Hello and welcome to Tuesday’s foundations podcast. My name is James and as I mentioned yesterday I am married to Lucy and we have a one year old called Joshua. I was brought up in the beautiful North West of England… a fantastic place called Wigan, in-between Manchester and Liverpool. It is a place made famous for its love of pies and rugby league… an odd combination that featured heavily through my childhood.

As good and as Godly those things are, today’s podcast is about neither of those things… It is about accusations and truth.

REFLECTION:

We’re looking at Luke 22:66 – 23: 12. It is 17 verses long but we are going to focus on the 4 verses at the start of chapter 13. Let me read them now.

Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.”

So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

Brilliant. Over today and tomorrow we have the trials of Jesus – we have two stories that mirror each other. Jesus gets trialled by Pilate and then again by Herod… In today’s story Jesus is being brought by the “the chief priests and the teachers of the law”: together they formed a religious and political pressure group called “the council of the elders of the people.” They have conspired to bring Jesus to justice. They accuse him of blasphemy and when they cannot pin blame… then they accuse him of opposing Caesar, and then they accuse him of disturbing the peace.

We have been looking through the gospel of Luke together since the middle of December. Next week it will come to an end. With the last 3 months of reflections in our minds, do we think these 3 accusations are true? In part the answer is yes.

Now, hear me correctly, I do not think Jesus is a blasphemer. But there are some ways these accusations reflect truth. For example:

* It is true that… Jesus is challenging their perception of the God they believe in. They are offended.

* It is true that… Jesus came to oppose Caesar. We have heard time and time again that Jesus is Lord… He is the King of Kings and he came to establish an everlasting Kingdom.

* It is true that… Jesus disturbed the peace. Everywhere Jesus went there was often radical response… either for or against Him…

On the other hand, there are subtle ways that these accusations are simply false.

* It is not true that Jesus opposes God… the word used is ‘blasphemy’. Blasphemy in the sense of showing a lack of respect towards God or Gods purposes… it is not in his nature to oppose God if we believe He and the Father are one.

* It is not true that Jesus came to oppose Caesar and take his taxes (as we heard earlier)… to make a connection with another part of the Bible. Jesus says in Matthew 22:21 “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” Again connecting the broader story of the Bible in here, it says in Romans 13:1 “Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those which exist are established by God.” Jesus’ agenda was not a political campaign, but for the whole world to be saved.

* Finally, It is not true that Jesus came to disturb the peace. Jesus came and died that we might have peace with God – true peace – not just a pause in-between conflicts – but that our very souls might find their rest in Him who made us.

What does all this mean for you and I?

Over today and tomorrow we have the trials of Jesus – he is found innocent yet accused and punished.

Hello, I am James and welcome to Monday’s foundations podcast. I’m married to Lucy and we have a little boy called Joshua. We often find ourselves listening to this podcast doing the nursery run. Wherever you are listening in today – the pick up or drop off – at your desk – even at home, I hope this reflection builds faith in us today.

REFLECTION:

Today we are looking at Luke 22:54-65; there is no focus verse for today, I am just going to read the 9 verses of the story when Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, denies knowing Jesus. It is short so I will make sure to read it again a second time at the end of this podcast.

Before we begin I would love us to think about the friends we keep – think about mutual friends for a moment – even in terms of that little useful box that appears when we find someone new on our favourite social media platform. Associations and connections tell us something of a person – perhaps not the whole picture but certainly a (slightly) broader picture of what a person is like before we have really got to know them. Mutual friends can open doors or close doors – depending on context.

You might have even heard this before, there is some popular-psychology that termed the phrase “you are the sum of the 5 closest people you keep”. Their company can shape who become… what you value etc. This idea of identity by association is a live issue in today’s Bible verses as Peter makes a clear effort to disown Jesus. I’m going to read them out for us to think about now….

Peter Disowns Jesus

Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant-girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, ‘This man was with him.’

But he denied it. ‘Woman, I don’t know him,’ he said.

A little later someone else saw him and said, ‘You also are one of them.’

‘Man, I am not!’ Peter replied.

About an hour later another asserted, ‘Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.’

Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Just as he was speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the cock crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.

