Year 2 Day 100

Pray (ACts)

Read - Mark 4:26-29 - Revelation 14:14–19

Message - Alan Burke
Harvest is some way off, truth be told it’s something that for most of us goes unnoticed, that is unless were stuck behind a combine going through Saintfield and it’s a car park, were in a rush and the red mist is descending. The importance of the harvest cannot be understated, think about it, that loaf of bead in the kitchen it’s dependant on a harvest, protein levels in that grain when it’s harvested need to be 13% for it to be made into bread otherwise it is made into animal feed. That bottle of oil that we use for cooking is also dependant on a harvest as well for today we rely less on animal fats for cooking and more on oils like rapeseed, sunflower etc. 

Well on Monday we were thinking of the seed, or rather the word. It was the sower who scattered the seed and the seed does what the seed does it grows. Likewise it is our task to to scatter the word, to tell people about Jesus, to scatter the seed and by the work of God that word will grow. God uses that word and it works in our lives as the Holy Spirit applies it to us. It is the same word that works in us when we go home, works in us when we sleep, it is the word of God that works. Here in this parable the result of the seed that is sown on the soil, is that there is a harvest. When the harvest is ready, when the kernel is ripe the farmer puts the stickle to it. As the parable turns to the harvest the emphasis moves on the word that has worked to the harvest, the harvest is the final act. 

These kingdom parables are untimely about Jesus himself and the word that went out from him, we are called to do the same to take the word out but here the harvest is something in the here and now rather it speaks of Jesus in the final judgment. That is the harvest in view here, the coming judgment of the world, for the concluding words of verse 29 reflect the Hebrew text of Joel 3:13 and point forward to Revelation 14:14–19 as the kingdom grows it will lead to both a harvest and judgment, for this is what the word of God will produce, a harvest but also the coming judgement of the word. 

In Revelation 14 All the grain will be gathered by Jesus himself, the grain speaking of all those who believe but there is also there the gathering of a different harvest, that speaks of the gathered the grape harvest of the earth that will be thrown it into the great winepress of the wrath of God, speaking of the bloody destruction of the wicked (Matt 13:30). God will accomplish what he is to accomplish not us, we need to trust in the seed and leave the seed to do what it does in the soil, let us trust the word of God. We may not like waiting but we like the farmer need to leave the seed, we need to leave the word to do its work, it takes time but the word will do its work, what we need is patients, patients that God will bring about the growth and will result in a harvest of many Souls. 

Pray (acTS)

Sing

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Q102 What do we pray for in the second petition?
In the second petition, (which is, Thy kingdom come, (Matt. 6:10)) we pray, That Satan’ s kingdom may be destroyed; (Ps. 68:1,18) and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, (Rev. 12:10–11) ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it; (2 Thess. 3:1, Rom. 10:1, John 17:9,20) and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened. (Rev. 22:20)
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Year 2 Day 99 and News

News from Scott and Alan

Little did we think when we started writing devotions for the initial six week lockdown, that over a year later that we would still be doing them. As it’s the summer both of us are planing to take some time off, but after speaking to some of you we felt that we should keep the devotions going. As a result, for the month of July you are getting a mix of Scott’s most liked, shared or engaged with devotions from ‘Year 1’ and for the month of August you are getting a mix of Alan’s most liked, shared or engaged with devotions from ‘Year 1’. They will continue to be posted as normal and we will include the date on which they were first posted. 

We hope that they have been of benefit to you and they will continue to be.

Yours in Christ 

Scott and Alan 

Pray (AC-ts)

Read — John 1:1-14

Message Scott Woodburn 

“First posted Year 1 Day 1 - 23 March 20”
These are troubled days and all of us are without answers and often without comfort. Yet today God's people may have trouble but they are not without comfort. We trust in Christ. Who is this Christ? Some today say they like Jesus, He was a great teacher, if only His followers could be as good as He was. The same individuals however see Jesus as merely a good man, an example to be followed. Who is this Christ really? We are given the answer in the magnificent opening chapter of John's Gospel. He is God (v1-2), everything that has ever been made was made through Jesus (v3), in Christ there is life and light (v4) and Christ has not and will never be overcome by the darkness in this world (v5). His arrival was announced by John the Baptist (v6-8) because Christ is the King of kings and because God Himself was taking on flesh and dwelling among us (v14). Don't miss how important the coming of Christ was in human history. There has never been another moment like it. The Son of God came to that which He had created, He humbled Himself by taking on flesh and submitting Himself to our weakness and to the law of God (Galatians 4.4). This is extraordinary and amazingly He wasn't received by His own (v11). Yet today Christ remains our only hope and to all who receive Him, who believe in His name, He saves them and welcomes them into His family (v12-13). These are troubled days but Christ is still our only comfort in life and in death. 

