READING: MARK 15:1-15

Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.

‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ asked Pilate.

‘You have said so,’ Jesus replied.

The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, ‘Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.’

But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested. A man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder in the uprising. The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.

‘Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?’ asked Pilate, knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to get Pilate to release Barabbas instead.

‘What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?’ Pilate asked them.

‘Crucify him!’ they shouted.

‘Why? What crime has he committed?’ asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, ‘Crucify him!’

Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

REFLECTION

It’s Friday and our podcast series takes us into Mark Chapter 15, which marks the conclusion of Jesus trial, and the end of his journey – a journey which ends at the cross.

I’m going to pull out verse 15 for us to focus on today:

‘Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.’

As I read this passage, I felt God was asking us the question: ‘Who are we seeking the approval of today? Who are we seeking to serve?

Let’s take Pilate first. What’s his part in this unfolding saga that Mark lays out before us? Overnight, the Sanhedrin, the religious council, have realised they do not have the authority to put Jesus to death. Therefore, they decided to bring Jesus before Pilate, the Roman governor, who happened to visiting Jerusalem at that time, in order to keep the peace.  The council claimed that Jesus referred to himself as ‘King of the Jews, hoping that the term ‘King’ would ring alarm bells in the governor's ears as someone who might challenge Roman rule and therefore be sentenced to death.

Seeking to understand the situation a bit more, Pilate begins to question Jesus. Jesus remains silent – we saw this yesterday too. Meanwhile, a crowd has gathered outside. The customary tradition was that one prisoner would be released during the festival time. The crowd  eagerly await Pilate’s decision.

Pilate goes out to the crowd to ask them. He seeks their opinion on this matter, which I find interesting. This is a man who was given authority to administer justice. Why is he seeking the crowd's opinion when he is capable of making the decision himself? Clearly, he sought their approval.  The council whip up the crowd into a frenzy. They demand the release of another prisoner, Barabbas - a man convicted of rebelling against the authorities.

Suddenly, it dawns on Pilate what’s happening and he understands the motive behind the council’s decision to put Jesus to death. They are envious of his position amongst the people. They want to put a stop to it, once and for all. Despite knowing all this, we see Pilate continually ask the crowd what they want. ‘What crime has this man committed? What shall I do with him?' Eventually, the crowd and the council get their wish.

‘Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.’

Pilate is more concerned about the crowd – what they thought of him, how they will react to his decision, than he is about actually administering justice. He sought the approval of the people around him.

Can we see any parallels here with us, I wonder? Have we ever felt like we are trying to please others – our family, our friends, our colleagues, those around us. These are the crowds we face.  It would seem that the world around is constantly trying to shape us, to squeeze us into its mould. To think, talk, act and live in a certain way. We can probably all identify with what it means to feel the pressure around us to conform, to fit in, to get swept along with the crowd.

Yet, we know this is not the Jesus way. It is not the way of a disciple. Each day, we are faced with a question: Who will I serve this day? Will I follow Jesus, or will I follow the way of the world around me? Will I let Jesus shape my life, or the world squeeze me into its mould?

Earlier this week, I talked about the importance of reminding ourselves of the Gospel – this good news that we choose to believe at the start of each morning. This is our way of reminding ourselves of who we are and who we build our lives on. It’s in these moments, as each new day begins, that we need to ask God to fill us with his Spirit, to guide us, to strengthen us, and to equip us to live the life of a disciple.

God asks us this question: Who will you serve this day? What does it look like for us to serve God at home, at school, at university, at work today? What decisions will we need to make in order to do that? How will we need to respond to situations that present themselves in order to do that? Let’s ask God to help show us how.

PRAYER

Jesus, we want to follow you today. We choose you because you first chose us. Fill us each with your Spirit and guide us, equip us and strengthen us to live as a disciple for you, in a world which is constantly trying to squeeze us into its mould. This day Jesus – we choose to serve you..

Amen

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READING: MARK 14:43-72

Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

‘Am I leading a rebellion,’ said Jesus, ‘that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.’ Then everyone deserted him and fled.

A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: ‘We heard him say, “I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.”’ Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’

‘I am,’ said Jesus. ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’

The high priest tore his clothes. ‘Why do we need any more witnesses?’ he asked. ‘You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?’

They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, ‘Prophesy!’ And the guards took him and beat him.

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.

‘You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,’ she said.

But he denied it. ‘I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,’ he said, and went out into the entrance.

When the servant-girl saw him there, she said again to those standing round them, ‘This fellow is one of them.’ Again he denied it.

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, ‘Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.’

He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, ‘I don’t know this man you’re talking about.’

Immediately the cock crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: ‘Before the cock crows twice you will disown me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.

REFLECTION

“You wouldn’t understand. You don’t know what it’s like for me.”