So there you go. Three times he says no.

So why did he deny being associated to with such a man?

Peter quickly found he wasn’t nearly as bold and courageous as he had let on previously, and in fear he kept his distance. Peter was scared that his fate would go the same as Jesus’. And in fact, in the end it does… But how does he get from here to there… and why does the story reinforce the failure of Peter three times?

Part of the reason, is that history tells us that Peter become one of the pillars of the early church in Jerusalem, equipping disciples all over the region. Even today, many people are blessed by his writings in the books of 1 & 2 Peter in the New Testament. This guy went through a radical transformation from the man we encounter in the story today, to what we know through church tradition…

… There is a story in John 21 where the resurrected Jesus reinstates Peter. Jesus had appeared to the disciples by the Sea of Galilee and they had breakfast together. Jesus singles Peter out and asks “do you love me?” not just once but three times, in a symbolic attempt to restore each previous rejection. After each of Peter’s replies of “Yes, I love you…” Jesus reminds Peter to take care of his sheep, feed his lambs… in other words to strengthen the disciples. Jesus was impressing upon Peter the importance of his role in the church,

Hi everyone, it’s Mick here and welcome to Friday’s Podcast at STC. We hope you have found these reflections helpful this week. My wife Tricia and I have five amazing grandchildren and each day this week has been our opportunity to say ‘hi’ to them. Today it’s Josiah; he is our oldest grandchild and we celebrated a few weeks again his ninth birthday. Josiah loves football, cricket and Lego and is one amazing boy ‘Hi Josiah from Granny and Grandad’!’

Our grandchildren have been mentioned this week for a reason. When Tricia and I look at them, we are not only thankful for the wonder they are and the love we have for them but also the hope they bring – hope for the future. You may recall that our theme this week has been ‘hope’.

On Monday and Tuesday we heard Jesus giving his ‘big picture’ view of the future; the world may seem in turmoil but those who stand strong in the faith will know hope and win through. On Wednesday the hope we experience through friendship; yesterday the the hope and confidence we can know in being set free from comparison as we learn to serve as Jesus did. Today we consider the hope that is ours in the forgiveness of Jesus as we reflect on the betrayal of Judas. A slightly longer podcast today to cover this tough topic. Our reading is Luke 22:39-53 and our focus verse are the powerful words of Jesus in v40

“Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”

REFLECTION:

Have you ever felt betrayed? Perhaps a confidence you shared with someone and then everyone seems to know it! Or perhaps a promise that has not been kept? An opportunity that seemed to be yours and then was taken away? The list goes on. An even harder question; have you ever felt you have betrayed someone else? Betrayal hurts. It hurts even more when friends are involved.

Doing the right thing is often so costly; standing up for the good, doing the right thing even when it’s unpopular, supporting a friend, holding a confidence, standing your ground when others fall away. It’s easy sometimes to be tempted to take the easy way out and follow the crowd.

We will never face as great a challenge as Jesus faced. But there will be times in our lives when God will ask us to choose the right way – his way – and not the easy or convenient way. Not to betray his cause. In today’s reading we see that Judas doing just that as he chose his own way. A clear contrast between the way of Jesus and the way of Judas. Jesus prayed and ‘an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him’ (v.43). Then we see the result of Judas’ act of betrayal – ‘when darkness reigns’ (53).

However, this story does show there is a way back from betrayal – it is repentance and forgiveness. It’s Peter who gives us all hope! He messed up big time – we read yesterday of his betrayal of Jesus. Yet God used him powerfully. His betrayal led him to repent and then to be forgiven.

This is such a relevant message for today. I recall a close friend of mine who went through what could be only described as ‘betrayal’ both professionally and personally. Those who were once close now speaking badly of this friend. Sound familiar? The world’s response to such situations is defensive – claims and counter claims to justify our position. To fight back. The temptation is always to defend our position, to say how we’ve been wronged and how it’s their fault, to entrench our position ultimately in unforgiveness. You may indeed have been wronged, but Jesus says there is a better way.

To fight back was what the disciples did in this story – that was their response to betrayal. “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear (49-50) Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him (51).

