Saturday 5th January 2025 The Epiphany

The Collect for the Epiphany

(The Manifestation of The Lord Jesus Christ To The Gentiles)

Almighty God, Who by the leading of a star did show forth Your only begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant, that we, who know You now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of Your Glorious Godhead; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Amen.

The Epistle, Ephesians 3:1-12

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles,

2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.

4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.

6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

The Holy Gospel of St Matthew 2:1-12

2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.”

7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Epistle Reading is taken from St Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians Chapter 3, Verses 1-12.

St Paul opens this portion of his letter by emphatically stating his credentials and mission:

“1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles,

2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.”

St Paul describes himself as the “Prisoner of Christ Jesus” for the sake of you Gentiles.

This description clearly reveals that St Paul considers himself as having been "arrested” by the Lord Jesus for a particular purpose.  That purpose was that he would be the Lord Jesus’ Apostle to the Gentiles.

This may seem strange as St Paul had been raised and trained as a Pharisee.  In the Book of the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 23, Verse 6, St Paul, while being examined by the Sanhedrin (the ruling Jewish Council), describes himself:

“My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees.”

It is my opinion that St Paul’s training as a Pharisee was an essential part of his ministry to the Gentiles.

In order to make known the Holy Gospel of The Lord Jesus Christ, St Paul needed an intimate knowledge of Old Testament Theology, Thought, and Worship, so that he could explain the background and significance of the Lord Jesus’ Life and Work to any person unfamiliar with the history of the Abrahamic / Mosaic Faith.

St Paul then confirms this very unique qualification to preach to the Gentiles:

“4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.”

St Paul tells us that his “insight into the mystery of Christ” has now enabled him to reveal that “mystery” to all people, whereas those “in other generations” had not received this Greatest of God’s Gifts.

The Greek word translated as “mystery," used in the phrase “the mystery of Christ” refers to a something that was previously, hidden but now has been fully revealed.

In modern English literature we can have “mystery novel” wherein a crime or some secret plan is exposed by the actions of a detective, or private investigator, hence the use of the term “mystery.”

St Paul reveals the mystery of God’s Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus:

“6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”

The Gentiles are revealed as joint heirs, with Israel, of the promise of God, made long ago to the Patriarch Abraham, and now made manifest in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Revelation that the Gentiles are "joint heirs with Israel" means that through the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, the promise made to Abraham, centuries before, now includes those Gentiles who believe in God’s Word concerning the coming of His Holy Messiah, Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.

This Solemn Promise of God is recorded in the Old Testament Book of Genesis Chapter 12, Verses 1-3, which declares that Abram would be the father of a great nation and that in him “all the peoples on earth” would be blessed:

“1The Lord had said to Abram,

“Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

2 “I will make you into a great nation,
    and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
    and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
    and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
    will be blessed through you.”

This Promise has now been brought to fruition in the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, wherein all believers are equal.  St Paul declares this in his letter to the Galatians Chapter 3, Verses 28-29:

“28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Through the Sacrificial Death, and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus, all people who believe in His Life and Work, which we, in this day and age, know as the the Holy Gospel, are graciously clothed in the Holy Righteousness of the Lord Jesus, and are made the Adopted Children of God, and Heirs of His Eternal Kingdom.

St Paul continues with a word of self-confession:

“7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.”

St Paul describes himself as “less than the least of the Lord’s people.”  This is a reference to St Paul’s previous life, as Saul, a Pharisee dedicated to persecuting Christians on behalf of the Jewish leaders, before he was physically confronted by the risen Lord Jesus, on the road to Damascus, and became St Paul, the Lord Jesus’ Apostle to the Gentiles.

St Paul’s intensive training enabled him to relate the miracle of the Holy Gospel to people that had never heard of Abraham, Jacob, Moses, or any Prophet of the Old Testament.

St Paul was able to proclaim the Holy Gospel to Gentiles, within the context of the Old Testament promises to Abraham, Moses, and the Old Testament prophets, flowing on through the ages to the time of his Gentile hearers.  He was able to show the progressive revelation of God from the Jewish forefathers to the, then, present day, culminating in the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ, who unites all believers through faith in His Holy Gospel.

St Paul begins closure of our Epistle Reading, by declaring the culmination of God’s purposes, in and through, the Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of the Lord Jesus:

“10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is the “mystery” that was hidden from men and “the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,” and is now entrusted to the Christian Church to proclaim to all future generations of men and women.

“The rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” refers to the evil spirit beings (demons), led by Satan.  These evil spirit beings attempt to discredit the Works of the Lord Jesus, and then attempt to lead those who would heed the Holy Gospel, into continued disbelief, sin and eternal damnation.

Praise be to God that the Mighty Holy Spirit defeats the plans of Satan and his followers.

Satan and his followers did not have foreknowledge of the Holy Gospel and were unaware that God’s plan was to save believers by graciously clothing them in the the Perfect Righteousness of His Beloved Son, Whose own Blood was shed, on the Cross of Calvary, in payment for the sins of God’s chosen people.

When the Lord Jesus descended into hell (the place of the dead) after His Death on the Cross, He proclaimed his Victory over sin to Satan and his demons, and revealed the Miracle of His Holy Gospel, which led to the forgiveness of the sins of God’s chosen people, and the means by which they would become Heirs of God’s Eternal Kingdom.

Satan and his demons were defeated by the Holy Gospel, and are aware that they are awaiting, in dread, for the Great Day of Judgement which will take place when the Lord Jesus appears a second time on earth.  This Great Judgement will bring about their eternal damnation.

St Paul closes our Epistle Reading with the joyful and bold declaration:

“12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence”

This is the Joy and Blessing of the Holy Gospel, that now we have the freedom and confidence, of a Son or Daughter, to approach our Heavenly Father.

Let us always thank God for this Miraculous and Priceless Gift. Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St Matthew Chapter 2, Verses 1-12.

St Matthew, in this second chapter of his Holy Gospel, records that the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the region of Judea, during the reign of King Herod.

After the Lord Jesus’ birth, Magi came to Jerusalem seeking him who was born “King of the Jews”:

“2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

The Magi were learned scholars who combined the sciences of astronomy and astrology (as was common in ancient times).  They had been studying the stars and had observed a very bright new star (a powerful, star-like light in the night sky) appear.

The appearance of the new star was interpreted as a sign in the heavens that a mighty event had come to pass, so they set off, travelling in the direction of the new star’s movement, and came to Jerusalem, where the star ceased to move, and remained stationary in the night sky.

No doubt, on arrival in Jerusalem, the Magi asked many prominent people such as priests, magistrates, scholars, soldiers and even common people where the King of the Jews was to be found.

Word of their arrival soon reached King Herod, who immediately perceived the threat to his Kingship.  Herod was a “puppet king” of the Romans and was not the most popular of rulers. 

The people of Jerusalem were also “disturbed” at the news for they would have been most apprehensive of any political unrest involving Herod and the Romans:

“3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.”

Herod reacted quickly to the news of the visitors.  He summoned all the people’s chief priests and their teachers of the Law of Moses, and asked them to tell him where the promised Messiah (the Mighty Deliverer) was to be born:

“4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

6 “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.”

Herod was advised by the scholars that the Old Testament Prophecy of Micah had foretold of the coming Messiah in Chapter 5, Verse 2 of his Book:

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
    one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
    from ancient times.”

Herod summoned the Magi and questioned them as to the exact time at which the star had appeared, and commanded them to go to Bethlehem and carefully search for the child, and report back to him, on the pretext that he wanted to also go and worship the child:

“7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

The Magi carried out their search, and the bright star that had led them from their homeland continued to guide them to the place where the Lord Jesus was, together with His Mother.

Having been brought to the end of their search, the Magi then proceeded to worship, and honour, the infant Lord Jesus.

“9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”

They presented Him with costly gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  These gifts were associated with the riches of a King. 

Gold is an obvious symbol of kingly wealth and power.

Frankincense is hardened sap of the Boswellia tree and is a pleasant smelling incense burned in worship, of a supposed deity.

Myrrh is a substance obtained from the Commiphora tree used to rub on a body to promote healing and healthy skin. It was also applied to a dead body to help to prevent unpleasant odours prior to burial.

These three gifts of the Magi may have been used in a practical way by Mary.

The gold would have paid for the accommodation that Mary and Joseph were sharing as they cared for the newly born Lord Jesus.

The frankincense could have been burned to provide a pleasant environment in their accommodation.

The myrrh may have been rubbed onto the infant Lord Jesus to keep His skin in a healthy condition, and it was also used as a burial lotion to prevent odors.

These three gifts are also believed, by a number of scholars, to represent the Lord Jesus’ future Role and Ministry, gold signifying His Kingship, frankincense signifying worship given to Him, and myrrh to anoint His Body at burial.

St Matthew records the warning that the Magi received from God, regarding Herod’s request for a report on the infant Lord Jesus:

“12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”

It interesting to note that in many works of art, and in many movie representations the visit of the Magi is shown as ending in the stable where the Lord Jesus was born and laid in a manger.  This, however, this is not the case.

