, I cry: "Amazing love! How can it be, that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?" Amen!


Ps 1. To down load an illustrated booklet containing all 14 of these devotions based on the Stations of the Cross, go to our website for Centurion West Presbyterian Church at "Favourite links" on this blog, and under Resources on the menu, choose "Articles".

Ps 2. Tomorrow we will publish here a devotion for Maundy Thursday in preparation of Tenebrae.

Tuesday of Holy Week 2011. Thirteenth Station of the Cross

Jesus dies on the Cross
The Thirteenth Station of the cross

Luke 23:44-47: It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.”

Because Jesus was righteous, because he was innocent, not only of crimes that deserved crucifixion, but of all wrongdoing, he was able to make many righteous by bearing the sin of others. He became the spotless, atoning sacrifice for all – yes for me.

Prayer
Merciful Lord, thank you for your perfect life and sacrificial death. Thank You for taking my sin upon yourself, and giving me your righteousness in return. I look upon Your cross with wonder. I'm astonished by your willingness to suffer and die for me, the Righteous One for the unrighteous. Amen.

Monday of Holy Week, 2011: The twelfth station of the cross

Jesus on the Cross, his Mother, and his friend
The Twelfth Station of the Cross.

John 19:25-27: Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

Jesus was making sure that his mother would be loved and cared for after his death - and after his ascension. As we reflect upon the meaning of Christ’s death, Mary’s presence at the cross reminds us of the deeply human drama that is occurring. As such it also points to the certainty of God’s plan of salvation for those humans, also me and you, he loves.

Prayer:
When I think of your mother, Lord, I remember that you weren't just the Son of God bearing the sins of the world, but also the son of Mary, the son whom she loved. It gives me a touching reminder of your humanity. Because you were truly human, you truly suffered. You did indeed bear the sins of the world, and mine as will. All praise be to my Lord, Jesus Christ! Amen.

Lent 2011: Eleventh Station of the Cross

Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the Thief on the cross
The Eleventh Station of the cross

Luke 23:39-43: One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

If this crucified criminal could have hope and salvation, then you and I can as well. We trust, not in our goodness, not in our good intentions, but in the matchless mercy of God in and through Jesus Christ.

Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for your mercy. You give us, not what we deserve, but infinitely better. Thank you for hearing my cries and responding, remembering even me. Thank you for the promise I have of Paradise beyond this life. In your presence there will be fullness of joy. Amen.

Palm Sunday: Jesus and the Donkey.

Jesus and the Donkey

On the first Palm Sunday Jesus asked his disciples to bring him a foal, the colt of a donkey to ride on into Jerusalem. As Jesus entered the city the crowds began shouting, “Hosanna, hosanna to the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” and waved palm branches and spread out their coats on the streets.

The waving of palms and laying down of clothes were normally signs of military achievement and victory. The Romans gave palms to winners in their athletic games and the emperor gave them to his subjects after military conquests. The Jewish people had picked up on this.

The crowds believed Jesus was the King, the Messiah who came to establish Israel’s independence from Rome and to liberate them. They craved a political and military hero.

The problem is: Jesus isn’t that kind of Messiah.
Jesus’ “triumphal entry” was not that of a great warrior. Such men ride on horses trained for battle.
And Jesus rode on a donkey.
The donkey revealed that Jesus was a humble servant on a peace mission and not a military warrior. Jesus rides on a donkey for his triumphal entry. This does not only establish irony, but lifts up the lowly, in this case, the donkey. This humble donkey becomes the sacred throne for not only a King, but the Son of God himself. Jesus shows that something we do not value, in this case the donkey, can have tremendous value in God’s eyes.

The Son of God came into the holy City in peace and humility and rode in on a donkey.
We have to believe that evil is overcome with peace and humility. Don’t we too often think we can restore justice only through violence and power?
Just a week later, when these so called followers realized Jesus’ goal is not in line with theirs, they stopped shouting “Hosanna” and started shouting “Crucify him!”

Jesus liberates from all our enemies, yes, from the source and root of our problems: sin, evil, and death itself! This is the triumph Jesus had in mind when he allowed the crowd to wave their palms and throw their clothes on the road before him. He came to conquer - he came to triumph over evil by being crucified, buried, resurrected, and returned to heaven.

Wave your palms! Proclaim God’s victory over corruption, poverty, disease, and war. Overcome the real enemy of the people – evil, sin, death, selfishness, greed and lies – triumph in the Name of the King of peace who rides on a donkey.

When we celebrate Palm Sunday on Sunday our palm branches are signs of suffering that overcame evil and of victory over death proclaimed by the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus.

Wave your palms! Remember their call to you: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. He is indeed the Prince of Peace. Can’t you see that he brings peace? Look! The Lord of the universe rides on a donkey!

May the peace of God almighty be and remain with you forevermore!