Hi everyone, it’s Mick here and welcome to Thursday’s Podcast at STC. Grandchild number four today – it’s Anabelle. Anabelle had her fifth birthday last month; she loves pink and dancing(!) and lives with her mum, dad and big brother (it’s his turn tomorrow) in Sheffield. So, ‘Hi Anabelle from Granny and Grandad!’

Our reflection yesterday was on friendship – Jesus gathering his friends for his last meal on earth. Today, we see how, after such an amazing experience Jesus has to deal with an issue that had the potential blow apart this group of close friends and so the beginning of the early church. Jesus confronts the issue of un Godly comparison and the ensuing envy, jealousy and arguments it always brings – a very modern topic. Today’s Bible reading is Luke 22:24-38 and our focus verse is v27 where Jesus is showing us a better way to live.

But I’ve taken my place among you as the one who serves.

REFLECTION:

Do you sometimes compare yourself to other people? If we’re honest we all do it sometimes – it’s that ‘If only’ moment…’. In itself comparison is not always a bad thing; positive role models in life are good and can help develop potential in our lives. However comparison, if unchecked, can become a burden and lead in the wrong direction in life.

It’s good to see that the disciples of Jesus were often just like us as we see in today’s Bible passage, as they asked which of them would be the greatest! (v24) It is always a temptation to compare ourselves or our work for God with others. It can lead to pride, jealousy, frustration and anger – not a good way to live!

As Christians, we follow Jesus our great role model, so we really don’t need to spend our time comparing ourselves to others, to be seen as ‘special’ or ‘great’ or ‘better’. We of course do the best we can each day, in our work, with our family, in our relationships etc. but in the end there is only one opinion that really matters – ‘what does Jesus think? Remember that when Jesus looks at you today, in his eyes you really are amazing!

Jesus points out here that the values of the Kingdom are the complete opposite to the world. ‘Kings like to throw their weight around and people in authority like to give themselves fancy titles. It’s not going to be that way with you. Let the senior among you become like the junior; let the leader act the part of the servant … and then this amazing life changing verse in which we see THE ultimate role model showing us clearly how to live

I’ve taken my place among you as the one who serves’ (vv.25–27, MSG).

We then have a great conversation between Simon Peter and Jesus about what being a disciple means. Peter was very confident that he would not let Jesus down, “Master, I’m ready for anything with you. I’d go to jail for you. I’d die for you!” (v.33). Jesus knew that Peter would fail, “I’m sorry to have to tell you this, Peter, but before the rooster crows you will have three times denied that you know me.” (v.34). “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail” (v.32). We know that in the end, even though he seemed to mess up, Peter’s faith did not fail!

“I have prayed for you,” says Jesus. Prayer brings our human condition with its all its flaws before God. Jesus shows here that prayer is vital – he prayed – and it really does make a difference. We don’t really know how prayer works but the more we do it the more we realise it does work! Yesterday at STC we held one of our our Days of Prayer with hundreds of people praying in church and at home, at work etc. Literally thousands of prayers were offered yesterday and we know they WILL make a difference! Jesus prayed and so should we – your prayers today,

Hi everyone, it’s Mick here and welcome to Wednesday’s Podcast at STC. Today a big hello to Ivy, our lovely and lively 17 month old granddaughter. Ivy lives in London with her mum and dad and wore her new pink shoes to nursery yesterday so ‘Hi Ivy from Granny and Grandad!’

Our theme this week is ‘hope’; today’s reading is Luke 22:1-23 and today’s focus verse is the one that really stood out to me is v15 – it’s part of Luke’s account of the Last Supper:

“You’ve no idea how much I have looked forward to eating this Passover meal with you.”

REFLECTION:

Today is Ash Wednesday. It’s the day when many parts of the Christian church begin the season of Lent – 40 days of reflection, prayer and discipline as we come close to Jesus our Lord and Saviour. Here at STC we have a day of prayer on this day which begins at 7am and continues with continuous prayer times throughout the day ending with our amazing Ash Wednesday Gathering at 8pm. There are some of you in our church family who I know would love to be at the 8pm Gathering but cannot be for all kinds of reasons – usually small children in bed! Be assured that we will be praying for you! We will see several hundred people gathering at the church to pray today with hundreds more joining us in their workplace, at home etc as they receive regular prayer emails. Ash Wednesday is a truly remarkable day in the life of STC!

