Photo by...Photo by Rémi Walle on Unsplash
Paul’s in prison when he writes to Timothy, his young friend and co-worker. Acts 28 tells us Paul was in Rome at the time, under house-arrest guarded by a soldier. It wasn’t two weeks of quarantine in a hotel to wait for any signs of a virus but two years under house arrest.
During this time and close to the end of his life, Paul writes and describes some disappointment in those he considered friends.
16 When I was first put on trial, no one helped me. In fact, everyone deserted me. I hope it won’t be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood beside me. He gave me the strength to tell his full message, so that all Gentiles would hear it. And I was kept safe from hungry lions. 18 The Lord will always keep me from being harmed by evil, and he will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. Praise him forever and ever! Amen. 2 Timothy 4:16-18
I’ve highlighted the beautiful words of good news for Paul and for us. Jesus stood beside him.
Jesus’ disciples had a very interesting experience of the Lord standing beside them on the first Easter day. Jesus surprised them. Jesus came to bring peace and comfort to them in their fear.
But Thomas was missing and when they told him he wouldn’t believe it. Perhaps he thought it was too good to be true.
Many a sermon has been preached about Thomas and his doubting - with strong encouragement not to doubt like him. I wonder how many sceptic’s lives have been changed by those sermons.
It hit me this year (maybe it’s the isolation), Thomas isn’t the main character in this story, Jesus is. It’s about Jesus and his unending desire and determination to come alongside and help. He came and stood beside the group of disciples and they got it, he was alive. He came again, just for Thomas, and he got it.. Jesus didn’t want Thomas to be left in the dark of uncertainty. Jesus loved Thomas and wanted him to know the good news of his resurrection.
Jesus comes and stands beside us. He’s not satisfied till he knows that we know he’s alive, and that he loves us and is with us.
This is the good news of Easter!
One Lord
by Jim Strelan
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On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name (Zechariah 14:9b).
Read Zechariah 14:6–11
This is a difficult passage. And it’s the kind of passage that some Christians use to justify every action of Israel in the current Middle East tragedy. Texts like this confirm their belief that Jerusalem will stand whatever is thrown against it. It must stand. And everyone will acknowledge God as the one and only ruler of all. The ‘day of the Lord’ will come, so Israel and her actions must be justified at all costs!
We are still in the post-Christmas period when we celebrate the birth of the Saviour, God’s chosen one, who came into the world to draw all people to God. His birth is a ‘day of the Lord’. As Jesus began his ministry – and throughout his ministry – he was rejected by many and welcomed by many. Some wanted him to be king, but Jesus rejected their notion of kingship. Instead, ‘he became obedient to death – even death on a cross’ (Philippians 2:8b). And then God raised him and gave him a seat of honour and gave him ‘a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow’ (Philippians 2:9,10).
Jerusalem was considered the ‘holy city’ – holy because it was where the temple was, and the temple is the dwelling place of God. But Jesus reminds us that a building made of stones can crumble – in fact, it did. But God dwells not in the confinement of a building, but with his people, wherever they are. In various places, Jesus refers to himself as the temple of God. Where Jesus is, there is his calling to come, to follow, and his promise is to be with us always.
The ‘day of the Lord’ is God’s day. He’s in charge. Whatever that means, whenever it refers to, the issue for you and me is this: Is there one Lord for you? Is there one name above all other names? And are others welcome to know that one Lord, one name?
Dear Jesus, help me to hold fast to the things I know and not be misled by what I don’t. I acknowledge you as Lord of all and my Lord. Amen.
Jim lives on Brisbane’s northside with his wife, Ruth. He enjoys reading and listening to music, is a proud Brisbane Lions member and loves his children and grandchildren. Jim is passionate about the gospel and the freedom it brings.
Absence of Darkness Epiphany (6th January) Read: Revelation 22:1-6 “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 22:5 (NIV)
Every picture I have ever seen of angels shows them shining brightly, lighting a dark place. In the Bible God uses them as His messengers telling the news from Him to people on earth. They can’t be seen by people unless God chooses to reveal them (Numbers 22:31, 2 Kings 6:17, Luke 2:13). However, there are times when angels take on a bodily form and appear to people. In the story of Jesus’ birth, we have many angels appearing to Zechariah, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds. And there are many other times throughout the Old and the New Testaments where God reveals His plan for us humans.
With the angels come the radiance of God. The light of God. This light emanates from His glory. In Revelation 22, the last chapter of the Bible, we are given another perspective of heaven. There will be no night, which means no darkness. Darkness has always been associated with evil and death – when Jesus died “…darkness covered the whole land” (Luke 23:44) and God also says that “He will bring to light what is hidden in the darkness and will expose the motives of the heart.” (1 Corinthians 4:5b) A human trait is to hide things whether physically or spiritually or emotionally and keep others in the dark. When Jesus comes back there will be nothing hidden and everything will be brought into God’s glorious light where all will be exposed and forgiven for those who repent. I am not sure what a world without any darkness, physically and spiritually will be like. I doubt we will even need dark glasses to block out the brightness.
We will want to be in His glory and live in His presence for eternity. As you enter this new year do not be frightened of when Jesus will return, rather be excited for all darkness to be overcome by God’s glory. There are so many still living in darkness so while there is time, work for God and bring more to His marvelous light. Shine out God’s glory for all to see!
Prayer: Most Holy God, angels shine out your glory and tell of your plans. Thank you for shining your light into my heart and life. Help me to live in this glory and tell others of your love. Amen
Eternal Light 5th January Read: Revelation 21:22-26 “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” Revelation 21:23 (NIV)
Last year, my husband and I travelled around Europe for 8 weeks driving about 7,000km. We stopped a couple nights in Helsingør, Denmark. Kronborg Castle was built in Helsingør and situated on the most northeastern tip, and you can see Sweden from it. Kronborg Castle was made famous in William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet where it was referred to as Elsinore. This castle dates back to the 1420s where it was built by King Eric VII. What made this an incredible castle to walk through wasn’t the beautiful rooms and the unrestored tower that you could climb, but the incredible casemates (the tunnels and chambers in the walls/ramparts which housed prisoners and soldiers for many centuries).
Down in the tunnels is a statue of Ogier the Dane who sleeps there until he is needed to protect Denmark. We wandered through these tunnels lit only by oil lamps and arrows guided our way. The darkness was so intense at times, and you could picture prisoners and soldiers living only in the darkness. Compare this to the vision of John in Revelation 21:23. This is the New Jerusalem, which never has darkness and doesn’t need any lamps to light the way to guide through darkness because God’s glory is so bright. All the nations will be guided by this light and there is no need for castles, ramparts, casemates or places to hide or attack any enemies, for there will be no enemies. All nations will live in peace and light. What a glorious place to be.
God has prepared this place for us; a place of peace and joy where we will only experience the love of a loving God who shines His glory and presence over everything. There is no need for gates, for all have constant access, security and safety. John had this vision of heaven given by God – no darkness, no pain, no sorrow, no suffering, no war! Until we get into this eternal light and love, let us shine out our lives into a world that needs God’s light. Heaven will be something we can never imagine – it will be incredible!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving John the vision of an amazing place f illed only with your light that I can look forward to. You are the source of everything good. Amen