Be Still And Know

READ: Ephesians 2.8-9 NLT 'God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.' I remember my first pay packet as a teenager. It was a small brown envelope and it contained what, at the time, seemed to me like a considerable amount of money. It wasn’t really very much but I had never had a job before, and it compared favourably with pocket money! It was absolutely clear why I had received the money. It was because I had done many days of hard physical work in a warehouse and this was now my reward. It all made sense. The connection between the work and the money was clear. And it may well be that you can see a clear connection between all that you own and the hard work that you have put in. For this very reason it can be very difficult to accept that our salvation is completely unlike this. However hard we work and however nice we are, we will never be able to

READ: Ephesians 1.19-20 NLT 'I pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honour at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.' I love everything about Easter. Winter has gone and we can see evidence of new life springing up all around us. It is as if creation is joining in the celebrations of Easter and confirming the promise of new life in Jesus. Easter is a happy time to share with other Christians and the services are full of confidence and hope. We are absolutely right to enjoy this wonderful time of the year, but we need to be careful that we don’t leave it behind us and move on to something else. And that is because we are always an Easter people. Every single day is an Easter day because what happened when Jesus rose from death is an ongoing reality. You cannot imagine a greater miracle than Jesus’ resurrection! There is an absolute finality about death and fro

READ: John 21.20-22 NLT Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” Having received his commission from Jesus to care for his sheep and been given an insight into his future, Peter then becomes curious about others. He asks about how it is going to be for the disciple whom Jesus loved, who we assume to be John. Jesus’ response was sharp and definite. Effectively Jesus said, “Mind your own business”. It was nothing to do with Peter. All he needed to know was that he was called to follow Jesus. Let’s face it, we are all curious about the people around us. We would be fascinated to know what their future will be. But Jesus’ words remind us all that our responsibility is for ourselves and we don’t need to know what will happen to other people. That is in G

READ: John 21.17 NLT A third time Jesus asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” We cannot be sure why Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loved him. Many people have suggested that it mirrored Peter’s three denials before Jesus’ crucifixion. It is suggested that this was Jesus’ way of helping Peter to find cleansing from that time of abject failure. There is great encouragement for us all in the fact that Jesus was willing to forgive someone who had let him down so comprehensively. Peter had a hugely significant ministry ahead of him, but it couldn’t begin until he knew that he had been released from the burden of his failure. Every time Peter affirmed his love, Jesus told him that he was giving him a job. Peter was instructed to take care of Jesus’ sheep and feed them. Whenever someone follows Jesus, they are also given responsibilitie

READ: John 21.4-6 NLT At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. I was brought up by the sea and so it isn’t surprising that I started fishing when I was a boy. We always set out with huge expectations of what we would catch. If you have ever gone fishing you will know that, whenever someone walks by you, they are bound to ask, “Have you caught anything?” It’s the obvious question and the last thing that you want to admit is that you have caught nothing. You feel a complete failure. Jesus asked the predictable question although it seems, at first, that they didn’t recognise him. He then advised them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. Another thing you need to know about people who walk by you when you are fis

READ: John 20.25 NLT The disciples told Thomas, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” I suspect that we all have some sympathy for Thomas and are not inclined to blame him for his reluctance to believe that Jesus had risen from death. We know that there was often a competitive spirit amongst the disciples, and they were no doubt happy to brag that they had seen the Lord. I am sure Thomas desperately wanted to believe that they were right, but he needed to be sure that that really was the case and so he asked for the evidence. More than a week later Thomas was given his opportunity. Jesus came to the disciples who, once again, were meeting behind locked doors. He invited Thomas to see the evidence and to put his hand into the wound in his side. John doesn’t record whether Thomas took Jesus up on this offer or not. Thomas simply exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” He was ab

READ: John 20.19-20 NLT That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! John records three occasions when Jesus met with his disciples after his resurrection. The first was on Easter day itself, the day of resurrection. The disciples were understandably nervous. The authorities had organised the crucifixion of Jesus and so, logically, they were quite likely to come after his disciples next. They had heard from some of the women that they had met the risen Lord but it would seem that they were unsure what to make of this incredible news. Into this nervous, fearful situation came the risen Jesus. Suddenly and miraculously he was standing there with them. One can hardly begin to imagine the riot of emotions that they must have experienced in that moment. On

