Recently I read one of those increasingly ubiquitous homilies that urges its readers to let go of anything in their lives that makes them unhappy or causes them distress.
But despite its no doubt good intentions, such advice is surely only sometimes sound. Because some things are more important than our individual happiness or our own avoidance of pain and it is only those things that don’t much matter that we should look to let go of.
For the things that do matter, like the love we have for those who sometimes cause us grief, it’s important to hold on – no matter how hard it is to sometimes get a grip.
Because letting go means we’ve given up hope – and giving up hope only leads to despair.
And therein lies the answer to what we should and shouldn’t let go of. Let us by all means give up the things that lead us to hope for what we shouldn’t, like the anger we feel towards someone that causes us to want revenge. But let us never give up on the things that cause us to hope for things we should desire, things like forgiveness, reconciliation and love.
Some things aren’t ever meant to end – and ultimately it’s harder to give up such things than it is to hold onto them forever, irrespective of how painful the associated hope might be to live with.
Some people say that we need to stop allowing ourselves to be controlled by what seems now to be over. But what if we allowed those things to shape us into better people – people who bring peace, healing and new beginnings.
Because that’s what pain and suffering can sometimes do.
Rather than pain and suffering being things that must, at all costs be removed from our lives therefore, perhaps instead we need to welcome them in to our lives as our teachers, firm and fair though they may be – just as all good teachers are.
Because letting go of what hurts us, though more comfortable perhaps in the short term, ultimately only diminishes us, makes us shallow and superficial, and ultimately will only make us more unhappy.
When we let go, we give up and in so doing deny ourselves the chance to grow, deny ourselves the chance to forgive, and deny ourselves to become stronger as a result.
Holding on isn’t easy of course – nor is it for the short term. Even so we need to decide to hold on – day after day after day.
And that’s okay.
Because in the end, we will feel better. And one day, the one we held on for might just be thankful for how we never let them go.
Just as I am grateful to the one who always held on, and never lets go of me.
‘The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning: great is his faithfulness’ [Lamentations 3:22-23]
Related posts:
To read “Hope comes from believing the promises of God”, click here
To read ‘What becomes of the broken hearted? Sorrowful yet always rejoicing on Palm Sunday’, click here
To read ‘Why do bad things happen to good people? Sorrowful yet always rejoicing on Good Friday’, click here
To read ‘Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things? Rejoicing, though temporarily sorrowful, on Easter Day’, click here.
The following are two items posted on Somerset’s Official Facebook Page.
April 27th 2025
Up until about eighteen months ago I worked as a doctor and came into contact with those with terminal cancer, advanced dementia and major mental illness. More recently I have worked for a a charity that supports those who, amongst others, are living in Ukraine and are currently forced to cope with daily missile attacks from their Russian aggressors.
As such, today’s performance by Somerset, though disappointing, and all the more so given it was against Surrey, was not a disaster. Nobody died, nobody lost a limb and nobody lost either their home or a loved one. In fact, apart from a game of cricket, nobody lost anything.
There are then, far more important things than cricket, and what we do for fun doesn’t always have to be accompanied by success.
Which is perhaps worth remembering before pouring scorn on those we are privileged to watch for our entertainment.
Because, as for me, whilst watching Somerset play is inevitably more enjoyable when every member of the team is performing as well as we know they all can, it remains the case that, even on days like today when their performance has admittedly been well below par, there is no other team I’d rather go and see.
Somerset supporters differ in all sorts of ways, but what all of us have in common is a desire to see the team do well. We all share in the hope of one day seeing the team win the championship but importantly, our support is not dependent on that success being realised. As genuine supporters we commit to supporting the team through thick and thin. Sometimes, therefore, we will be lifted up together, and sometimes we will be deflated together – when an individual player does well, we will share a little of their pleasure, and when another player fails, we will share a little of their disappointment.
Whilst we will always be passionate, we’ll never be unkind, or take delight when players underperform – and neither will we cease to get behind them when they need our support the most.
And so at the risk of repeating myself, let me say it again. As a Somerset supporter I will continue to support the team that for 48 years has given me a great deal of pleasure – as indeed did Migael Pretorius and Louis Gregory with their enjoyable 79 run partnership today.
And as one who wouldn’t make it from the dressing room to the middle without tripping over my cricket pads, I’ll leave any criticism of individual players, all of whom I’m sure are trying their hardest, to those who know rather more about batting technique than I do. No doubt the coaching staff will have things to say to the players, but I trust that any criticism they do have will be more constructive than simply dismissing the team as a bunch of no hopers.
Which is most definitely not the case – being as they are, in large measure, the same players that beat Surrey by dismissing them for 10 runs less than Somerset scored today in the last innings of that thrilling game last September which left them with a chance of winning the 2024 four day trophy.
Furthermore, on days like today we need to offer a little encouragement to the team as we look to boost their individual and collective confidence, rather than undermining it still further by endeavouring to hang them out to dry.
So come on Somerset. Over the years there have been many ups and downs, but you have always been terrific to watch. And so, whether it’s in person or whether it’s from a distance, we’ll never stop supporting you and will be rooting for you wherever, and whenever, you take to the field.
Next up, Essex at home – and I for one can’t wait!
May 6th 2025
Over the last week, Somerset’s fortunes have changed markedly – but some things have remained the same.
Because for some, just as it was after the disappointing defeat against Surrey, life has been just as difficult following an exhilarating win over Essex. Indeed, over the last seven days Ukraine has seen far too many Russian missiles hit their target and some Somerset fans, having experienced the agonies of the loss at the Oval have, for all kinds of unfortunate reasons, been rendered unable to enjoy thIs weekend’s heroics at the county ground in Taunton.
And something else that hasn’t changed is the hurtful criticism that is posted in this group that goes beyond thoughtful comment on what’s taken place and descends so far into personal abuse that it is noticed by opposition supporters with dismay. It’s often said that Somerset have the best supporters in the country, and I like to think that’s true – but I wonder sometimes if we might not also have the worst.
But whilst sovereignty isn’t determined by power, merit isn’t determined by personal circumstances, and truth isn’t determined by popularity, it is nonetheless heartening to note that the most spiteful comments made here are those that are liked least. Indeed, on more than one occasion, in their presumed desperation to have somebody affirm their vitriolic point of view, I have noticed that the author has tellingly had to resort to liking their own post!
What these individuals fail to understand is that cricket is important precisely because of its unimportance – just as all sport is. Its value comes, not only from being something that, because of its joyous irrelevance, we can enjoy in times of serious sadness, but also because it allows us to ‘meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same.’ Namely with grace. Furthermore, because it’s true that we are free to comment in whatever way we choose, it means we are also free not to – that is to say we are free to refrain from unkind comments and seek only to encourage instead.
As was the case with my post following the Surrey game, there may be those who, considering my words to be nonsense, feel inclined to tell me so – though if they do it’s likely they will once again chose a less polite word to do so. But that’s okay, because neither what I or they say really matters.
Because, whilst as yesterday proved, cricket is a wonderful, wonderful game – it is at the close of play just that – a game. And what is said about it is even less important than what takes place on the field.
Glorious though every vital, and trivial, moment was!
Other cricket related posts:
To read ‘I Spy Somerset’s 150th Anniversary Season’, click heee
The following are two items posted on Somerset’s Official Facebook Page.
April 27th 2025
Up until about eighteen months ago I worked as a doctor and came into contact with those with terminal cancer, advanced dementia and major mental illness. More recently I have worked for a a charity that supports those who, amongst others, are living in Ukraine and are currently forced to cope with daily missile attacks from their Russian aggressors.
As such, today’s performance by Somerset, though disappointing, and all the more so given it was against Surrey, was not a disaster. Nobody died, nobody lost a limb and nobody lost either their home or a loved one. In fact, apart from a game of cricket, nobody lost anything.
There are then, far more important things than cricket, and what we do for fun doesn’t always have to be accompanied by success.
Which is perhaps worth remembering before pouring scorn on those we are privileged to watch for our entertainment.
Because, as for me, whilst watching Somerset play is inevitably more enjoyable when every member of the team is performing as well as we know they all can, it remains the case that, even on days like today when their performance has admittedly been well below par, there is no other team I’d rather go and see.
Somerset supporters differ in all sorts of ways, but what all of us have in common is a desire to see the team do well. We all share in the hope of one day seeing the team win the championship but importantly, our support is not dependent on that success being realised. As genuine supporters we commit to supporting the team through thick and thin. Sometimes, therefore, we will be lifted up together, and sometimes we will be deflated together – when an individual player does well, we will share a little of their pleasure, and when another player fails, we will share a little of their disappointment.
Whilst we will always be passionate, we’ll never be unkind, or take delight when players underperform – and neither will we cease to get behind them when they need our support the most.
And so at the risk of repeating myself, let me say it again. As a Somerset supporter I will continue to support the team that for 48 years has given me a great deal of pleasure – as indeed did Migael Pretorius and Louis Gregory with their enjoyable 79 run partnership today.
And as one who wouldn’t make it from the dressing room to the middle without tripping over my cricket pads, I’ll leave any criticism of individual players, all of whom I’m sure are trying their hardest, to those who know rather more about batting technique than I do. No doubt the coaching staff will have things to say to the players, but I trust that any criticism they do have will be more constructive than simply dismissing the team as a bunch of no hopers.
Which is most definitely not the case – being as they are, in large measure, the same players that beat Surrey by dismissing them for 10 runs less than Somerset scored today in the last innings of that thrilling game last September which left them with a chance of winning the 2024 four day trophy.
Furthermore, on days like today we need to offer a little encouragement to the team as we look to boost their individual and collective confidence, rather than undermining it still further by endeavouring to hang them out to dry.
So come on Somerset. Over the years there have been many ups and downs, but you have always been terrific to watch. And so, whether it’s in person or whether it’s from a distance, we’ll never stop supporting you and will be rooting for you wherever, and whenever, you take to the field.
Next up, Essex at home – and I for one can’t wait!
May 6th 2025
Over the last week, Somerset’s fortunes have changed markedly – but some things have remained the same.
Because for some, just as it was after the disappointing defeat against Surrey, life has been just as difficult following an exhilarating win over Essex. Indeed, over the last seven days Ukraine has seen far too many Russian missiles hit their target and some Somerset fans, having experienced the agonies of the loss at the Oval have, for all kinds of unfortunate reasons, been rendered unable to enjoy thIs weekend’s heroics at the county ground in Taunton.
