Listening to the Word

Zechariah 13-14; Psalms 147; Luke 15   “On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity…On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter.” Zechariah 13:1; 14:8 The fountain that opened in Jerusalem to cleanse the sin and impurity from the lives of people was fulfilled when Jesus, the Lamb of God, offered his blood as an atoning sacrifice for sin. This fountain of cleansing blood still flows and it is still open to those who seek cleansing. On Pentecost, another river was released in Jerusalem when the living water of the Holy Spirit was poured out and empowered Christ’s disciples to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. This river of living water still flows and is the only satisfaction for thirsty souls looking for life.   Are we pointing people to the fountain of cleansing blood and the river of living wat...

Zechariah 10-12; Psalms 126; Luke 14 “’If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters – yes, even his own life – he cannot be my disciple…In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.’” Luke 14:26, 27, 33 There is much talk of disciple-making and discipleship in the church today.   But, are we talking about the same thing as Jesus was? He called people to leave everything and follow him. The leaving first meant releasing family obligations which Jesus certainly understood as a firstborn son. His brothers would probably have resented him for this. Jesus isn’t calling us to follow him theoretically, but in real terms, now. Surrendering our family, work, education, and even our lives to him is the first step in discipleship. He might give some of those things back to us, but that is not ours to choose. This definition of discipleship is much more than being a good person who doesn’t...

Job 19; Mark 1-2   “I know that my Redeemer lives; and that in the end he will stand on the earth. After my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:25-27 Job’s tribulations heightened his anticipation of heaven. He longed to see God and he believed in the bodily resurrection of the dead. He believed that his Redeemer lived and that God would redeem his life from the grave. Is this living hope at work in us? Do these truths give us hope in the midst of our tribulations, sickness, tests, and trials? When life is good, we become distracted and maybe even forget that we need a Redeemer. If this earth becomes our home, our hope of heaven can fade. However, when sickness, disease, plague, or economic crisis comes, we remember this life is short. Are we yearning for God, for heaven, and for our eternal home? Are we anticipating the return of Jesus? Do we know that our Redee...

Zechariah 7-9; Luke 13   “I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.” Zechariah 9:10, 11 The Lord Jesus Christ will proclaim peace to the nations. What message of peace did Jesus bring? He offered his life as a covenant-sacrifice for our sin. Jesus offers us peace with God through his blood of the covenant. This offer of peace with God is now made through the Church to all nations. The word used for peace here is ‘Shalom’, which means safety, wholeness, well-being, and contentment. This is a much broader reality than just the absence of conflict. It is Shalom with God, ourselves, with our neighbour, and with creation. Jesus came to reconcile all things to God through his blood shed on th...

Zechariah 4-6; Luke 12   “’For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.’” Luke 12:30-32 What we pursue in life, defines our life.   If someone were to examine our lives today, what would they say we are pursuing? What has captured our attention and become our focus? Jesus said the pagan world runs after clothes, food, and material possessions. Their focus is clear. But, what about the disciples of Jesus? Jesus’ call to us is to seek his kingdom which is righteousness (in Christ), peace (in Christ), and joy (in Christ). To seek first the kingdom is to first seek Jesus the King. He will give us what we need to live. Fear will rob us of our focus on Jesus, while faith in Jesus will strengthen us. The Father has given us the kingdom. We have an eternal inheritance. Let’s seek Jesus...

Zechariah 1-3; Luke 11 “…’Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come…yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you…how much more will you Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’” Luke 11:1, 2, 8, 9, 13 When Jesus’ disciples asked him to pray like John’s disciples, Jesus gave them the disciples’ prayer. However, he went beyond merely a prayer outline; he gave them the key to authority in prayer. Jesus taught his disciples to ask, seek, and knock on the throne room of heaven for the person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the key to bold, sustained and Word-centered praying. 120 disciples remembered this invitation from Jesus and they prayed ten days in an Upper Room for the Holy Spirit.   We receive/have the Holy Spirit at conversion, but does the Holy Spirit have us? A...