Life + Faith – joncoombs.com

Author: Jon

  • Slaves + Saints: The Essence of Christian Partnership

    It’s not very common these days to receive a physical letter in the letterbox. I’m not sure about you but what usually arrives in our letterbox is bills, junk mail, or some political party telling us what they’re going to do if they are elected. But on occasion, perhaps for a birthday, there might be a short letter written from one of the grandparents. And there’s still an excitement that comes from receiving a handwritten letter from someone. It shows they care; it shows they are thinking about me, and it shows they have gone to a bit of effort and cost to get it to me. 

    As Paul opens his letter to the Philippians, we can hear the care, the thought, and the effort that Paul goes to show his joy and affection for this church. And knowing that the church in Philippi is aware of Paul’s imprisonment (1:13) and their worker Epaphroditus is with them and has been sick (2:25-30), I suspect they would be very excited to have received this letter. Then, upon opening and reading, they would have been buoyed by the genuine thankfulness, emotion, and love Paul expresses to the church right from the beginning. 

    And so, from the beginning of a Paul’s writing here to the Philippians, we find this letter to be one of genuine partnership. 

    Unlike the letters or emails we write, in which we state the recipient’s name and ask them how they are, Paul follows first-century letter-writing custom of stating his and Timothy’s name before giving a little greeting to the church. 

    And it’s easy to skip right over these little greetings at the start of the letters we have in our Bibles. Here in Philippians it’s worth noting a couple of things. 

    Slaves of Christ

    First, notice how Paul identifies himself and Timothy. 

    We read, “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus” (1:1).

    In the NT it is common to translate the word used here as either servant or slave, and this can be the case here. In our minds, ‘servant’ is a little softer to our ears and imaginations than ‘slave’, but for the church in the Greco-Roman world, this idea of being a slave was a common marker of identity. Slaves in homes, business, or on farms were part of life. And so the idea of being bound to someone else was not a foreign idea as it is for us today. Therefore, when Paul calls himself a “slave of Christ Jesus” he is identifying himself with Christ. He recognises he is bound to Christ. He knows he is under the authority and Lordship of Christ and at his service. 

    Saints In Christ

    Second, notice how Paul identifies the church.

    We read, “To all the saints (NIV: God’s holy people) in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.” 

    Paul uses another couple of identity markers, this time for the people of God at Philippi. Those who have turned to God through Christ are called ‘saints’ or ‘God’s holy people’. Paul acknowledges those within the church, despite their non-Jewish background, are in the continuing line of God’s people. They are being set apart for God, which is a familiar description in the OT of this term ‘saints’ (Exodus 19:4-6; Psalm 135:3-4). This is a little marker of their identity and a helpful reminder in how they should think of themselves. 

    I wonder how you think of yourself? Are you a sinner or are you a saint? 

    We live in the tension of knowing we are sinners while being assured of the truth that we are in Christ. Through faith in Christ we are considered the people of God, the saints of God. We are the holy people of God who are in Christ Jesus. Paul writes this regularly as he opens his letters to the Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Colossians, and here in Philippians. And while we continue to fail, continue to sin against God, we can know that we are saints in Christ because it is Christ who has decisively dealt with our sin on the cross. 

    This should be the regular way we think about ourselves as believers, as saints. 

    After writing about reconciliation and peace with God through Christ Paul writes in Ephesians 2:19-20:

    19 So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.

    If you are struggling with sin or struggling with God’s acceptance of you because of your sin, then I encourage you to dwell on what it means for you to be a saint. For that is what you are in Christ Jesus.

    Leaders Under Christ

    Alongside this identity marker of being saints is Paul’s reference to the overseers and deacons. These are leaders in the church at Philippi and he wants to make sure they listen to the content of this letter as well. 

    In chapter four Paul encourages two female leaders within the church to agree with one-another in the Lord (4:2-3), but more than this Paul is highlighting how the message of this letter is for the whole congregation. There is no separation between the leaders and the rest of the church. They are together the people of God, no one is more special than anyone else. This letter isn’t just for a certain segment of the church, but everyone is called to walk the same walk as each other. 

