Life, Faith & Vegetables

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Lent Reflection Day 7, 12th March

March 12, 2025 / / 0 Comments

John 4:31-54

Here we finish the story of the Samaritan woman and her village. The disciples have arrived shocked at what they see, and then express concern for Jesus’ well-being and his need for food. He tells them his lunch is not the most important thing right now; it is the harvest of souls that matters most. Perhaps it is a lesson for us that pursuing the will of God is the most satisfying thing we can do. We see how effective his interaction with the woman has been when the villagers, after listening to Jesus, come to faith for themselves and make the amazing statement that Jesus is the saviour of the world. In other words, salvation has not just come for the Jews but also the Gentiles.

The Galileans are welcoming to Jesus, they have seen his ministry first hand, but the arrival of a royal official seeking his help is significant and John includes this event as one of his signs. Being a person of position does not exempt you from the tragedies of life. He pleads with Jesus to come and is not put off by Jesus’ criticism of people’s dependence on signs in order to believe. Jesus sends him on his way with assurance that his son will live, and the father believes and goes. He believes without a sign and his faith is rewarded. He chooses to trust that Jesus’ word is enough and the healing will follow.

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 6, 11th March

March 11, 2025 / / 0 Comments

John 4:1-30

Today we meet a Samaritan woman who has found herself treated very badly by life and society, but finds herself in conversation with the Messiah himself, discussing ‘living water’.

Everything about this interaction is wrong. To be in Samaria is risky, to stop to talk to a Samaritan is not culturally acceptable. Worse than that, she is a Samaritan woman who is alone. The disciple’s reaction in 4:27 shows us how surprising this was. She has come at noon to collect water, the worst time of day, perhaps because she is an outcast and her life circumstances are reviled.

None of that matters to Jesus, who gets straight to the point and challenges her need for living water (John 7:37-39). She doesn’t understand to start with, but she is desperate and in compassion Jesus draws her need out of her and then reveals himself as the answer to her pain. As he does so we learn that places, either Jerusalem or Gerizim, are not important when it comes to the worship of God. What matters is what is happening in our hearts. As soon as she knows who he is she puts aside any social difficulties there may be to tell her neighbours about what has happened. It seems that they too are desperate for answers and come running to meet him.

Jesus approach to this woman may feel a little uncomfortable in our modern society with its anxiety not to offend, but Jesus knows the kindest thing he can do is break past our defences to draw us to the father.

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 Reflections Day 5, 10th March

March 10, 2025 / / 0 Comments

John 2:22-36

Here we learn that John the Baptist has continued his ministry of calling people to repentance alongside Jesus’ ministry right up until his imprisonment.

This is one of the few places where we are told of Jesus also baptising people, although in 4:2 we read that it was Jesus’ disciples who were doing the actual baptising.

Clearly this is causing some confusion to John’s disciples. They seem to be jealous for his reputation. John however has no such reservations, he is secure in his ministry and calling, and knows who he is and is not. He is so secure that he can find joy in Jesus’ success and the knowledge that Jesus’ ministry must increase and his decrease. His humility and dedication to God are an example for us all to follow. We are of the earth, but Jesus is from heaven. He speaks of heavenly things with the power of the Spirit. Those who choose to believe and follow the Son will have eternal life, only Jesus, the Son of God, can offer this to us.

John the Baptist exemplifies the role that we are to take up now, to point others to Jesus, not drawing attention to ourselves, and be happy to step into the background when the job is done

‘Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.’ Ps 115:1

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 4, 8th March

March 8, 2025 / / 2 Comments

John 3:1-21

This passage comes in two parts:

Vv1-15 the account of the interview between Jesus and Nicodemus

Vv16-21 John’s comments on it.

Nicodemus is a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council, he is one of the Pharisees who are generally critical and antagonistic towards Jesus. He will appear again in John 7:50, where he appears to be defending Jesus, and in John 19:39 where he comes to help bury Jesus. He seems to be one of those in the ruling class who are secret followers, coming by night to see Jesus, which suggests there is a risk evolved. Clearly his curiosity is piqued by what he has witnessed and heard of Jesus.

He claims to believe that God is with Jesus, but his own religious understanding is not sufficient for the challenge that Jesus is about to present him. Nicodemus would have assumed his being born into a Jewish family, and being a religious leader would assure him a place in the Kingdom of God. “Not so” says Jesus, it is only spiritual rebirth that can ensure entrance into the kingdom. Physical birth cannot produce spiritual rebirth, which being spiritual is difficult to explain! Perhaps it is not surprising that Nicodemus does not understand.

