Author: Penuel Baptist Roch

April 21st 2024: Mark Jenkins

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Matthew 16:13-28

Who do you say Jesus is?

In Jesus we find meaning and purpose to our lives, but we are only able to recognise who He is because God graciously opens our eyes and hearts to see.

There are many profound questions in life – will you marry me? Is it a boy or a girl?  Why do I matter? The most significant question is, ‘Who do you say Jesus is?’ Ultimately, our future depends on how we answer. Jesus’ identity is at the heart of the gospel we believe and proclaim. In verse 20 Jesus tells His disciples to tell no-one He is the Christ. Why?

Who do you say that Jesus is not only determines our future but our life now. In Jesus we find the purpose of our lives, our identity, where we belong. Here, Peter says, ‘You are the Christ.’ Matthew 16:16 is not included in the other gospels. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Matthew includes these verses to show his theme – that Jesus fulfils Old Testament prophecies, He is the King of Kings. Throughout the Coronation Service of Charles III, we heard that he not king of all, he is to serve. Society today is very unchurched and has a limited understanding of Biblical things. As Jewish people heard the prophecy of the coming Messiah, they did not understand this. Matthew tries to show Jesus is the Messiah.

This passage marks a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. Now Jesus has to prepare His disciples for all He is about to face. “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (v.21).

In this message we will explore:

  1. A timely conversation
  2. A challenging question
  3. An empowering instruction
  4. A surprising command

1. A timely conversation
Jesus knows all He is going to face. His disciples need to know who He is. This conversation is just with His disciples. The people recognised there was something special about Jesus. There were times when Jesus had alluded to His kingship (v.17) but He never used the title ‘Christ,’ He used ‘Son of Man,’ “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (v.13). Old Testament prophecies use this phrase e.g. Daniel 7.

People recognised He healed, He had power and authority over death, the elements and had outcast demons. On one occasion (Matthew 8) Jesus does not acknowledge where He has the power from. But now, Jesus asks the disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” He wants to get them thinking about who he is.

2. A challenging question

Who do people say the Son of Man is? Why is this important? The disciples had been with Jesus, seen Him performing miracles. When Jesus asks them, they answer, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (v.14). ‘They’ Shows that more than one of them replied. They were talking amongst themselves. The people acknowledged Jesus was a prophet who had some authority, realising His teaching was from God, but not that He was the Son of God. They couldn’t determine who Jesus was.

Jesus then asks His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” (v.15). The answer is given by Simon Peter, the bold, brash disciple, on behalf of all of them. His answer acknowledges exactly who Jesus is. Peter clearly recognises Jesus is the Messiah, the chosen One. Why were they able to see this and the crowds were not? It was not because they were more spiritual or more educated. They were fishermen. So, how were they able to recognise Jesus was the Messiah? Because God revealed it to them (v.17). There was no possibility that Peter and the other disciples could come to this conclusion themselves. It is the same for us today, we cannot know the things of God because we are ignorant, “They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.” (Ephesians 4:18).

After Jesus had explained this to the disciples, Peter clearly understands. We come to see Him as our Saviour through God’s divine power. He has opened our eyes so that we may see. It is solely God’s work. By His glory, virtue and grace, He opens our hearts and we can see. It is because of all He he has done we can come to Jesus and have salvation. God has given us all things to be right with Him. All we have to do is simply respond. Have you come to Him asking for forgiveness of sins? It is only when you have done this that you will be blessed. To be blessed is to be in a state of spiritual happiness, to have a deep joy of the soul of knowing I am His and He is mine. Being a Christian is the start of our lives with God and for God. All have a part in building up His church. Jesus tells His disciples they have a part in building His church, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (v 18-19).

3. An empowering instruction

Verses 18-19 contain metaphors of great encouragement. Christ’s church will last forever. Peter’s declaration is Jesus is the Christ, the solid rock on which our faith stands. Jesus has conquered death and the grave. His Kingdom will be victorious. Jesus will use them and us to bring others into His Kingdom (v.19). In order to enter the Kingdom you have to go through a door – the key – recognising Jesus is the promised One. At the end of verse 19  Jesus tells His disciples, “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew is writing to Jews. This is a common Jewish phrase. To bind means it is forbidden. To loose means allowed to enter into heaven. When a person is told who Jesus is and does not believe, they are bound. As we proclaim the gospel, we are fulfilling what God has already planned.

4. A surprising command

 “Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.” (v.20). Jesus forbids the disciples to tell anyone He is the Christ. Why? Jesus also told others the same thing. It was not the right time. In those days the title Messiah was misunderstood. Peter vehemently rejected Jesus’ prediction, “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (verses 21-23).

Peter was looking at the situation the way man would look at it, not God. Jesus was not a military power, He what is stablishing a spiritual Kingdom. Jesus would be a suffering servant (Isaiah 53). Jesus told them to wait until He had been crucified and resurrected.

We need to ensure we understand who Jesus is. What did Jesus come to accomplish as a saviour? What does it mean to those around us? Everyone is facing battles. Many people are looking for hope and escape, someone to rescue them. We need to be careful when we proclaim the gospel that we do not say these difficulties will disappear (Romans 8:35, John 16:33). We will face tribulation but we can know peace if we are in Christ. Jesus wants to deliver us from the punishment we deserve from our sins. When we have peace from God, we have hope and can look forward to the day when we will be with Him in eternity.

Who do you say that Jesus is? Is He your Lord? Praise God if He is!

April 14th 2024: John Williams

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April 14th 2024: John Williams

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“It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:26

One of the amazing teachings of scripture is that sinners can be right with God. It is essential to have a clear understanding of the truth of justification, of it’s great assurance. To be “Just and the justifier,” may seem an impossibility. We will look at three points:

  1. How can you declare a sinner not guilty? Is it a contradiction, a divine dilemma? No.
  2. How has God demonstrated this great truth of grace, so justice is honoured and love and mercy is dispensed to those in need of it?
  3. Consider the divine declaration – is justification a gradual process or a once and for all event? This can be summed up as:
  1. Divine dilemma?
  2. Divine demonstration.
  3. Divine declaration.