Pray (ac-ST)

Sing

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Q101 What do we pray for in the first petition? 
In the first petition, (which is, Hallowed be thy name, (Matt. 6:9)) we pray, That God would enable us and others to glorify him in all that whereby he maketh himself known; (Ps. 67:2–3) and that he would dispose all things to his own glory. (Ps. 83)
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Year 2 Day 99 and News

News from Scott and Alan

Little did we think when we started writing devotions for the initial six week lockdown, that over a year later that we would still be doing them. As it’s the summer both of us are planing to take some time off, but after speaking to some of you we felt that we should keep the devotions going. As a result, for the month of July you are getting a mix of Scott’s most liked, shared or engaged with devotions from ‘Year 1’ and for the month of August you are getting a mix of Alan’s most liked, shared or engaged with devotions from ‘Year 1’. They will continue to be posted as normal and we will include the date on which they were first posted. 

We hope that they have been of benefit to you and they will continue to be.

Yours in Christ 

Scott and Alan 

Pray (AC-ts)

Read — John 1:1-14

Message Scott Woodburn 

“First posted Year 1 Day 1 - 23 March 20”
These are troubled days and all of us are without answers and often without comfort. Yet today God's people may have trouble but they are not without comfort. We trust in Christ. Who is this Christ? Some today say they like Jesus, He was a great teacher, if only His followers could be as good as He was. The same individuals however see Jesus as merely a good man, an example to be followed. Who is this Christ really? We are given the answer in the magnificent opening chapter of John's Gospel. He is God (v1-2), everything that has ever been made was made through Jesus (v3), in Christ there is life and light (v4) and Christ has not and will never be overcome by the darkness in this world (v5). His arrival was announced by John the Baptist (v6-8) because Christ is the King of kings and because God Himself was taking on flesh and dwelling among us (v14). Don't miss how important the coming of Christ was in human history. There has never been another moment like it. The Son of God came to that which He had created, He humbled Himself by taking on flesh and submitting Himself to our weakness and to the law of God (Galatians 4.4). This is extraordinary and amazingly He wasn't received by His own (v11). Yet today Christ remains our only hope and to all who receive Him, who believe in His name, He saves them and welcomes them into His family (v12-13). These are troubled days but Christ is still our only comfort in life and in death. 

Pray (ac-ST)

Sing

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Q101 What do we pray for in the first petition? 
In the first petition, (which is, Hallowed be thy name, (Matt. 6:9)) we pray, That God would enable us and others to glorify him in all that whereby he maketh himself known; (Ps. 67:2–3) and that he would dispose all things to his own glory. (Ps. 83)

Year 2 Day 98

Pray (ACts)

Read - Mark 4:26-29

Message - Alan Burke
Germination is the process by which a seed transforms and begins to grow into a plant. Here Jesus uses germination and teaches that the kingdom of God is like a man scattering seeds on the ground. Today things maybe be slightly different as it is the farmer in the tractor sowing the seed, using a spreader or a seed drill but we are all familiar with the imagery. Notice how little the farmer does in this parable, once the seed is on the ground he plays a fairly insignificant role in the process. We are told how night and day whether he sleeps or gets up the seed sprouts and grows (27).

The one who scatters the seed is unaware of what is happening beneath the surface, but despite his lack of knowledge, or having been at Greenmount or Loughry, the seed does what it does and grows. We know as well as the farmer knew that the important bit in all of this was the seed, the seed itself contains the power of generation, the farmer plants it, he may even glance his eye on it to see when it’s ready but from beginning to end the seed does it itself. How did the grain in this parable grow from a seed to the fully grown, from the stalk to the kernel in the head, how does the seed that we plant grow? Is the seed reliant on our competence as farmers or gardeners, no it is dependant on the seed. The seed does what it is suppose to do. 

