Thursday 31^st January

Mark 10:23-31

Money and wealth and temporary, God’s grace and love is eternal. So why do the majority of people in Western societies put so much effort in ‘earning’ perishable and temporary wealth instead of accepting God’s ‘free’ gift of Salvation? He has already paid the price so all we need to do is accept His gift. Yet today’s question or topic is not so much about wealth in and of itself, but rather if it’s possible to be rich and enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Yesterday we saw Jesus challenge a man to sell all he had and give his wealth to the poor. Jesus wasn’t saying this because He thought the man could gain his salvation by good works. On the contrary. Jesus knew the condition of his heart and knew that he valued his wealth more than God Himself. It was this man’s heart condition that Jesus was really addressing.

In the following verses found in Mark 10:23 onwards, Jesus turns to His disciples and says, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the Kingdom of Heaven”. That statement threw His disciples back, they were absolutely astonished at this teaching. Being rich in a Jewish context had ‘advantages’ in the Pharisees ideology of salvation. The more you give, the more likely it is that you gain Salvation (remember the story of the woman who gave 1 coin and the Pharisees who showed off by their exuberant giving).  Jesus’ teaching went exactly against this idea and taught that in fact it was harder for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter Heaven. There have been a lot of different ideas as to what this actually means but the most reliable translation is that of a literal one. Simply put, when was the last time you saw a camel go through the eye of a needle? Never, right. Well this is Jesus’ point. It is almost impossible for someone of great wealth to enter Heaven. Ok.. wait! They best is yet to come.

Before we discuss the above point I wanted to highlight Jesus words to the disciples. Notice that verse 23 and the beginning of 24 refers to the disciples as disciples. However, when Jesus told them that it is almost impossible to enter Heaven if you have great wealth, their reaction makes Jesus refer to them as children. Why? My opinion is that they just didn’t understand what Jesus was telling them. It almost like Jesus is saying, ‘you understand things as children’. He then gives them the illustration of a camel and then finally they get Jesus’ point. But still they ask, “who then can be saved?”

Then Jesus gives the answer they were all waiting for. “With man salvation is impossible, but not with God. With God all things are possible!” (paraphrased from verse 27). Wow. Praise God. Jesus is highlighting here that salvation, entering the Kingdom of Heaven, is not something that can be earned or purchased. It is of God’s doing, lest man should boast of his good works (Apostle Paul and James’ words). The fact that Jesus said that it is almost impossible, that people with wealth cannot enter Heaven, may not mean that it is wrong to be rich but that those who have much are more worried about loosing it and therefore less likely to give it up. It therefore becomes an idol in their life and takes the place of God. Wealth in itself is not wrong but it is the attitude of the heart and it’s worth in your life that determines your entry into the Kingdom of God. Don’t make the same mistake as the rich man. Put God as number 1 in your life. For whatever we give up on this earth, God will reward in the age to come….eternal life.

Wednesday 30^th January

Matthew 6:21, Mark 10:17-29

In the last devotion we discussed Jeremiah’s account of Israel’s imminent captivity to the Babylonians. We looked at the warning that was issued of serving worthless, lifeless and pointless pagan idols. They were told to remember God even in a foreign land. Today’s lesson takes a different stance on worthless idols and bring it’s much closer to home. Jesus, in many of His teachings, referred to the importance of guarding your heart with righteousness. When the heart is corrupt the whole body becomes corrupt. A crack in the wall can easily be painted over but after time the consequence of neglecting its maintenance will show and the true state of the wall will ultimately reveal itself and could end up as a costly repair. So it is with our lives; we can so easily gloss over the issues in our hearts, but when the true testing of your character comes, then your heart condition reveals itself. We learn of a man like this in Mark chapter 10.

On His way to Jerusalem Jesus gets stopped by a man who drops at His feet. The man questions Jesus as to how he can inherit eternal life. Jesus replies by listing six of the Ten Commandments. Interestingly Jesus only names the commandments that have to do with self and others!! The man boldly states that he had kept these commandments since he was young. Jesus compassionately replies that he still lacked one thing. He then tells him to go and sell all his has, give the money to the poor and then come back and follow Jesus. However this proved one step too much for this man, for he had a great wealth, so he left Jesus saddened by His words. What was it that this man lacked??

