Define Real Triumph

"John 19:1-27

Triumph of Jesus

I remember talking to Father Raniero Cantalamessa, Preacher to the Papal Household, just before he took part in a public debate with one of the ‘New Atheists’. I asked Father Raniero whether he thought he would win. He replied that he did not know. He said he might lose the debate. ‘But,’ he added, ‘God can be glorified in defeat.’

The crucifixion of Jesus shows that God can be glorified in what appears to be a defeat. This is the moment of Jesus’ greatest triumph.

Three times Pilate protested that Jesus was innocent (18:38; 19:4–6), and on two further occasions he tried to get out of allowing Jesus’ death (see also 19:12,14). But in the end he was too weak to act as his conscience led. He ‘caved in to their demand. He turned him over to be crucified’ (v.16, MSG).

Jesus’ death was entirely voluntary. Pilate said, ‘Don’t you realise I have power either to free you or to crucify you?’ (v.10). Jesus answered, ‘You haven’t a shred of authority over me except what has been given you from heaven’ (v.11, MSG). The irony was that Jesus had total authority over Pilate.

This was the hour of great darkness. Jesus is flogged, a crown of thorns is put on his head, he is struck in the face, he is handed over to be crucified, he is stripped of his clothes and the soldiers cast lots for his undergarments. Yet through it all the Scriptures are being fulfilled (vv.23–24).

John emphasises the fulfilment of prophecy and the royalty of Jesus. Throughout Jesus’ trial and crucifixion there is the constant theme of whether he is a king. The soldiers dress Jesus up as a mock king and shout, ‘Hail, king of the Jews’ (v.3). Pilate declares with bitter irony, ‘Here is your king’ (v.14), and asks, ‘Shall I crucify your king?’ (v.15). The chief priests reply, ‘We have no king but Caesar’ (v.15), and so Pilate has a sign prepared stating: ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews’ (v.19).

As Jesus is being crucified, he looks anything but a king. He is being taunted and mocked. Yet, the irony is that as Pilate organises for the notice to be prepared (in three languages so everyone can read it, v.20), God’s purposes are being fulfilled in declaring to the world that Jesus is God’s King.

During his trial, Jesus declared to Pilate, ‘You are right in saying that I am a king’ (18:37). However, unlike Caesar, his kingdom is ‘not of this world’ (18:36), for it is an eternal heavenly kingdom. This eternal King is triumphing, not through the might of Roman triumphalism, but through the seeming weakness of death on a cross.

Jesus is triumphing over darkness, evil and sin. Tomorrow we will read those great words, ‘It is finished’ (19:30). Jesus completed the task of bearing the world’s sins in his own body. The greatest victory in the history of the world had been won. This is the triumph of good over evil, of life over death.

If you are struggling at the moment with the circumstances of your life, stay close to Jesus and remember that God can be glorified in defeat. The greatest triumphs in our lives sometimes occur when the circumstances seem to be hardest.

Lord, thank you for your victory over sin, guilt, addiction and death. Thank you that because of your triumph God always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ, and ‘through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him’ (2 Corinthians 2:14)."

1. Praise You for the triumph You bring that no one can. Thank You for eternal life.

2. It was yet another 14-hour trip but thank You for WiFi!

3. Thank You for getting through the immigration without any problems.

The Triumph of God

"‘Houston, we’ve had a problem,’ were the words of Jim Lovell on the evening of 13 April 1970. Nearly fifty-six hours into the mission to the moon, an explosion aboard the spacecraft plunged the crew into a fight for their survival. Within less than a minute there was a cascade of systems failures throughout the spacecraft. ‘It was all at one time – a monstrous failure,’ said NASA’s flight controller.

The spacecraft looped around the moon, using its gravity to return to earth. Millions of people followed the drama on television. Eventually, the capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near Tonga.

‘Although the mission was not a success from a conventional perspective, it was a triumph of ingenuity and determination,’ wrote Paul Rincon, science reporter for the BBC in an article headed Apollo 13: From Disaster to Triumph. Jim Lovell said that it showed the people of the world that even if there was a great catastrophe it could be turned into a success.

The supreme example of triumph coming out of apparent catastrophe is the cross. What seemed to the world to be the ultimate defeat, was in fact the ultimate triumph.

Each of the passages for today tells us something about the biblical understanding of ‘triumph’.

Psalm 68:21-27

Triumph of God

This psalm celebrates God’s ultimate triumph over evil and, in particular, evil nations and empires. The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Donald Coggan, writes, ‘We are invited [in this psalm] to watch the triumphal entry of God into his temple ... Israel’s God has triumphed. Right has won the day ... human hubris and inflated arrogance will at last be humbled before the majesty of God’s just rule.’

David describes a triumphal procession celebrating the victory of God over his enemies: ‘Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies ... your procession has come into view, O God, the procession of my God and King’ (vv.21,24).

There follows a picture of the worshipping community as it should be, with singers, musicians, tambourines and more, all praising God – and with the princes among them (vv.24–27).

Lord, I pray for our nation – that we would see a revival of worship and that the leaders of our nation would be at the heart of worshipping communities, praising God in the great congregation (v.26)."

1. I am grateful for being able to just worship You.

2. It was an amazing and fun day with the boys. It reminds me of old times.

3. Praise God for creativity and ideas, how these can build something so majestic.

He Bore The Burden Of Our Sin

"John 18:25-40

Burden of failure (18:25-27)

The great apostle Peter is asked, ‘ “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not” ’ (v.25). This is his second denial. Then a third time Peter is challenged and denies knowing Jesus (v.26). At that moment a cock began to crow (v.27) – just as Jesus had predicted.