Remember Jesus is teaching about the kingdom, it is the farmer who scatters the word in the parable of the sower (4:1-20), Jesus told us how the seed is the word (4:13). If we are hoping for a harvest, hoping for the ground to be productive we scatter the seed and here likewise we are to scatter the word. This is our task as the church, it is the word, the seed, this is what we need and it is enough. Think of the farmer in the parable, all he does is plant the seed, in the parable he is irrelevant in the rest of the account until the end, he cannot make the seed grow his job is to scatter the seed. Do we see that? Do we see that the important thing that we do as a church is scatter the seed, the word, to preach it, to proclaim it?

Our task where ever we are, with our families, in our communities, in our work places, our task is scattering the word and just as the seed grows when it is scattered likewise the word grows. Sometimes it will fall on ground that is not receptive to it but other times good soil and . The farmer cannot make the seed grow and neither can we, it is not our work in growing the kingdom in making the seed grow that is the work of God, just as the seed sprouts, the word sprouts, the kingdom of God is entirely the work of God. 

Pray (acTS)

Sing

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Q 100 What doth the preface of the Lord’ s prayer teach us?
The preface of the Lord’ s prayer, (which is, Our Father which art in heaven, (Matt. 6:9)) teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us; (Rom. 8:15, Luke 11:13) and that we should pray with and for others. (Acts 12:5, 1 Tim. 2:1–2)
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Year 2 Day 96

Pray (ACts)

Read - Acts 24v1-21

Message - Scott Woodburn
Having failed in their attempt to assassinate Paul his enemies move to a legal process. The high priest Ananias and a delegation come and address the governor highlighting their issues with Paul (v1). They play the game well reminding Felix that has brought peace to the region and reforms are being brought to the nation (v2). The delegation tell Felix that they are incredibly thankful for all that he has done (v3).

These pleasant platitudes are a nonsense. The Romans were despised and no doubt Ananias would have much preferred a land free from the boot of Rome. However, at this stage, the pressing problem was Paul and as the old saying goes…you get more with sugar than you do with vinegar.

With much sugar poured out the issues against Paul are revealed. If Felix has brought peace then Paul has stirred up riots everywhere he has gone (v5) and when he arrived in Jerusalem he attempted to profane the temple (v6). Paul’s accusers have done everyone a favour by seizing him and now Felix can see for himself that Paul is a plague (v8).

None of this is true and Paul is able to fight his corner. He is clear that he hasn’t stirred up any riots either in the temple, synagogues or the city (v12). They have no proof against Paul (v13). Instead the attacks of his opponents find their source in theology. Paul believes in God and accepts the law and prophets (v14). Paul in entirely orthodox in his views. He believes in the resurrection of both the just and the unjust (v15). Paul is not lying. He has a clear conscience before God and man (v16). As far as Paul is concerned he is on trial not for rebellion but because he holds certain religious beliefs (v21). Under Roman law Paul had done nothing wrong, a man’s religious beliefs were not grounds to have him executed or assassinated.

Paul’s opponents didn’t have a leg to stand on. Their case against the Apostle was founded on lies and driven by jealously, malice and spite. Despite this, Paul would remain in custody for quite some time, perfectly innocent but forced to wait for the wheels of justice to move incredibly slowly.

Brothers and sisters, we will know experiences like this in our own lives. The enemy attacks from all sides and at times the barbs thrown against us are childish and petty and not worth considering. Yet months and years roll on and difficulties do not go away. What you have experienced isn’t fair and you long for days of peace.

William Cowper is a famous hymn writer and responsible for many beloved songs in the church, yet he was often crippled by doubt and depression which plagued him for most of his life. Still I am thankful for these beautiful words from Cowper’s pen…

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessing on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense
But trust Him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purpose will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain

The enemy will rage against us but Christ will not forsake us. If you presently know what seems like an unending storm may the Lord assure you today of His grace and mercy. Through faith in Christ we have been declared righteous and because we are in Christ, God is pleased with us. Let the barbs and the malice and the jealousy of the enemy wash over you and continue to trust the finished work of Christ.

