- Published on
Matthew 18:19-20
We often say — and with conviction — that the gathering is important, and it undoubtedly is essential in our faith and walk with God. Why? I believe that it is important for Him as well as for us. He created us as social creatures; we fade and shrink without company. We need look no further now than the great rise in mental illness following the isolation strictures of the Pandemic.
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
[Matthew 18:19-20 NKJV]
The message in this Scripture reading says clearly that when we gather together ‘in His name’ — in like mind with Him (in His nature) — by sensing His presence in the midst of the gathering and rising in that same spirit to meet with Him in the air, we truly become His church; the body of Christ, of which He is the head.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
[1 Thessalonians 4:17-18]
The Bible stresses again and again through the Heavenly picture it portrays, that God works in individuals to reveal His corporate plan for all of His people; thus it is important, nay imperative, that we gather together — sharing His word and spirit together, with Jesus in the midst.
This gathering builds into us all those qualities of His personality — best described in Galatians 5:22-23 ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.’
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
[Matthew 18:19-20 NKJV]
The message in this Scripture reading says clearly that when we gather together ‘in His name’ — in like mind with Him (in His nature) — by sensing His presence in the midst of the gathering and rising in that same spirit to meet with Him in the air, we truly become His church; the body of Christ, of which He is the head.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
[1 Thessalonians 4:17-18]
The Bible stresses again and again through the Heavenly picture it portrays, that God works in individuals to reveal His corporate plan for all of His people; thus it is important, nay imperative, that we gather together — sharing His word and spirit together, with Jesus in the midst.
This gathering builds into us all those qualities of His personality — best described in Galatians 5:22-23 ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.’
Therefore, brothers, having boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus. Beware of imagining that intercession means bringing our personal sympathies into the presence of God and demanding that we do what we ask. Our approach to God is due entirely to the vicarious identification of our Lord with sin.
[from ‘My Utmost For His Highest’ by Oswald Chambers]
[from ‘My Utmost For His Highest’ by Oswald Chambers]
- Published on
Matthew 27:27-31
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.
When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head.
And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.
[Matthew 27:27-31 NKJV]
The word used with the crown of thorns here and in other verses is ‘twisted’. It is normally used in two ways — one meaning to force out of its normal shape and the other (referring to the mind) to warp or be unhealthily abnormal. However you read it in reference to Jesus, this was meant as an attack on His mind, mocking Him in an attempt to send a message to all who followed Him that their belief was no more than sheer foolishness. We can say that with clarity. Here was Man mocking God, and as we understand, God will not be mocked. ('Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap' [Galatians 6:7 NKJV])
For each of us, we see that our daily struggle is in our mindset, our thoughts. Satan (that is the spirit of this world that rests within our nature) seeks to bring us down or lure us away from Christ by the thoughts that spring — as it seems newly-formed — into our consciousness; and we consider ourselves clever. But this crown the Accuser bestows becomes one of pain and confusion -- a crown of thorns indeed.
Our Lord knows this. He says, ‘expect it’. Expect the mocking; the stripping away of all you know and love; to have your old clothes — your old ways — thrown back at you, accusing and denigrating until the life is taken from you. Our Lord knows for it was His to bear also.
We all at times wear a crown of thorns; the twisted reasoning thrust onto and piercing into our minds -- the deed done by others or at our own hand. Our only recourse is to turn towards Jesus; He has already been to and through the Cross. As the Angel which appeared at the tomb said to the two Mary's at the tomb, 'He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold I have told you' [Matthew 28:7b NKJV]. Galilee, as we have already discovered in our study of John's Gospel, represents trust and faith in God. We still have to reap the consequences of the twisted or distorted sowing, but we have been told, 'you will see Him'.
When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head.
And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.