    We often see this occur in churches, where leaders are put on a holier-than-thou pedestal. But those who are in leadership are no more special in the eyes of God than anyone else.

    At the church where I pastor I, and the rest of the pastoral team, sit under the teaching of scripture just as much as anyone else. We who are involved in the leadership of the church may have certain responsibilities placed upon us because of our roles, and according to Hebrews 13:17 we will need to give an account before God in due course. But our prayers don’t make it to God any faster, our sins still need to be repented of, confessed, and forgiven through Christ. Our conduct still needs to be worthy of the gospel (1:27). 

    Here at the beginning of this letter, even in these first two verses, we see the beginnings of what is a special partnership. A special partnership that already speaks into our identity with God and with one-another.

    This post is part of an ongoing series where we will dive into the themes, messages, and lessons found throughout the book of Philippians. For earlier posts please see:

  • The Enduring Joy of Christ

    I am often amazed when I hear stories of people who have gone through such hardship and suffering yet they are still so filled with joy. Recently I heard testimony of believers and Christian workers who were still joyful and hopeful despite being displaced and impoverished because of the war in Ukraine. Those brothers and sisters from Myanmar, who have now moved nearby to where I live, are often full of joy, despite the tragedy to their families and communities. And then there are those closer to home who have gone through the loss of employment, significant health battles, or grief in losing a child and yet they have an enduring joy.

    How can this be?

    Well, the letter to the Philippians answers that question by giving us a picture of Christ. A picture of Christ that highlights the greatness of his character and who he is. For in knowing Christ and more of him we find an enduring joy and a persistent contentment in our lives.

    In our world joy is portrayed to us differently. It is sold to us through material means, or short-term experiences, or goods and services we may use. I mean, even the box that held our online shopping recently had written across it, “a little bit of joy”.

    When we come to the Bible, we find joy described in numerous ways.

    In the Old testament joy comes through the religious practice of the people of Israel, through the festivals, celebration, and worship of God. The Psalms describe joy in personal adoration and through corporate worship (Psalms 42:4; 81:1-3; 16:8ff; 43:4). Isaiah associates joy with the fullness of God’s salvation and with anticipation of our future state with God (Isa 49:13; 61:10ff).

    When we come to the New Testament, we find joy first described through Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:10) then through his entry into Jerusalem toward the end of his life and also after the resurrection (Mark 11:9ff; Luke 19:37; Matthew 28:8). Jesus speaks of joy being the result of a deep relationship with him (John 15:11; 16:22-24). In Acts and Paul’s letters joy is shown to come through (a) being part of the body of Christ, (b) the outcome of suffering and sorrow for Christ’s sake, and (c) a gift of the Holy Spirit that comes from the love of God toward us and our love toward God (Acts 13:52), and described as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Given that joy is a gift to us we are called to share in the joy of Christ and walk with him in rejoicing in the knowledge and salvation of Christ.

    Knowing Christ

    In Philippians joy is attached to knowing Christ.

    In knowing Christ, we find an everlasting joy that is deeper than that online shopping experience, or that Big Mac you craved for lunch, or the superannuation package you’ve just signed up for. Whatever joy is being sold to us there is nothing that compares to the joy of Christ, which holds through times of gratitude and happiness as well as through times of deep grief and sadness.

    For Paul joy comes through his partnership in the gospel with the Philippian church (1:1-11). It comes through the friendship he has with them; it comes through the unity they strive to have with one-another (2:2), and it comes through the ministry he undertakes on their behalf and in his service to them (2:17-18). As they progress in the faith his joy abounds, and despite the circumstances he finds himself in and the heritage had as a Jewish leader (3:7-8), it is only through knowing Christ as Lord that he is able to say, ‘to live is Christ and to die is gain’ (1:21).

    Knowing Christ Forms Our Character

    I don’t have a radical conversion story. I was bought up in a Christian home and God and faith have been part of my story since I was born. And for many of us we may look upon our own faith journey as being rather ordinary. But I’m aware of others, and you may be too, who have found Christ and had a total change in their character.

