REFLECTIONS
Think about such things - Philippians 4: 8-9
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Think about such things - Philippians 4: 8-9
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FOCUS ON JESUS
Acclamation, Betrayal, Crucifixion plus lots more.
Events that changed the course of history
Some seasonal thoughts by Bob Spratt
Acclamation, Betrayal, Crucifixion plus lots more.
Events that changed the course of history
Some seasonal thoughts by Bob Spratt
During the period from March to May covered by the Spring 2013 edition of our Prayer and Newsletter*, millions of people all over the world will be remembering a series of events almost 2,000 years ago that have totally changed the course of history.
As now in 2013 we look back on these events we can put them into context but sometimes I have tried to imagine what it must have been like to be there as they unfolded. What a roller coaster - such highs and such terrible lows!
Over the previous few years an amazing man had appeared on the scene. It seemed that everywhere he went something impossible was happening - from healing the sick to raising the dead, from walking on water to feeding over 5,000 people on 5 loaves and two fish.
Admittedly he was not very popular with the religious leaders. He seemed to threaten their status and authority. He was criticised by them for such things as healing someone on the Sabbath and mixing with all the wrong kind of people.
Here indeed was the Messiah, God’s anointed one. At the beginning of the period we are considering, as he entered into Jerusalem on a donkey he seemed to be very popular with the crowd as they lined the route calling out “Hosanna!” Surely he was the one who was going to rid them of their foreign rulers and maybe even reign as their king.
Then everything seemed to change! One of his friends betrayed him to the authorities who were definitely not in favour of him becoming king.
In no time, accompanied by “rent a mob” cries of “crucify him” and a mockery of a trial, this amazing, wonderful man was sentenced to death, beaten, mocked and nailed to a cross to die in agony. How confused his close followers must have felt. This was not what they were expecting. Whatever should they do? Had they lost everything they had put their hope in?
Then, on the Sunday morning after Jesus died, some women went to the tomb where his body had been laid. The grave was empty! What has happened? Where is he? Has somebody taken his body away? Can you imagine the mixed emotions, the confusion? They then had to convey to the disciples the message that in fact Jesus had risen and was alive!
During the next few days he was seen by many including some sad folk on their way home to Emmaus who were mourning his death and had not heard of his resurrection. They were dumbfounded when they discovered they had been talking with him and he joined them for a meal. Others also saw him including more than 500 at the same time (1 Corinthians 15: 6).
I often think what a great time this must have been. Perhaps they began to understand a little of why Jesus had to die as well as why death could not hold him. They also were taught about the Holy Spirit, but there were some doubts and fears. This was totally new territory.
If I’d been there, would I have calmly accepted the fact of his ascension and patiently waited to see what happened next or would I have panicked after being told he would be with us always (Matt 28: 20) only to find he leaves again – this time to ascend into heaven.
Then wow! At Pentecost whilst all together in one place such an amazing thing happened to those who were gathered. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit. Their experience was now at a totally different level. Unlettered men could even speak in other tongues. The sound of what was going on caused a huge crowd to gather from “every nation under heaven”.
As so often happens there were mixed reactions – from wonder to mockery – but after Peter’s powerful Jesus centred preaching to the gathered crowd, 3,000 people were added to the number of believers that day.
All these years later, because of these stupendous events, this same good news of Jesus is being preached in the power of the Holy Spirit. There are still mixed reactions. Some reject the message but for those who accept it life will never be the same again!
This is particularly exciting in prisons when people who have been thought by many to be hopeless cases accept Jesus as their personal Saviour. As the hymn truly says
“The vilest offender who truly believes,
that moment from Jesus a pardon receives”.
Then to see some of these folk begin to live their new life and to serve the Lord in so many varied ways whilst still in prison as well as after release is powerful testimony to the truth of the gospel message. And this message is only possible because of the amazing things that happened all those years ago and which we are remembering during these days.
The death of the Lord Jesus, his resurrection, his ascension into heaven and then the coming of the Holy Spirit have truly changed lives and changed history.
