The Last Word?

The people of Scotland have spoken decisively, and all parties both north and south of the border must listen.

How Westminster and all concerned respond appropriately will fill the next few months with plenty of discussions and even arguments. But it is clear that the Independence question is answered for a generation or more.

The writer to the Hebrews makes a bold claim at the start of his letter. 

'Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son.' (Hebrews 1.1-2)

After many centuries of prophets bringing 'the word of the Lord' to God's people, God's final or last Word has come, in the person and ministry or Jesus. 

The Christian claim is that after Jesus, there is nothing further that God can say. The writer goes on to show, in characteristic Jewish style, the seven qualities that Jesus brings. 'God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honour at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. (Hebrews 1.2-3) 

Did you spot the seven attributes of Jesus in these verses? 

I am particularly grateful that, 'having cleansed us from our sins', Jesus demonstrates that the job is completed, so he is now seated in heaven, at God's right hand. Because He finished his work, though at great cost to himself, we can be thoroughly confident that God will accept us at the throne of Grace. The Last Word has been spoken, and we can receive that with joyful trust.

On Sunday, I shall be preaching at St. Andrew's, as Vicar, for the last time. These have been rich and wonderful years, for which I thank the Lord and his people here. But I shall continue to send our 'Richard's Reflections' while retired, possibly not quite as regularly, but I enjoy trying to connect current events to the wisdom and challenge of Holy Scripture. I shall, however, change the signature stuff at the bottom of the emails!

Best wishes,

Richard

Blind Leaders?

Records will be broken tomorrow, in Scotland's Referendum vote. The turnout is likely to be more than 80%, which is pretty startling, when we think of the middle 30s range for General and Local elections. Clearly, the people of Scotland are keen to have their say.

But both sides are still claiming that the other side is blind to the realities they are offering. And the charge made is that the leaders are blind, and their followers are also blind.

By Friday morning, we shall all know which way the majority have voted.

Jesus spoke with great clarity about blind leaders, as he roundly criticised the Pharisees. ' Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.” 

Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?” 

Jesus replied, “Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted, so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.” (Matthew 15.10-13)

These words were deeply shocking to his first hearers, because they were used to holding the Pharisees in very high respect. Suddenly, Jesus is saying that these shapers of the minds of others are hopelessly out of touch with the reality as seen by God. 

The particular context related to what makes people unclean or clean in God's sight. For the Pharisees, our position before God is determined by whether or not we had followed the multiple rules and regulations which they had set down for ritual purity. For Jesus, is related to the state of our hearts, and is shown by the actions which emerge from within us. These two visions of purity couldn't be more different. 

As we know, when the early Christians preached about Jesus' way of becoming right with God, they were aggressively resisted by those taking the Pharisees line. One such was Saul of Tarsus, who then met the risen Jesus on the Damascus Road, and was himself blinded. 

But he did receive his sight after three days.  'So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptised.  Afterwards, he ate some food and regained his strength.' (Acts 9.17-19)

Let us pray that our eyes are opened by the Lord, and that leaders, whether in politics, business or church are also people who have had their eyes opened.

Best wishes,

Richard

Promised Changes

The gloves are off in the Scottish Referendum campaign. It has led to some wild claims from both sides.

I was particularly struck by a swipe from David Cameron, reminding the people of Scotland that they should not believe the promises made by Alex Salmond that everything would be better if they voted 'Yes'.

What amazed me is that we are mostly used to politicians of all sorts making promises that don't get fulfilled - even David Cameron. So it is a bit rich that he should use that weapon against his opponent!

In contrast, the God of the Bible is presented as one who is faithful and trustworthy, and whose promises for change are fulfilled. At our Church Council last evening we were looking at words from St. Peter's second letter.

'By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvellous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. (2 Peter 1.3-5)

Peter sets out what God has done to enable us to live a changed life, in which we are godly. 

First, we come to know God in and through Jesus. Then we begin to notice that God has has given us great and precious promises., and we start to live our lives trusting that what he says he means to deliver. So our weak and selfish lives begin to be transformed, and we find our shabby lives are set free from the world’s corruption caused by human desires.. And by his divine power, we start to share his divine nature. 

That is all going on within us day by day, as we seek to make every effort to respond to God’s promises. This is the part which we play in our own transformation, as we seek to continue well in our following of Jesus. This makes every day an exciting and life changing experience. 

Best wishes,

Richard

Its Monday Morning!

Many people struggle with Mondays. The reasons are many, and you know what is your reason. 

Hearing today's news, there are many reasons from the big wide world to dread every day's stories of horror and fear-making threats from places both near & far. And then there are the personal and painful matters which we keep to ourselves.