[Matthew 27:27-31 NKJV]
The word used with the crown of thorns here and in other verses is ‘twisted’. It is normally used in two ways — one meaning to force out of its normal shape and the other (referring to the mind) to warp or be unhealthily abnormal. However you read it in reference to Jesus, this was meant as an attack on His mind, mocking Him in an attempt to send a message to all who followed Him that their belief was no more than sheer foolishness. We can say that with clarity. Here was Man mocking God, and as we understand, God will not be mocked. ('Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap' [Galatians 6:7 NKJV])
For each of us, we see that our daily struggle is in our mindset, our thoughts. Satan (that is the spirit of this world that rests within our nature) seeks to bring us down or lure us away from Christ by the thoughts that spring — as it seems newly-formed — into our consciousness; and we consider ourselves clever. But this crown the Accuser bestows becomes one of pain and confusion -- a crown of thorns indeed.
Our Lord knows this. He says, ‘expect it’. Expect the mocking; the stripping away of all you know and love; to have your old clothes — your old ways — thrown back at you, accusing and denigrating until the life is taken from you. Our Lord knows for it was His to bear also.
We all at times wear a crown of thorns; the twisted reasoning thrust onto and piercing into our minds -- the deed done by others or at our own hand. Our only recourse is to turn towards Jesus; He has already been to and through the Cross. As the Angel which appeared at the tomb said to the two Mary's at the tomb, 'He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold I have told you' [Matthew 28:7b NKJV]. Galilee, as we have already discovered in our study of John's Gospel, represents trust and faith in God. We still have to reap the consequences of the twisted or distorted sowing, but we have been told, 'you will see Him'.
The highest Christian love is not devotion to a work or to a cause, but to Jesus Christ.
[from ‘The Place of Help’ by Oswald Chambers]
[from ‘The Place of Help’ by Oswald Chambers]
Here is a link to the BBC Radio series ‘The History of The World in 100 Objects’ by Neil McGregor, based on objects held in the British Museum. The episode linked here is the ‘Holy Thorn Reliquary’, which you may find of interest.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b00swmrh
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b00swmrh
- Published on
Hebrews 2:11-12
The passage below was one of Stan’s ‘Praise Quotes’ a few days ago (No 1795, I think) …
When the enemy came upon me to devour me, he stumbled and fell to the ground. Though an host of men were encamped against me, yet will I put my trust in him...
I felt that I should search for the appropriate scripture (which is Psalm 27), but my quotation is not that, but from Hebrews 2:
For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying:
“I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”
And again:
“I will put My trust in Him.”
And again:
“Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”
[Hebrews 2:11-12 NKJV]
My interest was in ‘yet will I put my trust in Him’. The writer to the Hebrews makes it clear that the Sanctifier and the sanctified — the Holy One and those who have been made Holy — become one. That bond of oneness is thus one of complete and unreserved trust.
We often talk or sing of putting our trust in Him, which surely is our earnest desire; but we must also keep to the forefront of our faith that Jesus says “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.” When we trust in Him He calls us brothers.
When the enemy came upon me to devour me, he stumbled and fell to the ground. Though an host of men were encamped against me, yet will I put my trust in him...
I felt that I should search for the appropriate scripture (which is Psalm 27), but my quotation is not that, but from Hebrews 2:
For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying:
“I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”
And again:
“I will put My trust in Him.”
And again:
“Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”
[Hebrews 2:11-12 NKJV]
My interest was in ‘yet will I put my trust in Him’. The writer to the Hebrews makes it clear that the Sanctifier and the sanctified — the Holy One and those who have been made Holy — become one. That bond of oneness is thus one of complete and unreserved trust.
We often talk or sing of putting our trust in Him, which surely is our earnest desire; but we must also keep to the forefront of our faith that Jesus says “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.” When we trust in Him He calls us brothers.
Love for God does not spring naturally out of the human heart; but it is open to us to choose whether we will have the love of God imparted to us by the Holy Spirit. “…, the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5; see also Luke 11:13).
We are emphasising just now the need of voluntary choice. It is of no use to pray, “O Lord, for more love! Give me love like Thine; I do want to love Thee better,” if we have not begun at the first place, and that is to choose to receive the Holy Spirit Who will shed abroad the love of God in our hearts.
[from ‘Biblical Psychology’ by Oswald Chambers]
We are emphasising just now the need of voluntary choice. It is of no use to pray, “O Lord, for more love! Give me love like Thine; I do want to love Thee better,” if we have not begun at the first place, and that is to choose to receive the Holy Spirit Who will shed abroad the love of God in our hearts.
