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Luke 8:22-25: HMV.

Three simple thoughts:

1. They were in the storm because they obeyed Jesus. When trouble comes into your life, it isn’t necessarily because you’ve got off track. There are difficulties that come your way when you are following Jesus and precisely because you are following Him. He is Lord. He charts the course for His disciples. Often our voyage will take us through rough seas and stormy weather. At times it may feel like The Lord is asleep, but He never is. Today He is with you in your storm-tossed boat, and it is right to ask ( and trust) for His help.
2. In the storm they had Jesus’ Word. He said to them at the beginning, ‘Let us go across to the other side of the lake.’ Sinking and drowning were not on His agenda. He had clearly articulated His intention. As we walk with Jesus, let’s be clear about what He has said to us and hold on to it. Sometimes it may seem completely counter-intuitive to do this. It really does take faith to accept that you’re going to the other side, when everything seems to shout that you are heading for the bottom of the lake. You set out on this life of discipleship with the Word of Christ in your hand, but you will probably soon find out that the wind will get  up and try to rip His promises out of your grasp. Be ready for that and hold on.
3. Through the storm they got a greater revelation of who Jesus is (25). We are finding that this this is a repeated theme in Luke. We are brought back to it again and again: ‘Who is Jesus?’ This is the big question we all must face – and answer appropriately. The disciples seemed to recognise that Jesus, though a man, was much more than a man. As someone said, He spoke to a storm like it was a disobedient puppy! He said, in effect, ‘Get down’ and the gales and rough seas got down. He told the wind and water to sit, and they sat. Nature recognised ‘his Master’s voice.’

Prayer: LORD Jesus, I recognise in you the Creator of all nature become Man. I am in awe of your majestic power. I worship you, and my desire is that all people will come and fall down at your feet.

Luke 8:4-21: a timeless lesson from agriculture.

A few years ago I had one of those, ‘Pinch me, I must be dreaming’ moments. One Sunday morning,a man I knew reasonably well was in church. Over the next week or so I was blessed to see his openness to Christianity, and in no time at all he was telling me that he had made a commitment to Christ. I saw it as a major answer to my prayers for my neighbourhood. He certainly received the word ‘with joy’. There was a lightness about him that showed in his face, and I’m certain that for a time, at least, his family enjoyed the sunshine of a softer, warmer, kindler man. He devoured the Bible and books about it. He was a regular and enthusiastic church attender. Also, he and I met often to pray and read Scripture. It was, therefore, heartbreaking when, just a few months later,he fell away from his involvement in church. He did face a severe test, and it appears he had ‘no root’. Still today I feel sad about my friend. Of course, I’ve seen this happen many times, but this one probably hit me harder than the the others. I had a deep personal investment in this. But I could never say Jesus didn’t warn me!

At the mention of a ‘great crowd’ (4) we are easily impressed. Jesus wasn’t. He knew what to expect and He ‘sowed’ His understanding in some ‘seed’ that has helped to manage Christian expectations for centuries. One of the highlights of our sabbatical time was to attend a church of thousands in Singapore, just a few weeks ago. We felt the spiritual seriousness and earnestness of the people around us. But you can be sure that even there this parable is being worked out.

Jesus’ teaching shows that we are in a real and fierce spiritual battle (12). Every time the Word is preached the devil active. Preachers should remember this and be prayerful. As mentioned earlier, the words of Christ also prepare us for disappointment (13). And I can’t help but wonder how many of us in the churches are living in (14). We sit under the influence of Biblical preaching, but other influences have a choking effect. Nonetheless, let us sow the seed knowing that some will fall on ‘good soil’ with attendant results. Authentic spiritual growth takes time and so requires ‘patience’ or ‘perseverance ‘ (15). It will not come about without an attitude to the Word that holds it ‘fast’, or retains it. ‘Take care then how you hear’ (19). God wants to shine his light on you. And remember that the kinfolk of Jesus show their relationship to Him by obedience (19-21). In fact, only in relationship with Jesus can we ever hope to obey.