King Herod ascertained the time and date at which the star had appeared to the Magi.  Added to this calculation was the advice of the priests and teachers of the Law. Many scholars suggest that it is more than likely that the Lord Jesus was nearly two years old, and was with His mother in a house that was rented, by Joseph, for his family when the Magi made their visit. This view is further supported by the fact that King Herod gave orders to his soldiers to kill all male children up to two years of age, rather than only new born babies.

Let us give thanks to God for St Matthew's account of the visit to the infant Lord Jesus by the Magi, and for the glory and honour that they gave to Him.  May we also give the Lord Jesus all glory, honour, and praise for His coming into the world to save repentant sinners and provide the means of our forgiveness and Adoption as God’s Children. Amen.

Bishop Ian

Sunday 29th December 2024 Christmas 1

The Collect for the Sunday after Christmas Day

Almighty God, Who has given us Your Only Begotten Son to take our nature upon Him and as at this time to be born of a pure Virgin; Grant the we being regenerate, and made Your Children by adoption and Grace, may daily be renewed by Your Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit ever one God, for evermore.     Amen.

The Epistle, Galatians 4:1-7

4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world.

4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

The Holy Gospel of St Matthew 1:18-25

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about:

His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Epistle Reading is taken from St Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians Chapter 4, Verses 1-7.

In this portion of his Epistle, St Paul continues his teaching to counter those members of the Galatian Church who were urging new believers that to become a full Christian, a convert must accept the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, and also keep the Law of Moses, including circumcision.

St Paul opens this passage by using an analogy which contrasted the relationship between Jews, who kept the Law of Moses, and the sons and daughters of the Lord Jesus.

According to St Paul the adherents of the Jewish faith are like immature heirs, while Christians have reached the age of understanding and responsibility.

St Paul emphasizes the practical difference between a slave and an heir to an estate:

“4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate.

2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.”

If the heir is underage then he is little different to a slave, in that he is not free to deal with the land and goods of his inheritance as he wishes.  The heir is subject to limitations imposed on him by his father, and is supervised by guardians and trustees, who are to enforce those rules and standards until the heir reaches the age of understanding and responsibility, at which time he can competently manage his inheritance.

It is most important to note in Verse 2 that the phrase “until the time set by his father” is used by St Paul to indicate that the heir does not necessarily have to wait for the death of his father to inherit part, or all, of the estate.  The father may have put in place legal, and transitional arrangements, so as to allow the heir to progressively take control of his estate.

St Paul then tells the Galatians that when they were not fully grounded, and hence “underage” (not well versed and mature in the Christian Faith) they were under the control of the Law of Moses in the case of Jewish Converts to Christianity, and under the elemental, and pagan spiritual forces of the world, in the case of Gentile Converts to Christianity.

The elemental spirits forces of the world refer to the basic driving forces that ruled in the Pagan world.  These forces were superstition, fear, greed, lust, force of arms, together with the natural forces of sun, wind fire and flood, any of which could decimate an earthly kingdom.

St Paul then declares God’s Salvation from these controlling influences:

“3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world.”

“4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”

The Lord Jesus was born under the same obligation to God’s Law as any other human being.

The miraculous difference was that the Lord Jesus was born without original sin, inherited from the first man, Adam.

The Lord Jesus was not the son of Adam, but the only Begotten Son of God.

Being God in flesh, the Lord Jesus committed no actual sin during his earthly life.

The Lord Jesus kept every Law of God throughout all His Life.  He did what no other man was capable of doing.

On the Cross of Calvary the Lord Jesus shed His Precious Blood, dying in our place, thus paying the price, demanded by our Holy God, for our sins.

The Lord Jesus’ Perfect Righteousness is given to us by Grace. Through Faith in His Perfect Work, and such Faith being engendered by the Mighty Holy Spirit, we are clothed in The Lord Jesus’ Perfect Righteousness for all Eternity.

This is the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Through the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, all Christian believers have become the adopted Sons and Daughters of God, and as such, are heirs to God’s Eternal Kingdom.

St Paul confirms our adoption:

“6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”

The term “Abba” is an intimate term of endearment, between a child and a father, and literally translates to our modern term “Dad.”

This style of intimate greeting was familiar to St Paul and all the Apostles as it was the term that the Lord Jesus used to speak to His Heavenly Father in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His arrest, as recorded in the Holy Gospel of St Mark Chapter14, Verses 35-36:

35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

May we always give God thanks for His Grace, and that we have the confidence to come before our Heavenly Father, through Faith in the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, as His adopted Sons and Daughters. May we always express to our Heavenly Father our inmost thoughts, doubts, and problems, and may we always ask for His Divine Help and Guidance, through our Lord Jesus Christ     Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St Matthew Chapter 1, Verses 18-25.

In this portion of his Holy Gospel St Matthew describes the circumstances surrounding the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is no surprise that St Matthew immediately declares that the Lord Jesus is the great Messiah:

“18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about:”

The Holy Gospel of St Matthew is aimed at a Jewish readers, or readers who are thoroughly familiar with Jewish customs and worship.  Unlike the Holy Gospel of St John wherein St John explains some cultural aspect of the narrative such as in Chapter 7 Verse 2:

“2 But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near…”

In the above example St John pauses his narrative to inform the reader that the festival of Tabernacles was a Jewish Festival.  St Matthew would have omitted the description “Jewish” as his intended readers would have been well familiar with the festival.

St Matthew then gives us a rare glimpse into the character of Joseph, the man that God chose to care and watch over His Holy Son during the early years of the Lord Jesus’ Earthly Life:

"His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit."

Mary was betrothed (pledged) to Joseph.  Under Jewish Law a betrothal was viewed as marriage and could only be dissolved by divorce.

When Mary was found to be pregnant, but before God appeared to Joseph in a dream, Joseph would have believed that Mary had been unfaithful, and as a devout Jew who kept the Law of Moses he was obliged to divorce her.

According to the Law of Moses there were two ways a divorce could be granted, firstly, a very public and shameful court proceeding, or secondly, a quiet proceeding whereby a writ of divorce could be handed to the woman in the presence of two witnesses.

St Matthew records the courage and graciousness of St Joseph:

“19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”

God quickly intervened. As St Joseph had considered a quiet divorce, God’s Holy Angel appeared to him, in a dream, and put his mind at rest:

“20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

What St Joseph initially believed to be a sad event, that no doubt made him sorrowful and unhappy, was quickly reversed and St Joseph was filled with great joy and greatly honoured to learn that his fiancée was to be the mother of the Messiah.

St Matthew tells us that the birth of the Lord Jesus fulfilled the promise given to the Great Old Testament Prophet Isaiah:

“22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).”

The actual words of the Prophet Isaiah's prediction is found in the Book of The Prophet Isaiah Chapter 7, Verse 14:

“14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

St Joseph was faithful and obedient to the command of God and confirmed his betrothal to Mary by taking her into his household as his wife:

“24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.”

We are also told that, St Joseph did not have any physical relationship with Mary until after the Lord Jesus was born:

“25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”

The Roman Catholic Church does not accept that Mary had normal relations with her husband and bore other children.

The teaching that Mary was an eternal virgin is adopted to re-enforce their doctrinal position that the Virgin Mary occupies a unique position of intercession, between mankind and the Lord Jesus (she is regarded as The Mediatrix of all graces), within the the Roman Catholic Church.

This intercessory role of the Virgin Mary is supported by other Roman Catholic teaching, claiming that, like the Lord Jesus, the Virgin Mary was born without sin (the Immaculate Conception) and that she never died, as a normal human being dies, but was taken up to Heaven (the Assumption of Mary).

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the Virgin Mary is the “Queen of Heaven” and is the Mediatrix between mankind and the Lord Jesus Christ, and that His Grace flows to mankind, through her intercession.

I do not believe this teaching, and absolutely refute the validity of any such teaching. To me it is a demonic distortion of the the Holy Gospel, and it is intended to lead people astray from the Truth found in the Lord Jesus.

St Mark records in his Holy Gospel Chapter 6, Verses1-3:

6 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.”

Also St Matthew records the same circumstance in his Holy Gospel Chapter 13, Verses 53-56:

“53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”

These passages of Holy Scripture are very clear and inform us that the Lord Jesus had a number of siblings.  They were, of course the children of Joseph and Mary, and as such, were the Lord Jesus’ half brothers and sisters.

Initially the Lord Jesus’ brothers did not accept him as the Messiah and the Son of God, but later on they all came to believe in Him, and all worked hard to proclaim the Holy Gospel.

The Lord Jesus’ brother, James, became the leader of the Christian Church at Jerusalem and contributed much to the early Church and the proclamation of the Holy Gospel.

May God give us thankful hearts for the gift of the Lord Jesus and those ordinary people who answered God's call, and dedicated their lives to the care and protection of the Holy Son of God so that He could grow to manhood and ultimately become the Holy Saviour of all God’s Chosen People.     Amen.

Bishop Ian

Monday 25th December 2024 Christmas Day

Christmas Day Hymn (Carol)

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of Angels
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!

God of God, Light of Light
Lo, He abhors not the Virgin's womb
Very God, Begotten, not created
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, glory in the highest
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning
Jesus, to Thee be glory given
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!