[from ‘Biblical Psychology’ by Oswald Chambers]
- Published on
1 Peter 1:18-19
This meditation comes from Ellel Ministries
’Seeds of the Kindom’
Copyright © 2021 Ellel UK Online Store, All rights reserved.
’Seeds of the Kindom’
Copyright © 2021 Ellel UK Online Store, All rights reserved.
For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
[1 Peter 1:18-19, NLT]
In the UK the chances of being bitten by a poisonous snake are very low, but in America, Australia and West Africa the reverse is true. In fact, Thomasville, Georgia, is known as the ‘Rattlesnake Capital of America’ – the centre of America’s snake belt. Apart from the danger of dying from being bitten by a poisonous snake there, farmers worry about their cattle and horses, because the animals are unable to let their owners know they have been bitten and need urgent treatment.
Sheep, however, are not affected in the same way by a snake bite. They do react to the bite and the location can swell up, but the snake bite doesn’t kill the sheep. Their blood contains unique antibodies which protect them from the venom. In fact, it was reported that the sheep on a 250-acre farm in Carmarthen, South Wales, have blood with the purest antidote to the world’s deadliest snakes. Their blood is now being used to develop the most powerful cure to snake bite yet discovered.
As I read about this, I was reminded that Satan is often depicted as a snake. In that guise he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, leading them to sin by disobeying God. The ‘bite’ of Satan resulted in their death. We have inherited that same venom running through our veins from the moment of our conception and birth. Unless treated, it will result in our eternal death, separation from God.
All through the Old Testament we can see the blood shed by bulls and goats being used to nullify the Serpent’s venom, but it wasn’t eternally effective. ‘But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins’ (Hebrews 10:4).
The world was waiting for the perfect antidote, the blood which would truly destroy Satan’s venom. And finally, two thousand years ago, it arrived in the form of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He suffered and died and shed His precious blood for us. His blood was the perfect antidote to cleanse us from all poison (sin). He was and is the spotless Lamb of God, and those sheep I mentioned earlier are a wonderful reminder of this.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You shedding Your blood so I might be cleansed and healed from the poison of sin. The blood of the Lamb overcomes the bite of Satan every time. Not a soul is lost who takes for themself the antidote which Jesus freely offers to everyone who gives their life to Him. Hallelujah what a Saviour! Amen.
Today's Writer : Philip Asselin
Philip is on the associate ministry and teaching teams with Glyndley Manor. He and his wife Gillian attended the second Healing Retreat at Glyndley Manor in 1992, and were greatly helped. They have two grown up children, one grandson, and a step-granddaughter in California, and a daughter and granddaughter in Eastbourne. His desire is to see people healed and set free to serve God.
[1 Peter 1:18-19, NLT]
In the UK the chances of being bitten by a poisonous snake are very low, but in America, Australia and West Africa the reverse is true. In fact, Thomasville, Georgia, is known as the ‘Rattlesnake Capital of America’ – the centre of America’s snake belt. Apart from the danger of dying from being bitten by a poisonous snake there, farmers worry about their cattle and horses, because the animals are unable to let their owners know they have been bitten and need urgent treatment.
Sheep, however, are not affected in the same way by a snake bite. They do react to the bite and the location can swell up, but the snake bite doesn’t kill the sheep. Their blood contains unique antibodies which protect them from the venom. In fact, it was reported that the sheep on a 250-acre farm in Carmarthen, South Wales, have blood with the purest antidote to the world’s deadliest snakes. Their blood is now being used to develop the most powerful cure to snake bite yet discovered.
As I read about this, I was reminded that Satan is often depicted as a snake. In that guise he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, leading them to sin by disobeying God. The ‘bite’ of Satan resulted in their death. We have inherited that same venom running through our veins from the moment of our conception and birth. Unless treated, it will result in our eternal death, separation from God.
All through the Old Testament we can see the blood shed by bulls and goats being used to nullify the Serpent’s venom, but it wasn’t eternally effective. ‘But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins’ (Hebrews 10:4).