Lent 2011: Tenth Station of the Cross

Jesus is Crucified
The Tenth Station of the cross

Luke 23: 33 : When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.

Jesus was crucified at "the place that is called The Skull". The other Gospels mention that it was called Golgotha, the Greek transliteration of an Aramaic word that means "skull."

Jesus died for my sins. The death of Jesus really happened, in a real place at a real time. There the Lord of Glory suffered and died for the sins of the world - and for my own sins. I yearn to experience the truth of Jesus’ death more profoundly. The images of the Via Dolorosa invite me to follow Jesus to the cross, that I may experience deeper gratitude for the blessings I can so easily take for granted.

Prayer
Gracious Lord, how can I ever thank You for dying on the cross for me? Your death has given me life. Your sacrifice has led to my blessing. Yet I confess that I can sometimes take your death for granted, forgetting what you did for me and neglecting its significance. Forgive me, Lord. And even though I can't go to the actual place of your crucifixion today, may the reality of your sacrifice press itself upon my mind and flood my heart. All praise to You, merciful Lord, for Your cross! Amen.

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Lent 2011: Ninth Station of the Cross

Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
The Ninth Station of the cross

Luke 23:27- 28 A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”

Jesus did not die as a helpless victim of Roman or Jewish injustice. He chose to die on the cross in faithfulness to the Father's will and to bear the sin of the world. If anyone is to blame for the death of Jesus, we are, because we have sinned. Thus in looking upon Jesus' death, we join the women of Jerusalem in weeping, not for Jesus, but for ourselves. In the death of Jesus we see what we deserve, and we rightly feel appalled.

Prayer: Dear Lord, may my weeping over the suffering of Jesus be the result of my sorrow over my own sin that caused your pain. Turn it to joy when I recognize the majesty of your mercy. Amen.

Lent 2011: Learn of Jesus Christ to die (Final)

"Father into your hands I commit my spirit" Jesus uttered his last words on the cross. It displays the voluntary nature of Christ's death. His life was not taken from him, but he laid it freely down, because of love.

Jesus warned his disciples that he would die. In John’s gospel he says:
(Jn 10:17-18) The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.

The end was reached. Perfect master of his self chosen destiny and unconquered by suffering, pain, and death, he cries out with a loud voice and commits his spirit into the hands of his Father. No one else ever died like this. His birth was unique, his ministry was incomparable and now his death is unique too. He died of his own free will. Who but our Lord could have done this? It is proof of his perfection and uniqueness.

Why did Jesus die willingly? Why did he willingly pass from life to death?
On account of our sins! Two things were necessary for Jesus to remove the guilt of our sin and appease the wrath of God. Firstly he had to be judged and suffer. This he already did. Secondly, he had to taste death.

With us sinners it is death first, and then judgment. With the Saviour it is first judgment and then death. This he did to save us. He died willingly to take the sting from our death and change it into a gateway to God’s peace and joy.
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Lent 2011: Eighth Station of the Cross

Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus to Carry His Cross
The Eighth Station of the cross

Luke 23:26: As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus.

Jesus beckons to us, calling us to take up our cross, offering abundant life in return. “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. (Luke 9:23-24)

Prayer
Dear Lord, I am also to take up my cross and follow you. I sometimes resist this call, even though I know that in dying to myself, I find true life in you. So help me, Lord, to carry my cross, to give my life away so that I might receive the abundant life of your kingdom. Amen.

lent 2011: Seventh Station of the Cross

Jesus takes up the cross
Seventh Station of the cross

Even though the Roman soldiers led Jesus out to crucify him, they were only doing what he had said they would do.
So, though "they led him out to crucify him,"(Mark 15:20) Jesus was no passive victim. Jesus took up his cross and walked to Golgotha, because he had chosen the way of suffering. He believed this was the will of God, the way by which he would realize his messianic destiny. Jesus chose to suffer and die so that he might fulfil Isaiah's vision of the Suffering Servant of God, the one who was "despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity." As this Servant, Jesus "has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases."

You will be blessed when you accept in faith that Jesus was “wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed". (Isaiah 53:3-5).

Prayer:
Dear Lord, you chose the cross. Those who led you to Golgotha were simply working out what God had willed and you, Lord Jesus, had freely and painfully chosen.
How can I thank you for this costly choice? Because you took up the cross, I can take up life in all of its fullness. Because you were led to die, I can be led into the eternal life. Because you carried my sin, I can enjoy forgiveness. How good you are to me, dear Lord, my Saviour!
Amen.

Lent 2011: Learn of Jesus Christ to die (3)

The gospels tell us that Jesus died saying the following words: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Lk 23:46). Jesus had intimate fellowship with God the Father when he died. He committed himself into the hands of the Father. We too call God our Father, once we are not anymore removed from him.

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." This last word from the cross expresses Christ's perfect commitment to the Father when he breathed the last.

