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John 21:1-17

Falling Up

Before Christ was betrayed he told his disciples that they would be made to stumble because of him. Peter insisted that Jesus was wrong about him. Peter fell hard by denying he knew Jesus three times. When the rooster crowed Peter remembered what Jesus had told him and he wept bitterly. Three years of fellowship, teaching, miracles and ministry came crashing down because a couple of servant girls thought they recognised him as being Christ’s disciple.

What I find so encouraging is that Jesus began chasing Peter even before he fell. Christ sought to prepare the disciples for their fall so that afterwards they would remember that Christ had told them and that Christ was still their Lord. They were not forsaken even though they were the ones doing the forsaking.

Having fallen Peter was humbled. In John 21 Christ pursues Peter, he engages him, he fellowships with him and he restores his relationship with him and reinstates Peter to his calling to be a fisher of men for Christ. Who would have thought that the world would be saved by the death  of its Saviour? Who would have thought that Peter would become the ‘Rock’ upon which the church would be built after denying the Saviour three times?

When Peter fell he realised he couldn’t fulfil his calling without Christ. He did not have the strength, wisdom or ability to be the Rock in and of himself. Having fallen he became open to being restored by Christ. The love of Jesus’ redemption of Peter is what made him useful to his Saviour. Next time you fall down, next time you deny Christ with your words, thoughts or actions look up because Jesus will be chasing you down the hill. He will restore you so that you can begin falling up. the Rev

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Psalm 73 & Luke 6:20-26

Kingdom SAS

SAS stands for the Special Air Service (Regiment). They are an elite group of soldiers that have a counter terrorist and reconnaissance role in our Military. They are highly trained in many fields of disciplines. They are often sent deep into enemy territory and operate secretly, calling in air strikes against enemy units whenever possible or rescuing hostages. The SAS have full access to any resource they need for their mission. They can be dropped from their air, travel over land or sea (even by submarine).

SAS insertion behind enemy lines

Christ teaches that his eternity can help you rejoice in the midst of hardship through the realisation that there is more to now than now. There is so much more. Those who go without now to serve Christ and to rescue his enemies will enjoy far more in eternity.

God’s Kingdom resources will help you rejoice when most people would be depressed. It will set you free from ‘needing’ so that you will be content with what you have. And you will be able to give up what you have for the sake of your enemy. As God’s kingdom SAS soldiers your whole live is a suicide mission where you are constantly giving up your worldly life in exchange for a heavenly one.   the Rev

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Luke 6:20-26

Bling bling

There is no greater contrast to “blessed are the poor” than a diamond dental grill. I’m not sure whether to laugh or be upset at the extravagance of this man’s smile. Bling is not just the fashion accessory of rap stars. Everyone has some sort of Bling in their lives. I can’t help think of my little Sis with her shoes. But then I have to admit I have a very expensive phone in my pocket.

Bling Teeth

The beatitudes describe a person who has been set free from the desire for money, pleasure, happiness and popularity. Jesus undermines much more than money. He turns the whole world upside down.  I can well imagine people with stunned looks on their faces when Jesus preached his sermon. Like us they had their super stars with their bling. Everyone admired and wanted to be like them. Jesus comes along and throws a hand grenade into the thinking that money, power and beauty are for the elite.

In God’s thinking the elite are those who are the lowest in the world’s social ladder. They are the ones who have been humbled by God and depend upon him for what they need. They aren’t so wrapped up in their possessions or even their own comfort. When unexpected bills turn up in your mail box, or you car breaks down how do you respond? I have to remind myself to turn to God in these moments. I can easily forget that my life is in his hands. My life does not depend on money.

I’m starting to understand that Christ’s agenda is to shake the world’s hold in my life not give me what the world offers. Not being rich has the advantage that I don’t have to wear a diamond dental grill : P   the Rev

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Luke 6:12-19

Remolding concrete

Concrete is amazing. It can be moulded into any shape and allowed to harden. Once it is hard then its shape is permanent. Sometimes it can feel like our life is a mould into which we have been poured into and then allowed to set. Change feels like chipping away at stone with a hammer and chisel. It is easy to settle for less because change seems impossible.

Change can be hard

In Luke 6:12-19 Jesus demonstrates that no life is set in concrete. Jesus not only called his disciples he even renamed some of them. The significance is that Jesus has the power to radically change people, to transform them into new people without smashing them completely. Peter was like the waves of the sea he walked on to begin with but when Jesus finished with him he was the “rock” upon which the church was built.

This means no spouse should settle for a ceasefire. No parent should compromise for a bit of peace. No worker should do what is required. In Christ we can aim for reconciliation as couples, to restore our love beyond what it was when we first dated. As parents we can train our kids to restrain their own hearts rather than controlling them all the time. As workers we can do more than what is required.

Christ is calling you to be his disciple. This means he will change your character. He will also equip you with gifts which you will be able to use to bless people in your family, friendships, work and church. Christ has called you to be an instrument redemption in your part of the world. He will remould what seems like concrete.  As he remoulds he is also remoulding the world.   the Rev