I’ve heard these words uttered a lot during my working life – both as a school teacher and a youth leader. And to be fair to each of the young people that have said this, or words to this effect, to me – they’ve been absolutely right. Truth be told, as best as we try to empathise, we can never really know what it’s like for someone else – the struggles and challenges that they face. We can’t fully understand. We don’t appreciate what it’s really like for them. Frustration ensues – both for the person affected and the person trying to help them.

Today’s reading comes from Mark 14:43-72. In this section of the Passion Narrative, we see Jesus betrayed by Judas, arrested by the guards, abandoned by his friends, accused by the chief priest and religious rulers, battered by his handlers and denied by one of his closest followers.

“You wouldn’t understand. You don’t know what it’s like.”

“Yes, you’re right I reply...but I know someone who does.”

I don’t know about you but as I read this passage, I’m hugely challenged but also greatly comforted. Challenged in the way that Jesus was treated. I mean you wouldn’t wish this treatment on your worst enemy. But greatly comforted that a) he faced it head on and b) in knowing that he overcame it.

Two particular verses really stood out to me. Jesus is put before the Council led by the High Priest, and supported by the Chief Priest, the elders and scribes – the religious elite. They bring against the charge of blasphemy – a charge that if met is punishable by death. They bring forward various people who bear false witness against him – who twist his words. They lie. They can’t match up their stories. They actually have no case against him at all.

During all this, we read in verse 61: ‘Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.’ He faced the abuse, the slander and the taunts of the courtroom head on. He remained still. He remained calm. How? Because he knew his Father would fight for him. One of my favourite verses from the Old Testament is taken from Exodus 14: 14 where Moses tells a fearful people trying to escape the Egyptians that, ‘The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.’ Here Jesus illustrates just that. In the midst of it all, he remains still, silent – knowing his Father will fight from him.

I find this massively reassuring to know that Jesus faced this ultimate test resolutely, knowing his father was with him. As a follower of Jesus, I too need to know that there are times in my life where I need to be still, remain calm and to know that God will fight for me.

The high priest, no doubt exasperated and frustrated at his inability to pin Jesus down, asks him one final time- ‘Are you the Christ?’. Verse 62 – ‘I am,’ said Jesus. ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty one and coming on the clouds of heaven.’

Jesus doesn’t just know his Father will fight for him. He knows that through Him, he will overcome.  In speaking in this way, Jesus is referring back to the Old Testament period where God’s people would have read the prophecies about the Son of Man – a term given to the Messiah, coming down on the clouds – to indicate this authority, and one who is seated at the right hand of the Father – a place upon which judgement is executed. Jesus knew that his Father would not just fight for him, but he would ultimately administer justice and right the wrongs that were being done to him.

There are times in my life, when I need to know, more than ever, that Jesus is with me. That he’s faced everything I could possibly face. That Jesus fights for me. He takes my battles and makes them his. And that with Jesus these situations will be overcome. That he will ultimately have the final say. The buck stops with him.

Where in your life do you need to know that Jesus is with you, that he fights for you and that he will overcome what is facing you now?

PRAYER

Jesus, we simply ask today that we would know you closely. That we would know that whatever we face, we face it with you. Helps us take a moment at some point today to be still, bring our day before you, with all its blessings and battles, and know that you are God.

Amen.

Want to get this podcast regularly? See http://stthomascrookes.org/podcast/

READING: MARK 14:27-42

‘You will all fall away,’ Jesus told them, ‘for it is written: “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.’

Peter declared, ‘Even if all fall away, I will not.’

‘Truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘today – yes, tonight – before the cock crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.’

But Peter insisted emphatically, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the others said the same.

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,’ he said to them. ‘Stay here and keep watch.’

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. ‘Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Simon,’ he said to Peter, ‘are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’

Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

Returning the third time, he said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!’

REFLECTION

Welcome to Wednesday’s podcast. This is just one part of our daily rhythm here at STC. In addition to listening to this podcast, you can join with us as a staff team as we pray for three things each day at 3pm. And then find three things you can be thankful for today and share them with someone. Listen/Pray/Give thanks. Three simple things we are called to build into our lives to help us live as disciples each day.

Today’s reading comes from Mark 14: 27-42. I’m going to focus on verse 36 where we see Jesus doing one of those three key things: praying!

If I had to try and summarise what I feel God is saying to us through this verse it would be this – there is power in prayer.

Yesterday, we read how Jesus ate with his disciples in that upper room in Jerusalem. He then headed out of the city walls and onto the Mount of Olives to place called Gethsemane. Jesus tells his disciples to sit, to stay and remain close by whilst he goes off on his own to pray.