Jesus always demonstrated a perfect and godly commitment to the Father. He also showed his complete obedience though out his life and ministry. Even when he was a boy, visiting Jerusalem with Joseph and Mary he already said: "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" (Lk 2:49). And when the Evil One tempted Jesus during his 40 days of prayer and fasting in the desert before his baptism, Jesus remained obedient to God and every time defeated the devil with the Word of God. "My food," Jesus then said, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work" (Jn 4:34). Jesus always perfectly did everything for the honour and glory of God.

As Jesus lived, so he also died. In his hour of death, he surrendered into the Father’s hands. His death was completely in line with his whole life and ministry. At the hour of his death, he remained trusting in the Father and he maintained his lifelong unwavering confidence in his Father. The intimacy that characterised the life of Jesus was also displayed in his death.

Learn of Jesus Christ to die! We also will die in the same way that we lived. Either in an intimate relationship with God if this is how we lived, or, God forbid, removed from God and as a stranger to him - as we lived. Our Lord could commit his spirit into the hands of his Father in death, because he had been in the Father's hands all through his life! If Jesus is more than Saviour to us – if he indeed is the Lord of my life, I too will commit my Spirit with confidence and completely comforted into the gracious Father’s hands in everything I do and wherever I may go.

Yes, you can at the hour of death commit your spirit into the hands of God, if you have already committed your spirit to God during your life. If you have committed your life to him!
Have you done this? Is your life in the hands of the Father?
Do not wait – even today say to God - "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."

Lent 2011: Sixth Station of the Cross

Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns
The Sixth Station of the cross

John 19: 2 & 3: And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking him on the face.

What cruel irony! Jesus finally received the words he deserved: "Hail, King of the Jews!"
What incomprehensible irony! Jesus, the true King of Israel endured the pain and mockery of the crown of thorns as part of his humiliation for us and our salvation.

Prayer
Gracious, merciful Lord, how hard it is to read of the abuse you suffered even prior to your crucifixion. What can I say in response, but "Thank You" for walking the path of grief, suffering and shame for my sake. You took the abuse that I deserved, and gave me your glory in return. Help me, dear Lord, to always honour you as my King in all that I do. Amen.

Lent 2011: Fifth Station of the cross

Jesus sentenced by Pontius Pilate.
Fifth Station of the cross

Pontius Pilate is a paradigm of the person who fails to take responsibility for his actions. Pilate issued the verdict that sent Jesus to the cross. Yet he did so in a way to appear innocent of the blood of Jesus. He did not take responsibility for what he had done. He washed his hands of what he was doing wrong

Matthew 27:23-24 “What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"

When blaming others when I do wrong, I won't confess what I have done as sin. This will keep me from experiencing the grace of God, enjoying the fullness of God's forgiveness. We will be blessed when we tell God the truth about our sins, and experience his forgiveness through Christ Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to acknowledge my sins, both to myself and to you, rather than justifying myself through immature and pointless excuses and defences. My hands will only be clean, Lord, when I am washed in the blood of the Lamb! Amen.

Lent 2011: Learn of Jesus Christ to die (2)

We last week referred the moving statement in a Lenten hymn that asks us to “learn of Jesus Christ to die.”

The gospels tell us that Jesus died, saying the following words: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Lk 23:46). Jesus again had fellowship with God the Father when he died. The Saviour was once more in peaceful, loving communion with the Father. He could once more speak to the Father, because the Father was no longer removed from him. We too call God our Father, once we are not anymore removed from him.

When we call God our Father, to die means to go from the hands of men, into the hands of God.

Jesus warned his disciples that he would fall into the hands of men. He said to his disciples, that (Mk 10:33-34) "... the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and 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 ..." (Mk 8:31, 9:31). And, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said, (Matt 26:45-46) "... Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

On the first Easter Sunday the angels reminded us how (Lk 24:6-7) “... he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'"

Christ could have steered clear of being in the hands of cruel, hateful men. He could have called on legions of angels to defend him. But, out of love and in obedience to his Father, he freely gave his life, to save sinners. Jesus selflessly submitted and laid down his life to become the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

For twelve hours Jesus suffered at the hands of men, and then, when he died, he delivered himself from the hands of men into the hands of God, his Father. This means that Jesus will never again be at the mercy of the wicked! He committed himself into the hands of the Father, and he and the Father are one forever.

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." In the Father's hands Jesus was raised from the dead. In the Father’s hands he was exalted to the highest place in heaven and on earth. In the Fathers hands he was given a Name above every other Name and “at his Name every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:9-11).

When we are not removed from the Father anymore, we too pass from the hands of men to the hands of the Father at the last breath! We too are safe in the hands of God, and so are our loved ones that passed before us. In his hands we shall enjoy God’s glory and we shall on the Day of the Lord be raised and we shall reign with Jesus forever!