1.Divine Dilemma

How can God to be just and the justifier? God’s justice is something that causes a thoughtful person to tremble. If God is just, it strikes terror into us. His scrupulousness, His thoroughness in not only weighing the acts, the words and the thoughts, produces a sense of anxiety in all of us. He can see to the very bone and marrow in our life. Some focus on the love of God and say God will never send anyone to damnation, that love is stronger than justice.  When God acts justly He is simply acting like Himself. But God is also love. Justice is getting what we deserve. Our case is hopeless. Until you understand you were lost, you cannot understand the gospel. God is never at cross purposes with Himself. None of His attributes conflict with each other.

2.Divine Demonstration

What attributes of God are displayed in the death of the Lord Jesus? You may think of the love of God and you would be right, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). The love of God is demonstrated to us that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. God does not love us because we have promised to love Him back. In Romans 3:25-26 we also read of another demonstration of God’s justice with regards to the sins of previous times, before the coming of Christ. The Old Testament dispensation and justice at the present time. The present time is a reference to Christ’s earthly life, to deal with the consequences of sin once and for all.

There is a double demonstration: the Old Testament dispensation – the sacrificial system of the Old Testament – and the life of Jesus Christ – His death when the curtain was torn from top to bottom, and entry is gained for all who believe upon the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. Both the love of God and justice of God are fully demonstrated. As a believer you have to hold these two demonstrations in your hand, Romans 5:8 and Romans 3:25-26. Memorise these verses so that you have a clear understanding that justice and love are fully demonstrated at the cross.

Christ was dying in place of sinners. In doing so He diverts the wrath of God away from us. The cross is a place where justice and mercy can be equally displayed.

Paul was a legal man and imposed the idea of justification by faith, “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it.” (Romans 3:21). He said it is prophesized in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Old Testament sacrificial system was established to remind the people of the need of forgiveness and their accountability for sin. It was pointing them forward towards a sacrifice that would be made which would deal with it once and for all. That’s why it was on a daily basis, a weekly basis, a monthly basis, a yearly basis – all pointing towards the sacrifice that would eventually deal with it all, one sacrifice for all (Moses, Leviticus, Isaiah 53:11).

3.Divine Declaration

‘Justify’ is a word from the legal system (Deuteronomy 25:1). The work of santification takes place throughout our life. When a judge condemns someone, he is not making them guilty. The condemnation is based on the evidence. Picture yourself in court. Your life is being judged. The is an object of witness – the law of God. How do you stand up against this? Fail in one part, you fail in all. We become aware of how we have failed.

A subjective witness comes – your conscience. It speaks and confirms your guilt. The witness is against yourself. You speak against yourself. All your life you have defended yourself but at the final judgement you speak against yourself.

A third witness appears, a malicious witness. An accuser. The devil. He will say anything to incriminate us or implicate us.

Then, finally, one comes to give testimony to judge, one who is sinless. He states He has voluntarily stepped into your shoes and paid the penalty. You are declared not guilty. The guilty one goes free. You walk away a free person, yet sins and punishment were yours. What do you think of the one who did this for you? Do you love Him with all your heart? Are you thankful, do you serve Him because He gave His life for you? If that is you, praise the Lord! If it is not, believe in Him now.

April 7th 2024: Hywel George

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John 2:1-11

Jesus washes away our sins and makes us welcome to His family.

There is going to be a wedding here soon at Penuel. We read of a wedding here in John chapter two. Why is this event recorded? Here, Jesus is turning water into wine. John finishes his gospel by saying, “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.” (John 21:25). Jesus performed so many miracles that you may believe. That is why these miracles are recorded and you are here this morning – to say, ‘Yes, I believe He is Christ, the Son of the living God, to have life in His name.’

We have a glimpse here of new life the Lord Jesus has given us. Here we read of a wedding. Who was invited first? Maybe Mary, the mother of Jesus (v1). She may have had some role in hosting (v.3,5). During the wedding they ran out of wine. In this culture of 1st century Galilee, it would have been a big deal. Mary turns to Jesus for help. Jesus’ response is, “My hour has not yet come.” This is a strange response, but Mary’s response shows such faith. She goes to the servants and says, ‘Whatever He says, just do it.’

We then have this miracle of Jesus turning water into wine. The disciples believed in Jesus. Just before this event, Jesus had been tempted by Satan in the wilderness. He is committing Himself to a ministry, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God, forgiveness of sins, eternal life, salvation from hell. The biggest ministry in the world! Jesus takes time to go to this wedding. He is no kill joy at all. Far from being opposed to these things, He facilitates them. He produces something like 800 bottles of wine for this party. We can talk about how Jesus has miraculous power over all creation, or how He protects the honour of the ashamed, how He redeems hopeless situations.

All those things are good and right to say, but in all of those the miracle goes uninterpreted. It is notoriously difficult to interpret; there are no big, long explanations as in other chapters in the gospel of John. We have to work it out ourselves. We find the purpose of the miracle in verse 11, “This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.”

What does the miracle mean? How does it reveal Jesus? What does it reveal of His glory? Why does He facilitate a party? Why not heal people? Although there is no explanatory discourse, there are some clues. We are going to explore three clues:

  1. On the third day.

The third day is significant. It is a time stamp. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John rarely give time stamps and when they do it is significant. Timing is important. Throughout the whole Bible, the third day stands for new life (Genesis 22), even life from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus took place on the third day. (1 Corinthians 15). Expect this clue to be about new life, Jesus’ resurrection.

  • Jesus’ hour (v4).

His hour has not come refers to His death. There are many verses all through the gospels about this. Why does Jesus hear a request about more wine and think of His death? It is a strange conversation. Why does He draw that connection – His death and more wine? Jesus said, “ I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:29). Jesus knows that in His Father’s house there is wine. We go there to drink it with Him through His death. He knows that His crucifixion means wine of celebration for everyone. It means freedom from sin, everlasting life, reconciliation with the Father, an open door into His Father’s house, a party between Him and His people. The Bible describes this as a wedding feast in heaven.

This is what is happening in John 2. At this wedding in Galilee, the Lord Jesus is thinking about that wedding feast in glory, when He and the Church get married. As He sees this wine being poured, drunk and enjoyed, He is thinking about that wine He will pour, drink and enjoy with us one day in glory. He is thinking about His hour, His death, which will win all of that. He is thinking about when it will all be ultimately fulfilled, and what it will cost to bring it about.

