Aug 24th

1 Samuel 16     Lamentations 1     Mark 14     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

The rhythm of the Christian year is so often profoundly helpful. This repetition and rehearsal of the fundamental elements of our faith ensures that we focus again and again on the way that God has delivered his people. As I read Mark 14 in the month of August it strikes me that there is also much to be gained from considering these amazing events at a distance from the celebrations of holy week and the Easter festival. Do read and reflect in the story again and ask that God would reveal more of his truth and purposes to you.

As I read this chapter I feel drawn towards the question of our commitment to Christ. Both Peter and Judas Iscariot are featured here. They are both among the twelve who have followed Jesus for three years. They have heard his teaching, witnessed his miracles and, at least in the case of Peter, proclaimed that Jesus is the son of God. The have been at the very epicentre of Jesus' kingdom proclamation and demonstration and yet they are still vulnerable.

Judas betrays Jesus and facilitates his arrest. Peter, despite protestations that he would never do so, denies even knowing him. How do you feel about their actions? Both have clearly been committed to Christ and yet by what they say and what they do here they reject him. It is very easy for us to look at these big events and to judge. It is particularly easy to judge Judas but I wonder how many of us could be swayed in the way he was. With a few doubts and the offer of material riches how many of us could honestly say that our eyes could not be turned?

  It is easier still to see how we might deny being a part of Christ's church if our own safety or reputation were at stake. I wonder myself if I would have been able to give a different answer to that which Peter gave when questioned. Today my prayer is that whatever happens I may remain committed to Christ. Lord, give me the will to walk with you through the good times, the strength to remain with you in the bad and the courage to proclaim you through all circumstances.

(church musician)

Aug 23rd

1 Samuel 15     Jeremiah 52     Mark 13     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Mark 13 is a passage of the Bible which can be easily misunderstood and misinterpreted. From the distance of nearly 2000 years we wil understandably make leaps of interpretation into some kind of apocalypse. Whilst these ideas are certainly present in the New Testament it seems unlikely that Jesus is talking here about the end of time. The chapter begins with the disciples talking about the magnificence of the temple. This is the context for the rest of what is written. Jesus is warning his disciples about what is to come over the next generation. The temple will be destroyed (as we now know happened in AD70) and there would be signs leading up to this. Jesus is clear that there would be rumours of wars (bear in mind that before print, let alone this internet, it may take many months, even until after the conclusion of a war for people to even hear about it) but these weren’t necessarily the final event. We can see that Jesus isn’t talking about then end of all things as, when the ‘abomination that causes desolation’ occurs the disciples are to leave immediately. What’s the point in running if everything is going to end anyway? Jesus’ language draws on language used during the Babylonian exile (from Isaiah 13) and history shows us that the siege of Jerusalem was indeed a terrible event. Ultimately though, all that Jesus said or implied about himself would be proved valid. His hints at the temple being destroyed and the prophetic sign of overturning the system of temple worship would be lived out.

   Through all of this the disciples are to be like gate keepers. They are to stay awake and keep watch. It would be no good settling into everything and becoming complacent. No, they must be watchful so that they could leave at the right time.

And what of us 2000 years later? The judgement that fell on the temple is a foretaste of what is to come. Whilst Jesus may not have been talking explicitly about the day of judgement here we would do well to hear his words and stay alert. We must ensure that our trust is in Christ and Christ alone because, as is clear in this passage, there will be many pretenders but there is only one true hope.

(church musician)

Aug 22nd

1 Samuel 14     Jeremiah 51     Mark 12     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Notice how different groups of people try to catch Jesus out. He has made such a big impact on the people in Jerusalem that the Pharisees, Sadducees and government officials all see him as a threat. The parable at the beginning of this chapter only crystallises their thinking as it seems squarely aimed at those who are plotting against him. Jesus has taught with authority and the crowds have proclaimed him their king. The authorities are afraid of the crowds turning against them so they try to entrap Jesus. They come at him with thorny questions about taxes and resurrection both designed to trip Jesus up but he is able to answer both in a way which silences his questioners. If we are to be like Jesus we will cause a stir. The things we say and the authority we carry are bound to be a threat to those who hold power. Who are the people in our age with the wisdom to answer difficult questions when they arise? Do we shy away from the mandate to talk not just to the church but to the nation and world because we are afraid of the reaction?

Let’s not leave this chapter before we consider Jesus answer to another question in verses 28-34. Asked what the most important commandment is Jesus responds by quoting scripture and it boils down to loving God with the whole of our being and loving others the way we love ourselves. I wonder, in a crisis, are these the two vital components of faith that we hold onto? Do we love and worship God with all that we are? Do we look after others in the way that we love ourselves or is it more like saving ourselves and doing the best for number one?

(church musician)

Aug 21st

1 Samuel 13     Jeremiah 50     Mark 11     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Jesus’ authority and kingship are the pertinent matters in this chapter. The opening of Mark 11 with the triumphal entry is all about who Jesus is. For many of us the story is so familiar that we can easily fail to grasp the significance of all that unfolds here. The disciples make the long uphill journey from Jericho to Jerusalem filled with the anticipation of what is to come. For them, this is not merely another pilgrimage to Jerusalem for a festival but the moment when they will see the Kingdom come. Jesus is at the centre of all that happens here – he is clearly lauded as the rightful king. In the ancient near east you wouldn’t lay your cloak on the ground for your friend or even for a highly honoured person. You wouldn’t remove branches from the trees to wave for just anyone. No, these are acts which were reserved for welcoming the true king. Mark wants to make clear to his readers that Jesus is King and that he has authority as such. This is no constitutional monarchy but the seat of overall power and authority.