The Collect for Christmas Day

(The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ)

Almighty God, Who has given us Your Only Begotten Son to take our nature upon Him and on this Christmas Day to be born of a pure Virgin; Grant the we being regenerate, and made Your Children by adoption and Grace, may daily be renewed by Your Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit ever one God, for evermore.     Amen.

The Epistle, Hebrews 1:1-12

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.

3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

“5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father”?

Or again,

“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son”?

6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”

7 In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,
    and his servants flames of fire.”

8 But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
    a sceptre of justice will be the sceptre of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
    by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.
11 They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.
12 You will roll them up like a robe;
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,
    and your years will never end.”

The Holy Gospel of St John 1:1-14

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the only begotten Son, of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Epistle Reading is taken from the Epistle to the Hebrews Chapter 1, Verses 1-12.

The authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews is not known for certain.  Some scholars believe it was St Paul, who wrote the majority of the New Testament Epistles.

Other scholars argue that the style of Greek and the overall “feel” of the Epistle is not that of St Paul.  Also St Paul’s ministry was to the Gentiles (non-Jewish Christians) not to the Hebrews (Jews).

Still other scholars believe that St Paul had much input into the Epistle, though it was written by an unknown author.

While we will never be certain of the author, this side of Heaven, the message, and teaching of the Epistle, is abundantly clear and indispensable to all who faithfully read and study it.

The Epistle to the Hebrews has the thrust of confronting the Jews, and the Jewish Faith, with its reliance on the Law of Moses, and the traditions of the Rabbis (Elders).

The Epistle to the Hebrews conclusively proves that the Lord Jesus Christ is The Messiah, and God, so He is infinitely greater than the Old Testament Patriarchs, the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the teaching of the Rabbis.

In the opening verse of this portion of the Epistle, the author compares God’s Revelation of Himself to His people in the Old Testament and New Testament eras:

“1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe”.

The writer then stresses that the Lord Jesus is God, and is identical in person and substance with the Father, and has the identical radiance as God.

“3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.”

The Radiance and Glory of God is known, by Theologians, as the “Effulgence” of God.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Effulgence of God, possessing and commanding identical power with God, in ruling and sustaining all things:

We are then told of the completion of the Lord Jesus’ Holy Mission:

"After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in Heaven."

When the Lord Jesus was crucified, the sins of all those who believe in Him, and His Words, were washed away by His Precious Blood, shed on the Cross of Calvary.

God had promised that His Faithful Servant would not be held by the grave, and undergo corruption, as recorded, by the St Luke, in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 2, Verses 24-27:

“24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him:

“I saw the Lord always before me.
    Because he is at my right hand,
    I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    you will not let your holy one see decay.”

St Luke is quoting from Psalm 16, Verses 8-11:

“8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

The Lord Jesus rose from the dead to Glorious Life Everlasting, and after forty days during which He appeared, and showed Himself, Alive, to His Disciples, and His other followers, He Ascended back to to His Father In Heaven.

He then sat down at the Right Hand of His Father.

The Father then delivered all Might, Majesty, Dominion and Power to His only Begotten and Beloved Son.

Through The Lord Jesus’ Mighty Work of His Death and Resurrection, the Holy Gospel was wrought, to save all those who believe and, by faith, accept it.

The Epistle writer then proves that the Lord Jesus Christ was infinitely superior to any of God’s Holy Angels, who were created beings.

This was to counter, and eliminate any instances of Angel Worship, which was prominent feature in some Jewish sects, and even in some of the early Christian Churches of that era:

“4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father”?

Or again,

“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son”?

6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”

7 In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,
    and his servants flames of fire.”

8 But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
    a sceptre of justice will be the sceptre of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
    by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.
11 They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.
12 You will roll them up like a robe;
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,
    and your years will never end.”

This passage of Scripture provides a very powerful counter thrust to any group, seeking to render service to God, by the worship of His Holy Angels.

Angel Worship is idolatry, and breaks the second of God’s Ten Commandments.

Angels are part of God’s Creation, as were the Seraphim and Cherubim (special Angels serving God).  They had no sin, but they did not, apart from God’s Grace and Favour, possess immortality as a part of their being.

God alone, (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) possesses immortality as an Intrinsic Feature of His Being.

To worship Angels is to worship part of the creation, and not the Creator.

May God give us thankfulness in our hearts for His Gift of the Epistle to the Hebrews, and the Glory it gives to the Lord Jesus Christ.

May we always confess, with St Thomas the Apostle, who doubted reports of the Lord Jesus’ Resurrection without seeing specific proof, and who, on seeing the Risen Lord Jesus and receiving the Lord’s offer to allow him to inspect and touch His Wounds, then solemnly declared:

“My Lord and My God.”

Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St John Chapter 1, Verses 19-28.

In this beginning of his Holy Gospel, St John records the Great and Glorious Creation of all things, by the Holy Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ:

“1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”

St John, in opening his Holy Gospel, declares to us at the very beginning that the Lord Jesus Christ is God Almighty.

The Lord Jesus is the second person of the Holy Trinity, and as the Gospel unfolds the Holy Spirit is revealed as the Third Person.

The Lord Jesus is revealed as the Divine Creator, through whom all things in creation came into being and existence.

A very great Truth of God is confirmed in the opening three verses, that Truth being that the Lord Jesus existed as a Spiritual Being, with The Father and the Holy Spirit, before His Holy Incarnation (taking on flesh, as a human being) through His conception by the Holy Spirit “overshadowing” the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Lord Jesus Christ was subsequently born as the one and only Perfect Human Being,

The Lord Jesus had no inherited sin as God was His Father, not Adam.

The Holy Gospel of St Luke Chapter 1, Verses 26-38 tells us of this Holy Miracle:

“26 God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.”

St John then testifies to the Infinite, Eternal, and Glorious Life that the Lord Jesus possesses within His Being, and the Brilliant Radiance that His Presence imparts.

“4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”.

The theological term for the brilliant, dazzling light emanating from, and surrounding the Lord Jesus, is the “Effulgence”

Where the Divine Eternal Life and Effulgence of Lord Jesus is present, no evil or darkness can exist.

The Effulgence of God, in the Lord Jesus had been seen prior to the time of the Epistle to the Hebrews, however there are three occasions that stand out.

The first manifestation of God’s Effulgence is recorded in Exodus Chapter 34 Verses 25-34 and describes Moses’ face reflecting the Effulgence of the Most Holy God, after he came down from the Mount Sinai on which God gave him the tablets containing the Ten Commandments:

“29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. 32 Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai.

33 When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. 34 But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35 they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord.”

The second instance of the Effulgence of God being manifested occurred when the Lord Jesus took Peter, James, and John up onto a high mountain as recorded in the Holy Gospel of St Matthew Chapter 17, Verses 1-13

1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

“4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.”

The third instance of the Effulgence of God being made manifest is recorded in The Acts of the Apostles Chapter 9, Verses 9-19, when Saul was confronted by the Risen, and Glorified, Lord Jesus, on the road to Damascus:

9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.”

St John then bears testimony to the Life and Ministry of John the Baptist:

“6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.”

John the Baptist came in the power and spirit of the great Old Testament Prophet Elijah, and he was the mysterious Mighty Prophet promised, by God to Moses, in the Old Testament Book of Deuteronomy Chapter 18, Verses 17-19, whose appearance heralded the coming of God’s Messiah:

“17 The Lord said to me: “What they (the Jewish people) say is good. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. 19 I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name.”

St John then declares the Mission of the Lord Jesus, the Holy Word Of God:

“9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

‘14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the only begotten Son, of the Father, full of grace and truth”.

St John concludes this portion of his Holy Gospel by declaring that the Lord Jesus Christ is God, and that for the Salvation of His people He came down from Heaven, to be born as the Perfect Human.

The Jews rejected the Lord Jesus Christ as God’s Messiah, and had Him Crucified.

God had a much greater purpose for all his Chosen People, both Jews and Gentiles, in His Precious Gift of the Lord Jesus.

That greater purpose was for the Lord Jesus to work the Miracle of His Holy Gospel.

The Lord Jesus worked the Miracle of the Holy Gospel to achieve what no other human could ever do, to provide the Perfect Sacrifice, demanded by God’s Holy Law, through His Death on the Cross, as payment for the sins of all God’s faithful people.

God accepted the Lord Jesus’ Perfect Sacrifice as payment for all the sins of all His chosen people, and provided proof of His acceptance by raising the Lord Jesus from death and exalting Him back to Heaven, to sit at God’s Right Hand, as Ruler and Judge of all things, for evermore.

Let us all rejoice, with thankful hearts, whenever we sing these words from the great, and much loved, Christmas Carol, “O Come All Ye Faithful", which opened today’s Christmas Day Worship:

“Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;

O Come let us Adore Him; O Come let us Adore Him;

O Come let us Adore Him;

Christ the Lord”

May God Bless each and every one of us, giving us a Happy and Joyous Christmas, as we celebrate the coming into the world of the Lord Jesus Christ, to begin of His journey to Calvary, where He would provide the Great Gift of Salvation, to all believers, through faith in His Holy Gospel.

Bishop Ian

Sunday 24th December 2023 Advent 4

Advent Hymn

1. On Jordan’s bank, the Baptist’s cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Awake, and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings of the King of kings!

