Monthly Archives: April 2017

John 7

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Often we picture Jesus’ ministry as being full of miracles, rebuking the rulers of the day, teaching the crowds through parables before retiring to mountains to pray most of the night. But John 7 reveals some of the difficulties Jesus faced during his ministry.

It is clear that Jesus usually attended the mandatory feasts, as the law required (Exodus 23v17). But as the Feast of Booths approached, Jesus remained in Galilee instead of going to Judea. The rest of his family went, and the Jews “were looking for him at the feast”. Despite Jesus telling his disciples “I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come”, Jesus secretly went to the feast. During the feast, Jesus visits the temple and began teaching, provoking amazement that he understood the scriptures, despite having “never studied”. Two attempts were made to arrest Jesus during this feast, but “his hour had not yet come”.

Jesus taught that he was keeping God’s will, that his teaching was from God. “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me”. He continued his theme about living water on the last day of the feast, proclaiming “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink”. Like Jesus, our life is not meant to be easy, but we are meant to follow his example, following his teaching, and be sustained by the living water.

John 6

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In John 6, Jesus gives some “hard sayings”, which turned away many of his disciples. These hard sayings centred around Jesus’ teaching that “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” Just as the things we eat and drink become part of us, so Jesus’ teaching and example must become part of who we are. “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you… For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink”.

Jesus had recently fed the 5000, and crowds were following him to be fed again. They had missed the point, “you are seeking me… because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life”. This lesson applies to us as well. It’s easy to fall into the daily routine of work, eat and sleep, but our focus needs to be elsewhere, on the spiritual food that can nourish our spiritual development. “Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever”.

John 5

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In John 5, we learn that the Jews sought to kill Jesus, believing that he referred to God as “his own Father”. Jesus responds to them, correcting their reasoning. He was not equal with God, for “the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise”. Our relationship with God is meant to be like this, a sincere imitation of God’s character, following His example as a child does their parent.

Jesus also says, “I can do nothing on my own”, a sentiment that applies to us. We can’t even breathe without God, but it is encouraging to see Jesus express his absolute reliance on God as well.

Jesus further rebukes the Jews, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” The OT scriptures described many aspects of Jesus’ life, but Jesus pleads with the Jews to just look at what he was doing, and follow that example. Let us “seek the glory that comes from the only God”, following Jesus in copying God’s character, for “whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.”

Numbers 31, John 4

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In Numbers 31, Moses is commanded to perform one more task before he died – to organise the attack on Midian. This attack was “the Lord’s vengeance on Midian”, for their role in causing Israel to sin with the daughters of Moab, back in Numbers 25. 12000 men of Israel were accompanied by Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest, along with vessels of the sanctuary. The battle resulted in no deaths among the Israelites.

It’s a gruesome account of one of Israel’s many battles, yet it serves as a reminder to us that God keeps His promises, both of grace and of vengeance. He promised Abraham that He would curse those that cursed Israel, and this battle against the Midianites is an example of that.

By contrast, we read in John 4 of the healing power of God’s word. It is “living water”, with the ability to become in us “a spring of water welling up to eternal life”, if we consume it regularly and let it affect our lives.  God is seeking people to worship him in spirit and truth, to drink of living water and never thirst again.

 

Numbers 28, John 1

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Numbers 28 summarises the offerings required of Israel under the law; the various daily offerings, the offerings specifically for the Sabbath, the monthly offerings, the special offerings for feasts throughout the year. They were offered time and again, reinforcing to Israel the consequences of their sin.

By contrast, in John 1, we are introduced to “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”. John the baptist was a witness to the unique qualities of this lamb, “the true light, which gives light to everyone… for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ”.

Like John, we are called upon to be witnesses of God’s grace and mercy, of His great love in offering us a relationship we could never deserve.  In Jesus “was life, and the life was the light of men”, and so we are to be lights shining in darkness, reflecting God’s glory.

Philippians 1-2

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Paul writes Philippians from prison, yet the letter is full of joy, specifically in regards to knowing Christ and the hope of the gospel. Paul thanked God daily for the generosity of the Philippians, and for their acceptance of the gospel. He was sure that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ”, and the same applies to us.

Paul promotes the idea of unity and of service, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others”, just as Christ took the form of a servant. Paul followed his own advice, even to the point of choosing service over escape from his present suffering, “I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith”.

Paul also reminds the Philippians that God was working in their lives, “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure”, and consequently “you also should be glad and rejoice with me”. They were children of God, and as such they would “shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life”.

Ephesians 5-6, Numbers 25

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Ephesians is not just a letter that outlines the way God would include the Gentiles in His plan for salvation. It is also a letter full of practical advice, ways for us to respond to God’s love. Chapter 4 concluded “forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you“, and chapter 5 commences “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love“. We have been forgiven by God, and so Paul encourages us to imitate God, as a child imitates their parent, showing to those around us the same love a parent has for their child.

Paul warns against sexual immorality, a warning we hear often. But Paul puts covetousness at the same level. I think this is a significant challenge for us in a consumer-driven society; covetousness is reinforced on a daily basis, yet Paul strongly warns against it.

Paul exhorts instead to “Walk as children of light… and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” Discipleship is not passive or blind, it is up to us to use the light of Christ’s example to see what we should be doing, and where we should be heading. “when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light… look carefully then how you walk“. So let’s put on the whole armour of God, daily battling against sin, strengthened by the knowledge that God is rich in mercy.

 

Ephesians 3-4

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In Ephesians 3-4, Paul continues his explanation of and praise for God’s plan of salvation, “the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel”. This was a “mystery hidden for ages”, so that now “we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in” Christ.

Paul praises God for planning and revealing this inclusion of the Gentiles, “now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.”

Paul also urges us “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace“. That is the hard part of being a disciple, overcoming our pride, putting others higher than ourselves in order to work together as a unified body, building “itself up in love”.

Ephesians 1-2

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Paul’s focus in Ephesians is to explain God’s plan of salvation, for Jews and Gentiles alike. As such, I find this letter to be highly encouraging. The letter is full of phrases like “blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places”. We are very blessed to have been called to serve God, predestined to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ. We have redemption and forgiveness, through the blood of Christ. God has revealed “the mystery of his will… to unite all things in him”.

Paul gives thanks for the Ephesians upon hearing of their love toward all the saints. In typical over-the-top fashion, Paul does not cease “to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers”, especially because they were now enlightened to the hope to which they had been called.

Like the Ephesians, we were once “dead in trespasses and sins”, before we were baptised. But even before we committed our lives to God, He, “being rich in mercy… made us alive together with Christ”.  We are “members of the household of God… built together into a dwelling place for God by the spirit”.

Paul writes these massive sentences as though he can’t contain the emotion and wonder at the things God has done for us. We have “been saved through faith … it is the gift of God”. What an incredible gift!

 

Numbers 19, Galatians 5-6

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In Numbers 19 we read of the sacrifice of the red heifer, an offering made without the camp, a key ingredient in the “water for impurity” used for ritual cleaning of those who have come into contact with the dead. This sacrifice was in a sense outside the law, being offered by Eleazar rather than the high priest. It symbolised some aspects of Christ’s sacrifice, being restricted to animals without blemish and not used as a farm animal. But it was imperfect – the work of producing the water for impurity itself made 3 others unclean until the evening.

In Galatians 5-6 the contrast between the sacrifice of Christ and the ritualised sacrifices of the law is highlighted. “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery… neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” For all the special provisions under the law, it could never offer freedom.

But we are “led by the Spirit” rather than the law, exhorted to show the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, having “crucified the flesh with its passions and desires”. So let us “keep in step with the Spirit… and let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up”.