John finishes this passage with his commentary including the famous verse 3:16 which assures us it is the love of God for all humanity that has brought about the arrival of his son. Jesus’ arrival brings a separation and judgement between light and darkness (which is one of John’s themes)  and this is dependent on the choices we make.

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 3, 7th March

March 7, 2025 /

John 2:1-25

This passage recounts two remarkable events that display Jesus’ authority over nature, and his passion for the honour of God’s house. They also show us Jesus’ humanity in conceding to his mother’s wishes and blessing the young couple getting married, as well as his concern for those being charged in the temple for the opportunity to bring their sacrifice to the altar. John chooses these two events to underline Jesus’ power over creation; he was involved in it from the beginning. The cleansing of the temple indicates the confrontation there is going to be with the Jewish leaders who are ruled by the law of Moses whereas Jesus is bringing a Kingdom of grace and truth. The temple practise required those from outside of Israel to change their money to a different currency before animal sacrifices could be purchased. This is happening in the court of Gentiles. The temple is his father’s house and meant to be a place of prayer, Isaiah 56:7 speaks  of the temple as a House of Prayer for all nations not just the Israelites. The only place a non-Israeli can go to pray is being turned into a marketplace. Jesus is going to bring salvation to all peoples of the earth, not just the Jews.

This Kingdom can only fully come after Jesus’ death and resurrection, an event he alludes to in this passage. He knows what it will take to bring salvation to everyone who believes. Although many come to believe or trust Jesus, John tells us Jesus does not entrust himself to anyone, he knows what we are like.

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 2, 6th March

March 6, 2025 /

John 1:29-51

In the previous passage John the Baptist made it plain that he was not the Messiah but the one preparing the way for him by baptising those who would repent. Here we see the first reference to Jesus as the ‘Lamb of God’, the one who will take away humanities sin. (There are echoes in this of Abraham’s sacrifice, the Day of Atonement, the Passover, the sin offering, and Isaiah’s suffering servant). There is only one way this can happen, and so we have the first indicator of Jesus’ death. John has baptised Jesus and seen the Holy Spirit descend upon him. Jesus is anointed for his ministry and so begins to call his disciples.

As two of John’s disciples follow Jesus, we find that one of them is Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. The brothers both follow, as does Philip who is from the same town. John 1:45 tells us they are already convinced of who Jesus is. Philip in turn tells Nathaniel who is doubtful until Jesus demonstrates his supernatural knowledge of him. Jesus promises they will see the Kingdom of heaven coming down on the ‘Son of Man’.

The fact that Andrew was already following John suggests that there is a searching for truth and a hope in them that draws them to Jesus. His person, his character, words and action reveal who he is. There has been no prophetic word in Israel for 400 years, they are living under Roman occupation, there is a longing for a rescuer, the Messiah, to come. They know what the scriptures say about the Messiah and are convinced he is the one.

The invitation of Jesus and Philip is to ‘come and see’. That’s what we will do over the next few weeks.

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 2025 Reflections on John’s Gospel

March 5, 2025 /

Introduction

This series of reflections for Lent are going to take us on a journey through John’s gospel. It is a gospel I have always loved, maybe, dare I say it, more than the synoptics. Each gospel has its own strengths, and they are all incredibly important in giving us a full picture of Jesus’ life and ministry.  John does not attempt to tell us everything, he says as much at the end, but he carefully curates what he is going to draw from Jesus’ life so that we might understand, believe and so find eternal life. He creates wonderful imagery with his seven ‘I am’ sayings of Jesus, and the miraculous signs that explain who Jesus is. John is the ‘beloved disciple’ of this gospel, a young man at the time of Jesus’ ministry, he had many years to reflect on his faith before writing this beautiful gospel. It is likely that it was written in Ephesus around AD 80-90. Traditionally he is believed to be the son of Zebedee, the brother of James.

Lent runs for 40 days up to Easter Saturday , but does not include Sundays.

Lent Reflection Day 1,  5th March

John 1:1-28

John starts his gospel at the beginning of time with Jesus’ pre-existence as the eternal Word. He tells us of his involvement in creation, with language that is reflective of Genesis 1. Jesus is the source of life and light, the light that overcomes the darkness. He is the one who is full of grace and truth, and his glory has been revealed to us through Jesus. The meaning of ‘Word’ in this passage is of an idea that finds a concrete expression. Jesus is the culmination of God’s revelation to humanity. He is the revelatory word in human form, the absolute expression of God, his nature and salvation plan, and the means of rescuing humanity.

