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Year 2 Day 126
Pray (AC-ts) Read — Mark 6:1-6 (focus v1-2a) Message Alan Burke Today we live in a world that is more interdependent than at any other time in human history. That’s not all down to the technological revolution that has happened in our lifetimes, yes it has had a profound impact supply chains, production patterns, outsourcing but from the industrial revolution onwards we have been becoming more and more interdependent. Before the industrial revolution most peoples lives were failure insular. This meant that you would have been reliant on your neighbours, nearly everything would have been made, produced and sourced locally. Needed new sandals well it’s your man down the street, your fella two doors down he’s your man to build you a new shed, everyone was reliant on everyone else, everyone knew everyone else. That’s how it was in Jesus day and Nazareth where he came from Nazareth wasn’t a big place. Your talking population of about 500 people, with dwellings made of earth, flat roofs, and in town land terms its around sixty acres of rocky hillside off the beaten track. Like there would have been fairly insular, there were no cars to jump into to head to the nearest supermarket or hardware store, no amazon man arriving with your brown box of goodies, not even a general store. As Jesus arrives to Nazareth, there is no mention of the crowds who were coming out to Jesus, he isn’t welcomed by a ticker-tape-parade, there are no welcome home banners adorning buildings, nobody lining the streets in expectation. Rather it’s Jesus accompanied by his disciples, those who he had called to himself, the twelve with maybe a few dozen others. His arrival though wouldn’t have gone unnoticed, it’s not a big place after all, but what is significant is that in the year or so that Jesus has been away, likely leaving there alone, maybe unnoticed, he returns with disciples. He returns with those who had seen and heard, who had witnessed amazing things, who were learning more and more about the wonder of the word incarnate Jesus Christ. The disciples may have expected that Jesus would be welcomed as a hero, that he would do many wonders among them, there in home town, but the reality of spiritual apathy is clear. Here reality bites and rejection comes. Were told that when the Sabbath came, Jesus began to teach in the Synagogue. There is nothing striking about this, after all Jesus had taught many times in the synagogue throughout his ministry, and had taught the people where ever he was as the crowds came out to him. But they were not coming so much to hear the message that he proclaimed, to hear what he had to say, rather they came in their droves, to see what he was doing, how he was healing many and casting out demons. Look what we are told that in his own town “many who heard him were amazed” (2a). They were full of wonder, they are taken aback by his teaching but their amazement ends up in offence. Just like the family of Jesus, these people were those in a sense who were closest to him, they had seen Jesus grow up but their proximity meant nothing. Familiarity to Jesus, knowing about him, knowing who he was and is, knowing the claims that he makes, does not make one a disciple, we must respond in faith. To those who receive him, those whom believe in him, he gave the right to become children of God. Pray (ac-TS) Sing WSC Q17 Into what estate did the fall bring mankind? The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. (Rom. 5:12)
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Year 2 Day 124
Pray (AC-ts) Read — Acts 6v7 Message Scott Woodburn “First posted Year 1 Day 324 - 11 February" The late Noel Agnew used to tell me stories about people who he met on his travels who had experienced days of revival in the church. I would sit and listen as he spoke about old ladies who as young girls remembered seeing local alcoholics converted, abusive husbands radically changed and thousands gathering to hear the Gospel and to call upon the Lord in prayer. I have yet to see such days but by the grace of God I may see them yet. In today's passage we note that the church was continuing to grow. Every single day men and women were receiving Christ as their Saviour. How could this be so? Because the word of God continued to increase. This phrase says much about what days of revival look like. During such days the Word wasn't an optional extra. The Word was preached consistently at home and abroad. The Word was studied in private homes and preached faithfully in the public square. The Word was at the front and centre of each service of worship and the people during days of revival would receive the Word gladly and believe it passionately. The church in Thailand is a tiny minority in that great nation and yet it exists and grows slowly but surely. I was there many