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!
The house of the Lord
by Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
I was glad when they said to me: ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’ (Psalm 122:1).
Read Psalm 122
The last day of the church year. A good day to go to the house of the Lord. But where will you go? What do you understand by the house of the Lord?
You might immediately think of a church, referring to the physical building. But most aren’t open on Saturdays. And is that what is really meant? This psalm is very much a ‘local’ psalm, praising Jerusalem and all that it involves. But when we read and hear Jesus, we remember he said, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up’ (John 2:19). He relocated the house of the Lord to his own self, his own body (John 2:21).
And Paul said, ‘Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit’ (1 Corinthians 6:19a), echoing Jesus’ words, ‘I will be with you always’ (Matthew 28:20b). This suggests perhaps that the house of the Lord is now contained within each one of us! ‘It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me’ (Galatians 2:20a).
So, perhaps, today, you don’t need to go to the house of the Lord, but you are carrying the house of the Lord around with you. When you go shopping, do some gardening, watch the children’s sports, go for a walk along the beach or in a park or ring a friend, the house of the Lord is present. The Spirit of the Lord is alive within you. What difference will that make to your shopping, gardening, cheering, walking or listening?
Perhaps, then, we can all see what is best (verse nine) for the house of the Lord and all who have the Spirit of God living in them.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you have changed history. Thank you for being willing to dwell in me through your Holy Spirit. May I bring honour and glory to your house every day. Amen.
Despite the cold spring in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills, it is mulberry-picking time, which means mulberry jam, pies and mulberries every way you can imagine. Peter prays that you enjoy whatever God offers you each day. Having now paraphrased Psalms 1–100, Peter invites you to read them anew, applying them to your lives. If you would like his paraphrase of any of these psalms, send your request to pbean087@gmail.com
Grow in grace and knowledge
by Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18a).
Read 2 Peter 3:1–18
Note how Peter ends his letter – the same way he began: grow in grace and knowledge.
And grace and knowledge are exemplified in verses eight and nine. One day, like a thousand. The Lord is not slow, but patient. No-one knows when Jesus will come again. We long for it, as did these readers almost 2,000 years ago.
But no-one knows. Some people believe the End Times are now. But they don’t know! Some people think the events in the Middle East are signs of the End Times. But they don’t know! Some people see earthquakes and floods as signs of the End Times. But they don’t know! None of us knows!
But what we do know is that the Lord wants people to be saved. He wants us to live peaceful lives. He encourages us to grow in grace and knowledge of who Jesus is.
The end of the church year – today being the second-last day – is not actually about the End Times, the end of the year. It is about the goal. The word for ‘end’ can also mean ‘goal’! The end or the goal of the church year is Advent – the coming of the Christ-child, the One who brings peace, the One who shares grace.
What would you rather spend your time on? Endless speculation about when, where and how Jesus might return? Or living peacefully, growing in grace, walking with Jesus, and so, sharing in the new life that is offered to each one of us, here and now? And that will be fulfilled when all things on Earth and in heaven are made new.
I don’t think there will be too much speculation then. But there will be plenty of grace and peace.
Coming One, Patient One, fill us with peace and grace. Make us knowledgeable about compassion and mercy. Let us live as your people every day. Amen.
Despite the cold spring in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills, it is mulberry-picking time, which means mulberry jam, pies and mulberries every way you can imagine. Peter prays that you enjoy whatever God offers you each day. Having now paraphrased Psalms 1–100, Peter invites you to read them anew, applying them to your lives. If you would like his paraphrase of any of these psalms, send your request to pbean087@gmail.com
False teachers
By Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
These false teachers … scoff at things they do not understand … (2 Peter 2:12).
Read 2 Peter 2:10b–22
Hmmm. I don’t know about you, but I struggle with these readings at the end of the church year. What are we to do with them? I struggle to find a verse to use as a starting point (although I have chosen one).
Who or what are false teachers? What are false teachings? Perhaps it might be the tendency to pick and choose a verse or part of a verse that speaks to us. But when taken out of context, does it become a false teaching? Perhaps it is to worship the written word rather than the Living Word!
What gives us life? Is it words on paper? Yes, a verse or chapter might inspire us. Even a well-written poem or a wonderful literary work can help us view life in a different light. But isn’t it what the verse, chapter, poem or literary work points toward that is important?
Scripture points us to Christ. This is perhaps why I struggle with a passage like today’s. I’m not saying we should ignore it, but we do need to read it in context. In the context of the whole book, in the context of Peter’s situation in life – in prison, expecting to die soon – in the context of the entire Scripture. I think it was Martin Luther who said, ‘Was Christum treibt.’ What points to Christ?
Unless we read Scripture through the lens of Christ’s love and sacrifice, of Christ’s willingness to ‘not think of equality with God as something to cling to’ (Philippians 2:6), we could easily fall into the trap that Peter is condemning in this passage.
So, what to do? Thank God for his word, even when it is difficult to understand. Thank God for his Living Word, Jesus, who the written word points to and who gives us life.
Divine Author, there are many things I don’t understand, but I thank you for them all the same. Particularly for the death and resurrection of our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ, for each one of us. Amen.
Despite the cold spring in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills, it is mulberry-picking time, which means mulberry jam, pies and mulberries every way you can imagine. Peter prays that you enjoy whatever God offers you each day. Having now paraphrased Psalms 1–100, Peter invites you to read them anew, applying them to your lives. If you would like his paraphrase of any of these psalms, send your request to pbean087@gmail.com