Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during March 2024]

In one of last week’s readings^[1] a sentence caught my attention. Matthew, Mark and Luke all include accounts of Jesus calming a storm on the Sea of Galilee but Mark includes an additional detail. It could almost be a throw-away line but since generations of scribes and typists have been inspired to include it then it must have some relevance.

And other little boats were also with Him. Mark 4 v36 [NKJV]

Did they too experience the storm? Were they too threatened by the wind and rough sea? Did they too hear the disciples’ cries of fear and their appeal to Jesus? The answer to all three questions is almost certainly ‘yes’. Those who were in the other boats would surely have experienced the calm that followed after Jesus commanded the waves to be still.

Do we recognise that our prayers for ourselves can affect those around us? Should that have an effect on how we pray? Do we make a positive effort to share with them the blessings that we receive?

Some of these disciples were experienced fishermen, fully familiar with the hazards of embarking on an evening voyage across the sea. Despite knowing the risks, they set out, following the instruction that Jesus had given them.

Do you ever find yourself in the same boat as the disciples? Not literally of course, but metaphorically speaking. Does the course that you are following seem likely to end in disaster? To what extent are you willing to accept the risks that come with obeying Jesus?

The disciples had not yet fully understood who Jesus was. Their question “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”^[2] is one that we too should ask. With two thousand years of hindsight we ought to be able to provide an answer but is our answer adequate?

Some time later, Jesus tried to explain to the disciples who he was and why he had come. He spoke about his death and resurrection but the response of the disciples was predictable:

They did not understand what He said and were afraid to ask Him. Mark 9:32 [NLV]

There are times when, as we read the Bible or listen to God in prayer, we feel that he is trying to tell us something but we do not understand. As we take time to ponder on what we have read or heard we should not be afraid to ask for clarity. Gideon, David and Jehoshaphat^[3] are just three examples of people asking for confirmation of God’s will. Our prayer should echo that of the Psalmist:

Let my cry come before You, O Lord;
Give me understanding according to Your word. Psalm 119 v169 [NIVUK]

References:
[1] The Essential Jesus, day 57
[2] Mark 8 v41
[3] Judges 6 v39, 1 Samuel 23 v2, 2 Chronicles 18 v6

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 February 2024]

In those areas of the world which have a dominant religion there is a general expectation that children growing up will conform to and adopt the religious practices around them. Often, not doing so can bring difficulties or even persecution. Even in those nations where a plurality of religion is accepted, a parent’s choice of religion will have an influence on choices made by their children.

However, this is not always the case. In the Old Testament we see many examples of children who have not followed their parents’ religious example. Eli, Samuel, even David all had sons who rejected their fathers’ faith. Similarly, the records of the kings of Judah contain many instances where successive kings, for good or for bad, did not behave as their fathers had.

Martin Luther was a Catholic priest in the 16th century at a time when that church was the dominant religious entity in Europe. Luther’s study of various books of the Bible led him to believe that the Catholic church of that day was acting in a way that was not true to the words of Scripture. His teachings led, in due course, to our understanding that a meaningful Christian faith is dependent on the relationship between God and each individual.

Being born into a Christian family is a great blessing but that is not enough. We cannot inherit a place in Heaven, no matter how deserving our parents may have been or what our social status may be. Nicodemus was a high-ranking member of Jewish society, well conversant with the religious laws of the time. He asked Jesus some questions about the kingdom of God.

Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again’.
John 3 v3 [NIVUK]

In modern secular society, ‘born again’ has become a term of derision and its spiritual significance is often dismissed. Jesus went on to explain to Nicodemus – and to us – what he meant. The conversation included words that have become so familiar that we risk overlooking their impact. We need to read them slowly:

For God so loved the world
  that he gave his one and only Son,
   that whoever believes in him shall not perish
    but have eternal life.
John 3 v16 [NIVUK]

The death of Jesus Christ opened the way to establishing a personal relationship with God. Everybody is invited but each person must decide for themselves whether to accept that invitation. This is not a ‘take it or leave it’ invitation, it has eternal consequences. A subsequent verse contains a warning for those who decline it:

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3 v18 [NIVUK]

Irrespective of what our relationship with our earthly parents is or has been, there is another relationship which surpasses the best that they could provide:

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
1 John 3 v1 [NIVUK]

References:
[1]

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 February 2024]

As we start to write a sermon or a reflection the prayer must be “Lord, what is your message for your people today?” Without the Holy Spirit’s inspiration there be no reward for the tapping of the keys, no value in what is written, no blessing for those who hear or read the outcome.

Imagine how sad – even fearsome – the plight of those about whom God says “I have nothing to say to these people.” We long for a word of encouragement, even a word of rebuke is better than divine silence.

In the opening chapters of Revelation we can eavesdrop on Jesus speaking to seven churches. His words include both encouragement and rebuke, much like a ‘must try harder’ school report. Although those churches are named and have specific characteristics the messages have been recorded for our benefit. To a lesser or greater extent we can, perhaps unwillingly, identify with some of the situations described.

Most of those messages to the churches begin with a common theme: “I know your deeds”. Are you happy that Jesus Christ knows your deeds? He knows not only those things that we have done, or left undone, but also our motivations.

The first church addressed by name in Revelation is that at Ephesus. The church is commended for its perseverance, its hard work and its determination to tackle those who deviate from the truth. Yet, despite this positive assessment the church is criticised for having lost its initial love. Is this a reminder that we can do the right things but without true motivation?

The churches in Revelation represent a wide spectrum of faithfulness, from ardent loyalty through to procrastination and indifference. There are warnings about persecutions but also promises for those who are victorious. Each of the messages to the churches concludes with the same instruction:

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 2 v7 [BSB]

Are our ears open, not just to hear but also to listen? Can we sincerely echo the words of the young Samuel?

Speak, Lord, for thy servant is listening. 1 Samuel 3 v10 [NIVUK]

Some words from an earlier era of hymn writing come to mind:

Speak, Thy servant heareth,
  be not silent, Lord;
Waits my soul upon Thee
  for the quickening word.^[1]

References:
[1] Emily May Crawford (1864-1927)

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.