In all of these settings, I am glad to reflect on some wonderful words from Jesus.

' Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11.28-30)

Worry and sorrow make us all feel weary. 

It is tiring to be in pain, and deeply exhausting to be carrying the pain of others. Some friends endure the deep sorrow of watching a child slowly die before their eyes, while others are caught up in the shattering tragedy of an unexpected death. To all such people, Jesus' invitation brings hope in our weariness. 

Jesus is promising to walk beside us, pulling the plough alongside us, keeping us on the straight path. We then discover that the yoke he puts on us fits us like a well-made glove, so that the burdens are bearable. Such discoveries are wonderful.

So Mondays become exciting and places where we explore more of the wonders of knowing our loving Lord Jesus.

Best wishes,

Richard

Winds of Change

The 'not quite united' leaders of the three main Westminster parties are off to Scotland, to beg the Scots to stay connected with the Westminster parliament. Their attempts may well backfire, as respect for Westminster politicians is Scotland (as elsewhere) is very low. In the face of possible defeat for the 'No' campaign, commentators are wondering what might be the next stage in unravelling that we experience.

It was Harold Macmillan, whose 'Winds of Change' speech given to the South African Parliament in 1960, who saw that change will take place, in one way or another. Watching this present chapter develop is leading many to be fearful. Where will it all end?

Jesus spoke of a different wind of change, in his discussions with the respected Jewish leader, Nicodemus. 'The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” (John 3.8)

Poor old Nicodemus didn't understand what Jesus was talking about! 

In order to help him, Jesus then referred back to a famous event in Jewish history. ' And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. 

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.' (John 3.14-17)

Connecting all this together, we can see that people are 'born of the Spirit' when they put their trust in Jesus, the Son of Man, whose death on the cross would provide the means by which we may receive eternal life. And it is God's Spirit who blows into people's lives to bring about that transformation. 

I was talking with someone yesterday, as we were in a group studying the story from the Gospels, and it was clear that God's Spirit was blowing gently and firmly into this person's life. 

God-directed change will come for all of us, as we entrust ourselves into the hands of the God who loved us so much that He sent Jesus for us. And there is no safer place to be.

Best wishes,

Richard

Better Together?

The race towards the Referendum vote on Scottish independence is hotting up. It seems difficult to see which way the vote will go, and at present, the "undecideds" have the power to decide how things will turn out.

Questions have been all about whether or not it would be better for Scotland to be together with the other nations in these islands, or become a separate nation. We shall see, in the next weeks, how that turns out.

But my thoughts turn, as usual, to the slogan 'Better Together', which seems to describe well the nature of Christian relationships within and between congregations and denominations. 

Because Jesus prayed, on the night before his execution, that his followers would be united, our starting point should always be that we are Better Together.
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.' (John 17.20-21)

One of the great blessings that I have enjoyed in our time in Woking is the wonderful level of cooperation and unity between the many different churches, and between their leaders. This has given us a solid basis for united action and committed prayer.

But this reaches down to how each local fellowship needs to behave. It is too easy to see that people drift away from regular involvement and attendance, and to do little to address the matter.

This was an early problem for at least one fellowship in the earliest days of the Christian church.' Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.' (Hebrews 10.24-25) We all have a part to play in helping one another to be 'Bette Together'.

I was talking with a local friend last evening, who commented that she had been absent from regular worship for too long, and that she needed to come back. I encouraged her to show up on these next few Sundays! 

And I was chatting to another local lady, who has not been a regular worshipper for more than 20 years, and sh said that she wished she hadn't drifted away! 

To every one of us, I am reminded that we are 'Better Together' and much worse apart! Let us think of ways to motivate one another!

Best wishes,

Richard

Lost & Found

It is six months today since the Malaysian airliner travelling to China disappeared. And still no one knows for sure where it might have gone. The searching continues, with decreasing hope, and the grieving families are left with nothing.

At the end of the First World War, there were many families who had been told that their relatives were lost, but with no trace - missing presumed dead. Many hoped against hope that they might be discovered somewhere, and yet when the fighting was over, the fact of their loss had to be accepted. 

In these situations, loss seems to be the last word.

Many others face different forms of loss, and again, it is difficult to see any signs of hope emerging - whether that is for Syrian refugees, or for children taken into care and separated from their brothers or sisters, or for the countless victims of abuse and exploitation.

The Bible is full of stories of people whose lives were shot through with bleakness and hopelessness. And yet, it is into this world that the Good News of Jesus comes. He spoke of the Good Shepherd who went about seeking those that were lost, and He laid down his life for them. 