Jesus in Matthew 6:21, talks of building your treasure on this earth. Ultimately it won’t last. Rust, thieves and moths will come, steal and destroy it. He concludes with the statement “that where you treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Jesus here is not saying that you can’t be rich but rather highlighting the danger of putting money at the forefront of your life. This is much the same as the man found in Mark 10. You could commend him for keeping the six commandments Jesus listed. Yet the ones he didn’t keep were the problem, they were the crack revealing his true heart. The first two commandments Jesus didn’t list are “Love the Lord God with all your heart having no other gods before Him” and “Do not bow down or worship any false idols”. Now we come to the essence of Jesus’ message. Have no gods before the true living God and no idols in your life. We asked the question what did the man lack?? The answer is simple. His money was his god, his idol. The sad thing is, is that he valued a worthless, perishable wealth greater than that of a priceless and everlasting life in the presence of Almighty God. He was grieved and saddened in his heart because he missed the point of what Jesus was saying. His treasure was in the wrong place. His heart’s desire was corrupted by the love of wealth and materialism.

Jesus in verse 21 actually says that if he sold his possessions and gave his wealth to the poor, then God would reward him with treasure in Heaven. What he forgot to realise is that his wealth on this earth was temporary, yet the treasure Jesus promised (although maybe not gold or silver) was eternal. Where does the your treasure lie? In worthless idols or in a worthy God?

Tuesday 29^th January

Jeremiah 10

This wonderful story found in the book of Jeremiah is one of both promise and security knowing that the God we serve is the creator of the ends of the earth whose very breath will never end. The prophet and priest Jeremiah, foresees the imminent destruction of Israel into the hands of the Babylonians. He tries on numerous occasions, through the prophetic word of God, to warn his countrymen but they refuse to listen and the inevitable happens.

God, through Jeremiah, in His mercy, warns the future captives not to forget Him in a foreign land where idols and pagan gods would be worshipped. In various places in the book of Jeremiah, this warning is also given so that the Israelites may remember God’s faithfulness to them and they may know His goodness. Jeremiah in verse 3 until the end of verse 5, describes the sheer calamity of serving such an idol. They are worthless. He describes their starting point as trees cut from the forest. Then with the axe they are fashioned into idols, adorned with silver and gold and nailed to a support so they will not topple over. Jeremiah continues telling his kinsman that they are so helpless and worthless that they need to be carried because they can’t walk. Upon reading this you almost feel sorry for those who would worship such gods.

Jeremiah then compares these idols with the one true God, Yahweh. Verse 10 boldly states that the Lord God is an everlasting God, an everlasting King. The earth trembles at His wrath and by His Power and Voice the earth was made. He commands the lighting, wind and waters above the earth. His very breath is power yet the false idols have no breath in them at all. For He, (the everlasting King), is the maker of all things (v16).

The case is clear. The evidence is overwhelming. There is only one true God. The pagan gods are all false, breathless and worthless. Yahweh is the maker of all things by His very words. His prize possession, His inheritance, the people He has chosen to lavish his covenantal (hesed) love on, is the people of Israel. The Lord God did not only make the world and all it’s inhabitants, but here whilst His prized possession had abandoned Him with rebellious living and facing the consequences of their actions, reminds them of His love and how He views His chosen people.

Take comfort today in knowing that we too can live in God’s promise as sons and daughters, being heirs of His Kingdom and having eternal life as our inheritance. No matter where we find ourselves in our lives, nothing can compare to God’s greatness. Whatever worthless idols we put up or even worship in our lives, nothing, absolutely nothing can compare to the Lord God Almighty. He is the creator of all and sustains all. No matter how far you have gone from God, His faithfulness will always bring you home. Just as the Israelites were warned, when facing imminent captivity and judgement, to not forget their God and His power over worthless idols, so we too are reminded that when we are in a place of hardship, to not forget Gods gracious love, power and mercy towards us. 

