Meditation

It was while my elder daughter was a student at the, then, Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, that I first came across the beautiful piece of music by the French composer Massenet, that is named "Meditation". Indeed, it caused a wee bit of friction between my daughter and me when she asked me to purchase a copy of the score while I was in Glasgow. She merely asked if I could obtain a copy of the "Massenet" (probably because the Meditation is his best-known piece). However, what my non-professional ear heard was a request for a copy of "the Mass in A"!!! "By whom?", I asked. "Massenet!", came the reply. "Yes, I heard that. But who is the composer?" "Dad, Massenet is the name of the composer!" The conversation was actually a little longer than that - but left one somewhat chastened father!!!

However, the meditation referred to at the top, is the mental exercise of giving deep and focused thought to something. Today is known, in the English-speaking world, as "Good Friday", and is the day on which disciples of Jesus especially recall His death on the cross at Calvary, just outside the old city of Jerusalem.

People often ask the understandable question: "Why did Jesus die?" The New Testament writers don't go into a lot of detail about the crucifixion,. They had no need to do so. It was an all-too-common occurrence in the Roman Empire! In his record of the event, Mark simply writes: "And they crucified Him ..." (15:24). But why was He crucified in the first place? This was One Who had never committed any crime; Who had gone about doing good; Who was loved by children (who seem to have an instinct about adults who may be trusted!). Why would He suffer and die in such an agonising fashion?

Jesus did not die as a frustrated "super-star, in spite of the name of a well-known musical from last century. He did not die as an exemplary hero for some cause. Indeed, the death of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ (Messiah) was not even, primarily, an act of love! His death was, primarily, a sacrifice for sin. There was love, deep love, in it. It was His love for you, and for me, that held Him to that cross. But, first and foremost, it was a sacrifice.

Jesus "...gave Himself for our sins ..." (Gal.1:4). He Who knew no sin, became sin for you, and for me. Paul writes to the Corinthian believers: "For our sake He [the Father] made Him [the Son] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in Him [the Son] we might become the righteousness of God." (II Cor 5:21). It is not too many years since I came across that verse and, in spite of having read it countless times before, something of the horror of it suddenly hit me. For a brief moment of human time, the spotless, sinless, Son; the Second Persona of the Trinity; Himself God; became sin! Sin - that upon which Almighty God cannot bear to look. Sin - the very opposite of the Holiness and perfection of the Father . Sin - that vile, filthy, rejection that spits in the face of the Father Who loves with an everlasting love (Is.54:8). Sin - in all of its blackness, its obnoxiousness, its evil, its nastiness, and any other similar description. He became sin - for us!

I realised, on the day when that verse first "hit" me - as it had never done before - that it was at that moment, in time, that Jesus experienced what He did not experience in all of eternity: the Father turning away from Him. That was when He uttered those words, known as "the cry of dereliction" - "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Matt 27:46). It was, surely, at that moment that Jesus experienced separation from the Father. How that happened, in the unity of the Godhead, I do not know. But it would have been, for Him, much, much worse than all of the physical pain and agony that He had already endured. And it was for you, and for me.

On this "Good Friday", take time to think deeply on this truth. Take to heart those words uttered by John the Baptiser: "Behold, the Lamb of God , Who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29), and rejoice that He did it for you!

Mothering Sunday

Today, as the various retailers have ensured we don't forget, is Mothering Sunday - that day in the year when mothers are given a special recognition.  This morning, in Wishaw Baptist Church, I was able to share some thoughts on Timothy, the recipient of two of the New Testament letters written by the apostle, Paul. 

One of the points made about that young man was the Godly upbringing that he enjoyed: "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lo'is and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you." (II Tim 1:5).  "... as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." (II Tim 3:14-15).

However, while acknowledging the part that parents, and grandparents, play in the upbringing of children - and also pointing out that those who are childless, for whatever reason, may 'adopt' a child whom they know, to pray for that child and even, if the family is known to them, to provide gifts for the child that might point him/her to Jesus - I also reminded folk, including the children who were present, that not everyone is in a position to wish their mum "A Happy Mothers' Day"! 

