Posted by: pastorapbell | January 31, 2011

as we reflect on John’s reflection

John was passionate about Jesus. So much so that he discarded the preliminaries in his writings and delivered to us the main course about the unique humanity and supernatural divinity of this God of ours. He starts his reflection about his encounter by declaring that Jesus was pre-existent as the word which was with God the father, came among us as the miraculous child born of a virgin with the remit to bring grace and truth to us: up close and very personal (John 1:14-18). John presents a Jesus that is passionate about righteousness and Justice (2:13-25), compassionate to those on the margins (4:1-29 & 8:1-11) and had a real genuine love for those who entertained and cared for his physical needs (John 11:28-37 & 38-44 and 12:1-8). This Jesus was God in touching distance. He was not a god out there [transcendent], looking down ready to zap us if we put a foot wrong, but a God who cares, felt what we felt and was willing to forgive us time and time again if we repented and “sin no more”[immanent].

This God man that John introduces us to; walks on water but turns it into wine so that wedding guests would not be disappointed; Allows a woman to wash his feet with her hair then washes all his followers feet and dries them with his apron. Opens the eyes of a man born blind and castigates the religious leaders for being spiritually blind; and finally send his disciples into the world to find, feed and restore all God’s lost sheep. What a depiction of the only saviour of the whole world, Jesus. Thanks you John!

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Posted by: pastorapbell | January 29, 2011

as we share breakfast with Jesus

The disciples got back on track in that they once again listened and followed Jesus. By doing this their jobs became easier and whatever they did was successful. Jesus said to them, “Let’s have breakfast together?” (John 21:10). After this he asked Peter three times, “do you love me more than your job of catching and selling fish?” v.15. Essentially, Jesus was asking Peter, where are you priorities, and how are you going to fulfil the purposes for which I have called you?  Today we are faced with the same questions. What is the most important thing in our life and who or what are we living for? If it is for Jesus then we should do everything to the glory of God wherever we are positioned.  It could be working in the bank, the school, the factory or in the church. Our task is to demonstrate the workings of the kingdom of God wherever we are positioned.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | January 28, 2011

as we cast our nets on the other side

After the disciples went back to what they used to do, they toiled and toiled all night and caught nothing (John 21:1-3). They were expert fishermen and knew exactly where to cast their nets to catch fish. During their time travelling with Jesus, they had learned that Jesus could use a little that was blessed to provide for multitudes (John 6:1-15, Luke 9:10-17).  When we start the process of following Jesus, the onus is on us to continue even though we don’t understand where he is taking us or where we will end up. Let us have this in our minds though; going backwards should not be an option. The fact that Jesus is still there in the wings is comforting for us. When he turned up by the sea of Tiberias (John 21:1), seven of the disciples were back on the ‘tools’ trying to make thing happen by themselves with little success. He called out to them “have you caught anything?” “No” they replied. Jesus said, “cast your net on the other side” and when they did this, not only did they have a 153% increase, they had to invite others to help drag the catch to the shore.

Today, if we have been doing the same things over and over and over again, then let us push out into the deep and cast our ‘metaphorical’ net on the other side. Jesus will give us instructions. Going back to the old way of doing things should not be an option.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | January 27, 2011

as we leave all our previously complicated lives behind

The concluding chapter of John’s gospel highlights the risen saviour eating and drinking with the disciples who by now had gone back to doing what they were used to (John 21:1-8). Catching fish was their business and fish and bread was their staple diet. However when Jesus came by he once again demonstrated to them his authority over the elements by directing them to where the fish were and invited them to leave the natural fish behind to become fishers of men. This is the hardest thing to do for any individual, leaving your gift at the altar and allowing it to be used by God for God. Peter was not aware that the skills he had harnessed as a fisherman could be used by God to build his kingdom.

Today whatever skills you have or whatever gifting you have been given, allow Jesus to direct you as how to use it and how to deploy it for the building up of his kingdom. Like Peter, Jesus will ask us where our priorities are, and get us to reorder our world. Once this is done we will be able to fulfil the plans and purpose he intended for us in the first place.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | January 26, 2011

as we increase our faith, little by little

believe and you will see

Faith is believing without seeing (John 20:19-31). It is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence o f things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). As we continue to hear evidence from John about the divinity of Jesus, today we learn that, not only was Jesus brutally murdered, and that he rose from the dead. He also appeared to his followers in a glorified new death-proof body. We also read that like many of our contemporaries today, Thomas questioned the validity of the evidence presented to him. This is a reasonable stance, if we were to apply reason to the situation. However, the life and times of Jesus was not predicated on reason but on faith. “Thomas, if only you could believe without seeing, you would be blessed.” And “blessed are those who have not seen yet come to believe” (Jesus ~AD34). Today my prayer is this, “Lord open my eyes so that I may see. Remove the scales from my eyes and cure my spiritual blindness.” Help me to go beyond reason and increase my faith in you. Let us exclaim like Thomas when we encounter the risen saviour: “My Lord and MY God, that’s who you are JESUS!”