And something else that hasn’t changed is the hurtful criticism that is posted in this group that goes beyond thoughtful comment on what’s taken place and descends so far into personal abuse that it is noticed by opposition supporters with dismay. It’s often said that Somerset have the best supporters in the country, and I like to think that’s true – but I wonder sometimes if we might not also have the worst.
And though. just as sovereignty isn’t determined by force and worth isn’t determined by personal circumstances, truth isn’t determined by popularity, it is nonetheless heartening to note that the most spiteful comments made here are those that are liked least. Indeed, on more than one occasion, in their presumed desperation to have somebody affirm their vitriolic point of view, I have noticed that the author has tellingly had to resort to liking their own post!
What these individuals fail to understand is that cricket is important precisely because of its unimportance – just as all sport is. Its value comes, not only from being something that, because of its joyous irrelevance, we can enjoy in times of serious sadness, but also because it allows us to ‘meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same.’ Namely with grace. Furthermore, because it’s true that we are free to comment in whatever way we choose, it means we are also free not to – that is to say we are free to refrain from unkind comments and seek only to encourage instead.
As was the case with my post following the Surrey game, there may be those who, considering my words to be nonsense, feel inclined to tell me so – though if they do it’s likely they will once again chose a less polite word to do so. But that’s okay, because neither what I or they say really matters.
Because, whilst as yesterday proved, cricket is a wonderful, wonderful game – it is at the close of play just that – a game. And what is said about it is even less important than what takes place on the field.
Glorious though every vital, and trivial, moment was!
Other cricket related posts:
This season:
To read ‘I Spy Somerset’s 150th Anniversary Season’, click here
‘There’s a lullaby for suffering, And a paradox to blame, But it’s written in the scriptures, And it’s not some idle claim’ Leonard Cohen
‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life’. Jesus Christ [John 12:24-25]
As the war in Ukraine continues to rage, and talk of peace is accompanied only by seemingly more intensive attacks by the Russian aggressors, there are no doubt many in that country who understandably fear for their life. For them there is no guarantee that they will make it though another day alive.
Which is, of course, something that is true for all of us, even if, in our relatively peaceful circumstances, we manage to kid ourselves otherwise. But whilst I am conscious that today really could be my last, I am also concerned that I have not yet died enough.
One of the things that has become apparent over the last few months is that we all, myself included, have an opinion as to how the current crisis can best be resolved. And we’re all too happy to voice that opinion. Why is that I wonder?
Perhaps it is because we have a need to think that we’re in control, that there is something that we can do about the problems that we face. Some of us may be comforted into thinking that everything will be a OK by believing that world leaders and their advisors know what they are doing, but others of us are less sure and instead draw comfort by believing that we know what needs to be done and that, if we shout it loudly enough, somebody will hear and implement our sage advice.
But what if that wasn’t the case? What if there really was nothing that we could do? What if we really were helpless? What then? Might we have to look elsewhere for our comfort?
A while back I worked my way through a book entitled ‘On being a theologian of the cross’ which takes a look at Martin Luther’s 1518 Heidelberg Disputation. If that sounds rather heavy, that’ll be because it is! Even so, it really is quite brilliant. Here’s what I understand the one time German monk to have said.
God is who he is. And we need to understand him in relation to who he has revealed himself to be rather than on the basis of how we would like him to be. Because the two are often very different.
Luther sees the cross as central to Christianity. He calls it God’s ‘alien work’, an attack on sin which, since our aspirations are as fallen as the rest of us is, at the same time, an attack on who we are in our fallen state. In short, our desires are not what they ought to be and, consequently, those things that we want, and which we might expect God to be pleased to deliver, may not necessarily be what God wants.
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ, that wholly unexpected event in history, is central to God’s revelation of himself. At the cross, we see him manifesting his glory, paradoxically through suffering and death. Luther calls those who understand God in these terms, ‘theologians of the cross’. They are, he says, those who see God as he really is.
Luther also had a name for those who, along with the world, see the crucifixion of Jesus as foolishness. He calls then ‘Theologians of Glory’. They are those who consider the cross to be ‘folly’ [1 Corinthians 1:23]. As a result of their fallen nature, they not only glory in the same things that the world glories in, but imagine that God glories in those things too.
But when we expect God to act in the way that we want him to, when we expect him to want for us what we want for ourselves, we are, in fact, creating for ourselves a God in our own image. In so doing we are usurping the ‘God who is there’ and seeking to place ourselves on his throne.
God, however, is God. He is who he wills to be. His ways are higher than ours, as are his thoughts. [Isaiah 55:9] and, as such, his greatness is unsearchable’ [Psalm 145:3], and ‘the thunder of his power’ is not something that, of ourselves, we can understand?’ [Job 26:14].
Which is why God often works in ways that surprise us, in ways that we would not choose. Indeed, as he did at Calvary, God sometimes sees fit to work through pain and suffering and so, just as it was through the cross that he most fully revealed himself to the world, we must be prepared for Him to still use pain and suffering as the means by which he reveals himself to us today.
However, because of our fallen nature, we are all, by default, theologians of glory. And because we can not be what we are not, it is impossible for us to see God for who he really is without him breaking into our lives and changing who we are.
As theologians of glory, those who think as the world does in terms of performance and reward, we find it impossible to understand what was achieved through the death of Jesus on the cross. And so, rather than being the recipients of the grace and mercy that was poured out there, we instead keep on trying to merit God’s approval. We like to think that, somewhere deep within us, there is a kernel of goodness that might allow us to do something that would impress God enough to earn his favour. We comfort ourselves by imagining that if we try just a little bit harder, we might, by our efforts, make progress in our search for his acceptance.
But what if that wasn’t the case? What if there really was nothing that we could do? What if we really were helpless? What then? Might we have to look elsewhere for our comfort?
Luther is convinced that in our fallen state we really are helpless. There really is nothing we can do to change. Everything about us is flawed and, as has already be stated, our default position is such that we are all, myself included, theologians of glory. Indeed, this inherent tendency in me was made apparent when in an earlier draft of this blog, I initially wrote of how I needed to ‘allow’ God to be God! ‘Allow’? Really? What pretension on my part to think God needs permission from me to be who he is!
Not only then do theologians of glory imagine that God wants for us what we want for ourselves, that he will provide our best life now, a life characterised by health, wealth and prosperity, they also believe that we are inherently worthy of God’s love and that we can, by an effort of the will prove ourselves to be so.
But they are wrong – and we can’t.
In fact, according to Luther, a belief that we can earn God’s favour in our own strength is a sin in itself – one that only worsens our situation still further. Because, by maintaining that by keeping the law we can make ourselves any more acceptable to God, we deny the need for his grace and, as a result, compound our guilt.
The first thesis of Luther’s disputation states that: ‘The law of God, the most salutary doctrine of life, cannot advance humans on their way to righteousness, but rather hinders them’. This is wholly in keeping with the apostle Paul when he writes that ‘by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.’ [Romans 3:20]
Our problem then is far greater than we would like to imagine.
It’s not merely that we need to try harder – rather it is that the task is too hard.
It’s not merely that we need to think more highly of others – rather it is that we need to think less highly of ourselves
It’s not merely that we need to humble ourselves – rather it is that we need to be humbled.
God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble [James 4:6]. But it is only when we come to despair completely in the effectiveness of our own efforts that we are able to receive the grace that God is so eager to pour out on us. And to be brought to this point, to be humbled so completely, our old selves need to die. That is why, as I said above, my concern is that I have not yet died enough.
Theologians of glory think as the world thinks, they stress our worth and minimise the necessity of the cross. They see the crucifixion as merely a demonstration of God’s love for us rather than the bloody sacrifice that was required for our salvation.
In contrast, theologians of the cross see things as they really are. They acknowledge our inherent sinfulness – and the perilous danger that we are in if we fail to appreciate this reality. Furthermore, they accept that God, just as he did 2000 years ago, through the means of cruel nails and a bloody cross, still sometimes works to bring about his purposes in ways that are incomprehensible to the world.
Sometimes he works through heartache and sorrow,
Sometimes he works through pain and suffering.
And sometimes, perhaps, he may even work through a war in Eastern Europe – one that, though we must, nonetheless, pray for it to come to an end, may yet have to sadly accept that it needs to continue a while longer rather than being brought to an unjust and temporary end by peace deals that seemingly have more to do with the personal interests of those who try to broker them than what is actually right and wrong.
Along with Bob Dylan, my favourite musician is Leonard Cohen. Following his death some years ago I wrote a short blog after I came across something interesting he had said in response to being asked why so many of his songs had a melancholic feel to them. If you’re so minded you can read that blog here, but this is what he said:
‘We all love a sad song. Everybody has experienced the defeat of their lives. Nobody has a life that worked out the way they wanted it to. We all begin as the hero of our own dramas in centre stage and inevitably life moves us out of centre stage, defeats the hero, overturns the plot and the strategy and we’re left on the side-lines wondering why we no longer have a part – or want a part – in the whole…thing. Everybody’s experienced this, and when it’s presented to us sweetly, the feeling moves from heart to heart and we feel less isolated and we feel part of the great human chain which is really involved with the recognition of defeat’.
Cohen, then, is speaking here like a theologian of the cross, one who acknowledges the normality of sadness and appreciates how life is about ‘the recognition of defeat’.
But here’s the thing. Is there, I wonder, a joy to be had in being conquered by someone who is greater than ourselves, one who is worthy of our admiration and in whom we can delight?
I think there is.
By seeking satisfaction in ourselves, scripture tells us that we ‘have committed two evils: [we] have forsaken [God], the fountain of living waters, and hewn out cisterns for [ourselves], broken cisterns that can hold no water.’ [Jeremiah 2:13]. There is though, real refreshment to be had in the contentment that comes from no longer having to win, a relief that comes from having the burden of being a success lifted, a real pleasure that flows from admiring, not ourselves, but the God who really can satisfy our souls.
I believe that to be conquered by God is, therefore, something that would be good for us all. It would most certainly be good for me.
And so, when life is difficult, as it sometimes is, for me as well as others, and when I am tempted to wonder where God might be, I need to think more like a theologian of the cross, one who sees God working through the pain and sadness. Because as he does so he is breaking my fragile dependence on myself in order that I might depend securely on him, lessening my unsatisfying obsession with myself in order that I might be fully satisfied in him, and lovingly putting me to death in order that I might one day rise again in Christ.
So then, perhaps it is when our difficulties seem to be genuinely overwhelming that it is time for us to believe that ‘this light momentary affliction [really] is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look, not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal’ [2 Corinthians 4:17-18].