2. Then cleansed be every breast from sin;
Make straight the way for God within;
Prepare we in our hearts a home
Where such a mighty Guest may come.

3. For Thou art our Salvation, Lord,
Our Refuge, and our great Reward.
Without Thy grace we waste away,
Like flowers that wither and decay.

4. To heal the sick stretch out Thine hand,
And bid the fallen sinner stand;
Shine forth, and let Thy light restore
Earth's own true lovliness once more.

5. Stretch forth thine hand, to heal our sore,
And make us rise to fall no more;
Once more upon thy people shine,
And fill the world with love divine.

6. All praise, eternal Son, to Thee
Whose advent sets Thy people free,
Whom, with the Father, we adore,
And Holy Ghost, forevermore.

The Collect for Advent Sunday (The First Sunday in Advent)

(Used with all Collects during the Season of Advent, until Christmas Eve)

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which Your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when He shall come again in His Glorious Majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to Life Immortal, through Him who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.     Amen.

The Collect for the Fourth Sunday in Advent

O Lord, raise up, we pray You, Your power, and come among us, and with great might protect us, that because, through our sins and wickedness, we are greatly hindered in running the race that is set before us, Your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through the satisfaction of Your Son our Lord, to Whom with You and the Holy Spirit be honour and glory, world without end.     Amen.

The Epistle - Philippians 4:4-7

“4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The Holy Gospel of St John 1:19-28

19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”

21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered, “No.”

22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’

24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Epistle Reading is taken from St Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians Chapter 4, Verses 4-7.

This portion of St Paul’s Epistle opens with a joyous command:

“4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near."

In the opening verse St Paul exhorts the Philippian Christians to be joyous and rejoice in the Salvation that belief in, and acceptance of, the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ brings.

Faith in the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus then brings about Perfect Peace, such as the world cannot give.

St Paul’s words to the Philippians are a reminder to us also, that a faithful, and joyous relationship with the Lord Jesus will bring peace of mind, such as that which has been shown forth by the gentleness in the character and manner of all believers whose sins have been cleansed by the Holy Gospel.

St Paul then calls upon the Philippians to trust in the Power, Love, and Mercy of God Who rules over, and controls, all things:

 “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

By accepting the Holy Gospel we become clothed in the Perfect Righteousness of the Lord Jesus, and delivered from God’s Judgement and Condemnation on the Great Day of Judgment, at the end of the ages, when the Lord Jesus returns to this world to gather His chosen people, and inaugurate God’s Everlasting Kingdom.

Until the Lord Jesus returns, St Paul tells the Philippians “Do not be anxious” about anything.”  If our faith is anchored in the Eternal Son of God, who has created all things and rules over all things, there is nothing that we need fear, not even death.

The Lord Jesus has conquered sin and death and has solemnly pledged to raise all believers, from the grave, to Eternal Life in His Great and Everlasting Kingdom.

Death has no more power over Him and consequently no power over us, who are clothed in His Perfect Holy Righteousness.

St Paul concludes this short portion of his Epistle by telling the Philippians to talk to their Heavenly Father and give Him Praise and Thanksgiving for the Gift of the Holy Gospel and to “present their requests to God.”

In return our Heavenly Father will give us the “peace that transcends (passes) all understanding.”

God’s Peace will “guard your hearts and your minds” in the Power and Holy Righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

May God give His Peace that passes understanding, today, and every day of our lives until we stand before Him and are welcomed into His Everlasting Kingdom as His adopted Sons and Daughters, through faith the Holy Gospel of His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St John Chapter 1, Verses 19-28.

In this portion of his Holy Gospel, St John records the visit of the priestly deputation from the Jewish Leaders’ of Jerusalem, to question John the Baptist as to who he claimed to be. 

Was he the Messiah?

If John the Baptist did not claim to be the Messiah then what was his identity:?

“19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”

21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered, “No.”

In the Old Testament, Second Book of the Kings Chapter 2 ,Verses 9-12, we learn that the great Prophet Elijah was taken up to Heaven by God:

“9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”

“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.

10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”

“11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more.”

In the popular Jewish expectation of the Lord Jesus’ time, it was thought that the Prophet Elijah would return from Heaven to precede and announce the arrival of the Messiah.

When John denied that he was the Messiah, or Elijah, the Jewish deputation asked him if he is “The Prophet.”

This question relates to God’s Old Testament promise, to Moses, that He would raise up a Mighty Prophet in the days leading up to the coming of the Messiah.  This promise is recorded in the Old Testament Book of Deuteronomy 18:17-18:

“17 The Lord said to me: “What they (the Jewish people) say is good. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. 19 I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name.”

John denies that he is "The Prophet."

Having exhausted all possibilities of learning, and verifying, John’s identity from his ministry and activity, the Jewish deputation finally asks him plainly, who he was:

“22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

John finally identifies himself by drawing on the words of the great Old Testament Prophet Isaiah:

"23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord."

The actual quote John used is recorded in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 40:3-5:

“3 A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
    a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be raised up,
    every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
    the rugged places a plain.
5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

The deputation further questioned John and demanded to know why if he was not the Messiah, Elijah, or The Prophet, why was he conducting ritual Baptisms (a symbolic washing away of a person’s sins):

“24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

John answers the deputation with a blunt and forceful statement of what God would shortly accomplish in the world:

“26 I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

“28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.”

I believe that John the Baptist did not realize the full significance of his ministry as he baptised believers in the Jordan River, as a sign of the washing away of their sins.

John was in fact the mysterious prophet who was to immediately precede the coming of the Holy Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

He also came in the power and spirit of Elijah, thus combining two aspects of Old Testament Prophecy.

The Lord Jesus revealed John’s identity in His words to the two Disciples following His transfiguration as stated in the Holy Gospel of St Matthew Chapter 17, Verses 10-13:

10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.”

John declared to them that the Messiah was already among them but because of their stubborn pride and ignorance, and their failure to correctly interpret, and understand the Word of God, they failed to recognize Him.

That failure would, in a short time, sweep them aside as the Lord Jesus Christ revealed Himself to the common men and women of the Jewish nation, and to the Gentiles, so that He might gather His chosen people, from the four corners of the Earth, to share with Him, Life Everlasting in God’s Great Heavenly Kingdom.

May God give us Grace, through the Holy Spirit, to always humbly listen to the voice of the Lord Jesus as He speaks to us through his Holy Word, the Holy Bible, and may He grant us the strength to ever hold fast to His Holy Gospel, until that day we see Him appear in all His Power and Great Glory. Amen.

Bishop Ian

Sunday 22nd December 2024 Advent 3

Advent Hymn

1. Lo, he comes with clouds descending,
once for favored sinners slain;
thousand, thousand saints attending
swell the triumph of his train.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ appears on earth again.

2. Every eye shall now behold him,
robed in dreadful majesty;
those who set at naught and sold him,
pierced and nailed him to the tree,
deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing,
shall the true Messiah see.

3. Those dear tokens of his passion
still his dazzling body bears;
cause of endless exultation
to his ransomed worshipers;
with what rapture, with what rapture, with what rapture,
gaze we on those glorious scars!

4. Yea, Amen! Let all adore thee,
high on thy eternal throne;
Savior, take the power and glory,
claim the kingdom for thine own.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou shalt reign and Thou alone!

The Collect for Advent Sunday (The First Sunday in Advent)

(Used with all Collects during the Season of Advent, until Christmas Eve)

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which Your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when He shall come again in His Glorious Majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to Life Immortal, through Him who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.     Amen.

The Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who at Your First Coming did send Your Messenger before You to prepare Your Way; Grant that the Ministers and Stewards of Your Revealed Truth may so likewise prepare and make ready Your Way, by turning the hearts of  disobedient sinners, to the wisdom of the justified, that at Your Second Coming to Judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in Your Sight, Who Lives and reigns with the Father and Holy Spirit, ever One God, world without end.     Amen.

The Epistle 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

“1This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.

2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.

5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.”

The Holy Gospel of St Matthew 11:2-11

2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Epistle Reading is taken from St Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians Chapter 4, Verses 1-5.

In this portion of Scripture St Paul writes to warn the Corinthian Christians about the danger they will be in should factions appear within their young Church.

The Corinthian Church was a predominately Gentile (non-Jewish) Church whose members came from a wide range of social levels.  There were affluent people, and people of low estate, together with Jewish refugees, and other common people from all over the Roman Empire.

The more highly educated Corinthian Christians, from a Greek background, could carry on theological discourses more easily, because of their familiarity with the teaching of the ancient Greek Philosophers, whose discourses were well known by all educated Greeks.

Also the precise Greek language spoken by the more highly educated Corinthian Christians contained a ready-made array of theological words, terms, and shades of meaning, thanks to its use by the ancient Greek Philosophers

Apollos, a Jew from Alexandria, was a Christian convert, and a polished orator.  When he arrived in Ephesus he was more fully instructed in the Christian Faith by Priscilla and Aquila.

Priscilla and Aquila were a first Century Christian Missionary married couple. described in the New Testament. They lived, worked, and traveled with St Paul, who described them as his "fellow workers in Christ Jesus" recorded in his Epistle to the Romans Chapter 16, Verse 3.