Visitors do join us but as I see people arriving throughout the day, I always get this powerful sense of friends coming together to pray and as they pray, ‘hope’ rises up in those praying and in the lives of others they are praying for. Today’s Bible reading begins with the betrayal of Judas but at the heart of the reading is the Last Supper – Jesus gathering together for a meal with his friends. So today, two brief reflections on ‘friendship’.

Firstly, friendship matters. Friendship is one of the key foundations of being church. When speaking to his disciples, his ‘God apprentices’, Jesus said:

‘I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.’ (John 15:15)

There is something so special about friendship – it really matters. I have told the story many times but to briefly say again that Tricia and I became Christians because we became friends with a work colleague of mine and his wife – they were Christians, spoke about their faith, took us to church and the rest is history! We will forever be eternally grateful to Roger and Sue for sharing their lives and faith with us.

Secondly, friendship meals. We met with Jesus every time our friends invited us round to their home for a meal as well as time together over a pub meal. As a lad off a council estate, going to someone’s house for ‘dinner’ at 7.30pm was different. In my parents house, dinner was at noon ish (lunch) and tea was at 6 ish … I have since become very sophisticated and even know what a ‘light supper’ is these days!

Jesus ate so many meals with his friends; they must have not only listened to him as they ate but watched him, asked questions of him. His last meal on this earth, literally his last supper was with his friends. They were all there, even Judas the one who betrayed him. Eating a meal with friends is such a good and Godly thing to do.

Could I please ask you to do four things as we end this reflection? Firstly, make a list of your friends – Christian and not yet Christian. You may need some common sense here if your list is very big because secondly, would you now commit to pray for them over this six week season of Lent. It might just be just their name/family lifted to God. As you pray their life will be blessed! Thirdly, look for an opportunity to enjoy a meal with some of these you are praying for.

Hi everyone, it’s Mick here and welcome to Tuesdays Podcast at STC. Which one of our grandchildren gets a ‘hello’ today? Yesterday it was Abigail and today it’s her little 3 month old brother Nathaniel ‘Hi Nathaniel from Granny and Grandad! Best part of the podcast!

This week’s Bible readings are from Luke 21 and part of Luke 22. Our theme for the week is ‘hope’. We saw in yesterday’s podcast that Jesus brings ‘hope’ – as we read his words in the bible, Hope stirs within us! Today’s reading is Luke 21: 20 – 38 MSG and our focus verse today is v38 MSG: All the people were up at the crack of dawn to come to the Temple and listen to him.

REFLECTION:

So, wonderful podcast listener, here is your task for today. Write a short story that is confusing, seems to make no sense at all but at the same time is very scary! On first reading that’s what today’s Bible passage looks like!

You can hear the whole passage before the worship song but here it is in a nutshell. Firstly, v20 – 24, Jesus says, a national crisis is going to take place. Why? Because God’s people have fallen away from his good and love no ways. Secondly, the centre of the whole nation, Jerusalem would be surrounded by a barbarian army and destroyed. Thirdly, if you’re in the city when this begins, ‘run for the hills’ – get out quick! Wow, scary but true. Jerusalem fell in AD 70.

Then it gets even scarier v25 – 28 … the world in uproar, everyone in panic and quaking – in the immortal words of Private Fraser in Dads Army ‘We’re all doomed!’ Then Jesus arrives as our rescuer … as the NIV bible says

At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (27). It’s CRAZY! No it isn’t … it’s all to do with context! Jesus listeners would have been aware of this LOTR type language as the Old Testament prophets, especially Daniel spoke about such things happening. So, two thousand years later what are we to make of all this? How can all this speak to me in my everyday life today?

Two things: first, the warning of Jesus. It may be uncomfortable reading but as Christians need to be clear that this is what happens when we turn away from God. Not many preach on this in church today – not the most popular of sermons! Most of us want the church to be a place of comfort not challenge. Jesus always brings us help and comfort but he always offers a challenge on how we live our lives.