Only as God lovingly brings us to the point of surrender will we find real comfort in ‘the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God’ [2 Corinthians 1:3-4]
But as these verses continue, we see again the paradoxical nature of the God who refuses to conform to worldly expectations. For it is not only that God comforts us in our suffering because it is as we suffer that we are comforted and able to comfort others who, as they themselves suffer, are themselves comforted too.
Having started with a statement on the inability of man to contribute anything to their salvation, Luther completes the Heidelberg Disputation with words which are, again, totally contrary to how the world thinks. This is what he says: ‘The love of God does not first discover but creates what is pleasing to it. The love of man comes into being through attraction to what pleases it.’
And here too is real comfort.
Because, whilst our love is only ever a response to what we find lovely, God’s love originates within himself. Which means he loves us, not because we are lovely, but because he is both loving and the one who is love [John 4:8]. Furthermore God loves us in order to make us lovely.
So then, though we can not do anything to warrant it in and of ourselves, God, through the foolishness of the cross, through the pain, suffering and death experienced both there and in our lives, does everything necessary to make us how we were always meant to be. He does everything necessary for our salvation including all that is required to make us humble enough to accept it.
And, because he loves us, he does it regardless of how painful it might seem to us at the time.
‘For the Lord disciplines the one he loves…he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.’ [Hebrews 12:6,10-11]
‘Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!’ [Romans 11:33]
God is a theologian of the cross.
‘[He] is God and there is no other; [he] is God there is none like [him]’ [Isaiah 46:9]
‘[He] kill[s] and [He] make[s] alive; [He] wound[s] and [He] heal[s]; and there is none that can deliver out of [his] hand’ [Deuteronomy 32:39]
Oh that we might know and be known by the one true God, the God who is like no other. Oh that he would wound us that we might be healed – that he would kill us that we would be made alive. Oh that we might be forever in his hands.
And oh that He would do everything necessary to make us true theologians of the cross, even if, in order to make us ‘rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead’ it makes us feel, like Paul, that we ‘had received the sentence of death’ [2 Corinthians 1:9].
Jesus said ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.’ [Mark 8:34-35].
It is my prayer therefore that I might be brought to the point whereby I know what it is to follow Jesus in the way that he calls me too. And that I might know what it is, by the Spirit, to put to death the deeds of the body and thereby live. [Romans 8:13]
Because, though ‘to live is Christ…to die is gain’ [Philippians 1:21]. It is my earnest belief that God will raise me from death and it is only then that I ‘shall see him as he is’, it is only then that I ‘shall be like [Jesus]’ [1 John 3:2], and it is only then that I will know the full joy of of being with him forever. [Luke 23:43].
So now, ‘to him who is able’, sometimes by trials or tribulations and sometimes by death or disease, ‘to keep [us] from stumbling and to present [us] blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time, and now, and forever. Amen’ [Jude 1:24-25].
The idea that God exists primarily for our benefit is nothing new, so I suppose we shouldn’t be too surprised when, in his Easter message, Donald Trump stated how he believes that God will make America prosperous.
But those who believe in a health, wealth and prosperity gospel are making a big mistake – because prosperity is no more a sign of God’s love for a nation as personal wealth or good health is a sign of God’s love for an individual.
For whilst God is sometimes pleased to provide for us in these ways, so might his allowing us to experience suffering in our lives be a manifestation of his amazing grace too.
I’ve written previously about how it was because of his great love for Lazarus, Mary and Martha, that Jesus allowed Lazarus to die by not rushing to his aid when he knew his friend was dead [John 11: 5-6], but rather than refering again to that example of how God sometimes moves in mysterious ways, I’d like to consider something that Jesus said to the apostle Peter after his resurrection.
Before Jesus was arrested, Peter thought he was strong and insisted that, unlike all the other disciples, Jesus was wrong when he predicted that he would fall away. But despite his protestations that he was willing even to die for Jesus, when push came to shove, Peter did exactly what Jesus had said he would and denied him three times.
But for Peter, who was genuinely remorseful for letting Jesus down, it wasn’t the end. A few days after his resurrection Jesus appeared to Peter and asked him three times whether he loved him. And each time Peter said that he did.
But whilst his repeated affirmations of his love for Jesus might be seen as an opportunity for Peter to atone for each of his previous failures, it was of course, Jesus’ death that had already done that. And it was a result of recognising this that Peter was able to answer Jesus’s questions in the way that he did. It was by appreciating how much he’d been forgiven, that enabled Peter to love Jesus more than he had previously for, as Jesus had previously taught, it is those who are forgiven much, that love much.
But I’m not saying here that Peter now loved Jesus perfectly. Not at all, for if you read the book of Acts you’ll see how Peter continues to sometimes fall short of how he ought to behave. Even so, at this particular moment, I think Peter had more genuine love for Jesus than he had ever had before.
Jesus’ repeated questioning of Peter does suggest however that he wanted to deal with the elephant in the room, or in this case on the beach. Jesus wanted to let his troubled disciple know that he didn’t hold his repeated denials against him. Furthermore, his subsequent commissioning of Peter to take care of those who would follow Jesus, is as wonderfully reassuring for us as it must have been for Peter, indicating as it does that, however great our mistakes, Jesus never gives up on us and that he still has a role for us in his kingdom.
Rather than despising the weak and marginalised, the poor and those who sometimes fail, Jesus is one who does not break a bruised reed or quench a smouldering wick. [isaiah 42:3; Matthew 12:20].
But there was more that Jesus wanted to say to Peter. And though Peter would have been shocked to hear what Jesus said next, I believe Jesus was nonetheless continuing to be gracious to him. This is what he said.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” [John 21:18-19]
These are enigmatic words but the gospel writer helpfully explains that Jesus said this to show by what kind of death Peter was to glorify God.
Jesus is therefore informing Peter that he would one day be crucified, supposedly upside down, for being one of his followers, something which, on the face of it, does not sound like good news. But think again.
Having just denied Jesus three times, Peter now realises that his faith is not as strong as he thought it was. But in much the same way as he’d told Peter he’d deny him, Jesus now tells him that one day his faith won’t fail and he will one day die for what he believes.
Which whilst troubling for Peter to hear would, at the same time, have been an incredibly reassuring thing for Peter know as it would confirm to him that he would not abandon his faith in the future.
All of which led me to consider how I want to die. Because whilst it might be nice to die peacefully at home in advanced old age, untroubled by too many of the inevitable consequences of being elderly, that’s not necessarily how I want to die. Because whilst, were I able to, I’d opt to slip away peacefully in my sleep, that’s not ultimately what is most important to me.
And neither do I consider it my goal to die with a healthy bank balance or in a perfectly presented home. For if I die in such comfortable conditions, how will I know that any faith I may then have in God is genuine? How, if it has not been suitably tested, will I know that my faith is real, and not merely the consequence of my favourable circumstances?
And so, since, as I die, it will be knowing for sure where I’m going that will comfort me, I now consider that, whilst it is not something I would actively seek out, were God to decide that my death will be both long drawn out and painful, then that would not necessarily be a bad thing.
Because more than dying peacefully, I want to die at peace – with God.
I want to die believing.
All of which reveals the health, wealth and prosperity gospel to be a false gospel, and those who pedal such nonsense to be liars. Health, wealth and prosperity are not necessarily what God wants for us in this life because faith in him is far more precious than any of these things.
Far then from seeing financial security and an absence of illness as a sign of God’s blessing, it may be that, along with anything else that distracts us from the real source of infinite and eternal joy, we’d be better off without them.
Which is not to say to say we should pursue poverty and pain is some masochistic misunderstanding of what it is to be a true Christian. But if, having been called to take up our cross and follow Jesus, we end up being crucified, literally as Peter was, or, as is more likely perhaps, more figuratively, then we should not be too surprised.
Furthermore we can take heart, rejoice even, in such circumstances because, as Peter himself once wrote:
‘In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. [1 Peter 1:6-9]
But the circumstances of my death are not ultimately for me to decide. Whilst I may be given the option of declining treatment, I can no more opt to die of cancer rather a coronary than I have the right to set the day of my death. It is for God to determine these things not me. But whether I end my life wealthy or in relative want, in pain or peacefully at home, I believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me [Philippians 4:13]
Furthermore, should God be pleased to grant me faith in him until my dying day, it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that, with full courage now as always, Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
For to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [Philippians 1:20-21].
The gospel accounts of resurrection day record a number of things that Jesus said having been raised from the dead. Included are these words, found in John 20:19 where Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Peace be with you’.
Now the word ‘peace’ can be used in at least a couple of ways. The first is to convey a sense of calm and an absence of anxiety. And it seems entirely likely that Jesus would have wanted to reassure the disciples, as they would undoubtedly have been at least a little taken aback when the one they had supposed was dead appeared to them in what was, after all, a locked room.
And we know from elsewhere in the Bible that Jesus is all about calming fears and relieving anxiety. Previously he had told his disciples not to worry about their lives because their Father in heaven was aware of their needs and he would surely take care of them [Luke 12:22-32], a truth that was reiterated by the epistle writers who urge Christians not to be anxious about anything. Instead, by recognising that the Lord is always at hand, believers are encouraged to cast their cares on him and thereby experience the peace of God that passes all understanding. [Philippians 4:5-7, 1 Peter 5:7]
But ‘peace’ can also mean the absence of war and so, I think, Jesus also meant to announce what his dying for them had objectively achieved – that is peace with God. Which is exactly what the prophet Isaiah had predicted would be brought about some 750 years earlier when he wrote:
‘Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned’ [Isaiah 40:1-2]
These are comforting words for those of us who know how greatly we have failed to live the way that we should, for those of us who know how great our need for forgiveness is. And they must have been comforting words too for Peter who, just three days previously, had denied ever knowing Jesus. Before his abject failure to align himself with the one he’d spent three years with, Peter had considered himself a strong believer in Jesus, one who was even prepared to die for him if necessary. Put when push came to shove, Peter proved himself to be weak.
But here was Jesus proclaiming to him the same good news that is proclaimed to us today – that because of Jesus’ death on the cross our sin has been dealt with, that the penalty for our wrongdoing has been fully paid. Which means that we can not only enjoy peace with God, but at the same time look forward to eternal life with him. Because, since death only came into existence as the just punishment for sin, with our sin fully atoned for, death can no more hold those who are forgiven by God, than it was able to hold Jesus himself.