Reading from verse 36: “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

As I read this, three key things stand out to me

1.    Jesus prayed. As disciples, we follow Jesus. Like in other passages throughout the Gospel accounts, we find Jesus praying. If he is the one we follow, the message is clear. We need to pray. I’m not the best prayer in the world but I do find having some sort of rhythm helpful. I pray first thing in the morning. We pray at 9am and 3pm as a staff team here. I try and pray before bed. Pray – find a rhythm that works for you, but the key thing is: pray! Clearly, Jesus had a rhythm of prayer in his life. We often read accounts of him taking time during his day to pray – often alone, often in a remote spot. The key thing though is Jesus prayed.

2.    Be real. Jesus prayed, ‘Abba Father’. This is a phrase which in Jewish culture expressed a deep intimacy – the type one would have with a loving parent. Jesus prays to his Father. It’s in his father’s presence that Jesus could be honest and real about how he felt. ‘Take this cup from me,’ Jesus prayed. Jesus was fully God and fully man. Here, in his humanity he realises the agony of what he is about to go through – a brutally tortuous death on a cross and spiritual separation from his Father. He’s completely honest with God. Father, if there is any way I can avoid this, please show me how. Yet in his moment of complete desolation, Jesus is able to express that, ‘everything is possible for You’. He recognises that his father is in control and can remove this burden from his shoulders.

We too need to be real with God. There are times in our life when we face situations that we (a) don’t want to and (b) are completely not equipped for. An exam that we’re dreading? A difficult conversation we really don’t want to have? An appointment we have to go to? A set of test results we’re waiting on? It’s in these times that we need, more than ever, to bring it to God. To lay it all out before him and say, ‘I don’t know what to do. I can’t do this on my own. I need you to step in.’ Jesus shows us that we can be real with God when we pray.

3.    Prayer leads to trust. Jesus prays, ‘Yet not what I will, but what you will.’ Despite knowing all that he is about to go through, it’s clear that Jesus trusted the Father. He trusts that this is the way, the only way in which humanity can be rescued and redeemed. He accepts the path laid before Him. He trusts in the Father.

Where does this trust come from? Through relationship. Through knowing someone intimately. The Trinity – Father, Son and Spirit are in relationship. God is all about relationship. God is love. Part of love is trust.

So, how we learn to trust God more? We pray, we be real and honest with God and then in that place, in that moment where we are in need – he steps in. He reminds of who he is and who we are. And in that moment we learn again what it is to trust God.

PRAYER

Jesus, teach us again how to pray. Help us to learn the discipline of creating a rhythm of prayer in our life. Help us to be real and honest, knowing that you see us as we are. Jesus – whatever it is we seek from you today, help us to bring it before you now. And that as we do so, that we would know you are Lord and that we can trust you in the now, and trust you in future. Give us faith this day we pray.

Amen.

Want to get this podcast regularly? See http://stthomascrookes.org/podcast/

READING: MARK 14:12-26

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, ‘Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?’

So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, ‘Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, “The Teacher asks: where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.’

The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me – one who is eating with me.’

They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, ‘Surely you don’t mean me?’

‘It is one of the Twelve,’ he replied, ‘one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body.’

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,’ he said to them. ‘Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’

When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

REFLECTION

Welcome to Tuesday’s Foundation Podcast. Today’s reading is taken from Mark 14:12-26. It’s a very familiar passage to many of us – be sure to read it through in full at some point today. I’m going to focus on verses 22-24.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them.

As I said at the start, this is incredibly familiar passage to us. We hear these words read out to us whenever we take communion. It’s perhaps because these words are so familiar to us that we can sometimes forget how significant they are for us as disciples – people who follow Jesus.

First – the invitation. In breaking the bread and pouring out the wine, Jesus points us in the direction of the cross – the centre of our very faith. He tells his disciples that the bread is his body, and the wine his blood. This was the first communion. There are many different interpretations of what this meant but we, as Christians, believe that when we re-enact that last supper, when we eat the bread and drink the wine, we encounter Jesus spiritually. In doing so, we demonstrate that we have fellowship with Jesus – we align ourselves with Him.

However, it goes much further than that. Jesus also tells his disciples here that his blood will be ‘poured out for many’. It’s not just that we have a connection with Jesus; we are totally reliant on him. This phrase ‘poured out for many’ illustrates that Jesus death’ will be the atonement for our sins – the once for all sacrifice. Our sins separated us from God – this is death. In Jesus dying the Trinity experiences death – separation. This is where we should have been but Jesus steps into that place. He dies and experiences separation. He does that for mankind. He does that for us.