At Christmas, my good friend Tom Ward, the director of ‘Good news broadcasting’, gave me a book called ‘The pastor’. It is the autobiography of Eugene Peterson. I knew I should bring it away with me, and so I popped it immediately into my hand luggage on Christmas Day, and Jilly and I have been reading it with great delight during our extended leave. It could not have been more timely for us both.It has reminded me that pastoral work by its very nature is often messy, but in the midst of the mess God is mysteriously at work, forming people into the image of Jesus. And if we are prayerful and patient, we will see the fruit in due time.

Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus for your honesty with us, and for your loving preparation of our hearts regarding what to expect when we sow the seed of your Word. Help us to keep sowing with enthusiasm and faith, knowing that we are workers together with you, and you, not we, are the Lord of the Harvest.

Luke 8:1-3: The grace of receiving.

It was Jesus who taught that ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:35) and His life demonstrated the point. He was constantly giving to others. This short reading illustrates some of the ways in which He held out His Hands, in preaching and healing, in mentoring others, and  in delivering from evil spirits. But Jesus, who made giving a lifestyle, had the grace to receive. He so humbled Himself that He made Himself vulnerable; putting Himself in a place where He needed the help of others. ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ and our Lord gave others the joy and privilege of ministering to Him.

Maybe you always want to be the strong one? You show your power by constantly giving. People need you, but you are okay alone. Perhaps you have cultivated the image of the independent person who doesn’t need anyone else? It will be for your good and for your growth if you will learn to not simply hold out Hands that give, but also which receive. In the past, at times, pride has kept me from accepting offered help, even when I desperately needed it. ‘No I’m fine thanks. I can manage. I don’t want to trouble you.’ What masqueraded as concern not to abuse the good will of others was in fact sinful, blatant pride. All pride  must go to the cross if we would grow to be like Jesus. Christ-like people are prepared to receive as well as give. It is a part of their generosity to allow others to have the blessing of giving. But also, they admit they need help. We can be like Jesus both in giving and receiving.

Jesus did not go it alone. He worked with teams of men and women ( and today’s reading shows just how far His influence went.

Prayer: Lord Jesus make me more and more like you in every way.

Luke 7:36-50: Extravagant worship.

Someone said that it is not great talent that God uses but great love for Jesus.

There is a difference between extravagance and exhibitionism. Some people may be exhibitionist in terms of what they do in a church service, drawing attention to themselves, saying, ‘Look at me’. Obviously, that is not worship. But I don’t get any impression that this lady was aware of anyone other than Jesus. Her whole focus was on Him. She just loved Him extravagantly for He had forgiven her freely. Her heart poured out to Him in this act. The perfume was expensive. It could cost a year’s wages to purchase it. But true worship is a costly thing at heart. It is cross-centred. It is prepared for any price in order to love and serve the Lord who paid the greatest price for us. Wouldn’t you rather be like the woman in this story and not Simon?

Before you criticise anyone else’s expression of worship, ( something, in fact, that we should never do), examine your own heart. ‘How much do I love Jesus?’

A little while ago I read this definition of a fanatic: ‘Someone who loves Jesus a lot more than I do!’

Prayer: Lord, increase my love for you.

Luke 7:18-35: Discouragement.

Spurgeon, the great Victorian preacher, used to speak about ‘the preacher’s’ fainting fits’. Many ministers may identify with this. That sermon you put so much time and effort and prayer into just seemed to fall flat. You noticed the people who looked sullen, bored, disinterested, sleepy. You expected to feel energised and empowered in the pulpit and you didn’t. It didn’t go how you expected. So Sunday night/Monday morning can become a time of dangerous introspection. You flirt with the thought that you are not up to it, and maybe you ought to resign for the good of the church. You are not sure how much longer you can carry on doing this. Becoming a postman seems an attractive proposition.

Many things can discourage leaders. One of the factors appears in this passage. It’s when people are awkward, and whatever you do they won’t be happy. What do you do with that? It can make you want to tear your hair out. They will always have a gripe and a grouse about something. You just can’t win.

There is something murky and mysterious about discouragement. It can descend like a fog and obscure your wisest perceptions. It even came to John the Baptist, who had given his life to witness to Christ. He was the greatest figure in the Old Covenant era, yet he too got ‘down in the dumps’.There is normally something of the irrational about bouts of discouragement, as we see in John. He knew that Jesus had raised the widow of Nain’s son, but he still had his doubts about the Lord. I don’t think he really thought they should be looking for another, but he found himself in prison, and in a dark place, and he needed reassurance.