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Posted by: pastorapbell | January 25, 2011

as we weep with Mary, but not for long!

When Mary arrived at the tomb of Jesus and did not see his body her natural reaction was to cry believing that those people who had wanted him dead now wanted to mutilate his body to stop him doing anything beyond the grave. This was akin to what the Royalist did to Oliver Cromwell who was beheaded posthumously in 1661 after they came back to power. It would appear that even when someone is dead they still pose a threat to those who survive them.  For Mary this was a real crisis, not only was the person who drove seven demons from her dead, his body was stolen to be mutilated by his enemies. Fortunately for her and for us, he died but did not stay dead. This was announced to her by two angels, viz, who are you seeking, why are you crying? they asked, (John 20:15). “They have taken my Lord, tell me where he is and I will go and get him”.  In Mary’s distraught condition she wanted to be with the corpse of Jesus, little did she know that Jesus was the one asking her questions. When the scales were lifted from her eyes, she saw and recognised that is was Jesus who was consoling her.  Today in your time of unbelief, anxiety and grief, when there seems to be no one to comfort you, just call out and ask Jesus to come into your situation by his spirit to bring comfort and peace.

It is OK to cry but remember that although weeping last for the whole night, Joy will come in the morning (Psalm 30:5)! Read and meditate on John 20:11-18.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | January 24, 2011

as we hear what they saw

Whilst Jesus was busy getting the keys of death and hell, his followers were in shock and denial. Even though he had been telling them for the previous months that he was going, that he would be killed and that this was the culmination of his mission, they still did not get it. After the Sabbath was over one of the three Mary’s, Magdalene, went to anoint and inspect the dead body of Jesus. To her surprise the stone was rolled away, the body was gone and the plan of God was now complete. He is alive and he reigns forever more. Simon saw it John reported it and hundreds of people verified it. Today Jesus is alive; his will is that all who follow him should be filled with his Spirit to accomplish all that God has called them to be (Ephesians 5:17).

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Posted by: pastorapbell | January 22, 2011

as see the link between here and there

While Jesus hung on the cross, Satan, the enemy of all righteousness, thought that he had finally won in fulfilment of Genesis 3:15. Here on the cross was the son of God suspended between heaven and earth and placed between two thieves. This was indeed an unholy trinity, with Jesus being first among thieves. One of the thieves recognising that Jesus was innocent asked for forgiveness and received it immediately, whilst the other condemned himself with his mouth (Luke 23:32ff). The devil had finally won or so it seemed, however we know that there was a twist to the story and that Jesus, during that period of separation from the Father, retrieved the keys of death and hell from Satan and redeemed humanity from eternal punishment. The gulf between heaven and hell was now bridged on the vertical plane, whilst the distance between cultures on the horizontal plane was closed. This all occurred because of the cross. Today we say to Jesus, “thank you for the cross.”

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Posted by: pastorapbell | January 21, 2011

as we accept/reject the gift of life

As a benefactor of the will we have the opportunity to accept the gift or to reject it. If we accept it we will be guaranteed eternal life on the other hand if we reject it we will have to face being separated from God forever. Please be assured that forever is a long time. So today the choice is yours, become a beneficiary or reject the offer.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | January 20, 2011

as we understand the nature of the will

Jesus repeatedly said in his discourses to his hearers, “I have come not to do my will but the will of him that sent me”(John 9:4, Luke 22:42). This was his mantra, but what constitutes a will. For me a will is the last testament of an individual about where their assets go once they leave planet earth. The individual writing the will must be in his right mind and must have the document witnessed so that it can be validated. A will that is prepared with all the beneficiaries lined up but not signed is of non-effect. For it to be valid it must be signed by the testator and witnessed by an individual who is not a beneficiary. On that fateful day in April 0000, Jesus signed his last will and testimony with his blood, had it witnessed by the Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots and many from the Roman army and gave his inheritors the benefit of inheriting all of his estate, which includes the gifts of salvation, the gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecies, discerning spirits, various tongues, interpretation of tongues) the fruit of the Holy Spirit (long-suffering, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) and the promise of eternal life. Jesus’ will became effective the very second he died, and since he rose and left death behind we who accept his offer can live and reign with him forever and ever and ever. What an inheritance!

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