The world was waiting for the perfect antidote, the blood which would truly destroy Satan’s venom. And finally, two thousand years ago, it arrived in the form of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He suffered and died and shed His precious blood for us. His blood was the perfect antidote to cleanse us from all poison (sin). He was and is the spotless Lamb of God, and those sheep I mentioned earlier are a wonderful reminder of this.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You shedding Your blood so I might be cleansed and healed from the poison of sin. The blood of the Lamb overcomes the bite of Satan every time. Not a soul is lost who takes for themself the antidote which Jesus freely offers to everyone who gives their life to Him. Hallelujah what a Saviour! Amen.
Today's Writer : Philip Asselin
Philip is on the associate ministry and teaching teams with Glyndley Manor. He and his wife Gillian attended the second Healing Retreat at Glyndley Manor in 1992, and were greatly helped. They have two grown up children, one grandson, and a step-granddaughter in California, and a daughter and granddaughter in Eastbourne. His desire is to see people healed and set free to serve God.
Many a man has awakened love before the time, and has reaped hell into the bargain. Love is awakened before the time whenever a man or woman ignores the worship of God and becomes a mere creature of impulsive passions.
[from ‘Our Portrait In Genesis’ by Oswald Chambers]
[from ‘Our Portrait In Genesis’ by Oswald Chambers]
YOU TUBE VIDEO
“There Is Power In The Blood”
presented by Acapeldridge
“There Is Power In The Blood”
presented by Acapeldridge
- Published on
John 19:16-18
We were introduced a few years ago to a wonderful song, written by an English songwriter, Michael Frye. The words (see note 1 below) share the personal experience of making Jesus the centre of our lives.
The word ‘centre’ appears 6 times in the New King James Version of the Bible — once in the Book of Judges; 4 times in Ezekiel 48, and once in John 19, making that the only mention in the New Testament.
Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away.
And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the centre.
“Jesus, be the centre.” That is the message. He has to be the centre of our lives if we are to find ourselves in the right place. What did He say on the Cross?
Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
[Luke 23:39-43 NKJV]
It is not John (who was there) who reports this, but Luke. John, as an eyewitness says that Jesus seeks that John look after Mary, Jesus’ mother. Luke reports that Jesus ministers to the thieves on either side of Him, condemned also. In both circumstances, Jesus is the centre of events. That, assuredly, is the case elsewhere and everywhere.
Matthew writes “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” [Matthew 18:20 NKJV], and it matters not what our sin has been, if we acknowledge Him as the centre, He will be with us, and we shall be with Him, today — now — in Paradise.
Let Jesus be your centre.
The word ‘centre’ appears 6 times in the New King James Version of the Bible — once in the Book of Judges; 4 times in Ezekiel 48, and once in John 19, making that the only mention in the New Testament.
Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away.
And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the centre.
“Jesus, be the centre.” That is the message. He has to be the centre of our lives if we are to find ourselves in the right place. What did He say on the Cross?
Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
[Luke 23:39-43 NKJV]
It is not John (who was there) who reports this, but Luke. John, as an eyewitness says that Jesus seeks that John look after Mary, Jesus’ mother. Luke reports that Jesus ministers to the thieves on either side of Him, condemned also. In both circumstances, Jesus is the centre of events. That, assuredly, is the case elsewhere and everywhere.
Matthew writes “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” [Matthew 18:20 NKJV], and it matters not what our sin has been, if we acknowledge Him as the centre, He will be with us, and we shall be with Him, today — now — in Paradise.
Let Jesus be your centre.
Note 1:
Jesus, be the centre
Be my source, be my light
Jesus
Jesus, be the centre
Be my hope, be my song
Jesus
Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live
Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, be my vision
Be my path, be my guide
Jesus
Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live
Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, be the centre
Be my source, be my light
Jesus
Be my source, be my light
Jesus
Be my source, be my light
Jesus
Jesus, be the centre
Be my hope, be my song
Jesus
Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live
Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, be my vision
Be my path, be my guide
Jesus
Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live
Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, be the centre
Be my source, be my light
Jesus
Be my source, be my light
Jesus
The marvellous, uncrushable characteristic of a saint is that he does discern God. You may put a saint in tribulation, amid an onslaught of principalities and powers, in peril, pestilence or under the sword, you may put a saint anywhere you like, and he is ‘more than conqueror’ every time. Why? Because his heart being filled with the love of God, he has the power to perceive and understand that behind all these things is God making them ‘work together for good’.