Priscilla and Aquila are described in the New Testament as providing a presence that strengthened the early Christian Churches. St Paul was generous in his recognition and acknowledgment of his indebtedness to them (Romans 16: 3-4).

As previously mentioned, together, they are credited with instructing Apollos, a major evangelist of the first century, and "explaining to him the way of God more accurately."

With letters of introduction and support, Apollos then journeyed to Achaia to assist the new believers there, and mightily defended the Christian Faith before the Jews.  The Book of the Acts of the Apostle Chapter 18 Verses 24-28 records this event:

“24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.”

Apollos was a fine example of an educated, faithful, charismatic, Christian speaker and debater.

The Christians at Corinth, at that time, were rallying around other charismatic preachers, and were in danger of fracturing the Church, with each faction supporting their favourite preacher.

In our Epistle Reading St Paul declares that he, and his assistants, had been chosen by the Lord Jesus to proclaim the “mysteries” (hidden things that have now been revealed to all) of God and that is how the Corinthian Christians ought to regard them:

“1This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.

2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.”

St Paul declares that the judgement of him by others is of no concern to him, as is his own judgement of himself.

Judgement by others and self-judgement is not a good assessment of the facts as each of these two types judgement are subject to bias, and are not based on complete knowledge and understanding of the facts, or understanding of the circumstances, relating to those facts.

The Judgement of God is perfect as it is based on God’s Truth, Perfect Knowledge, and Perfect Understanding of our motives, and the circumstances that led us to form particular conclusions, and our subsequent acting upon them.

St Paul concludes this portion of our Epistle Reading by commanding us to wait before accepting the judgement of others or passing self-judgement on ourselves:

“5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.”

We must resist the temptation to rush to judgement, but wait until the Great and Perfect Judge of All Things, The Lord Jesus Christ, appears to make His Righteous Judgement of all Mankind.

May God’s Mighty Holy Spirit give us Grace to exercise His gift of patience, as we await the Return of The Lord Jesus, to Judge all things Justly through His Perfect Knowledge, and Perfect Understanding of each person, in relation to His Great Love and Mercy revealed in His Mighty Holy Gospel. Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St Matthew Chapter 11, Verses 2-11.

In this portion of his Holy Gospel, St Matthew recorded the visit, by the disciples of John the Baptist, to the Lord Jesus, to seek clarification from Him regarding His Ministry, in order to settle doubts that had crept into John’s mind:

“2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

John was in prison, at the order of King Herod, for publicly denouncing the marriage of Herod to Herodias, the wife of Herod’s brother Philip.

John was under great pressure, and mental anguish bordering on depression. He was alone in the prison with no idea of the fate that awaited him.

John’s mental state may have given rise to self-doubts about his life and mission.

John had met the Lord Jesus previously, and identified Him as the Messiah, when the Lord Jesus came to John to be baptised by him.  This meeting is recorded in the Holy Gospel of St John Chapter 1 Verses 29-37:

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”[f]

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.”

This memory may have faded, or become confused by John as a result of sensual deprivation caused by the great strain of imprisonment.

In prison the truth of John’s message may have seemed unclear in his mind, so he sent some of his disciples to meet with the Lord Jesus and clarify if the Lord Jesus was the Messiah, “or should expect someone else?”

The Lord Jesus gave John’s disciples an answer, relating to the signs accompanying His Ministry, that John the Baptist would have instantly recognised as the signs that indicated that the Messiah had come.

The Lord Jesus’ answer to John was taken from the Book of the Old Testament Prophet Isaiah Chapter 35 Verses 3-6:

3 Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
4 say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.”

5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.

This Old Testament Scripture from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah is a well-known, and much loved, piece of Scripture describing the signs surrounding the coming of God’s Great Messiah.

In our Holy Gospel Reading St John records the Lord Jesus’ answer to John:

“4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

The Lord Jesus then told His hearers about John the Baptist as John’s disciples were leaving to report back to John:

“7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’

“11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

In declaring this to His hearers the Lord Jesus confirmed that John the Baptist was the one prophesied by the Old Testament Prophet Malachi, in Chapter 3 Verse 1 of his Book:

3 “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.

The Lord Jesus asked His audience, what exactly did they go out into the desert to see?

Were they looking for a “reed”, a speaker whose message was weak and could change its thrust and content, as quickly as a reed is blown by the desert winds?

Were they seeking a man in fine clothes who was a smooth, persuasive, speaker, whose message may have been false, but who looked good by the standards of the world?

Such men would be found in the service of Kings.

The Lord Jesus tells His hearers precisely what they went out to see, a prophet, a Great Prophet indeed, who was chosen by God to be the Prophet who would prepare the way for the Messiah.

That Messiah is The Lord Jesus Christ.

John the Baptist would be the last Prophet of the Old Testament era.

His duty was to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus to usher in the New Testament era of His Holy Gospel.

The Holy Gospel of St Matthew tells us of John’s arrest and execution in Chapter 14 Verses 3-12:

"3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.”

“6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus."

May God give us His Grace to understand the message of John the Baptist, and to heed that message, and join with John the Baptist, by proclaiming the Lord Jesus Christ as the Great Messiah, the Holy Son of God, sent to all people to proclaim freedom from Satan and his power of sin, through belief in, and acceptance of, the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Bishop Ian

Sunday 15th December 2024 Advent 2

Advent Hymn

1. Lo, he comes with clouds descending,
once for favored sinners slain;
thousand, thousand saints attending
swell the triumph of his train.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ appears on earth again.

2. Every eye shall now behold him,
robed in dreadful majesty;
those who set at naught and sold him,
pierced and nailed him to the tree,
deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing,
shall the True Messiah see.

3. Those dear tokens of his passion
still his dazzling body bears;
cause of endless exultation
to his ransomed worshipers;
with what rapture, with what rapture, with what rapture,
gaze we on those glorious scars!

4. Yea, Amen! Let all adore thee,
high on thy eternal throne;
Savior, take the power and glory,
claim the kingdom for thine own.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou shalt reign and Thou alone!

The Collect for Advent Sunday (The First Sunday in Advent)

(Used with all Collects during the Season of Advent, until Christmas Eve)

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which Your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when He shall come again in His Glorious Majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to Life Immortal, through Him who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.     Amen.

The Collect for the Second Sunday in Advent

Blessed Lord, Who has caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may so wisely hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience, and comfort of Your Holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast the blessed hope of Everlasting Life, which You have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ.     Amen.

The Epistle Romans 15:4-13

4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written:

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
    I will sing the praises of your name.”

10 Again, it says,

“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”

11 And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
    let all the peoples extol him.”

12 And again, Isaiah says,

“The Root of Jesse will spring up,

    one who will arise to rule over the nations;
    in him the Gentiles will hope.”

13 May the God Who inspires hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Gospel of St Luke 21:25-32

25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Epistle Reading is taken from St Paul’s Epistle to the Romans Chapter 15, Verses 4-13.

In this portion of Scripture St Paul strongly urges the Roman Christians to be united, as one, in the Love of the Lord Jesus Christ.

At the time St Paul wrote this Epistle, there was the threat of a factional split in the Roman Church between those members who came from a Jewish Background and those members who came from a Non-Jewish (Gentile) pagan background.

The Roman Christians who came from a Jewish background held that circumcision was an important, if not essential, element of any relationship with the One True God.

Those members of the Roman Church who had been converted from a Gentile pagan background would have had very little regard for the value of, or even known of, the historical significance of circumcision.

Circumcision for an adult man was a most painful and traumatic procedure from the time of its institution in the Old Testament, right up until the age of modern anesthetics, when it became a relatively pain free medical procedure.

The disabling pain of adult circumcision is recorded in Genesis Chapter 34, Verses 11-26, where we are told of the murder of Hamor (the Ruler of Shechem) and his son, named Shechem.

Levi and Simeon, two of Jacob’s sons, deceived Hamor and his son Shechem into becoming circumcised, along with all the men of the city, in order for Shechem to honourably marry Dinah (Levi and Simeon’s sister).  Dinah had been previously, captured and violated by the uncircumcised Shechem:

On the third day after the circumcision, Hamor, Shechem and all the men of the city, were in pain and disabled. Levi and Simeon used that opportunity to exact treacherous and murderous revenge on Hamor, Shechem, and all the men folk of their city. This is recorded in the Old Testament Book of Genesis, Chapter 34, Verses 11-25:

“11 Then Shechem said to Dinah’s father and brothers, “Let me find favor in your eyes, and I will give you whatever you ask. 12 Make the price for the bride and the gift I am to bring as great as you like, and I’ll pay whatever you ask me. Only give me the young woman as my wife.”

13 Because their sister Dinah had been defiled, Jacob’s sons replied deceitfully as they spoke to Shechem and his father Hamor. 14 They said to them, “We can’t do such a thing; we can’t give our sister to a man who is not circumcised. That would be a disgrace to us. 15 We will enter into an agreement with you on one condition only: that you become like us by circumcising all your males. 16 Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters for ourselves. We’ll settle among you and become one people with you. 17 But if you will not agree to be circumcised, we’ll take our sister and go.”

