The Trial

Posted on by Adrian Clark

“Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the headquarters of the Roman governor. His accusers didn’t go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate the Passover.”
John 18:28

There are more details of Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas and the Jewish leaders in Matthew 26. In Matthew’s account, and standing before His accusers, we read that Jesus remained silent, as the leaders desperately tried to find anyone who could say anything, even lies, that would warrant the death sentence. Matthew recorded that there was no shortage of false witnesses, but what they had to say was not admissible even in this kangaroo court. Matthew 26:60b-61, ” …  Finally, two men came forward who declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days’””. They of course were quoting what Jesus said in John 2:19, 21, ““All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” … But when Jesus said “this temple,” he meant his own body.” Even with this “evidence” presented to Him, Jesus still remained silent. And then we read the final question, “ … Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven”” (John 18:63-64). Jesus didn’t have to say that, but I wonder if He realised that the trial wasn’t going very well for the authorities, and He had to say something that, although factually true, would enable the Sanhedrin to deliver a guilty verdict. If the trial collapsed then Jesus would not have been able to complete His mission on Calvary’s cross. The verdict was blasphemy and the council delivered their guilty verdict. But they weren’t out of the woods yet – the Jews did not have the power to execute anyone, so they now had to convince the Roman governor to rubber stamp their verdict.

What a sham! But if we try and superimpose Jesus’ advent on any other period in history, the outcome would probably have been very different. Today, Jesus would never have got anywhere near a court of any type, law or otherwise. The authorities would have written Him off as just one more deluded individual and ignored Him. But Paul wrote in Romans 5:6, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners“. God had a plan for the salvation of humans, and as He looked upon the history of the world laid out before Him, He could see when the right time would be. “Just the right time” occurred two thousand years or so ago, and God’s plan was completed, a plan that we pilgrims are so grateful for. 

This morning, as we consider what Jesus did for us, we bring to Him our humanity, our difficulties, our desire to please Him, our love for Him, our gratitude, and if fact everything we are, into the light of His presence, and on our knees in worship. In our minds we see a glimpse of what Jesus went through. He knew what issues we face today, but He experienced them too. We might struggle with religious persecution from secular authorities who think they know better than God. But so did Jesus. We might find ourselves being tempted by the devil, but so did Jesus. And today, as we face into many different issues, we know that there is a Man in Heaven interceding for us. Romans 8:34, “Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honour at God’s right hand, pleading for us“. Somehow, with this truth planted deep within our hearts, our problems don’t seem quite so bad. I look back over a life, a roller-coaster of good and bad times, and see the results of Jesus interceding for me. Helping me make the right decisions. Keeping me safe in times of trial and adversity. Lifting me up when I had fallen. Carrying me when I was unable to cope with what was around me. How can I ever stop thanking Jesus for all He has done for me? And I’m sure that applies for many of my readers today. Let’s join together in praise today to the One who never flinched when before a hostile court, but instead could see you and me floundering and dying in our sins, and willingly went to the cross to take the punishment we so richly deserved upon Himself instead.

Dear Lord Jesus. How can we ever thank You? One day we will join the angels as we praise You fore all eternity. Amen.

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The Rooster Crowed

Posted on by Adrian Clark

“Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself, they asked him again, “You’re not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.” But one of the household slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?” Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed.”
John 18:25-27 NLT

There are moments in our lives when the enormity of something we have done, or the consequences of a bad decision are suddenly before us. Something perhaps we promised to do or not to do. And all of a sudden we end up having a rooster moment. We experience a feeling in the pit of our stomachs as we find ourselves facing into a situation that we cannot avoid. I remember entering a packed train carriage one commuting morning and ended up standing in a section of the carriage close to a woman who seemed to be having a difficult conversation with a boyfriend or partner on her mobile phone. The carriage was unusually quiet as my fellow travellers became caught up in the emotions of the conversation, one side of it only, of course. But the rooster moment for the person on the other end of the phone was her statement, “You told me I could trust you”. Soon after, she pressed a button on her phone and stored it away, but the silence in the carriage continued, the woman herself staring sightlessly out of the window at the passing countryside. 