And so as I read this passage, I felt God was reminding me again of his amazing grace. We often sing the tune; these words tell the story. It’s the Gospel – the good news. And we need to hear this all the time. I once heard a wise leader tell me that as Christians we need to preach the Gospel to ourselves each day. To look in the mirror in the morning and remind ourselves of this story. It’s good for us to start each day by simply reminding ourselves of God’s grace in our lives and saying thank you for that. It expresses our need for a saviour – that we can’t do this all our own. It releases us from the pressure of needing to go out and earn points to get us closer to God. We are more than enough in his eyes. This is what Jesus was declaring to his disciples at the last supper. This is communion. It’s the great invitation to all of who would choose to believe.

If that’s the invitation, then what follows is the challenge. It’s in this phrase, ‘poured out for many’ that Jesus reminds us of the global impact that his death and resurrection will have. It will transform the world! It’s the whole point. It’s not about putting a bandage on the world and nursing it in its damaged state. It’s literally making the whole thing new again.

When we commit to Christ, when we accept communion with Him – we receive the challenge to take this message – the message of grace and transformation – out with us into the world. As it says in Corinthians, we are to ‘proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.’ How do we do that exactly? We can sometimes overcomplicate this but primarily I think it’s through acts of goodness. Jesus went around doing good. We are to do the same. Think about the day ahead of you. How can you ‘do good’? Where can you show someone else kindness? Where can you take the Gospel message that we hear again today and go and put it into practise?

PRAYER

Jesus – thank you for these amazing words. Thank you that you love us because you love us. This is the message for us today – it’s all about your great love for us. Let’s remind ourselves of this again at the start of the day and then look for ways in which we can do good to others: These small acts of great love which show that we are committed to you Jesus and we’re committed to your cause of transforming this world around us now.

Amen

Want to get this podcast regularly? See http://stthomascrookes.org/podcast/

READING: MARK13:32-14:11

‘But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: he leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

‘Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: “Watch!”’

Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. ‘But not during the festival,’ they said, ‘or the people may riot.’

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ‘Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ And they rebuked her harshly.

‘Leave her alone,’ said Jesus. ‘Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

REFLECTION

Hi. My name is Liam and I’m on the staff team here at STC Sheffield. It’s great to be back looking at the Bible again with you.

This week, we will be moving towards the end of Mark’s Gospel. We’ll spend most of our week focusing on Chapter 14, which marks the start of the Passion Narrative.

In today’s passage we read of the plot to kill Jesus which is immediately followed by a story, recorded by Mark, where Jesus is sat reclining in the house of a man called Simon – a leper. An outcast of society. Someone on the very edge of community. A place we so often find Jesus in these accounts of his life.

It’s in this surprising setting that we focus our attention for today. A woman appears with an incredibly expensive jar of ointment (probably worth the equivalent of 300 days wages for a labourer). And she takes this huge bottle of ointment and breaks it open and pours it over Jesus head.

Some of the disciples respond indignantly – they can’t get their head around what she’s done but Jesus turns to them and says this, reading verse 8:

‘She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare it for burial.’

She did what she could. There’s something for us in what Jesus is saying here. She did what she could. It was her choice. She decided to do it. Because of that, her actions challenge us as much today as they did then for those who actually witnessed this.

Let’s look at what she actually does. This woman, identified in both Matthew and John’s Gospel as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, takes all that she has. I mean it had to be basically all that she had – it was worth over 300 days wages. She takes this tremendous amount of ointment and she gives it all to Jesus – literally pours it over his head. Essentially, she’s taking all of her things of earthly value and giving them over to Jesus. In doing so, Mary shows us that what she really values is not these possessions of hers – the money she paid to buy the ointment, but Jesus, and having a personal connection with him. Her actions can be seen as worship – the act of giving worth to someone. She places value and worth in a relationship with Jesus.

Her actions challenged those who were in that room. Some present said it was a complete waste and should have been used to feed the poor but Jesus says, ‘She did a beautiful thing’. The original Greek word indicates that she did a ‘good’ deed. She took what the world around her placed importance on – money and also her reputation – what she did was an act of total submission – and she takes these things and puts them to one side in order to draw closer to Jesus. To be near him. To honour him. To know him more closely.

The reason it challenges those in the room, and in turn challenges us as we read this today, is that when we become a Christian – there is the constant battle going inside us.  When we choose to follow Jesus, we die to our old way of life and establish a new one with him. The things that previously mattered to us – money, reputation, our job, our exam results, our CV - become less important than our relationship with Jesus. The problem we all face is that the pull of the old life is so strong and so it’s a constant battle between the things of importance in our old life and the new life with Jesus. Mary’s actions are a declaration of her faith, and demonstrate her commitment to living this new life with Jesus. Jesus tells her that she has done a beautiful thing. She has done a good thing.

Our vision as a church this year is to ask others to ‘Join Us In Doing Good’.  The implication being that we are called to lead by example.  Mary did a good thing. So the question for us today should be:  How can I follow her example? Do I recognise this battle in me between the old and new life? What do I need to put to one side so that I can focus on my relationship with Jesus?