He knows it is not time for that hour yet, but here is an opportunity to practice, as it were, before He has to do it for real. It is an opportunity to show what Christ crucified will do for the world. It is showing the significance of His death and what it will do for us – bring us new life, celebration and wine for all of His people who are welcomed into His Father’s house.

  • Water Pots.

In your home, where is your sink? By the front door? Unlikely! When the guests arrive at this marriage feast, the first thing they come across are massive pots of water. They would wash before sitting down and drinking (v.6). Purification of Jews was not just hygiene, it was also a spiritual thing. Moses, through the Old Testament, is teaching how sin makes us unclean. Do you have a squeaky clean past, a squeaky clean mind? Are your priorities right? Do you have scars because of your sin or the sins of others? Guilt, sin and filth sticks to us. We are filthy. These water jars reminded people that they are dirty. The Jews here in the story were constantly reminded of their sinfulness and the need to wash themselves (Psalm 51:5-7).

We need to be washed by God to be clean. On seeing the water pots, people may have wondered if Jesus would baptise people now. Why doesn’t He? Jesus is greater than John the Baptist. In verse four He is thinking of His death, when He is going to wash us with His blood. Through His death He is going to take away our sins, our guilt. On the third day he will rise. He is thinking about His death in which He is going to make us clean of sin and guilt forever. He is thinking of His death when He well wash us once and for all. Jesus did not come to fill washing jars but to fulfil washing jars – to bring them to an end.

Put the clues together. The third day brings new life. Through His death and new life, Jesus replaces for us all the old washings with a new cleanness and rejoicing in Him.

The law came through Moses, grace and truth came from Jesus Christ. This is the theme of chapter 2 through chapter chapter 4 as well. Jesus is replacing the old with the new. No more constant washings. He has come to wash us clean once and for all. Forever. The death of Jesus on the cross finishes ceremonial washing forever. If we believe in Him, He makes us clean for good and washes our sins away forever.

His hour, His death, the third day resurrection, means the end of guilt, the end of sin, the end of washing. Praise His name! The water of purification gives way to the wine of celebration. Constant guilt and scrubbing gives way to rejoicing on the third day.

The guests come to this party. They expect, when they see the big jars of water, another attempt to make themselves clean by washing away the dirt. Another temporary fix. The beginning of another cycle of failure. Before the party is over they will have sinned again and need to be cleansed again. But instead of that, they find the Son of God comes to them and presses into their hands a cup of wine and invites them to sit at His table.

This miracle means that Jesus ends our constant state of guilt before God and replaces it with a happy welcome to a heavenly wedding party through His own death and resurrection. This miracle is pointing us to Jesus, who can take away sin and guilt through His death. He can bury them deep in the grave. He’ll come and show you how to live a new life. The Lord Jesus takes away the water of purification and gives us the wine of celebration.

How much do you think the disciples understood at the time of this event? How much do you understand . . . that He is fully God and fully man? The point of this miracle is not about the disciples and is not about your understanding. “This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.” (John 2:11). That’s it! They believed in Him. That is what it is for – to see the sign and believe in Jesus. Trust in Jesus, believe in Him, He will make you clean. Through His death and on the third day, the Lord Jesus ends washings. He ends sin and brings us into the wedding feast of heaven.

If you prefer, you can go on sinning, you can go on scrubbing, you can go on failing. Always water, never wine. Always dirty, never clean. But John 2 compels us in a much better direction – to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ because He can clean up your life now and He can save you a glass of wine in heaven.

March 31st Easter Sunday 2024: Gaius Douglas

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Psalm 107:9
“For He satisfies the longing soul and the hungry soul with goodness.”

This verse speaks about the people of Israel as they travelled through the wilderness journey, hungry and thirsty. This verse can also apply to spiritual longing in the heart of man – that which can’t be satisfied by anything else in the world. “For He satisfies the longing soul and the hungry soul with goodness.” The things that we have, such as clothes and gifts, only last for a while. We breeze but there will come a time when breath will leave our bodies. Then comes judgement. Today is an opportunity for you to receive Christ as your Saviour.

We say thank you for Easter eggs, but sometimes we don’t give thanks to God. We receive many things, but the greatest thing that’s been given we have rejected – the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says there will come a time when we will have to give an account to God if we have rejected His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Those of us who are recipients of this wonderful gift of love, this wonderful gift of grace, can say, “For He satisfies the longing soul and the hungry soul with goodness.” We have received of the Lord’s goodness, his blessing and eternal life. We can rejoice!

In John chapter 4 the Lord Jesus Christ is going to Samaria for a purpose – to meet a lady at a well, drawing water. The Lord meets her. He begins to speak to her. The Lord Jesus Christ knew she had a deep need and had tried many things. The Lord Jesus Christ goes straight to the point. Are you a recipient of that well, that water of life? This living water can satisfy your need.

On another occasion, He went to a town called Bethany. Lazarus was sick. Mary and Martha hoped Jesus would heal him. After two days He went. When the elder sister Martha heard He was coming she ran to meet Him. She was sad, her brother had died. Out of her sadness, you see her faith rising. She says, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” (John 11:21-22). There are times when we are down or ill and we can rejoice. Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26). Martha’s eyes were opened. She was overwhelmed and replied, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11:27).

For 3 1/2 years the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ were spiritually nourished and fed. They saw how He reached out to the lost and how He met the needs of all. He told them clearly He would die and rise again (Luke 9:22). He was arrested, crucified and buried. When the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ and His followers heard, they had their hopes shattered. Only two stayed the course, John and Peter. The others ran away. They were afraid that they too would be arrested and put to death. Peter denied the Lord Jesus Christ.

Then in the gospel of John, we read of Mary Magdalene. She loved the Lord Jesus Christ so much because He had healed her and cast out seven demons in her. For that, she loved Him. She went and gave up everything to follow Him and serve Him. Anything she had, she gave to the Lord. She fed Him and His disciples. Early that Sunday morning she went to the tomb when it was dark. She noticed the stone was rolled away. She ran back to Peter and John and told them this. You can imagine them running back to the tomb. Something was happening. Peter and John did not see the body and went home. But Mary stayed, weeping. She went inside the tomb. There was nobody but she saw two angels who asked, ‘Why are you crying?’ She replied, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” She came out of the tomb and no doubt continued to weep. As she came out, there was a man standing in front of her. She thought he was the gardener. He said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She answered, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”  (John 20:15b).