Peter we know had promised never to deny Jesus. We read in Matthew 26:33-35, “Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same“. But John 18 records Peter’s three denials, “The woman asked Peter, “You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?” “No,” he said, “I am not.” Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself, they asked him again, “You’re not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.” Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed” (John 18:17, 25, 27). And Matthew 26:75 records Peter’s response, “Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly“. 

Thankfully, the rooster moment for Peter was not terminal and we will read what happened later. But for us too, those occasions in our lives when we screw up and hear a metaphorical rooster crow, are not terminal, as we come into God’s presence, confessing our sins and seeking forgiveness. Paul wrote, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death” (Romans 8:1-2). Fellow pilgrim, you may have messed up. I may have messed up. But we love Jesus and have the assurance that He is never going to bar the door into Heaven for a repentant sinner, no matter how loud the rooster crows.

Dear Father God. Thank You that You pick us up when we fall, dust us off, and put us again on the right path to Glory. We are so grateful. Amen.

Prove It

Posted on by Adrian Clark

“Jesus replied, “Everyone knows what I teach. I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple, where the people gather. I have not spoken in secret. Why are you asking me this question? Ask those who heard me. They know what I said.” Then one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. “Is that the way to answer the high priest?” he demanded. Jesus replied, “If I said anything wrong, you must prove it. But if I’m speaking the truth, why are you beating me?” Then Annas bound Jesus and sent him to Caiaphas, the high priest.”
John 18:20-24 NLT

One thing that could never be claimed was that Jesus failed to tell the truth. In fact, in John 14:6 we read, “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me“. How could the Son of God, who was perfect truth, ever be accused of saying anything that went against the very essence of His nature? Jesus said to Annas that if anyone believed to the contrary then he needed to come up with the evidence to prove it. And for good measure He asked why He was being ill-treated if He was telling the truth. It was very telling that Annas quickly gave up his line of questioning, because he knew that any substantive evidence against Jesus was lacking, and instead referred Him to his son-in-law, Caiaphas. In the presence of God’s Son, the Light quickly dispelled the darkness and brought discomfort to those who opposed God and His Son, Jesus. 

The world around us does not recognise truth. In fact “truth” is invented to suit physical observations or a person’s feelings. In fact, people have become so skewed in their understanding that if they feel, for example, that they were born in the wrong body, then that must be true. Or if they were told by their parents, or a boss at work, teacher, or anyone else, that they were a waster, then that must be truth. In our schools, the theory of evolution is taught as fact and therefore must be true, but as we pilgrims know, it is a lie propagated by the devil himself. Physical processes such as “carbon dating” have been invented to “prove” the age of a something, and the results are taken as being true. I have had philosophical discussions with atheists about the origins of the universe, and they promote theories they consider “true” such as the “big bang” but fall silent when I ask where all the matter involved in the event came from. And I usually follow up with the question as to why there is anything around us at all. Why is there not just nothing? Secular and worldly truth is invented to fit beliefs, ideologies, and limited physical evidence, and we end up with a series of “truths” that become mutually confirming, propagating a lie. 

But in God’s Kingdom, there is no room for lies or half-truths. No room for assumptions and conclusions that are based on anything but God and His Word. To a human being there is no human-derived proof available to confirm the reality of God, and anything to do with Him, because our physical senses are totally inadequate. For example, we cannot see, or taste or feel, the wind of the Spirit. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). Jesus said,  “If I said anything wrong, you must prove it“. And that was the problem for the Jewish authorities. Nothing that Jesus said could be disproved. His teaching was firmly founded on Scripture. He often quoted Biblical passages from the Old Testament to back His public messages. In Matthew 5:17-19, Jesus said, “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven“. The problem for the Jewish leaders was that they had turned God’s Law into a monster that controlled them and because of that they missed what God intended. Jesus said of them, “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things” (Matthew 23:23). 