PRAYER

Jesus – thank you that in you we find new life – a new way of living! Help us to follow Mary’s example and recognise where we need to give over to you things that have become more important than our relationship with you. Jesus – help us to seek first your kingdom and place you at the centre of our day.

Amen.

Want to get this podcast regularly? See http://stthomascrookes.org/podcast/

READING: MARK 13:1-31

As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!’

‘Do you see all these great buildings?’ replied Jesus. ‘Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.’

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, ‘Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?’

Jesus said to them: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, “I am he,” and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth-pains.

‘You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

‘Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

‘When you see “the abomination that causes desolation” standing where it does not belong – let the reader understand – then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that this will not take place in winter, because those will be days of distress unequalled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now – and never to be equalled again.

‘If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. At that time if anyone says to you, “Look, here is the Messiah!” or, “Look, there he is!” do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. So be on your guard; I have told you everything in advance.

‘But in those days, following that distress,

‘“the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.”

‘At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

‘Now learn this lesson from the fig-tree: as soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

REFLECTION

Today’s reading speaks of the end times, Jesus’ second coming and the brutal times that will precede all of this.

Earthquakes, wars, rumours of wars, famine, nations rising against nations… Persecution, family betraying family and being put to death. From safe and secure Crookes we could easily think that this speaks of another time and another place… but all of this is happening around the world right now! There have been more people killed for their faith in the last 100 years than in the rest of history put together. There are people around the world today where this is their reality.

In the story in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus would soon be put to death for his faith. He would be buried and 3 days later he would be resurrected… he would live and breathe, he would be alive… no longer dead. John’s gospel makes the point that resurrection day is the first day of the new creation. At the moment of resurrection it ushered in a new period in the history of humanity… It began the redemption of the whole world. What was once dead and decaying began to come back to life. That which was broken began to be mended. That’s you and me and the rest of creation. There is still some way to go… it is still a work in progress… but we get to play our part.

You see we could be mistaken to think that the gospel is our golden ticket to heaven if only we cling on to the end we will escape this earth and head to heaven. As long as we have that ticket it doesn't matter what we do. But the gospel begins our transformation. And being part of God’s kingdom means we are part of changing the world. Receiving Jesus starts the process of our life and our relationships being sorted out.

The Bible tells us that when Jesus returns, that those who have died will be resurrected, the earth will be made new and heaven will come down and be present here on earth. Everything made new… abundant… full of life

As we wait for Jesus to return, we get to play our part. We are not longing to escape this earth but play a part in transforming it here and now.

With God, by his spirit, we all have a job to do, way beyond hanging on. We don’t have to put up with the way things are, we are to transform it with the love of Jesus. Not with weapons of war but by following the way of the cross. If we want to benefit from jesus' saving death we must become part of this Kingdom project.

We are to bring life to those in poverty, who are downtrodden and oppressed, to those who experience injustice and inequality. Jesus has defeated the evil one. Victory is secure, it is assured. The enemy will be pushed back.

This is the mission of the church, yes we are to recruit others into this kingdom project but the gospel is much more than simply saving souls from hell when they die.

Jesus will come again, he will finally bring the whole earth under his Kingship. He will rule with love and with Justice… and we get to play our part right NOW.

When he returns will he find faith on the earth? Will he find his people about his business? Be ready… be alert. Play your part in seeing God’s kingdom come here as it is in heaven!

Where does God want to use you today to bring change and transformation? What part has he asked you to play in his great kingdom project?

PRAYER

Father, thank you for Jesus. Thank you that he died for me, that I might live… really live a life of abundance. Thank you that I have experienced your love and that you are slowly changing and transforming my life and my brokenness. Thank you that I don’t have to wait to be fixed before you put me to work bringing that same abundance and freedom to those around me. Today I pray your kingdom come, your will be done in every situation that I face. Amen.

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READING: MARK 12:35-44

While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, ‘Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: “The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.’” David himself calls him “Lord”. How then can he be his son?’

The large crowd listened to him with delight.

As he taught, Jesus said, ‘Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the market-places, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.’

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few pence.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.’

REFLECTION

Good morning. A couple of tough questions at the start of the day:

● how much money do you give?

● Or how generous are you?

● How stressed are you about your finances?

● Do you have enough, not enough or more than enough?

● Do you give out of your riches or out of your poverty?

Jesus is going to war with us over our money. His teaching on money is right up there with

the most challenging things that Jesus has to say.

He tells the rich young ruler to sell everything and give it all away. It is easier for a camel to

fit through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Give to

anyone who asks you… The kingdom is like a treasure in a field, the man who found it

buried it, sold everything and bought the field…

What is Jesus talking about? Is this just about keeping the church going? Paying the vicar’s

salary? Is this about the profit and the success of the church? Does Jesus wants to make me feel guilty?