    As Paul writes to the Philippians, we read that life in Christ impacts our character, whether we’ve had a radical conversion or not.

    This is most clearly seen in the high note of this letter, a poetic-like section, that speaks of Christ’s humility. In 2:5-11, Paul encourages the church to adopt the attitude of Christ. He writes,

    5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,

    6 who, existing in the form of God,
    did not consider equality with God
    as something to be exploited.
    7 Instead he emptied himself
    by assuming the form of a servant,
    taking on the likeness of humanity.
    And when he had come as a man,
    8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient
    to the point of death—
    even to death on a cross.
    9 For this reason God highly exalted him
    and gave him the name
    that is above every name,
    10 so that at the name of Jesus
    every knee will bow—
    in heaven and on earth
    and under the earth—
    11 and every tongue will confess
    that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

    Here is the call to follow Christ’s example in his humility, but it also highlights the character of Christ. It is what we might call high Christology, helping us understand more of who Christ is.

    And what do we learn of the character of Christ?

    We learn that he is humble.

    Even though Christ is God and was with God and existed together with God he did not use his position to his advantage or to advance himself. Instead, he let go of such a position in order to become a servant to God and to humanity. He humbled himself, came into our world as a man, and then was obedient or submitted to the will of God to such an extent that he would die on a cross to serve and save the world.

    This is the gospel, this is the good news.

    And in this good news we see the character of Christ.

    Christ willingly leaving his elevated and first position in order to become last and be of service to the world.  

    In Jesus’ lifetime he not only displays his character, but he also teaches his disciples about this virtue of humility.

    On at least one occasion the disciples are arguing about who is the greatest among them. I’m amused when I think of what that conversation must have been like because I wonder if it was like those conversations people have about who is the GOAT – the greatest of all-time, whether it me a footballer, or basketballer, or cricket player. They just turn into a bit of a mess. But in response to their debate among themselves Jesus tells them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last and servant of all” (Mark 9:33-37).

    And this is exactly what Christ does. He has become last and a servant for all and in doing so he is exalted and lifted on high.

    Christ’s character was modelled through his preaching and teaching and through what he does.

    Knowing Christ Impacts Our Conduct

    Early in the letter Paul deals with those who are preaching the message of Christ out of selfish ambition (1:17), in chapter two he calls the church to be united (2:2) and encourages them to hold to the word of life (2:17). In chapter three Paul speaks about the confidence many have in the flesh and their own actions. He talks about his own heritage which many would believe puts him in a good position to be right with God (3:4-6). And as he writes these things he has Christ at the forefront. For in knowing Christ we will conduct ourselves in a way that is worthy of the gospel (1:27).

    And this is what he writes to the church in 1:27, “Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

    First, note that we have a heavenly citizenship. We are part of the people of God who have an everlasting citizenship. This is assuring in and of itself.

    But second, the way in which we conduct ourselves is to be worthy of the gospel. There are practical implications for us as we know and grow in Christ.

    For the church in Philippi this conduct is expressed in being united with one-another and putting others first (2:2-3). It is doing everything without grumbling and arguing (2:14). It is holding firm to the word of life (2:16). It is standing firm in the faith together despite those who wish to add to the gospel or destroy the church through self-centred and law-adding false teaching (3:2-6). It is rejoicing in the Lord (3:1; 4:4). It is by being gracious toward others (4:5). It is by not worrying about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition, presenting requests to God (4:5-6). And it is by dwelling on that which is just, pure, lovely, and commendable (4:8).

    Joy in Christ comes from knowing him. And in knowing him we find our character and our conduct transformed. Transformed into conduct worth of the gospel of Christ.

    This post is part of an ongoing series where we will dive into the themes, messages, and lessons found throughout the book of Philippians.

  • The Resurrection: The Power of the Gospel

    Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

    He is risen! He is risen indeed!