Mary came with expectation – not to see a living Christ, but a dead Christ. That’s how much she loved Him. She wanted to demonstrate her love and embalm Him. He spoke her name and she recognised His voice. When was the last time you recognised the voice of the Lord? Mary ran excitedly to the disciples to tell them she had seen the Lord, that He had risen.

The Lord Jesus Christ promised the woman at the well living water. His promise was based on His resurrection from the dead. He said to Martha, “I am the resurrection.” Mary Magdalene, a persistent woman, was rewarded. I encourage you to be persistent. She couldn’t rest until she saw her Saviour. Why are you here this morning? Is the Lord Jesus Christ alive in you? Every word of hope that the Lord Jesus made, every promise, is based on the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:14). I am not serving an empty faith.

Many people who don’t believe in the resurrection of the dead call themselves Christians. Our faith is based on the resurrection, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,” (Ephesians 2:1). Knowing Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we have been saved for the glory of God. One day our frail bodies will live, having a body like unto our Lord Jesus Christ.

I love Job; he had periods of being down, then up. He had more downs than ups. He had boils all over his body and was cast out of his city, sitting on a dung heap. But he was able to say, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth,” (Job 19:25). I shall see my saviour. Will you see Him? Are you looking forward to seeing Him?

Heaven is going to be a wonderful place filled with glory and grace. Until that day we are flesh and bones and there is still sin. But the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead and said because He lives, we can live. He is the one who is sustaining us. He wants us to live in that resurrection power. What is the power that is at work in you? If you know the Lord Jesus Christ, it is resurrection power. It was in Martha, Mary, His disciples. He wants us to show the power of Christ. He will sustain and keep you. He knows your longing, your pain, your hunger, your anxieties. He loves you and will never let you down.

He destroyed sin, hell, and death. He has overcome the power of Satan so you can rejoice. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Come to Him. He will give you rest. Living that power.

“For He satisfies the longing soul and the hungry soul with goodness.”

March 28th Good Friday 2024: John Scanlon

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Matthew 27: 29-42

We ponder on the word of God and how it describes this great event that took place so long ago. We picture it in our minds, different people in different ways. You can imagine the big crowd there, watching. In those days, it was probably the only entertainment they had. Attending this execution of the Lord Jesus Christ we have the curious, the crowd followers, the passers-by – so hardened to the suffering of others. Crucifixion was entertainment. They were guilty of saying things amongst the crowd they would not say otherwise. They were guilty of being one of the gang. Passers-by became a mob.

What had changed peaceful citizens into a mob crying for blood? A week earlier they had cried out ‘Hosanna,’ now ‘Crucify Him!’ These people may have had nothing against Christianity, but joined in with the crowd so they didn’t feel left out. We see crowds like this today, for example, at football matches. Were these passers-by responsible for the death of an innocent man? Yes! As we all are. On judgement day you will need to give a personal account, not be part of a crowd.

In His agony Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Forsaken by God! Who on earth can understand that? Jesus was crucified at 9:00 a.m., the third hour, the hour of the morning sacrifice. At noon, when the sun burnt so brightly, darkness fell until the 9th hour, 3 p.m. This was the time of the evening sacrifice when the lamb was offered as a daily sacrifice in the temple. This was a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, the Lamb slain for the world. During that time of darkness, no sound came from Jesus on the cross. There was absolute silence. When the darkness had passed, that was when Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

How can we understand that dramatic scene? How can we express its meaning? We can grasp some of it by examining the following:

  1. The desperation of the cross.

Was there ever a cry so filled with desolation? Many people misunderstood and thought He was calling for Elijah. From childhood He had been misunderstood (Luke 2, John 2:19). The crowd laughed, they mocked and jeered. The religious leaders were quite correct when they said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.” (Matthew 27:42). He saved others but He could not save Himself because He set His heart on saving others. “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.”(Hebrews 9:22). He came to this world to save you and me, to obtain forgiveness for sinners.

  • Separation from the Father.

This is a mystery. Forsaken – heart rendering. Being forsaken was no new experience for Jesus; all His life He had been forsaken. His own family turned away from Him, His own nation rejected Him, the disciples forsake Him and fled. He knew what it was to be forsaken, yet He was always conscious that He was not alone, for the Father was always with Him.

He told His disciples at the Last Supper in the Upper Room, “Behold the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.” (John 16:32).

Yet, now on the cross He cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Nobody stood by Him. There is no opening of the heavens. There is no voice of God. There was no strengthening angel by His side as it was in Gethsemane. He is completely alone, forsaken by God. But does God ever forsake His own? All history, all human experience, all scripture indicates not. God has promised, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ Yet He forsook Christ at Calvary. What can it mean?

The answer is to be found in the significance of the death of Christ. It wasn’t an eternal separation from God. The divine nature cannot be separated from the human nature. Jesus was eternally God.  The Father couldn’t be separated from the Son in the Godhead. It could not mean that the Father had forsaken the Son in the sense that He no longer loved Him, because God truly was well-pleased with Jesus for sacrificing Himself on the cross on behalf of others, and carrying out God’s will even unto the point of death. It was because all the sin of humanity was placed on Jesus. Therefore, God abandoned His Son; in His holiness He could not look upon sin. Jesus was obedient unto death.

The sins of the world separated the Father from the Son. Sin separates us from God. Jesus was the substitute for our sin, taking our place on the cross. All of the sin and iniquities of the whole world was placed on Him. Think upon on that – all the greed, all the hate, all the lust – Christ bore the sins of the world. Isaiah 53 foretold it. Consequently, all the wrath of God was poured out on Christ. Every nail driven into His body, every stripe on His back, every thorn – all this He endured for us, for our sin.

He stood between a sinful world and a righteous God. He suffered in our place. Christ still said, in spite of His suffering, “My God, my God.” He held strongly to His faith in God. God always stands near to those who can cry out, ‘My God. my God.’ Our Lord Jesus Christ, like Job, was saying, ‘Thou He slay me, yet I will trust in Him.’