Death has no sting when at the last breath we commit ourselves into the hands of the Father. Even though we have little understanding of what all of this means literally and practically, we know that we shall live safely in the Father’s hands, and pass to him on the day we die: comforted and with much joy!

The Heidelberg Catechism asks in its Lord’s Day 1: What is your only comfort in life and in death?
And the answer remains so very important to all of us:
That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death, am not my own, but belong to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ who with his precious blood has fully satisfied for all my sins, and redeemed me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me, that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that all things must work together for my salvation. Wherefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live unto him.

Lent 2011: Fourth Station of the Cross

Peter denied Jesus.
Fourth Station of the Cross
Luke 22: 56 - 57 Then a servant-girl, seeing Peter in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.”

Why did Peter deny Jesus? Because he was afraid.
Fear startles us in the middle of the night and keeps us awake for hours. It prevents us from reaching for our dreams or from reaching out to others in love. Fear cripples our souls and binds our hearts. It locks us in prison and throws away the key.

What is the remedy for such fear? It is in trusting God, believing the Word of Christ. It is in knowing what divine love is, because of what Jesus did for me on the Via Dolorosa, the way of grief, that fear is conquered.
Not through rationalization or mind-control, but by leaning more fully into the loving care of God and knowing that he will never let us go.

Prayer: Forgive me, dear Lord, when I let fear get in the way of my relationship with you. Forgive me for all the times I have fallen short in my discipleship, because I've been afraid. Forgive me for failing to trust you when you've proven yourself to be completely worthy of my trust. Amen.

Lent 2011: The Third Station of the cross

Jesus Condemned by the Sanhedrin
The Third Station of the cross

Luke 22: 66-69: When day came, the assembly of the elders (the Jewish Sanhedrin), both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought Jesus to their council. They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” He replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

Jesus was condemned by the Sanhedrin because he claimed to be the Messiah who would share in the glory and the power of God! Jesus claimed that he would be "seated at the right hand of the power of God". This was perceived by the council, beginning with the high priest, as clear evidence of Jesus’ blasphemy.

We are blessed, when we as followers of Jesus who acknowledge him as personal Saviour, seek to do the works of his kingdom, looking forward to the day when it will be completed.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, help me to understand what it means when I confess you as the Christ, the Anointed of God and glorious King of everything. May this confession lead me to a life of complete faithful discipleship in everything I do. Let your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. And let this happen in my life today! Amen

Lent 2011: Learn of Jesus Christ to die. (1)

There is a hymn we often sing during the Lenten Season that makes this statement in the final verse: “learn of Jesus Christ to die.”
The verse reads as follows:

Calvary’s mournful mountain climb;
there, adoring at his feet,
mark the miracle of time,
God’s own sacrifice complete;
it is finished, hear him cry;
learn of Jesus Christ to die.

It sounds like such a sombre topic to learn about – to learn how to die.
Yet, it remains a hurdle we all will have to face, only some of us sooner than others.
It may be the one obstacle before entering God’s paradise eternally that we feel the most uncertain about, and because we do not how it is to die, may be feared more than any other milestone in our journey with God.

And so, because we all are faced with the reality of our mortality, and because it is one of only a few things absolutely nobody can avoid, it is not only important to learn of Jesus how to live, but also to learn how to die.

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (LK 23:46) These were the words Jesus said when he died.
We cannot hear these words without remembering how he suffered. Without remembering three awful hours when the perfect fellowship between the Father and the Son, was broken and Jesus cried out loud: "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" — which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mt 27:46).

Up to these three hours of darkness, there always had been perfect fellowship between the Father and the Son. During the institution of the Lord’s Supper, Jesus could pray to the Father saying, "All I have is yours, and all you have is mine ... you are in me and I am in you" (Jn 17:10,21).

And then all his work was done. "It is finished," Jesus had said on the cross. The cup of God's wrath was drained and the darkness was over. "Father," Jesus said, "into your hands I commit my spirit."

This last word on the cross shows Jesus to again have fellowship with God the Father and once again calling him Father too. The Saviour was once more in peaceful, loving communion with the Father. He could once more speak to the Father, because the Father was no longer removed from him.

He whom Jesus calls Father is also our Father. What comfort we find in being able to call God our Father, once we are not anymore removed from him. I call God Father because he loves me, cares for me and supplies all my needs. "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us," says John, "that we should be called children of God!" (1 Jn 3:1).

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." This is how Jesus died. In fellowship, yes in union, with a loving Father. Those who know God as Father, as Jesus knew God as Father, will be able to die as Jesus died: at peace, without fear, feeling safe without uncertainty and content that we achieved God’s purpose with our lives.

What a comfort that we who learned of Jesus how to die, will call God "Father” at the last breath.

(Next Wednesday we will learn from Jesus going from the hands of men, into the hands of the Father.)

lent 2011: The second station of the cross...

Jesus betrayed and arrested
The second station of the cross...