Monday 28^th January

Luke 3:16, 1 John 3:1

The wonderful news of Jesus Christ and His demonstration of love towards us in giving His life as a ransom for many, leads us not only into humble submission but also into gracious adoration. In keeping with the theme of God’s value for our lives, today’s passage looks at both the response to Jesus’ authority and His gift of love towards us, His children.

Luke starts off in chapter 3 describing God’s messenger, John the Baptist. John was a man commissioned to prepare the way for the Lamb of God. He lived mainly in the wilderness by the river Jordan. His message was clear; repent, be baptised and produce fruit in keeping with the Spirit’s regenerative work in the believer’s life. He opposed sinful living and exalted Jesus above himself. His audience was mostly Jewish as he often highlighted that salvation was not earned through ancestry lineage but rather was a gift of God, through Jesus, the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world. John knew that His role was to prepare the way for Jesus but he also knew who Jesus’ identity was.

After a strong rebuke to the crowds, convicted hearts began to question John as to what their response should be to avoid the wrath of God’s judgment and become fruit bearing believers. John’s passionate and wise words prompted many to believe that he was the Messiah or the Christ. Yet John re-emphasised his position and pointed to the coming of the One who was much greater than he. We then reach the pinnacle of this passage in verse 16, whereby John humbles his heart and exalts Jesus above himself.

Last week we talked about the humility of Mary who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears and anointed them with an expensive perfume. In keeping with that humble attitude our attention turns to John, who in a more figurative way, explains that in fact he was not even worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals, let alone wash his feet. This role was reserved for the lowliest of servants, yet here John, with an attitude of humble submission expressed his un-worthiness to even participate in this act. How amazing is this picture? Just a few verses earlier John rebukes the crowds in total confidence and a few verses later rebukes the King for his adulteress living. Yet now, he takes the position that is lower than a servant when he is mirrored with Jesus Christ. John knew and was confident in his ministry but he also knew who Jesus was and in submission to His authority, humbled himself and became ‘lower than a servant’ (figuratively speaking) to God incarnate.

What is your response to knowing who Jesus is? Are you humbled by His presence? In 1 John 3:1, we learn that this great Creator God, has not only lavished His love on us but has called us sons and daughters of God. This is one of my favourite words in the Bible, ‘Lavished’. Although this word is not the best translation from the Greek word ‘didomi’ (offer, give) it truly does emphasis what Jesus did for us on the cross. In humbling Himself on the cross, He poured without end His love on unworthy yet not worthless people. In lavishing (abundance and extravagance) His love towards us, He adopted us into His family through the work of redemption on the cross. So great is this measure of love that it cannot be bought or paid for, and therefore puts a priceless tag on the heads of those who abide and live in His love. Christ gave His life for you, are you giving Him yours?

Saturday 26^th January

John 3:16-17

Yesterday we explored Paul’s teaching about how God values our physical bodies and how He sacrificed His own body as a ransom for our souls. We looked at how our bodies are the temple of God’s Spirit and how this knowledge leads us to keeping our bodies as holy and sanctified vessels for His presence. In today’s reading we will look at another scripture that enlightens us of God’s ultimate sacrifice for us, His beloved people.

The beginning of John chapter 3 starts off with a well-respected Jewish leader, Nicodemus, coming to Jesus during the night. His secretive visit to Jesus was most probably to save face and make sure no one saw him. For it was in submission to Jesus’ authority, as someone that had come from God, that Nicodemus came to hear His teaching. He knew that Jesus was ‘divinely’ anointed and admitted that unless He was from God, He would not be able to perform the miracles that He did. Jesus then proceeds to explain to Nicodemus that it is not enough to know the law and be religious. In order to truly be saved one must be born again. Not by a fleshly birth but by God’s Spirit living in us.

