Beyond The Grave

"John 20:10-31

Purpose and Power

Jesus gives them a new sense of purpose: ‘As the Father has sent me, I am sending you’ (v.21). The resurrection is the message of hope for the world. If this life were all there was it would ultimately be meaningless and purposeless. But Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. There is life beyond the grave. This gives our life on earth a whole new meaning and purpose. We are sent out by Jesus to proclaim this message to the world.

Finally, he also gave them power. He ‘breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven” ’ (vv.22–23). The Holy Spirit provides the strength and ability for us to forgive.

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to you. He gives you the power of his Holy Spirit and the power of his word to declare the message of God’s forgiveness to human beings. This is the message which brings eternal life.

Respect and Reverence

Thomas was a cynic; skeptical and full of doubt. I think I would probably have had the same response as him when he said, ‘Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it’ (v.25).

He must have felt so stupid when Jesus appeared to him and said, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe’ (v.27).

We do not need to feel guilty about having doubts. Like Thomas, we need to be honest about our doubts and bring them to Jesus. When Jesus answered his doubts, Thomas’ response was the pinnacle of respect, reverence and awe. He said, ‘My Lord and my God!’ (v.28). He said, in effect, ‘Wow!’

Jesus went on to tell him that belief leads to blessing (v.29). In fact, it leads to life. Belief and life go hand in hand in John’s gospel (v.31). If you believe in Jesus you have life. This is real life of high quality, an abundant life (10:10) that goes on forever (3:16).

John’s whole rationale for writing his gospel was so that ‘you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name’ (20:31). As Tom Wright puts it, ‘Resurrection is the ground of Christian hope for life before death, as well as beyond it.’

Jesus, my Lord and my God, today I worship you with awe and reverence. Thank you for giving me joy and peace, purpose in life and the power of the Holy Spirit to live within me."

1. Thank You really for the power of the Holy Spirit to live within me. May I always learn to listen to Your voice.

2. Thank You for my classes. I now recognize that this is the ministry You have given me.

3. Thank You for friends who care, who are mature enough to give proper advises.

Respect For Women Shown

"John 20:10-31

Awe

Jesus really was raised from the dead. The tomb really was empty on Easter morning. Jesus’ followers really did meet him alive again. The resurrection did happen. The best historical explanation for the origin of Christianity is that it really is true. Jesus is alive today! As Judah Smith would say, ‘Wow!’

John records four resurrection appearances of Jesus – the first three of which are in this passage. In these appearances we see not only some of the evidence, but also some of the results of the resurrection.

Awe and Amazement

In the culture of the day, a woman’s testimony would not have been considered as weighty as that of a man. If the disciples had been making this up, they would not have devised the first appearance as being to Mary Magdalene.

This shows a huge amount about Jesus’ respect for women. By this act, and others during his life on earth, he laid the foundation for a revolution in the world’s attitude to women. Sadly, it has taken 2,000 years and we are still not there yet.

Jesus does not ask Mary what she is looking for. He asks, ‘Who is it you are you looking for?’ (v.15). It is not enough to know the evidence of the facts of the resurrection. We need a personal encounter with the resurrected Jesus.

The respect goes both ways. In Mary’s case it is one of awe and amazement. As she realised it was Jesus, she cried out in Aramaic, ‘ “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher)’ (v.16), and rushed off to tell the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord!’ (v.18).

The great theologian, C.H. Dodd, wrote of Jesus’ appearance to Mary that it ‘has something indefinably firsthand about it. It stands in any case alone. There is nothing quite like it in the Gospels. Is there anything quite like it in all ancient literature?’ 

Joy and Peace

The world is desperately searching for happiness and peace of mind. The supreme source of joy and peace is a relationship with Jesus.

Jesus’ appearance to the disciples brought them overwhelming joy: ‘The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord’ (v.20). Three times he says to them, ‘Peace be with you!’ (vv.19,21,26).