Luke 22:47-48: While Jesus was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, "Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?"

It was the custom that a student would greet his teacher with a kiss in Biblical times – to show respect and to show submission. It would be similar to the kiss of a son given to a father today! Judas chose to use this sign of respect, to betray the Lord.

How many times did we reverently confess Jesus as Lord, yet we are continuously reinforcing ourselves as the real lord of our lives? How many times have we worshiped Jesus, saying and singing that we are in awe of his sacrifice - with our mouths - not with a kiss but with words, only to again abandon him in our souls and in our works?

“O Lord, as much as I hate to confess it, there is a bit of Judas in me. Forgive me for the times when I pledged allegiance to you, made promises to you, (even in church with the congregation as witnesses) only to discard you in the way that I live. Help me to see where my message to you is a mixed one, where worship and praise and betrayal and deceit live in the very same heart. Deliver me oh Lord, for what I do, is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do, this I keep on doing! Through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen."

Lent 2011: First Station of the cross.

Jesus on the Mount of Olives
First Station of the cross

On the Mount of Olives Jesus prayed alone, on his knees, with humility and obedience: "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." (Lk 22:42)

After struggling with God in prayer, Jesus was ready to enter upon the road to the cross and to follow it to the bitter end. Why would he have done this?

It is for us! Jesus willingly drank the cup of God’s wrath for us. It should have been us.
Instead, it was Jesus who drained it to the dregs.
See how much he loves you and me!

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, we can face life, knowing that when we humbly seek your will, your strength will be our strength, because you drank the cup of judgement to make us righteous in your Father’s sight. Your loving, merciful will be done, your glorious kingdom come – also in my life!” Amen

Ash Wednesday 2011 observed today!

Today is Ash Wednesday and at the Centurion West Presbyterian Church we all meet tonight for a very special Communion Service at the chapel, at 19:00.

Not all denominations observe Ash Wednesday. In the protestant world it is mainly Presbyterians, Lutherans, Methodists and Anglicans. But it is observed by Christians for probably more than 1600 years in some or other format and it is observed across the globe. On this day we remember our mortality and weakness and repent anew of all our sins. This reflection drives us to our Saviour Jesus and through considering his suffering over the next 40 days, we are assured of our salvation and of eternal life!

How did this custom start and should we still observe it after more than 1600 years? During the second century it became customary to baptise all Christian converts on Resurrection Sunday (Easter Sunday.) These new Christians had to be prepared for the confession of their faith and for their challenging walk with the Lord during those times of persecution and martyrdom. The preparations lasted 40 days – not counting Sundays.

Those who taught the candidates in preparation of baptism, shared in observing this time of strict spiritual discipline. After some time other Church members wanted to share in it again and over time it became a Season for all believers to observe. The season’s purpose was to be prepared to celebrate Easter in a meaningful way. Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Season of Lent.

The name Ash Wednesday recalls the ancient Near Eastern custom of placing ashes on one's head, signifying repentance, as related numerous times in the Bible.

Ash Wednesday is observed by a service of repentance as a result of our personal sins, and that of our congregation, our leaders, our denomination, our country. It is a time of reconciliation with God, our neighbour, our family, friends, children. It is a time to make peace with God, man, ourselves and our environment. We can only find peace in Christ Jesus who suffered and who died, to set us free.

May we come together as one before the Lord! Who knows what a blessing will be in stall for us, if we come together, as the one Body of the Lord!!

The death that leads to true life.
The Season of Lent leads us into a deeper spiritual relationship with Christ. Remembering all that Jesus did for us, it should lead us from knowing about Jesus, to loving and following him wholeheartedly.

It is a dark journey in which we confront the strongholds of evil in our lives, deeply ashamed of what we became as a result of the lack of discipline that should be an integral part of being followers of Christ.
It is also a journey that leads to the light of God’s presence when the cross, the blood, the suffering, death and the grave of Jesus grant us hope, forgiveness and a deep sense of joy about the love, grace and the mercy of God.
On Ash Wednesday we confront the evil and sin in us, in preparation of our journey with Christ on his way of suffering, learning to love him more and becoming more devoted to him.

Lent is also a Season for paying attention to our own lives. We remind ourselves that we are bound for death — and that we are bound to the death of Jesus Christ. Ash Wednesday and the whole of Lent provide a time to focus our attention on the mystery at the heart of the Christian life: that through death, the death of Jesus Christ, we have entered new life.

As Paul says to the Corinthians, “We are treated as impostors and yet are true, as unknown and yet are well known, as dying, and see — we are alive.”
This is the paradox of Christian life. We have been joined to Christ’s death once when we were saved, but we spend the rest of our lives growing to live into that union.

We have already died once, with Christ.
Yet the light of the resurrection waits for us at the end of the journey.
Ash Wednesday invites us to turn again, take up our cross, and move ahead on the way to meet the one who shapes us, marks us and claims us as his own. Because after dying in Christ comes the miracle to be resurrected in Christ.

