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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!
What are the names of your little foxes?
by Kathy Matuschka
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The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away (Song of Solomon 2:13).
Read Song of Solomon 2:10–15
Do you have some favourite places in nature? Do you recall happy memories of sharing special places with loved ones?
A vineyard provides the setting for our reading, as it did yesterday. But today, rather than being an object of power and control, this vineyard is an intimate place, highlighting the freshness and delight of new love.
When our hearts connect with another (whether romantically or platonically), the connection we feel seems enhanced by being in the beauty and simplicity of God’s creation. The author of our text today expresses their extreme delight in the fine spring weather, the appearance of flowers, the cooing of doves, the fruit of the fig trees and the blossoming of the vines. For those in love, it seems no one else has ever beheld the beauty of the earth in the way that they do!
The author goes on to speak about little foxes – little threats to the bliss God offers us within our human relationships. Left to grow, these ‘foxes’ can damage and even destroy our ability to connect with one another – even with those in whom we once delighted!
There are so many little foxes, but I’ll name a few. There is perfectionism: sometimes we get so carried away with creating a perfect experience that we forget to rest into what God has so abundantly provided without our assistance.
Perfectionism can be related to inadequacy: the little voice that tells us we are not enough as we are. It urges us to produce more and achieve more.
Then there are little foxes that cause division, like misunderstanding, judgement, unforgiveness and bitterness. Those are busy little foxes!
Do you know the names of your little foxes?
Loving God, you made me to enjoy relationship with you, others and myself. By your Spirit, please release me from the power of the little foxes that limit and harm those relationships in my life. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
That’s ridiculous!
by Kathy Matuschka
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Then he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son’ (Matthew 21:37).
Read Matthew 21:33–46
Jesus’ parables can be confusing, but this one seems straightforward, at least from our perspective as Christians. There seems to be an obvious, one-to-one correlation between the story as Jesus told it and God’s salvation story, as many of us have been taught all our lives.
The vineyard owner (God) established a vineyard complete with a fence and a tower (abundance). When the vineyard was under threat by bad tenants (the Jewish leaders at the time), the owner responded by first sending his servants (prophets), and then eventually his son (Jesus), to restore order (redemption).
But this story isn’t just a clever way of tricking the Jewish leaders into judging themselves, so that Jesus can ‘one-up’ them. It’s more than a shrewd response to their challenges to his authority.
This is an announcement – to all the powers of this world and beyond – of God’s ridiculous rescue plan for this world!
I mean, how ridiculous is it that the owner of the vineyard would send his son when the bad tenants have already killed his servants? Who would do that? A smart landowner would surely send an army and wipe out the opposition once and for all.
That’s how ridiculous God’s rescue plan was. And still is for us today. But unlike Jesus’ parable in our text today, God’s rescue story doesn’t end with the son being killed. God’s Son – our brother, Jesus – willingly became weak and vulnerable, and died … but then was raised from death. All praise and thanks to God!
Who would think that the creator of the universe, the author of all power, would act like that?
That’s ridiculous.
That’s love.
Amazing love! How can it be that you, my God, should die for me (Charles Wesley)? Amen.
Kathy is learning to give up her struggle to make sense of God and God’s world, and instead rest in the mystery of love that holds her each day.
Renew us; give us life (outsiders welcome)
by Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved (Psalm 80:7).
Peter’s paraphrase of Psalm 80:7: Renew us, Enabler of Life; your Presence bless us; give us life.
Read Psalm 80:7–15
This verse occurs three times in Psalm 80: verses 3, 7 and 19. That gives it some importance! The New Living Translation translates this verse as: ‘Turn us again to yourself, O God … Make your face shine down upon us.’
God takes the initiative. Whether we are close to God or far away! Whether we are born into a Christian family or come from a different situation! God takes the initiative!
The psalm talks about the various things that God has done for his people. But it also acknowledges that they have slipped away; they have forgotten the provision of life and all its benefits. So the prayer begins with: ‘Turn us again to yourself, or renew us; give us life.’
The writer recognises that only God can revitalise us; only God can turn us back; only God can give us life. And how does God do that? By becoming like us!
Ironic, isn’t it? We were made like God (Genesis 1:26,27). But to renew us, God becomes like us: The Word became human and made his home among us (John 1:14). The psalmist knows, as God does, that we cannot turn to God on our own. So, God becomes human. Jesus, the Christ, lives among us, experiences human life and begins the work of renewal.
Christ becomes the enabler of life as God’s face literally shines on people. God takes the initiative. If you are struggling, looking for hope or feeling lonely, pray for God to be present in your life. Allow the Holy Spirit to turn you to Christ again. And be blessed. And experience life.
God, thank you for becoming like us, so that we could be like you. Renew us; give us life. Amen.
Spring has sprung. Flowers are displaying their colours; fruit is forming on the trees. There is new growth everywhere. As you observe this wonderful new life, may you revel in the new beginnings God offers you each day. As Peter continues to meander his way through the Book of Psalms, he invites you to read them anew and apply them to your life. If you would like his paraphrase of any psalm (from 1 to 120), send your request to pbean087@gmail.com