Second: the words of Jesus. So many of the words Jesus are about love and relationships. It has to do with our ‘inner life’ or as the bible terms it our ‘heart’. He makes this clear in v34 and I love the Message bible here

‘But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping’ (v.34, MSG). Or as the NIV says, ‘don’t be ‘weighed down with… the anxieties of life’ (v.34). ‘Be always on the watch, and pray…’ (v.36).

Yesterday’s podcast reminded us that Jesus never had any formal theological training and yet his words about God and his new Kingdom were so powerful that he so many came to hear him. ‘He spent his days in the Temple teaching… All the people were up at the crack of dawn to come to the Temple and listen to him’ (vv.37–38, MSG).

He said, ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away’ (vv.24,33). Two thousand years later millions of people around the world, including all of us listening to this podcast, are affected by the words of Jesus. The words of Jesus are eternal.

Today, let us respect the warnings of Jesus as we pray for those around us but also give thanks for the life giving words of Jesus which always bring hope!

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, as I read or listen to the bible, let me be aware of the warnings you give but also truly value the wonderful words of hope you speak to me.

Hi everyone and welcome to Monday’s Podcast – my name is Mick Woodhead and with my wife Tricia, we lead this amazing church at STC Sheffield. As a church our vision or focus this year is to invite all people to ‘Join Us and GROW’ – to grow deeper in in our Christian faith that we may be a people who can bring a good and Godly change to our society.

These Foundations podcasts are part of that vision – they offer an opportunity draw close to Jesus through a bible based thought for the day from one of our STC team, followed by a prayer, bible reading and a worship song. STC Foundations Podcasts really are a great discipleship resource so why not pass the link to someone else through a text, Facebook, other social media or even carrier pigeon … this is easy evangelism so let’s share the blessing! Every day this week I am going to say ‘Hi’ to one of our five grandchildren – today it’s Abigail who is at home with her mummy: ‘Hi Abigail, from grandad and granny’.

REFLECTION:

On Wednesday of this week we begin the season of Lent – 40 days of preparation and reflection – more on Wednesday – so it’s fitting that our theme throughout this week is ‘hope’. In this week’s Podcasts we will be reflecting on chapter 21 of Luke’s gospel and most of chapter 22. These are tough and challenging verses from the Bible which will take some thinking through as we consider Wednesday to Friday the Last Supper, the denial of Peter and the arrest of Jesus.

However, our week begins with Jesus giving a big picture overview of the future. Today Jesus speaks about ‘the end times’ – this is a challenging reading to reflect upon, however our key focus verse for today is v19 and is a great encouragement. Whatever you are going through today Jesus says ‘Stand firm, and you will win life’. Two thoughts to ponder today – first, Jesus is Lord and second, Jesus brings Hope.

Jesus is Lord; we often speak of this foundational truth at STC that Jesus is Lord; if he is Lord, he is our provider, our protector and our peace. Where do you need provision, protection and peace today? Just ask and he will do this. As Lord, Jesus has total authority to speak into every situation, which is what we see him doing in this Bible passage.

In today’s reading Jesus talks about the temple. The temple was the centre of national life; it was a beautiful and immense building – imagine Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and The Houses of Parliament all rolled into one. Jesus says it’s going to be brought down! Why? because it now stood for all that was wrong and corrupt in the nation, a perversion of all the God had intended it to be. Jesus, through his words and actions had stood against this hypocrisy, this false religion and lifestyle during his short ministry. Those in authority were appalled; no wonder they plotted to get rid of Jesus. Jesus knew this and indeed reminded his followers that after he had gone they to would be vilified as they proclaimed the gospel, their Message of new life would be a scandal.

As we look around today we see how true the words of Jesus are. It’s tough speaking out against corruption and wrongdoing. It’s tough trying to bring the gospel into our schools, universities and workplaces. Jesus said this would happen, indeed he says even families would be split because of him. It’s tough being a Christian. We must always remember that Jesus is Lord – Jesus is God – and therefore he had full authority to speak these truths in his day even though they were not popular. (The temple did fall!) Remember that as his disciples, as his church we also have his authority to proclaim his gospel through our gracious words and generous acts even though we too are vilified and at times it seems no one is listening any more – they are, read on!