Nicodemus must have thought his salvation was guaranteed. He was a devout Jew and a leading Pharisee. Yet Jesus highlighted to him that his credentials were not enough to see him into the Kingdom of God. One must be born again by the Spirit of living God, whose cleansing power not only saves but also regenerates a person’s heart and life to become more like Christ. Believing in the Spirit’s regenerating work in one’s life and in God’s begotten Son leads an individual into Eternal life.

Jesus reminds Nicodemus of the story found in Numbers 21:4-9. The wandering Israelites in the desert grew impatient with the lack of food and water and started complaining and criticising Moses. God sent deadly poisonous snakes to punish the rebellious attitudes towards Moses and towards a God who had rescued them from the hands of slave driving Egyptians. As soon as they realised that their attitudes were wrong, they repented to Moses and asked him to remove the deadly snakes from their midst. So the Lord commanded Moses to fashion a bronze snake and attach it to a pole that whoever looked upon the bronze snake would be healed. Jesus used this example to explain to Nicodemus that we too have sinned and complained against God. We have fallen short and only when Jesus was lifted up on the cross and exalted after His resurrection would humanity receive healing from their sins for those who believe in Him.

Jesus then explains His identity to Nicodemus in the most known verse in the Bible, John 3:16. It is in the Father’s love for humanity, that He sent the undeserved gift of Salvation, His only and begotten Son, as propitiation for mankind’s sinful and rebellious ways. This saving act of love, grace and mercy, along with the Holy Spirit’s work of regeneration, transforms lives and leads us into Eternal communion with our Heavenly Father, free from condemnation and guilt. The price that was paid is too great to put into a value, yet is a free gift from a loving Father. Acceptance of this gift, as unworthy as we are, gives us purpose, value and worth in Christ Jesus.

The weight of the law and the condemning pressure of following it would have burdened Nicodemus and left him in darkness. Yet Jesus in His conversation with Nicodemus, offers him Himself as a path into the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ today also offers you His unconditional love, His liberating grace and eternal life with Him forever. What is your response?

Friday 25^th January

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

So often when we are expecting visitors in our house, we scurry about, tidying, cleaning, polishing, hoovering and making sure that our house is tidy and presentable for our guests. When we know that someone is coming to our house, the first thing we think of is, is our house clean? It’s like an automatic pilot mechanism in our minds that is set to run around our house checking all is well for our guests.

One day as I was in this mind set, I stopped and thought; if I am putting this much effort into making my own house clean for my guests, how much effort am I putting to into making my Spiritual body clean where the creator God lives. Our bodies are the temple of God. So often we neglect to take care of God’s dwelling place. We focus so much on ‘soul cleansing’, which absolutely essential, yet we forgot that Jesus actually laid down His physical body for us too. If we are to realise that God lives in our bodies, then we too should also care for our bodies.

Paul addresses this issue here in 1 Corinthians 6. The Corinthians thought that because they had been set free from the law through grace, they had a license to do with their bodies what they willed. However, this is a letter written by Paul to emphasis much the opposite and rather warn against such thinking.

Sexual immorality was much the centre of Paul’s focus to church in Corinth. He was warning them against this dualistic mentality, ‘that one could do what he wants with his body, for it is perishable’. Paul immediately in verse 13, makes it plain that God values and cares for our bodies. He strongly opposes the idea that one can do what he pleases with his/her body. Although our physical bodies may die, just as God raised His Son from the dead, so will He raise us on the blessed day. God values and cares about our body and so should we.

Paul then proceeds in comparing the joining together of a man and a prostitute, and a union of Christ and His church. Of course they are both extreme examples yet the essence of what Paul is saying here is clear. In short when a man and woman come together in sexual union, they unite in the spirit, becoming one body. Hence Genesis 2:24 ‘a man will leave his father and be united with his wife and they shall become one’. Likewise when we accept Jesus in our lives, we are joined together with Him in Spirit. Much like Jesus, when He said that ‘I and the Father are one’ (John 10:30), ‘He is in me and I in Him’ (John 14:10). Of course Jesus was emphasising the point that He was both God and Human whilst in His earthly ministry; (this is not to say that we can be God but rather that God lives in us, His temple). Yet the emphasis of this point is made all the more clear in verse 19.

