Archive for 'Lent Challenge'

Friday, 7th April 2006

LC Day 32

John 1-2 in the Lent Challenge

It’s interesting that John starts not with the physical history and authority of Jesus, but his spiritual one, going back to before creation. A really strong and powerful way of claiming Jesus as the ‘Christ’ as ‘the Word’.  I’m looking forward to an interesting journey with John.

Side note time:

On the wedding, Lamsa (who wrote the book ‘gospel light’) has quite a bit to say!

He says that there’s been a big translation error on 2: 4.  Jesus wasn’t rebuking his Mother for bothering him.  The word for ‘time’, in this context actually means ‘turn’.  So Jesus was really saying ‘It’s not my round’!  It was the custom that the guests provided the drinks for the long (often many days) wedding celebrations, and when their round was shared, it would be annouced who had supplied it.

So as there was a lull, Mary suggested this to Jesus and he said it wasn’t his round yet.  So Mary told the servants to do what ever Jesus said and she would pay for it.

He also suggests that the water might not have been turned into wine, but have been the best ’spiritual’ water the guests had ever tasted.  As a religious leader, Jesus would not have drunk heavily (as was the custom at weddings) and for him to offer wine, would have been looked down on.  So he supplies water, the giver of life. (think of the samaritain women at the well)

I think it makes a good deal of sense, especially the mis-translation.

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Wednesday, 5th April 2006

LC Day 31

Luke 22-24 in the Lent Challenge

I’ve always liked the story of the repentant thief. It so clearly speaks of Jesus, you’re either with him or you’re not.

One of my favourite songs by Third Day is Thief. The story as told by the repentant thief. It’s so powerful and the live version on the Offerings Album always sends a tingle down my spine. If you haven’t heard it, I really recommend you try to.

The promise Jesus gives the thief is incredible, ‘today you will be in paradise’. This would have amazed the Jews watching, as they thought you went into a kind of ’spiritual limbo’ until judgement day and only then were let into heaven. But here was Jesus not only saying who would and who wouldn’t get into heaven (the role of God) but also saying when! Truely amazing.

Through the three gospels I’m starting to see more of who Jesus truely is, I’m sure it will continue through John.

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Tuesday, 4th April 2006

LC Day 30

Luke 19-21 in the Lent Challenge

The way Jesus talks about himself in the two parables in 19: 11-27 and 20: 9-19 are amazing, so on the button.

The love he shows for Jerusalem, knowing that in only 40-50 years it wouldn’t be standing, is deep and earnest, not like the people in 20: 45-47 (they seem so familiar today as well!).

He turns the questions back on the answers, with wit as well as wisdom.  He must have so fed up of answering these tricks questions as well as the disciples continuing ones, yet still is willing to answer. I wish I had patience like that!
I find 21: 13-15 so encouraging.  So often I can’t find the words, but they shouldn’t be my words but his!

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Monday, 3rd April 2006

LC Day 29

Luke 17-18 in the Lent Challenge

Seeing 18: 9-14 in relation to 18: 15-25 really opened my eyes. Being childlike is to be humble (well at least not trying to look better than the next guy), not caught up on material goods (playing the box rather than the toy!) and being willing to listen and accept things for what they are.

Lord, help my real inner child to come and be with you, amen.

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Friday, 31st March 2006

LC Day 27

Luke 4-5 in the Lent Challenge

The passion, expectancy, ferver, love, enthusiasm shine through so strongly, almost to the point of anger sometimes.

Two things struck me today:

  1. The two mentions of yeast. We had a Passover meal at house group this week (I know a bit early!) and before the meal, all traces of yeast had to be rid from the house. Such a potent force. I’m intolerant to yeast and know what it can do to me! The yeast of the Pharisees blew their pride up, but the yeast of God can make bread a kingdom rise! I need to careful what kind I am.
  2. Ch12 v 49 is amazing. My version (ncv) says: “I came to set fire to the world, and I wish it were already burning.” Wow.

In ‘Consuming Fire’ by Third Day it says “Our God, He is a consuming fire and the flames burn down deep in my soul!”

Lord, let me burn more for you.

by james in Lent Challenge | No Comments »

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