years ago when our team was asked to lead a service of worship in a small Christian village. We all took part and our team leader preached in the Thai language. When he had finished, the congregation looked at one another as if to say "Is that all?". It wasn't a comment about the quality of the sermon, just that they were used to spending the entire afternoon in the Word. May the Lord give us such a hunger for His Word! When the Word goes forward there are no doors which can keep it out. Luke records for us that in those days even a great many priests were receiving Christ as their Saviour. The significance of this shouldn't be understated. We have already seen in Acts the opposition of the Jewish leaders to the Gospel. They wanted it silenced and yet here were some of their own number who had turned to Christ. The Gospel can soften the hardest heart. The Gospel can loosen the stiffest neck. The Gospel can convert even the most powerful. The Gospel is the power of God unto the salvation for all who will believe. So today may we delight in the Word of God and may we pray for the salvation of many. Pray for politicians, popes, kings and queens, the rich and the famous. Pray for Biden and Boris and Nicola and Arlene and Michelle. Ask that if the hearts of the powerful and famous are not yet receptive to the Gospel then may they soon be. In one mighty verse Luke brings a world of encouragement. The Word increased and many were saved. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q16 Did all mankind fall in Adam’ s first transgression? The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression. (Gen. 2:16–17, Rom. 5:12, 1 Cor. 15:21–22) Year 2 Day 123
Pray (AC-ts) Read Mark 5:35-43 Message Alan Burke There are times that we have all faced news that we didn’t want to hear. Bad results in our exams, the loss of a job, your husband bought another bike, there are many things that we could add to that list. The last one we ever want to hear is the loss of someone we love especially a child. Jairus had come to Jesus, falling to his knees, pleading for the life of his daughter, pleading that he would come put his hands on her. Jairus believed if Jesus did this then she would be healed and live, he turned to the only place that there was for him to be helped. While Jesus was dealing with the woman news comes that Jairus’s daughter had died. The men’s comment of why bother the teacher anymore is understandable but Jairus doesn’t say anything to the news they bring, he couldn’t. Look though to the words of Jesus, don't be afraid just believe. Jesus ignored what the men said and instead gets Jairus to focus on him, the only hope that Jairus had was to believe, believe in Jesus for though God all things are possible. Rather than give up, rather than despair, Jairus must believe. Taking only Peter, James and John, Jesus goes with Jairus to his home. There they were greeted with people crying and wailing, it’s a heart wrenching scene, death’s sting is often felt most when it is a child, the grief of parents, siblings. They make their way through the mourners, as they grieve, crying, wailing, this was heartbreak. Among them there would have been professional mourners, those hired to play the flute, women to wail loudly, it may seem a little strange to us but it was a public manifestation of grief. The professional mourners there would have known that the girl was dead, there would have been no doubt in their mind, and to Jesus saying that she is mearly sleeping they laugh. Going in, taking her father and mother, he takes her hand and said Talitha koum, which means little girl, or rather little lamb get up. Immediacy she did, she was twelve, they were astonished, she was up walking and eating, this is a total restoration of her life. The power of Jesus over physical death is displayed, that’s something only God can do for he was the one who gives life, created life by speaking all that is into existence (Gen 1). This girl is spared death at this moment, but one day again she would die, the woman had been healed for now but she would face new ailments as she grew older and she would die. Not everyone will find physical healing and all of us will one day die. But as we thought of on Monday, for us we can have faith in Jesus, how in the face of death and though our Saviour Jesus Christ death has been defeated, it is not the end because of the resurrection of Christ. So that through faith we can face death and know that the souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, (Heb. 12:23) and do immediately pass into glory; (2 Cor. 5:1,6,8, Phil. 1:23, Luke 23:43) and their bodies, being still united to Christ, (1 Thess. 4:14) do rest in their graves, (Isa. 57:2) till the resurrection. (Job 19:26–27). This is our hope, immediately as we wait the general resurrection of the dead. Pray (ac-TS) Sing WSC Q15 What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created? The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein thy were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit. (Gen. 3:6) Year 2 Day 122
