"STOOD AT A DISTANCE WATCHING" Bible Reading Thoughts for Sept. 30th

“STOOD AT A DISTANCE WATCHING”

Pilate was the most powerful man in Israel in the days of Jesus.    But he was strangely helpless in carrying out his own desire to let Jesus go free, although he said, as we read today, “I find no guilt in this man” (Luke 23 v.4) and “nothing deserving of death has been done by him” (v.15), and twice said, “I will release him” (v.16 and v.22). It is strange how Pilate gives in.  When we compare the different gospel records we get a clearer picture, one issue being that Jesus admitted to being a  king – and the Jewish leaders declared, “We have no king but Caesar.”  Pilate queried Jesus about the allegations of his claim to kingship, but said Jesus, “My kingdom is not of this world (or age)”   So Pilate, the most powerful man in Jerusalem became indifferent to justice and let Jesus be crucified; the biased and prejudiced jealous Jewish leaders got their way

It has always been a challenge to hold firm to what is really true! Most of the Apostles, we gather, in the end met untimely deaths. Peter and Paul certainly did.   Let us try to imagine living Centuries ago, especially around 450-500 years ago in England, when ‘christian’ put ‘christian’ to horrible deaths, the situation changing depending which king or queen was on the throne.   

There is some parallel today in what happened.  Like the voices of the prejudiced religious leaders of that age, so today we have the insistent voices (and writings) of the atheistic and agnostic intellectuals – and they are getting louder!  Even some Bible believers seem to be influenced towards accepting human theories of how ‘creation’ happened: remember how God challenged Job!  Read ch 38 v.1-4.  We live in an age when intellectuals believe they can know everything there is to know!

         Today the great majority of people accept that evolution is true and there is no God. For years the Catholics have claimed  to believe in both God and evolution: they are no better that the Jewish leaders in the time of Jesus who blindfolded their minds to the heavenly power of Jesus.   

We have all the evidence we need to be sure that Jesus is king, that he did rise from the dead!   The return of Jesus will astonish our godless world   Those who do not believe and are not ready for his coming, being convinced there is no God, will be overwhelmed and many will perish.  Recall what we read in Jeremiah 25 v.32-33.

How certain are we of what we say we believe?  We read that, at his crucifixion,  “all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him … stood at a distance watching these things” [v,49] Only John and his mother and 2 faithful women stood by the cross [John 19 v.19 v.25,26] Are we standing at a distance?  How ready are we for his coming?  Is there a good supply of oil in our lamps? 

1 Chron 13 we read of the sad event of the death of Uzzah, where great joy was turned into mourning and despair, because Godly principles had not been kept.

But at the end of the chapter we have the wonderful looking forward to the blessing we have in the Lord Jesus Christ.

"And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the Lord blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had."

Here we have the Ark (antitypical of the Lord Jesus Christ), that remained (Heb = dwelt) with Obed-edom (whose name means servant of red (the flesh)), and because of the ark dwelling in his house he is blessed. He prospered and was blessed, he experienced the blessings of those who naturally are servants of the flesh, but who allow Christ (the Ark) to dwell with them (by faith, through the word of God) and who will receive a blessing.

Let us be servants of Christ with him dwelling in us through faith.

Romans 13:12
"The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light."

"THEN SATAN ENTERED ..." Bible Reading Thoughts for Sept. 29th

“THEN SATAN ENTERED …”