18 Their proposal seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem. 19 The young man, who was the most honoured of all his father’s family, lost no time in doing what they said, because he was delighted with Jacob’s daughter. 20 So Hamor and his son Shechem went to the gate of their city to speak to the men of their city. 21 “These men are friendly toward us,” they said. “Let them live in our land and trade in it; the land has plenty of room for them. We can marry their daughters and they can marry ours. 22 But the men will agree to live with us as one people only on the condition that our males be circumcised, as they themselves are. 23 Won’t their livestock, their property and all their other animals become ours? So let us agree to their terms, and they will settle among us.”

24 All the men who went out of the city gate agreed with Hamor and his son Shechem, and every male in the city was circumcised.

25 Three days later, while all of them were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took their swords and attacked the unsuspecting city, killing every male. 26 They put Hamor and his son Shechem to the sword and took Dinah from Shechem’s house and left.”

New born Jewish male babies are circumcised on the eight day after birth, in accordance with God’s covenant given to Abraham and recorded in Genesis Chapter 17, Verses 9-14:

“9 Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. 10 This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised.

11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. 13 Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant.

14 Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

At eight days after birth, a baby's levels of platelets, prothrombin and also vitamin K, which is essential for prothrombin production, are at their highest level.  This combination of factors ensures adequate blood clotting in response to the bleeding of circumcision.

The prothrombin level on the eighth day after birth is above 100% of normal levels.

This is the only day in a male’s life that this is the case, so the eighth day is ideal for circumcision.

Once again the Holy Bible reveals a great deal of scientific truth, recorded thousands of years before being “discovered” by modern scientists.

Another testimony to the trauma of circumcision in the Old Testament era, were men who were devout worshipers of God within the Jewish faith, known as “God Fearers”.

These “God Fearers” honoured the Law of Moses and sought to keep its commands, however they did not become full Jews, as they stopped short of undergoing circumcision.

Circumcision was also a major stumbling block to the young Church at Galatia as the Christians from a Jewish background actively taught that, to be saved, all men needed to believe and accept the Holy Gospel, and also to undergo circumcision.

This was a “Holy Gospel Plus” teaching that some Jewish converts of the early Christian Churches were promoting.  This false gospel was a satanic corruption and an insult to God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Belief in, and acceptance, of the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, is the only requirement for Salvation.

The issue of circumcision, of male Gentile converts, was resolved by a meeting of Christian leaders at a conference, known as the Council of Jerusalem, held around AD 50.

The Acts of the Apostles Chapter 1 records this Council, with Verses 5-21, covering the heart of the matter:

“5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”

6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

“12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14 Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written”:

16 “‘After this I will return
and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
Its ruins I will rebuild,
and I will restore it,
17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
even all the Gentiles who bear my name,
says the Lord, who does these things’—
18 things known from long ago.”

19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

In our Epistle Reading St Paul exhorts the Roman Christians to look to the Holy Scriptures for leadership, endurance and support in every aspect of their daily lives, and especially in their fellowship with other believers:

“4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”

“5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

St Paul then effectively commands the Roman, and all other Churches to freely accept Christian believers from different backgrounds as an act of worship, and honour, to the Lord Jesus Christ:

“7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed .”

St Paul then uses specific quotes from the Old Testament to illustrate and reinforce his message to the Roman Church:

“9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
    I will sing the praises of your name.”

10 Again, it says,

“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”

11 And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
    let all the peoples extol him.”

12 And again, Isaiah says,

“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
    one who will arise to rule over the nations;
    in him the Gentiles will hope.”

His first quote is from Psalms 18:49:

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing the praises of your name.”

The second quote is from The Book of Deuteronomy 32:42:

“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”

The third quote is from the Book Psalms 117:1

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
let all the peoples extol him.”

The fourth and final quote is from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 11:10:

“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
in him the Gentiles will hope.”

The “Root of Jesse” (a descendant of Jesse, King David’s father) is the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is on that basis that St Paul exhorts that the Roman Church to put aside false teaching, that leads to divisions within the church, and be united.

He concludes his message with this powerful benediction:

“13 May the God Who inspires hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

In this season of Advent let us give thanks and praise to God, as we prepare to celebrate the day of the Lord Jesus’ long awaited birth into our world, as the only Truly Human, and Truly Divine Man, to dwell among men and women bringing the Light of God’s Truth, and Salvation, by the Shedding of His Holy Blood on the Cross of Calvary, His Death, and His Glorious Resurrection, to a world held captive by the darkness and power of sin.

Also let us all express our gratitude to God and His Mighty Holy Spirit, in the praise, and worship of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who came to give His Life, as the One True, Perfect Man, in order that the penalty required, for our sin, by God’s Holy Law, could be paid by the giving of the Lord Jesus’ Perfect, Sinless, Life. Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St Luke Chapter 21, Verses 25-32.

In this portion of his Holy Gospel, St Luke records the Lord Jesus’ solemn revelation of the world shaking events, in nature and in mankind's affairs, that will occur at the time when the Lord Jesus will return to this world, not as a helpless baby in the manger, but as the all conquering triumphant “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” as the the Book of the Revelation of St John, Chapter 19, Verse 16 declares:

'“ 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

The Lord Jesus reveals that prior to His Second Coming there will be signs in nature to indicate what is coming:

“25 There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

The Lord Jesus tells of great signs in the visible sky involving “the sun the moon and the stars”.  There will be also great natural catastrophes that will cause terror among the peoples of the world.  The celestial and geographic upheavals will cause exacerbation of the worldwide fear resulting from political anguish and unrest.

This social upheaval will involve escalating violence, leading to all-out war, fueled by suspicion, fear, greed and hate.  There will be conflicts resulting from social displacement due to natural calamities involving earthquakes, fires, floods, droughts and other pestilences, resulting in severe famine.

These catastrophes cannot be overcome.

The Lord Jesus commands all Christians, alive at that time, not to be afraid as these things begin to unfold, but to “stand up and lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near.”

The Lord Jesus then tells a parable (an earthly story which illustrates a Spiritual truth):

“29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.”

We are to rejoice as these events begin to unfold, for they are the prelude to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Great Day of Judgment, when Satan and his fallen angels, already judged by God, will be exposed, together with all evil men and women, through out all the ages of man, who have rejected the Lord Jesus, and served Satan.

They all will be eternally dammed, into the Lake of Fire, for their evil works wrought in both the spiritual and physical world.

Our Holy Gospel Reading concludes with the Lord Jesus declaring that the generation of people who witness the momentous events that will overtake the world in the last days will not pass away before they see the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus.

“32 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.”

The Lord concludes His teaching by declaring that His Mighty Words will never pass away, but will endure forever:

“33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

Immediately following the Great Judgement the Lord Jesus will establish His Everlasting Kingdom, which the Prophet Isaiah, in Chapter 64, Verse 4 of his Old Testament Book prophetically describes, and which is re-asserted by St Paul in his first letter to the Corinthian Church, Chapter 2, Verse 9:

“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived
the things God has prepared for those who love him”

The Eternal Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ will be filled with wonders and beauty far exceeding that which any person, of any age in the world’s history, could have imagined.

We will rejoice in God’s Eternal Kingdom.  No sin, no greed, no anger, or hate, and no sadness, sickness, or death, only joyful Eternal Life with our Heavenly Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Mighty Holy Spirit, and fellow Christians from all the ages of history.

The Holy Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments, gives us small glimpses of what life in the Eternal Kingdom of God will be like:

The Old Testament Prophet Isaiah tells us in Chapter 11, Verses 6-9 of his book:

“6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
7 The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
8 The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
9 They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.”

Also, St Paul describes what our mortal earthly bodies will become, in his Epistle to the Philippians Chapter 3, Verse 21:

“20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

St Paul is drawing on the Lord Jesus’ statement of our existence in Heaven. As recorded in the Holy Gospel of St Mark Chapter 12 Verse 25:

“25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.”

This statement of the Lord Jesus was given as part of His answer to the “trick question” concerning marriage in Heaven, asked by the Sadducees, who did not believe in any resurrection or afterlife.

This question was designed to make the Lord Jesus appear foolish by affirming the existence of an afterlife, and providing an answer on the ludicrous question of whose wife, in Heaven, a woman would be, as she had seven husbands on earth.

In Heaven there is no death so no marriage is required to procreate children to perpetuate the family line.

Imagine an immortal body, that like that of an angel’s, which is able to be at one place and then disappear and reappear, in an instant, at another place.

It may be that God’s Eternal Kingdom is an inter-dimensional Kingdom where we will be able to see and move between different dimensions.

Our glorified bodies will never suffer starvation if we do not eat, however we will be able to enjoy the finest food we can imagine, at the Lord Jesus’ Banquet.

For all Eternity we will enjoy rewarding activities that bring us great pleasure and satisfaction and complete fulfilment.

The greatest pleasure will be our Love, Praise, and Worship of God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Mighty Holy Spirit.

Let us all concentrate our thoughts and prayers, during this Advent Season, in thankful praise to Almighty God who has saved us, through faith, given to us by the Holy Spirit, in the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Bishop Ian

Sunday 8th December 2024 Advent Sunday

Advent Hymn

1. On Jordan’s bank, the Baptist’s cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Awake, and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings of the King of kings!