Peter realised, as most of us do from time to time, that he had failed Jesus. A sense of failure can be a great burden.

This passage is not the end of Peter’s story. After his resurrection, Jesus met with Peter and reinstated him, forgiving him for this failure and commissioning him once more (John 21:15–25).

Lord, thank you that although Peter failed you, you took the burden of his failure, you forgave him, reinstated him and used him as powerfully as anyone in human history.

Burden of injustice (vv. 28-38a)

We see in this passage that one of the many things that Jesus had to bear was a totally unfair trial. When Pilate asked, ‘What charges are you bringing against this man?’ (v.29), they replied, ‘If he were not a criminal … we would not have handed him over to you’ (v.30).

One of the basic principles of most justice systems is that the prosecution must prove the case against the defendant. Jesus’ accusers tried to undermine this by turning one of the basic prejudices that every judicial system needs to overcome – the assumption that because a person is on trial they must be guilty.

Pilate also denied Jesus the right to silence. He said, ‘What is it you have done?’ (v.35c). He tried to get Jesus to condemn himself out of his own mouth. Jesus says that he came into the world ‘to testify to the truth’ (v.37b). Pilate asked, ‘What is truth?’ (v.38a). It is almost as if Pilate seems to be questioning (as our post-modern society does) whether there is such a thing as ‘truth’ (that is, absolute truth).

Thank you, Lord, that you endured an unfair trial – and, far worse, the unfair penalty of crucifixion and death – for us all.

Burden of sin (vv. 38b-40)

Despite this unfair trial, Pilate concludes, ‘I find no basis for a charge against him’ (v.38b). Jesus is completely innocent. Pilate wants to release him. He says, ‘It is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release “the king of the Jews”?’ (v.39). 

‘They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion’ (v.40). Jesus, the innocent, is condemned to crucifixion. Barabbas, the sinful, goes free.

The symbolism is clear. On the cross, Jesus the innocent died so that we, the sinful, may go free. He bore the burden of our sin.

‘Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour … our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death’ (Psalm 68:19–20)."

1. Thank You for the gift of salvation. May I always come back to this truth whenever Satan tempts me to do evil.

2. It may have been a 14-hour long trip but thank You for Your protection and provision.

3. Thank You for Your traveling mercies and for being able to meet good, old friends I have not seen for 4 years!

Worries and Anxieties

"At the end of his life, Sir Winston Churchill said, ‘When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened’!

Churchill was speaking about the burden of worries that never materialise. However, there are many different types of ‘burdens’ in life, and some of them are very real. Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you … and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light’ (Matthew 11:28–30).

A yoke is something Jesus would have made in a carpenter’s shop. It is a wooden frame joining two animals (usually oxen) at the neck, enabling them to pull a plough or wagon together. The function of the yoke is to make the burden easier to carry.

I love the way Eugene Peterson translates this passage in The Message: ‘Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I will show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly’ (Matthew 11:28–30).

In each of the passages for today we see different kinds of ‘burdens’.

Psalm 68:15-20

Burden of worry

As Corrie Ten Boom pointed out, ‘Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.’ David praises God ‘who daily bears our burdens’ (v.19). Burdens here may include many things. One of the burdens that God bears for us daily is the weight of worry, stress and anxiety.

In his book Affluenza, the psychologist Oliver James points out that ‘almost a quarter of Britain suffers serious emotional distress, such as depression and anxiety, and another quarter are on the verge thereof. Put bluntly, half of us are in a bad way ... those earning over £50,000 ... were recently shown to be more prone to depression and anxiety than those earning less.’

Each day you can commit to God your worries and anxieties. It makes all the difference. He ‘daily bears our burdens’ (v.19).

Thank you, Lord, that today I can come to you and bring to you all my burdens, worries and anxieties."

1. Thank You Lord that You teach about letting go, about giving the burdens to You.

2. Thank You for delicious and affordable local dishes!

3. Thank You for the gift of great time with new friends, it may be just another season but they have been a great part of me.

Great Example of Loyalty

"John 18:1-24

Strengthen one another

This was a period of intense conflict for David.

Jealousy, as we see here with Saul, never seems to ease off once it gets a grip of a person. It gets worse and worse and drives Saul to more and more cold-blooded evil acts. He thinks nothing of destroying a town full of priests (22:19).

David had to resort to every ruse in order to avoid the attacks. He ate the holy Bread of the Presence (21:1–9, MSG); he pretended to go crazy (v.13) and gathered a motley crew of ‘losers and vagrants and misfits of all sorts’ (22:1, MSG). Yet we see in this passage the qualities of David that emerged even when he was under attack.

Loyalty

David had a reputation for loyalty (v.14) and was highly respected. David and Jonathan were utterly loyal to each other. ‘Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him to find strength in God’ (23:16).

Considering that he could have seen himself as heir to the throne, Jonathan’s attitude to David was extraordinary: ‘You shall be king over Israel, and I will be second to you’ (v.17). They were utterly committed to each other: ‘The two of them made a covenant before the Lord’ (v.18).

There is nothing that helps us more in times when we are under attack than the loyalty of our friends and family. When they are under attack you can help them by your loyalty and support to find strength in God.

Prayer

What is your first port of call when conflict comes in your life? As Joyce Meyer puts it, when trouble comes do you ‘run to the phone’ or do you ‘run to the throne’? David had learnt at this stage of his life the vital importance of enquiring of the Lord before making decisions. When he was under attack again and again ‘David went in prayer to God’ (vv.2,4, MSG). In this way, attacks can actually draw us closer to God.

One of the tragedies of this story is that instead of fighting the real enemy (v.27), God’s people were fighting one another. This gave the Philistines the opportunity to attack. Still today the church is in danger of doing this.