Jesus paid the price that makes it all possible and he said very clearly – “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the father except through me” (John 14: 6) and Peter when preaching “filled with the Holy Spirit” also declares that Salvation is found in no-one else (Acts 4: 12)
This is God's unique, unchanging, life giving good news that we Christians have been given to share.
* Let us know if you would like to receive our regular Prayer and Newsletter
As now in 2013 we look back on these events we can put them into context but sometimes I have tried to imagine what it must have been like to be there as they unfolded. What a roller coaster - such highs and such terrible lows!
Over the previous few years an amazing man had appeared on the scene. It seemed that everywhere he went something impossible was happening - from healing the sick to raising the dead, from walking on water to feeding over 5,000 people on 5 loaves and two fish.
Admittedly he was not very popular with the religious leaders. He seemed to threaten their status and authority. He was criticised by them for such things as healing someone on the Sabbath and mixing with all the wrong kind of people.
Here indeed was the Messiah, God’s anointed one. At the beginning of the period we are considering, as he entered into Jerusalem on a donkey he seemed to be very popular with the crowd as they lined the route calling out “Hosanna!” Surely he was the one who was going to rid them of their foreign rulers and maybe even reign as their king.
Then everything seemed to change! One of his friends betrayed him to the authorities who were definitely not in favour of him becoming king.
In no time, accompanied by “rent a mob” cries of “crucify him” and a mockery of a trial, this amazing, wonderful man was sentenced to death, beaten, mocked and nailed to a cross to die in agony. How confused his close followers must have felt. This was not what they were expecting. Whatever should they do? Had they lost everything they had put their hope in?
Then, on the Sunday morning after Jesus died, some women went to the tomb where his body had been laid. The grave was empty! What has happened? Where is he? Has somebody taken his body away? Can you imagine the mixed emotions, the confusion? They then had to convey to the disciples the message that in fact Jesus had risen and was alive!
During the next few days he was seen by many including some sad folk on their way home to Emmaus who were mourning his death and had not heard of his resurrection. They were dumbfounded when they discovered they had been talking with him and he joined them for a meal. Others also saw him including more than 500 at the same time (1 Corinthians 15: 6).
I often think what a great time this must have been. Perhaps they began to understand a little of why Jesus had to die as well as why death could not hold him. They also were taught about the Holy Spirit, but there were some doubts and fears. This was totally new territory.
If I’d been there, would I have calmly accepted the fact of his ascension and patiently waited to see what happened next or would I have panicked after being told he would be with us always (Matt 28: 20) only to find he leaves again – this time to ascend into heaven.
Then wow! At Pentecost whilst all together in one place such an amazing thing happened to those who were gathered. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit. Their experience was now at a totally different level. Unlettered men could even speak in other tongues. The sound of what was going on caused a huge crowd to gather from “every nation under heaven”.
As so often happens there were mixed reactions – from wonder to mockery – but after Peter’s powerful Jesus centred preaching to the gathered crowd, 3,000 people were added to the number of believers that day.
All these years later, because of these stupendous events, this same good news of Jesus is being preached in the power of the Holy Spirit. There are still mixed reactions. Some reject the message but for those who accept it life will never be the same again!
This is particularly exciting in prisons when people who have been thought by many to be hopeless cases accept Jesus as their personal Saviour. As the hymn truly says
“The vilest offender who truly believes,
that moment from Jesus a pardon receives”.
Then to see some of these folk begin to live their new life and to serve the Lord in so many varied ways whilst still in prison as well as after release is powerful testimony to the truth of the gospel message. And this message is only possible because of the amazing things that happened all those years ago and which we are remembering during these days.
The death of the Lord Jesus, his resurrection, his ascension into heaven and then the coming of the Holy Spirit have truly changed lives and changed history.
Jesus paid the price that makes it all possible and he said very clearly – “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the father except through me” (John 14: 6) and Peter when preaching “filled with the Holy Spirit” also declares that Salvation is found in no-one else (Acts 4: 12)
This is God's unique, unchanging, life giving good news that we Christians have been given to share.
* Let us know if you would like to receive our regular Prayer and Newsletter