READ: Luke 24.30-32 NLT As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” Isn’t it a great moment when the penny drops? Suddenly everything makes sense. Everything falls into place. This was the experience of these two followers of Jesus. The stranger who they had met as they trudged wearily home to Emmaus had given them a long explanation from the Scriptures. The stranger had accepted the invitation to share a meal and it was only as he broke bread that, suddenly, everything became clear. Their mysterious stranger had been none other than Jesus himself! In my experience, it can take a long while for the penny to drop in our Christian lives. It is perfectly possible to hear about God’s love, forgiveness, patience and generosity for years withou

READ: Luke 24.13-16 NLT 'That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him.' It’s getting towards the end of Easter Day and the light is fading as these two people trudge back home. It has been a strange time for them. Their hero Jesus died in horrifying circumstances two days previously and they now realise it’s time to go home. They have heard some women report that Jesus had risen from death, but they don’t know what to make of it. Suddenly a stranger starts walking alongside them and they chat over what has been happening. They have no idea that it is Jesus. Even when the stranger accepts their invitation to come back to their home, they still don’t realise that it’s him. This beautiful story will strike a chord with many of us. There have p

READ: Luke 24.1-3 NLT 'Very early on Sunday morning, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus.' The women were determined to get to the tomb as early as possible to anoint Jesus’ body. They have had Saturday to recover from the terrible events of the previous day, and as the sun rises on Sunday they are determined to get to the tomb before anyone else. Imagine the shock when they get there to find that it is empty. Their astonishment and surprise is then magnified many times when they meet two men in dazzling robes. They question the women as to why they are looking for Jesus in the tomb, because he had risen from death. We cannot be exactly sure where the tomb was where Jesus body was laid. That is hardly surprising since he only spent about 36 hours in it! In Jerusalem there are two main places that are identified as the possible site of Jesus’ tomb and o

READ: Luke 23.55-56 NLT 'As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.' There is something beautifully impressive about these verses. The women must have been totally devastated by the death of their Lord. I would imagine that they were experiencing a mixture of devastation, anger and also fear that the Romans might be coming after them next. But, amidst all of this, they were concerned to do the right thing and to anoint the body of Jesus. On the Friday itself there was very little time to do anything. Jesus had died at 3 o’clock in the afternoon and the Jewish Sabbath began at about 6 o’clock. Joseph of Arimathea asked for the body of Jesus and he probably did so to avoid the corpse being left to the dogs and vultures which was normal practice with the bodies of criminals. Joseph wa

READ: Luke 23.44-46 NLT By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last. These incredible words take us to the heart of Good Friday. Good is hardly the word. This is the most incredibly, amazing, wonderful day that has ever happened in which God showed us just how much he loved us. Anyone can use words of love, but words are cheap and can easily be said. It’s only when we see actions that we know that love is real, and when Jesus died on the cross we discover the full extent of God’s love for us in sending his own son to give everything for us. Jesus’ death on the cross changed everything. As he died the thick curtain in the Temple was torn in two. That curtain was the barrier that ensured that people were kept out of the Holy of Holies. Only t

READ: Luke 22.19-20 NLT He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.” I am glad that meals were so important in Jesus’ ministry. He loved spending time with people in the relaxed atmosphere of a meal and so it is very significant that, on the night before he died, we find him having supper with his disciples. Jesus knows that his death is only hours away, but he doesn’t want to miss the opportunity to have one final meal with those who had walked with him throughout his ministry. They had no idea what Jesus’ words meant as he took the bread and wine and said that they represented his body and blood. Only later would it all fall into place for them. People often tell me that their ch