God can take something Satan means for evil and division and turn it into something good. God used the attack by the Philistines to rescue David. ‘Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines’ (v.28). It would be wonderful if the church would break off its infighting and go to face the real enemies that threaten to destroy our world such as injustice, human trafficking, disease and poverty.

Father, help us to be loyal to one another, to stop the in-fighting in the church and to unite to face the real attacks from outside."

1. Thank You, Lord, for giving David as a great example in showing loyalty.

2. Thank You for an awesome night out with old and new friends.

3. Thank You for our ears and for music. :)

Good Out of Evil

"John 18:1-24

Trust that God can bring good out of evil

Sometimes, when conflict comes in our lives, we only have ourselves to blame. However, this is not necessarily always the case. The attacks on Jesus did not come about as a result of his own sin or failure. Rather, they were the result of evil. Yet God used it for good (v.14).

Betrayal

This was a terrible moment in the life of Jesus. His friend and disciple Judas, with whom he had spent three years, led a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest Jesus (vv.1–12).

There is nothing more painful than when an attack comes from a friend or colleague.

Ill-treatment

The very authorities that should have been protecting the innocent joined in the attack on Jesus. They arrested Jesus. ‘They bound him’ (v.12). They took him first to Annas and then to Caiaphas. Standing before the high priest, still bound, Jesus is struck in the face (vv.12–14,19–24).

If Jesus was treated in this way we should not be surprised if, from time to time, we come under attack from those in authority – whether religious or secular.

Denial

Peter’s denial did not come from an evil heart but simply from human weakness. When asked whether he was one of Jesus’ disciples he replied, ‘I am not’ (v.17).

I totally understand how Peter could have got himself into a position of denying Jesus in spite of all his best intentions. I have sometimes said or done things which in hindsight were sheer cowardice.

The reality is that Jesus is in full control of the situation. He knew ‘all that was going to happen to him’ (v.4). He acted to fulfill his own prayer in the previous chapter (v.9, see 17:12). Jesus went to his death ‘to drink the cup the Father has given’ him, paying the penalty for our sin and wrongdoing (18:11).

He paid the penalty for us. ‘It would be good if one person died for the people’ (v.14). Jesus’ death is on behalf of Peter and each one of us. He faces the attack of death and judgment so that we do not have to. Jesus allows himself to be bound (vv.12,24) so that we can be unbound and set free.

Father, thank you for the extraordinary dignity of Jesus in the face of betrayal and sadistic attack. Give me courage and wisdom to know how to respond with dignity and grace when I come under attack. Thank you that you brought good out of evil. Thank you that Jesus died in my place so that I could be set free. Help me to trust that in everything you work together for the good of those who love you and are called according to your purpose (Romans 8:28)."

1. Thank You that even good can indeed come out of evil. You can do anything.

2. Thank You for a 360-degree walk plus hitting 2 birds with one stone.

3. Thank You for having limbs that can bring us to places.

"How to Respond to Conflict"

"A springbok – from which South Africa’s rugby team gets its nickname – is a gazelle-like antelope. Normally they are very alert to predators. However, the BBC’s Wildlife on One programme showed a different side. They filmed two springboks fighting in the Kalahari Desert. As they became absorbed in the fight, they were less alert and more vulnerable to a lion prowling around them, waiting for his opportunity to attack.

It struck me as a picture of the church. When, in the church, we fight one another, we become very vulnerable to attack. ‘The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour’ (1 Peter 5:8).

When God calls you to follow him, he does not call you to a life of ease. Life on earth involves many battles, in all of which God promises you victory through Jesus Christ. There is never going to be a moment in your earthly life when everything is perfect. There are always going to be challenges, difficulties and problems to solve. However, there are times when these intensify and we seem to be coming under attack.

Martin Luther King said that the ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in ‘moments of convenience’, but where they stand in ‘moments of challenge, moments of great crisis and controversy’. How should you respond to conflict?

Proverbs 13:10-19

Persevere through disappointment

The writer of Proverbs contrasts the wise (‘wisdom is found in those who take advice’ (v.10b)) and fools (‘fools detest turning from evil’ (v.19b)). It is not surprising that we experience conflict. In particular, in this passage we see two examples:

Quarrels

‘Pride only breeds quarrels’ (v.10a). One of the most draining experiences of life is quarrelling – whether in a marriage, among friends, with colleagues or in the church. Here we see that one of the causes of quarrels can be pride. If you are willing to admit your mistakes and wrongs with humility, you can avoid a lot of quarrels.

‘Hope deferred makes the heart sick’ (v.12a). Or as the message puts it, ‘unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick’ (v.12a, MSG).

Another key is listening carefully to one another: ‘Arrogant know-it-alls stir up discord, but wise men and women listen to each other’s counsel’ (v.10, MSG).

Disappointments

This is another kind of attack that is sickening. When a vision we have had for something is held up or our plans are delayed because of some attack or let down, disappointment makes the heart sick. We do battle with our own plans and our circumstances.

On the other hand, there is nothing more satisfying than persevering and seeing some part of your vision fulfilled: ‘A longing fulfilled is a tree of life’ (v.12a). ‘A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul’ (v.19a).

In the midst of all the attacks of life there are moments of great joy, fulfilment and satisfaction. The writer of Hebrews says, ‘Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus … who for the joy set before him endured the cross … Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so you will not grow weary and lose heart’ (Hebrews 12:1–3).

Lord, thank you for the times when I see ‘a longing fulfilled’. Thank you that these moments are sweet to the soul and a tree of life. Give me wisdom to avoid pride that leads to quarrels and to turn from evil. Help me to run the race with perseverance with my eyes fixed on Jesus."