            Today, in Luke ch 22, we read of the arrest of Jesus.  Before this he and the disciples had a Passover meal of the bread and the wine: it would only be later the disciples would see the wonder of all their Master said on that occasion and remember his words, “Do this in remembrance of me.” [v.17] and learn the lesson to be like him in being “as one who serves.” [v.27]  The reward for their service would come when they “eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” [v.30]
            There is a certain mystery early in our chapter, when it states, “Then Satan entered into Judas” [v.3]. This increases when Jesus later says to Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith many not fail.” [v.31,32]  What does Jesus mean by Satan?  On one occasion Jesus rebuked Peter telling him, 'Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God' [Mark 8 v.33]  In today’s chapter Peter 3 times denies knowing his Master, he had not heeded his Master’s advice on the Mount of Olives when he told the disciples to "pray that you may not enter into temptation" [v.40]  In the verses that follow we read how Jesus is surrounded by satans, led by Judas Iscariot.
            What is the cause of temptation?   The word 'satan' personifies negative human feelings, leading one to think in ungodly ways.  Judas was so dominated by thoughts of the benefits money was bringing him that he was ready to make more money by betraying his Master, believing, we conclude, that Jesus would escape from trouble as he had seen him do in the past - recall what we read in Luke 4 v. 28-30.   
            Paul tells the Romans how "sin came alive" in his mind, so that "I died."  He admits, reflecting back on his life, "I do not understand my own actions ... I do the very thing I hate ... I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out ...  " [Romans 7 v.9,15,18] But in his next chapter he tells the Romans how he learnt "to set the mind on the Spirit" and this brought "life and peace."  [v.4-6] Paul does not use the word "Satan" in Romans until the very end - and then he means a literal enemy as Judas became. "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet." [16 v.20] That will happen soon to our world!
            Turning back to Luke 20 we see how Jesus takes his disciples, "as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives ... And when he came to the place he said the words we quoted earlier, 'Pray that you may not enter into temptation.' [v.39,30]  Let us make that our prayer too for our world is full of satans whose minds are set on the very opposite to the things of God.      

"WHO GAVE HIM STRONG SUPPORT IN HIS KINGDOM" Bible Reading Thoughts for Sept. 28th

“WHO GAVE HIM STRONG SUPPORT IN HIS KINGDOM”                                                                                                               

The history period covered in the two books of Chronicles is parallel with that in 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings. We can compare this with the way the 4 gospels are parallel accounts of the life of Jesus.  There are theories that Chronicles was written to fill out the records in Samuel and Kings and this is partly true.  Among the Jews there is a tradition that the Chronicles were written by Ezra and it is a fact that the Book of Ezra which comes at the end of Chronicles begins as though it is a continuation of Chronicles.

           What we particularly noticed in today’s chapter (11) is that most of it is about the mighty men that served David; it lists those “who gave him strong support in his kingdom” [v.10]. It details some of the valiant acts that they did.  They were valuable and faithful friends to David in his great reign as King for 40 years.  Many of these men are not recorded elsewhere and it is a testing task to read these chapters with many unpronounceable words! 

 As we read them the thought struck us that “great David’s greater son” as many have sung of Christ; will surely require an untold number of “mighty ones” to go “into battle” for him in the age to come.  The weapons of their warfare in that time will be spiritual, like the Holy Spirit was used in the First Century and which are described as “the powers of the age to come”.[Heb. 6 v.5]. We can, in a sense, apply the words we read earlier this month in 2 Cor. 10 v.4; Paul said, “the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.”

The work of those serving Christ, as King of the world, will be to administer the Law that will go forth into all nations from Jerusalem as revealed to Isaiah 2 v.2-4.  We note that it says “He shall judge between nations and shall decide disputes …”  The work Christ will perform is further described in Isaiah 11 v,2-5,9. If we genuinely become part of Christ now, how awesome our tasks may well be at that time!  

Thinking again of David; we have no clear idea of how these mighty men came to know about David, but it seems clear he was able to inspire others and he began to do this from when he killed Goliath. So worthy men responded to his leadership and became an essential part of the strength of his kingship. In the same way the Lord Jesus should inspire us. Those who are inspired and faithful, he will support and will make them to “reign with him for a thousand years.” [Rev 20 v.6]  

"OHOLAH AND OHOLIBAH" Bible Readings Thoughts for Sept 27th

“OHOLAH AND OHOLIBAH’

