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I'm sharing this journal entry from one of our sheep / shepherds for your encouragement and invite you to share your stories to keep us connected David
Thursday April 2, 2020: A journal entry:
JESUS WEPT.
A Morning mist of low cloud wrapped soft around the hills.
I read John 6 and tried to ponder on Jesus the living bread. But the mist beckoned and drew me outside, quickly enfolding me in its clammy embrace.
There was no pausing to choose direction. I headed straight up the hill blanketed in the foggy stillness, only birdcall echoing the inner certainty – she’s coming to pray.
Pray up the hill. I haven’t prayed up there for a while. I’ve prayed. But not there on God’s hill, my place of retreat.
At the summit, as cloud drifted and lifted, it was my heart that rained out its anguished plea, the cry for help with COVID19: LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER. Help us Jesus.
That was it. No wordy waffle. I perched on the rim of the damp bench, poised in grief and need; heart, mind and spirit turned to God, “Yet still do I praise you Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Living God.”
A lull then settled over me, like a mute button had been pressed to hush the turmoil of my distressed thoughts and wretched emotions concerning the plight of the world’s people. Wait. Be quiet!
Jesus wept. The words from last Sunday’s reading came to mind loud and clear.
33 When Jesus saw her crying, and the Judaeans who had come with her crying, he was deeply stirred in his spirit, and very troubled. 34 ‘Where have you laid him?’ he asked. ‘Master,’ they said, ‘come and see.’ 35 Jesus burst into tears. (John 11:33-35 NTE)
I too burst into tears, and as I wept, there at the top of the hill, I knew he was weeping with me. Weeping with all the world. Weeping for us all.
Turn to me. And I, turning, vision all awash, could see clearly, he was there. Feed my sheep. To this I shook my head, and thought, I’m no pastor. You are a minister of my word. Therefore, speak my word to others. Speak my word to one another. And suddenly understanding dawned. “You aren’t just saying this to me, are you? It’s your call to all of us: Feed your sheep. The responsibility is ours collectively.” And I pictured the scattered sheep, isolated from one another but belonging together and needing creative new ways of being church and speaking grace and hope to one another and others.
I plunged, then, down the hill, not following the worn paths but winding down the steeper slope, weaving through knee high weeds, around rocky mounds and patches of slippery flattened grass, to emerge at the wider base track.
Now is the time to forge new paths. Jesus is still the Way, the “base track” of my faith remains the same. It’s the network of familiar paths that represent how we have lived out our faith, that have fallen away, not God’s word or his kingdom, or his love.
I am thankful for this love that comes to us where we are: scattered sheep weeping in the mist of uncertainty. I’m thankful that Jesus wept and that his way isn’t set in stone. That he comes and calls us to discover a new and living way, today and tomorrow and the next day. Hallelujah! This is a new day! And the Jesus who weeps with us in our distress will renew us and lead us on beyond COVID19.
JESUS WEPT.
The autumn sun filtered a pale ray through the drifting grey. A reminder that the God who weeps, also sheds light as well as tears.
Why Me?
by Jonathan Krause
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And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? (Luke 1:43)
Read Luke 1:39–45
What a wonderful Christmas reading this is. So full of joy. The baby John in Elizabeth’s womb. Elizabeth. Mary, no doubt. And, of course, you and me, reading this, knowing the child they are talking about is Jesus, God’s gift to our world. What’s interesting to me is Elizabeth’s words, ‘And why has this happened to me?’
Normally, when you hear someone say this, they are discussing something bad that has happened to them. The post that jumped into their rear bumper as they reversed out of a car park. The shopping bag full of cans that split and spilled. The police officer who just happened to be waiting, with a speed gun poised, as they failed to slow down to the required 60 kilometres per hour upon entering a town. You probably have your own examples you can add.
On a more serious level, we can ask the ‘Why me?’ questions when the doctor shares a sudden cancer diagnosis. When a favourite family member passes on. When a child or friend is suddenly upset with you, for no reason you can find.
Why has this happened to me?
It seems we ask the same question far less often when something wonderful happens. We may think we deserve it. We might say, ‘About time.’ Or we might just consider it normal.