When we feel threatened or under attack, when we are made to feel guilty, many of us will

dig deep into our Christian heritage and play our 'get out of jail free' card. It goes something

like this: We are saved by grace, through faith. So… It’s all about grace, Jesus loves me,

there is nothing that I can do to make him love me more and there is nothing that I can do

that will make him love me less. We justify our position and lack of generosity. I simply push

that uneasy feeling back down inside me until the next time money is mentioned in church.

Or could it be that Jesus loves us? That he isn’t trying to make us feel guilty… Could it be

that he doesn’t want us to suffer, he doesn’t want us to be anxious, he doesn’t want us to

struggle…

Could it be that he is asking us, teaching us, training us to trust him. Here we are back at

Monday’s podcast… He wants us to trust him and money is THE biggest thing that holds us

back. Our reliance, our dependence on money is the single biggest rival for our time, energy

and focus. We seek first to have enough money so that we can afford and add everything

else we need. But this is so stressful...

Jesus knows where we struggle, the things that worry us, the things that make us anxious.

The things that our hearts are drawn to and ultimately the things that will prevent us from

following him with all of our lives… MONEY.

Jesus said “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other,

or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and

money.”

There once was a couple who had moved into a big house. It was a stretch financially but all

the way along they had felt God encouraging them to think bigger. They moved in and the

first few months were manageable… The wife was asked to cover a colleague's maternity

cover and so had 12 months of increased salary. The couple got pregnant and the husband

got worried. They saved some of the increase in salary but that still wasn’t going to be

enough.

And then the baby came.

The savings dropped rapidly. The anxiety rose sharply…

Then the financial projection showed that April the accounts would go from black to red and

the trouble would really begin. Did they get it wrong, had they not heard right. The house…

the baby… Did God want them back? The house they could sell… the baby… not so easy!

Then one day...mother's day, the husband bought flowers… he opened the door, stepped

over an envelope, put some water and the flowers in a vase and went back for the envelope…

£2000… cash… no note, no explanation…

The wife never returned to the high paying job… She didn’t have to. God was teaching them

that he would look after them… that they didn’t need to worry about money… that they

should never make decisions based on money but on what God was saying to them.

It was a lesson that the wife had been taught growing up… giving from her pocket money as

soon as she was given some. It was what the husband was still learning, but the fear was

lifting. The anxiety was shifting and he was beginning to feel free. They had always given to

church but that felt less of a burden now, they had the joy of giving to their friends when they

were in need. They have seen others give and be generous. They’ve witnessed the power of

giving on their non-Christian friends…

Jesus want us to be free… That will start with a small step… God wants your all, your

everything… he will teach you...if you let him.

PRAYER

Father. Thank you that you promise to look after your children. Help us to trust you with

everything that we have. Where we are fearful and anxious about giving over control give us

faith, help us to trust and lead us in your ways. Thank you that you want to set us free from

worry and stress. In Jesus' name. Amen

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READING: MARK 12:18-34

Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children. The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third. In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too. At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?’

Jesus replied, ‘Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. Now about the dead rising – have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!’

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’

‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these.’

‘Well said, teacher,’ the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’

When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

REFLECTION

Ok, ok… on Monday I said that at the heart of what God wants from us is for us to trust him.

Well, as this passage proves that’s not entirely true. God wants us to love him and love

others. In my defence, trust is a huge part of what it means to love someone. True, we are

told to love our enemies so that we might break through a cycle of mutual fear and

mistrust… but if we are consistent in our love, they might just learn that we are not a threat

and begin to trust us. Anyway. This is an aside.

If love is what God is after and trust is part of love… what other qualities, what other

elements or facets are there to this love that Jesus is talking about? After all, it is more

important that our religious offerings and things that we do ‘for’ God. The bible gives us a

few clues…

Think about someone you love… maybe your spouse, perhaps a child, maybe it’s a parent

or a trusted friend.

Towards that person I am patient, I am kind. I am not envious of their good fortune, to them I

do not need to boast, with them I am not proud. I would never dishonor them, I am not after

what I can get from our relationship, Towards that person I am not easily angered. I do not

keeps score, they owe me nothing. I will go out of my way to protect them, I trust them

implicitly, I always want the very best for them and I will never give up on them.

This of course is 1 Corinthians 13, made personal to our own relationships… It’s powerful

stuff isn’t it. It’s not just about the here and now either. As I read and reread these words I

am struck by how much of it looks to the future. It’s almost a vow or promise.

So what qualities are there to the love that God is after?

Patience… Friends don’t always get it right first time. There is a grace extended to them. I

know they will come good in the end.