            Our chapter in Ezekiel (23) starts with the prophet saying, “The word of the LORD came to me, ”Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother.  They played the whore in Egypt ... "  A graphic parable unfolds of the nation after it struggled to unlearn the decadence of life in Egypt.  The 2 women, Oholah and Oholibah,  represent the 2 nations which the Israelites split into after the time of David and Solomon and the glory of the Temple.
            This parable, judging by the start of the chapter that follows, was given to Ezekiel less than 2 years before Jerusalem fell and the Temple was destroyed and nearly all the remainder of the people were taken into captivity.  What would the people make of it?  Ezekiel obviously wrote it down and it was circulated.  It is a blunt portrayal of the total spiritual unfaithfulness to the true God that had come to exist - and was enjoyed! 
            The meaning of the parable is plainly stated in v.35 "thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have forgotten me and cast me behind your back, you yourself must bear the consequences of your lewdness and whoring ..."  Ezekiel is told to "declare to them their abominations" [v.36]   We wonder how the people reacted? 

We see a close comparison with attitudes today - and how God's word is totally ignored.  Some of God's words in this chapter are so applicable to today, "the sound of a carefree multitude"[v.42]  They are told God's actions will , " ... make them an object of terror and a plunder ... Thus will I put an end to lewdness ... and you shall bear the penalty for your sinful idolatry, and you shall know that I am the Lord GOD."[v46,49]

            And our world today "shall know" that there is a God, for it abounds with parallels to the godless behaviour in Ezekiel's time.  We see how Jesus draws a parallel lesson in today's 20th chapter of Luke.  Jesus is "the stone that the builders rejected" but  'has become the cornerstone'."[v.17]  Let us make Jesus "the cornerstone" of our life, and how much will we all need a foundation cornerstone when, as we will read next month in Daniel, the vision of a stone (representing Jesus) strikes the image of human kingdoms on the feet, destroying them all to create God's kingdom, "and it shall stand for ever" [ch 2 v.31-44]  May we so live now that, by his grace, we will be there.

".... WERE HANGING ON HIS WORDS" Thoughts from Today's Bible Readings Sept. 26th

“… WERE HANGING ON HIS WORDS”

            What is our attitude of mind as we read God’s word? Are our minds “hanging” on what we read, most of all when they are the words of Jesus and his apostles? In the days of Ezekiel, “the word of the LORD” was what they did not want to hear, so they did not listen; already we have encountered this phrase 4 times!  (Ch. 6v.3; 13 v.2; 16 v.35; 20 v.47)

            It was quite a contrast in the days of Jesus – but the words of Jesus caused a division of opinion, some saying, “This really is the prophet’.  Others said, ‘This is the Christ.’” [John 7 v.40.41]  And of course the religious leaders rejected him because he was a challenge to their authority. 

How meaningful is the scene created by the concluding words of todays’ ch.18 in Luke!  Jesus had triumphantly entered Jerusalem and is “teaching daily in the Temple” and declares, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer …” [v.46]  He was quoting Isa. 56 v.7 where it says it will become “a house of prayer for all peoples.” May that day come soon and may we, by the grace of God, be made alive then.  How many will not be!  Next month we will read the remarkable vision that Ezekiel is given of the ultimate temple – and recorded in his final chapters.

Different reactions to the teaching of Jesus provide an extreme contrast.  We read, “The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him.” [v.47]  There have always been those who have sought to destroy those who truly believe God’s word and accept his Son as their Saviour: we see it today in parts of the Islamic world despite the fact that Islam acknowledges the Bible to be one of its’ holy books.

The verse in Luke today tells us that his opponents “did not find anything that they could do” – why – “for all the people were hanging on his words.” It seems ironic that at least some of them would be stirred up by their leaders to reject him and that very soon they would hang him on a cross – such is human nature!  Let us make sure that we are so committed that we are “hanging on his words” as we read them - and those his Father inspired his disciples, the prophets, Moses and others to write.  May we all, as we read them day by day, see more and more clearly  the wonder of spiritual “light” that shines in the gross darkness swamping the minds of people today.   