May a meaningful journey into the life that Jesus Christ gives, be granted to all God’s people during this Season.

Ash Wednesday – observed 9 March in 2011

On Wednesday 9 March, the majority of Christians in the world observe Ash Wednesday. It is the first day of Lent, the season in which we remember the suffering of Jesus Christ, culminating on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
And then follows the great contrast when we celebrate Easter Sunday with immense joy, remembering the resurrection of our Lord!

Ash Wednesday is primarily a day of repentance – of sorrow because of our sins and the grief it caused our Saviour Jesus Christ, his work and the people with whom we share our lives.

According to the Bible, repentance consists of…
• an earnest sense of one's own guilt and sinfulness;
• an expectation of God's grace and mercy in Jesus Christ, our Saviour;
• an actual hatred of sin itself
• a turning from sin to God; and
• a determined effort seeking a holy life in obediently walking with God.

2 Cor 7:10 - Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

The remorseful understands himself to be just what God has always seen him to be and declares him to be:
guilty, impure and helpless!

But repentance understands not only such a sense of guilt, but even more importantly, also anticipates grace and mercy,
Psalm 130:4 - But with You there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.

Many millions of Christians will go to church on Ash Wednesday to repent and to receive a message of hope and forgiveness.

At the Centurion West Presbyterian church we meet at 19:00 on 9 March.
(See link under ‘My favourite Links’ on this blog, and find a map their at ‘contact’)

Jesus invested in your life...

Jesus used financial investment as an example of making the most of what God invested in our lives. In the parable about the 10 servants, each received one mina, an amount of money, to invest for their master. Some earned 10 and 5 minas more. One man kept it laid away in a cloth. The master’s investment did not earn any interest in his case.
About this man, Jesus said: (Luke 19: 26) "'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away”.

The servant who did nothing with the investment he was a steward of, represents people who have received the gospel message and God’s blessings, yet it has not changed them even one little bit! Therefore they have not shared God’s investment in their lives with others and did not use their blessings to expand the Kingdom of God. Their shareholding in God’s work remains small and vulnerable and insignificant.

But to those who made the most of God’s investment in their lives, who truly work with the Great Entrepreneur of the Kingdom of God, who use their given salvation, spiritual gifts, church membership, (increasing) Bible knowledge, access to God’s throne in prayer and ability to give, to advance the Kingdom of Christ, will hear the Master say: “Well done good and faithful servant.” By God’s grace, they have been changed into the godly entrepreneurs Christ needs for his work to be done!

Jesus Christ has invested his life, his death, his blood, his power, his Word and his Spirit in you!
What interest has he received through your life, your service and your witness?

Emotions. 4 (final)

It takes great effort and faith to understand our emotions

We must accept that we often struggle to understand the way we feel about stuff. We may battle to deal with our emotions and be confused about our reactions to our circumstances.

It is not a sin to be confused. It also is not a sin to feel rejected, anxious, lonely or angry. It is not a sin to have to put great effort into understanding why we feel the way we do and how to deal with it.

In fact, the sin may be in refusing to struggle with how we feel. The sin may be when we refuse to confront those feelings and to seek to deal with them. Because when we choose to simply accept to continue negative feelings, we accept defeat. And we do not have to, because in Jesus we know that God is on our side.

Paul could say that he was perplexed, but not despairing. (2 Corinthians 4:7-10). He refused to let his feelings turn him away from his hope in God. He might not have understood what God was doing, but he refused to anguish and he kept looking for answers.

As we hang in there, insisting to deal positively with our emotions, we remain open to God. Wrestling with God about it, we will find what God is doing in our lives. There are times when the only way we will be able to see God’s purpose, are when our hearts are breaking and we have nowhere else to go, but to God!

Knowing that God has a purpose with my life and that he is working it out in my life, will help me to make sense of the circumstance that caused my painful feelings. Paul was saying that God is at work in our lives to reveal his power, in spite of our weakness. Even when we do not understand all that God is doing, we trust that he loves us and is seeking our best interest.

We trust that all things work towards his good purpose. God is our help and our salvation and in him we will find rest and peace amidst every circumstance.

Trust God to bless and keep you, whatever way you feel.

The Church is not perfect.

Christianity is not perfect.
The Church is not perfect.
Jesus says the Kingdom may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field, but while everyone was asleep, someone else sowed weeds among the wheat. When the wheat and the weeds began to grow, the workers asked the owner where the weeds came from. He answered, "An enemy did this" (Mt 13:28). And when they ask the owner if they should destroy the weeds, the owner says
(Mt 13:29-30) "No ... because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. (30) Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn."

Wheat and weed grow together in the Kingdom and therefore also in the church. This parable is told because the church has to realise that she has evil within her. Jesus offers a word of hope, and a word of caution. The word of hope is that God will certainly and decisively deal with evil and sin.