Pray (acTS)

Sing

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Q99 What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer? The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer, but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called, The Lord’s Prayer.
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Year 2 Day 95

Pray (ACts)

Read - Mark 4:24-25

Message - Alan Burke
Here Jesus teaches those who have they will be given more, while those who do not have even what they have will be taken away. Take this mantra and make a political slogan, the mandate of an election campaign and I doubt that anyone would have success with it. All of us want more, more money in our pocket or bank account, more suff, a nicer house, the idea of taking what we have from us doesn’t sit nicely with us. So what is Jesus on about. Well remember Jesus was teaching about the kingdom of God and here he is teaching how people respond to the coming kingdom, how they are responding to Jesus Himself. He begins with telling them to be careful what they hear…

The measure you use, it will be measured to you and even more… this time Jesus uses imagery of the market place. Measuring instruments were used to maintain the integrity of sales and trades in the marketplace, you need a standard in measuring. When the measure is used elsewhere, it is uses for how you measure others, the judgement you pronounced you will be judged, the measure you use it will me measured to you, but here there is different emphasis than Jesus uses in Matthew and Luke (Mt 7:2, Lk 6:38). Here the emphasis is on the teaching of Jesus Himself, on spiritual perception. 

In effect he is saying when you come wanting to have more you’ll get more, you’ll gain a deeper understanding, but when you have opposition in your heart, when you come not really caring or wanting to know, then what little you had will be taken away. These words of Jesus are a warning and a promise, a warning to all to consider carefully what we hear and to all of us it is a promise to those of us who will hear. Only those who have “ears to hear” will heed it, and this hearing must be granted by Christ so that we can understand the secret of the kingdom of God (vv. 9, 11, 23, 33).

When you come wanting more, you’ll get more, you’ll gain a deeper understanding, when you come not really caring or wanting to know, then what little you had will be taken away. With the measure you use will be used to you, the same principle goes for a lot of things, you get out of it what you put into it. The Lord is exceedingly generous to us, but ultimately Jesus here was explaining to the disciples and the others, what they had already seen first hand in those around them. Those who were listening, who wanted to understand had ears to hear, but the pharisees well what little they had was being taken away, and the same with the crowd who were just coming for the miracles. The Lord God gives more only to those who truly want what they have already received. Christ will not continue to dispense His revelation to us unless we want Him to fill our measure with it.

The when you come wanting more, you’ll get more, you’ll gain a deeper understanding, but when you have opposition in your heart then what little you had will be taken away. With the measure you use will be used to you. We see this same thing play out today, if you’re coming to Jesus and you want to know him, if you are aware of your need of him then your going to get more, much will be added to you, but if your hearts cynical, you go to worship out of habit, or because it’s your social club, if you’re not here for Jesus then what little you have will be taken away. Don’t be surprised if what little you had will be gone, the spiritually rich get richer the spiritually poor get poorer, here we have the insiders and the outsiders, if we are open to Jesus then we will receive more and more and more, we will grow in our love of the Lord this place will be transformed, but if we do not, more and more will be taken away and concealed from us. For those of us want more, think about this amazing promise, the more you put in the more you get out, sit with your bibles open, a note book and pen, taking it in, going and discussing with others, calling it to mind during the week and you will be given more by God!

Pray (acTS)

Sing

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Q98 What is prayer? 
Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, (Ps. 62:8) for things agreeable to his will, (1 John 5:14) in the name of Christ, (John 16:23) with confession of our sins, (Ps. 32:5–6, Dan. 9:4) and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies. (Phil. 4:6)
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Year 2 Day 94

Pray (ACts)

Read - Acts 23v23-35

Message - Scott Woodburn
On Tuesday we chatted briefly about the sovereignty of God. The Lord is King and our times are in His hand. Whatever befalls us, we can take comfort in the fact that the Lord knows our path and even if death comes, we will never slip through His mighty fingers. But how does God exercise His sovereignty?

Perhaps when we consider such a question we immediately imagine the dramatic. A Christian is facing thousands of enemies and the Lord strikes them down with a lightning bolt. Or perhaps a Christian is falling from a cliff and the Lord sends a legion of angels to carry him. While neither scenario is impossible for the Lord we must realise that ordinarily, the Lord uses the ordinary.