People may say to us pilgrims, “show us the evidence”, but then we can refer them to the biggest miracle of all, our salvation. The fact that the Creator of the Universe cared enough about you and me to put into place a plan that would lead to our spending eternity with Him, is severely overlooked by the cynical and unbelieving generation around us. In John 6:30, the people ” … answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do?” People are still asking the same question today but God is not in the business of displaying His power through the routine example of signs and wonders. But even with evidence of the wonders of God, people will still not believe in Him, because they prefer to stay in their sinful state. I have known Christians who have started their journey well, and have even experienced miracles happening in their own lives, but who have fallen away and lapsed back into their lives of sin. Jesus challenged people to believe in Him and experience eternal life. In may be a few earthly years before we pilgrims join Jesus in heaven and see the fruit of our belief in Him, but one day we surely will.

Dear Father God. it is only by having faith in You that will please You. We declare that faith before You today and declare that Jesus is Lord of all. Amen,

For The People

Posted on by Adrian Clark

“So the soldiers, their commanding officer, and the Temple guards arrested Jesus and tied him up. First they took him to Annas, since he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest at that time. Caiaphas was the one who had told the other Jewish leaders, “It’s better that one man should die for the people.””
John 18:12-14 NLT

The historical account of Jesus’ arrest was well documented in the Gospels, with each Gospel writer adding snippets of information to build an overall picture of the events that weekend. Over the years following the death and resurrection of Jesus, the disciples would have perhaps occasionally relaxed and chatted together, going over the events and sharing the details, much in the Jewish way, where fathers shared an important event with their children who in turn did the same with theirs. And then it was all written down under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit who would have brought to their remembrance what He wanted recorded. With the benefit of hindsight, John remembered what the High Priest, Caiaphas, had said in an earlier meeting of Jewish leaders. In John 11:49-52 we read, “Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.” He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world”. This would have been remarkable prophecy if it had been related to Jesus and His mission of salvation, but Caiaphas and the other Jewish leaders were more interested in their own cosy lives, and didn’t want anything to rock their boat and cause them personal loss and difficulties. So, they wanted Jesus out of the way, preferably dead, in case He was in the process of leading a rebellion to overthrow the Romans. Caiaphas probably never realised the significance of what he was saying, and the difficulties he was afraid of in fact materialised just a few years later in AD 70 when the Temple was destroyed by a besieging Roman army.

For us pilgrims, the death and resurrection of Jesus forms the bedrock of our faith. No other religion can claim that their god came to earth, where he took on the sins of his followers. No other religion has the power to grant eternal life to all those who believe in the One who created the entire Universe. We read again God’s mission statement, voiced by Jesus in a conversation with a Jewish leader called Nicodemus. “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). An all-inclusive statement that embraced all humanity regardless of skin colour, nationality, ethnic origin, sex and genetic makeup. The only criteria to be applied was the people’s belief in Jesus. A belief that went beyond a superficial acknowledgement of a God’s existence and instead placed Him firmly and unequivocally in a central position in our lives. Today, we pilgrims also believe in Jesus, with a faith that knows no doubts, with a faith that has transformed our very lives and with a faith that will carry us to our Heavenly home one day.

Dear Lord Jesus. You came to this world for the people, those who God loved so much. We are so grateful. Amen.

None Are Lost

Posted on by Adrian Clark

“Once more he asked them, “Who are you looking for?” And again they replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.” “I told you that I Am he,” Jesus said. “And since I am the one you want, let these others go.” He did this to fulfil his own statement: “I did not lose a single one of those you have given me.””
John 18:7-9 NLT

So, there was Jesus facing a crowd of soldiers, Temple guards, Judas, and others, even the High Priest’s slave, who had all been sent to arrest Him. I wonder what this motley crew were expecting? Of course, they may well have seen the miracles, and even might have benefitted from them. They would have heard about Jesus, and the Jerusalem rumour mill might have made them nervous in case He called upon supernatural resources to protect Him and His disciples. But earlier, and as recorded in John 6:39, Jesus said, “And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day”. And even in the face of personal danger all Jesus was concerned about was His friends. It is a humbling thought that our incarnate Creator God made friends with human beings. Ordinary men like Peter the fisherman, or Matthew the tax collector. But despite His imminent suffering, Jesus’ concern for His followers was exactly what He taught and demonstrated during the previous years – His selflessness and love. But Jesus’ actions were all part of His Father’s plans for mankind.