Pray (AC-ts) Read — 2 Corinthians 9 Message Scott Woodburn “First posted Year 1 Day 235 - 14 November” This week's devotions have been focused on the thorny subject of money with Paul urging the willing Corinthians to give financially to support the wider church. No one likes to talk about money and certainly no one likes to hear the topic preached. However we have no right or authority to ignore passages like this in the Word of God and so we finish 2 Corinthians 9 by grasping the nettle once more. Some of you will be men and women who tithe. What is tithing? Tithing is the practice of giving a tenth (a tithe) of your income (before you pay tax), as a minimum, to the church of Jesus Christ. It isn't something invented by a preacher or denomination, instead we find tithing on the pages of Scripture. Abram returning from a great victory meets Melchizedek the king of Salem and honours him by giving him a tenth (a tithe) of the spoils of war (Genesis 14v20). This incident takes on huge significance when we realise that Christ comes in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 6v20). So thats settled then. Christians should tithe? Steady on. Others argue that tithing does not find itself as part of God's moral law (the ten commandments) and therefore should not be imposed upon Christians. So what then should we do? I think the first step is to avoid the pitfalls and then to have our practice shaped and reformed by the Word of God. The pitfalls? Yup, the pitfalls. Some reject the tithe or any standard of giving and sinfully ask the question "How little can I give?" Others, beginning in a place of generosity, grow to a place of hardness asking "Why doesn't everyone contribute the way I do?" Yet another believes a false Gospel and thinks "The Lord and I are okay because I pay in." Still others keep their name on a church list and contribute something just to keep their graveyard privileges (let me assure such a man, I'll bury you for free but today you must be born again). We avoid the pitfalls and then let the Word thunder. God is not silent even when a subject is thorny. Indeed the thorns of this particular subject are removed by the sharp sword of God's Word. He tells us to give according to our means and at times to go beyond this (2 Corinthians 8v3). The Lord tells us that we are not to be forced into giving but to give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9v7). The Lord tells us that our faith (or financial gift) will not guarantee health, wealth and prosperity, the Christian walk will be hard (John 16v33). The Lord tells us that our salvation has got nothing to do with our finances (Acts 16v31). The Lord tells us that we do not give Him a gift that He will have to repay, He is not a genie who responds to your money with three wishes (Romans 11v35). The Lord tells us to avoid storing up treasure on earth (Matthew 6v19). The Lord tells us that our giving is in response to His grace (2 Corinthians 9v8) and the Lord tells us that our giving should always be in view of His glory and the advance of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 9v12-13). Ulster wisdom likes to say that "you can't take it with you" and perhaps such wisdom echoes in other parts of the world too. It's right. We can't. Only the kingdom of God has foundations that will never be shaken. Men die with Christ or they die without Him. Heaven or hell remain the only two eternal destinations. A cheerful investment in the Gospel is more precious than gold. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q14 What is sin? Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God. (1 John 3:4) Year 2 Day 121
Pray (AC-ts) Read Mark 5:25-34 Message Alan Burke You’ve likely heard how bad hospital waiting lists are, apparently Northern Ireland has 'lost control' of hospital waiting lists (I quote that from the BBC by the way, 19 May). Things are pretty dire, the NHS has been underfunded by years and we don’t want to pay more tax to fix it. Even though it’s under funded, even though the waiting lists are bad, I am so so thankful for it. Imagine no NHS, no doctors, no regulation, just self appointed quacks who have wee bottles of cure-alls, our lives would be very different. The woman who came who touched his cloak had been bleeding for twelve years, she had suffered, not only suffered but suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors, and instead of getting better she grew worse. The significance of the bleeding would have impacted her life in so many ways. To help us understand this we need to know part of the Levitical law, the loss of blood would have made this woman unclean. That may not mean