Paul is in great danger and the Lord in His sovereignty will care for him. How? In ordinary ways. Paul will be sent to the Roman governor Felix and will be accompanied by 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen and 200 spearmen. Can you imagine? Paul’s enemies number at least 40 but Paul’s guard make them look like nothing.

Not only that, Paul was sent to Felix with an official letter of explanation and introduction. The letter was clear that Paul was a Roman citizen (v27) and hadn’t been charged with anything deserving death or imprisonment (v28) but he was now in danger from his accusers (v30). Finally when Paul arrived in Caesarea he was placed under guard in Herod’s praetorium (v35). It would be near impossible for the angry Jews to assassinate him in such a place.

Now admittedly, if given a choice, none of us would want our liberty to be curtailed in such a way. We’d prefer to travel without the need of a guard. Ideally we wouldn’t need a letter explaining our circumstances and if possible we’d rather spend the night in our own bed rather than a military encampment. Yet here we see that the Lord can even use the might of pagans to protect His people.

So how does God exercise His sovereignty today? In exactly the same way. He can send His angels in defence of the church and the Lord is able to cast thunderbolts upon the earth. But ordinarily, He uses the ordinary. Do not be surprised when the Lord straightens your path in simple ways. Do not be amazed when even the decisions of pagans seem to help the church. The Lord is sovereign over the whole universe and even the raindrops do what He commands. Once again…if God is for us…who can be against us?  

Pray (acTS)

Sing

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Q97 What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord’s Supper? It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord’s Supper, that they examine themselves, of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, of their faith to feed upon him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves.
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Year 2 Day 93

Pray (ACts)

Read - Mark 4:21-23

Message - Alan Burke

Light is essential for life, we though about that on Monday and nobody has flung it back to me to say I’m wrong so it seems we are all in agreement. Today once more we focus on this parable of the Lamp. Where Jesus tells a parable and asks the question, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? And then says… Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?” What a question, of course you put it on a stand, we all know the answer, and when you put the lamp on its stand in the middle of the house it shines and what is concealed is now visible. But as we thought about on Monday Jesus is speaking of himself and the kingdom of God, for God is light (1 Jn 1:5), Jesus said “I am the light of the world” (Jn 8:12) so this light, this lamp, is Jesus. 

This parable like all of the parables in chapter 4 are about the secret of the kingdom of God that is now being revealed, the kingdom of God that is present in the person of Jesus and to many who are on the outside, remains veiled, unknown, they do not understand, they cannot hear. Yet the purpose in Jesus coming, just as the purpose in a lamp or a light in our home is not to keep things hidden, but instead to illuminate. Jesus Himself was proclaiming the truth to those who were on the outside (4:12), they had failed to see that the kingdom had come. Here though Jesus was teaching his disciples that they would understand, that there was indeed a day coming when what was hidden will be disclosed. 

On that day Jesus will be known as the coming King, people who have ears to hear to will hear and understand. Those on the outside may not understand the parables now, some of them will in time, for God’s glory was being revealed in and through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Though his life, death, resurrection and ascension and many did have and do have had ears to hear. For those who do not have ears to hear, they are still fumbling in the darkness, they are clueless, for their eyes have been blinded, they are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God (Eph 4:18), their eyes have been blinded by the evil of this present age. Although they refuse to now they will indeed recognise Jesus for who he is, for Jesus here is ultimately talking about the day that the full manifestation of his nature and his kingdom will be revealed on the last day, and on that day some will face the eternal consequences for their sin for they have no heard or seen (Mt 25:31-36). Light is essential for life and because they have not heard or seen then they will face the second death (Rev 21:8)

In Matthew’s gospel we are to let our light shine before men, that they might see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven (Matt 5:16), that is what we are to do, Paul in Ephesians teaches us that …you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (Eph 5:8). Our task as the church as those who have been called from darkness to light is to live in the light and to make known the light of God’s kingdom in how we live and as we proclaim the good news of the Gospel about Jesus Christ the Son of God (1:1) and proclaim a Jesus proclaimed “the Kingdom of God is near, repent and believe the good news”

Pray (acTS)

Sing

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Q96 What is the Lord’ s supper?
The Lord’ s supper is a sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ’ s appointment, his death is showed forth; and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace. (1 Cor. 11:23–26)

Year 2 Day 92

Pray (ACts)

Read - Acts 23v12-22

Message - Scott Woodburn
The Lord does not condemn us for making oaths and vows but He will certainly judge us for making them and failing to keep them. Equally He is not pleased when our oaths or vows cause us to sin. An oath makes a promise to someone and calls upon God to witness it. In today’s passage forty Jews promised the chief priests and elders that they would kill Paul (v14) and they wouldn’t eat or drink until their wicked plan was carried out. The conspirators urged the council to bring Paul before them and they would kill him along the way (v15).

