Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

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

In 1893 the Czech composer, Antonín Dvořák was commissioned to write what became his Symphony No. 9, entitled ‘From the New World’. Dvořák was a prolific composer of works inspired by traditional music styles, primarily from his native Czechoslovakia but also by his experiences in America. The motif from this symphony became very popular and, on hearing it, British tv viewers will no doubt think of brown bread and a bicycle. For a wider audience the tune will invoke the words of a song, written by one of Dvořák’s students and entitled “Going Home”.

At the end of some translations of John chapter 7 we have what appears to be a curious verse: “Then they all went home” It sounds like the conclusion of a story by the brothers Grimm, but it lacks the “and they all lived happily ever after” bit. So, what’s the back-story?

The Jewish religious leaders had heard that Jesus had returned from Galilee and had started teaching again in Jerusalem. There were rumours that people were being attracted to what he was saying. They sent the temple guards to arrest Jesus but they came back empty-handed.

Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, ‘Why didn’t you bring him in?’ ‘No one ever spoke the way this man does,’ the guards replied. ‘You mean he has deceived you also?’ the Pharisees retorted. ‘Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law – there is a curse on them.’ [John 7 v45-49 NIVUK]

The leaders argued that no prophet could come from Galilee and that meant the matter was closed, so they all went home. The verse may have finished but if we read on into the next chapter we see that the sentence did not end there. “Then they all went home but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.” We see from other passages that Jesus often went to the Mount of Olives. Luke tells us that it was his regular practice:

Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives. [Luke 21 v37-38 NIVUK]

It was a place of prayer, a place of respite and refreshment – surely some of the characteristics that we want for our own homes. But the Mount of Olives had also been a place of despair and distress:

But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads too and were weeping as they went up. [2 Samuel 15 v30 NIVUK]

In his later years, David’s household had become a place of disappointment and uncomfortable relationships. His attempts at reconciliation were rebuffed and in due course he was driven out of his home by the treachery of his own family.

If Jesus came to your home what would he find?

.

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, 07/Mar/2021]

The short answer to the above question is yes, Jesus loved everyone, but the gospels suggest he didn’t like them very much. In Matthew chapter 23 he keeps saying “Woe to you scribes and Pharisees” and calls them hypocrites, snakes and blind guides. He repeatedly warned his disciples against them and several of his parables were aimed at them, exposing their hypocrisy.

In the past I worried that Jesus didn’t like me because I have a lot in common with the Pharisees. Having been brought up in a Christian home, I have always been to church, prayed and read my Bible and had high moral standards. As well as sharing the virtues of the Pharisees, I have all too often shared their critical and judgemental attitudes, their pride and jealousy. Knowing how much Jesus hates these attitudes, it has been hard to accept that he can love me, yet I know Jesus also hated greed and dishonesty, but still loved Zacchaeus.

Paul was a Pharisee, but he experienced the love of God in a very powerful way. I love that verse in Acts 26 when Paul describes what happened to him on the way to Damascus:

We all fell to the ground and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” [Acts 26 v14 NIVUK]

Jesus wasn’t just concerned about the harm Saul/Paul was doing to the church. He saw the harm Saul was doing to himself and wanted to rescue him. It is like when our children do things which we know will harm them. We still love them as much as ever, but we grieve to see the damage they are doing to themselves and others. Having children has also helped me to see that the warnings Jesus gave to the Pharisees were like the warnings we give our children about what might happen if they run into the road or go off with a stranger, not because we enjoy frightening them, but because we love them and don’t want them to come to harm.

It is good to know that whether we are struggling with fleshly sins like immorality or gluttony, or spiritual sins like pride and criticism, Jesus loves us equally and welcomes us with open arms when we turn to him in repentance.

Jesus said “I will never turn away anyone who comes to me” [John 6 v 37 GNT]

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 during March 2021]

In his 1953 play “Waiting for Godot”, Samuel Beckett introduces his two principal characters, Vladimir and Estragon. These are men of mature years who have fallen upon hard times, but they have heard that a benefactor by the name of Godot can restore their fortunes. The play describes the feelings and experiences of the two men as they wait to meet up with Godot, who never actually arrives. Beckett himself denied any religious connotations in his plot but many commentators have likened both the name and the unsatisfied wait to the experience of those who are waiting for Jesus to return and fix everything.