There are two things here that apply to us pilgrims. Firstly, and because God has no favourites, Jesus’ care for His disciples extends even to us today. We may not see Him in the flesh but nevertheless He is with us through the Holy Spirit, making available to us all the love and grace we need in our hours of need. Secondly, are we too looking out for others in their times of adversity? Are we putting aside our own convenience and feelings, instead thinking of others? Paul wrote in Philippians 2:3-4, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too“. We look around us and we have a circle of friends and family. How are we supporting and encouraging them? Perhaps our patents or grandparents need assistance with garden chores. Perhaps a friend is incapacitated by an accident or illness and needs some shopping done. We must remember that for most people the only glimpse they will receive of Jesus is through His followers.

Jesus cared deeply for His friends, the disciples and others who had faithfully followed Him over the previous few years. And even as His life was coming to an end He cared more for them than He did for Himself. In John 15:12-13, Jesus said, “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends“. Jesus gave us an example of what true love really means, and we are called to offer that same love to others, “so that none will be lost”.

Dear Lord Jesus. You laid down Your live in the ultimate act of love dying on the Calvary Cross so that we might have life. We are so grateful. Amen.

Jesus the Nazarene

Posted on by Adrian Clark

“As Jesus said “I Am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground! Once more he asked them, “Who are you looking for?” And again they replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.” “I told you that I Am he,” Jesus said. “And since I am the one you want, let these others go.””
John 18:6-8 NLT

In those days the name “Jesus” was relatively common, and there were others of that name mentioned in the Bible. There was one man called Barabbas, also called Jesus Barabbas in some manuscripts. We can read about him in Matthew 27:15-17, “Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted. This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named [Jesus] Barabbas. As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you— [Jesus] Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”” As an aside, can you imagine the relief that Barabbas felt, in prison having been part of a gang who had killed Roman soldiers, and expecting to be executed in the very near future, and to then be released, in the place of someone with the same name? Such is the saving power of Jesus Christ, bringing relief to sinners, who are otherwise under a eternal death sentence. There were other historical figures in those times with the name “Jesus” but who weren’t mentioned in the Bible. The name “Jesus” is a derivation of the name “Joshua” meaning “to deliver or to rescue”, or “salvation of God”. 

To differentiate between men with the same name, often the place where they lived was added for clarity, along with the name of their father. So Jesus became Jesus of Nazareth, Son of Joseph. Or Jesus the Nazarene. Matthew 2:23 reads, “So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.”” Later Jesus was referred to “Jesus Christ” or “Christ Jesus”, adding the Greek name of Messiah, as written by Paul in Romans 1:4, “and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.” The name Jesus is not commonly used in English-speaking nations, but it is  more used in places where languages such as Spanish in spoken.

To us pilgrims, however, Jesus is not “Jesus of Nazareth”. He is our wonderful Saviour, the Name above all names. There is no other name by which man can be saved. Romans 10:9-10, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved”. In Acts 4 we can read the account of Peter and John, brought before the Sanhedrin for healing the lame man begging at the Beautiful Gate, healing that took place in the Name of Jesus. Acts 4: 7, 10, “They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?” … Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead“. Peter didn’t hold back. He clearly pointed out to the Jewish leaders what the power of the Name of Jesus was capable of, and added for good measure the facts of His death and resurrection. And he finished up by saying, “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Dear Lord Jesus. Your Name is above all names. We sing it and believe it and worship You today. Amen.

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The Great I AM

Posted on by Adrian Clark

“Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked. “Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied. “I Am he,” Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.) As Jesus said “I Am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground!”
John 18:4-6 NLT
 
Jesus’ use of the two words “I Am” were very significant because they were the name of God. To the Jews this name was so sacred that they would not use it in conversation or any other time, instead referring to Him as HaShem or Yahweh. These were sacred names to them, names that would be used with care, if at all. Back in Exodus 3, God appeared to Moses in a burning bush, and God commissioned him to go and lead the Israelite people out of Egypt. A daunting task for a mere shepherd looking after his father-in-law’s sheep. As we read the account, we find that initially Moses wasn’t too keen on the idea – after all he was about eighty years old at the time. In the ensuing conversation, where Moses tried to present reasons as to why God had chosen the wrong man, he asked for God’s name. We read in Exodus 3:13-14, “But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” God replied to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you””. In the following verse, it says, “God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you. This is my eternal name, my name to remember for all generations“.
 
