We are familiar with the title “Man of Sorrows” from Isaiah 53:3. We can sometimes limit this suffering to his arrest, torture and death on the cross. The hymn, “Man of sorrows,” focuses on this vital and central aspect of Jesus’ suffering. Yet, his suffering began with his coming and continued throughout his life. This … More The infant of sorrows
On this Easter Sunday, my daily readings have brought me to Matthew 1. I saw a little note in my Bible App entitled “The Immanuel Principle.” The wonder of “God with us” is a precious aspect of the Christmas story, and the Christian life. Jesus Christ is God the Son Himself, clothed with flesh, and … More The Immanuel Principle
Immediately, Galatians hits you between the eyes. There’s no gentle introduction. After the initial greetings, Paul gets down to his task, to warn boldly that to depart from the message of salvation by grace alone is another gospel altogether. Another gospel cannot save and so it is of monumental importance that such a “gospel” is … More Galatians – how is a person saved?
Hebrews shows us the sufficiency and superiority of Jesus Christ. It was written to believers with a background in Judaism who were being tempted to drift back into it along its outward rituals. So, the book is full of warnings, for example: This is not meant to make true believers doubt their salvation, but to … More Hebrews
Three times in Acts, we read about Paul’s conversion: Years ago, a dear older member of our church’s home group pointed out a progression in the description of Paul’s conversion: At each point, the account grows in brightness. It is as if, when Paul reflects on his conversion, his amazement increases and his wonder about … More How bright is your view of Jesus (Acts 9, 22, 26)?
Hebrews 4:15. “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses.” The Christmas story reveals that God the Son, while remaining fully God, took to Himself a true human nature. That human nature was real and He experienced all the weaknesses and frailty of human nature: tiredness, hunger, thirst, … More Christmas meditation 2023
This will be the final devotional until 4 January, although I hope to post some of my Christmas sermon recordings over the next couple of weeks. Thank you for reading these devotionals. May you know the Lord’s blessing this Christmas. John 1:29 Over the last two days, we have looked at how we can truly … More Christmas devotional – John 1v29 – The Lamb of God
John 1:12-13 In first part of verse 12 (which we looked at yesterday), John encourages his readers to receive Jesus, that is, to believe in His name. To receive Jesus is to take Him at His word, to trust Him as Saviour and to turn from the darkness of this world, and the darkness in your … More Advent devotional for 12 December 2020 – John 1v12-13 – children of God
John 1:12 Jesus came to this dark world. He is the light that shines in the darkness. He came to a world that would reject Him, but not everyone rejects. Today’s verse says: “But those who did receive Him…” The way out of darkness is to receive Him. “…to those who believed…” We receive Him … More Advent Devotional for 11 December 2020 – John 1v12 – Those who receive Him
Hebrews 11:13-16 Have you ever heard a parent say to a child, “I’m ashamed of you”? The child is doing something really naughty in public, or in front of friends or family, and the parent says these words. Maybe it was said to us when we were children; maybe we have said it ourselves. But … More Devotional for 16 November 2020 – Hebrews 11v13-16 part 4 – unashamed