Reflections

‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…’ (1 Timothy 1:15)

As we journey through Lent to the cross with our Lord, let’s never forget why Jesus undertook that journey – a journey He didn’t have to take, but did – to save us.

Read John 11:1-16

As we read these verses, what are some of the main points that we can learn from them?

• As Lazarus grew very sick, Mary and Martha immediately turned to Jesus for help. How quickly do we turn to Jesus today when we need help of any kind?
• Despite hearing the news, Jesus chose to wait another two days before returning to Judea. We need to accept that God will answer in His way and in His time. Too often we expect immediate results, but it doesn’t always work out that way.
• The disciples are afraid of what might happen when they return to Judea. But are they afraid for Jesus, or for themselves, and is this really a lack of faith on their part?
• How strong is our faith when we are discouraged or afraid?
• All too often when we think of Thomas, we do as ‘Doubting Thomas’. Here he openly demonstrates his love and courage far beyond any of the others. How can we take encouragement from this?
• There are often high costs to pay as a disciple of Jesus – are we willing to pay those today?

Read John 11:17-37

What are the really important verses in this portion of scripture and what do they reveal to us?

• Immediately in verse 21 we have Martha’s acknowledgement of who Jesus is. She knows Jesus could have saved Lazarus and believes that even now He still could. Yet when Jesus says that Lazarus will rise again, Martha immediately thinks of the belief held in those days concerning the Resurrection, that it would happen at the end of time.
• Jesus, however, has the power over life and death now, and reminds Martha of this, and in verse 27, gives Jesus the response that He is seeking.
• Martha was best known as the sister who was always busy and had little time to sit with Jesus (see Luke 10:38-42), but here she shows tremendous faith in her confession of Christ. How does our faith compare to this?
• Later when Mary comes to meet Jesus, she responds as her sister did.

Read John 11:38-44

• Despite her confession of faith, we again seem to see some doubt in Martha when she reminds Jesus that Lazarus had been dead for four days. Or was she just being practical and pragmatic here?
• The fact that Jesus reminds her of what He said about the glory of God suggests that there was this small element of doubt. But just how practical and pragmatic can our faith be?
• Jesus knew exactly what He was doing in delaying going to Bethany. He was fast approaching His time, when His glory would be revealed once and for all and this was an opportunity to do a great thing that many might Martha and Mary might now believe without having any doubts.
• So often in our lives it is only when wonderful things happen that we too finally truly believe in exactly who Jesus was and is.
• Real faith, however, involves believing in Jesus all of the time and in trusting Him in all things, large and small, and because of the Gospel witness of people like Martha and Mary, we can do so without seeing these miracles for ourselves.

‘O Lord, you have searched me and known me…’ (Psalm 139:1)

How well do we truly know those around us every day in life? Our family, friends, neighbours and colleagues – do we truly know everything about them, all that is in their hearts and heads? Maybe we do. What we do know, however, is that God knows everything about us and, as the Psalmist would go on to say in these verses, there is nowhere we can hide from Him and nothing we can keep from Him. But still the Lord wants us to talk to Him, to commune with Him and to share with Him all that we are and all that we do. The question is, do we?

‘The Lord is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor forsake you…’ (Deut. 31:8)

Just take a few moments to reflect on what these words are actually saying and then give thanks to God for His continued hand upon us.

‘Be friendly with everyone…’ (Romans 12:16)

How easy is it to do as Paul suggests here and what do we do if we do indeed find this difficult?

‘I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand…’ (Isaiah 41:13)

Think back to when you were a young child and how reassuring and comforting it was to take hold of a parent’s hand when you felt unsure or uncertain about something.  The simple action of reaching out and placing your small hand in theirs made all the difference. How much more comforting then to know that the Lord is always there to hold our hand and guide us through all that we face each and every day.

John 3:16 is possibly the most well known verse in the entire Bible, and one which is quoted and used so often, however, it is possibly not part of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. Scholars believe that it is more likely John providing a commentary on his words. Nevertheless, it is much loved because of all the truth that is encompassed in so few words. However, it does need to be seen within the context that we have it, rather than reading it in isolation.

Read John 3:14-21  and Numbers 21:4-9

1. When the Israelites got impatient with God, especially in difficult times, they turned to other gods to see if they might help. Is this something we are guilty of at times too?
2. When things go wrong in our lives who do you blame? Is there a temptation to attribute a measure of blame to God for not sorting it out?
3. What do we understand by the reference to the serpent being lifted up in the manner described in these verses and is it confusing to us?
4. What do we understand by the phrase Born Again. Is it helpful? Is it misused?
5. Does the reading together of John 3:16-17 change the way that you understand Jesus’ ultimate purpose?

The Good News of the Gospels is that Jesus came that people might see the Light of God shining through the darkness, and believe. That is the overriding message from Jesus in his final words to Nicodemus and from John as he emphasizes the saving nature of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.

Read John 2:13-22

1. With all the hustle and bustle of the business in the Temple courtyards it might have been impossible for anyone to find in peace in their time of worship. How important is a time of silence within our worship?
2. In our society today, Sunday has just become like any other day in terms or trade, commerce and business. What can we as a Church do that might make a change to this?
3. John quotes Psalm 69 about Jesus. However, Zeal for your house consumes me… is actually the Psalmist’s plea to his God to act against those who were persecuting him and making life a misery, and yet this in John’s story is at the start of Jesus’ ministry. What is he telling us?
4. Those in the Temple, the authorities as well as traders and moneychangers failed to perceive the presence of God within their midst. Where and in what conditions do you find it easiest to feel a closeness to the divine?
5. Jesus speaks of God’s presence being in a person rather than in a building. How do we explain this to anyone who might come to us enquiring of our faith?

Read Mark 8:31-38

1. Which part of this passage do we find most challenging?
2. In our passage Peter gets a strong rebuke for taking Jesus aside and tries to get Him to stop all this talk of death and suffering, but can we empathise with Peter as he struggles to understand why Jesus had to walk this particular path?
3. What do we understand by the saying, the way of the world?
4. Mark tells us that Jesus spoke plainly to those listening. In today’s terms we might say he was completely up front and held nothing back. Are we like this when we witness to our Lord, or are we guilty of saying only what we think those listening might want to hear and missing out on those more difficult and uncomfortable parts of what it means to follow Jesus – like carrying our own cross and all it implies.
5. When Jesus asks, what good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul…what do we understand by this?
6. How would we explain the cross we are asked to carry?

For the last 3 weeks I have been doing an online Bible study which a number of people have taken part in. My intention is to start putting these on the Daily Reflection page on a Wednesday, however, between now and then I will post the ones that we have already covered with questions to reflect upon.

Read Mark 1:1-11

1. Baptism has been at the heart of our Christian faith from the very beginning, however, when we look at this passage, has the Church got the balance right between Baptism being seen as a welcome and a call to repentance?
2. The waters of the River Jordan and the Baptism itself are clearly symbolic of cleansing, but is that how we actually view Baptism? Are such symbols important in our spiritual lives, and if so, what might they be?

Read 1 Peter 3:8-22

1. In this passage the writer appears to link Baptism to a change of behaviour – an eagerness to do good, even when provoked. Why might this be? And do we as a Church have a part to play in encouraging such behaviour among youngsters who are Baptised in our Church?
2. Peter also tells his readers to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope they have. Are we prepared and ready to do this?
3. Mark’s use of the phrase, ‘heaven being torn open’, could in a sense be a visual picture of those moments when experience the closeness of God in our lives, rather like an invisible curtain being drawn aside. But do we leave space in our lives for this to happen and if not what could we try and do during Lent to help with this.