Andy Graham

‘Hosanna to the Son of David…Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ (Matt. 21:9)

 

Read Matthew 21:1-11

The story of Palm Sunday is so well known to us as we think of our Lord entering through the city gates of Jerusalem to a chorus of Hosanna ringing in His ears. However, the Holy city is full to the brim and even now, among those who are cheering and waving their Palm branches welcoming Jesus as their Messiah, there are those in the crowds who are bemused by what is going on as well as those who want to stop Jesus at all costs.

Of course we will never be able to truly appreciate or understand all the emotions that people were showing that day. We will never be able to fully appreciate the excitement, the anticipation or the tension that everyone would have been experiencing. However, as we ‘stand’ at those city gates today, we know that once we enter we will be swept up into events over which we have no control and if we’re honest we will find that somewhat daunting. Nevertheless, as with all who were present on that Palm Sunday, as we stand at these city gates, we have all sorts of options and possibilities.

We can enter with Jesus and walk with him to his garden of new life and take our place in God’s everlasting kingdom, in a place already prepared for us even now.

Or we can enter and join with the crowds who are jeering rather than cheering and at the end of the week find ourselves with nothing.

Or we can stay precisely where we are, at the gates, unwilling to commit ourselves in any way, shape or form, because we know that as soon as we enter there will be trial and suffering and we’d rather shy away from those things if we possibly can.

Yet here’s the thing, it is only at the end of this week’s story, in the garden of Resurrection, that our wounds are healed and we can start afresh in a new life with God through his beloved Son.

The choice is ours to make. However, in order to make that choice maybe the real question we have to ask ourselves is this. How much do we want to be there – to one day be in that place where God walks with us again in the cool of the day?

Are we willing to move towards that garden? Are we prepared to walk with Christ, all the way to the cross, yes, but also beyond to that glorious Resurrection?

The gates are now open and Jesus is entering the Holy city – time to choose!

Lord, as we stand at the beginning of this Holy week, give us the strength, not only to continue in our walk with You in the coming days, but also to invite others to walk with us, that together we might come to the glory of Easter morning in the presence of our Risen Lord. Amen.

 

Palm Sunday Evening – National Call To Prayer

On this Palm Sunday evening the leaders of all Churches have come together to call us to prayer at 7.00pm this evening. Underneath is a prayer by the leaders of all churches that could be used to begin this time of prayer. The full statement can be found on the Church of Scotland website where it also lists all those leaders of all the churches who signed that statement.

A prayer for this time

Living God, for the precious gift of life that you have given to us,

We give you thanks.

For the enduring presence of your love in this world,

We give you thanks.

For the knowledge that you are with us at the close of the day,

We give you thanks.

On this day, we hear the Gospel words that speak of hope,

We hear the cry: Hosanna!

We hear the Gospel words that speak of promise,

We hear the cry: Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!

On this day, we journey in hope as we trust in your promise.

Lord, as we journey into the Holy Week to come,

We are conscious that we share in the life of the world.

We are conscious of the presence of those who are near to us,

And of those from whom we are apart.

Whether near, or far, embrace us all in your love.

Lord, we are conscious of others,

Whose life and work is woven into the fabric of our society,

And upon whom we now depend.

We pray for them:

For delivery drivers and posties,

For refuse collectors and cleaners,

For police officers and care workers,

Protect them and keep them safe.

For nurses and doctors,

For scientists and surgeons,

For midwives and ambulance drivers,

Protect them and watch over them.

For those who govern on our behalf,

For those who make decisions that impact upon us all,

For all who shape our common life,

Protect them and increase their wisdom and understanding.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

And grant us faith to journey into the week to come,

Assured of the presence of the crucified and risen Lord,

Jesus Christ. Amen.”

 

 

 

‘He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble His way…’ (Psalm 25:9)

One of the things that has struck me most over the last couple of weeks is the humility shown by those who have selflessly sought to help others at this time. From health and key workers to community volunteers to good neighbours, all have demonstrated such a level of care, concern and compassion for others, looking to their needs above their own.

From a Christian perspective being humble means to understand that the low, the meek and the quiet are those whom God chooses to use in His Kingdom. True humility comes from knowing that through His Son God has redeemed us and offered us salvation. There is nothing we can do on our own to earn or merit this salvation – it comes to us by the Grace of God. It also involves an understanding of knowing who we are, to whom we belong and what we are called to be as well as an understanding of God’s Kingdom and the part that we are to play in the building up of that Kingdom relying on the strength and power of God.

Ultimately, to be truly humble means that we have to place our life in His hands and trust that He will lead us and guide us in all we do and enable us to be all that we can be as we seek to follow our Lord as best we can every day of our lives.