Paul warns about sexual immorality and its devastating effect on both the believer and those around. In fact he highlights that sexual sin cannot be hidden for it corrupts the body and character and has evidential consequences. Both furthermore, he points to the fact that our bodies are vessels of the Holy Spirit. They are His dwelling place, His home. In fact Paul highlights that in fact our bodies are not our own. Who among you, if you borrowed something of someone, would not look after it? In the same way our bodies are given to us by God, therefore we must honour His gift and honour Him. Paul closes with a strong warning and one that must have convicted the Corinthians as it convicts me today….”You were bought with a high price. Therefore honour God with your bodies.” (verse 20).

Our bodies are temple of God, bought with His precious blood and designed by a creator God. Next time you host a guest and clean your house to make it presentable, check if your house for the King of Kings is in order!

Thursday 24^th January

John 13:1-17

Have you ever seen the programme called Secret millionaire? It’s basically based around a CEO or Manager of a big cooperate company, who disguises himself as a normal employee to see how the company is being run at ground level. The CEO/manager gets involved in every aspect of the job (even the menial tasks), speaks with people and tries to understand the companies needs. After a week of working they reveal themselves and reward those they think should be commended for their professionalism and hard work.

In today’s passage, we find the Ruler of the universe doing the same thing. The only difference with Jesus is that He revealed who He was purposely, for it was only in knowing who He really was, that His followers could get access to the Father. However, Jesus didn’t humble Himself and take the form of a servant as our prime example for a T.V show, He did it because that was and is His very character. His act of humility and compassion for the disciples, in this demonstration of feet washing, comes from the endless supply of Love in His heart. It is this same Love, manifest in humility and compassion for a sinful and undeserving world, that led Him to give His life as our ransom for it.

We read in verse 6 that when Jesus approaches Peter to wash his feet, Peter’s response is to plainly and out rightly refuse this action. He can’t fathom that His Lord and Master would stoop down, take the role of a servant, and wash his dirty feet. Again, after Jesus tries to wash his feet once more, Peter retreats and boldly states “No, You will never wash my feet”. Jesus then states in a simple yet prophetic statement that if He does not wash Peter’s feet, then He has no part with Him. What Peter didn’t realise is that although Jesus’ act of feet washing was a humble act of love, it was also symbolic of His cleansing us from our sin with His soon approaching sacrificial offering of His life and shedding of His blood. Although it does not state this here in today’s text, we know from 1 John 1:7 that it is the shedding of Jesus’ blood that cleanses us from our sin (of course this requires repentance also).

Peter then, in verse 9, understanding the importance of being washed by Jesus, yields to Him and asks not only for his feet to be washed but his whole body. Jesus’ answer is plain and clear here. If you have had a bath then you are already clean. For it is not necessary to wash your body again. It is in the washing of the feet that Peter was made clean. Well how can we translate this passage into our daily lives? The key to understanding and applying this in our lives is found in Jesus’ words in verse 10. When we except Jesus into our lives, our repentance is like bathing in God’s grace and forgiveness. We accept His sacrifice and are made whole by His love. However, we live in a fallen world and we are not yet fully perfected, so we sin and disobey our Heavenly Father. This sin, not only separates us from His presence but severs that intimate relationship with the Father. This is why we need to come before a Holy God daily, acknowledging that our feet our dirty and humble ourselves and ask Jesus to wash us clean again. For in doing this we restore our communion with Him and receive His love and kindness. Humility for us is not an abstract ideology, is the core of who Jesus was and an attitude that we should adopt in our lives daily.

“Let this attitude be in you, which was also found in Christ Jesus….” Philippians 2:5 

Wednesday 23^rd January

John 13:1-17

Today we are carrying on with the theme of humble adoration towards a God who delights not only in our worshipful daily living but also in our intimate moments with Him. Sitting at the feet of Jesus, as shown by Mary in yesterday’s passage, indicates a submissive and grateful heart. In today’s passage the significance of feet comes into the spotlight again, yet with a different perspective. We take today’s reading from John 13.