St. Peter, reflecting on many Old Testament passages, sets out the astonishing change which has come to those who trust in Jesus.'You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 

“Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” 

(1 Peter 2.9-10)

The difference between being Lost (and being in the dark) and being Found (and being in the light) is staggering. Peter makes the point so clearly that 'As a result, you can show others the goodness of God'. 

That changes the way I live today.

Or as we learned in Church yesterday, 'God is with me and he loves me!'

Best wishes,

Richard

Not Waving but Drowning

Stevie Smith's famous poem (http://www.poetryfoundation.org/learning/poem/175778) is about the man who was not waving but drowning. This poem could be applied to the disasters in the Middle East. 

After the enthusiasm of the Arab Spring, everything in the wider Middle East has turned much worse. The levels of suffering and hardship can hardly be imagined.

In Syria, after 3 years, over 200,000 people have been killed and over 6 million have been displaced. For that reason, our Far & Near committee agreed, last evening, to send £1000 to the Tearfund relief effort in Syria.

Much is being made of the inaction of western and other nations in facing the challenges presented by IS and other extremist groups. The fear of the cost of taking action has blinded many to the reality of the cost of inaction. 

But the same dilemma is faced in many other difficult situations. Early intervention might help, and be effective, but most situations are left to get much worse, before people will become involved - and then the cost all round is much higher. Exactly this issue will have been raised by NATO leaders discussing what to do about Russia!

The disciples of Jesus faced a similar situation, while out in a fishing boat with Jesus. They were experienced sailors, and were used to facing storms and bad weather. Jesus was their passenger, and he was enjoying a sleep. But then a big storm developed. Should they do nothing or should they wake Jesus? And Jesus seems completely oblivious to their sense of terror, as he is fast asleep!

'Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 

Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. 

The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!” (Matthew 8.23-27)

While the disciples feared for their lives, Jesus is astonished at how little is their faith! When in the close company of Jesus, we have no need to fear anything. Our troubles multiply when we are not close to Jesus.

How are you facing the storms in your life? I must learn to trust Jesus even when things look rough.

Best wishes,

Richard

Out of the Depths

How low can people sink into depravity and degradation? 

Those who are beheading their victims, in the name of God, shame the name of their God, and bring anguish to the vast majority of their co-religionists. 

Jesus spoke of those who were so far from God that they called good evil and evil good. This seems to be the case here.

In recent days, many have also been appalled at the behaviour of Hampshire police in having the parents of Ashya King arrested and detained. Such actions don't seem civilised or kind.

In ancient days, as faithful people reflected on life's troubles and journeys, many wonderful songs were written. One such focusses on the relationship between the troubles we face, and the conflicts within our own souls. 

From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help. 

Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer. 

Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? 

But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.' (Psalm 130.1-4)

What strikes me is that the singer/poet doesn't point the finger of blame at others, but takes responsibility for his or her own mistakes. I know for myself that I am usually the cause of most of my own struggles.

And it is to God I need to turn, again and again, to rescue me, to bring me his forgiveness and hope in the face of my own sense of despair (which is another word for hopelessness!)

Today, I pray for those caught up in the depths of their own or other people's wickedness and depravity, that they might find new life and hope from the God who sent Jesus for us.

Best wishes,

Richard

Nine a Day!

There was a young man, very brilliant and very debauched, whose mother prayed that he might discover the transforming life of Jesus. 

He started asking questions from those who might help him, and several friends helped him to begin to understand how his life could be transformed. 

Then one day, 'out of the blue' as we might say, he heard some children playing a game, and it seemed to him he was being told, "Pick it up and read it!" 

So he found a New Testament, opened it 'at random', as we might say, and read the following words.'Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarrelling and jealousy.  Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.' (Romans 13.13-14)

These words seemed to speak clearly into his life, exactly describing the challenge he was facing, so then and there, he gave his life to Jesus.

His name was Augustine, from North Africa, and this event took place in Milan in 386 AD, where his faithful mother, Monica, had enlisted the help of Ambrose, who was the godly Bishop of Milan. Augustine went on to become one of the most brilliant and influential theologians of the early centuries of the growing Christian church.

But what Augustine discovered is what St. Paul had also discovered, that when we become followers of Jesus Christ, we clothe ourselves in his character, and his Spirit grows that character in us. 

Our summer series on the Fruit of the Spirit has made this clear.'But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!' (Galatians 5.22-23)

So every day, instead of merely eating 'five a day' pieces of fruit, all of us are called to cooperate with the Spirit of Jesus in developing this 'Nine a Day' character. If we do this, Jesus is glorified and others are blessed. There is a brilliant website which helps us with this. Check it out. http://www.9aday.org.uk/

Best wishes,

Richard