Lord, through Your Son You have truly shown us what it means to be humble. Help us, in Your strength, to follow in His footsteps and to play our part in Your Kingdom. In Jesus name. Amen

‘The Lord watches over you…’ (Psalm 121:5)

In an age with advanced satellite technology and communication, the associated news coverage that comes with that enables us to see events in any part of the world even as they are unfolding. Sadly today so much of that is focussed on this current pandemic as we almost witness first-hand the devastating affect it is having not just here in our own land but also throughout the world. However this same technology is also enabling us to see how communities are coming together at these times and through the power of social media inviting us to be part of one big community. From celebrities inviting us to take part in daily fitness and dance routines, to neighbourhoods inviting us to join in their song and dance routines, to images and messages of hope placed on windows being streamed throughout the world, it seems we are all watching over each other – and that can only be good.

The Psalmist reminds us that the Lord is also watching over us and with all that is happening in the world today we can surely take even more comfort and reassurance from this. Knowing that He is with us in all our daily trials, to offer His support and encouragement, to give us the strength and hope we need to continue when our own begins to waver and to bring to us that sense of tranquillity and peace that only He can offer is something that we all need to hold on to at this time.

Lord, as we continue in our walk through life, thank you for being with us every step of the way. Help us to look to You and to lean on You and to know that You will never leave us  to journey on our own. And all this we ask in Jesus name. Amen.

 

‘Be perfect, therefore, even as You Heavenly Father is perfect…’ (Matthew 5:48)

Switch on your television on almost any evening and somewhere you might find a reality show where members of the public are passionately taking their hobbies and pastimes to a different level by taking part in in these programmes. Baking, cooking, art, pottery, sewing, you name it and there seems to be a reality show out there where individuals all seek to perfect their particular ‘art’ and win the coveted title and prize on offer.

On first reading our short Bible verse today not only seems impossible but also contradictory to our Christian teaching. To be perfect means to be without any kind of fault or defect and we surely all know that we can never be perfect in this way – only our Lord was perfect. Yet here we have this short verse in Matthew’s Gospel.

Maybe then we have to think of this idea of perfection in a different way and not as the world might see or understand it. Maybe it’s not so much about doing extraordinary, flawless things but rather in doing ordinary everyday things extraordinarily well. For that, of course we need to turn to God and perhaps reflect upon another verse, ‘God is my strength and power and He makes my way perfect…’ (2 Sam. 22:33)

Jesus isn’t commanding us to be without flaw or defect, rather He is challenging us to allow God’s Spirit to mould us – our characteristics our abilities and our understanding – that we might fulfil His purpose for us. Irrespective of what weaknesses or flaws we may have, if we truly allow God’s spirit to work within us then we can become perfect, that is as God would have us, suited to His purpose and in that vein we are better suited and more able to serve Him as He has called us to.

Lord, as we come before You today, we acknowledge our flaws and failings and accept that we need You in our lives. We know Lord that in Your strength and by Your Spirit still You might be able to use us to play our part in Your Kingdom. So Lord, help us we pray, to be perfect, suited to Your purpose, to the glory and honour of Your name. Amen.

‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory…’ (Isaiah 6:3)

With each passing day the days seem to be getting just a little longer and perhaps a little warmer. We are now beginning to see new buds appear on trees which were dark and bare over the winter and the birdsongs in the morning now seem louder and more uplifting. All definite signs that Spring is fast approaching and a time when we see the glory of God’s creation in all its wonder.

For the prophet Isaiah the glory of God was another sign of the holiness of God, however, the question of holiness is one which Christians have struggled with over the year and one which has led to many discussions and debates. However, perhaps we should look to the words of Dwight L Moody, ‘It is a great deal better to live a holy life than to talk about it. Lighthouses do not ring bells and fire canons to call attention to their shining – they just shine.’

Form a Biblical and Christian perspective this means living a life lived for God and not for the world – being in the world but not of the world. Our lives should be lived in our love for God through the relationship we have with Him in Jesus Christ. We don’t and can’t live holy lives because of choices that we make in our lifestyle, we can only do so by allowing the love of Jesus to permeate into our hearts and souls and transform us from within. Holiness is a change that we undergo as we grow in our relationship with the Lord and allow His love to direct our lives in all we are and do.

Lord, help me to live a life that is holy and pleasing to you, enshrouded in and guided by Your love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

‘By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command…’ (Hebrews 11:3)

What is faith? How do we understand faith, what do we mean when we say we have faith, how can we describe faith? Surely these are questions that have been asked since the dawn of creation – and are still being asked today. Of course, every day of our lives we put our faith in many different people and situations and in these times in particular we are putting our faith in all who are devoting themselves to healing and helping those with coronavirus, doing what they can to save lives and protect others.