John describes this scene wonderfully as starts off with Jesus’ heart for His disciples. Verse 1 paints a picture of the love that Jesus had for them during His ministry and now as His time on Earth neared its end, He would show (continue to show) them the full extent of His love by laying down His life for them and ultimately the whole world. Keep that thought in your mind as we explore the following verses.

Jesus in verse 3 knew who He was. He knew His identity as the Son of God and He knew His mission, to return to the Father. He knew that all authority was given to Him whilst He was on the Earth. Then, in act of complete shock to the disciples, Jesus who had just had His feet anointed with an expensive fragrant perfume, takes off His robe, wraps a towel around His waist and fills a bowl of water to proceed in the washing of the disciple’s feet. Hold on a minute…. This is Jesus, the Son of God. This is the Christ, the Messiah and He wants to wash the feet of His disciples? In Jesus’ time the tradition was, upon entering someone’s house for dinner, to remove your sandals and have your feet washed by their servant to remove the dust from the roads and paths. This significant act was mostly reserved for the servant of the house yet we see Jesus, the King of Kings, take the role of a servant and start washing their feet.

Notice that Jesus got up from the table to wash their feet. This has significance because it means that they were about to or had already starting eating together if they were all sat around the table. So the question to ask here is why did they not wash each other’s feet as soon as they entered the house? Most probably, without reading too much in the text, because simply it was not a common practice to wash the feet of your peers. This was reserved for the servant of the house. Since there was no servant, Jesus took that role on and humbled Himself and starting washing their feet. What an amazing picture of a servant hearted humble God. Philippians chapter 2 also tells us of Jesus’ servant heartedness when it says that “He emptied Himself, made Himself of no reputation and took on the form a servant/slave.”

If that is not enough to convince you of Jesus’ humility look at who was in the midst of their company; Judas, the betrayer, who had already been prompted to plan Jesus’ betrayal. Jesus washed all the disciple’s feet (verse 13) and it is most probable that Judas was included in this. What grace it took to wash the feet of His betrayer, knowing in a few hours He would be hanging on the cross because of him.

Jesus’ love for us was at the very root of His mission. Jesus’ mission was orientated around humility. For in humility He served the world by giving His life for all. However Jesus’ washing of His disciple’s feet has more significance that just being a humble act of kindness from the Creator of the universe. We will explore the next few verses in tomorrows study.

This is our God, the Servant King

Tuesday 22^nd January

Luke 10:38-40, John 12:1-8, Luke 7:36-50

Our primary text today is Luke 10:38-40, however the other passages noted above will be looked at in comparison to this story. Jesus, in Luke 10, has just finished telling the Pharisees and Scribes who their neighbours are and how getting lost in God’s service is irrelevant if they are not putting it into practice in their daily lives. Knowing God’s Word in thought is not enough if we are not living it out in our everyday deeds of ‘Good Works’. Jesus emphasised in His parable that it was those who were supposed to be scholars of God’s Word were the ones that walked past the beaten man on the floor.

In the next verses, 38-40, Jesus adds a new dimension to this teaching. This story is of Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus. Martha welcomed Jesus into her house, most probably for food and fellowship. The passage tells us that Martha busied herself in preparing for and serving Jesus. The word specifically used in verse 40 is ‘distracted’ (herself with much serving.)  

Martha’s sister however was doing the opposite. Instead making herself busy she simply sat at the feet of Jesus and heard His words. Martha challenged Jesus to rebuke the apparent slothful sister, yet Jesus rather than rebuke her, commended her. In fact Jesus highlights that Martha’s need for serving Him, caused her to be troubled and worried and miss who was in her house. Mary on the other hand, knew that Jesus’ Words were life, an everlasting stream of wisdom and grace. Jesus is highlighting here not that serving is wrong or un-necessary but rather that the attitude of worship and adoration was and is priority over getting lost ‘doing’ in the Kingdom of God.