Jesus brings Hope: the words of Jesus bring real hope.

Hello and welcome to Friday’s podcast. I hope you have had a good week and got out what you have put in when joining us this week. This is my last day before I hand on to Mick next week.

REFLECTION:

Today’s reading is from Luke 20:20-47 but today I am going to focus on v22-25.

Jesus has just spoken a powerful parable against the teachers of the law, and the chief priests knew it. So they got together to discuss how they could catch Jesus in his words. They appointed spies and sent them amongst the crowds to try and trap Jesus. The best minds devised a cunning plan. V22…

“Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’

He saw through their duplicity and said to them, ‘Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?’

‘Caesar’s,’ they replied.

He said to them, ‘Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’

This is political dynamite! Will Jesus side with the occupying power, the Romans, or will he side with the people who cling to his every word? Either way Jesus has lost. If he sides with Rome, the people will turn their backs on him, he would in effect declare himself not the Christ… not God’s anointed king. If he sides with the people then the teachers of the law and chief priests can go to Caesar and have him killed.

“Whose image and inscription are on the coins you carry?” Jesus asks.

Er… Caesar’s!?

“Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s!”

Woah! This answer doesn’t just get Jesus out of a tight scrape, there is so much more to his words.

Whose image and inscription?

Image – this isn’t just a pretty picture… the word used here is Eikon. This isn’t about a shape or form but rather about substance.

I am dad to three kids. The eldest, when he was born, was described by lots of people as a ginger version of me. He looked just like me, only with a red glow about his head. Now as he has grown up not only does he continue to look like me – just a lot more handsome! – but he also carries other Ward traits. His sense of humour, his mannerisms and his turn of phrase. And if he is fortunate to have kids one day, I am sure that he will hear himself say to his kids words and phrases that we have said to him. He is my boy, he bears my image – poor chap!!

Eikon is the same word used in Colossians 1:15 where Jesus is described as the image of the invisible God. It’s not that Jesus looks like God but he carries the same family characteristics, he is cut from the same cloth. And in the book of Hebrews Jesus is described as ‘the exact representation of [God’s] being.’

It’s this likeness, this image that we are being transformed into. Romans 8:29 says that we are being conformed to the image of his son. Back in the garden of Eden, human beings were created male and female in the image of God. Through sin and rebellion, that image was broken and fractured… but now, through Jesus – his death, resurrection and the sending of the Holy Spirit – we are being remade, the fractured parts of his image are being assembled and restored… the unsightly bits are being brought into the light and healed, transformed. His image is starting to shine more brightly in our lives.

Next up is the inscription… whose image and inscription are on the coin?

An inscription is just that, an inscription, a word or a phrase, a title or a label that marks the coin…

On the coin, the image is Caesar’s, the label is Caesar’s…

But what about you?

Whose image do you bear… God’s. They were known as God’s people and yet here they were opposing him at every turn…

Whose label to you bear…?

There was an inscription – the same word – a label, placed above Jesus on the cross. The label was written in three languages, Greek, Hebrew and Latin. It read, ‘King of the Jews.’

The leaders and teachers of the Law were furious… “write that he ‘cl...

Good morning and welcome to Thursday’s podcast. I hope you are having a good week and hearing God speak through the podcasts each day.

In today’s reading (Luke 20:1-19) we find Jesus being questioned and tested by the religious leaders of his day. They hope to catch him in his words so they can accuse him and have him put to death. But Jesus has wisdom way beyond them and he is able to repeatedly turn their questions back upon them.

REFLECTION:

Reading from v9…

[Jesus] went on to tell the people this parable: ‘A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out.  Then the owner of the vineyard said, “What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.”  But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. “This is the heir,” they said. “Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.’

Now this is a direct condemnation of the religious leaders who questioned Jesus. The nation of Israel had long been referred to as God’s vineyard (Isaiah 5:7) and God’s prophets had also been called his servants (Amos 3:7). The Son stands before them, he will be rejected – thrown out; and killed on the cross and the vineyard turned over to others: you and me.

This is a story that Jesus told that had direct relevance to the following week of Jesus’ life. But what can we learn from it today?