2. Then cleansed be every breast from sin;
Make straight the way for God within;
Prepare we in our hearts a home
Where such a mighty Guest may come.

3. For Thou art our Salvation, Lord,
Our Refuge, and our great Reward.
Without Thy grace we waste away,
Like flowers that wither and decay.

4. To heal the sick stretch out Thine hand,
And bid the fallen sinner stand;
Shine forth, and let Thy light restore
Earth's own true lovliness once more.

5. Stretch forth thine hand, to heal our sore,
And make us rise to fall no more;
Once more upon thy people shine,
And fill the world with love divine.

6. All praise, eternal Son, to Thee
Whose advent sets Thy people free,
Whom, with the Father, we adore,
And Holy Ghost, forevermore.

The Collect for Advent Sunday

(The First Sunday in Advent)

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which Your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when He shall come again in His Glorious Majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to Life Immortal, through Him who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.     Amen.

The Epistle Romans 8:8-14

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”  and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbour.

Therefore love is the fulfilment of the law.

11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light.

13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

The Holy Gospel of St Matthew 21:1-13

21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

4 This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet:

5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers”.

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Epistle Reading is taken from St Paul’s Epistle to the Romans Chapter 8, Verses 8-14.

In this portion of Scripture St Paul rejoices in the Truth and Blessings of the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, and, as a result of the Holy Gospel, he exhorts the Roman Christians to always show forth, in their lives, firstly, the love of God, and secondly, as a consequence of their love of God, love for all other people.

St Paul opens by issuing a command in the manner of the Lord Jesus:

“8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”

This instruction is typical of the commands given by the Lord Jesus during His earthly ministry.  It is a positive affirmation of how a Christian believer should respond to the great debt of Love that every person owes to God as a result being redeemed by the Holy Blood of the Lord Jesus from all sin, both inherited and actual.

St Paul is restating the Lord Jesus’ teaching that just as we have been forgiven our sin, by His Work of the Holy Gospel, then we should readily and unreservedly forgive all who sin against us.

St Paul continues by reminding us of the Law of Moses:

“9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”  and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbour.”

St Paul then summarizes the quality, scope, and breadth, of Godly Love:

“Therefore love is the fulfilment of the law.”

Godly Love is not a fleeting emotion such as the “love” expressed in many modern novels, films and TV shows.

Godly Love is an eternal, active, intellectual and emotive mindset in which Christians are bound to the Lord Jesus by belief, trust, adoration and motivation.

Christians must show forth this Love in their lives, and in doing so confirm the Truth of the Holy Gospel, before all people, and to serve God in whatever way He leads us.

St Paul urges the Roman Christians, and all, who read his Epistle to awake from the slumber, in which we previously lived our lives, and to prepare for the Glorious Second Coming of the Lord Jesus at the Great Day of Judgement:

“11And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light.”

Also St Paul strongly urges us to prepare for the Return of The Lord Jesus, and be found, at that time, good stewards, and vigilant watchmen of our Master.

St Paul’s exhortation to be prepared for the coming of their Lord reminds us of The Lord Jesus’ anguished request, made to His Disciples, to “keep watch” with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, as recorded in the Holy Gospel of St Matthew 28:35-45:

“36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

“39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

“40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

“42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

“43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.”

“45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

The Disciples were sadly lacking in this instance.  Tiredness, and a failure to understand the importance and significance of the moment, took their toll on the disciples.

In a like manner the daily cares of our lives and our preoccupation with things of the present, can cause us to lose focus on the ultimate truth and consequence of the Holy Gospel, which is the return of the Lord Jesus to gather His Redeemed people, and to Judge all mankind, prior to the establishment of His Eternal Kingdom.

St Paul concludes today’s Epistle Reading with some very forthright warning against specific sins which can overtake the careless and unthinking person.

These sins can even be found in the Christian Church, so St Paul’s warning is for all people:

“13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy."

 St Paul’s warning is followed by the means of protection and redemption from all sinfulness, given so that any believer who falls into sin can seek God’s forgiveness and be restored to a right and pleasing relationship to God:

“Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”

This is the great blessing of the Holy Gospel.  We, and all other people, past, present, and future, who have believed, and will believe in the Holy Gospel are forever clothed in the Righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Even though we all continue to sin every day we will always be forgiven, provided we are penitent of heart, and ask God’s forgiveness for our sins, through faith the Holy Gospel.

God judges us by the Holy Righteousness of the Lord Jesus, in which we are clothed through faith in the Holy Gospel, and God’s verdict is always “innocent” on account of the death of the Lord Jesus, as payment for sin, on our behalf.

May God give us all penitence of heart, and strong faith in the Holy Gospel, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, Our Holy Saviour, and may we look forward, with anticipation, to His Second Coming, which brings about the end of this age. Let us also thank God that we, through faith in the Holy Gospel, are forever clothed in the Holy Righteousness of the Lord Jesus which makes us most pleasing in the sight of our Holy God. Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St Matthew Chapter 21, Verses 1-13.

In this portion of his Holy Gospel St Matthew recounts the triumphant entry of the Lord Jesus into Jerusalem where He was proclaimed, by many people, as the long awaited Messiah.

St Matthew opens His account by telling us of the Lord Jesus' procuring of a donkey to carry Him into Jerusalem:

“21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

The village “ahead of you” may have been Bethphage or Bethany, as these villages were quite close to each other.  The donkeys that were tied up in the village may have been prearranged by the Lord Jesus.  His instruction to the Disciples to answer, if questioned, “The Lord needs them” may have been also a prearranged answer. 

St Matthew continues:

4 This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet:

5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

The use of a donkey to carry the Lord Jesus into Jerusalem fulfilled the prophecy of the Old Testament Prophet Zechariah, as recorded in his book Chapter 9, Verse 9:

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
    Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
    righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

The status of the humble donkey was, without doubt, raised to the ultimate level among animals of transportation.  Great horses may carry kings, but the humble donkey carried the “King of Kings!"

The riding of a humble donkey is in keeping with the humility and servant-like manner of the Lord Jesus during His First Coming into this world.  He was born in a stable with sheep, goats and cattle watching on, and He spoke with humility and gentleness, but yet He spoke with Great Authority. 

The Lord Jesus surrendered His Pure, Perfect life in the service, and salvation, of ordinary people, like you and I.

The Lord Jesus’ Second Coming will be in very sharp contrast to His First Coming.

The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus will be as the King of Kings, with power and great glory.

The Holy Gospel of St Luke Chapter 21, Verse 25-28 tells of the Second Coming:

“25 There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.”

“27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

The Book of the Revelation (of St John) Chapter 19, Verses 11-16, also tells of the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus :

"11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself."

"13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God."

"14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the wine-press of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:"

"King of Kings and Lord of Lords."

The humble donkey, in today’s Gospel Reading, had a great story indeed to tell about his Holy Rider, that long ago day in Jerusalem!

St Matthew continues with preparations for the Lord Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem:

“6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.”

During the Lord Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem many of the people laid their cloaks (outer garments) onto the road, while others cut down palm fronds and laid them on the road.  This was sign of a royal welcome, given by those faithful believers, as a sign of respect for the Lord Jesus’ arrival as the Messiah (Mighty Deliverer).

The great crowd that followed shouted praise to the Lord Jesus:

“9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

This passage of Scripture signifies that the Lord Jesus was being welcomed, by many believing people, in fulfilment of the prophecy that King David wrote, in psalm 118, Verses 22-27, of the welcome of the God’s Messiah:

22 The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
23 the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.

25 Lord, save us!
    Lord, grant us success!

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
    From the house of the Lord we bless you.
27 The Lord is God,
    and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
    up to the horns of the altar.

The word Hosanna means "Lord save us" or simply "save us".

"Hosanna" was a most appropriate greeting to the Lord Jesus Christ who by entering into Jerusalem was beginning His journey to the Cross and the Crafting of the Holy Gospel.

The Great Truth of the Lord Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, riding on a lowly donkey, was that God’s Holy Messiah had arrived, in fulfilment of all the ancient prophecies.

God’s Great Act of Deliverance of His people, The Holy Gospel, was unfolding before their eyes!

St Matthew records the enthusiasm of the crowd who asked among themselves:

“10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

The answer was quickly given:

“11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Immediately on entering the city the Lord Jesus’ went straight to the Jewish Temple and drove out those people who were conducting commerce in the outer court (Gentile’s Court) area of the Temple:

“12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.”

The Temple tax, paid annually by all Jews who worshiped in the Temple, could only be paid in image free coins.

The exchange rate for the changing of foreign coins to pay the Temple tax, and the price for buying animals for sacrifice, greatly favoured the merchants.

This is the reason that the Lord Jesus drove them out is that they had literally made God’s House of Prayer, a “den of robbers.”

As we reflect on the triumphant entry of the Lord Jesus into Jerusalem on what is now known as “Palm Sunday,” let us give thanks to Almighty God for the Gift of His own Son, Who would become the sacrifice for our sin, and Who will return, on the Great Day of Judgement, to gather us into His Eternal Kingdom.     Amen.