I want to reiterate that Jesus is not saying that serving Him is not important or that we should be idle in our worship to God. On the contrary, it is in the acts of service to God that we are worshipping Him, both in a church context and also in our everyday lives. The point of this story is much the same as seen in our church lives across the world. The essence is this; so often we get lost in ‘doing things’ for His Kingdom and for Him, that we loose focus in who we are serving and the art of just sitting at His feet in His presence. How much time in your life do you just sit at the feet of Jesus, in worship and adoration, listening to His voice and soaking in His presence?

There are two other examples I wanted to pick up on of the attitude of serving at Jesus’ feet. They may or may not be the same person, however the act of service to Jesus is still in submission to His authority and Deity. The first is in John’s gospel. This woman’s act of submission to Jesus is both a prophetic symbolism for His future burial but also a sacrifice of costly perfume (approximately a years wage). She humbly anointed her Master’s feet in an act of service and submission, adoration and worship.

The next example is found in the seventh chapter of Luke. Again a sinful woman realising the presence of a Gracious God, humbly washes with her tears and kisses Jesus’ feet in an act of total submission. His feet most probably dirty and dusty, proved of little relevance to this grateful woman.

What is the significance of these three passages? Simply the acknowledgement of One who is greater than themselves. What response did they have? To humbly sit, anoint, wash and kiss the feet of their Saviour. They knew that both Jesus’ words and presence were far greater than getting lost in service to Him rather than serving Him and sitting at His feet. Submission, humility and love were all key characteristics of these women. Our attitudes should be the same as these women; for it is only in this attitude that we can have an intimate relationship with the Saviour.

“For who loves much, is forgiven much….” (Luke 7:47)

Saturday 20^th January

Part of this talk today is taken from a message I heard from a man called Ray Comfort. He shares a talk on using the 10 commandments as a means of evangelism. It’s a great talk and part of what I share will come from it as I wanted to share it with you all too.

Imagine for a moment if a police officer randomly came to you and said “your 20,000 speeding fine has been paid. You free to go but be careful next time”. Your response would be “well I didn’t get a speeding fine, what are you talking about it”. You immediately dismiss what he is saying and call him a lunatic. Ok, well what if the police officer came to you as said, “you were clocked driving at 60mph through a strict 15mph zone. You damaged state property therefore you are being fined 20,000 pound”. Your reaction would most probably be a sheepish one, after you have just been presented with clear evidence of what you have done wrong. Then what if the officer then says “your fine has been paid, you are free to go!”. Your reaction to his kindness would be far more appreciated because you now know what you are have been saved from.

 The thing is unless you know what you are being saved from, the act of being saved seems less relevant and less meaningful. If you don’t know what you have been saved from, when tough times come you will easily fall over and be overcome by your problems; for your security comes not in the saving power of Christ but in temporary ‘life satisfaction’. If you know that there is One who has given His all for you and saved you from being an enemy of God and eternal judgement, then when tough times do come, your feet will be on solid ground because you know that the One who saved you, gave His all for you and will uphold you with His strong right hand.

Paul in Romans 5 comments on the value of Jesus’ death. When He gave His all for you and me. He compares the act of kindness in Christ’s sacrificial death to that of a righteous man or a good man. He asks whether someone would die for a righteous man, then asks would someone die for a good man? Taking someone’s place in death is a sacrifice many would absolutely refuse. Yet it would almost be conceivable if we knew that Christ died for all the righteous people in the world that deserved His atonement. It would almost be conceivable if they were at least good. Yet the truth is that when Christ died for us, we were all sinners and didn’t deserve His atoning sacrificial death. Romans 5:8 says that “God demonstrated His love towards us, in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Praise God. Jesus paid the price that we didn’t deserve with His life. Why? To save us from being enemies of God and from eternal judgement. What is our response? Accepting what He has done. It is the acceptance and knowledge of what Christ has done and the fact that He has paid the price for us, that we find strength to get through tough times and a foundation to keep us standing.