Now that is pretty obvious for someone of my generation, whose parents have both been dead for a number of years.  I was thinking a little more widely than that!  This morning's Radio 4 Appeal was on behalf of an organisation named Winston's Wish.  This is a charity for bereaved children, that helps young people re-adjust to life after the death of a parent or sibling.  The case that was highlighted involved a young mum who was killed when a car mounted the pavement and hit her.  Her husband, and two-year-old son were just a few paces ahead of her.  Here is a little boy who cannot tell his mum that he loves her, or bring her a card and a gift.

Then I thought of even further afield.  I remembered Danna, a 14 year-old who lives at a centre run by Open Doors in Colombia, South America. She has been there since she was 11. Before she arrived at the centre, Danna’s mother was an evangelist who led many people to Christ.  However, as a result, the guerrilla rebels told her to stop or there would be "consequences".  Her mother rebelled, and secretly continued bringing people to Christ.

One day, Danna’s mother and many other people were having fellowship on a local green. A friend came running to her mum, warning her to run as the guerrilla rebels were after her.  At the time, Danna’s mother was carrying Danna’s baby sister. As a result, the rebels caught her. Two minutes later Danna found her mother lying face down on the ground, having been shot 15 times in the face by the rebels. 

Mothering Sunday.  Let those of us who still have a mum whom we love with us; and even those of us who are orphans because of the natural deaths of our parents at a good age; take a moment to remember those who have to grow up without their mother - those for whom Mothering Sunday may bring only sadness.

The Church the Bible Built.

Many years ago the Rev. Robert Burris, now 92 years of age, worked for four and a half years as a missionary in South China. As part of his ministry he journeyed into the mountains carrying copies of the Scriptures, in Chinese, for distribution. In this way, although he could not speak fluent Chinese, the people were given God's Word.

Toward the end of his term Mr. Burris and three companions began a 180- mile journey with 4,000 copies of the Chinese New Testament. In the first ten days about half of these New Testaments had been distributed. Then, in the remote countryside, they were stopped by five armed bandits who took everything - money, clothing, shoes - and the remaining 2,000 copies of the New Testament. Mr. Burris and friends limped home barefooted, in their shirts and trousers, glad to be alive.

Approximately 25 years later when Mr. Burris was the pastor of a church in Ohio, he and his wife attended a lecture with slides presented by a missionary to South China. Among the slides shown was a picture of the very place in which he had been robbed by the bandits."Now," the missionary said,"we come to the most important slide in my collection. I call it The Miracle Church."

The picture on the screen showed a large rough empty building. "This is The Miracle Church," the missionary continued,"because no one knows who started it, or how it is that, every Sunday, 400 people attend, each with a copy of The New Testament in Chinese. No one knows were they got these New Testaments. So far as is known, no missionary or distributor ever went into these mountains, that are infested with bandits and robbers. Yet today, the church is there, and the people have God's Word".

Mr. Burris smiled in gratitude. God's Word, taken from him that day by bandits had been building its own church in China for 25 years.

Through the prophet Isaiah, Almighty God says: "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isa. 55:10-11; RSV).   Jesus said: "... I will build My church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it." (Matt. 16:18; RSV).

Preaching the Word!

On yesterday morning's Sunday programme (BBC Radio 4) excerpts from a debate on the subject of Faith, between Dr Rowan Williams, the current Archbishop of Canterbury, and the well-known 'stand-up' comedian, Frank Skinner, were played.  I don't now who chose the particular excerpts that were broadcast but, in my opinion, they certainly showed Frank Skinner as being the better communicator - and I speak as one who has little time for 'stand-up comedians'!

It made me wonder (not for the first time!) if it is possible to be too academic when sharing the Gospel of the Lord Jesus.  We need, surely, to speak in language that 'ordinary' people understand.  That, indeed, is the basic purpose behind the book that I am currently writing, and that is nearing completion. :-)

As some will know, the Greek in which the New Testament was written is different from classical Greek.  It was once believed that this was because N.T. Greek was a special 'divine' Greek used for the preservation of the written Word of God.  However, archaeological discoveries eventually confirmed that, far from being a 'special' form of the Greek language, N.T. Greek was in fact common, everyday, Greek.  It was the Greek used on the street-corner; in the home; while out shopping.  Classical Greek, it turned out, was the 'rarified' version!