Little wonder then that Christians rejoice on Easter Day because, having been raised from the dead, Jesus is the living proof that his was a sufficient sacrifice for sin and death has therefore lost its sting. Jesus said ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me though he dies, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me, shall never die’ [John 11:25-26]
And so, we must ask ourselves if this is what we believe. If it is, then we too can look forward with absolute certainty to one day being raised from the dead ourselves. And in our new, perfect, resurrection bodies, we will experience both fullness of joy and pleasures for evermore – in the everlasting arms of our Heavenly Father whose steadfast love never ceases and whose mercy never comes to an end.
I hope you all have a very Happy Easter, because…
‘Christ is risen! – He is risen indeed.’
Related blogs:
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 7 – ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit’, click here.
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 6 – ‘It Is Finished’, click here.
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 5 – ‘I Thirst’, click here.
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 4 – ‘My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?’, click here.
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 3 – ‘Mother, behold your son! Behold your Mother!’, click here
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 2 – ‘Tomorrow, you will be with me in paradise’, click here
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 1 – ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’, click here.
To read ‘Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things? Rejoicing, though temporarily sorrowful, on Easter Day’, click here.
To read ‘Why do bad things happen to good people? Sorrowful yet always rejoicing on Good Friday’, click here
To read ‘What becomes of the broken hearted – sorrowful yet always rejoicing on Palm Sunday’, click here
The gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion record seven things that he said whilst hanging on the cross. The seventh is found in Luke 23:46 where we read that Jesus said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’
These then were the last words that Jesus spoke before ‘he breathed his last’ – words that demonstrate his continued faith in the one that, only a little earlier, he had questioned as to why he had forsaken him. But it’s significant, I think, that, whereas when he asked that previous question, he’d addressed it to ‘God,’ now he reverts to referring to the one he commits his spirit to as his ‘Father.’ Perhaps this suggests that, with the work of atonement complete, his abandonment by God was now over, and Jesus could now once again enjoy union with the first person of the Godhead in the way that he had done previously, ever since before the creation of the world.
Also of interest is how Jesus uttered these words because, we are told, he cried out in a loud voice when he said them – which, when you think about it, is somewhat surprising given how he had, by then, been hanging on a cross for six long hours. But whilst it shocks us, it points us perhaps to something else that it is vitally important that we realise about Jesus’ death – specifically, that he was in complete control of it.
Why do I say that? Well firstly because, as is plain from the countless Old Testament prophecies that predicted it so accurately, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was nothing other than what God had always planned to take place. Furthermore, whilst it might have seemed to those who were conducting Jesus’ execution, that it was they who were running the show, even the seemingly inconsequential things that they freely chose to do were, at the same time, all preordained by the sovereign creator of the universe.
Nor were those who wanted Jesus to be killed in control of the day that he actually died. Of significance is the fact that Jesus’ crucifixion coincided with the Feast of Passover, the Jewish festival that recalled their deliverance from Egypt some 1500 years previously. Back then, the Israelites had sacrificed lambs whose blood, when daubed on the doors of their homes, ensured that God’s judgment would ‘pass over’ them and so ensure that their households would be spared the consequence of God’s anger, that their families would not suffer the death of the first born son. But this historic event was always meant to point forward to the greater sacrifice that took place on the first Good Friday, the day when the blood of the Lamb of God would be shed, when God’s only Son would die so as to secure the forgiveness of those who availed themselves of the salvation it secured.
No wonder then that God scheduled it to occur at the time of Passover and that, despite that being the one time those plotting Jesus’ death didn’t want him to die, [Mark 14:2] it nonetheless happened just when it did.
And lastly, we need to recognise that though Jesus was killed, he didn’t have his life taken from him – rather he gave it up of his own accord [John 10:18]. Matthew tells us that, rather than having it snatched form him, Jesus ‘yielded up his spirit’ [Matthew 27:50] – which tallies perfectly with Jesus’s own words when he described himself as the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep [John 10:11].
Jesus then was in complete control as he hung on the cross that day. He could have saved himself, just as those who mocked him suggested he should – but instead he chose, at just the right time to die for the ungodly [Romans 5:6] – a perfect demonstration of God’s love for his people.
So then, as Jesus died, he purposely bowed his head as he gave up his spirit [John 19:30]. And as we commit ourselves into our Heavely Father’s care, we should bow our heads too – in worship of the one who, whilst we were still sinners, died for us [Romans 5.8].
Related blogs:
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 6 – ‘It Is Finished’, click here
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 5 – ‘I Thirst’, click here.
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 4 – ‘My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?’, click here.
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 3 – ‘Mother, behold your son! Behold your Mother!’, click here
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 2 – ‘Tomorrow, you will be with me in paradise’, click here
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 1 – ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’, click here.
To read ‘Why do bad things happen to good people? Sorrowful yet always rejoicing on Good Friday’, click here
To read ‘What becomes of the broken hearted – sorrowful yet always rejoicing on Palm Sunday’, click here
The gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion record seven things that he said whilst hanging on the cross. The sixth is found in John 19:30 where we read that Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’
I wonder what those who heard Jesus say these words thought he meant. No doubt there would have been some who believed that he was simply confirming what was all too apparent to those witnessing the crucifixion – that his life was now drawing to a close, brought to its untimely end by an unimaginably barbaric form of execution. But there may have been others who would have interpreted his words differently. Because there were some who had hoped that Jesus would lead an uprising that would result in the Romans being expelled from their country. And so, on hearing him say ‘It is finished, they may have imagined that Jesus was finally admitting what they had already come to realise – that the eagerly anticipated revolution was over – before it had ever really begun.
But that wasn’t what he meant at all – for with those three words, Jesus was referring to something of far greater significance. Because, as would become apparent just three days later, Jesus’ life was not at an end – and neither was his kingdom.
Jesus had previously said that his kingdom was not of this world [John 18:36], and so, unlike those who seek to extend their borders by oppressing their neighbours with violence, Christ’s everlasting kingdom was always going to be one that would be established and maintained by love. Even before the creation of the world, it had always been God’s plan to rescue his people by sending his Son to die as an atoning sacrifice for their sin.
And that is why, having completed what he willingly came to do, Jesus made an announcement. ‘It is finished,’ he said.
Because as the sky turned black, God was pouring out his righteous anger for every sin that would ever be committed by those who would one day turn to him in repentance. And it wasn’t just the past sins of Christians that were being dealt with that day – on the contrary, as Jesus died in their place, all of their future sins were being atoned for too. Furthermore, because God’s wrath wasn’t merely being deflected away from us but rather, was fully absorbed by Jesus, not a drop of it remains to subsequently reemerge and fall on us at some point in the future.
It is not arrogant then for Christians to be sure of their place in heaven, for they are not trusting in their own merit to get there. Rather, recognising their own unworthiness, they know that they are saved by grace, the undeserved kindness of God, manifested through the Son he lovingly sent into the world to not only die for them, but also to live for them a perfect life. Because, whilst his death paid the price for their sins, Jesus’ sinless life, having been credited to Christians as if they had lived it themselves, provides for them a perfect righteousness that makes them acceptable in His sight. That is the gospel – not a list of rules that we are demanded to keep, but good news regarding what Jesus has already done for us. So then, it is only by recognising that we contribute nothing to our salvation, other than our sin that makes it necessary, that we can be confident that our sins really are forgiven, and our place in heaven really is assured.
And were further evidence needed, the fact that Jesus’ saving work is confirmed in the book of Hebrews where we read that, ‘having offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, Jesus sat down at the right hand of God, because by a single offering he had perfected for all time those who were being sanctified.’ [Hebrews 10:12-14].
No further sacrifice is therefore required. Jesus’ work was complete, the job was done, and there was nothing more that he needed to do. It really was finished – which is why there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. [Romans 8:1]
But having heard this wonderfully good news, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? That is the question that the writer of the letter to the Hebrews asks his readers to consider – and one that we would all do well to consider too. And having done so, we should surely come to the same conclusion as two of Jesus’ earliest followers who recognised the uniqueness of Jesus and what he achieved for us on the cross. The first was Paul, who spoke of Jesus as the only mediator between God and man [1 Timothy 2:5], and the second was Peter, who said that, other than Jesus, ‘there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved’ [Acts 4:12].
But they weren’t alone in believing what they did, because there was somebody else who thought that Jesus was the only way to heaven too. And that was Jesus himself – the one who said:
‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ [John 14:6]
Related blogs:
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 5 – ‘I Thirst’, click here.
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 4 – ‘My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?’, click here.
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 3 – ‘Mother, behold your son! Behold your Mother!’, click here
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 2 – ‘Tomorrow, you will be with me in paradise’, click here
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 1 – ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’, click here.
To read ‘Why do bad things happen to good people? Sorrowful yet always rejoicing on Good Friday’, click here
To read ‘What becomes of the broken hearted – sorrowful yet always rejoicing on Palm Sunday’, click here
The gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion record seven things that he said whilst hanging on the cross. The fifth is found in John 19:28 where we read that Jesus said, ‘I thirst.’
Now there may be some who might be tempted to say, ‘So what?’ in response to being told how Jesus expressed that he was thirsty during his crucifixion. After all, surely it is only to be expected that Jesus would want a drink after having hung on a cross for almost six hours. Even so, these words of Jesus are worth a closer look – and not only because his experiencing thirst was predicted in ancient psalms written almost a thousand years earlier – both in Psalm 22, that we considered yesterday, and in Psalm 69, where it is further prophesied that he would be given ‘sour wine’ to drink, something that we read was fulfilled in John 19:30.
Something else that we need to recognise from the fact that Jesus was thirsty is just how human he was. There is an earthliness to Jesus’ tongue sticking to the sides of his mouth because of how dehydrated he was [Psalm 22:15], and it reminds us that, as well as being 100% God, Jesus was also 100% man. Which, though impossible for us to fully comprehend, is nonetheless important, because it was only as a consequence of him being fully human that Jesus was able to be a suitable sacrifice for sinful men and women – those who, though made in the image of God, were no longer able to fully reflect his perfect holiness as a result of their rebellion against him,
And so it was that ‘though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not count equality to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.’ [Philippians 2:6-8]
But there is more to be appreciated from Jesus’ words than the fact that they both fulfil prophecy and point to his paradoxically being both fully human and fully divine. Because the scriptures frequently describe how Jesus gives up things that we require, things that, because of his sacrifice, are subsequently made available to us. And so, just as we are told that he became sin so that we might become righteous [2 Corinthians 5:12], that he suffered so that we might escape judgement, [Isaiah 53:5], and that he died so that we might have eternal life [John 3:16], so too are we told that by his becoming thirsty we are invited to drink.