1. Your Word is always refreshing, thank You, Lord. Give me wisdom and perseverance. Amen.

2. Hosting people around is probably my ministry here. Thank You, Lord, for giving opportunities like this.

3. Thank You for seasons in life that I get to learn a lot of things about myself and others.

What Is Close Friendship?

"John 17:6-26

The friends and rivals

In politics, business or even in church life, two people who are great friends can at the same time end up competing for the same job. How should we handle the tension between our ambitions and our love for one another?

The story of the friendship of David and Jonathan is a remarkable one. They were rivals for the throne. They had every reason to be envious of each other and to hate each other. Yet Jonathan loved David ‘as he loved himself’ (20:17). This is the highest love one person can have for another. It is the type of love that Jesus commanded us to have when he said ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ (Matthew 22:39).

On the other hand, Saul was filled with jealousy. Jealousy has the power to deprive someone temporarily of their senses. When Jonathan points out to his father, Saul, that David has not wronged him and has benefited him greatly and it would be quite wrong to kill an innocent man like David, Saul says, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be put to death’ (1 Samuel 19:6).

Logic and reasonable argument may convince a person who is filled with jealousy at the time. However, jealousy is so evil and so powerful that once it gets a grip of a person, as it did with Saul, there is no stopping it. As Shakespeare put it in Othello, ‘It is the green-ey’d monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.’

Jealousy starts with comparing ourselves to others – comparing our achievements with those around us. It can be jealousy of those who are very close to us – as it was here between Saul and his own son-in-law.

Throughout this passage we see David and Jonathan’s love for each other. Jonathan ‘was very fond of David’ (v.1) and he ‘spoke well of David’ (v.4). Jonathan even said to David, ‘Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do for you’ (20:4.). What a great commitment to make to a friend! Their commitment to each other took the form of a ‘covenant’ (v.16), which included even their descendants (v.42). And Jonathan ‘made David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself’ (vv.16–17).

As a result, Saul’s jealousy flared up into anger: ‘Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan’ (v.30). Jonathan knew that his father intended to kill David (v.33) and he ‘got up from the table in fierce anger’ (v.34).

The difference between Saul’s anger and Jonathan’s anger was that Saul’s was unfounded and produced by jealousy. Jonathan’s anger was righteous anger that stemmed from his love for David; ‘He was grieved at his father’s shameful treatment of David’ (v.34). Anger is not always wrong – but we must examine our motives carefully.
David and Jonathan were not ashamed of showing their affection for each other; ‘Then they kissed each other and wept together’ (v.41). As Westerners we often regard crying as unmanly. They had no shame in crying openly and showing their love for each other. This is a powerful model of friendship, love and unity. Marriage is one of God’s answers to loneliness. Close friendship is another.

It was this love and friendship that enabled Jonathan to be totally loyal, supportive and protective in spite of the fact that he was a rival candidate to the throne.

Lord, help us to be willing and able to love our friends and neighbours as ourselves. May there be close friendships in the church like that of David and Jonathan. May people find the answer to loneliness in the love, affection and unity of church community."

1. Thank You for close friends. Thank You for these gifts.

2. Thank You for blessing a friend with generous heart.

3. Thank You, likewise, for a very good unexpected entertainment through Ant-man!

4. Thank You for little kids who are so innocent and adorable, which reminds me of going back to the state of having a pure heart like them.

Working Together for Unity

"John 17:6-26

The church and the world

The Gospels speak frequently of the prayers of Jesus. But only on rare occasions are we informed at any length of what he prayed for. In this great prayer of Jesus before he goes out to face the cross we see his priorities.

Jesus prays not only for his disciples, but also for those who will believe in the future – that is to say, he prays for the entire church – including you and me (v.20).

First, he prays for your joy. The followers of Jesus are not supposed to be miserable. Jesus prays, ‘that they may have the full measure of my joy within them’ (v.13).

Second, he prays for your protection. Jesus says that he protected his disciples and kept them safe (v.12). Now he prays, ‘protect them from the evil one’ (v.15).

Third, he prays for your sanctification. Jesus prays, ‘Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth’ (v.17). Holiness comes from the truth. The truth is found in God’s word. That is why it is so important to soak yourself in God’s word.

Finally, this prayer is dominated by the theme of unity and love. Jesus prays not only for unity among his disciples (v.11), but also for the church (v.20). He prays for a unity like that which unites the Trinity: ‘that they may be one, as we are one’ (v.11, AMP).

The motive for unity is the great commission of Jesus

Jesus prayed for complete unity so that the world may believe (v.23). I don’t think there is any doubt that one of the greatest barriers to belief is disunity in the church. In politics, the moment a political party becomes disunited, it loses popularity. It happens in the secular world, and even more so in the church. When churches fight each other, people lose interest.

Conversely, when churches do unite it is so attractive. Unity is powerful. Yet it is never easy; it is always a huge challenge.

The means of unity is the Holy Spirit of Jesus

Jesus prays that ‘I myself may be in them’ (v.26). This is the most extraordinary truth of the New Testament – that Jesus comes to live in us by the Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit lives in all Christians of whatever church or denomination. The Holy Spirit unites us.

The mark of unity is the love of Jesus

Jesus prays that ‘the love you have for me may be in them’ (v.26). What higher love can you have than the love that God the Father has for Jesus his Son? Jesus’ prayer for you is that the love you have in your heart for other Christians, for other parts of the body of Christ, should be the same love that God the Father has for Jesus.