Surely there is a message here for the church of the 21st century.  We need to speak in language that doesn't require a post-graduate degree in theology to be understood.  The message never changes - the method of presentation must be contemporary!

By the way, if you want to listen to the whole of that debate (and I recommend it!), then a recording is available at

www.archbishopofcanterbury.org   (please copy and paste!)

The waiting continues!

So, Mr Brown has finally 'got the message', and has given a public assurance that he will resign as soon as a new government is formed. And there, as Shakespeare's Hamlet would say, is the rub! Because, as I type, there seems to be no sign of any firm agreement coming out of the lengthy, cross-party, discussions that are going on. Indeed, the water might be said to have been muddied by the news that, after however many hours of talking with the Conservatives, Mr Clegg's LibDems are also holding conversations with the Labour Party. There are those who are suggesting that Mr Brown's announced departure from the leadership of the Labour Party is a calculated move to enable the LibDems - whose leader was so public about not propping up Mr Brown, in government - to cosy up to the Labour Party.

It is all a bit of a mess! Yet, what can we expect from those who appear to be so determined, in spite of all of the evidence of past failures, to depend on their own perceived wisdom, and ability.

The Bible has a great deal to say about wisdom - which, by the way, is not totally synonymous with knowledge and understanding! Almost every chapter of the Old Testament book of Proverbs has a number of references to it. It is seen as something that: comes from the Lord (2:6 inter al); is of great importance (4:7); is a characteristic of those who do have understanding (10:13); and is of more value than even gold (16:16).

It is seen as just as important in the New Testament writings. It was to be one of the attributes of the earliest deacons (Acts 6:3); it is linked with 'spiritual understanding' (Col.1:9); it is differentiated from worldy 'wisdom', being "... first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." (James 3:17, NKJV).

It must surely be our prayer that those most directly involved in this ongoing situation be filled with that wisdom - the wisdom that comes from God alone.

Fresh evidence to support the veracity of the New Testament record!

The following video has been produced by CBN News. It certainly appears to be that the actual anchors referred to in Acts 27:29 have been discovered - even if the original finder was blissfully unaware of their significance!



If the video doesn't play smoothly (although pausing it, and waiting for 5-6 minutes before re-starting, should help), you may read the script at:

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/February/Searching-for-Pauls-Shipwreck-on-Malta/ (sorry, you'll have to copy and paste!).

He is risen!

At last - the Day of Resurrection! This morning, I was recalling (as well as my ageing memory would allow me to!) something that I think I heard from Arthur Blessit, the (then) young American evangelist who travelled all over the world, carrying a large wooden cross with him. I'm almost certain that he was speaking in St.George's-Tron Parish Church, in Glasgow, and he painted a word-picture that went something like this:

It is very early in the morning on that first Easter Day. Suddenly, there is a stirring as the breeze softly carries the news - "Jesus is risen; the stone is rolled away! Glory! Hallelujah!"

The grasses and the flowers pick up the message, and it floats over them, touching each blade, each petal - "Jesus is risen; the stone is rolled away! Glory! Hallelujah!"

The trees hear the message, and it rustles, ever more strongly through their leaves - "Jesus is risen; the stone is rolled away! Glory! Hallelujah!"

The refrain is picked up by the birds of the air, and they carry it all over the earth - "Jesus is risen; the stone is rolled away! Glory! Hallelujah!"

The chorus rises to the very gates of Glory, where angels had looked with dismay, and sorrow, on the body of the One Whom they knew as God the Son, hanging on a cross, battered, and bruised, and bleeding from the cruel treatment that He had received at the hands of His own creation. And, with joy, the message fills the halls of heaven - "Jesus is risen; the stone is rolled away! Glory! Hallelujah!"

And today - this Day of Resurrection - that same message is proclaimed around the world, by millions who still bow the knee before the Saviour - "Jesus is risen; the stone is rolled away! Glory! Hallelujah!"

That's the message of Easter. The unbeliever may scoff, and scoff his chocolate egg; but for those who are His disciples, the words of the old chorus still ring true:

"He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today.

He walks with me, and talks with me, along life's narrow way.

He lives! He lives - salvation to impart.

You ask me how I know He lives - He lives within my heart."

May each and all who read this post, also know the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus in their own lives - for their eternal good, and His eternal glory.