It was a cry of victory. Here, Jesus was completing the work He came to carry out. He was accomplishing the will of the Father. This was His supreme moment of triumph. God authenticated it by accepting the sacrifice that was offered. The veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom, as if God was reaching down from heaven to tear it apart and say to mankind, ‘Come to me now through the sacrifice of My Son. You have no need anymore of an earthly priest to intercede for you. Instead, you have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

We are told salvation is found in no-one else, for these is no other name under heaven given about men whereby we must be saved. Jesus Christ was born as Saviour. He has accepted the penalty on your behalf. He has suffered for us. We can look to Him and no other, for salvation. Turn to God in repentance and confess your sins and you can be numbered among those for whom Christ died.

A closing thought. On that day there were three men on three different crosses: one not caring about the damage he had caused by his awful life, defiant to the end. One next to him whose death was intended to repair the damage caused by centuries of sin. And one who regretted the life he led and, although he was at the point of death, truly felt sorrow for the sins of his life and wishing he could atone for those sins. He turned to the one who hung next to him, who was truly the Son of God, who was able to tell him not only where he was going, but when, ‘This day thou shalt be with me in paradise.’

That promise is also for us if we truly repent of our sins. We too need to turn to the Saviour, to seek the forgiveness that was purchased for us at such a high price.

March 24th 2024, Palm Sunday: Evan Millership

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Luke 19:28-44 Worship to the King

Here, we find a great procession, the beginning of something so much better. The disciples are praising God. They have no idea about what is to happen, but for Jesus the cross is so much bigger now. As He rides into Jerusalem, He knowns His time on earth is about to end. It is a very intense period of a few days. Easter is my favourite holiday because Jesus came to die for me and for you. If you read through the rest of the account of Jesus life on earth and it does not thrill your hearts, it is a wasted week. If it doesn’t thrill your heart that Jesus went to the cross for you, your time is wasted. The worship of the disciples should be an example for us. Jesus should thrill our hearts. It should bring us to worship.


Why worship Jesus? What is the point?

Because:

  1. The King has come.
  2. The King is worthy of praise.
  3. The King cares for you.

What is worship?
“As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honoured in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:20-21). John Piper’s commentary on these verses is very helpful. When we deal with the Bible, words matter. The writer, Paul, does not want to be ashamed, he wants to have courage. He is in prison because he believes in Jesus. He is writing to the Philippians from prison. He wants courage so Christ will be exalted in his body, whether by life or death. To exalt something is to put something higher than yourself. Paul wants to worship Jesus with every ounce of his existence in every interaction he has. Not just in life but in the moment of death, Christ will be exalted. “

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (v.21). This verse echoes what Paul has already said. He wants to worship Jesus. To live is Christ. Do you strive like Paul? To die is gain – the desire to see Christ Himself and be with Him in heaven. To pass through death is gain. What is gain? Death and all that it holds is better by far than anything found in the world around us.

So, what is worship? John Piper summarises it by saying, “The inner essence of worship is to experience Christ as a more satisfying treasure than anything found in life and anything found in death.” To live for Christ is to experience Christ as a more satisfying treasure. It matters how we worship and what we think worship is.

Why should we worship?

  1. The King has come (Luke 19:28-36).

Jesus is going towards Jerusalem. He rides on a colt. This is very important. Jesus is about to show that He is the promised King the people have been waiting for. God has seen the trouble of Man, seen our problem and broken world around us, seen our greatest problem – sin. Throughout the Old Testament God promises a Saviour will come – not just to His people, but to the world,

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
    Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
    righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim
    and the war horse from Jerusalem;
and the battle bow shall be cut off,
    and he shall speak peace to the nations;
his rule shall be from sea to sea,
    and from the River to the ends of the earth.
11 As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you,
    I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.
12 Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope;
    today I declare that I will restore to you double.
13 For I have bent Judah as my bow;
    I have made Ephraim its arrow.
I will stir up your sons, O Zion,
    against your sons, O Greece,
    and wield you like a warrior’s sword.
          Zechariah 9:9-13.

Jesus is fulfilling this prophecy, this promise. Zachariah goes on to say that the great enemy, death, will be defeated. Peace will rule. True hope has come at last. Jesus riding on a donkey, people praising His name, shows that the King has come. If you are not trusting in Jesus, death is the final enemy. Jesus has come to die in place of the enemies of God. The King has come!

  • The King is worthy of praise (verses 37-40).

As Jesus goes down the Mount of Olives the disciples joyfully praise God for all the miracles they had seen. The crowd want to see more (v.38 – from Psalm 118). Then the Pharisees come along and say if Jesus is King, that is blasphemy. Jesus answers by saying, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” You can imagine what they’re response would be. He is saying, ‘You humans are the only ones who can refuse to praise God. But the rest of creation, the trees, the mountains, the clouds, are all there to bring glory to God. Even the pebbles at their feet. Everything was made for the glory of God, everything that is musical, everything that is tasteful, everything that is good in this world is there to portray the goodness of God (Colossians 1:16).

  • The King cares for you (Verse 41-44).

As He approached Jerusalem Jesus wept over it. It matters who Jesus is. We’re not told to worship a rogue dictator, we’re told to worship Jesus. Jesus weeps. The King will come one day. We are meant to be a beacon on a hill. The Jews turned away from God and want nothing to do with Jesus. They did not see the hand that was offered to save them. If you miss the hand of Jesus to save you, there is no other hand. He weeps. He doesn’t want to see people die. He wants people to turn from their evil ways. Turn to Jesus and live.

He is worthy of praise. God himself has come to you. The disciples worshipped him. I want Christ to thrill your heart because He is amazing! Everything points to the cross – what He will do for you and for me. The cross is personal. For those who don’t trust Jesus we see what will happen in verses 42 to 44. Why will you die when Jesus has come to give you life? The King Has come. Jesus thrills His disciples. Will you be thrilled?