The measure of unity is the visibility of Jesus

Sometimes people speak about ‘invisible unity’. But Jesus didn’t pray for invisible unity. He didn’t pray that we might be ‘almost united’. He prayed that they may ‘be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me’ (v.23). He wants the church to be completely and visibly united.

Lord, help us to have that same passion to see your church visibly united and the world evangelised. While we wait for that to happen may there be love and unity at every level – in the local church, in the city and in the nation, between different parts of the body of Christ and different denominations. Help us all to work together in love and unity for the evangelisation of the world."

1. "Help us all to work together in love and unity for the evangelisation of the world." Amen! Thank You for showing us what love really means. Thank You for Your love.

2. It was a fantastic day of walking, exploring, bonding, and enjoying the music on the fifty-second floor.

3. Thank You for a one-way ticket to Cambodia.

"The Challenge of Unity and Love"

"In Buchenwald concentration camp, 56,000 people were put to death by a totalitarian regime that saw the Christian faith as a threat to its ideology. One block of cells in the camp was reserved for prisoners who were deemed especially dangerous or notable. Paul Schneider, a Lutheran pastor who was called ‘the preacher of Buchenwald’, was placed in this special block because even from the small window in his cell he loudly proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ – in defiance of the orders of the Gestapo guards.

Otto Neururer, a Catholic priest whose work on behalf of the Jews and other so called ‘undesirables’ had made him a threat to the Nazi warlords, was also put in this block. He too ministered in Jesus’ name to his fellow inmates in the concentration camp until he was crucified upside down.

In Buchenwald these two men, one a Catholic and the other a Protestant, bore witness together to their common Lord – Jesus Christ.

Unity is so powerful. Virtually everybody thinks that unity and love are great ideas. However, in practice, they are extremely difficult to achieve. 

Psalm 68:7-14

The people and the land

In this psalm, the people of God reflect on the exodus, wilderness wanderings, Mount Sinai, the settlement, the conquest of Canaan, and the subjugation of the nations. These were some of the high points of their history, and perhaps one of the few times when the people of God were genuinely united.

This passage is all about recognising where that blessing and unity ultimately came from – God. It is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise to God for all the things he has done for them. It celebrates his leadership (v.7), his power and provision (vv.8–9), his ‘bounty’, his justice (v.10) and his victories (vv.11–14).

God had led the people to the promised land. Yet today, in this very same area, the challenge of love and unity is great. The search for peace in the Middle East remains one of the greatest challenges facing our world.

Lord, thank you for your love for your people. Lord, we want to pray for peace and unity in the war-torn countries of the Middle East. Thank you that you are the source and foundation of unity and love."

1. Unity, indeed is difficult to achieve in practice. Thank You for the hope You give that nothing is impossible for You. Thank You that we can come and seek Your help in this area. 

2. Thank You for the freshest Banh Mi in town.

3. Thank You for the message of Brokenness. I need this, Lord, daily. Thank You. Come, Holy Spirit and work in me.

Ask In My Name

"John 16:5-17:5

Power in the name of Jesus

Do you know how much power there is in the name of Jesus? As Jesus leaves his disciples, he says to them: ‘I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete … In that day you will ask in my name’ (John 16:23b–26a).

When we go to God in prayer we do not ask in our own names, but in the name of Jesus. On our own we have no right to ask anything. But Jesus, through the cross and resurrection, has made it possible for us to have access to God in his name.

Praying in Jesus’ name is not just about what we get though, it is also about aligning ourselves with Jesus. As we do this, our prayers harmonise with God’s broad desires for our life and we can pray that his will be done. That is also something we cannot do on our own, and for which we rely on the Holy Spirit.

Jesus tells the disciples that it is to their advantage that he is going away because, ‘Unless I go away the Counsellor [the ‘Friend’, MSG] will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you’ (v.7). Jesus could only be in one place at a time. Now, by his Spirit, he can be with each of us as our friend and helper all the time, everywhere we go.

The Holy Spirit will convince the world about guilt (supremely because ‘people do not believe in’ Jesus, v.9), and ‘he will guide [us] into all truth’ (v.13a). Every time we go off track or in the wrong direction, the Holy Spirit convicts us. We sense in our spirit that what we are doing is not right.

Conviction is different from condemnation. The Holy Spirit never condemns us (Romans 8:1). He convicts us to repent and then to go in the right direction.

He guides us into all truth and truth is revealed by the Spirit of truth (John 16:13a). Among other things, he helps us to face the truth about ourselves. The truth sets us free.

Jesus promises you three things:

Joy – in the midst of mourning and grief

‘I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy’ (v.20). When Jesus rose from the dead, the disciples’ joy was so great that it completely overshadowed their grief – like a mother who has given birth to a baby and forgets the anguish of the birth (vv.21–22).

Love – in the midst of hate

Even when ‘the world hates you’ (15:18), Jesus says to you that ‘the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God’ (16:27).

Peace – in the midst of trouble

Jesus never promised you a trouble free life. Indeed, he says that in the world you will experience ‘tribulation and trials and distress and frustration’ (v.33, AMP). But he promises you ‘perfect peace and confidence in the midst of these trials’ because he has ‘overcome the world (I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you)’ (v.33, AMP).

The joy, love and peace that Jesus promises are the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ (see Galatians 5:22). As you call on Jesus’ name, his Spirit is in you, growing this fruit in your life.
The most amazing thing that you receive from the Holy Spirit is the chance to be in a relationship with God. In this prayer Jesus highlights this as the true heart and definition of ‘eternal life’ – ‘this is eternal life that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent’ (17:3).

This amazing description of eternal life is surrounded by Jesus’ prayer that God’s name would be glorified. Everything Jesus did while he was here on earth, and our relationship with the Father through Jesus, are all ultimately to the glory of God.