    As Easter Week concludes today, we go out on an incredible high. For today we are reminded of the power of the gospel, of the power of God in restoring His people to Himself. This restoration achieving its completion through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

    The resurrection of Jesus is not simply a historical event, but a transformative reality that has the power to change our lives. It is a declaration of the power of God to bring new life out of death, to restore and renew all that has been broken. Just as Jesus’ body was raised to new life, so too can we be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and made new in Him.

    I’m no runner but I’ve known plenty of people competing in marathons or triathlons where they push their bodies to the limits. When they cross the finish line, they are exhausted but full of excitement and accomplishment as they have the satisfaction of knowing they have completed the race. Like crossing the finish line after a race brings a sense of satisfaction, the resurrection reminds us of the victory we have in Jesus, giving us a reason to hope and to trust in a loving and powerful God. The resurrection of Jesus represents for us the victory over sin and death, and in so doing restores us to God. In this restoration we find we can have a relationship with Him, and a satisfaction in life and death because of His work for us.

    The resurrection is another tangible demonstration of God’s great love and grace for all who believe. In amongst the sin, the suffering, and the hopelessness that can often pervade our news and social media streams, we can know that the resurrection gives us a reason to hope, a reason to trust, and a reason to love.

    Through the power of the gospel our lives are impacted, they are transformed. And this impact is not just for us but for the entire world. Through the resurrection Jesus’ victory over sin and death has the power to bring about healing and restoration throughout our world. It is a message of hope for all people.

    While today marks the end of this series and the end of the Easter events it is only the beginning of living in the power of the gospel. As we have worked through these passages from the Gospel of Mark we see the ways in which Jesus fulfils God’s plan for humanity, fulfils that which was written long ago, and fulfils the hole in our soul with the satisfying love, hope, and peace we have with God.

    This is a devotional series I’ve written for my church for Easter Week 2023. It follows the Passion narrative in the Gospel of Mark. This is day 8 of 8.

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  • The Burial: A Final Act of Love

    Scripture: Mark 15:42-47

    In Mark 15:42-47, Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Jewish council, asks Pilate for permission to take Jesus’ body and give him a proper burial. In doing so he shows a final act of love and respect toward Jesus.

    This act of love by Joseph would have been costly for him, most likely resulting in him losing his position and influence in the community. However, he chose to prioritise the honouring of Jesus, recognising His significance, and giving Him a dignified burial over his own reputation.

    In our own lives we show love and respect to others in a wide variety of ways, some large acts of love like a wedding ceremony to small everyday actions like writing someone a text to show we are thinking of them. It could be taking the time to listen or offering a kind word to someone struggling. It could mean forgiving someone that has hurt us or being compassionate towards those who are often overlooked.

    Those who work in hospice, aged, or palliative care are great examples of people providing comfort and support to people who are at the end of their lives. They offer compassion and dignity to patients and their families, helping them to navigate difficult times with grace and love. In so doing they are imitating that which Joseph does here for Jesus’ body, recognising the need for dignity and honour, and in turn bringing glory to God.

    Furthermore, alongside being a costly exercise for Joseph it also highlights the risk he took in honouring Jesus. Mark’s description of Joseph in verse 43 highlights his spiritual perspective as he waited for the Kingdom of God to come, indicating that he recognized there was more to life than just the present one.

    Joseph’s status as a “secret disciple of Jesus” (John 19:38) was also noted by Matthew, who referred to him as someone “who had become a follower of Jesus” (Matthew 27:57). While Joseph had previously kept his faith quiet, this risk he was taking would bring it from private to public.

    As a follower of Jesus it is possible to keep your faith private for a period of time, but eventually God may call you to go public with it. This can be risky, but it is a necessary step in our growth as believers. In so doing it helps us own our faith for ourselves, deepens our reliance on God, and encourages the faith of others around us. For Joseph he got to care for his Saviour in a personal way and was blessed in being part of honouring Jesus in His death.

    I wonder, is there a step of faith, a possibly costly or risky step, that God is calling you to take this Easter?

    This is a devotional series I’ve written for my church for Easter Week 2023. It follows the Passion narrative in the Gospel of Mark. This is day 7 of 8.