The word of caution warns against accepting Jesus as Saviour without accepting him as Lord. Some believe that Jesus died on the cross for them. But, they don't want him as their Master, Lord and King. They are the weeds in the Kingdom fields and at the end of the age they must be pulled out. "You are not your own," says Paul, "you were bought at a price" (1 Cor 6:19-20). We cannot say Jesus saves us, and yet act as if he doesn't own us.

You can't take the "Saviour" part of Jesus and reject the "Lord" part of Jesus. You cannot separate the saving work of Jesus from the ruling and lordship of Jesus. You cannot expect Jesus to buy you with his blood, but not allow him to move in and take control of your life, any more than you could sell a home and expect the new owner not to move in.

But the parable does not end with the wicked who deny Christ to rule in their lives. It ends with the righteous who welcome Christ as their King and Head and therefore bear fruit for his Kingdom. We are told that they eternally "will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father." (Matt 13:43).

Agni Dei Bible School, Centurion, South Africa

Click on the Agni Dei Bible School link at the Favourite Links on this blog for all the details.

Emotions (3)

Dealing with painful feelings.

In order to deal with our feelings in a responsible way, we have to learn that feelings are only feelings. What do we mean? It means that feelings are not necessarily reality.
We are not saying that feelings are not real. Everyone struggling to keep emotions at bay, know that they indeed are real! But our feelings do not reflect how things really are. To deal with them in a way that is helpful to you and others and not to act on them insensibly, we must realise that what we feel do not always reflect reality. Therefore, we must recognize them for what they are and what they are not.

Yes, we need to acknowledge what we feel and that we do feel this way. Denial of our feelings will simply suppress them and not allow us to deal with them in a healthy way. Even if we try to suppress our emotions, they will eventually surface again and then they could return in destructive ways. .

To acknowledge your emotions does not mean we must tell everyone about them. It is most of the time unwise. When we need advice as to how to deal with what we feel, we need to only speak to someone we trust, who is equipped to guide and help us in dealing with them. Our minister is a good choice to share our emotions with, knowing it will be handled with complete confidentiality. He will not only listen, but he is able to guide us from the Word of God in dealing with them.

And we must always tell God about our emotions. God knows how we feel. God understands what we feel. God loves us even when we are angry or frustrated. We must not only acknowledge our emotions to ourselves, we can and should talk to God about what we feel.

In the Psalms we see how believers share their emotions with the Lord. We read words of praise for when we are rejoicing and we read sad, even despondent prayers, for when we are feeling abandoned, angry or in pain.
In Psalm 31:9-10 we read: "Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted away from grief, my soul and my body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength has failed because of my iniquity, and my body has wasted away."

It is clear that the Psalms poet did not hesitate to tell God exactly how he really felt.
Our emotions are certainly real to us. But we cannot just blabber about them to everyone. But we can and should deal with them, verbalising them to someone equipped to help us deal with them.
More importantly, we need to speak to God about what we feel. We need to share all our emotions with our God. It is an essential step in healing and dealing with them well.

Family does not come before Christ Jesus in our lives.

Matt. 10: 37 – 39 - Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

These words about family are hard to hear. And it was even more difficult for Jesus' original audience to accept. In his day economic survival depended upon the extended family and their support.

In Jesus' eyes, however important family is, it never comes before knowing and serving God and his Son Jesus Christ.

Jesus is telling us that none of us are truly free to be Christ's disciples until we break with everything that hinders our commitment to the Lord. Whether they be family or things, if they come before Jesus they must be abandoned. Christ taught that we as his followers must break all ties that weaken our commitment to him. Jesus didn’t say we should not love our families or neglect taking responsibility for them. But he was making it clear that no person or thing should be considered worthy competition for the Son of God in our lives and our priorities!

Jesus forces us to ask ourselves if he comes first in our lives. Do we love him more than anything else?

WITH WHAT EXPECTATION SHOULD WE COME TO THE LORD’S TABLE?

Firstly that God will in grace receive all who repent of their sins, to partake of the Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ. And even when we realise that we are still weak and that it is hard to live according to God’s will, we accept in faith that our human nature cannot prevent us to receive the food that Jesus, our Host at the Table, wishes to share with us.

Secondly we can expect to be reminded by the Holy Spirit of everything Jesus did for us to save us and make us his own. The Holy Spirit speaks God’s Word to us and communicates with us through bread and wine. Through bread and wine we receive the Word of God that reminds us that Jesus was innocently condemned to death that we might be found not guilty at the judgment seat of God. We are reminded that he let his body be nailed to the cross to cancel the debt we have because of our sins. He took our curse upon himself, in order to fill us with his blessings. We are reminded that Jesus was forsaken by God, that we may be accepted by the Father and never be forsaken by him.
We expect to hear the Lord proclaiming his death and resurrection to us as he speaks to us through bread and wine, giving us faith through which we are saved.