The answer for John in his depression is just the one you and I need too. It is to get a fresh vision of Jesus: His Person and work. It is to see who He is and what He does. The report taken back to John must have reminded him of a number of Old Testament prophecies and settled his quivering heart.

So, ‘Turn your eyes upon Jesus…’

Prayer: Lord God please lift the drooping spirits of any discouraged Christian leaders today. Enable them to see you more clearly. Thank you that Jesus, for the joy that was set before Him, endured. Help us all to continually consider Him (Hebrews 12:1,2).

Luke 7:11- 17: Restoration.

“…and Jesus gave him back to his mother.” (15b)

“…and gave him back to his father.” (42b)

Jesus is in the restoration business. Above all, He restores lost (dead) prodigals to their Heavenly Father ( Luke 15:24). But He also brings restoration in human relationships.

How moving to read that Jesus’ “”heart went out”” to the grieving mother (13). He felt her grief and pain. (Someone has described empathy as ‘your pain in my heart’). But He could do more than offer sympathy. He who is the resurrection and the life shows His total mastery over death. He touched death and it fled like a burglar caught in the act (14,15).

Prayer: I thank you Lord Jesus that we not only have your pity but also your power – and that this power extends to the last great enemy of death itself. We are an Easter people and Hallelujah is our song.

Daily Bible thoughts 1071: Monday 8th February 2016: John 1:5: Inextinguishable Jesus.

We were travelling back to Auckland from the Bay of Islands and took the route through the Kauri Forest, where we saw New Zealand’s tallest Kauri Tree. Jilly took a photo of me next to this giant of the forest, and I am barely discernible on the photo.It sort of puts your small life into perspective. A plaque next to the tree says that it may be so old that it dates back to the time of Christ. However, someone had removed the name of Christ, but it was obvious that this was the case. Someone else had tried to write His Name back in. It gave us pause for reflection.We live in a world where many want to blot out the Name of Jesus. There are people who want to eradicate Him from history. But He is the indestructible Christ. The darkness is always wanting to overcome the Light, but it will never be able to. In that forest where someone, at least, had wanted to erase the Name of Jesus, we wanted to shout that we were not ashamed of Him.

Prayer: Thank you Lord that you are the Light of the world, and no-one can snuff you out.

Luke 7:1-10: Just one Word from the King…

A few years ago I was attending my denomination’s conference in the Welsh town of Prestatyn. At the time I had great concerns over a health problem faced by a member of my family. I went to North Wales that particular year feeling battered and bruised, and heavy with anxiety.According to the programme, on the Thursday afternoon there was to be a session for leaders and their wives led by Godfrey Birtill, a well known worship leader. I didn’t really feel like attending, but I thought that I ought to. I am so glad I did go along.It turned out to be one of the best services I’ve ever attended. One song in particular that Godfrey led us in said, ‘Just one touch from the King changes everything’. That spoke to me so powerfully and stayed with me in the weeks and months afterwards.

In this lovely story found in Luke chapter 7, the Centurion recognised that just one word from the King would change everything. He was a man of authority who knew what it was to be under authority and therefore to have authority. He recognised authority when He saw it. For Jesus, as the God-Man, His Word is His action. Just one Word from the King…just one touch. It amounts to the same reality. It’s interesting that those who spoke up on behalf of the Centurion said he deserved Christ’s help. He himself said he didn’t. Nevertheless he humbly asked for Jesus’ intervention, and he got it.

I find it comforting to know that Jesus is Lord over space. We can be far removed from our loved ones but it doesn’t stop us praying for them and trusting Jesus to help.

It was some time after leaving that conference that healing wonderfully came to my close relative. It wasn’t the work of a moment. It came gradually, over time, with a number of ups and downs and twists and turns. But today I can look back and say I know the King touched; I know that He spoke the healing word., and it changed everything.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for your healing Word; thank you for your authority. I am grateful for your powerful work in my life and your many answers to prayer.