Great voice, great video

Matthew 9 - What about those people that are really out to cause us hassle.

Matthew 9:35-38

³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

As I read to the end of chapter 9 it becomes apparent that the passage shows compassion in its truest form. It was interesting to read Spurgeon’s thoughts on the original Greek word that was used to refer to the compassion that Jesus showed to those around him. Spurgeon writes that “The original word is a very remarkable one. It is not found in classic Greek. It is not found in the Septuagint. The fact is, it was a word coined by the evangelists themselves. They did not find one in the whole Greek language that suited their purpose, and therefore they had to make one.” The compassion Jesus had for those around him couldn’t be described by any available language so they made a word up. This is pastoral care to its extreme, what a lesson for me as I try to follow in the footsteps of a Saviour who lived out love beyond all measure.

The practical implications of this lesson become even more of a challenge when you take this passage in its context. Jesus knew what was coming next, he knew that the religious leaders he would come into contact with would put him to death, Jesus had also been living and journeying through a land that was filled with people who treated him unfairly, criticizing both his person and his work, yet he never stops following the plan his Father has for him, quite the opposite actually, he shows so much love that his disciples have to come up with a new word to express the strength of his actions.

It makes me think of my reaction when people get on my back, sometimes I think some people are just out to cause us hassle and harm, but no matter what their intentions, our intentions must shadow and show the example we have been left by Jesus.

A great man once said, “I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

What’s more we have just witnessed, that, not only did Jesus say it, he lived it. I pray that today I can live this teaching out in my life, I pray for lots of grace because, especially when it comes to showing this type of compassion I will need it.

What is it that defines you?

What is it that defines you?

Possibly a question that makes you think, perhaps a question that is a little intrusive? I was introduced to Scotty Smith’s blog by a friend the other week and he say’s this as he prays, “Our organization doesn’t define us. Our work doesn’t define us. Our ministries don’t define us. Your (Jesus) relationship with us and your love for us are our defining realities. May we never forget.”

Id love to be able to say with confidence, that, it is my relationship with Jesus that defines me, I wish it was and have a great hope that it can be. I pray that today my hope can be strengthened with positive action rather than thought.

Regarding believing and seeing.......

Matthew 9:27-31

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

“Yes, Lord,” they replied.

Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.

It’s true that my hope is Jesus. It’s also true that Jesus is the author and perfector of my faith. Therefore I can deduce that for my hope to increase it would be sensible for my faith to also increase. As Jesus is a constant in this equation, the buck stops with me! My faith doesn’t increase because of Jesus, it increases as I hand more of my life over to him and believe he has the power to make a difference.

Just like the guys in Matthew 9, Jesus was interested in their state of mind and heart and the strength of their belief. There is never any question regarding the power that Jesus has, the question was whether the blind men had the belief that Jesus could make a difference. Thinking that Jesus might have been able to make a difference wasn’t going to cut it. Belief must be stronger than that. I pray that I can believe like these two blind men, without any doubt.

Great music

I was round at my mate Stu's for dinner on Saturday evening and he gave me an introduction to these guys. Its brilliant. The aim of the project was to bring to fruition the idea of making hymns accessible and known again.

I love how they came up with their name, they state - the name comes from a reference to page 116 in our copy of the magicians nephew. by C.S. Lewis. It is a poignant passage where Aslan begins to sing Narnia into creation out of a black void.

It starts, “In the darkness something was happening at last. A voice had begun to sing. It was very far away and Digory found it hard to decide from what direction is was coming. Sometimes it seemed to come from all directions at once. Sometimes he almost thought it was coming out of the earth beneath them. Its lower notes were deep enough to be the voice of the earth herself. There were no words. There was hardly even a tune. But it was, beyond comparison, the most beautiful noise he had ever heard. It was so beautiful he could hardly bear it.”
~ C.S. Lewis

Brilliant, check out their website here