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  • The Crucifixion: The Atonement for Sin

    Scripture: Mark 15:16-41

    The defining moment of our faith occurs today. As recorded here in Mark 15:16-41, we read that defining moment of human history. The moment that marks Jesus, the Messiah and Saviour of the world, becoming the atonement for sin. Here we find the ultimate demonstration of God’s love and sacrifice for us, as Jesus takes upon Himself the sin of humanity and pays the price for our salvation.

    I have heard, a couple of times now, about people who are at the supermarket buying their groceries but they can’t afford the total, and so a person behind them simply pays for them.

    A group of friends and I were once at a café enjoying a breakfast and we noticed others we knew come in and eat as well. There were only two of them though, so they finished a lot earlier than us and paid and left. When our table got up to go pay the bill, we were highly surprised to find that the whole thing had been paid for! The price we had to pay for our meal and coffee was nothing. These other friends of ours had paid it for us.

    This speaks to their generosity, of course. But I also use this example as an illustration of what Jesus has done with our sin. He has generously paid the price for our sin so that we don’t have to. He has sacrificed Himself, a sacrifice that includes His painful death, in order to atone for our sin. 

    God Himself, through His Son Jesus Christ, has paid the price for our sins and makes it possible for us to be reconciled to God.

    This is what we remember today.

    The crucifixion was not just a random event, but rather it was the fulfilment of God’s plan of reconciliation for His people. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah wrote, “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). And through the crucifixion this prophecy is fulfilled as Jesus’ death provided the means for our salvation and the forgiveness of our sins. As we reflect on the events of the crucifixion during this Easter Week, may we remember this incredible act of generosity from God. And in response, may we be a people who live generously for others in response to what He has done for us.

    This is a devotional series I’ve written for my church for Easter Week 2023. It follows the Passion narrative in the Gospel of Mark. This is day 6 of 8.

    If you’d like them to hit your inbox each morning then please subscribe here.

  • The Trial of Jesus: A Fulfilment of Prophecy

    Scripture: Mark 14:53-65

    I listen to several true crime podcasts and often find some of the details and events surrounding these crimes quite incredible. Some, of course, are harrowing and can cause me anguish because of the content and what happens to people regularly around our world. Some of the most distressing though are about people who have been accused and found guilty of crimes they didn’t commit. Within me I find myself angry at the system, angry at the injustice for the people who spend decades incarcerated for something they didn’t do. 

    Here in Mark 14:53-65 is the beginning of the injustice of Jesus surrounding His death. For a while the religious leaders have been seeking to grab Him and now through the help of Judas Jesus is placed into their hands. However, despite this being the beginning of Jesus’ unjust suffering which leads to His crucifixion this event is also a fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy, demonstrating that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah.

    In the passage, Jesus is brought before the religious authorities for questioning, and despite the lack of evidence against him, He is ultimately sentenced to death. This event was foretold in the Old Testament, as the prophet Isaiah wrote, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). This prophecy was fulfilled through the events leading up to the trial of Jesus, as He remained silent and submitted Himself to the will of God, even in the face of persecution.

    The trial of Jesus also points to the fulfillment of God’s plan for salvation. Jesus’ death and resurrection make it possible for us to receive those gifts of forgiveness, eternal life, hope, and peace with God. For the restoration of humanity Jesus has to die for the sin of the world. Knowing this, Jesus is able to reply to the high priest’s question of whether or not He is the Messiah in the affirmative (Mark 14:62). Not only this, but He makes sure they know well who He is by saying, “…you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

    There could be more said about this trial, but as we come to the cross tomorrow, what a confidence it is for us as believers to know that our Saviour fulfils that which was written long ago and fulfils that which we need now – restoration with God.

    This is a devotional series I’ve written for my church for Easter Week 2023. It follows the Passion narrative in the Gospel of Mark. This is day 5 of 8.

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  • The Garden of Gethsemane: Jesus’ Submission to God’s Will

    Scripture: Mark 14:32-42

    It is hard to put ourselves in Jesus’ shoes in this moment. In this passage Jesus takes His disciples to the garden to pray and will later be arrested by the religious authorities. But in the moment in the Garden of Gethsemane, here in Mark 14:32-42, Jesus knows what is to come. His death is imminent. He knows He will go through suffering.