March 17th 2024: Graham John

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Mark 14:1-11 Christian Devotion

I had a long-lasting friend in school who was nicknamed ‘the enthusiast.’ It was because an idea would grip him so powerfully that it would exclude all other things for a short while, until something else grabbed his attention. Once, when we were teenagers, he suggested making a lorry trip to India. If you gave a moment’s thought to it, and expressed grave doubts about its viability and success, he would put you down as a definite. If you said a firm no, he would put you down as a probable. He was a born optimist, a visionary, who was finally captivated by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Here, in the home of Simon the leper, was Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, who was undoubtedly and enthusiastic for Christ. She was a disciple, a follower, a supporter, a fan. We have a flashback here to the Friday before Good Friday. We see her sacrificial love to the Lord Jesus Christ. In her devotion she gave sacrificially pure nard, which was one of the most expensive perfumes of the day, made from leaves of a plant only found in the foothills of the Himalayas. This display seemed very spontaneous but that couldn’t have been the case because of the cost of the perfume. The very cost meant she wouldn’t have had this to hand. It was the perfume of kings and queens. It probably had to be ordered for such an occasion. A lot of thought must have been behind this apparently impulsive act. It was carefully planned and considered. God loves a cheerful giver.

Marry poured out her heart in thanksgiving and gratitude to Christ. What form of devotion might you take? You have something far more precious than a year’s wage to give him. Paul encouraged Christians in the city of Corinth to increase the size of a gift they were given. Paul mentions examples of other Christian giving – the Christians in Macedonia. They gave themselves first to the Lord, then to others. God’s love is lavish, it is extravagant. Any giving of ourselves to Him will only be a pale reflection of His love for us in sending Christ to the cross. While we may suffer in some way, yet on the cross Jesus suffered for the sins of the world.

Mary’s act of considered devotion causes us to give ourselves to the Lord. The later you come to Christ, the more you regret you never came sooner. But it is never too late to come to Christ. In the planned giving of specific sacrifices, a Christian must actively and purposefully seek out ways in which to serve Christ. We need to follow Him as His disciple, even in moments when we don’t feel like it. Specific ways of sacrificing include my money, my energy, my thoughts, my mind. He longs for such sacrifices, yet He is not any the richer by receiving these things from us.

How can I practically give myself to Him, who is no longer on earth? His spiritual body is here – the Church. Give generously and show kindness. There are local needs in the local church, as well as the worldwide needs of the church. Mary’s example is an act of planned generosity and devotion to the Lord, who offers Himself as a sacrifice for all. His dedication works itself out in our lives. Do we ever take time in thinking how we may serve the Lord Jesus Christ? Do we plan and prepare to live out a life like this?

There is a deeper meaning of Mary’s gift; it was prophetic, “She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial.” (v8). His cross had been prepared. His death was just a few days away. As He anticipate the form of His death and resurrection, Mary has done more in this act than she realises. Often God fulfils His purposes without people realising they are His instrument. They are unaware. Mary has done something she is unaware of – performing an anointing before His burial. Heaven and earth filled with a wonderful perfume. Jesus crucified for me is the power of the gospel – both its glory and attraction of the cross.

Christ encourages us in this example to see how He accepts our gifts and sacrifices. Jesus says she has done a beautiful thing. Praise from the King of Kings! Do you sometimes feel your sacrifices displeasing or overlooked by God? In the sacrifices of Cain and Abel, only one was offered by faith. By grace He accepts our gifts, even a cup of water offered in His name. It is possible for a believer to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. He can look down with delight and pleasure, in the light of Calvary. Paul, in Romans 12, says, “By the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (v1b).

Notice how He defends us in the face of disapproval. We are told in a parallel passage in John chapter 12 that Judas points out the waste of the gift, but Jesus says Mary’s gift is timely. Judas, treasurer, champion of the poor. But Jesus says there will be many opportunities to help the poor. But there is something more pointed underneath these remarks. Cold, worldly hearts cannot understand this generosity. The zeal and faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ is often misunderstood by people of the world. They still mock Christ in His people. If a person devotes they’re time, they’re money, their heart to build up a business, the world considers them praiseworthy. Yet, they consider dedication to Christ as a waste.

Once a person sees the awful nature of their sin, together with the heights from which the Saviour came and the depths to which He descended for our sakes at the cross, their heart cries out, ‘What can I do to give back to Him? Call on the name of the Lord.

It is easier to be an admirer of Mary than a copier of Mary. Why was she so devoted? Possibly because she was a good listener. According to John’s gospel, the one who poured perfume over his head here had previously sat at His feet, listening to His words. She learned of God’s love in giving His only Son for this evil world. Have you heard his voice? If so, have you thoughtfully, purposefully, sacrificially given first yourself to Him, then your talents and your gifts, and the things that are special about you? Or do you sit on the sidelines with others and mutter, ‘Waste. Extravagant waste.’ May the Lord show us today the precious value of the Lord Jesus Christ.

March 10th 2024: Adrian Brake

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Luke 7:11-23 Jesus offers salvation before He brings judgement.

In verses 11-15 Luke records perhaps what was Jesus’ most remarkable miracle up to that point – raising a man to life. Since the creation of the world, approximately 4,000 years earlier, very few people had been raised from the dead. Nobody had been raised from the dead for 900 years. This was truly an extraordinary event. Nobody who was in that day would ever have been able to forget what they had seen. People could never have imagined in their wildest dream such a thing would happen. They had seen Jesus give sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, speech to the mute, mobility to the paralysed, liberty to the demon-possessed. But to give life to the dead was something else altogether.

Those who had been raised in church are so familiar with the gospels, miracles no longer stun us as they should. “Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” (Luke 7:14-15). Astonishing!

How could those who were privileged to be present keep quiet? Today, people would be tweeting within minutes and having selfies with the dead man. There was no social media then, but word of mouth was very effective in getting the news out. Therefore, it spread like wildfire throughout Judea and the surrounding regions. “And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.” (Luke 7:17).

“Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.” (v.18). Luke focuses on one man in particular, a man who had already been quite prominent in the gospel – John the Baptist – who was more than 150 miles away. How did he hear about the news? The disciples of John reported it to him. Disciples were people who followed you, recognised you as a prophet of God. John was recognised by many as a prophet. Israel hadn’t had a profit for 400 years.