Kindness… generous, considerate, warm, caring,

It does not boast , it is not proud… there is a sense that with them you have nothing to

prove. You can be yourself. You don’t need to wear a mask, you don’t need to pretend to be

someone that you are not.

Love does not dishonour… it brings honour, respect, esteem, it thinks well of, valued. You

are of utmost importance to me.

Not self-seeking - In fact it is self giving. Not what can I get but what can I give. Not how is

this person useful to me but what can I do for them? What would help them, what would

enable them.

Not easily angered - no, love is patient and kind. Gracious, forgiving. Perfect love, we read

in 1 john, casts out fear. There is no fear of punishment… just help!

I keep no record of wrong - or right! I don’t keep a list in my head, I did this for them… it’s

their turn. I am going to stop being nice until they are nice to me… there is no debt between

us no matter who gives… who receives… who messes up… who is hurt!

Always protects - uh huh!

Always trusts - Uh huh

Always Hopes - love always sees the potential, it pulls out the best from us. Knows that

there is more… Love gives courage… enables us to step out… it helps us grow.

Always Perseveres - I ain’t never giving up on you…Never, ever, no-way, no matter what. I

ain’t never giving up on you!

God doesn’t demand this kind of love from us… He loves us this way. God isn’t some big

bad boss who shouts LOVE ME! We are not waiting outside the headmaster's office waiting

to be called in and reprimanded for not being loving enough! NO! God loves us, he loves you

and me. With the qualities that I have outlined today.

This is a love that is unconditional love… This is a love that is self sacrificing (think Jesus!!).

This is a love that is powerful and transforming.

Being loved by God is HUGE… It is foundational to who we are… and it will spill out to those

around us. Love God…. BE LOVED BY God… don’t hold back, he’s ready and waiting. And

his love will change you. Practice loving others… being a friend… a true friend. Practice

loving your spouse… love those who you struggle with… those who don’t deserve it. After all,

that is exactly what God has done for us in Jesus.

Let me pray for us using Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians:

PRAYER

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in

your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that

you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s

holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to

know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the

fullness of God. Amen

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READING: MARK 12:1-17

Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: ‘A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall round it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed.

‘He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, “They will respect my son.”

‘But the tenants said to one another, “This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

‘What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes”?’

Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, ‘Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the poll-tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?’

But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. ‘Why are you trying to trap me?’ he asked. ‘Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.’ They brought the coin, and he asked them, ‘Whose image is this? And whose inscription?’

‘Caesar’s,’ they replied.

Then Jesus said to them, ‘Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.’

And they were amazed at him.

REFLECTION

There is a good friend of mine who I have known for a good number of years who is not a

Christian. We have talked and talked about faith, about God, about Jesus. We have spent

hours putting the world to rights, diagnosing the world’s problems and offering solutions. On

many topics we share the same opinions… his attitude at many points overlaps with Jesus’

teaching. We agree on so much, he is one of those, ‘very-nearly-a-christian-oh-why-don’t-you-get-it-give-your-life-to-Jesus-you-would-be-such-an-asset-to-the-kingdom’ people. His sticking point? What stops him from taking the plunge?

Well he is a sharp guy… he cannot bring himself to give over control to God. He is strong,

independent and determined. He needs to be in charge, he needs to call the shots.

If we are honest, in many ways we are just like him, perhaps just not quite so honest!

We live in a society that champions the individual. Its about MY rights, MY freedoms, MY

desires, MY choices, MY money, MY career, MY family, MY MY MY!

The story that Jesus tells today is of God’s vineyard… he planted it, he built the walls, he

dug the winepress, he built the watch tower. It is his. He appointed some tenants to work it…

but they get to thinking that it is theirs. They don’t owe anyone anything. They have taken

over, they have taken control… the vineyard - that’s MINE. The fruit - that’s MINE. The wine

- that’s MINE. I own it, I don’t need you. I can do it on my own, thank you very much!

When at last God sends his son… when the son asks for what is his, they reject him… they

kill him to ensure that what they already claim to be theirs, remains theirs forever. Alas, God

more powerful than they could possibly imagine. He still has the deeds. He can give his

vineyard to whoever he wants…

Who gets to tell you what to do? Who’s opinion do you value more than your own? When

you need advice where do you turn? How do you spend the wages that you earn from your

own vineyard: the job that God has provided you with?

THE answer is Jesus… We read his words and we try to live them out, we hear a

challenging talk on Sunday and we respond to the challenge by making a change to the way

that we live our lives. Little by little we allow God to teach us and train us how we should live.

As we trust him, as we listen to his words and put them into practice, that inner trust affects

everything. EVERYTHING!