Faith in Jesus brings joy and peace to all who believe. Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Blessed and happy and to be envied are those who have never seen me and yet have believed and adhered to and trusted and relied on me’ (v.29, AMP)."

1. Thank You, Lord, for emphasizing the respect for women.

2. Thank You for the patience and energy for today.

3. Thank You for an amazing Chili Con Carne, good leg exercise, and a fun, full-of-freebies night with friends.

Just Respect

"Judah Smith is a delightful, young Pentecostal pastor from Seattle, Washington. He is one of the best communicators that I have ever heard – especially to young people. When listening to others, his favourite expression is ‘Wow!’ For him it is an expression of respect, awe and reverence.

There are many blessings to living in Western Europe in the twenty-first century. However, we live in a society in which respect, reverence and awe do not seem to be as valued as they once were.

Each of the passages for today reflects on what these words mean and why they are important.

Proverbs 13:20-14:4

Respect

A culture of respect underlies the book of Proverbs. We see three examples in this passage:

Respect for the Lord

‘An honest life shows respect for God’ (14:2, MSG). As we have seen, the word ‘fear’ (NIV) is probably best understood as ‘respect’. Respect for the Lord is the starting point for respect in all our other relationships.

Respect for the wise

‘Whoever walks with the wise grows wise’ (13:20). ‘Wise speech evokes nothing but respect’ (14:3, MSG). Our society increasingly devalues the wisdom that comes with age. Wisdom often (though not always) comes through the experience of a long life. There is a huge amount of untapped wisdom in older people in our society.

Respect in the home

‘A refusal to correct is a refusal to love; love your children by disciplining them’ (13:24, MSG). This teaching has sometimes been abused by an over literal interpretation. What the book of Proverbs is encouraging is a culture of respect in the family – respect for parents and also respect for children, which involves loving discipline.

As St Paul writes, ‘Do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord’ (Ephesians 6:4).

Lord, help us to gain wisdom as we spend time with those who are wise. Help us as a church community to model good parenting, combining love and discipline. Help us to live lives of uprightness in respect for the Lord."

1.  Thank You for a night of blessing, a night of activation, and a night of enabling prophetic praying.

2. Finally, I have tasted one of the better com tams in town. Thank you for taste buds!

3. Thank you for girl-bonding. Thank you for fun friends. :D

Strengthening Oneself

"John 19:28-20:9

How do we receive it?

Do you ever feel exhausted, at a low ebb, not knowing how you will be able to cope with all the problems you are facing?

These were terrible times for the people of God. David had reached a low ebb in his life. He had got himself in the position of being about to fight for the Philistines against Israel. But then, even the Philistines decided that they didn’t want him.

He gets back to find that the Amalekites have captured his and his men’s wives, sons and daughters. The result is an explosive mix of grief and anger. The whole company was distraught at what had happened, and David’s followers then turned the blame on him, threatening to stone him (vv.4–6).

But in the middle of all his problems, ‘David strengthened himself with trust in his God’ (v.6b, MSG). This was the turning point in David’s life. Those who, like David, have turned to God in their deepest distress have been repeatedly amazed at the speed with which he has been able to change their fortunes.

As the men return from battle, some of his men did not want to share what they recovered with those who were too exhausted to fight (vv.21–22). But David was wise enough to see that everyone has a part to play in God’s work. He replied, ‘No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us … The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be same as that of him who went down to the battle. All shall share alike’ (vv.23–24). Those who do the less glamorous work are just as important as those who hit the headlines.

As we read of the death of Saul and his sons, it is clear what a brutal world they lived in. Saul takes his own life in order to avoid being abused in the way that Samson was. Faced with such dangers and barbarism it must have meant so much to David to strengthen himself ‘with trust in his God’.

Follow David’s example – spend time with God strengthening yourself, being reenergised and then trusting him whole-heartedly, believing that he is in you by his Spirit, and believing that you are able to do whatever you need to do through him.

