St. Barnabas Anglican Parish, Bluff.
20.03, 24 Today's gospel John 8:21-30 Again he said to them, ‘I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.’ Then the Jews said, ‘Is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, “Where I am going, you cannot come”?’ He said to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.’ They said to him, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Why do I speak to you at all? I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the one who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.’ They did not understand that he was speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.’ As he was saying these things, many believed in him. *Some thoughts* This text, invites us to trust and belief in Jesus Christ, that He is from above. Trust is a gift from God. Our prayer will help us to express our desires and to find what God wants for us. We must take time in prayer to sit with Jesus, asking for the patience and trust we need to let truth be revealed. In the text, His hearers were either unable or unwilling to understand his teaching up to this point. Jesus is still revealing His identity, but He is also exploring the identity of those He is addressing. We cannot come to the knowledge of Christ without first of all understanding the truth of who He is, and the truth of who we are. If we do not know who Christ is, we will not value Him . *Let us pray* Lord help us to recognise who we are, so as to grasp the greatness of our need and dependance on You. You are the only answer to our needs. Amen.
0 Comments
St. Barnabas Anglican Parish, Bluff.
18.03.24 Today's gospel. John 7:53 - 8:11 The chapter begins with Jesus preaching and teaching in the temple. He is interrupted by the Scribes and the Pharisees, who place more value on the Torah and religion than on people. They were concerned about preserving the purity of the Jewish faith. They saw Jesus as a threat since He got popularity and so they looked for every opportunity to accuse Him. Somehow, they managed to get this woman and brought her to Jesus. By law she was to be stoned to death. But Jesus bend down wrote on the ground. He said, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." when Jesus looked up, all have gone and left only with the woman and He said, "woman, where are those accusers of yours,.... Has no one condemned you? No one Sir,... Jesus said to her, Neither do I, go and sin no more." *Some thoughts* Through this woman, we learn that Jesus is always ready and willing to forgive, and extend His grace. She also teaches us that, that same grace empowers us to no longer be victims or "slaves of sin" but to "go and sin no more." We are all sinners in need of God's grace and forgiveness. *Let us pray* Lord Jesus Christ, grant us your mercy and forgiveness. May nothing separate us from your love. Amen St. Barnabas Anglican Parish, Bluff.
16.03.24 Today's gospel. John 7:40 - 52 The crowd was divided on who Jesus was. Those who said He was a prophet who came to prepare the way for the Messiah. Those who said He was the Messiah they waited for, for salvation. Those who said He was simply from Nazareth and could not be the Messiah. For others, Jesus was just a bad man, and so they wanted to seize Him. *Let us pray* Lord Jesus Christ, help us to believe more in You, as our Saviour. Amen Daily Devotion
St. Barnabas Anglican, Bluff. 15.03.24 Today's gospel John 7:14 - 30 JESUS TEACHES IN THE TEMPLE The hearers of Jesus were amazed at His wisdom. To them Jesus was simply a Galilean carpenter without formal education. Unlike other teachers, the doctrines that Jesus taught were from God and not human opinions. Jesus' teachings were related to the will of God. For us to do the will of God, we must come to Jesus. Human teachings seek for their own glory, but Jesus' teaching seek to please God. Yes, Jesus had earthly parents and relatives in Nazareth, but the fact is Jesus has the Father that sent Him into the world. *Let us pray* Jesus, we worship You. Jesus, we praise You. Jesus, we adore You. Amen |
AuthorChrist is Lord! Archives
May 2024
Categories
All
|