How to John respond to what he had been told about Jesus? It’s perplexed him. He had a burning question. John was unsettled; he couldn’t rest until the question was answered. There was only one person who could answer this question, “And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (v.19). Why couldn’t John ask Jesus himself? Because John was in prison on the instructions of Herod Antipas. John had reprimanded Herod Antipas for his behaviour. Now Herod wanted to kill John but couldn’t because John was popular, and Herod Antipas didn’t want an uprising. John aas in lockdown but he was able to send messengers to Jesus to ask, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (v.19).

The ’Coming One.’ God had told His people centuries before that He would send them a King, one who would deliver them from all enemies and bring blessings. He would set up a Kingdom that would never end. John the Baptist had come and said the prophecies were about to be fulfilled. John had said that He is coming, Jesus of Nazareth.

Yet, John, who had preached this to the people, now seems to have doubts and wants confirmation that Jesus is the Coming One. It is strange. John had been so sure. He had baptised Jesus. When Jesus came out of the water, John saw with his very own eyes the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus. He had told people, ‘This is the Messiah.’ (John 1:34). Yet here, John is unsure. This is the most important thing in all the earth – who is the Messiah, the one God gives as our saviour?

Why is John now uncertain? Some people say it is John’s disciples who have doubts, not John, who tells them to go and ask Jesus for themselves. But in verse 22, when Jesus answers the question, He tells the disciples to ‘Go and tell John the things you have seen.’ It is John who is uncertain.

In verse 24 the messengers come with a message from John. It is John who is second-guessing himself. Why is he uncertain?  It is understandable in Christian life to be uncertain. Have you ever felt as though, even though God is always with us, He seems far away? We can doubt and be uncertain. We should follow John’s advice and go to Jesus. Take our doubts to Jesus. Jesus doesn’t rebuke John, He ministers to him. We take our doubts to Jesus. Take them to the Lord. You’ll be welcomed and He will help.

In Luke chapter 3 we read of John the Baptist preaching. John the Baptist said the work of the Messiah would be, “Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Luke 3:7). John had never had PR training! Verse 9 continues, “And even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” In verse 17 we read, “His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”

The Messiah has come to cut down the trees that don’t bear fruit, and to throw the chaff into the fire. He has come to administer God’s wrath on enemies, to punish sin. He is come to bring devastating judgement upon sinners. It is about to happen now (v.9). The axe isn’t on the shelf – it’s already at the root. The winnowing fan is not on the shelf but in His hands. This is a clear message. John had had the message from God but it was also referenced in the Old Testament (Malachi 4).

When the Messiah comes there will be a devastating judgement for sinners. Then, John gets to hear Jesus is doing anything but judgement. Instead, He is healing the sick, raising the dead. John is expecting God’s wrath to be unleashed, yet Jesus is lavishing God’s love. This Saviour is bringing nothing but salvation. This is why John asks the question. Jesus answers with actions, “And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.” (Luke 7:21). More healings! Then Jesus says, ‘There’s your answer.’ Jesus is saying, ‘Yes, I am the Messiah, the Coming One. The proof is what I am doing.’

John had got half the story, not all of it. When the Messiah comes He will unleash God’s wrath  on the ungodly.  But what John did not understand was that the Messiah would come twice. It is when Christ comes back that He will unleash devastating judgement. John had got the timing wrong. Jesus brought grace and salvation and healings (Isaiah 35). Before Christ brings judgement, He comes to offer salvation. Jesus is saying, ‘Now is the time for grace, now is the time for the offering of salvation.’ Now is the time for the first part of Old Testament prophecy to be fulfilled Later, the other part will come to pass.

One day there will be judgement. But God is so gracious, God is so merciful, that He holds back. He could do it now, but He holds back because He is patient with sinners. Now is the day of mercy, now is the day of salvation. “Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.” (v.22).

The chief characteristic of the Lord’s ministry is the poor will have the gospel preached to them. Jesus has come to warn people of what is to come. He offers salvation.

God is a merciful, patient God. He hates sin and those who do not repent will be punished with everlasting destruction. But God does not delight in wrath. He has a compassionate heart. Have we got the heart of God for sinners? Have we got compassion for the lost? Are we concerned for sinners?

We are working against the clock. We are still in the day of grace. But John was right. The day of judgement is coming. We don’t know when that will be. We have to seize the time and do what we can. Every day that passes is a day closer to judgement. There is no time to waste.

For those who do not know Christ, there is a warning. Now there is a welcome, but that won’t always be the case. Seek the Lord whilst He may be found. There is a time limitation on God’s offer of mercy. In 2 Corinthians, Paul says, ‘Now is the day of salvation.’ We must come. God’s patience does not last forever. We need to act. Christ is the Messiah, Jesus is the saviour, Jesus is the one who can save you. Come to Him while you may.

March 3rd 2024: Gareth Llewellyn

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Matthew 13:44-52

There is a monetary value on things. Each year Forbes produces a list of the most wealthy people. The richest man in the world is worth £173.57 billion. That is what the world aspires to – what we have is what we’re worth. We are worth much more than that. We define value as what we are willing to pay. Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of stew. In that moment, stew was more valuable.

What are you worth? Can we place a value upon you? If you live in the UK, you are in the top 15% of the world’s richest people. In Cambodia, Cameroon, Pakistan and Nepal, the national average wage for a year is less than £1500. In Sudan and Somalia it is less than £600 a year. If you are in Afghanistan, it is less than £300.

Socially, our value might be higher than what we have. We may have the respect of others; we might champion social injustices, environmental causes, community work, where people look up to us. What if you need assistance, how does community value you?

What value are you to God?
Jesus tells 3 parables about the Kingdom of God:

  • The Parable of the man who finds treasure buried in a field, who re-buries the treasure and sells all he has to buy the field, knowing that the treasure in the field is worth far more than the field itself.
  • The Parable of the merchant who searches for and finds a rare pearl and sells all he has to buy the pearl;
  • The Parable of the fishermen who, when they retrieve the net, keep hold of remarkable fish and get rid of the dross – those of no value, no worth.

I’ve heard these parables preached separately, but they are a group of three parables. It has often been suggested that they speak of finding Jesus and giving up everything to follow Him. But that is not the context when the three parables are put together. Something else is going on. We can’t be the fishermen throwing stuff away.