Jesus’ actions in the temple make clear that he has authority even there. His overturning of the tables force the suspension of the whole sacrificial system of worship. Jesus doesn’t just challenge materialism and commercialisation, he challenges the whole system. He teaches and acts with authority. In many ways it is these actions which lead (in human terms) directly to his death.

   What is our reaction to Jesus’ kingship and authority? Has Jesus become merely our helper and guide or will we give him complete authority in our lives. Authority over our money, possessions, time and beliefs? Jesus demands this with the promise that, if we forgive others, he will grant us his authority for his purposes.

(church musician)

Aug 20th

1 Samuel 12     Jeremiah 49     Mark 10     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

The rich young man approaches Jesus in the same fashion as the previously encountered crowds of people, running over to him and falling on his knees.Even if he is not fully aware of Jesus’ true identity, he believes that this teacher is great enough to hold the key to eternal life. The young man is certainly committed, in that he has determinedly upheld the Mosaic laws throughout his life, but the very manner of his declaration indicates that he is proud of this fact and has arrived in a situation where he worships his rules ahead of his God. 

Despite his pride and misplaced efforts, Jesus loves him.  He looks at the young man in a way that we see him doing throughout the gospels – not merely physically looking at him but looking through and into him. Jesus sees the young man and sees us as we truly are and shows us the most critical features of ourselves that we so often miss. 

The young man asked the question ‘What must I do?’ and Jesus’ later response to his confused disciples strikes at the heart of the misunderstanding he has made, and that we regularly make ourselves. ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.’

(church musician)

Aug 19th

1 Samuel 11     Jeremiah 48     Mark 9     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Upon the arrival into Capernaum, Jesus takes his disciples to task about their argument on the road. They are understandably reluctant to confess to their master the nature of their disagreement. Having just witnessed Jesus driving out of an evil spirit from a young boy, and learning that such acts could only be accomplished through prayer and being humble before God, it is a humiliating experience to be reprimanded by their teacher for arguing over which of them ranked as the greatest disciple.

 Jesus sits them down and points out that is the quality of a servant that will mark them out as his followers.  That this instruction does not sink in is very evident from their behaviour in Mark 10.35, with James and John asking Jesus to do for them whatever they ask, rather than what they might do for him.

We should perhaps ask ourselves on occasion whether we are too concerned with what we want and our own status, maybe on quite trivial matters such as that the disciples were discussing, ahead of what we can give and how we can serve others.

(church musician)

Aug 18th

1 Samuel 10     Jeremiah 47     Mark 8     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

One of the things we overlook at our peril in the economy of God is that a call to ministry has two component parts, both of which must happen if the ministry is to be blessed as God intends it. There needs to be both an ‘anointing’ and an ‘appointing.’ The former is often a private matter (or at least something evident to only a few people) and so it is here. Samuel gives Saul specific prophetic directions by which his physical needs will be met as he travels to meet a group of prophets and the Holy Spirit comes upon him ‘in power.’

Samuel had told him that when this happens, ‘you will be changed into a different person.’ Centuries later, Jesus, after himself being filled with the Holy Spirit, teaches Nicodemus that he needs to be born again. A few years later, St Paul teaches the Corinthians about becoming a new creation. If we seek new life – for the first time in conversion or a renewal of commitment or ministry – the agent is always God’s Holy Spirit. There is no sidestepping his anointing if we are to be fruitful for the Lord God.

But this is only the beginning. For an anointed ministry to be truly authentic and fruitful, the person (or, on occasion, group) must be appointed by God’s people – specifically by its own anointed and appointed leaders. In modern church life, there are many people who clearly carry the Lord’s anointing but whose ministry is not flourishing as it could be. The two main reasons for this are, on the one hand, the failure of church leadership to identify and release anointed people into appointed ministry; and, on the other, the refusal by anointed people to come under the godly authority and leadership which God has ordained.

Our reading from Jeremiah is chilling but not a message we can avoid. Judgement will come upon those who will not bow the knee to the Lord. Peter tells us that the Lord is patient, longing for all to come to saving faith. Are we doing all we can to help others to find it?

A second feeding of the multitude? Surely there must be some mistake? That is the conclusion of liberal scholars. But would Mark really be that dim? More to the point, would the Holy Spirit?! There is no mistake here. Jesus repeated this miracle because people are so slow to understand that he truly can meet all our needs. All week we have seen God’s people – in the time of Samuel, Jeremiah and Jesus himself – struggling to maintain a pure faith in him rather than subtly moving it to something else: the ark of the covenant, a warrior king or powerful ally, religious observance.

The repetition of the miracle is followed by a private conversation between Jesus and his disciples, in which Jesus holds the ace card of being able to follow those parts of the conversation they think are hidden inside their heads. In warning them to avoid ‘the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod,’ Jesus is telling them not to place their trust in human religious or political power, but in God alone.

After restoring sight to a blind man, Jesus asks his followers a question to determine whether they have gained spiritual sight. It’s THE question, the one to which all human life must address itself at some stage, the question which demands an answer of all of us. ‘Who do you say I am?’

Straight away we read Peter’s glorious assertion of the true identity and purpose of Jesus, followed by Jesus’ warning that following him means choosing the path of sacrifice and death, at least in the world’s eyes.

But before we move on to another week of readings, what answer have you given to Jesus’ question?

(member of the clergy)