    We know people ourselves who have gone through tremendous suffering. We may have experienced it ourselves. Facing the reality of an imminent death is something hard to imagine even when we are ill, suffering, or in poor health. Jesus Himself speaks of being downcast, of being deeply grieved to the point of death, but He recognises the need to come to the Father and pray. And in that prayer He places Himself under the will of God, saying, “Not my will, but yours be done.”

    This act of submission sets a powerful example for us as believers. It reminds us of the importance of surrendering ourselves to God’s will, despite the cost before us. As we are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we are called to submit ourselves to His will, trusting in His plan for our lives. This can be a difficult path, especially when we are facing suffering, hardship, and challenges because of it. Yet through these times we are able to grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with God.

    Like a soldier faced with a difficult mission, one that they know will put their life on the line, they submit to their superior officers, trusting in their training and the mission’s purpose. In a similar way, Jesus knows the mission before Him and submits himself to God’s will in amongst the suffering He will face.

    As the apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Let us renew our minds and submit ourselves to God’s will, just as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane.

    This is a devotional series I’ve written for my church for Easter Week 2023. It follows the Passion narrative in the Gospel of Mark. This is day 4 of 8.

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  • The Last Supper: Commemorating the New Covenant

    Scripture: Mark 14:12-25

    The Lord’s Supper is something we celebrate every month. It is a symbolic activity that we do as part of our services. In some traditions this is celebrated each week, for us we do it once per month. And it is of such significance that we highlight this meal in our church documents. In our constitution we understand that,

    “The Lord’s Supper is a service of spiritual fellowship whereby, through remembrance of Christ’s Life and Death, believers may experience in supreme degree the reality and influence of His Presence. It is an opportunity of entering into close fellowship with the Lord with a consequent rekindling of love and a reconsecration of life to His service.”

    The idea, the establishment, of this traditional act of worship is given to the Church through the Last Supper event in the lead up to Jesus’ death. As recorded in Mark 14:12-25 we read of this new promise of God established through this final meal of Jesus. It is in this final supper with His disciples that Jesus shares with them not only His final meal with them, but establishes the new covenant, the new promise of God in Christ.

    During the meal, Jesus broke bread and gave it to His disciples, saying, “This is my body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” He then poured wine and gave it to his disciples, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” In this way He highlights the meaning of what He is about to go and do, give Himself up as a sacrifice of love for humanity. As we partake in communion ourselves, we remember that sacrifice of love, that new covenant promise that He established, by eating and drinking the elements that symbolise and remind us of this sacrificial love of God. As we walk through this Easter Week, remembering these events in the lead up to Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are reminded of what He continues to teach despite where He was heading. Here He continues to fulfil the promises of God in the Old Testament and makes new promises in the New Testament. This is a time where we can commemorate the love of God, the promises God gives us, which point toward the cross and are fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

    This is a devotional series I’ve written for my church for Easter Week 2023. It follows the Passion narrative in the Gospel of Mark. This is day 3 of 8.

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  • The Cleansing of the Temple: Jesus Challenges the Religious Establishment

    Scripture: Mark 11:15-19

    The cleansing of the temple serves as a powerful example of Jesus challenging the religious establishment and pointing to a change in peoples understanding of God.

    In this event, in Mark 11:15-19, Jesus enters the temple and becomes angry at what He sees. He sees merchants selling animals for sacrifice and money changers exchanging currency for special temple coins. In both these cases He sees people not only making profit from religious duty, but they are also turning the purpose of the temple into ‘a den of robbers.’ Rather than be a place of worship, a house of prayer and devotion to God, this temple has become a place of material and worldly profit.

    It is no wonder that Jesus becomes angry. That He reacts in such a way as to destroy these tables, set the animals free, and cracks the whip on the animals’ hides. This description in the gospels of Jesus’ ‘righteous anger’ shows how much Jesus cares for the temple, cares for the proper worship of God, and cares for any defilement and injustice of such worship.