It is not, however, sour wine that we are offered. On the contrary we are invited to drink the ‘living water’ that is so satisfying that those who drink it, Jesus said, would never go thirsty again. [John 4:13]
Now, if you are wondering where to find this liquid refreshment, you will be interested to hear the answer Jesus gave to a Samaritan woman who asked the self-same question. Jesus said to her that, if we thirst, we should go to him and drink [John 7:37], and that having drunk the living water that only he can provide, it will become in us a spring of water welling up to eternal life. [John 4:14].
After Jesus had died, but whilst he was still hanging on the cross, John records how, in order to confirm that he really was dead, a soldier pierced Jesus’ side with a spear ‘and at once there came out blood and water’ [John 19:34]. The blood was the blood that he shed for the forgiveness of our sins, and the water is a reminder of the eternal life that only his death can bring about.
So then, let Jesus’ thirst be the means by which you yourself are refreshed. Let his death be the means by which you live. Draw near to him in faith – believing what he says is true and recognising all that he achieved for you on the cross. Receive his forgiveness for all that is in your past, trust him to sustain you in all that troubles you today, and hope in all that he has promised for your future. Come if you are thirsty, come to the living water that only Jesus can give you.
Drink you fill – and let your soul live.
Related blogs:
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 4 – ‘My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?’, click here.
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 3 – ‘Mother, behold your son! Behold your Mother!’, click here
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 2 – ‘Tomorrow, you will be with me in paradise’, click here
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 1 – ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’, click here.
To read ‘What becomes of the broken hearted – sorrowful yet always rejoicing on Palm Sunday’, click here
The gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion record seven things that he said whilst hanging on the cross. The fourth is found in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 where we read that Jesus said, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’
These words must be amongst the most agonising ever spoken and, at the same time, amongst the most profound. Because for God the Son to have been abandoned by God the Father, two separate members of the triune God who are, at the same time, united as one in the Trinity, is far beyond our human capabilities to understand, and all the more so when one considers how perfectly both the Father loves the Son, and the Son loves the Father.
Even so, as a supernatural darkness covered the land, these are the words that Jesus uttered – words that express something of how it must have felt for him to experience the full weight of God’s wrath being poured out on him who, sinless himself, was bearing the punishment for the sin of those he’d come to save.
For that is what was taking place on the cross that first Good Friday – a glorious exchange was taking place. Our sin was laid on Jesus such that, as he suffered, he was being ‘pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities’ [Isiaih 53:5]. And it was his chastisement that brought us peace with God. Likewise, Jesus’ perfect righteousness was credited to we who believe him to be the Christ, the Son of God and, by believing, have life in his name. Because, for our sake, God made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God’ [2 Corinthains 5:12].
There is though something else of significance that is worth mentioning about these words of Jesus. For as he says them, he is quoting the opening verse of Psalm 22, a psalm that, despite being written nearly a thousand years previously, accurately predicted the nature of Jesus’ death long before crucifixion had ever been considered as a form of execution. But as well as foreseeing that his hands and feet would be pierced, the psalm also speaks of how those who gloated over him would divide his garments amongst them and cast lots for his clothing, how he would be mocked by those who passed by ‘wagging their heads’, and how some would question why, despite trusting in the Lord, Jesus was not spared his terrible ordeal.
But whilst all these ancient prophecies were subsequently fulfilled [Matthew 27:35-43], Jesus was not spared. Nor did he spare himself, as others suggested he should. Instead Jesus allowed himself to be killed so that, by his death, he could save others.
Why? Well because that is the reason he came into the world in the first place, to save sinners. [1 Timothey 3:15]. Because that was his Father’s will – the will that, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed would be done [Luke 22:42]. And because God loves the world and demonstrates that love by giving his only Son so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life [John 3:16].
So then, by dying in our place, Jesus propitiated God’s wrath. He demonstrated his Father’s righteousness by satisfying the need for divine justice and thus enabled God to be both just and the justifier of those who have faith in Christ [Romans 3:26]. These were the reasons that Jesus endured the cross and despised the shame that was rightfully ours to bear.
All of which means that, because of what Christ achieved for us on the cross, we no longer need to be ashamed of the shameful things that we’ve done. ‘For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is God’s steadfast love towards those who fear him – and as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us’ [Psalm 103:11-12].
Related blogs:
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 3 – ‘Mother, behold your son! Behold your Mother!’, click here
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 2 – ‘Tomorrow, you will be with me in paradise’, click here
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 1 – ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’, click here.
To read ‘What becomes of the broken hearted – sorrowful yet always rejoicing on Palm Sunday’, click here
The gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion record seven things that he said whilst hanging on the cross. The third is found in John 19:26-27 where we read that Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ and to the apostle John, ‘Behold your mother!’
Of all these sayings of Jesus, this is, perhaps, the least well known, but it is nonetheless worthy of some consideration. Bear in mind that Jesus is experiencing unbelievable pain and, having been nailed to the cross for approaching six hours, is now drawing near to his inevitable death. But even as he does so, he is thinking of others – of both his mother Mary and the disciple John, who is the author of this eyewitness account of his crucifixion. And so Jesus speaks of how they are to care for each other over the coming weeks, months, and years.
But we should not just be amazed at how Jesus expresses his concern for others despite his own overwhelming difficulties. Firstly, we should also see how Jesus is honouring his mother in the same way that we, no matter our current age, should honour our own parents. Secondly, we see his concern for Mary, generally believed to be a widow at this point of her life, and how he therefore fulfils another biblical mandate that we too are called to keep, namely to care for widows and orphans in their affliction [James 1:27]. And thirdly, we should note too how Jesus’ followers should consider themselves as part of the same family, the bond between them every bit as strong as that which exists between those who share the same flesh and blood.
Because it is not that we Christians enjoy union only with Christ. Alongside that immense privilege, we are also united to one another, with Christ the head of the body that each and every one of us are a part.
One of the things that I’ve both noticed since starting to work with the Slavic Gospel Association, is how Christians in other countries seem to refer to each other as brothers as sisters far more commonly than we do in the UK, or at least, those part of the country that I most commonly frequent. And they’re right to. Because as Christians we are all a part of God’s family, the family that we have all been adopted into by our loving Heavenly Father. And so, just as we should rejoice with those who rejoice when they are enjoying good things, so too we must weep with those who weep when they are beset with sorrow, like, for example, our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in Ukraine, caught up as they are in the continuing conflict there.*
Jesus’ words also remind us how even those closest to Christ are not immune to sadness, for how great must have been the sorrow experienced by Mary as, stood at the foot of the cross, she saw in all their horrible proximity, the nails which pierced her own son’s hands and feet. Not that it will have come as any surprise to her, for soon after she’d given birth to Jesus, Simeon had predicted that the one who was now nearing his death would be opposed in such a way that a sword would pierce her soul too. [Luke 2:34]
Even so, as she beheld her two sons, both the one that she once laid in a manger, and the one who from that very hour took her into his home, she was seeing the one who would rise from the dead in just three days’ time, and the one who would be the first to bring her the news of his glorious resurrection. [John 20:10]
For Mary then on Good Friday, weeping tarried for the nighttime, but joy came with the dawning of Easter Day. As it will one day also come to all those who long for Christ’s’ return.
The gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion record seven things that he said whilst hanging on the cross. The second is found in Luke 23:43 where we read that Jesus said, ‘Today, you will be with me in paradise.’
His words were in response to a request by a criminal who was guilty of the crimes that he was being justly punished for that day. But despite recognising both his guilt and Jesus’ innocence, the man nonetheless asks Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom. That he should ask to be treated with such undeserved kindness from the sinless son of God is, in its self, remarkable, but the faith of this now penitent thief is all the more astonishing when one considers that the one he is asking for help, is hanging on a cross and about to die too.
But to trust God in situations of apparent hopelessness, is what genuine faith is all about. And when all hope seems lost, it is by believing that God is guaranteed to keep his promises that hope is actually kept alive. Which is why the penitent thief, despite his dire circumstances, was able to make his famous request – and why Jesus was able to give his famous reply. Because Jesus saw in the thief somebody who, by faith, trusted the power of God despite seeing, what to unspiritual eyes, was nothing but weakness, somebody who saw victory where most saw only defeat, and somebody who understood the mysterious paradox of Good Friday.
That on occasions at least, the reasons why bad things happen to good people, is so that good things can happen to bad people. For isn’t that what happened on that first Good Friday – when the worst possible thing, crucifixion, happened to the best possible person, Jesus, so that the best possible things, salvation, can happen to the worst possible people.
People, that is, not only like the penitent second thief, but people like us as well.
Because make no mistake, just as it was possible for that guilty criminal to be forgiven, so it is possible for you and me to be forgiven too. And just as it was possible, even in the last hours of his life for lifelong sinner to start looking forward to being with Jesus in paradise, so it is never too late for any one of us to put our trust in Christ and so start anticipating an eternity in heaven as well.
But there is more that we can learn from the penitent thief. Firstly, we need to realise that, like the one who had no opportunity to clean up his act, our place in heaven can never be earnt. Rather than relying on our own meagre good works, we must instead throw ourselves on the mercy of a gracious God who promises to forgive all those who, acknowledging their sin, turn to him for help. And secondly, we must not imagine that our becoming a Christian will necessarily improve our current situation. On the contrary, things may just get steadily worse – as they did for the penitent thief who, rather than receiving a last-minute reprieve, subsequently had his death hastened when Roman soldiers broke his legs.
Even so, putting our faith in the promise keeping God of the Bible will undoubtedly do us good. For along with it giving us absolute assurance that our sins really have been forgiven, it will also give us great cause to hope that a day really is coming when we will experience, with the penitent thief, what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined. For we will discover then what God has prepared for those who love him, a place where every tear will be wiped away and death will be no more. [2 Corinthians 2:9; Revelation 21:4]
Related blogs:
To read ‘Some Words for Holy Week: 1 – ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’, click here.
To read ‘What becomes of the broken hearted – sorrowful yet always rejoicing on Palm Sunday’, click here
The gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion record seven things that he said whilst hanging on the cross. The first is found in Luke 23:34 where we read that Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’
So here we have Jesus, asking that God would forgive those who crucified him. And this is not sometime later, having somehow come to terms with what they had done to him, Rather he asks that they be forgiven just moments after they have driven the 9 inch, square edged iron nails into his hands and feet and whilst he is struggling to take his each and every agonising breath.
