Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during May 2021]

Every time we look at a passage of Scripture, prayerfully and with a mind open to the Holy Spirit, we have the possibility to see fresh facets; interpretations and implications that, to us at least, appear new. Sometimes they sparkle, sometimes we have to work a bit to see them and sometimes they are pointed out to us by others. This reflection contains elements of all three.

Recently, I heard a talk based on the parable of the good Samaritan^[1]. The presenter drew out several points that maybe we had not noticed previously, one being that the lawyer was asking the right questions, but for the wrong reason – indeed, the text tells us that he wanted to test Jesus.

This raises the matter of motivation. Why do we ask questions? Is it to increase our knowledge or is it to put the respondent on the spot? When we ask “How are you?”, are we actually interested in the answer? After Jesus levelled the score the lawyer thought that he should have another shot, so he asked “Who is my neighbour?” The answer that Jesus gave was much more than our usual understanding of the word.

Your neighbour is not just someone with whom you compete for a parking space or whose cat leaves deposits in your flower bed. Your neighbour is not even someone who takes in your parcel whilst you are out or trims your hedge when you are ill. Jesus redefined neighbour on the basis of need and the willingness to help.

Philanthropy needs resources. Time and money. We might think that maybe the priest was penniless and the Levite was late for an appointment, but that would be to excuse their indifference. By contrast, the Samaritan was willing to risk himself and his resources. It is interesting that Jesus did not make any comments about what motivated these three men but simply left history to judge them. How will history judge your actions?

The gospel of Matthew records the parable of the generous employer^[2]. He went out one morning and hired some labourers to work his land; he agreed to pay the going rate for a full day’s work. At various intervals during the day he engaged more workers and sent them to join his earlier group. At the end of the day he paid them all the same, the full rate for the day.

Most of us, having seen ‘johnny come lately’ being treated with such generosity would have expected some kind of added bonus for our length of service and loyalty, and complained when that didn’t happen. From a Western perspective, we might ask whether the employer was wise to upset the economics of the labour market, but such a question misses the point of the parable. This employer treated the workers on the basis of their need rather than their expectations.

Salvation is based on our need, not on our expectations of a reward for effort or endeavour. That’s just as well since our efforts will never meet the required standard. Or, as the apostle Paul wrote:

“all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God” [Romans 3 v23 AMP]

[1] The good Samaritan, Luke 10 v25-37
[2] The generous employer, Matthew 20 v1-16

.

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

[This reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 09/May/2021]

God makes all things beautiful in its time [Ecclesiastes ch 3 v11 NIVUK]

How frustrating it’s been over the last few weeks to have to wait for the night frosts to stop so we can plant bedding plants and sow seeds.

We long for our gardens to radiate vibrant colours that bring pleasure to us and those around us. It’s amazing how some plants survive even the hardest of frosts and yet others wilt and die very quickly. I was thinking about how this relates well to reaching out to people with the good news about Jesus.

Personally, I want everybody to come through to Jesus quickly but a lot of times we need to withstand the frosty looks which can only be thawed out by genuine care, love and long-term friendships through thick and thin.

After the Holy Spirit has prepared the ground through prayer and intercession, Jesus will show us when to plant the seeds. When God is on the move the seeds, we have planted can grow very fast, then we have to be prepared to bring in the harvest.

Are we ready for action, reaching out to those who want to know Jesus, or just enquiring…….? It could be anytime – the frost is clearing now, the ground is prepared, are you ready……?

Don’t you have a saying, “It’s still four months until harvest”? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. [John 4 v35 NIVUK]

Happy gardening full of fruitfulness, blessings,

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church, 04 May 2021]

Unfortunately I cannot make any claim to the originality of the title of today’s thoughts but there are times when something borrowed can be just as helpful as something new. We do well to remember that there is often merit in revisiting old ideas, and the lessons they taught us, rather than always seeking new experiences. Furthermore, exploring new ideas is not itself a new idea!

For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing. [Acts 17 v21 NKJV]

The apostle Paul responded to the Athenians’ desire for something new by telling them about how the God that they worshipped as ‘Unknown’ had created the earth and made all the nations from one man. He then told them about the forthcoming judgement and Christ’s resurrection. In a scenario that was not new, some were convinced by his words, others mocked his ideas.

Talking of creation, the fourth of May is ‘World Naked Gardening Day’. Whilst there might be some benefit in the sun’s rays and vitamin D reaching parts that do not normally see them, I rather suspect that the thought of briars and brambles and even thorns on the roses might be something of a deterrent. However it does remind us of the Garden of Eden, free of weeds and tended by Adam and Eve in the form that God had created them.

On this date in 1415 the church reformers John Wycliffe and Jan Hus were condemned as heretics at the Council of Constance. They had not set out to attack the Catholic church but through their studies of the Bible the Holy Spirit had led them to realise that there were many practices in the church of that day that were not in accordance with the teachings with Scripture. They felt compelled to speak out against what they thought was wrong.

Can we talk about the Holy Spirit as a force? The word itself has several meanings: in addition to describing something that compels us, it can also be something that attracts us or the energy with which to achieve something. On that basis, yes, the Holy Spirit is a force.

Force can also refer to a group of people with a common objective, such as those who wish to serve the community in various ways. For example, the fourth of May is also the feast day of Saint Florian, a Christian martyr in Austria in the fourth century. Florian became a senior officer in the Roman army and is credited with setting up one of the first fire-fighting forces. He was martyred because he refused to endorse the persecution of Christians within his area of authority.

Another example of a potent force is a church united in prayer. The Church of England’s Book of Common Prayer includes the following benediction. It’s old but it has not lost any of its relevance.

May the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen

.

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.