[from ‘Biblical Psychology’ by Oswald Chambers]
[from ‘Biblical Psychology’ by Oswald Chambers]
- Published on
1 Peter 4:12-13
A few nights ago I sat outside as the sun set and watched what the world — or at least our small corner of it — was doing. Beside me was our fire pit, slowly burning away at the logs placed there, and I mused and considered on what I was seeing.
The fire was slowly consuming the log and as it did so sent a plume of smoke upward. It reminded me of the pillar of smoke by day and the fire by night as mentioned in the Old Testament as a guiding and protecting. In the New Testament we can see that it gives us a deeper picture.
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
I recalled that wood was a type of our natural existence and that when we tie ourselves to the horns of the altar of incense the Lord will place us on the altar to release a ‘sweet smelling savour’, a sacrifice of who we are that is pleasing to Him, because it is pure and holy, cleansed by fire. That release through the fiery trial of our faith becomes smoke — the Holy Spirit carrying us through the veil in the tabernacle to the holiest of all.
A complicated picture no doubt; but simply put, we are made into the likeness of our Lord by the fiery trial of our faith that Peter talks of, and we should be joyous that these difficulties come upon us because they draw us nearer to God.
The fire was slowly consuming the log and as it did so sent a plume of smoke upward. It reminded me of the pillar of smoke by day and the fire by night as mentioned in the Old Testament as a guiding and protecting. In the New Testament we can see that it gives us a deeper picture.
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
I recalled that wood was a type of our natural existence and that when we tie ourselves to the horns of the altar of incense the Lord will place us on the altar to release a ‘sweet smelling savour’, a sacrifice of who we are that is pleasing to Him, because it is pure and holy, cleansed by fire. That release through the fiery trial of our faith becomes smoke — the Holy Spirit carrying us through the veil in the tabernacle to the holiest of all.
A complicated picture no doubt; but simply put, we are made into the likeness of our Lord by the fiery trial of our faith that Peter talks of, and we should be joyous that these difficulties come upon us because they draw us nearer to God.
Peace: Life in the Spirit
There is a dark line in God’s face, but what we do know about Him is so full of peace and joy that we can wait for His interpretation.
[from ‘Disciples Indeed’ by Oswald Chambers]
[from ‘Disciples Indeed’ by Oswald Chambers]
- Published on
John 11:45-57
Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs.
Directly after Lazarus was raised again to life, many came to believe in Jesus and follow Him; and of course it did not take long before some brought this before the chief priests and the Pharisees (see note 1 below); and then the oft repeated notion that the Jews sought the death of Jesus really takes off.
If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”
We can see in this verse — this statement — how the mindset of the Pharisees prevails, fear moves in and they become concerned about all that they have become and how they might lose that position of authority should Jesus be allowed to continue in His way.
And one of them, Caiaphas [meaning ‘as comely’], being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.”
Caiaphas, who is the duty High Priest at that time, makes the comparison between allowing Jesus to die as against their whole way of life. Surely, he says it is better to dispose of Jesus than to lose all that we are?
Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.
The fear was that Jesus would begin an alternative religious structure that would supplant their own religion — basically they would all be redundant — in which they were entirely correct. Jesus intent was to do the Will of the Father which was to bring about a truth which the Pharisees did not comprehend.
Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.
[John 11:47-53 NKJV]
This is always what the religious mind seeks in reality — the death of Jesus. Jesus always promoted and exclusively sought a relationship with Father God. The religious mind seeks its own understanding, its own will, and not the Will of God. Thus the truth must be crushed.
PRAYER: Oh Heavenly Father, help us to move only in Your truth. Let us not descend into religiosity and thus seek our own way. May Your way be the only way in our lives. Hallelujah and amen!