much to us, but those who were unclean couldn’t go into the company of others for they would have made them unclean, if others did come in contact with her they would be banished until evening or they would have had to preform purification rights, ritual washing or sacrifices. In effect this woman was cut off from all physical contact with anyone, if she had been married by now she was likely divorced, she couldn’t be part of normal society and she couldn’t go to the synagogue or the temple. She was cut off from everyone and cut off from God and as she walked the streets, she would have had to shout, unclean, unclean every time anyone came near her. Her entire existence was of isolation, she was shunned by those who knew her, there was no such thing as woman’s aid or the NHS. Her situation was desperate, she had spent everything she had on quacks, at one time she may have been like Jairus with wealth and status, but now she had spent it all and in the end not only left with nothing instead of her condition improving she had got worse. Twelve long years, that’s every day, three hundred and sixty five days a year for twelve years this was the plight of this woman. In spite of all of this, this woman, heard of Jesus, she came and touched his cloak. Longing in faith just to touch Jesus. She reached out, touched the cloak of Jesus and was healed. Without a word, the power of Jesus healed her. Then as the wonder of the healing she experienced Jesus knowing the power had left him among the sea of people, stopped to find out who touched him. But instead of rebuking her, Jesus does something else. Knowing that she had faith, Jesus could not let her believe that it was his clothing that cured her rather he tells her that it was her faith (34). Or rather the object of the faith, Jesus Christ himself. Whether we want to admit it our not this woman is a picture of us without Jesus. Although we may not have known at the time we were desperately sick because of sin, our focus was using our time and what we had to seek remedies which do not work, that might have been pleasure, enjoyment, the stuff that we have, we try to sort the massive hole in our lives and the fear of death we these things, yet it is only Jesus who can fix our problem of sin. This woman had been excluded from the presence and worship of God because of her illness Jesus had the power to heal her and make her clean. Yet the reality is that by our nature none of us are clean, none of us can approach a Holy God, we are spiritually dead, not because of a physical sickness but because of sin, unless we are made clean by Jesus then then we cannot come before God. Jesus alone has the power to make us clean, The power of Jesus - Over spiritual death v 25-34 frees us from our sin so that we can come this day before a Holy God. Pray (ac-TS) Sing WSC Q13 Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created? Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God. (Gen. 3:6–8,13, Eccl. 7:29) Year 2 Day 120
Pray (AC-ts) Read — 2 Corinthians 3v1-6 Message Scott Woodburn “First posted Year 1 Day 182 - 22 September" It has been stated that extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. For his critics Paul needed to prove himself to the Corinthian church. He hadn't appeared in front of them, he was full of big words in his letters but in person seemed weak and unimpressive. Why should we listen to such a man? Paul wondered if he needed to prove himself all over again (v1) or perhaps get a letter of recommendation from his local church (v1b). Such letters would be carried by Christians whenever they moved from one church to another. The letter would state that the individual was a Christian in good standing and should be welcomed by their new church. Did Paul need such a letter for the Corinthians to believe him? Perish the thought. Instead Paul says the Corinthians are his letter, written on his heart for all to read (v2). Paul knows these men and women and they know him. He cherishes them, they are written on his heart and he needs no external letter of recommendation to prove himself to a church that he was instrumental in planting. Indeed the very existence of the Corinthian church in such a pagan city was in itself evidence that Paul's ministry was genuine. Paul says that the church in Corinth show that they are a letter from Christ delivered by the apostle (v3). This letter was not written in ink but by the Holy Spirit. This letter was not carved into tablets of stone but into hearts of flesh (v3b). Paul's claims and proof about the Corinthian church couldn't be any more extraordinary. Paul is utterly confident in all of this through Christ toward God (v4). Paul doesn't plead his case with arrogance reminding the Corinthians how wonderful he is (v5). He knows that he is only sufficient for such work because God made him sufficient (v5b). He is a sufficient minister of the new covenant (v6). A covenant not of works but of grace or as Paul puts it, not of the letter but of the Spirit (v6b). For the letter only kills but the Spirit brings life (v6c). Here Paul makes a distinction between the law and the Gospel. The law is from God and is therefore good (Romans 7v12), but it cannot curb human sin (Romans 8v3) and ultimately brings death (Romans 7v10). The Corinthian church was not built by law observance but by the Spirit. Here is Paul's defence, here is his letter of commendation. He arrived in Corinth in much weakness but fearlessly preached the Gospel. The Spirit moved powerfully, sinners were saved and a local fellowship was born. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof and in days of doom and gloom you might ask "Where is the Lord?". I would respond "He is reigning". Of course a preacher would say that, but where is the evidence? In Northern Ireland you don't need to look too far. Across this land there exist fellowships of Christians who have been converted to Christ by the preaching of the Gospel and the work of the Spirit. These fellowships are sometimes big and sometimes small. Many of them have preachers known around the country and many have preachers known only to their flock. Many of them have music so wonderful that it could grace a concert hall and many have Gertrude on an old piano that sounds somewhat out of tune. Yet all of them belong to Christ. Where the Word is preached faithfully, where the sacraments are administered correctly and where discipline is exercised - there is the church. May we love the church and take her seriously and understand that she is worth being part of. Extraordinarily she is Christ's letter to this world, a letter of grace and forgiveness to guilty sinners, a letter that cries out "You must be born again!". Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q12 What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created? When God had created man, he entered into a (covenant of life) with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death. (Gal. 3:12, Gen. 2:17) Year 2 Day 119
Pray (AC-ts) Read Mark 5:21-24 Message Alan Burke Statistics are wonderful things, you need to collect, organise, analysis, interpret and present the data that you have gathered. They are often used as the final word whether something is true or not but it’s not that simple. Anyhow the reason I start with this is because I have a statistic, it’s not something people like talking about, it’s not something you likely want me to tell you but you are going to die. 1 in 1 of the population of this earth will die. There is a 100% certainty that its coming to all of us. Next time you’re at a birthday party try after everyone has sang Happy Birthday getting everyone attention and saying ‘we’re all going to die’, and the likelihood is it will be the last time you’re invited to anything. As we come to this passage in Mark’s gospel we are faced with a long term illness and a terminal diagnosis, a woman who had been suffering for twelve years and a twelve year old girl lying dying and here we see Jesus power over spiritual death and physical death. Here we are told that Jesus returns from the other side of the lake. Once more he’s greeted with the large crowd, there’s nothing surprising here, it’s a scene that has been repeated time and time again in Mark’s gospel, crowds coming out to Jesus. What is surprising though is the one who comes among the crowd. Falling at the feet of Jesus was one of the synagogue rulers. Jairus, would have been from a well to do, respected family, he would have had the oversight of all that took place in the Synagogue, and because of his position, his wealth and status, if you had a problem, you would have went to Jairus. What makes this so surprising is that well think back to the last time that we are told of Jesus being in the synagogue, if you want to turn to it, it’s chapter 3:6. Jesus there heals the man with a withered hand and the pharisees went out and begin to plot… that they might kill Jesus (3:6). Now this man, the ruler of the synagogue is coming to Jesus. Jairus knew who Jesus was, even if he wasn’t the synagogue that he ruled over where Jesus healed the man with the withered hand, he would have known of Jesus. He was a member of the Jewish estsablismet and on a whole they were hostile towards Jesus, and yet this man came to Jesus. As he did, he fell at the feet of Jesus, he pleaded earnestly with him for his little daughter is dying. This man had wealth and status, who was possibly hostile towards Jesus had no where else to turn. In the midst of this intensely emotional scene, with crowds of people gathering around Jesus, pushing in to get close to him, to touch him, there Jairus is before Jesus, on his knees pleading for the life of his daughter. He is pleading that Jesus