Everything that has happened from Genesis 1 to now has been about this: God’s heart for the salvation and redemption of humanity. He has revealed God’s glory to us so that we might be saved. This glory, grace, truth, and light is about to be revealed in this person, who is the son of God. John is not bothered to retell the stories of Jesus’ birth; it is more important for him that we understand the magnitude of who he was and what he has done for us. When Christ comes into the world something utterly stupendous is happening the ramifications of which will never end.

Response: After each reading 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.

Starting a new season.

March 3, 2025 /

Today is 3rd March and officially according to the MET Office Spring has come. It does feel like it during the day while it is beautifully sunny, but at night it is really cold, below freezing. So, I am resisting the temptation to put anything outside, apart from the peas and sweet peas which are in a cold frame. I chitted these in damp compost first as they were old seed, but they all came good.

Currently still in the ground, at the allotment, are leeks, celery, chard, spring broccoli, spring cabbage, and a few sad white and savoy cabbage. Everything else is either perennial planting or green manures. The celery doesn’t look like it survived the chill we had in January, the cabbages are not looking good and the green manure is largely eaten by the deer! I still need to find a deer resistant green manure. The Purple Sprouting Broccoli is doing well, and I have had a few pickings, and the 9 Star is still to come. The leeks still look a bit thin, but they are coming on OK. I dug up the remainder of the parsnips and was surprised at how thin a lot of them were given how much rain we had last year.

The garlic finally went in, quite a bit later than I would have wanted. These are replanted cloves from this year’s harvest, bought as Solent Wight 3 years ago. They were in modules in a small plastic greenhouse at home. Storm Bert shook them all off their shelf and upside down onto the floor. Ah well, they are planted out now and they seem to have recovered and forgiven me!

The onion germination was mixed. The Red Baron were great, the Zebrun about 80% germination but the Bedfordshire Champion was about 60% successful. These were old seed, so I bought some new seed and chitted them first to make sure they were good. So now there are about 40 of each, which should be enough.

Every windowsill is covered in seedlings, there is no more space. As soon as the nights warm up a little the hardier plants will go to the cold frames to make room for the next succession of sowings. In front of me now there are chillis, aubergines, dahlias, tree spinach, tagetes, and herbs. All small seedlings. Upstairs are the onions, cabbages, caulis, calabrese, and lettuces. Still to germinate are the moment are beetroot, chard, spinach, more herbs, Agastache and calendula. In the fridge the Korean celery is still chilling!

I am thinking that this year I won’t grow parsnips but try some other root veg like oca and sweet potato. It’s always interesting to try new varieties. Well, it’s begun and will only get busier over the next few months.

If you are growing your own food however much or little I wish you all the best, and don’t be fooled by this false spring!

Advent Reading Day 25

December 25, 2024 /

Happy Christmas!

So, we arrive at the day we have been anticipating when Christ is born, and God begins his ultimate work of redemption. The main characters in this story were looking forward to a day when they hoped the Messiah would come. Along with Paul we have the great privilege of looking back at these past events, knowing that the Messiah has come, and that salvation is now available to all peoples. God’s plan for his Church will continue to be worked out until the day when Jesus returns.

I leave you with this simple verse:

Titus 2:11 ‘’the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all’.

Thank God for his plan!

Advent Reading Day 24

December 24, 2024 /

Phil. 2:6-11

Yesterday’s passage focussed very much on Jesus pre-existent state with God and his involvement in creation. Todays’ focus is more on the giving up of that position. Though he was God he did not hold on to his privileged position but humbled himself to human form to be born in a manger. All this happened voluntarily. He allowed himself to be emptied of his proper place and glory, and emptied himself into a human form. You could also read this as he ‘poured’ himself out and into the form of a slave. This perhaps reflects Isaiah 53:12 ‘he poured out his life unto death’. Yet he is still divine, the God/man choosing to live in our human frailty but without sin.

Divine nature is encased in human nature

Divine privilege exchanged for the form of a servant

Divine glory is relinquished for obedience to death. For us death is a necessity, for a divine being it is not, it is an obedience.

Paul declares that because of all this God has elevated him to the highest position of honour. He is looking forward to the day when every knee shall bow and tongue confess that the baby born in a manger is Christ the Lord.

God’s plan is set in motion: birth death, resurrection and ascension have happened. The Spirit has been poured out and the Church begun. There is one more step to come, the return of the Saviour.

Reflection

Another passage written as a poem or hymn. This hymn celebrates the reason for the baby coming, the path of his life on earth and the one he now lives in heaven again. Take a moment to pray through this passage giving thanks to God that all this happened for your salvation, and that you are part of his plan.

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