Lord, I can never thank you enough for the immense privilege of being able to pray in the name of Jesus. Today I pray … in your name."

1. Thank You for You, Jesus. Thank You for the Holy Spirit that does not condemn but convicts us to repent and head to the right direction.

2. Thank You for the tasty duck meal today.

3. Thank You for a good 5 km walk-jog exercise.

Smiles and Names

"At the age of 33, Barbara Clapham came to live in London. She decided she was going to look for a church. One Sunday morning she arrived at HTB. The young woman who was welcoming people at the door smiled at her and asked her name. Barbara said that because of that smile, she decided to come back the following week. When she walked in the next Sunday the same person said, ‘Hello Barbara’.

Because the person on the door remembered her name, she decided that she was going to come back every Sunday. That was in 1947. This year, on April 4th, I attended a party to celebrate her 100th birthday. She has made a huge impact on the life of HTB (including running the finances of the church for many years). I wonder whether the young woman on the door had any idea of the difference she made by remembering Barbara’s name.

There is great power in a name. I wish I were better at remembering names. Names are significant. This is true in our culture today, but it was even more so in the Hebrew culture we read about in the Bible. A Hebrew name is no mere label. It reflects character and speaks of influence and protection.

The name of the Lord reveals who he is. It is an expression of his nature and his character. The name of the Lord has great power. Jesus taught us to pray that God’s name would be honoured (Matthew 6:9).

Psalm 68:1-6

Praise the name of the Lord

David urges us to ‘sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds – his name is the Lord’ (v.4).

God reveals himself through his name. He gave his name to Moses (‘I AM WHO I AM’) when he came to liberate his people from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 3:14). Likewise, in this psalm we see that the God who bears this name has particular concern for the marginalised in our society:

God is ‘a father to the fatherless’ and ‘a defender of widows’ (Psalm 68:5).

‘God sets the lonely in families’ (v.6a). ‘God makes homes for the homeless’ (v.6a, MSG).

‘He leads forth the prisoners with singing’ (v.6b).

One of the ways to honour the name of the Lord is to love and serve the marginalised in our society: widows and orphans, the lonely, the homeless and those in prison.

Lord, I want to praise your name and bring glory to your name. May your name be honoured in my life as I love and serve the marginalised in society."

1. Thank You for being my home. Thank You that I can come to You anytime.

2. Thank You for the constant reminder to serve. It is always about You, not about me.

3. Thank You for a good walk after a break.

Tackling The Goliaths Of Life

"John 15:1-16:4

Trust in God

David was extraordinarily gifted naturally as well as supernaturally. He was handsome and in good health (16:12). He was talented musically (v.18). He was a gifted speaker (v.18). He had athletic ability (17:1û37; 18:11). He was a leader (18:13). He was successful (vv.14,30). He was famous (v.30).

Yet it was for none of these reasons that God used him. The Lord said to Samuel, "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. Human beings look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (16:7)."

David was outraged by Goliath's defiance of the living God (17:26). He was a courageous leader. He says, 'Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine [Goliath]' (v.32). What lessons can we learn from the way in which David tackled this giant?

Reject rejection

Eliab said to David, 'What are you doing here! Why aren't you minding your own business, tending that scrawny flock of sheep? I know what you're up to. You've come down here to see the sights, hoping for a ringside seat at a bloody battle!' (v.28, MSG). Yet David 'turned away' from Eliab (v.30).

The lesson we learn here is not to be put off if rejected or ill-treated. As Joyce Meyer writes, 'God is not looking for someone with ability but someone with availability - keep your heart pure by refusing to allow hatred, offense, bitterness, resentment or unforgiveness to stop us.'

Get involved

David said to Saul, 'Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him' (v.32). He volunteered his services. I am always so moved and impressed by the way in which our congregation are willing to volunteer their services: praying, serving and giving.

Trust God

Saul says to David, 'You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy' (v.33). Yet David replies, 'The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine' (v.37a). He trusts God because he knows that God is with him (see 16:18; 17:37b; 18:14).

Ultimately, the reason that David was able to tackle Goliath was that he was anointed by God. 'Samuel took his flask of oil and anointed him, with his brothers standing around watching. The Spirit of God entered David like a rush of wind, God vitally empowering him for the rest of his life' (16:13, MSG). The only way you will be able to tackle the giants in your life, in society and in the world, is through the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, as I face the Goliaths in my own life, in my nation and across the world, I need the anointing of your Holy Spirit upon me, and your presence with me. Give me courage not to run away, not to lose heart and not to give up."

1. Amen, Lord. Give me the courage not to run away, never to lose heart, and never to give up. Thank You so much for Your message.

2. Thank You, Lord, for overwhelming blessings, with some gift-wrapped in trials but I trust You that You have a plan for me.

3. Hallelujah for my first buffet grilling experience!

Secrets To Fruitfulness

"John 15:1-16:4

Testify about Jesus

There is nothing more important and no greater privilege in life than to be a friend of Jesus. Jesus says, ‘You are my friends … I no longer call you servants … you are my friends’ (vv.14–15).

Having Jesus as your friend allows you to tackle the giants in your life, in the church and in society from a unique standpoint.

Personal

Jesus tells us that there are two secrets of Christian fruitfulness.

First, there is pruning (15:1–2). The purpose of pruning is so that you can bear even more fruit. Pain, sorrow, sickness and suffering, loss, bereavement, disappointment and frustrated ambition are some of the ways our lives are pruned.

John Stott comments, ‘To the uninitiated it looks very cruel. Sometimes only a stump is left – naked, jagged, scarred, mutilated – to face the storms and the cold of the winter. But when the spring and summer return, there is much fruit. The sharp pruning knife has after all brought a blessing.’