How are the parables connected? In verse 47 we read, ‘again.’ There is repetition. A different image is used to say the same thing: the one who is the owner of the field is Jesus, the merchant is Jesus, the fisherman is Jesus. Who is the treasure, the pearl, the fish? His lost people. Jesus is the one seeking. If you’re in Christ, you are the treasure, you are the pearl, you are the fish.

Treasure.
Our treasure is in the field that was owned by someone. Everything in it legally belongs to another man. The finder bought the field, selling everything he had to get it. He bought the field to obtain one treasure.
The field is the world. The treasure is us – those who believe in Christ for salvation. John 3:16. When Jesus died, He paid for those sins of the world. The debt is covered. But this only applies to the person who believes. Jesus joyfully went to the cross because he knew what was at the end of it – your salvation. It should bring joy to our heart. You are his treasure.

Pearl.
People will pay large amounts for something they value. The merchant goes to the jewellers. He knows what he is looking for – pearls. There, he finds the pearl he has been searching for. He gets the price. He goes and sells everything to get it. Here is the doctrine of adoption. It is up to God, in His sovereign choice, to save who He chooses. The merchant gave up everything for the Pearl, the one pearl he placed great value on. See the value Christ has on you.

Christ searches for you. He willingly exchanged all He had to pay for you. It cost Jesus His blood. But more than that, He left the throne of eternity, and came to earth. One day we will find out what heaven is like and never want to leave. Jesus came to be born into shame and scandal, born to a teenage girl. He came into this world to be fed, to learn to walk and talk. He lived righteously. He died for us. He shed all his blood. When they pierced His side, water came out. All His blood had gone. His death paid for your life. That is what it cost Jesus to buy you. You are worth everything. You are worth dying for.

Christian, rejoice! Christ did everything for you. Sinner, realise He gave all for you. Consider the joy that Christ has when we are all gathered in. We are that pearl that he gave everything for.

Dragnet.
The gospel of Jesus is like the net – thrown far and wide. It brings all sorts of people to Jesus. Many seek out Jesus but fall away. People went to him for healing, they saw miracles. They were binge watching miracles. The Bible shows people followed Jesus for all sorts of reasons, but few were following for the right reason. Only those who truly believe are chosen by God. The Kingdom of God is only filled by those whom He has chosen. If you have confessed Jesus is Lord, you are chosen. But there are many who claim to follow Jesus but don’t.

You may go to church, you may go to prayer meetings, you may read your Bible, but are you trusting in Jesus? Ask yourself, ‘Am I truly trusting in Jesus?’ That is all that matters. What have you done with Jesus? You have been purchased at great cost by the blood of Jesus. If you are trusting in Jesus, then you are the treasure you are the pearl, you are the fish.

We are repeatedly told we are of great worth to God. You are loved by God regardless of your circumstances. Lost child of God, know your worth, put your trust in Him, confess your sins. Know your worth. Rejoice in your worth.

February 25th 2024: Andrew Bowden

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Psalm 100

The psalms are very personal, written after deep life experiences. We can relate to them. They are reassuring, soothing. Psalm 100 is one of the most uplifting psalms. It is a transforming psalm, all about worship. The world sees worship as boring, for ageing members, with long sermons, which are far-removed from their lives. That is how it is perceived by many. Yet, in this Psalm we see true worship is exhilarating. We look for something greater than ourselves to stand in awe of. We were made to stand in awe of something greater than ourselves – God. We were made by God for God. We are to be enraptured with God. There is none like him. We should be taken up altogether with him. God has made us for something greater than this life – Himself. God is greatly to be praised. We come to worship expecting something new, fresh, heavenly and glorious – God!

It is a misconception that worship is confined to a particular day: open doors, close doors, that’s worship. Yet, when we turn to a psalm like this and find worship is the believers’ life. We do all to the glory of God. Live in the spirit of worship.

We are to be joyful in God (verses 1-2),
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
   Serve the Lord with gladness!
    Come into his presence with singing!

 (verse 1-2). There is a note of gladness enjoy in God, all that He is and opened up to us in Christ. Gospel is a calling out of ourselves into Christ. The Philippians were repeatedly told to rejoice in the Lord. We are to be a joyful people. Pull writes quite personally; he renounced everything and rejoices in Christ Jesus, his Lord. Joy is a great characteristic of the believer in God. He is a God who has created beauty, the senses. He has made us for joy with him. He is a God who would have us rejoicing in him. Here we read of a joyful shout to the Lord. It’s an affirmation of joy that silence is every other voice of guilt and shame (Habakkuk 3). Here is a voice of affirmation that rises above other voices. Look up and see who God is. In trust all to him.

There is also a joyful service of the believer. Paul writes, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1). His mercies towards us make us glad to serve Him. It is a matter of delight and joy. God has taken us to Himself, we live to please Him. When we serve the Lord gladly, we do all unto him.

In verse 2 we see a joyful song; we are to come with singing.
God rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).

In verse 3 we read,
“Know that the Lord, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

We are to be mindful of God. Yes, we are to be joyful in God, but there are certain things we ought to know about God. Get to know God better. We need a good dose of theology. There is none like Him, who is all-powerful. He is our maker. How we think determines how we feel (Philippians).

The most important thing about you is how you see God and relate to Him. We see here we have come from God, he has created us. We are a divine heir. This is where our beginning lies. We are designed, made by Him. He stamps individuality on everything he has made. God has not made you to be a cheap copy of someone else. You are uniquely made and fashioned by God. Do not compare yourself to others.

God made you to be you and providentially placed you where you are. He cares for us. We are the sheep of His pasture. He is our Good Shepherd, watching over us. We ought to be joyful and mindful. He will keep us. The older you get in life the more you marvel at the ways God has kept you. We ought to be thankful to God – that is how the Psalm ends.

In Thessalonians we read, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Be appreciative through all things. See the hand of God in everything.

Matthew Henry was once robbed by a highway man. When he got home he thanked God it was the first time he had been robbed. Although everything had been taken, it was not much. He thanked God that he had been robbed and he was not the one who had been doing the robbing. He thanked God the highwayman took his purse and not his life. Be thankful! Be joyful each day in God, ever mindful of who and all He is. Be thankful to God in all that happens.