would come, put his hands on her, believing that if Jesus did this, she would be healed and live, he turned to the only place that there was for him to be helped. Likewise for us, we may not see ourselves as dying but since the moment we were born we’ve been slowly decaying and in this life and in death salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). If you have trusted in the Saviour then no matter what lies ahead in this life or the next you have hope, and at death, you will be made perfect in holiness (Heb 12:23), immediately pass into glory (2 Cor. 5:1,6,8, Phil. 1:23, Luke 23:43) awaiting the resurrection. (Job 19:26–27). Pray (ac-TS) Sing WSC Q11 What are God’ s works of providence? God’ s works of providence are, his most holy, (Ps. 145:17) wise, (Ps. 104:24, Isa. 28:29) and powerful preserving, (Heb. 1:3) and governing all his creatures, and all their actions. (Ps. 103:19, Matt. 10:29–31) Year 2 Day 117
Pray (AC-ts) Read — Proverbs 1.1-7 Message Scott Woodburn “First posted Year 1 Day 37 - 27 April" The book of Proverbs is usually a book that most of us spend little reading. We all know Proverbs 3.5-6 but ask us about King Lemuel or Agur the son of Jakeh and we are left scratching our heads. Hopefully you don't avoid the book. It is more than just a verse about a straight path. Indeed as it begins, Solomon makes it clear what his goal for Proverbs is. He wants us to know wisdom and instruction (v1). To understand words of insight (v3). To receive instruction in wisdom filled living (v4). To help the simple and the young to make wise decisions (v5) and to help the wise to grow in their learning (v6). That all sounds great. Who doesn't need a healthy does of wisdom in their lives? Fools might despise wisdom and instruction (v7b) but certainly not us. Where can we sign up? Another quite well known verse from Proverbs tells us. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (v7a). The fear of the Lord? Indeed. Knowing and trusting the Lord, fearing Him, is the wisest move any of us could make. Yet we don't fear Him the way a servant fears his master. We call this a servile fear. A servant fears the judgement and punishment of his master. Instead the Christian's fear is a filial fear. The fear a child has for his/her parent. Zacharias Ursinus helps us see the distinction between the two. He writes "Filial fear arises from confidence and love to God; that which is servile arises from a knowledge and conviction of sin, and from a sense of the judgment and displeasure of God. Filial fear does not turn away from God, but hates sin above every thing else, and fears to offend God: servile fear is a flight and hatred, not of sin, but of punishment and of the divine judgment, and so of God himself. Filial fear is connected with the certainty of salvation and of eternal life: servile fear is a fear and expectation of eternal condemnation and rejection of God, and is great in proportion to the doubt and despair which it entertains of the grace and mercy of God." So the beginning of knowledge is a filial fear of God. There will be many who roll their eyes at such a statement. Our faith is a source for scorn, trusting Christ seems like foolishness. We shouldn't be surprised. The Lord tells us "the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1.18) The Gospel has opened our eyes, we have received Christ by faith and we have come to realise that in Christ "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2.3) So as the Covid-19 storm blows around us, clinging to Christ is the wisest course. Indeed even in the sunniest of days "the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (1 Corinthians 1.25) It was the Christian missionary Jim Elliot who wrote in his diary "he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." Soon Elliot's life was taken by those he was seeking to serve. Was he a fool? Are you? No. There's no one wiser than the one who has called upon Christ. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Pray (ac-TS) Sing WSC Q10 How did God create man? God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures. (Gen. 1:26–28, Col. 3:10, Eph. 4:24) Year 2 Day 116
