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Lent Reflection Day 26, 3rd April

April 3, 2025 / / 0 Comments

John 14:15-31

There are 4 themes we could look at in this passage.

1. The advocate (paraclete), comforter , counsellor, encourager is coming. We will not be left alone like orphans, he will be living with and in us, and he will lead believers into all truth. He is another advocate like Jesus. John is the only gospel writer to use this word to describe the Holy Spirit. We do not have to become super disciples to receive the Spirit, simply come into a relationship with Jesus through faith.

2. Jesus resurrection will bring life and proof of who Jesus is to all who believe.

3. Living in an ongoing, loving relationship with the Father and the Son depends on obedience to his commands. Although it involves a heart response, we can’t say ‘we love Jesus’ and then not live life as he asks us to. This is not just about sentimentality.

4. Jesus gives us peace of heart and mind; a peace that goes beyond what the world can give Psalm 37: 7-9.

Whilst Jesus’ death might suggest the devil has won his battle and overthrown him, Jesus is clear that his enemy has no power. Jesus, the sinless son of God, is voluntarily giving up his life in order to take it up again.

Here we see the Godhead at work together to ensure that we have all we need to be disciples, and we are never abandoned, no matter how we might feel.

Response: Choose a word, phrase, idea or action that strikes you as significant at this moment in your life and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.

Lent Reflection Day 25, 2nd April

April 2, 2025 / / 0 Comments

John 14:1-14

In spite of three years of following Jesus, listening to his teaching and witnessing the miracles the disciples are still confused about what is going on, and the relationship that exists between Jesus and the Father. Maybe it’s because life has just suddenly taken a very dramatic turn with all this talk of Jesus leaving and their not being able to go with him.

V1 Jesus addresses it head on with his encouragement to trust him and the Father. A verse that we can all take hold of in difficult times. It seems hardly surprising they are confused, Jesus is talking both physically of his departure and yet also spiritually about the way to him. You can feel Thomas’ is frustration. The way is Jesus himself, and through him we come to the Father. The relationship between the Father and the Spirit is still not clear to them, as evidenced by Philip’s question. To see Jesus and to hear him is to see and hear the Father. Knowing this is hard, Jesus says ‘well if that’s too hard at least believe because of the works’. There is no such thing as a stupid question (so they say), if we don’t know or understand what God is doing, we can ask and know that he will be willing to answer us.

Then we have this extraordinary promise that those who believe can do the same if not greater works in Jesus’ name. This is because he is going and when he goes the Spirit will come. Jesus going; his death, resurrection and ascension will prepare an eternal place in God’s presence for all believers (v 2-3) and, as we will read tomorrow, usher in the arrival of the Holy Spirit.

Response: Choose a word, phrase, idea or action that strikes you as significant at this moment in your life and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.

Lent Reflection Day 24, 1st April

April 1, 2025 / / 0 Comments

John 13:21-38

Jesus is not indifferent to the betrayal that is about to happen, it troubles him as it would anyone in that situation. (The  disciple who asks Jesus who the betrayer is was most likely John, the gospel writer, v 23, 21:20-24)

It seems likely that only those sat near him heard Jesus’ answer, and it appears strange that they don’t intervene. Maybe, because Jesus didn’t act to stop it, neither did they. So, Satan entered Judas and now he moves to carry out the devilish plan which will of course backfire on him and the devil.

Jesus knows that everything that is about to happen to him will bring glory to God and to himself. They are as one in their actions to save the world, as John described in ch. 3 v 16. He wants his disciples to be as one in their love for him and one another. Whilst the Old Testament taught them to love their neighbour as themselves, Jesus now raises the bar. They are to love each other as Jesus has loved them. This type of love will show the world they are his disciples.

Peter, in his enthusiasm to be a true follower of Jesus, seems to take the information that he can’t follow Jesus yet as a slight, and declares his willingness to die. It’s hard to imagine how he must have felt when Jesus warned him of his coming denial. Perhaps he didn’t believe it was possible or didn’t really know himself that well. It certainly didn’t stop him later on (ch 18).

Lord, help us to love as you have called us to love and be our true selves before you.

Response: Choose a word, phrase, idea or action that strikes you as significant at this moment in your life and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.

Lent Reflection Day 23, 31st March

March 31, 2025 / / 0 Comments

John 13:1-20

This is the beginning of five chapters of teaching by Jesus as he prepares his disciples for his departure. John’s focus in his recounting of the Last Supper is not so concerned with the supper itself i.e. the bread and wine, but the washing of the disciples feet.