The great paradox in the Christian life is that we find the greatest freedom when we give

ourselves completely to God. Like a child, safe and secure, we get to play and learn without

worry or fear. We have a dad who will fix it. Whatever comes our way. When we give up

trying to do life our way and embrace God’s way we find peace, joy, hope and that love that

drives out all fear.

What do you need to give up control of today? What is the first step that you can take?

PRAYER

Father, thank you that you are trustworthy. That we can trust you with our whole life. With

our family, our finances, with our futures. We know that it will not be easy, giving up control

never is. Help us to trust you, teach us how to live, how to really live. With you as our dad we

know that we should fear nothing… help us overcome our fears and trust you. Amen

Want to get this podcast regularly? See http://stthomascrookes.org/podcast/

READING: MARK 11:20-33

In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig-tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig-tree you cursed has withered!’

‘Have faith in God,’ Jesus answered. ‘Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, “Go, throw yourself into the sea,” and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.’

They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. ‘By what authority are you doing these things?’ they asked. ‘And who gave you authority to do this?’

Jesus replied, ‘I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism – was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!’

They discussed it among themselves and said, ‘If we say, “From heaven,” he will ask, “Then why didn’t you believe him?” But if we say, “Of human origin” . . .’ (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)

So they answered Jesus, ‘We don’t know.’

Jesus said, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’

REFLECTION

What does God want from us? If you could name just one thing what would it be? Worship?

Relationship? Love God, love others? Respect? Or maybe you might recall Micah the

prophet's words… To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God… All

these things are good, and right but I want to suggest is that at the heart of all that God

wants from us is Trust… (another word for faith). At the heart of any good relationship is

trust. As a dad, I want my kids to trust me. Trust that I love them and want the best for them.

Trust that when I ask them to do something that I might know a thing or two. Trust that if they

tell me of their problems I will listen, trust that when they have done wrong that I will seek to

nurture them and help them to put things right… not crush them with my anger, condemn

them and punish them and cause them to fear me.

My relationship with Helen my wife is built on trust. I trust her with who I am… I can be open,

honest and vulnerable with her. I trust her judgement. I trust her with our finances, I trust her

with our kids, I trust her advice…

Trust is fundamental to any relationship. Without Trust there is only fear and suspicion.

Without trust I have yet another person that I have to protect myself from. Another person

adding to my anxiety and fear and another great unknown in my life… Without trust I find

myself making contracts in my head… if they give a little then I will give a little… this is what

I expect from you… this is what you can expect from me.

God wants us to trust him. To trust him that he knows what he is doing. To trust him that he

is good, that he is loving, that he is kind, that he is patient. He wants us to trust that he

knows a thing or two about us and what is best for us. That he knows about relationships,

that he knows about love, abundance, beauty, transformation. About raising families, about

our work, about what is best for us…

Here in the passage we see Jesus curse a fig tree. It withers. It dies. What has this got to do

with trust?

The fig tree is a symbol of the Israelite nation (have a look at Isaiah 5). Jesus tells a parable

about a fig tree in Luke 13:6-9 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in

his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man

who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this

fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ “ ‘Sir,’ the man

replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit

next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’ ”

Fig trees take a long time to nurture into bearing fruit. Jesus is using this picture to show

God’s care of Israel. I have tended you, I have looked after you, I have shown that I am

faithful, that I can be trusted. I have loved you when you have done the right thing and I have

loved you when you have done wrong. I have loved you when you have placed your trust in

other nations, I have loved you when you have worshipped other Gods. I have done

everything and more to make you into the people that I long for you to be. When people see

you they should get a glimpse of me, people that reflect my love, who are honest, and

trustworthy, who are just, and fair, who put others first, who reflect my character and

nature…

Jesus looks for fruit on the fig tree… he finds none. Those he came to save have rejected

him.. Soon, at the end of the week, they will call for his death. They will reject the one they

claim to serve.

For Israel, this is the day of reckoning. This is the day of the Lord. This is when their lives will

be weighed on the scales and they will be found wanting. They refused his love, they

refused to trust, through their own choices and priorities they wandered away…

Today I ask simply… do you trust him? Do you trust what he says about relationships? Do

you trust what he says about money? Do you trust what he says about serving others? Do

you trust what he says about forgiveness? Do you trust what he says about loving your

enemies? Do you trust him? And if the answer to these questions is a resounding yes… then

where is he calling you to trust him more?

PRAYER

Father, thank you that you love us. That Jesus has taken away our sin and opened up your

home to us. Thank you Father that little by little you are teaching us to trust. We know that if

we ask for help that you will help us. We know it won't be easy but if we hold on tight, if we

keep our eyes fixed on you, you will help us to overcome all of our fears and anxieties as we

learn to trust you. Help us today we pray. Amen.

Want to get this podcast regularly? See http://stthomascrookes.org/podcast/