Which. you have to admit, is pretty remarkable of a man who, irrespective of what you might think of him, cannot be considered by anyone to be a hypocrite. For here Jesus is seen practicing what he preached when, in Matthew 5:44, he urged his followers to ‘love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’.
But what comfort there is in these words too. Because Jesus is praying for the forgiveness of those guilty of the greatest sin that was ever committed. And if those who rejected Jesus as the Messiah, conspired to have him found guilty of crimes he did not commit, and then saw to it that he suffered the most barbaric of deaths, can be forgiven, then there is hope that God’s grace is sufficient even for us, and that our sins can be forgiven too.
In what sense though did those crucifying Jesus not know what they were doing – for surely, they weren’t unaware of the cruelty that they were guilty of inflicting?
One answer to that question is that they weren’t aware that he was who he had previously said he was. That he’d claimed to be God was something they knew full well, for that, in essence, was why they wanted him to be put to death, but that his claims of divinity were true was something they had manifestly failed to grasp. Even so, as Jesus suffered and subsequently died, there was at least one for whom the penny finally dropped – for as Jesus eventually breathed his last, a centurion who had witnessed his final hours announced what was, in reality, plain for all to see – that ‘truly this man was the Son of God!’
But there was something else that Jesus’ executioners didn’t know they were doing that Good Friday. They were unaware that by crucifying Jesus they were inflicting on him the punishment that they themselves deserved – including for the sin that, in that very moment, they were guilty of committing. For it was only by Jesus’ death, that their guilt could be atoned for. Remarkably then, in asking God to forgive them their sins, Jesus was including the evil act by which that forgiveness was ultimately made possible.
Because what man means for evil, God can mean for good. [Genesis 50:20] This is, without doubt, a paradox, one that is, perhaps, more mysterious than any other – but it is, nonetheless, one that is completely true. A few weeks later the apostle Peter, preaching to a huge crowd, spoke of how Jesus’ death at the hands of lawless men was, at the same time, the result of him being delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God. [Acts 2:23]
And then, having been urged by Peter ‘to repent and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ’ three thousand people did just that – and in so doing they received the forgiveness that Jesus had asked for when he said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’
Which is nothing but what we should expect, because ‘the prayer of a righteous man has great power as it is working’ [James 5:16].
Related blogs:
To read ‘What becomes of the broken hearted – sorrowful yet always rejoicing on Palm Sunday’, click here
I’ve said it before – initially back in 2016, just after Trump was elected to the Presidency for the first time – and I’ll say it again – by reposting now, very lightly edited, what I wrote back then.
Because I continue to stand by what I said I believed nine years ago.
*****
“Nearly 3000 years ago King Uzziah died, and the future seemed uncertain for the people of Isaiah’s day. Isaiah, however, saw beyond the immediate political uncertainty.
‘In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.’ [Isaiah 6:1]
There is an image of one who is utterly in command. Uzziah may have died, but God was still on the throne and in absolute control.
As I believe he still is today.
Many are those who are longing for a leader who is wise enough, good enough, and powerful enough to bring about real positive change. And the good news is that there is such a ruler – for that is the type of ruler God is.
And just like many a politician, he too has made promises. Like the one where he says that a day is coming when he ‘will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things [will] have passed away.’ [Revelation 21:3-4]
Trump is currently promising to make everything great again, but this is a ludicrous claim – as it would be if it were made by any other politician too. Because the truth is that neither Trump, nor anyone else, is up to the job of delivering such a satisfactory outcome, no matter how earnestly they promise to do so.
Nobody, that is, except God – who through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has already, not only demonstrated how deeply committed he is to keeping his word, but also proven his ample ability to do so.
So then, we can be sure that the promises God makes, are ones that he will surely keep.
Now I know that there will be some who ask how I can be so confident that God will deliver all that he has promised when there remains so much suffering in the world – some of which will have been experienced first hand by those who are reading this.
Well there is, of course, no easy answer to the problem of pain. Even so, I continue to trust in the God that I believe entered into our suffering so that he could redeem us from it by experiencing it himself. Which, though it might not be the way that we’d have gone about it, is nonetheless the only way that I could ever have been dealt with.
Because we are not God – and his thoughts are not your our thoughts, just as his ways are not our ways. [Isaiah 55:8]. Rather than any world leader, therefore, believing that God is wiser than me, I will continue to trust my future to the one who reliably promises me that ‘though weeping may tarry for the nighttime, joy will still come with the morning. [Psalm 30:5].
Some will have been foolish enough to believe that for the world to prosper, Trump had to be president, whilst others will have have been equally mistaken in believing that for everything to be OK, America had to be led by anyone other than him.
But the truth is that, when compared with God, no human being is that important, or that powerful, that it all depends on them.
So if you are dismayed by Trump, remember, in universal terms, he is just a leader of a local council in some unimportant backwater. This is not meant to suggest that politics and voting and pressing for change aren’t important, on the contrary we must continue to do all of these things, but putting our hope in people has always resulted in disappointment – and ultimately it always will.
So instead of hoping in weak men and women who cannot deliver what they claim to be able to, we need to hope in God, and bank on the fact that his promises are ones that he will most certainly keep.
And for all my atheist friends, please don’t think I’m referring to the god who is pulled out by those who want him to endorse their own questionable point of view. My God is not an American – neither he is not on their side or on the side of anyone else as a puppet deity bound to support whatever their proud and arrogant leaders want him to.
Not at all. Because he himself is the one who is sovereign. And he alone is in control.
Furthermore, my God is for those who know their weakness – he blesses the poor in spirit and comforts those who mourn. [Matthew 5:3].
My God will not break a bruised reed, nor will he quench a faintly burning wick. Rather he will faithfully bring forth justice. [Isaiah 42:3]
And my God is gentle and lowly in heart and gives rest to all those who labour and are heavy laden.[Matthew 11:28-29]
So then, we can be sure that the judge of all the earth will do what is just? [Genesis 28:25] And knowing that is what will enable me to sleep tonight despite all the uncertainties the world currently is facing, not to mention those that I am facing myself.
Today sees the start of this year’s domestic cricket season and Somerset will have to go some if they are going to exceed the enjoyment that they provided the Taunton faithful with last summer. But ever hopeful, I have prepared a list of a dozen things to look out for over the coming six months which, as a Somerset supporter, I’d love to see happen, things that, once they have all been noted and ticked off, will indicate that the club’s 150th anniversary year really has been the greatest in its history.
1. In a desperate attempt to relaunch his range of electric auto-motives, Elon Musk approaches Somerset in the hope of having the CACG renamed the ‘Tesla County Ground’. The request is turned down in favour of a considerably more lucrative offer from Tom Lammonby, the upshot being that his 9/15 Cafe becomes the nation’s favourite chain of coffee shop.
2. Lord Bath offers everyone’s favourite feline the use of his luxury ancestral home as a winter residence. Tourists are soon flocking to his estate hoping to catch a glimpse of the big hearted cat who soon adopts the epithet ‘The Br-ion of Longleat’.
3. Stumpy is made chair of the ECB and secures the future of county cricket by bringing in sweeping changes that lead to all forms of the domestic game being broadcast live on Channel 4. Meanwhile, the Hundred is picked up by U&Yesterday and is watched by nobody in what consequently proves to be its final season.
4. The Somerset Livestream Commentary Team win a BAFTA for their coverage of this year’s gala performance by Somerset’s most well known supporter at the Royal Albert Hall. The show, ‘Tractor sings the Wurzels’, is itself nominated for a Grammy, but narrowly misses out to ‘Louis G and First XI’ after their recording of ‘Blackbird’ tops the UK Charts for a record breaking 26 weeks.
5. Trusted to bring the necessary gravitas to such occasions, Pete Trego, Vic Marks, and Sophie Luff are signed up by the BBC and commissioned to provide commentary on all future events of national significance – commencing with Somerset’s triumphant tour of Taunton (and Nempnett Thrubwell) in an open top bus following their winning of all three domestic competitions.
6. The Somerset Cricket Museum becomes the new custodian of ‘The Ashes’ after being recognised as housing the finest collection of cricketing memorabilia in the known universe. One or two visitors do give the miniature urn a cursory glance before getting down to the far more important business of venerating a bat once wielded by Marcus Trescothick.
7. Opening the attack in the Blast Final, Archie Vaughan and Jack Leach match Brian Langford’s legendary bowling figures when together they bowl eight consecutive maiden overs. The wily pair of spinners also share a total of eight wickets between them, thereby leaving Hampshire with no chance of reaching the 433 required to deprive Somerset of the T20 trophy.
8. With the women’s team matching the success of the men’s, Somerset CCC draws the attention of Donald Trump who, determined to exploit the rich vein of cricketing talent that lies within the county, announces his intention to make Taunton the 83rd U.S. state – the list of territories he claims sovereignty over having grown considerably since the beginning of the season. However, following a snap General Election which saw him made Prime Minister, James Rew meets with the American president and, demonstrating that his hands are just as safe a pair when it comes to running a country as they are when donning the wicket keeping gloves, persuades the erstwhile leader of the so called free world to resign. Millions of people from across the globe, pleased by the republican’s dismissal, celebrate by taking out associate membership for Somerset’s 2026 season and so secure the clubs finances for the next fifty years.
9. As a result of their performances over the summer, Tom Abell and Craig Overton are both awarded the freedom of the city of Taunton, the former county town being granted that status by King Charles who, it emerges, loves Somerset CCC almost as much as a pint of cider and one of the reduced price sausage rolls customarily made available during the final session of a day’s play. A cathedral is subsequently constructed to cope with the influx of pilgrims who come to the ground, on the rapidly revised route of the Camino de Santiago, in order to sit a while in the James Hildreth stand and gaze in ecstasy towards Gimblett’s Hill – a truly transcendent experience in anyone’s book.
10. The ‘Win Predictor’ is added to the ground’s electronic scoreboards which, true to form, subsequently suffer a technical glitch. However, nobody notices because, having got stuck whilst indicating that the chances of a Somerset win was 100%, it turns out that the fans are provided with a highly accurately forecast of the outcome of every game played.
11. Somerset’s infamous detractors on their own social media platforms fall silent, their only complaint being that they have nothing to complain about. One critic does attempt to poor scorn on Sean Dickson’s poor strike rate after he allows the opening ball of the season to pass harmlessly past his off stump, but the keyboard warrior ends up with egg on his face when the aforementioned opening batsman completes a double century in the penultimate over of the morning session.