John tells us of four things that Jesus knows:

1 V1he knows his time has come to leave and return to the Father

2 V3 he knows the Father has given all authority to him

3 V11 he knows who will betray him

4 V18 He knows who he has chosen

In spite of what is coming he is in complete control of himself and his circumstances. His security comes from knowing who he is, his determination from knowing his purpose and his steadfastness from his understanding of those around him. The teaching that follows the foot washing and the warning of betrayal are motivated by his great love for his disciples, and the hope that they will not lose trust in him, that he is the Messiah.

Jesus’ taking up the place of a servant to wash the disciples’ feet causes a great consternation, expressed by Peter, that this is not right. Of course, there is a purpose to all this as Jesus prepares them for how they are to behave when he is gone.

Jesus’ deep love for his disciples today has not ended because he has ascended, it continues to flow to us through the Word and the Spirit every day.

Response: Choose a word, phrase, idea or action that strikes you as significant at this moment in your life and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.

Lent Reflection Day 22, 29th March

March 29, 2025 / / 0 Comments

John 12:23-50

Here we start to get a sense of the deep emotion stirring in Jesus as he knows his time has come (v 23). Up until now John has told us repeatedly that Jesus’ time had not yet come, but now it has and he knows it cannot and should not be avoided.

The arrival of Greek visitors prompts Jesus to speak of the harvest that will come from his death not just for the Jews but all people of the earth (v 24,32). Right now is not the time for judgement, that will come but at a later date, now it  is about salvation.

In the upside down world of the gospel those who love their life will lose it, and those who don’t will receive eternal life. The call to follow is a call to servanthood, but with it comes the promise of honour from the father. This is the last time Jesus will address the crowd en mass (v 44) and it seems to me that we get a sense of the urgency Jesus feels. There isn’t much time left before his death and resurrection to teach them the truth and point them to the Father.

We have been given a choice to walk in the light or in the dark, to trust Jesus or not. The challenge is real but so is the reward.

Response: Choose a word, phrase, idea or action that strikes you as significant at this moment in your life and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.

Lent Reflection Day 21, 28th March

March 28, 2025 / / 0 Comments

John 12:1-22

Jesus has come in from the country for this final Passover before his death, and what better way to spend his first evening than in the company of his good friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus. One imagines there would be much reminiscing over what had happened to Lazarus and a celebration. (Note: Matthew and Mark say this meal happened at the home of Simon the leper, who also lived in Bethany).

Mary takes this opportunity to express her adoration of Jesus and, unknowingly, prepares Jesus for burial. A pound of nard is an expensive gift. It comes from a Nepalese plant and its worth demonstrates Mary’s total devotion to Jesus. In contrast we see Judas bemoaning the fact he wasn’t going to be able to steal some of this for himself. Jesus is clear about what matters most at this moment. There is a time for worship and a time for service.

The huge following caused by the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection results in an astonishing sight as people arrive to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem. This is one of the few events recorded in all four gospels.

Palm branches were used as a part of worship and as signs of victory and kingship. The words in v 13 would not be surprising as a greeting but coupled with the palm branches and, on this occasion, Jesus acceptance of their declaring him a king, the Pharisees are infuriated.

Jesus is king, he has been since the beginning of time, but not as we understand or experience human rulers. His purpose is salvation. Hosanna (save now).

Response: Choose a word, phrase, idea or action that strikes you as significant at this moment in your life and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.

Lent Reflection Day 20, 27th March

March 27, 2025 / / 0 Comments

John 11:36-57

In John’s gospel this is a pivotal story. It is the last of the miracles that John includes, and it is so powerful that it turns the tide once and for all against Jesus.

Vv 36 – 44. Now we see why the delay and the fact that Lazarus has been dead for four days matters. In Jewish thinking the soul stayed near the body for three days but after that, as decomposition began, it would depart. There was no hope of resuscitation (Ps.16:10). This resurrection of the dead points to the final resurrection that is yet to come (John 5:28-29).

Vv 45-57 The miracle has two effects, for many who saw what happened it produced faith that Jesus was the Messiah, but for others it creates a determination that he had to die. The Sanhedrin  are afraid that everything could be lost if people follow Jesus. Caiaphas makes the extraordinary statement that it is better for one man to die for the nation, that all be destroyed. John comments that he didn’t know the truth of what he said. From here on Jesus is a marked man and tensions build as the Passover approaches.