Thirdly we expect to have communion, or fellowship, with our Lord at his Table. Jesus invites us to feast with him to assure us of his love and salvation, that we will know that as surely as the bread is broken and the cup is given to us, he is present at his Table to assure us that we belong to him. He meets with us at his Table to direct our faith to his perfect sacrifice on our behalf, teaching us that it is the only ground for our salvation.
By the Holy Spirit, who dwells in Christ as our Head and in us as his members, we have true communion with him and share in all his gifts, his eternal life and his glory.

Fourthly we expect that the same Spirit also unites us as brothers and sisters in true Christian love as members of the one Body of Christ. For the sake of Christ, who loved us first, we love one another at the holy Table and show this love not just in words but also in deeds.

Finally, we expect to receive a foretaste of the amazing joy Jesus promised to his own, that we one day will share at the wedding feast of the Lamb of God when we will drink God’s new wine in the Kingdom of God our Father.

In order to be nourished with Christ at his Supper, we must not only see and taste the outward symbols of bread and wine.
We should not doubt that at his Supper we shall be nourished and refreshed in our souls with Christ himself, as certainly as we receive the bread and wine in remembrance of him.

Acknowledge Jesus before others.

Matt. 10: 32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.”

The image this verse wants to raise in our mind is that of an earthly courtroom. You are summoned to appear before a judge. You are accused of being a Christ believer. How would you answer to that indictment? Would you affirm or deny your faith? Will you acknowledge or disown Jesus?

To acknowledge Jesus before others, is to openly declare that he is indeed the Son of God, to profess him openly as your Saviour and proclaim him as the Lord of your life. All of these not only in words, but also in attitude, values, thoughts, choices, life style, world view, justice, peace and worship. To acknowledge Jesus is to declare before others that you live for him who died for you and that you trust him, who gave his life, his blood for you.

Jesus says that if I acknowledge him before others, he “will also acknowledge me before his Father in heaven.” It means that Jesus is saying to God:
“I died for this person. With my blood I have redeemed him / her from evil, judgment and from sin-slavery. He / she is forgiven, because I (Jesus) was judged and condemned in his/her place.

Does your love for the Lord lead to a relationship where you always acknowledge Christ before others and he acknowledges you before God, our Father?
May the sacrificial love of Jesus makes it impossible for me not to be his witness, his worker and his friend!

Lord Jesus, is it really true?

Lord Jesus, is it really true,
that I could be ashamed of you?
Ashamed of you, whom angels praise,
whose glories shine through endless days?

Ashamed of Jesus! my dear Friend,
on whom my hopes of heaven depend?
No; when I blush, be this my shame,
that I do not revere your Name.

O holy Christ, o Son of God,
I will confess in one accord
with all your children, praise your Name,
acclaim your cross - no fear, no shame!

You died dear Lord, a sinners death,
for me you gave the last throbbing breath.
O Holy One, o God’s true Son,
I’ll count your glories, one by one.

Emotions (2)

Our emotions surface all the time. Some of us suppress what we feel and do not share it with friends, family or even God. Do we feel it is a sign of weakness to be excited or sad? Why are we uncomfortable about being passionate about Christ, our salvation and our worship? Why do we think tears of joy and thanksgiving are embarrassing? Why do we apologise for them? We need to understand that God created us as emotional beings, and he has a divine purpose with what we feel.

We have feelings because God created us that way. He created us in his image. And God also has feelings. In Deuteronomy 32:21, God is speaking of his emotions in terms of his relationship with Israel:
"They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities."
There are times when God is angry, because his people serve other gods, are disobedient and irreverent.

The Bible also speaks at length about the love, mercy and compassion of God. It is the Lord’s feelings of love that moved him to give his only Son, that whosoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life. God is love. God is defined by his love for us, and his grace and mercy that save us, are the fruit of his divine love.

When you read the Gospels, you see the love of the Saviour at work. All his miracles and all his teachings testify of his glorious love for us and his desire to have a relationship with us. God has emotions. Jesus has emotions. We can also sadden the Holy Spirit. Thus we, created in God’s image, therefore also have emotions.
We too can experience love for God, our fellow-man, our earthly family and our church family. We too can make a difference because we have compassion and mercy and we also know what anger is.

The only problem with our human emotions is that we sometimes allow them to take charge of our lives, leading to insensible and unwise actions that left common sense, our faith knowledge and wisdom out of the equation. Then we may hurt not only ourselves, but also those most precious to us - and we do not act in a God honouring way. We are then left with regret, because emotional damage is hard to repair.

Dealing with our emotions is harder than we think. We need Jesus to help us. We need the Holy Spirit to guide us. We need the Word of truth to educate us.
We need the love and compassion of our Lord, to console us.
(Next time more about God’s purpose with our emotions.)