The second secret of fruitfulness is closeness to Jesus (v.4). We cannot take on the giants by ourselves. Jesus says, ‘When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing’ (v.5, MSG). We will only succeed in tackling the giants if we stay close to Jesus.
We need to cultivate a growing friendship (vv.14–15) with Jesus by spending time with him, and praying and listening to him through his word.

Jesus says that if you stay close to him (‘remain in him’) three things will happen in terms of fruitfulness. First, your prayers will be answered (v.7). Second, God will be glorified (v.8). Third, your joy will be complete and overflowing (v.11, AMP).

Church

There are massive giants facing the church today. The biggest giant is disunity. Disunity will only be overcome by love. Jesus said, ‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends … This is my command: Love each other’ (vv.12–13,17).

Society

Jesus warns us that we will face the giant of a world that hates us (vv.18–19). He says, ‘If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also’ (v.20). He says, ‘Those who kill you will think they are offering a service to God’ (16:2). There are parts of the world where this is literally true today. But Jesus warns us that, wherever we are, we should expect opposition, hatred and even persecution.

On our own we would have no answers but Jesus says, ‘When the Counsellor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify’ (15:26–27). The Holy Spirit enables you to testify about Jesus and to take on these giant challenges, to see our society transformed.

Lord, thank you for all your promises in this passage: that you love me; that I can be lastingly fruitful in you; that you give me joy; and that you call me your friend. Thank you that you promise to answer my prayers.

Help me to love others as you have loved me. Thank you that you have given me the Counsellor, the Spirit of Truth, to live within me."

1. Thank You for always taking my giants, for praying for me when you feel that I need you.

2. Thank You for the church. This is family.

3. Thank You for a fantastic entertainment to end the day!

Facing The Giants

"A ‘giant’ is a big, seemingly insurmountable problem or issue. Goliath was a giant. He was nine-feet tall, a champion, wearing heavy armour, standing and shouting, defying the people of God (1 Samuel 17:1–11). As well as physical giants, there are metaphorical ones. As the evangelist J John says, there are two possible attitudes when facing a giant. One is to say, ‘He is so big, there’s nothing I can do.’ The other is to say ‘He’s so big, I can’t miss!’

There are the ‘global giants’. These would include extreme poverty (as a result of which 30,000 children die each day), preventable disease (millions dying of diseases for which we have a relatively easy cure), the need for universal primary education (almost one billion people entered the twenty-first century unable to read a book or sign their name) and the need for worldwide water sanitation (which could be funded by the amount of money that Europeans spend on ice cream every year).

Then there are the giants faced in our society at a local and national level. In the UK these include knife crime, homelessness, the breakdown of marriage, family life and community, loneliness, exploding prison populations, failing schools, the decline of churches, church buildings closing and the rise of secularism and atheism. There is therefore the giant task of evangelising the country and transforming our society.

In addition, all of us, from time to time, will face giants in our own personal lives. These could include giant personal challenges in relation to your health, marriage, family, relationships or lack of relationships, job or lack of job, other work issues, or some sin or temptation or addiction or fear or loneliness or discouragement or debt.

The account of David and Goliath is obviously about tackling a giant. However, each of the passages for today tells us something about giant challenges.

Psalm 67:1-7

Think global

God loves the entire world. He wants every nation and peoples to know him, worship and love him.

The psalmist prayed for God’s blessing on his people in order that ‘your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations’ (v.2).

It is sometimes said that the people of God in the Old Testament did not have a vision beyond their own borders. However, we see in this psalm that the global vision was foreshadowed in the Old Testament.

The psalmist prays for the entire globe (vv.3–5). If we are to tackle the global giants we need a global vision. The words of this psalm are all about God. The size of your vision will be dependent on the size of your vision of God. As AW Tozer put it, ‘What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.’ 

Lord, be gracious to us and bless us. Make your face shine upon us. Make your ways known on earth and your salvation among all nations. May there be a global revival. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you."

1. May there be an internal revival, thank You for catching me every time I fall. Thank You, Lord.

2. Hallelujah for the gift of hands that we are able to use it to learn sign language.

3. Praise God for local experiences.

Being Open-minded

"Life is a learning experience and marriages must be also. We bring into marriage vastly different backgrounds; thus, our attitudes must be flexible so we can mesh our backgrounds into a compatible lifestyle. To accomplish this, we must be open-minded. That's what Jesus meant when He talked about those who were "poor in spirit."

When Jesus came, the religious leaders rejected Him because they were filled with their own ideas and traditions. But, the common people heard him gladly (Mark 12:37). Poor and hungry, they wanted what Jesus taught them. Christ said He had come to preach the Gospel to the poor (Luke 4:18). People who have their fists closed can receive nothing. On the other hand, those who have their hands open can receive what is given. Christ wants our minds and hearts to be open to think in new directions.

Being open-minded is most important in establishing our homes. If each mate insists on imposing his previous lifestyle on the marriage and refuses to learn from the other, the marriage will be severely hampered. We must be open-minded. Paul pointedly says: Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself (Philippians 2:3). Our mates have valuable contributions to make to our lives, and we would be wise to listen. To be "poor in sprit" means we are not filled with pride but open to learning from each other and making appropriate changes."

1. Thank You, Lord, for these messages that I can be prepared when the time comes, in Your timing.

2. Thank You for the longest sleep I have ever done in Vietnam.

3. Thank You for the gift of sign language. May I continue learning it.

Not To Us But To Your Name

"John 14:1-31

Honour the Lord to the end

Saul started off very well. God had given him great success. In the passage for today we can learn from Saul’s good example in the early days of his leadership.