Response: Choose a word, phrase, idea or action that strikes you as significant at this moment in your life and spend a few minutes reflecting on it. As we have now reached the half way point in our reflections it might be useful to go back and reflect on your thoughts on this journey so far.

Lent Reflection Day 19 , 26th March

March 26, 2025 / / 0 Comments

John 11:1-35

The prelude to this story (vv1-16) sets the scene for what is to come. It tells us something about this family; Mary, Martha and Lazarus, and that Jesus is very fond of them. But clearly Jesus knows that there is more to this event than just Lazarus’ healing. Jesus will only do what he sees his Father doing. So he waits, knowing that Lazarus has died, but also that a greater miracle is about to take place. It is 2 days walk to the family’s home in Judea, so even if he left immediately Lazarus would still have been dead by the time Jesus arrived. This will become important later in the story. The risk in going back to Judea is evidenced by the disciples questioning his decision and Thomas’ is pessimism, but Jesus will no allow fear to stop him doing his Father’s will.

Vv17-27 clearly Martha had faith, when they asked for Jesus help, that he would have healed her brother, but now she declares her faith that Jesus can turn even this sad event around (v 22). Her response draws from Jesus the next ‘I am’ statement. He is the resurrection and the life. He asks Martha if she believes this and she declares her faith that he is the Messiah.

Vv 28-35 Mary has the same initial response as Martha believing Jesus could have done something, and expressing both her faith and her despair together. Then we see this very human response of Jesus to the sorrow of those around him. He weeps, but also there is in him a deep anger. What exactly he was angry at is not clear. For myself, I think it was at the distress that sin, sickness and death bring into the world.

Response: Choose a word, phrase, idea or action that strikes you as significant at this moment in your life and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.

Lent Reflection Day 18, 25th March

March 25, 2025 / / 0 Comments

John 10:22-42

The feast of Hanukkah or Dedication celebrates the rededication of the temple in 164 BC following a revolt against Antiochus IV after the desecration of the temple in 167 BC.

Here again we see the great dilemma the people are in. Should they believe in Jesus or not? On the one hand it seems that he blasphemes by claiming to be one with God yet on the other hand he does astounding miracles. These miracles are witnesses to the truth of who Jesus is. Jesus points to the miracles as testament to the truth of his word. We know miracles are not always enough for people to believe. I have seen this myself over the years; salvation requires a heart acceptance of our sin and the need to repent, and miracles won’t necessarily bring a change of heart. They certainly don’t for the Jewish leaders. Jesus challenge regarding his works will not stop them from wanting to arrest and stone him. Once again Jesus escapes, it is not yet his time. But still in amongst the sceptics there are those who choose to believe on the evidence of the miracles. The contrast is made here between Jesus and John the Baptist; the people recognising that Jesus is who John the Baptist said he was.

Response: Choose a word, phrase, idea or action that strikes you as significant at this moment in your life and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.

Lent Reflection Day 17, 24th March

March 24, 2025 / / 0 Comments

John 10:1-21

This passage continues Jesus contrasting of the difference between true and false believers using the analogy of the sheep and a shepherd.

There are two ‘I am’ sayings in this chapter, ‘I am the gate’ and ‘I am the Good Shepherd’. There are different words used in this passage between the beginning (vv1-5) and later (vv 6-13) where initially the picture is of sheep being held in a courtyard in a town which would have some sort of door and the sheep being held in in the countryside where a sheep pen would have no gate but the shepherd would sleep across the entrance in order to protect the sheep. You can’t sneak into the sheepfold, you can only come through the door, which is Jesus. Salvation can only come through him (v 9). Those who are true sheep know the shepherd’s voice and follow him, by contrast the pharisees don’t recognise his voice.

Whilst in this country we tend to round up sheep and drive them, in the Mediterranean and Eastern European countries a shepherd walks ahead and his sheep follow him. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who is willing to lay down his life for the sheep because they are his. A hired hand will not care and will leave the sheep defenceless when trouble comes (Numbers 27:16-17) . As the Good Shepherd Jesus assures us he has come to give us life to the full (Psalm 23:1-3). This is one of the first places where we hear from Jesus the beginning of an understanding that he has come to call all people to himself whether they be Jew or Gentile, that all can become part of this flock of believers (v16).

Response: Choose a word, phrase, idea or action that strikes you as significant at this moment in your life and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.

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