Thankfully Paul’s nephew got wind of the conspiracy and immediately went and informed his uncle (v16). From there Paul sent his nephew to tell the tribune the details of the plot against him (v18).

I’m encouraged by this passage for even in the face of bloodthirsty evil, the Lord does not cease to be sovereign. What do I mean by that? When we speak of God’s sovereignty, we speak of His Kingship. He is the ruler. He is the boss. He is Supreme. Amazingly there isn’t a single thought or deed that the Lord doesn’t know. When evil men rise up against the Lord’s people, God is the one who overrules.

These bloodthirsty plotters wouldn’t be successful in their attempt to murder Paul. The Apostles’ times were in the hand of God. It is important to note that this is no guarantee of peace and ease. Christianity does not equal a stress free painless life. Indeed Church history teaches us that Paul’s life would end in the city of Rome where he would be beheaded at the command of the Emperor Nero.

Yet what we can know for sure is that in good days and bad the Lord does not leave us nor forsake us and His plan for us is always good. We may struggle to understand the good in an angry plotting mob or a beheading in Rome or constant worry but with that said, we continue to rest in Christ. I know Paul believed this for inspired by the Holy Spirit he would write…

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8v31-39)

Pray (acTS)

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Q95 To whom is Baptism to be administered? Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible Church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him; but the infants of such as are members of the visible Church are to be baptized.
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Year 2 Day 91

Pray (ACts)

Read - John 8:12, Mark 4:21-23

Message - Alan Burke
There are many days I wonder what will be flung back at me from what truth is contained in these devotions but I think I’m fairly safe with this one, you ready for it? Light, it’s essential for life. This week we continue on in Mark’s gospel but as we read Scripture we must let scripture interpret Scripture, so to help us on Wednesday think of what Jesus is teaching in the parable of the lamp under a basket (Mk 4:21-24) we need to have some context. In the beginning God created the lights in the sky, the sun, the moon and the stars (Gen 1:14-16), but before that there was light. For in the beginning God said, “let there be light” and there was light and God saw that the light was good (Gen 1:3-4), light was there before anything other source of light for as 1 John 1:5 reminds us “God is light”, for He is light itself. 

Throughout the Old Testament light is often associated with God and his word, I’m going to pick a few out here. The words of David in Psalm 27 “The LORD is my light and my salvation” (27:1), again David in 2 Samuel “For you are my lamp, O LORD and my God lightens my darkness” (22:29) and probably the best known one that many of us learnt in Sunday school, holiday bible clubs etc is Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”. You get the idea. 

Now think to John’s gospel where we are told… Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Jn 8:12). The lamp and light are a metaphor for God himself, Jesus himself said he was the light. Now think to how the prologue of Mark’s gospel opened where were are told, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (1:1). As we read Mark’s gospel and understand that it is all about Jesus, as we understand who Jesus is the son of God, the light of the world, then we read this passage and as we read the lamp, we understand so much more of what Jesus is saying; for he is saying that he is the lamp of God who has come to bring light and revelation of the kingdom of God, he is the lamp of this parable that enlightens and reveals (Jn 1:5; 8:12). 

Jesus is this lamp who has entered the world, the one who had come and went into Galilee in order to preach the gospel, to provide illumination to the people, to bring light, to bring the kingdom of God (1:38). These parables are about the secret of the kingdom of God that is now being revealed, the kingdom of God that is present in the person of Jesus and to many who are on the outside, remains veiled, unknown, they do not understand, they cannot hear. Yet the purpose in Jesus coming, just as the purpose in a lamp or a light in our home is not to keep things hidden, but instead to illuminate. 

Pray (acTS)

Sing

WSC
Q94 What is baptism?
Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, (Matt. 28:19) doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord’ s. (Rom. 6:4, Gal. 3:27)