In social media, research shows that negative news spreads far faster than positive news. That can lead to what my son (and his generation) call ‘doomscrolling’: going from one negative social media post to the next. Never realising you are getting more and more numbed to the ‘bad’ you see and, therefore, need even worse bad news to have the same impact. Wow, I sound like an old codger there, don’t I?! If you still watch TV news, as I do – though often with gritted teeth – you’ll know the balance between negative and positive news is statistically 90 per cent negative.
So, today, my encouragement to you, and my goal for myself, is that we do the opposite. Share some good news to counter the bad. Offer up the best news of all: what the birth of Jesus means for our lives – and that when we do, we are as excited as Elizabeth and as the baby growing in her womb jumping for joy.
Maybe this is why the gift of ‘Jesus happened to me’.
Lord, you know ‘Why me?’, even if sometimes I don’t. Fill me with the joy of Elizabeth, so I can share your good news with those around me who need it now. Amen.
Jonathan describes himself as: ‘Happy husband, proud dad and grandad, ALWS worker, story sharer, Magpie-mad’.
Jesus is the Light Christmas Day Read: John 9:4-5 Jesus said: “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:5 (NIV)
Once upon a time, in a land shrouded in winter’s darkness, there lived a young boy named Elias. His village was preparing for the annual Festival of Lights, a celebration of the longest night of the year, when the sun would begin its return. Elias, however, felt a deep sadness. His family had recently suffered a loss, and the festive lights seemed to mock his grief. One evening, as the first stars began to appear, Elias wandered away from the village. He found himself at the edge of a dark forest, feeling utterly alone. Suddenly, he noticed a faint light flickering in the distance. Following the light, he discovered a small, humble cottage. An old woman with kind eyes sat beside a crackling fire, her face illuminated by the flames.
“Why are you so sad, child?” she asked gently. Elias explained his sorrow. The old woman listened patiently, then smiled. “The lights of the Festival of Lights are meant to remind us that even in the darkest times, there is always a light within us, and there is always a light to guide us.” She pointed to the fire, then to the star-filled sky. “Just as those lights shine, so does the hope and love that God offers us.” She then told him the Christmas story: how the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, how she gave birth to Jesus, the Light of the World, in a stable, and how the star led the Wise Men to Bethlehem. She explained that Jesus’ birth brought hope and forgiveness, a light to guide people out of darkness and despair. When Elias returned to the village, he saw the lights in a new way. He joined in the festivities, sharing the story of Jesus’ birth with others and encouraging them to look for the light of Jesus coming to the world.
Elias now understood that Christmas wasn’t just about the lights that adorned the village, but about the light of God’s love, hope, and peace that shone within his heart. Bring the light of Jesus to someone’s life today! Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to share the story of Christmas bringing light and hope to other’s lives. Shine your light in my life that others may see you. Amen.
Light of Life Christmas Eve Read: John 8:12-16 “Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 (NIV)
What an amazing promise by Jesus. Today is Christmas Eve and I am sure there is much preparation going on in your home. Some may be finishing work for a week or two to have time off over Christmas/New Year. Children would have finished school earlier, and I am sure that there is much excitement and anticipation for the Christmas dinner, the gifts, the family time. What a joy Christmas is to families whether Christian or not. However, the biggest difference is in knowing Jesus, His love, the hope of a future and the promises that come at the birth of Jesus. Christmas takes on a greater meaning and importance knowing Jesus. Isaiah foretold the coming Christ-child who would be born 700 years later, but described Him as “…Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Through different writers in the Bible, Jesus was also called: Immanuel, Messiah, Saviour, Good Shepherd, Bread of Life and in the passage above Jesus describes Himself as, “…the Light of the World.” To unpack each of these descriptions would make this devotion pages longer, but what we do need to know is that this little baby sent by God planned this from the beginning of time for the world’s salvation.
Jesus is God’s Son who was sent into the world to bring light to people’s lives in giving them the promise of an eternal future. Tonight, as you celebrate with family, make sharing with them the promised Saviour of the world a part of your celebrations. If you cannot go to celebrate with the local congregation, have your own little service by reading the story of the birth of Jesus from a Bible, maybe a child’s Bible.
Set up a nativity display and have the children make the scene as it is being read. Play a few Christmas carols and sing them as a family (perhaps some can play them on instruments). Light candles and share how God’s light has come into the world through Jesus. With Jesus there is no darkness! Prayer: My Saviour Jesus, the Light of the World, enter my heart this night and help me to share with family and friends the promise given with the birth of Jesus. You are my light and my life. Amen.