Directly after Lazarus was raised again to life, many came to believe in Jesus and follow Him; and of course it did not take long before some brought this before the chief priests and the Pharisees (see note 1 below); and then the oft repeated notion that the Jews sought the death of Jesus really takes off.
If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”
We can see in this verse — this statement — how the mindset of the Pharisees prevails, fear moves in and they become concerned about all that they have become and how they might lose that position of authority should Jesus be allowed to continue in His way.
And one of them, Caiaphas [meaning ‘as comely’], being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.”
Caiaphas, who is the duty High Priest at that time, makes the comparison between allowing Jesus to die as against their whole way of life. Surely, he says it is better to dispose of Jesus than to lose all that we are?
Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.
The fear was that Jesus would begin an alternative religious structure that would supplant their own religion — basically they would all be redundant — in which they were entirely correct. Jesus intent was to do the Will of the Father which was to bring about a truth which the Pharisees did not comprehend.
Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.
[John 11:47-53 NKJV]
This is always what the religious mind seeks in reality — the death of Jesus. Jesus always promoted and exclusively sought a relationship with Father God. The religious mind seeks its own understanding, its own will, and not the Will of God. Thus the truth must be crushed.
PRAYER: Oh Heavenly Father, help us to move only in Your truth. Let us not descend into religiosity and thus seek our own way. May Your way be the only way in our lives. Hallelujah and amen!
NOTE 1: PHARISEES — A sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books, the Pharisees recognised in oral tradition a standard of belief and life. They sought for distinction and praise by outward observance of external rites and by outward forms of piety, and such as ceremonial washings, fastings, prayers, and alms giving; and, comparatively negligent of genuine piety, they prided themselves on their fancied good works. They held strenuously to a belief in the existence of good and evil angels, and to the expectation of a Messiah; and they cherished the hope that the dead, after a preliminary experience either of reward or of penalty in Hades, would be recalled to life by him, and be requited each according to his individual deeds. In opposition to the usurped dominion of the Herods and the rule of the Romans, they stoutly upheld the theocracy and their country's cause, and possessed great influence with the common people. According to Josephus they numbered more than 6000. They were bitter enemies of Jesus and his cause; and were in turn severely rebuked by him for their avarice, ambition, hollow reliance on outward works, and affection of piety in order to gain popularity.
There are 10000 reasons and many more, why we need to worship and hold to the life of Jesus in the midst of us.
Peace: Life in the Spirit
The revelation of identification means that we are one with God in His Son, but not by obedience, for obedience is nothing more than the human approach to this mightiest of revelations.
We enter into identification by the door of obedience and faith, but the oneness is a revelation.
When we do touch God we lose all consciousness of being in conscious touch with Him, we are so absorbed with His peace and power that language cannot convey the assurance of the oneness. The experience of sanctification is simply the entrance into this relationship.
[from ‘Approved Unto God’ by Oswald Chambers]
We enter into identification by the door of obedience and faith, but the oneness is a revelation.
When we do touch God we lose all consciousness of being in conscious touch with Him, we are so absorbed with His peace and power that language cannot convey the assurance of the oneness. The experience of sanctification is simply the entrance into this relationship.
[from ‘Approved Unto God’ by Oswald Chambers]
- Published on
John 11:38-44
Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.
A cave with a stone covering the entrance was often the usual form of burial at that time; a cave or a hollowed out enclosure often designed to form a burial site for a family.
However, with what we know about Jesus’ death and resurrection we cannot help but equate the two events, with this as a foreshadowing of that momentous event.
Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
With Lazarus already dead for four days — and in the hot middle-eastern climate — there would inevitably have been the dreadful smell of corruption from the dead body.
Jesus is unconcerned about this. Indeed, what we know of Him, He was very grounded in reality, if we can put it that way; there is never a suggestion at any time, that Jesus was anything other than certain of the deepest reality and thus the fundamental truth in everything He did then — and does now through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying.
And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”
Taking the stone away from the tomb is shining light into a dark place; it is revelation and it is life triumphing over death.