Pray (AC-ts) Read Mark 5:16-20 Message Alan Burke Think here to the reaction of those who were living in the town and the countryside as they came to Jesus seeing the man who was possessed by the legion of demons. What we are told is that they were afraid. Think about it for a moment, these people would have been told by those who had rand off (14) about what had happened. Now as they arrive, they see the man and likely the pigs in the water we are told that they are afraid. Not anger because their pigs were dead, not fearful for their polluted water source or worried about the economic impact but afraid. They are afraid because they had come face to face with the power of God, they had been powerless to bind the man possessed and the manifestation of the power of Jesus leaves them afraid. What we are told is that they beg Jesus to leave, they do not care about his power they just want him gone. There is a great sense of sadness here, the living God has displayed his glory to them, he had done a marvellous deed before them and they are more comfortable with the powers of Satan that left this man in bondage, that had destroyed this mans life and led to the destruction of two thousand pigs than they are with the Son of God. They, just as many who Jesus had spoken to, whom he had performed great miracles before, see but do not see, hear but do not hear (4:10-12). Instead of wanting Jesus help, the salvation that he offers, they desire to be left alone. They reject the only source of deliverance and salvation, if Jesus hadn’t have transformed this man, if he hadn’t have effected their business profits, if he wasn’t a challenge to the status quo then they would have had no problem with him. Here the people were afraid, they asked Jesus to depart, they did not desire his salvation, they sought to escape his presence, they wanted nothing more to do with Jesus, they had seen his power but they rejected it. Whereas the man, who was possessed by Legion, who was delivered from the power of Satan now begged Jesus to go with him. This mans desire was to be with his Saviour, but instead Jesus sends him to his own and he was sent to go out to tell others about how much the Lord had done for him. This is the first time in Mark’s gospel that Jesus tells someone to go and to tell what the Lord has done. This sending of the man to tell everyone allows the the preparation for the future mission of the church to begin. For all who have been saved from their sin, their task like this man is to go and tell everyone what the Lord has done for us, if you are saved then this is your task in what your do, sharing the good news of the gospel. This is our mission as a church, though in God’s providence, each of us has a different part to play. In obeying Him and carrying out our role in this mission, we demonstrate our gratitude to the Lord. This man would go telling others of what he had experienced first hand and that’s what we need to do, take it out, telling others about the Saviour Jesus Christ. Pray (ac-TS) Sing WSC Q9 What is the work of creation? The work of creation is, God’ s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good. (Gen. 1, Heb. 11:3) Year 2 Day 115
Pray (AC-ts) Read — John 10.7-11 Message Scott Woodburn “First posted Year 1 Day 19 - 9 April” I am not a farmer or a son of a farmer. At one of my early funerals in Ballynahinch I brought unintentional laughter to a grieving family. I was leading them at home in prayer before the funeral and told them that a relation was running late and so he would meet them at church. I explained that he had been held up on the farm as one of the sheep was calving. The family glanced at one another and giggles turned to laughter as I stood wondering what I had said that was so funny. I’m no farmer and yet Scripture teaches us about the noble work of those involved in agriculture. Jesus here calls Himself the door of the sheep (v7). It would have been a familiar image for His hearers. The sheep gathered into the pen with the shepherd spreading his body across the entrance. Any sheep trying to get out would have to cross the shepherd and likewise any wolf trying to get in would have to cross the shepherd. It is an image of the shepherd’s care and protection for his flock. Jesus is our shepherd (v11a). He is good and He lays down His life for the sheep (v11b). Who protects the church? Jesus. Who guards us against our enemies? Jesus. Who gathers people into His church? Jesus. He is the door (v9) and anyone who wishes to be saved must go through Jesus (v9). There is no other way and there is no possibility of sneaking past Him. Jesus gathers, guards and defends His church. What a comfort this is! You see we live in days of war and not of peace. We have an enemy who rages against the church for he knows his time is short (Revelation 12.12). Admittedly he has been defeated at Calvary (Colossians 2.13-15) and today is bound until the end of the age (Mark 3.27, Revelation 20.1-3). But like an angry dog on a chain he rages and will destroy whoever he can sink his teeth into (1 Peter 5.8). Resist him and he will flee (1 Peter 5.9). The enemy is active and real and comes only to steal and kill and destroy (v10a). Christ, the good shepherd, comes to give abundant life (v10b). It is this Jesus who is the door to the sheep. The storm may rage and the enemy may growl but Christ remains triumphant. The Lord is for us! Pray (ac-TS) Sing WSC Q8 How doth God execute his decrees? God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence. |
Alan
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