Lord, thank you that whether we are at our lowest ebb or facing great trials and challenges or just facing the ordinary struggles of life, we can all find strength and energy in the Lord our God."

1. Thank You for such a relief, for such assurance. This is indeed how You always teach us how to be calm even in the midst of trials.

2. Thank You for the energy to be able to exercise again. Help me not to procrastinate on this.

3. Thank You for the opportunity to formally learn a new language.

It Was Not The End

"John 19:28-20:9

What is it like?

God gives to us the same energy, strength and power that he used to raise Jesus from the dead.
I remember a time when I was speaking at a conference for church leaders. I had been speaking for several hours each day. Eventually we reached the tea break. I felt completely exhausted and drained. I went into the pastor’s study and picked up a copy of Eugene Peterson’s translation of the New Testament. I happened to open it at Ephesians 1:19–20: ‘The utter extravagance of his work in us who trust in him –endless energy, boundless strength! All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death’.

In this passage, John emphasises that Jesus had truly died. When he had ‘completed’ (John 19:28a) the job he had been given to do, thereby fulfilling the scripture (v.28b), he cried out, ‘ “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit’ (v.30).

Death by crucifixion could be sped up by breaking the person’s legs. In Jesus’ case, this was not necessary, as he was already dead (v.33). ‘Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water’ (v.34). At death the clot and serum of the blood separates, and this would look like blood and water. John provides good medical evidence that Jesus was truly dead.

It may be that there were already people at the time arguing that Jesus did not really die, but only seemed to. This view came to be known as docetism. Mohammed was influenced by docetic views. The Quran states, ‘They did not kill him, neither did they crucify him; it only seemed to be so’ (Sura 4:157).

As against this view, John emphasises that Jesus really did die – he gives the physiological evidence. He also shows that Jesus’ death was in accordance with the will of God revealed in Scripture. ‘These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced” ’ (John 19:36–37).

The body of Jesus was wrapped in linen cloths and seventy-five pounds (34 kg) of spices. If anyone had removed the body, surely they would have removed the lot. No thief would have left the only items of value. Jesus certainly could not have taken the grave clothes off himself (humanly-speaking). Yet the disciples found ‘the linen cloths lying there, and the kerchief used to cover his head not lying with the linen cloths but separate, neatly folded by itself’ (vv.6–7, MSG).

William Temple, the great Archbishop of Canterbury, points out that the language used is extraordinarily vivid, and ‘such as no invention would devise, no freak of imagination conjure up.’ 
On this evidence, it is hardly surprising that when the disciples saw, they believed (20:8). At this stage no one had even seen the risen Jesus. Yet the evidence of the state of the tomb and the absence of Jesus’ body was enough in itself to convince them of the resurrection.

When the New Testament speaks of God’s love, the focus is the cross. When the New Testament speaks of God’s energy, power and strength, the focus is the resurrection (Ephesians 1:19–20). We rightly think of power belonging to God. Yet we so easily forget that God’s power is also ‘for us who believe’ (v.19).

As Ben Cantelon’s song The Same Power puts it:

‘There is power in his name,

for the stone was rolled away,

mountains bow down before,

Jesus Christ our risen Lord.

Mighty Saviour,

lifted high

king forever,

Jesus Christ,

crowned in glory

raised to life

The same power lives in us.’

Lord, thank you for your extraordinary love, that you were willing to die for me. Thank you also that that was not the end. Thank you for your resurrection, and that the same power now lives in me. I pray you will fill me with that energy and power today."

1. Thank You for putting me in an environment that varies a lot, because I get to meet different people every time.

2. Thank You for the art of food. It is amazing how You have blessed people with this talent to create one.

3. Thank You for giving me eyes to appreciate photos.

Endless, Boundless, Limitless

"The world is running out of energy. It is a question of supply. How do we ensure sufficient energy supplies to sustain life? Where will we find this energy? Our own resources (oil, coal, gas, etc) are running out. We are searching anxiously for power ‘from above’ – trying to harness the almost limitless power of the sun.