12. Tom Banton suffers a nasty injury whilst warming up before the second day of a county championship game. He is left temporarily blind, unable to use his left arm, and in urgent need of surgical repair for his fractured neck of femur. Undaunted, he returns the next day, a guide dog acting as his runner, to score a triple century against Surrey, and Somerset end the game with maximum points. The result also makes it mathematically impossible for the uncharacteristically out of form Londoners to avoid relegation.
No prizes for any Somerset fan who spots all twelve, as to do so will, I’m sure you’ll agree, be more than sufficient reward.
So, irrespective of your personal allegiance, here’s wishing everyone a great summer of cricket – be you a player, a member of the support staff, or just a supporter who, like me, dares to believe that this year might just be the one that Somerset fans the world over have all so longed for.
I love a pre-season friendly, a warm up game all the more necessary on a sunny, but nonetheless chilly March morning, as the Somerset players emerge from hibernation in what is still only early spring. Suitably attired with a scarf and woolly hat, the latter similarly adorning the Gloucestershire slip cordon, I pull out my binoculars and see what I can see from my vantage point high up in the Marcus Trescothick hide.
Glimpsed first is a young Vaughan. Having flown the nest last year, he’s enjoying time at the crease away from his parent’s watchful eye though, if they are looking proudly on, they’ll be pleased by how he strikes the ball effortlessly to the boundary three times in a single over.
A more seasoned Dickson is also foraging for runs. though less hurriedly than his companion in the middle, playing perhaps a more nurturing role for the youngster who is still in a formative stage of his development.
But what’s this I spy, lurking undercover in the shadows of the Andrew Caddick stand? It’s a couple of Toms, indigenous to this part of Somerset – a lesser spotted Banton and a great crested Abel, neither seemingly keen to venture out just yet, wary no doubt of the threat still posed by the predatory new ball that may yet pose a problem were it to come too close to the outside edge of an unwary fledgling.
Suddenly the danger is proven to be real as there’s a commotion out in the grassy field that forms the principal habitat of these largely diurnal creatures. And then a startled look appears on the face of the Vaughan who turns and briskly heads for shelter, dragging his now lifeless bat behind him.
Next a Lammonby appears, gambolling playfully in the bright morning sunshine having spent the winter surviving on a selection of cakes, pastries and other reasonably priced comestibles he’d stored up for himself over the proceeding months at 9/15.
Yet to develop the bright plumage that becomes more apparent later in the season, both he and the Dickson put on a colourful display of cover drives, a courtship ritual no doubt designed to draw the attention of those responsible for team selection over the coming weeks and months.
A little later, I hear the characteristic call of an umpire. indicating that it’s time for me to stop for a bite to eat. And as the batsmen return instinctively to their burrows, the scoreboard is indicating that, at 133-1, their prospects of survival are looking good this year
This week I read of a 23-year study, published last autumn in the Journal of Psychology and Aging, which concluded that, when it comes to longevity, it is more important to have a purpose in life than it is to be simply satisfied with one’s existence. As one commentator said, ‘Having worthwhile goals is a source of vitality. It’s nice to feel happy today – but it’s important to have something to strive for tomorrow.’
The researchers were not blind to the fact that there is, of course, a significant correlation between the two parameters that were under consideration as predictors of a long life – that to some extent at least, to have a reason for getting out of bed in the morning is what it takes to make life satisfying. But it was nonetheless interesting to note which of the two is more important, suggesting as it does, that it is healthier to pursue purpose than mere pleasure.
All of which got me thinking, particularly in regard to how the study’s conclusion would suggest that it is healthier to have a purpose that seeks to benefit others, rather than one that seeks only to benefit oneself and that, notwithstanding the satisfaction that we experience by helping somebody else, it is better to pursue the happiness of others, rather than that of ourselves.
Which is something that, if it needed any confirmation, was made tragically apparent by an item on the 10 o’clock news on Wednesday evening. The story was that of Nicholas Prosper, the 19-year-old who, last September, murdered his mother, sister and brother before being arrested as he made his way to a local primary school where he had planned to shoot, who knows how many children, in the hope of becoming the Britain’s most notorious mass murderer.
Now don’t get me wrong, despite it apparently being the dream of many today, none of you who are reading this are, I’m sure, capable of crimes as awful as those that Prosper aspired to – but it is surely a warning to us all of the terrible things that, if left unchecked, the human heart is capable of craving, and how, if as we are so often encouraged to, we follow that frequently hot-blooded seat of our desires, our ensuing pursuit of instant gratification may be detrimental, not only to us, but to others too.
It is then better to give rather than receive, to consider others more highly than ourselves, and look, not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others. None of which should be of any surprise since such wisdom is far older than a scientific journal that was published just six months ago. [see Acts 20:35, Philippians 2:3,4]
But if our hearts are not, as that same ancient wisdom suggests [Jeremiah 17:9], as dependable a guide to what we should or should not do, how then can we decide what our life’s purpose should be?
Well, here’s the thing. Before we can determine the part that we have to play in what seems sometimes to be an increasingly uncertain world, we need to know whose story we want to be a part of. And the choice is a straightforward one. We can either seek to be the hero of our own story, seeking our own glory whilst not worrying too much about those around us, or we can content ourselves with a minor role in the greatest story ever told, in his-story, the one that God has written, the end of which he already knows [Isaiah 46:10]. Chose the former and we may find a degree of happiness, but it will only be fleeting [Hebrews 11:25] – choose the latter and, as well as experiencing far greater satisfaction in our current lives, we will also be able to look forward to the one that will follow, characterised, as it will be, by both infinite joy and an extreme longevity that will last, at the very least, forever! [Psalm 16:11]
For the time being, of course, I cannot speak personally of the reality of everlasting life – but I can vouch for the joy that comes from being a part of God’s perfect and purposeful plan. Because, whilst my hope of a never ending existence is based on compelling evidence for the historicity of the empty tomb, credible eye witness testimony of those who saw Jesus after he was raised from the dead, and the authoritative word of the one who, as well as speaking the universe into existence, promised eternal life to all those who put their trust in him, the satisfaction of being used by God to bring joy to others is something that I have experienced for myself.
Most recently this has been through my work with the Slavic Gospel Association. It really has been a pleasure to have been used, albeit in an exceedingly small way, to take the gospel to some of those who are so desperately in need of some good news. Seeing the delight on the faces of those in far of places who have just received, for the very first time, a copy of the Bible in their own language, is something that I’ll long remember and more than matches the satisfaction I previously gained from working as a GP, a job, it should be noted, that, for the most part, I very much enjoyed and genuinely considered a means by which God brought a great deal of comfort to many.
Being a part of SGA really has given me a reason to get out of bed in the morning, a purpose which promises to deliver so much more than pills and potions ever could, and a cause that, now being a part of, I can’t help but be genuinely excited about.
So, if you’re interested, why not follow the link below to take a look at SGA’s website and discover some of the many ways that, despite their immense ongoing difficulty, God is giving people hope – not just for today, but for all of eternity too.
Last week I visited Stonehenge together with, not only a couple of overseas friends, but thousands of others who had travelled there seemingly from countries the world over. And as we made our way from the carpark to the ancient monument itself, I found myself pondering why so many people had chosen to make the long journey to see what, in reality, amounts to little more than a few, admittedly large, boulders in an otherwise unremarkable field.
The reasons are, no doubt, many and varied, but as I strolled around the perimeter of the stones, I wondered if, for me at least, the appeal was similar to that of going outside late at night to gaze at the stars, or finding a rocky coastline from which to look out over a vast expanse of ocean.
Because just as it is healthy, when up close to something enormous, to recognise one’s own inherent smallness, so too is it beneficial, when alongside something that has outlasted countless generations, to realise one’s own inherent transience.
More than that, it is ultimately reassuring too.
It is estimated that Stonehenge has stood on Salisbury plain for 4,500 years – which one has to admit is an impressively long time when compared to the seventy or eighty years most of us will manage.
And so the Bible is right to liken us to ‘a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes’ [James 4:14]. Elsewhere the scriptures describes us as those whose days are but ‘a few hand-breadths’, those who ‘go about as a shadow’, a ‘mere breath’, whose length of life is as ‘nothing’ before the LORD. [Psalm 39:5-6] Unlike God who, we’re told, is ‘from everlasting to everlasting’, our days are like the grass which, when the wind passes over it, is gone and ‘its place knows it no more’ [Psalm 103:5-6]
Interestingly though, rather than sticking his head in the sand and trying to forget that he will one day die, the psalmist seems to want to fully come to terms with how fleetingly short is his life [Psalm 39:4].
So why might that be? And how might knowing the answer help us further understand why so many want to visit Stonehenge?
Well the clue is given in verse seven of that same psalm where, having recognised his own limitations, it’s writer says that his hope is in God.
We are then, not only small and therefore relatively weak, we are also short lived and therefore relatively inconsequential. And so it comes as no surprise that we are not the answer to our problems. On the contrary, all too often we are the cause of them. Little wonder then, that we sometimes find ourselves ‘in turmoil’ [Psalm 39:6]
But if as a result of recognising both our weakness and our transience, we put our hope in the eternal and all powerful God who is, therefore, of infinite significance and worthy of our praise, we will discover what it is to be secure. Because if we are not so foolish as to deny the sinfulness that is all too obviously a part of who we are [Psalm 39:8-9] and, in our weakness, humble enough to ask to be forgiven [Psalm 39:10], as well as being delivered from all our transgressions [Psalm 39:8] as a result of Christ death for us on the cross, we will also come to understand that we are only sojourners in the land [Psalm 39:12] – that this world is not our home and we are, as the old song put it, ‘just a-passing through’.
And so when our three score years and ten or, by virtue of strength, four score years are over, and our time of toil comes to an end, we will ‘fly away’ [Psalm 90:10] to continue a blissful and sinless existence in the presence of our Heavenly Father who, even as he saves us, adopts us into his family as his much loved children.
And unlike Stonehenge, which will then have become just one more relic of the past, the lives we’ll enjoy in our new resurrection bodies really will last forever. Furthermore, we will dwell in a heavenly home that is similarly eternal – as everlasting in fact, as both God himself and the steadfast love he has for all those who cry out to him for help.