However, he did not finish well due to disobedience and arrogance. Partial obedience is still disobedience. Not only did he disobey God, but he ‘set up a victory monument in his own honour’ (15:12, MSG). How different this is from Jesus who, as we see in today’s passage, had only one aim in life – to bring glory to his Father (John 14:13).

Samuel tells Saul, ‘When you started out in this, you were nothing – and you knew it. Then God put you at the head of Israel – made you king over Israel ... why did you not obey God? ... He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production. Not doing what God tells you is far worse than fooling around in the occult. Getting self-important around God is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors. Because you said No to God’s command, he says No to your kingship’ (1 Samuel 15:17–23, MSG).

Power is so dangerous. Its abuse corrupts. Success can so easily lead to pride and arrogance. That in turn can lead to idolatry.

Lord, we pray with the psalmist, ‘Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory’ (Psalm 115:1). Lord, help us to avoid the disobedience and arrogance of Saul, and to follow the obedience and humility of Jesus.

Lord, come and make your home in my heart today. May the Spirit of truth lead and guide me, and give me your peace."

1. Amen! Not to me but to Your name. Thank You, all glory to You.

2. Thank You for the existence of different perspectives. They teach me more understanding.

3. Thank You for being able to appreciate great music.

The Legacy

"John 14:1-31

Trust in the legacy of Jesus

Are you troubled, distressed, agitated or afraid? Jesus does not want you to be troubled, but to have peace in your heart (vv.1,27).

Jesus knows that his life on this earth is about to finish. He is about to leave his disciples (v.27); he is going back to the Father (v.3). Yet he says to them, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled, distressed, agitated’ (v.1, AMP). ‘Peace I leave with you’ (v.27). Jesus does not leave us alone but passes on to us an amazing legacy.

Jesus has good plans for your future

Jesus says, ‘There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home ... I’m on my way to get your room ready’ (v.2, MSG). In Christ our long-term future is totally secure.

Jesus is coming back for you

The end of earthly life is not the end. Jesus told his followers, ‘I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am’ (v.3).

Jesus has opened the way for you to know God

Thomas asks, ‘How can we know the way?’ Jesus replies, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ (vv.5–6).

Jesus reveals God for you

Philip says, ‘Lord, show us the Father’ (v.8). Jesus replies, ‘Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father’ (v.9). If you want to know what God looks like, look at Jesus.

Jesus will do even greater things through you

Jesus will do even greater miracles through his disciples than he did while he was on earth (v.12).

Jesus will continue to answer your prayers

‘From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do’ (vv.13–14, MSG).

Jesus will never leave you alone

Jesus says, ‘I will not leave you as orphans’ (v.18). He says that he’ll ‘provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth ... he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!’ (vv.16–17, MSG).

Jesus will continue to love you

‘Those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them’ (v.21b).

Jesus and the Father will make their home with you

Jesus said, ‘Those who love me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them’ (v.23).

Jesus leaves you with peace

‘Peace I leave with you … Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid’ (v.27).
How is all this possible? The way in which Jesus passes on his legacy to you is through the Holy Spirit. He will send the Holy Spirit to live in your heart. ‘The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you’ (v.26, MSG).
Jesus had thought it through very carefully and had made a great succession plan!

Lord, thank you for giving me such an amazing legacy. Thank you that you give me the Holy Spirit, to be with me forever. Thank you that you live in me. Thank you that you and the Father come and make your home with me. Thank you that you give me your peace and you promise to answer my prayers.

Thank you that you say, ‘You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it’ (v.14). "

1. Indeed, Lord, today, I ask in Your name to guard my heart and strengthen me as I face incoming trials. You are always with me and may I always listen to You.

2. Thank You, Lord, for freshly baked Banh Mi in the midst of the rain.

3. Thank You for the rain that reminds me of cleansing.

What is Righteousness?

"Proverbs 12:28-13:9

Take the long view

The writer of Proverbs encourages us to take the long view and stay in the way of ‘righteousness’ where ‘there is life; along that path is immortality’ (12:28). We need to avoid the temptation to focus just on the here and now, and act in the light of eternity.

What does a righteous life look like?

Listen to parental advice

‘A wise child heeds a parent’s instruction’ (13:1). Honouring parents is high on the list of God’s priorities. Family life and good parenting are so important. I do recommend The Parenting Book by Nicky and Sila Lee.

Guard your lips

‘Those who guard their lips guard their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin’ (v.3). It is impossible to overestimate the importance of our words and of controlling the tongue.

Work hard

‘The desires of the diligent are fully satisfied’ (v.4). Work is a blessing. Success can be hard work. It requires diligent perseverance. Winston Churchill said, ‘Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.’

Love the truth

‘The righteous hate what is false’ (v.5). We are to hate dishonesty and love the truth. Mark Twain once said, ‘If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.’

Be a person of integrity

‘Righteousness guards the person of integrity’ (v.6). Integrity does not mean being perfect. It means being honest, real and authentic (it is the opposite of hypocrisy). In his book, Integrity, the clinical psychologist Dr Henry Cloud writes that integrity ‘is the key to success. A person with integrity has the – often rare – ability to pull everything together, to make it all happen no matter how challenging the circumstances.’

Lord, help me to take the long view and to stay on the path of righteousness, life and immortality. Help me to be wise, to honour parents, to guard my lips, to work hard, to speak the truth and to live a life of integrity.

1. To live a life of truth - yes, Lord, thank You for never ever getting tired of reminding me about this.

2. Thank You for Skype, as if distance does not matter at all.

3. Thank You for the rest You give. Thank You for antibodies, too.