According to Thomas Merton, who was a Cistercian Monk, ‘Ultimately, faith is the only key to the universe…’ and perhaps here he was alluding to the kind of faith expressed in our Bible verse for today – that faith which can only come from God. This kind of faith is not something that is tangible in any way, not something that is visible or that you can touch. Rather it is believing that in every situation we finds ourselves in, good and bad, by His Spirit God is always with us. In our laughter and joy, in our pain and weeping, in good times and bad, faith is knowing in your heart that the Lord is always with you. Faith won’t stop bad things happening but faith will help us find a way through by assuring us that the Lord is sharing in everything we are going through and in Him we can find an inner source of strength, comfort and peace that only He can give.

Lord, we give You thanks for all today who are devoting themselves to helping others, especially so at this time, and pray that You would keep them safe and well. We ask also that You might increase our faith. Help us to know that You are always with us and that we can turn to You day and night. All this we ask in Jesus name, Amen

‘Come near to God and He will come near to you…’ (James 4:8)

One of the things that we will surely all find most difficult at the moment is not to be able to be close to our extended families, friends and colleagues. All those things that were perhaps part and parcel of our everyday lives; visiting and spending time with loved ones or even just a simple hug, we miss them so much. In the same way many will miss the fellowship of being together in the workplace. Working from home may be fine for a while but it’s just not the same as interacting with others face to face. I know that I desperately miss not being able to visit people, particularly those who are ill or bereaved.

However, there is One who we can be close too at any time of day or night and that is of course God. Many people still think of God as being detached from us, some distant being who is beyond our reach. But the Bible tells us that through His Son God came to live and walk among us, to share in all our everyday experiences and by His Spirit He is still with us here today. We might never be able to fully comprehend this but we don’t have to – all we need to do is believe it. God is all around us and He longs for our fellowship and our love. Day or night we can call on Him and come close to Him, and even in these difficult times, still find that sense of inner peace that only He can offer.

Lord, we confess that we find it difficult to understand that You are so close to us and that You want us to draw close to You. Help us now, we pray, to come to You, to share with You all that we are feeling and facing each day, that in You we may indeed find that sense of peace that only You can give. Amen.

‘There is a time for all things…’ (Ecc. 3:1)

Overnight our clocks moved forward one hour and we are now into British Summer Time, which means that our evenings will now become longer – and hopefully warmer. Time can seems strange at times. On how many occasions, for example, have we said something like, ‘…this week has flown by…’ yet maybe a few weeks later, ‘…this past week has dragged by…’ Both weeks are the same period of time and yet they pass by so differently and as I sit to write this, I wonder how the past seven days have passed for us all!

Lutheran Theologian Paul Tillich said of time, ‘Time is our destiny. Time is our hope. Time is our despair. And time is the mirror in which we see eternity…’ words which, in one sense, seem to echo the sentiment of the author of Ecclesiastes. We all have different times in our lives allocated to various tasks and duties, different times set aside for work, leisure and sleep, different times set aside to celebrate special occasions.

Today we would of course normally be gathering for a time of worship and fellowship in the peace and stillness of our sanctuaries. Gathering with our brothers and sisters in Christ to come before our Lord and there is no doubt we all miss this time together. Yet we can still come together in Spirit, in a way looking through the mirror of eternity that Tillich speaks of, and be at one with God to spend time in communion with Him.

And of course no matter what time or day or night it is, no matter what else we may be doing in that period of time, still we are able to spend time with our Lord. Sharing with Him in whatever we are doing, talking and listening to Him, offering Him our thanks and petitions, acknowledging His ever present presence in our lives. All time is in God’s hands – and all He wants us to do is to share some of our time with Him each and every day.

Lord, help us in the busyness of everyday life to take time to be with You. Help us to live Your will for us and Your destiny for us, for only then will we be living our lives as You would have us, to the glory and honour of Your name. Amen

My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations…’ (Isaiah 56:7)

Dr. Martin Luther King Junior once preached a sermon entitled Rediscovering Lost Values during which he commented on how through the advancement of science and technology we have effectively made the world like one neighbourhood. And when you think of the further advancements made in the last 60 years, particularly with satellite communications and trans-continental travel, that neighbourhood seems to have become even smaller. This was further illustrated somewhat painfully this past week when I saw a map showing how the coronavirus had spread across the globe – all nations seemed to merge into one.

Of course we are all God’s children – every man, woman and child on this planet. Irrespective of nationality, race or gender, we are all children of God, part of His worldwide family and He cares for each and every one of us. Yet at times like this some may of course question such an idea and ask where then is God, if He does care for us in this way. My answer to that is that He is present in all those groups and individuals who are demonstrating His love in their selfless acts for others. Wherever there is love, compassion and comfort being shown, God is at the heart of all that. Wherever people are living out the Gospel message selflessly thinking of the needs of other, by His Spirit God is there and of course wherever people are praying, God is there too.

Lord help us to come to You in prayer at this time and to know that in the midst of these painful and uncertain days, You are still there – and always will be. Amen.