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. [Romans 10:13]
Related posts:
To read ‘When our joy will be complete’, click here
To read ‘Longing for the pavilion, whilst enjoying a good innings’, click here
It’s one I’m never quite sure how to answer. And perhaps you have felt similarly uncertain how to respond, when you have come across it yourself, in the course of completing a job application perhaps, or when seeking to take out health insurance.
The question I’m referring to goes something like this: ‘Would you currently consider yourself to be fit and well?’ And the reason I hesitate before responding is that, whilst I do generally feel well, it’s been a long time since I could honestly say I was fit.
Looking back over my life, I am grateful that I have enjoyed good health. It is now eleven years since I last had an episode of illness that left me unable to work and that particular bout was the first time in my career that I’d ever taken a day off because I was unwell.
That said, that particularly spell of sickness was a significant one, landing me in hospital for seven weeks with a midline in place and the need for four hourly infusions of antibiotics such that I would have struggled to carry out the duties of a doctor. At least, that is, for my own patients, though, had I been motivated to do so, I suppose I might have been of some use in the care of those of my ward based colleagues.
That time of relative incapacity was an interesting one, not least because, in the early days of being bedridden, when a diagnosis had not yet been made, I genuinely thought I might die and I remember experiencing, if not a dark night of the soul, periods of dimly lit sleeplessness when I pondered questions like, ‘Is this illness God’s way of punishing me for something I have done wrong?’, and, ‘If I do die, will I go to heaven?’
These are questions to which, as a Christian, I believed I knew the answers, but I nonetheless found that I needed to be reassured of them. And so, I reminded myself how Jesus bore on the cross the punishment for all of my many sins and that, as a result of his dying in my place, it was simply impossible that God was now punishing me for those things that had already been atoned for.
And that I would indeed go to heaven if I died, not because of any merit of my own but because, having already been forgiven for all my wrongdoing, I had also been credited with Christ’s own righteousness thereby making me wholly acceptable in God’s eyes.
But why am I telling you all this now?
Well, it’s not, I hope you will be relieved to hear, because I have recently received a terminal diagnosis, and this is now my clumsy and characteristically prolonged way of letting you all know! Rather, it is, perhaps, because this week marks the anniversary of that time when I was laid low with bacterial endocarditis, that I have been considering my inevitable mortality again.
But this is not me being morbid or melancholic.
Rather it is simply me recognising that, at 58 years of age, I have now missed my opportunity to have a midlife crises and, with my healthiest years behind me, if the grim reaper does not seek make my acquaintance beforehand, I can now look forward to the inevitable physical decline that will accompany my headlong rush into my impending senility.
Today though, I find myself not so averse to the idea of dying as I was eleven years ago. Whilst the process may be one that is painful, and though I still enjoy the life I have, death now seems a less unpleasant path to take than it did back then. Perhaps there will be those who might say that this just a consequence of how the world now is, and that my acceptance of an early exit, should that be my future, is no more than a desire to lazily cop out of all the cruelty, bitterness and unkindness that is now so prevalent.
But that is simply not the case. Because, whilst there are a number of reasons why I would not wish to accelerate the day of my death – reasons that include that life is far too precious a gift for that, I like to think there is still useful work for me to do, and the fact that I don’t believe it’s for me to chose the moment of my demise – the reason for me not being afraid of dying is far more positive than that.
Two bishops were talking one day. One told the other that he’d just been told he had cancer. And by way of a reply, was congratulated for his good fortune!
Now it’s no doubt an apocryphal story, but it makes the point that, notwithstanding the suffering that might follow such a diagnosis, for Christians at least, death is not the end but is, in fact, just the beginning, the gateway into a better, more fulfilling existence in the presence of God. As such it need not be feared in the way that, generally at least, it is by those who do not share the believers sure and certain hope of the resurrection.
That is why the apostle Paul could write that for him, ‘to live is Christ, and to die is gain’, that, whilst he was pleased to serve God for as long as there was fruitful work for him to do, his desire was to depart and be with Jesus, because that, for him, was ‘better by far’ [Philippians 1:21-23].
This week I have spent time with two men who I believe would say the same thing as Paul wrote to those first century believers in Philippi, two seasoned saints from overseas who have lived the Christian life, not only longer than I have, but with far greater authenticity as well. As has been the case with so many others of my brothers and sisters in Christ that I have had the joy of meeting since starting working with SGA, the sincerity of their faith oozes out of them such that it is an encouragement to simply spend time with them.
It has not only been a great privilege to partner with them in the gospel, but a wonderful blessing too, one that has served to strengthen my own faith by confirming, as it has, that what I already know to be true from God’s word, is born out in the life of those who live according to it.
Which is that the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ who came into the world to save sinners, is the gospel that is the power of God for salvation to all who believe, and the gospel that can save even the likes of me.
All of which means that, just as the healthy can, at the same time be terribly unfit, so too can the unhealthiest, even those who are dying, be simultaneously fit for heaven.
Which is already wonderfully good news for all of us – and will be all the more so as we each inevitably draw nearer to death ourselves.
Related posts:
To read ‘On death – my first and last’, click here
You can’t help but admire President Zelenskyy who, unlike some world leaders, who seem perfectly happy to pander to Trump’s oversized ego, is prepared to speak his mind and tell the one occupying a ‘disinformation space’ how things really are.
As in all good circuses, the one currently taking place at the White House, orchestrated as it is to try and make the President of the United States look good despite his trying to profit from war, has both a strong man and a clown.
And I think we all know which one is which.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has, on numerous previous occasions, expressed gratitude to America for helping Ukraine in the war against Russia.
So then, Donald Trump’s insistence yesterday that the Ukrainian President should now publicly and personally thank him – presumably for calling him a dictator, accusing him of starting the war, and rewarding his Russian aggression by opening negotiations with Putin, whilst at the same time offering to relieve his country of a sizeable chunk of its mineral wealth – reveals the so called leader of the free world to be someone motivated by his own self interest rather than any genuine desire to do what is right.
Furthermore, his desperate need to be admired by all and sundry explains the appalling disrespect he himself showed the office of the U.S. Presidency when he called his predecessor ‘stupid’.
But what Trump doesn’t appear to understand is that people are admired for their kindness, honesty and integrity, and not for their greed, unreliability and opportunism.
Or that those who are genuinely strong, far from throwing the weight around in order to gain more of what they already have, give of themselves for the benefit of those in need.
Yesterday then, was a bad day at the Oval Office. More than that it was undoubtedly a sad day for the world, and most especially Ukraine who meanwhile continued to suffer in the face of yet more Russian missile strikes.
But it was sad day too for the United States of America, revealing as it did just what that once great nation has now become.
I know it sounds obvious but it’s something that these days sometimes gets forgotten.
Because you can conceal the truth, suppress the truth, or deny the truth. But you cannot create the truth.
Neither can you change it.
The truth is not dependent on what we think. Neither is it what is necessarily popular, or convenient.
Because the truth is what it is.
Never varying, the truth remains stubbornly the same.
Even so, there are those who are blind to the truth.
There are those, including some in power, who wouldn’t recognise the truth if it was stood there right in front of them.
Like Pontius Pilate for example.
Who asked ‘What is truth?’ of the one who was, and is the truth [John 18:38], and discovered that those who try to kill the truth, find that it refuses to stay dead.
Because the truth can’t be silenced.
The truth is forever.
Contend then for the truth – the glorious truth, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners [1 Timothy 1:15].
That He is the way, and the truth and the life. And that no one comes to the Father except through him John 14:6].
Related posts:
To read ‘In loving memory of the truth’, click here.
So if I may, and without getting too political, I’d like to say a word about Donald Trump.
Because if you’re one of those people, and there are some, who is putting their hope in him, you need to stop. Because he’s only a man.
And if you are one of those people, and there are some, who despair that he’s the President of the United States, you need to stop. Because he’s only a man.
It is God who is in control – not Donald Trump.
And God will use him, as he does all world leaders, as a means of grace, or a means of judgment, as he, and he alone, sees fit.
Hope then in Almighty God – and not in a mere man.
‘The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.’ [Proverbs 21:1]
‘Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God’ [Psalm 20:7]
Related posts:
To read “Hope comes from believing the promises of God”, click here
For some, February 14th isn’t the easiest day of the year.
But whether you’re happily married, sadly still single or stuck in a relationship that you wish you weren’t, whether you’re enjoying life on your own, ’just good friends’ with someone you hope one day to enjoy something more, or grieving the loss of the person you’ve spent a lifetime with, whatever your current ‘status’, I hope that this Valentine’s Day you’ll know what true love is.
That is to say, I hope you’ll experience the love of the God who is the God of love.
For in this is love, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the justice satisfying, wrath absorbing, sin atoning, sacrifice for our sins. [1 John 4:10]
For God’s love is longer lasting than time itself – and stronger even than death. His love is not dependent on how lovely we might be – rather it is a reflection of how infinitely loving He is. And whilst His love keeps no record of wrongs, it does not ignore our faults. For God’s love deals with our shortcomings, making us the people we were always meant to be so that, unspoilt by sin, we can look forward to enjoying perfect and everlasting fellowship with Him.
So then, I for one am grateful that God’s love is patient and kind, that his love does not envy or boast and that his love bears all things, believes all things and hopes all things.
Furthermore I am grateful that, undeserving of it as I am, his love also endures all things – even death on a cross. For that is the extent of the love he has for me, giving his life for mine as he bore there the punishment that I deserved.
Which is why I will forever now rejoice, that God’s love never ends.
And I hope very much that you’ll join me.
Related posts:
To read ‘A good heart these days is hard to find’, click here
This week I heard on the news of how two couples went though with abortions having mistakenly been told that their unborn babies had serious genetic conditions.
Described by the BBC as an NHS scandal, it is indeed a tragic story and one can’t help but feel for those affected by it.
But, whilst sympathetic to those who find themselves in seemingly impossible situations, can anyone explain to me why, when two healthy babies, believed to have a serious prenatal diagnosis, are aborted as a result of a clinical error, it’s considered a scandal, but when, in the UK alone, more than 500 babies, known to be healthy, are aborted every day, it’s not.
Or why, having contacted me about a pregnant patient of mine who was using drugs, the social worker who was minded to put the unborn baby on the child protection register, on hearing that the mother had chosen to have a termination felt no further action was therefore necessary.
Because to me it makes absolutely no sense at all.
Unlike the case I was involved with in my early years as a doctor when a young mother, on finding out that she had cervical cancer at the same time she discovered she was pregnant, deferred the urgent hysterectomy she required until her child was born.
A decision that saved her baby’s life, even as it cost her her own.
Some musings 