Father Raniero Cantalamessa points out that there are parallels between what is happening on the spiritual level and what is happening in terms of the physical environment. The church is facing the same problem as the world as a whole, but on a different level. We stand before a choice: do we look for the energy we need in ourselves and the resources of our intelligence and our entrepreneurial spirit, or do we look for it ‘from above’, from the risen Christ, the Sun of Justice?

In the passages for today we see something about the extent of God’s energy, power and strength. Whereas on a physical level we struggle to harness even a fraction of the power of the sun, God has given us full access to his endless energy through Jesus’ resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 68:28-35

Where does it come from?

Power and strength come from God. Amazingly, God promises to give you his power and his strength. This psalm ends on a note of confidence as David proclaims that ‘the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!’ (v.35).

David prays, ‘Summon your power, O God; show us your strength, O God, as you have done before’ (v.28). This sums up the psalm. He prays, ‘Do what you have done before.’ David knows from his own experience that God’s power is more than enough for all his needs.

In contrast, he is dismissive of any attempt to seek power elsewhere. He talks of the worldly power of an evil regime, ‘Rapacious in her lust for silver, crushing peoples’ (v.30, MSG). Yet he knows that ultimately such power ‘will submit … to God’ (v.31).

Thank you, Lord, for the way that you have shown your power and strength to me so many times. Thank you that I can be confident that you will give ‘power and strength’ to your people. Fill me today with your energy, power and strength."

1. I pray again to fill me with Your energy, power, and strength. Thank You for Your endless energy.

2. Thank You for the patience You teach and give me. Thank You for always showing Your grace to me.

3. Thank You for the differences in culture, there is so much to embrace and enjoy.

In Spite of Failures

John 19:1-27

Triumph of David

David’s triumph does not come easily. Victories in life are rarely easy. They generally come after many difficulties and failures.

Saul said to David, ‘May you be blessed, my son David; you will do great things and surely triumph’ (26:25).

It is tragic to see how far Saul had fallen. At one stage he was the Spirit-filled man of God, getting rid of evil from the land. Now he finds himself consulting the very witches he has expelled (chapter 28). Yet verse 19 suggests that even in the Old Testament there were the beginnings of the knowledge of life after death, and that in spite of all he had done, the Lord saved Saul – ‘tomorrow you and your sons will be with me’ (28:19).

We also see the worst side of David’s character. He joins the Philistines, lives by deceit and murders women and children (chapter 27). He has to sink to the lowest depths to hide what he is doing. The picture the Bible paints of David is far from perfect, and yet God uses him despite his failings and failures.

On the other hand, we also see David at his best. David had an opportunity to take revenge on Saul, who was trying to kill him. However, David refused to take revenge. He had great respect for Saul, because he was in a position of authority.

He says, ‘Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless? … The Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed’ (26:9,11).

David stayed loyal and faithful to Saul despite the fact that Saul was trying to murder him. We need to follow David’s example and refuse to be led into sin in an attempt to break free of a person’s authority over us.

Even Saul recognises David’s ‘righteousness and faithfulness’ (v.23). Saul sees that he ‘will do great things and surely triumph’ (v.25).

The life of David teaches us not to expect instant success and triumph. Often, God prepares us through the years of obscurity, difficulty and even defeat or failure. It is in these times of testing that, like David, we must not act out of revenge but rather with love, honour and respect.

Lord, thank you for the example of David. Thank you that you used him so powerfully in spite of the fact that, like us all, he had many failings. Help us to triumph over evil. Thank you that it is only possible through the triumph of Jesus, on the cross and in his resurrection."

1. You have always given a message that reminds me how to behave in this cruel world. Thank You.

2. Thank You for activities that make the brain work such as learning new languages.

3. Thank You for nurturing the seeds that have been planted, for touching souls. Hallelujah!

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.