"ALL FLESH SHALL KNOW" Bible Readings Thoughts for Sept. 25th

“ALL FLESH SHALL KNOW”

            Our Ezekiel chapter (21) starts with Ezekiel being told to “Prophecy against the land of Israel” and that the LORD “will cut off from you both righteous and wicked … and all flesh shall know that I am the LORD” [v.2,4,5]  In effect God is now saying, ‘I mean what I say.’   The fascinating part of the chapter is the long term prophecy Ezekiel then receives from the LORD, “… O profane wicked prince of Israel … thus says the LORD …. take off the crown. Things shall not remain …A ruin, ruin, ruin I will make it … until he comes, the one to whom judgment belongs, and I will give it to him.” [v.25-27]
            This is what happened, we await the completion of the prophecy.  The last proper king in Jerusalem is killed, the Jews have not had a king since. Kings Herod and Agrippa in the New Testament era were Idumean’s appointed by the Romans.  The Jewish leaders in the days of Jesus were proud of their heritage, but they said they had “no king but Caesar.”  Their pride was self-centred, they had no meaningful concept of the God they claimed to worship – let us make sure that we do have!
             In today’s chapter 18 in Luke we particularly noticed the words of Jesus portraying the contrasting attitudes of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector as they went into the Temple to pray.  The Pharisee suffered from ‘I’ trouble.  He “standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week,  I give tithes ….” [v.11,12]  In contrast, the Tax Collector humbly asked, “Lord be merciful to me a sinner.”   The Lord makes the point, “the one who humbles himself will be exalted” [v.14]  May we fully absorb the point the so that we may be there, and be among the “exalted” when “all flesh shall know”  there is a God, an all-knowing, all seeing Creator.

The prophets became totally conscious of this, this is how they were able to endure in all their difficult surroundings:  how difficult are our times going to become?   Remember what we read in Jeremiah a few weeks back,  "O LORD of hosts, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause." [20 v.12] May we be there at that incredible time when “all flesh shall know” there is a Creator.   Let us pray now that our Lord will be merciful to us. 

"YOU SHALL REMEMBER YOUR WAYS" Bible Reading Thoughts for Sept. 24th

“YOU SHALL REMEMBER YOUR WAYS”

            One of the most widely used Hebrew words in the Old Testament is the word Zakar.  It is usually translated ‘remember’ but it does not necessarily mean ‘suddenly bringing to mind something you  have forgotten’.  It means focusing your mind on something in particular, it first occurs in Genesis 8 v 1 “And God remembered Noah and all…that were with him in the ark”.  

            The work “remember” occurs in both our Ezekiel and Luke chapters today and conveys a significant message in them both.  The long term future of his nation is revealed to Ezekiel, it creates a wonderful ‘silver lining’ in contrast to the ugly picture of Israel in Ezekiel’s time.  God tells him that ultimately the time will come for his nation “When I will bring you out from all the peoples and gather you out of all the countries where you have been scattered”. 

            But this is to be more than a remarkable world-wide regathering!  “And I will manifest my holiness among you in the sight of the nations.  And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I bring you into the land of Israel…And there you shall remember your ways and all your deeds….And you shall loath yourselves for all the evils you have committed.  And you shall know that I am the LORD”.  (20 v41-44)  How soon before this happens?  It is in God’s hands.

            We have a book, written by David Ben Gurion, the first Prime Minister of Israel;  it includes reference to a stirring of interest and some knowledge of God’s prophets, such as Isaiah. They are starting to remember and search out the foundations on which their nation was originally built.

 But what of ourselves?   How well do we know the foundations of our faith – how real are they to us?  Is it just ‘head knowledge’?   Jesus, when asked, “When the Kingdom of God would come?” (v 20) draws the lesson of the days of Noah and how people were “eating and drinking” and life seemed totally normal “until the flood came” (v 27). The people had forgotten God and put him out of their minds just as they have today.   But God remembered, but only Noah and his family remembered God!

Jesus also reminds his audience of the destruction of Sodom, and how “they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building….” v.28, but then God acted. We know the account well, it is brief and to the point. A vital question - if our minds are absorbed and distracted by the interesting and exciting things in our world today, will we be ready when God acts?  Reflect deeply on v. 21, it has just three words;  “Remember Lot’s wife”.