    However, alongside the reality of Jesus coming into the temple and turning its tables over, so too Jesus turns our understanding of worship upside down. With Jesus entering the world, coming as the King, and being divine Himself, we find that true worship is no longer centred on a place but in a person.

    This is the new understanding of the worship of God.

    Rather than a centre for sacrifice and cleansing, Jesus Himself becomes the sacrifice, Jesus does the cleansing of sin through the cross and resurrection.

    As we reflect on the Easter event this week, and as we make our way through this narrative toward the cross and resurrection, may we understand more fully the true worship of God in light of the true sacrifice and cleansing that Jesus has done for us.

    Perhaps a way to think about this is through the lens of what occurred at the temple and then how Jesus changes everything for us.

    We can be cluttered with anxiety, long to-do-lists, and life stressors but Jesus comes in and helps us find the peace that surpasses understanding.

    We seek after profit or pleasure, but Jesus comes to give eternal life and enduring joy.

    We expect to pay our own way to worship God and be accepted by Him, but Jesus comes to pay it all.

    We judge ourselves by the rules we make up, but Jesus comes to help us understand it is by faith and a matter of the heart.

    The temple had lost its true purpose, but Jesus understood that He was the true purpose for the temple.

    May He be the true worship of our lives.

    This is a devotional series I’ve written for my church for Easter Week 2023. It follows the Passion narrative in the Gospel of Mark. This is day 2 of 8.

    If you’d like them to hit your inbox each morning then please subscribe here.

  • The Triumphal Entry: Jesus Rides Into Jerusalem With A Purpose

    Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

    The arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem is a significant moment in the gospel of Mark. As Jesus rode into the city on a donkey the crowds hailed him as the Messiah, the one who was to fulfil the Old Testament prophecies about a future king who would rule with righteousness and justice.

    By this point Jesus had already performed many miracles, had gained a following, and had a committed group of disciples who had placed their hope in him. When Jesus rides into Jerusalem not only are His disciples aware of his significance but it seems many in the city are as well.

    Jesus’ arrival was a statement. It specifically fulfilled the prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9, which states that the Messiah would come riding on a donkey. Those who knew their scriptures, which will have included all the religious leaders in the city at the time, would have understood the meaning and significance of this moment. It was a declaration that Jesus was the true Messiah, the promised one from centuries ago, who would come and restore God’s people to their rightful place. Those recognising this prophecy spread their cloaks and placed palm branches before Him to express their devotion and admiration.

    Of course, it wouldn’t surprise us to know that this was a direct challenge to the religious leaders in Jerusalem. They were increasingly threatened by Jesus’ popularity, but this moment was a challenge to their authority.

    It reminds me of footage that shows the late Queen Elizabeth on her coming to Melbourne. There she is in a private car, looking out upon the crowds who line the streets just waiting to get a glimpse of her. There is recognition that she is someone special, she is someone who holds a position of authority, she was someone who people would come out specially to see and greet. When she is spotted by those in the crowd they cheer and clap as they know this is the one they’ve been waiting for. In a similar vein Jesus was the one who God’s people had been waiting for and they recognised His place, His position, and His authority as He rode into Jerusalem.

    As we begin Easter Week today it is worth asking ourselves whether we recognise Jesus’ authority in our lives. For example:

    • When we are afraid to trust God, are we forgetting that His plans are good?
    • When we face opposition for following Jesus, do we trust He will make a way for us?
    • When we are distracted by our culture, are we forgetting that He is our portion?
    • When we experience temptation to sin, do we remember the victory Jesus has already won?
    • When we step into change, do we hold fast to the unchanging nature of God?
    • When we encounter those who are different to us, do we extend the love and grace of Jesus to them?

    Are there areas in our hearts that we don’t want to give over to God and have His authority in our lives?

    This is a devotional series I’ve written for my church for Easter Week 2023. It follows the Passion narrative in the Gospel of Mark. This is day 1 of 8.

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