In relationship to Himself, Jesus used the name “I AM” several times in the Bible. We find it in John 8:24, “That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I Am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins”. And in a previous blog we considered the seven “I Am” statements that Jesus made. But we know of course, as it is a fundamental part of our faith, that Jesus had every right to use the name that associated Himself with God, because we know Him as being the Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity. The name “Jesus” has become synonymous with “I AM” because that is who He is. Philippians 2:9-11, “Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honour and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father“.

We see in our verses today from John 18 that Jesus, in His use of the name “I AM”, had a dramatic effect on the soldiers and their companions. They stepped back and fell over each other. Such is the power of Jesus’ name. Peter used the name of Jesus to good effect when he and John were brought before the Sanhedrin. We read in Acts 4:12, “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved“. Jesus’ name, “I AM”, is so powerful that it can save men and women from their sins. This is true power, and power without limit.

Jesus is the great “I AM”. There is none greater and there never will be. And the amazing thing is that the greatest will welcome the lowest – you and me – into His home one day. So we refocus our earthly minds on the things above, elevating our thoughts into Heavenly places. Only Jesus has the words of eternal life.

Dear Lord Jesus. Humbly before You this morning we bow in worship of the only Name that really matters. Thank You. Amen.

Blazing Torches

Posted on by Adrian Clark

“The leading priests and Pharisees had given Judas a contingent of Roman soldiers and Temple guards to accompany him. Now with blazing torches, lanterns, and weapons, they arrived at the olive grove. Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked.”
John 18:3-4 NLT

Imagine the scene. It was dark and Jesus and His disciples were in the Olive Grove, in a place where they usually went. There would have been sufficient light from the stars and perhaps the moon to provide a half-lit monochrome environment. Around them were the olive trees, standing still and shadowy. And then in the distance there appeared lights, the “blazing torches”, the occasional lantern, and sounds, clinking of weapons, whispered voices. Some historians have even estimated that there may have been as many as six hundred soldiers present in that military contingent, though this would seem a bit unlikely, just to arrest one man. But onward they came, tramping through the Olive Grove. Fear would have been starting to rise in the hearts of the eleven disciples, who were there with Jesus.

Of course we remember Peter’s words, as recorded in Matthew 26:35, ““No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same“. The intentions of the disciples to die for their Master and friend were clear, but Peter’s words evaporated into thin air when faced with the overwhelming force arraigned against them. But Jesus had all under control. He “stepped forward to meet them” and asked for clarification about their intentions. What happened next we will consider in a future blog.

But the “blazing torches”? All these events were taking place in the darkness just outside Jerusalem and at a time when ordinary people, who might have become a hindrance to the religious leaders’ purposes, were tucked up in their beds. We know, however, that the devil is most active in times of darkness. Ephesians 6:12, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places“. The “blazing torches” provided physical light so that the instruments of the devil’s purposes could find their way amongst the trees, but in Jerusalem the enemy’s darkness was working its way in the hearts of the religious leaders. They must have been rubbing their hands with glee, thinking that, at last, they had the opportunity to do away with the Man who challenged their sinful practices.

Is there any significance in these “blazing torches” today? With our modern technology, light is easily manufactured, and can quickly expose the dark corners in rooms and streets. But there is only one “blazing torch” that can expose the dark corners in people’s hearts. In Luke 11:35-36, Jesus said, “Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light“. There is only one source of light that really matters and that is Jesus. 