READ: Luke 22:3-5 NLT 'Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted, and they promised to give him money.' I don’t know about you but I find these words almost too hard to read. Knowing how wise, good and loving Jesus was, how could anyone betray him? And Judas Iscariot wasn’t just anyone. He had been one of Jesus’ disciples for nearly three years. He, better than us, knew how amazing Jesus was. He had heard his teaching and, time and again, had seen him perform the most incredible miracles. How could he possibly conspire with those who wanted to kill Jesus? Luke tells us that Satan entered into Judas. Judas allowed Satan to direct his actions. No one knows exactly what was going on in Judas’ mind. Perhaps he was tempted by the money. Or he may have become disillusioned with Jesus because things weren’t working out in the way that he had expec

READ: Luke 21:1-4 NLT  While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”  Jesus is only a few days from his death on the cross. He knows what is going to happen and it must have been dominating his thinking. And yet he noticed a poor widow. I suspect that no one else spotted her because everything about her was unremarkable, and particularly her gift. It was such a tiny gift and most people would have thought that it was hardly worth giving. But Jesus saw it very differently. Alongside the big gifts of the rich people hers was a very, very small gift but Jesus looks to the heart of the matter. The fact is that she gave everything she could. She had, in truth, given more than anyone else.  This beauti

READ: Luke 19.41-42 NLT But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.” I will never forget my first visit to Jerusalem. A disabled friend of mine asked me if I would take him to Israel as his carer. He needed me to push his wheel chair, drive the hire car and lift him from place to place. We stayed in a hotel on the Mount of Olives and arrived there in the dark. Driving through the chaotic traffic in Jerusalem for the first time was a hair-raising experience! The next morning I pulled open the curtains and was completely overwhelmed by the sight of the golden walls of the old city of Jerusalem set against a deep blue sky. It was one of the most amazing moments of my life and it was so easy to imagine the time when Jesus looked over the city and wept. Indeed not far away from the hotel there is a beautiful modern church in the shape of a

READ: Luke 19: 36-39 NLT As Jesus rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” Palm Sunday was a day full of surprises for many people. They had hoped that Jesus might be the one who would kick the hated Romans out of the land. They wanted to see him come in power taking on the occupying army and setting the people free at long last. It would have suited them well if he had turned up on an impressive war horse and led a rebellion. But that wasn’t Jesus’ way. Instead he turned up on a donkey of all creatures. Donkeys are undoubtedly attractive and loveable but you would ne

READ: Luke 19:20-23 NLT 'To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.' In the parable of the talents Jesus speaks of three servants who had been entrusted with some money. Two of them managed to multiply the original amount enormously and, when the King discovered this, he was thrilled. But the third servant played it safe. Very safe. He hid the money and ensured that he could return the money in full to the King. The King was furious and ordered that his safely preserved money should go to the most successful servant. Jesus’ message is clear. Don’t play it safe! If God has given you a gift then use it. If you have a gift of caring, studying, administrating, teaching, healing, praying, writing or whatever it may be, make sure that you are using that gift as productively as you possibly can. One day the Lord will ask you what you have done with the gift and you must expect a severe response if your answer will

READ: Luke 19:5-7 NLT When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. I think everyone loves to be called by name. I certainly do. And it is particularly special if you didn’t realise that the person speaking to you knew your name. Clearly Zacchaeus was not only surprised that Jesus knew his name but thrilled when he offered to visit his house. This changed everything for Zacchaeus who realised that he had to turn his life around. The fact that Jesus came into the world to save sinners is amazing and wonderful, but it means little until you realise that he is addressing you personally. You matter to God. Incredibly, if you had been the only sinner who had ever lived Jesus would have died for you. As a teenager I really strug

READ: Luke 18:35 and 40-43 NLT As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too. Jesus knows that he is heading to Jerusalem where he will be killed. But even so, amazingly, he has time for people and when he hears a blind man call out he stops and gives him his full attention. From the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry he had declared that he had come to bring sight to the blind, in fulfilment of Isaiah 61. But that didn’t mean that he had come to impose his healing. He came to offer healing and that’s what he does when he meets this blind beggar in Jericho. Jesus never barges into our lives telling us what’s best for us and i