The return of Jesus is no longer regarded with such a high degree of anticipation as it once was. One common argument states “It’s been 2,000 years; if he hasn’t come yet then he’s not coming at all” but the counter argument “It’s been 2,000 years; the appointed date must be getting closer” must surely carry more weight, at least with those who believe His promise.

We concluded our previous reflection with a quotation from the prophet Malachi. Reading further in the prophecy shows that the day to which it refers will bring destruction to those who disdain the worship of the Almighty God but healing to those who revere His name. The final verses state that Elijah will come to give a final warning.

But Elijah had already come and gone. To whom do these verses refer? In Matthew 11, Jesus explains that John the Baptist had come to repeat Elijah’s warnings and to act as a forerunner of his own ministry. During that ministry Jesus spoke of his own second coming; he did not spell out when it will be but he described the circumstances:

Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. … It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. [Luke 17 v26-27, 30 NIVUK]

So what do we know about the days of Noah? Adam’s two sons, Cain and Seth, had claimed land, built cities and established their own dynasties. The flood occurred during the 1656th year after the birth of Adam; Methuselah, Noah’s grandfather, died aged 969 in the same year. Male life-expectancy in the 11 generations prior to the flood averaged 828 years, it was 263 years afterwards. More significant is this summary:

The [population of the] earth was corrupt [absolutely depraved—spiritually and morally putrid] in God’s sight, and the land was filled with violence [desecration, infringement, outrage, assault, and lust for power]. God looked on the earth and saw how debased and degenerate it was, for all humanity had corrupted their way on the earth and lost their true direction. [Genesis 6 v 11-12 AMP]

Do we recognise certain similarities with our own times? Might we be in the last days before Christ returns? I suspect that many generations of God’s people have thought the same. In the 1840s the followers of Baptist preacher William Miller were convinced that they knew the date, and prepared accordingly. They were wrong, but sooner or later one generation is going to be proved right, and it could well be our own. Jesus offers the following advice:

You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. [Luke 12 v40 NIVUK]

.

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, 28/Feb/2021]

In our church Priscilla and I are just two of approximately four million people in this country who have been waiting a long time for routine surgery, such as a hip or knee replacement. While we are waiting it is important to carry on with the physiotherapy exercises to strengthen the joints and ease the pain.

About 18 months ago I regularly attended a NHS pain workshop and, in addition to the physical exercises, we were taught to do relaxation and breathing exercises to calm the tension. I used to find the breathing ones rather tedious just counting all the time while filling and emptying my lungs. So I decided to recall Bible verses in my mind, reciting one line breathing in, and the next line breathing out and so on.
For example:-

(In)“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, … (Out)who was, and is, and is to come.”
“The sovereign Lord is my strength. … By his wounds I am healed.”
“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. … His faithful love endures forever.”

I find this much more helpful, and you might like to try it with your favourite verses when you feel stressed during lockdown.

The reason I thought about sharing this is that we finally received our Christmas presents from a number of family members at the end of January. One present was a print of a painting of nine flying geese symbolising the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5 v22-23). It was painted by Chris Duffett, a Baptist minister and artist. I was surprised when I turned it over and saw in big letters “And Breathe”. The artist described how the painting is an invitation to breathe in the fruit of the Spirit and breathe out the opposite of them. He had been inspired by the breath prayer of Sheridan Voysey as follows:-
You can pray the words in bold breathing in and the other words slowly breathing out:

Lord God, fill me with your Holy Spirit.
I receive your love, … and release my insecurity
I receive your joy, … and release my unhappiness
I receive your peace, … and release my anxiety
I receive your patience, … and release my impulsiveness
I receive your kindness, … and release my indifference
I receive your goodness, … and release my ungodliness
I receive your faithfulness, … and release my disloyalty
I receive your gentleness, … and release my severity
I receive your self-control, … and release my self-indulgence
Amen

Wouldn’t it be great if the NHS taught this prayer as a breathing exercise in their pain workshops?

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.