Dear Heavenly Father. You want us to be “blazing torches”, witnesses, for You in this wayward and war-soaked world. Please lead us and guide with the Master’s torch, that illuminates our hearts. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Olive Grove

Posted on by Adrian Clark

“After saying these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of olive trees. Judas, the betrayer, knew this place, because Jesus had often gone there with his disciples.”
John 18:1-2 NLT

In Luke’s Gospel, we read, “Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives” (Luke 22:39). The Mount of Olives was close to Jerusalem, and it was there that Jesus and His disciples spent time together, enjoying the cool of the evening after what was probably a hot day. It was a sanctuary of peace for them, peace in turbulent times where they faced into the antagonism of the Jewish religious leaders. A place of prayer and sharing, a place where the disciples could relax with their Teacher and their Lord. A place where spiritual batteries were recharged for anything to be faced the next day. A grove of olive trees became a place of sanctuary.

The word “sanctuary” first appeared in the Old Testament and it was a place where God dwelt with His people. Exodus 25:8, “Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them”. A sanctuary in Old Testament times became the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Moving into New Testament times, church buildings emerged and here in the UK the landscape is scattered with hundreds, if not thousands, of beautiful, but mostly totally impractical, buildings, sanctuaries that have become monuments to past moves of God. But even today, there is something special about sitting in a pew in a church building, surrounded with light streaming through stained glass windows, looking at an altar where we hope that God will reveal His presence and grant us peace in our time of need.

We pilgrims need a sanctuary, where we too can sit at the Master’s feet in our own personal Olive Grove. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-29, “ … Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls“.  The Psalmist David found his sanctuary in God. He wrote these verses from Psalm 62, “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I shall never be shaken“. 

Personally, I find my sanctuary amongst the natural world around me, where I can see and hear God’s creation, splendid and unique. Every bird that sings and every flower that has burst into life provides a backdrop to where I find God’s peace and presence, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard [my] heart and [my] mind in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). And from my spiritual olive grove I find once again the place of rest, a sanctuary for my soul. Where, dear fellow pilgrim, is your “Olive Grove”? Somewhere where the heavy burdens of life in this mad and bad world can be left at the Master’s feet? God always wants to meet with us. He is always accessible. And there is a place where Heaven touches earth, right where we can find it. It may be an “Olive Grove” or it may be somewhere else, but there we will find rest for our souls.

Dear Father God. It is mind-boggling to realise that the Creator of this Universe wants to meet with us, within the sanctuary in our hearts. Please help us to remain open and willing to commune with You and find the peace that our souls yearn for. Amen.

Judas, the Betrayer

Posted on by Adrian Clark

“After saying these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of olive trees. Judas, the betrayer, knew this place, because Jesus had often gone there with his disciples.”
John 18:1-2 NLT

Why did Judas Iscariot spend three years with Jesus and then decide that he wanted to turn Him over to the Jewish authorities? He shared the fellowship with eleven other men and their Teacher and friend. He saw the miracles. He heard the messages and parables, and even embarked on a missionary trip himself where he healed the sick and preached the message about the Kingdom of God. Why would he then want to see Jesus arrested and, presumably, executed?

In Luke’s account of the time when Jesus chose His disciples, there were two men named Judas. “Judas (son of James), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him)” (Luke 6:16). In other passages, Judas, the Son of James, was also referred to as Thaddeus, thus avoiding any confusion. So there is no doubt about who Judas was. David prophesied about the Judas to come, as we read in Psalm 41:9, “Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me”. And Jesus referred to this verse when He said, “I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfils the Scripture that says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’” We all know the story of Judas’ betrayal of his friend and Master, a story so well known that even today, a betrayer is referred to as a “judas”. 

What motivated Judas to do what he did? Come to that, what would motivate anyone to act in the way Judas did? In Judas’ case, personal gain might have been a factor. He was the Twelve’s treasurer and had a reputation of dipping into the shared funds for his own purpose. In John 12:4-6 we read, “But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself“. So, to acquire thirty pieces of silver, about 30 days wages, would have appealed to his avaricious nature. Another motivation might have been disappointment. Did Judas lose patience with Jesus because he wanted to see a political, not spiritual, solution to Israel’s woes? But regardless, Judas never realised that he was a pawn in the devil’s hands and was being set up for his own destruction. And in the process he became part of God’s plan for the salvation of many.

Father God. With sadness we remember the man who betrayed Your Son, Jesus. But he was all part of Your plan for our salvation, for which we are very grateful. Amen.