It comes down to fruit. The servants came looking for fruit but the tenants either refused to hand any fruit over or they had none to give.

In many places Jesus uses the same analogy of bearing fruit, but what is the fruit that Jesus refers to? And are we, the new tenants in the vineyard, fruitful?

Well, we know from Galatians 5 that the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. But we also know that by summoning up all our energy and resolve we cannot work our way to being more good, or kind, or patient. Rather, this fruit is the result of a change of heart, a response to God’s love touching and transforming us.

So, do we sit back and wait for this to happen or is there anything we can do to position ourselves to receive all that God has for us?

John the Baptist gives us the biggest clue when he challenges the Pharisees and Sadducees at the start of Matthew’s gospel. He says, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matt 3:8).

Repentance means turning back to God, it is recognition that we often get it wrong. Unless we recognise that we are not always right, then God has nothing to work with. Our hearts are hardened and closed off to the love and grace of God.

Just before writing this I went home for lunch. My children were there and had cooked for themselves. They had done a good job but had left me a bit of mess in the kitchen.

Now that got me thinking. Imagine that I had come home to burnt food and children who had managed to make themselves ill by eating their culinary creations. As a loving father I would love to draw alongside and teach them to cook properly but if they refused to admit that they had done anything wrong or that there was anything bad about the food they had cooked, no matter how hard I try they are not going to grow in their abilities in the kitchen.

It is the same for us in life. I am not perfect and I would hazard a guess that you are not perfect either. Then why is it that we spend a lot of time and energy...

Hello and welcome to Wednesday’s podcast. I hope you are having a fabulous week.

Over the last couple of days we have looked at the offer that Jesus makes to train and disciple us and our need to be ‘all in,’ and ‘hold nothing back’. And we have asked whether we are subjects, wanting to maintain our independence, or servants, who draw close to the master and allow Jesus to shape our lives.

Today we stand outside Jerusalem to greet Jesus, riding a young donkey down from the mount of olives, towards Jerusalem, the nation’s capital city and the people proclaim him king. He is the one.

REFLECTION:

V37-40: When [Jesus] came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Jesus comes to be crowned king, not on a stallion at the head of a conquering army but lowly riding on a young donkey, never been ridden before.

And in the crowd we see two reactions… those that cheered and those that jeered… those that cheered the coming king, those that had seen the miracles… that believed that the wind of change was blowing through the nation. And those that jeered… those who hated him, who saw him as a threat to their power and position, those who plotted to take his life.

But neither those that cheered or those that jeered would stay the course; all would call for his death, all would call for his crucifixion. They cheered his approach to the city, they expected great change. But rather than change to their external situation, Jesus did something no-one was expecting.

He didn’t wage war on the Romans, the external force that shaped and controlled their day to day lives… instead he waged war on their religion and by doing so he sought to change the heart of their nation and bring freedom to every individual.

When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

God’s temple, his house, the most holy site in all Israel, Jesus called a den of robbers!

Jesus rides into our lives… he is all knowing, all powerful, all authority has been given to him. What do we expect of this KING Jesus? A change in our external circumstances… or do we expect him to wage war on the way that we relate to Him and those around us, our practices, our rituals, our understanding of the way things work? He wants us to know freedom and love and overwhelming joy. He wants that love to transform us from the inside…

You see, Jesus doesn’t care if you go to church, he doesn’t care if you tithe your money, he doesn’t care if you are a leader in the church or lead others in worship. He isn’t bothered if you read your Bible every day.

No…

He cares about just one thing… only one…

Our hearts!

Because Jesus knows if our hearts are changed then everything else will change.

Have our hearts been touched by God’s love?

Do our hearts leak the same love that he has shown us to those around us?

We can come to church and not be moved. We can give money out of a sense of duty and obligation and never cultivate generous hearts, we can lead and yet our hearts remain closed, we can worship passionately but not live passionate lives. We can read our Bibles and pray and not allow ourselves to be changed.

He’s not come to fight in the way that we understand… No! He came to die and so secure the greatest victory ever won in heaven or on earth. He came to break the power of sin and darkness and flood the earth with his love.