Jesus speaks aloud so that those around Him can hear His prayer and fully understand what is happening and the miracle that is occurring — that the awesome power of a Creator God is focussing on one man, turning time back on itself and restoring life where there was none.
Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”
And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
[John 11:38-44 NKJV]
After the long lead up to this event there is almost an anticlimax in these words; a matter-of -fact statement, no more than that. Their import has to be allowed to sink in to our minds. Indeed, from the Divine perspective, this is a daily occurrence — all in a day’s work. Jesus’ story now swiftly moves on.
A cave with a stone covering the entrance was often the usual form of burial at that time; a cave or a hollowed out enclosure often designed to form a burial site for a family.
However, with what we know about Jesus’ death and resurrection we cannot help but equate the two events, with this as a foreshadowing of that momentous event.
Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
With Lazarus already dead for four days — and in the hot middle-eastern climate — there would inevitably have been the dreadful smell of corruption from the dead body.
Jesus is unconcerned about this. Indeed, what we know of Him, He was very grounded in reality, if we can put it that way; there is never a suggestion at any time, that Jesus was anything other than certain of the deepest reality and thus the fundamental truth in everything He did then — and does now through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying.
And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”
Taking the stone away from the tomb is shining light into a dark place; it is revelation and it is life triumphing over death.
Jesus speaks aloud so that those around Him can hear His prayer and fully understand what is happening and the miracle that is occurring — that the awesome power of a Creator God is focussing on one man, turning time back on itself and restoring life where there was none.
Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”
And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
[John 11:38-44 NKJV]
After the long lead up to this event there is almost an anticlimax in these words; a matter-of -fact statement, no more than that. Their import has to be allowed to sink in to our minds. Indeed, from the Divine perspective, this is a daily occurrence — all in a day’s work. Jesus’ story now swiftly moves on.
AWESOME GOD lyrics
Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom power and love
Our God is an awesome God.
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom power and love
Our God is an awesome God.
Peace: Life in the Spirit
“If all God can do for me is to destroy the unity I once had, make me a divided personality, give me light that makes me morally insane with longing to do what I cannot do, I would rather be without His salvation, rather remain happy and peaceful without Him.”
But if this experience is only a stage toward a life of peace and union with God, it is a different matter.
[from ‘Biblical Ethics’]
But if this experience is only a stage toward a life of peace and union with God, it is a different matter.
[from ‘Biblical Ethics’]
- Published on
John 11:30-37
Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him.
Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”
Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.
[John 11:30-33 NKJV]
Mary repeats what Martha had said, “Lord, if You had been here …”. Again we hear those words. What do they express to you? To me they suggest disappointment in Jesus. He has performed many miracles; great healings, cast out demons, so that His followers have begun to think that He will always turn up ‘in the nick of time’ and save the day.
When Jesus saw Mary crying ‘He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.’ Jesus was very deeply affected by the impact of His seemingly late arrival on both Martha and Mary (and those with them).
And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”
Jesus wept.
Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”
And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”
[John 11:34-37 NKJV]
Jesus Himself was very much affected by this situation. As has been said, this was His greatest trial so far, but more than that was His immense compassion for and connection with all those present who placed so much faith in Him. More than that, His earnest desire was that those who followed Him would have every bit as much faith in Father God as He does.
There will be times in our walk with Him, when it seems that He is not there; that we say, “Lord, if You had been here, things would be so different. Such and such would not have happened.” When we doubt Him, Jesus weeps. He sheds tears for our lack; willing us to know Father God as He does.
Believe in Father God as Jesus does, because He is with us every step, even when it seems that He is not there. He is always there — only believe.
Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”
Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.
[John 11:30-33 NKJV]
Mary repeats what Martha had said, “Lord, if You had been here …”. Again we hear those words. What do they express to you? To me they suggest disappointment in Jesus. He has performed many miracles; great healings, cast out demons, so that His followers have begun to think that He will always turn up ‘in the nick of time’ and save the day.
When Jesus saw Mary crying ‘He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.’ Jesus was very deeply affected by the impact of His seemingly late arrival on both Martha and Mary (and those with them).
And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”
Jesus wept.
Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”
And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”
[John 11:34-37 NKJV]
Jesus Himself was very much affected by this situation. As has been said, this was His greatest trial so far, but more than that was His immense compassion for and connection with all those present who placed so much faith in Him. More than that, His earnest desire was that those who followed Him would have every bit as much faith in Father God as He does.
There will be times in our walk with Him, when it seems that He is not there; that we say, “Lord, if You had been here, things would be so different. Such and such would not have happened.” When we doubt Him, Jesus weeps. He sheds tears for our lack; willing us to know Father God as He does.
Believe in Father God as Jesus does, because He is with us every step, even when it seems that He is not there. He is always there — only believe.
Peace: Life in the Spirit
Conscience must be educated at the Cross. Always bring the conscience of others to face the Cross of Christ. Is my life worthy of what Jesus Christ did on the Cross? Are there the elements of ability and power and peace stamped with the almightiness that comes through the Cross? If not, I am not where I should be.
The Cross of Christ means that the Spirit of God can empower me almightily.
[from ‘Approved Unto God’ by Oswald Chambers]
The Cross of Christ means that the Spirit of God can empower me almightily.
[from ‘Approved Unto God’ by Oswald Chambers]
- Published on
John 11:17-27
So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
[John 11:17-23 NKJV]
Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
[John 11:17-23 NKJV]
Whenever Jesus sees belief from one of His own He responds; so when Martha says “I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You” Jesus replies with “Your brother will rise again.” But what does Martha understand by that? The passage now goes on to show more depth, and we see that Martha understands in part at least, if not fully what Jesus means …
Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
[John 11:24-27 NKJV]
Martha believes because she knows Jesus and even if she does not fully know what He means, she is prepared to trust Him. Jesus hopes that she will see and understand that this is not just something for ‘the last day’, but that, if we know and trust Jesus, all His promises are for now and today. Jesus only asks that we believe in Him and trust Him; the rest and His rest will follow.
This is something that is difficult for any of us to fully grasp. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
[2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV]
This can be restated as ‘His promises are true and in Him are trustworthy.’ There is no reason to doubt Him. So, when Jesus says a thing we consider to be impossible, or against the laws of nature as we understand them, we should believe the impossible, because of the source — the one who says it.
The name Martha translates as ‘she was rebellious’; Mary (or Miriam) is ‘their rebellion’. I’m sure there are several ways that this could be interpreted, but I believe — in this instance at least — we should see that we are all rebellious to a degree, until we are perfected in Christ. All of us can miss what Jesus says to us — because of the dark cave we are trying to leave behind.
Jesus says that He is ‘the resurrection and the life’, but He also asks ‘Do you believe this?’
Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
[John 11:24-27 NKJV]
Martha believes because she knows Jesus and even if she does not fully know what He means, she is prepared to trust Him. Jesus hopes that she will see and understand that this is not just something for ‘the last day’, but that, if we know and trust Jesus, all His promises are for now and today. Jesus only asks that we believe in Him and trust Him; the rest and His rest will follow.
This is something that is difficult for any of us to fully grasp. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
[2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV]
This can be restated as ‘His promises are true and in Him are trustworthy.’ There is no reason to doubt Him. So, when Jesus says a thing we consider to be impossible, or against the laws of nature as we understand them, we should believe the impossible, because of the source — the one who says it.
The name Martha translates as ‘she was rebellious’; Mary (or Miriam) is ‘their rebellion’. I’m sure there are several ways that this could be interpreted, but I believe — in this instance at least — we should see that we are all rebellious to a degree, until we are perfected in Christ. All of us can miss what Jesus says to us — because of the dark cave we are trying to leave behind.
Jesus says that He is ‘the resurrection and the life’, but He also asks ‘Do you believe this?’
Joy: Strength in the Lord
Self is not to be annihilated, but to be rightly centred in God. Self-realisation has to be turned into Christ-realisation. Our Lord taught that the principal purpose of our creation is “to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever”; that the sun total of my self is to be consciously centred in God.
[from ‘Biblical Psychology’ by Oswald Chambers]
[from ‘Biblical Psychology’ by Oswald Chambers]