Bishop Ian

Sunday 1st December 2024 The Sunday Before Advent

The Collect for the Sunday before Advent

Stir up, we beseech You, O Lord, the wills of Your faithful people; that they, abundantly bringing forth the fruit of good works, may be abundantly rewarded by You; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Amen.

For the Epistle Jeremiah 23:5-8

5 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
    “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
    and do what is just and right in the land.
6 In his days Judah will be saved
    and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
    The Lord Our Righteous Saviour.”

7 “So then, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when people will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’ 8 but they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’ Then they will live in their own land.”

The Holy Gospel of St John 6:5-14

5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Reading for the Epistle is taken from the Book of Jeremiah Chapter 23, Verses 5-8.

In this portion of his Book, written between 630 and 580 BC, the Old Testament Prophet Jeremiah foretells of the day when the Lord God would bring about an event that would be far greater than His Mighty Work of delivering His people from bondage in Egypt.

The delivery of God’s people from bondage in Egypt was one of the Great works of God in the passage of Israel’s history.

Through the Birth, Ministry, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ our Mighty God has wrought the Greatest Miracle in the history of mankind, the Holy Gospel.

Sin and Satan have been defeated by the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus. 

The passage of all human history will culminate in the Great Judgement Day of God and the establishment of the Eternal Kingdom of The Lord Jesus Christ.

5 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
    “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
    and do what is just and right in the land.
6 In his days Judah will be saved
    and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
    The Lord Our Righteous Saviour.”

This prophecy of Jeremiah was aimed at King Zedekiah, who was a weak puppet king, appointed by King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, who conquered Judah in 597 BC.

Under King Zedekiah, God’s people suffered under the spiritual care of unholy shepherds, installed by Zedekiah.  These evil shepherds had reversed the proper role of a shepherd.

The evil shepherds scattered the flock and did not provide care and protection for them.

A good shepherd gathered his sheep together, led them, and cherished them.

Jeremiah foretells of the time God will provide a great King for His people, descended from Line of King David, who will be known as The Good Shepherd.

The Good Shepherd will Love His sheep, provide for their needs and give His Life for them to deliver them from all sin and evil.

In this time to come all Judah and Israel, and ultimately all faithful believers will be saved eternally.

This Great, Good Shepherd will be called “The Lord Our Righteous Saviour.”

This Good Shepherd is the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Righteous Saviour and Good Shepherd, so loves his flock that he laid down His life for them to deliver them from their greatest enemies, sin and death.

The Good Shepherd will be assisted in His work by His Disciples (the other good shepherds whom God will install), who will minister and care for the Lord Jesus’ people after He had arisen from the dead, and ascended back to His Father in Heaven.

The Lord Jesus spoke of Himself in The Holy Gospel of John 10:11-18:

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Jeremiah concludes his prophecy by declaring that the Exodus of God’s people from Bondage in Egypt would fade in glory at the appearance of the Great Shepherd who will lead his people out of every nation where God had been scattered them.

7 “So then, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when people will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’ 8 but they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’ Then they will live in their own land.”

The Good Shepherd will gather, his flock from all parts of the world where God had scattered them.  The "land of the north" is a reference to the northern Kingdom Of Israel, which by the time of Jeremiah had been conquered by the Assyrians (722 BC) and was, by then, defunct.

The reference to "out of all the countries where He had banished them" refers to the Israelites who had fled to neighboring countries, to escape the Assyrian conquerors, together with people of Judah who had been scattered when the Babylonians conquered Judah in 597 AD, and took many captives back to Babylon as slaves.

Every Christian irrespective of their country of birth, or cultural background (the other sheep not of this sheep pen) will, through their faith in the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, become members of the true Israel of God.

As God’s Chosen People they will become God’s Adopted Children, and will be clothed in the Holy Righteousness of the Lord Jesus, through faith in the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus.

This Mighty Nation will be Justified, and Saved by Faith, and the Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd, will gather, lead, and cherish His Flock and they will dwell in safety in their own land, which is the Eternal Kingdom of God.

They will be the fulfillment of God’s ancient promise to Abraham, to make of his descendants a Mighty Nation.

As we prepare to remember, and celebrate, the Holy Birth of the Lord Jesus, which was the entry of the Lord God, by taking on human flesh, into the world of ordinary men and women, let us remember, with joy, the Prophecy of Jeremiah, made long ago, and now fulfilled.

We are blessed to have heard the prophecy of Jeremiah, and learned of the beginning of it’s fulfillment on the first Christmas Day.  Let us now look forward with joy, and thankfulness to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus, the great Day of Judgement, and the beginning of Eternal Life in the Lord Jesus’ Great Kingdom. Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St John Chapter 6, Verses 5-14.

In this portion of the Holy Gospel of St John we learn of the miracle that the Lord Jesus performed, when he provided a meal for a crowd of five thousand men.  There was probably many more people there, as women and children were not included in that number.

The Lord Jesus saw the Crowd approaching and asked Phillip (one of His Disciples) a question:

“5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.”

“7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

The Lord Jesus knew what he would do but wanted to impress on Phillip the magnitude of the impending miracle and the power of God to work any miracle.

Andrew (another of His Disciples) provides the means by which the Miracle is performed:

“8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

“10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.”

“12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.”

This is a different Miracle to the Miracle of the feeding of the four thousand recorded in the Holy Gospel of St Mark Chapter 8, Verses1-9:

8 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”

4 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”

5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied.

6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 9 About four thousand were present.

Although St Mark’s account of the Lord Jesus feeding a great crowd is a different Miracle, from that recorded by St John, the significance and theme of each Miracle, is exactly the same.

The meal is freely provided to all persons in the crowd irrespective of their race, or background.

Whether the crowd contained bad people as well as good people, no one was excluded.  In a like manner today, the Lord God Blesses all kinds of people by giving them sunshine and rain to grow their crops and so provides them with a living and food for themselves and their families.

The Lord God provides pasture lands of rich grass for all peoples’ cattle to graze on, to provide meat, milk, and leather goods to increase the quality of all people’s lives.

When the meal, recorded by St John, had concluded there were twelve baskets of left-overs. These were available for the Lord Jesus, His Disciples, and close followers to enjoy and recoup their strength.

St John concludes his account of the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand:

14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

The people who made this declaration were describing the fulfillment of the prophecy foretold by Jeremiah, recorded in today’s Reading for the Epistle, which foretold the coming of the Messiah (God’s Mighty Deliverer).

The Messiah was, of course, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Great Good Shepherd came, caring for, and nourishing his flock, both physically and spiritually, by giving His Holy, Pure, Life as payment for His people’s sins.

This is the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ which was foretold by the prophet Jeremiah, the Prophet Isaiah, and the whole multitude of Old Testament prophets who looked for the fulfillment of the promise of God to their forefather Abraham, described in the Old Testament Book of Genesis Chapter 12, Verses 2-3:

1The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

2 “I will make you into a great nation,
    and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
    and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
    and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
    will be blessed through you.”

This promise of God to Abraham mightily began to be fulfilled by God on the first Christmas Day, when the Lord Jesus was born, and God had truly come to His people.

On that first Christmas Day, the Lord Jesus came, initially, to the Jewish people, but when the Lord Jesus was Crucified and Rose from the dead He provided the gift of Eternal Life to all people of every race who faithfully believed in the Lord Jesus and His Mighty Work, the Holy Gospel.

Those who believe the Holy Gospel are clothed in the Holy Righteousness of The Lord Jesus, and are made most pleasing to God.

May God give us joy and peace as we celebrate the Advent of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and may we look forward with joy to His Second Coming. May we always be thankful for God’s Great Gift of the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, and the Great Gift of the Lord Jesus’ Holy Righteousness, which will see us pronounced Righteous and Innocent, on the Day of God’s Great Judgement, making us God’s Adopted Children for evermore, and Heirs of His Eternal Kingdom. Amen.

Bishop Ian

Sunday 3rd November 2024 Trinity 24

“Collect for the Twenty Fourth Sunday after Trinity

O Lord, we beseech Thee, absolve Thy people from their offenses; that through Thy bountiful goodness we may all be delivered from the grip of those sins, which by our frailty we have committed: Grant this, O Heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our Blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen

The Epistle Colossians 1:3-14

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you.

In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The Holy Gospel of St Matthew 9:18-26

18 While Jesus was speaking to John’s disciples, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Epistle Reading is taken from St Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians Chapter 1, Verses 3-14.

St Paul commences this portion of his Epistle with a warm greeting to the Colossian Christians, and thankfulness to God for the love they have showed to all God’s people:

“3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people.”

St Paul had not visited Colossae but he had heard, from Epaphras, of the Colossian Christians’ faith and devotion to the Lord Jesus which was made evident by the love that they showed for all “God’s people.”

St Paul immediately declares the source of the Colossians’ faith and devotion:

“5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you.”

Their faith in the Lord Jesus and the resulting love for all God’s people is a perfect coupling and natural consequence of any persons hearing and believing the Holy Gospel.

The true believer has a sure hope stored up in the Eternal Kingdom of the Lord Jesus. The true believer cannot but love their neighbours in response to the perfect love of God shown to themselves.

The reference of St Paul to the “true message of the gospel” immediately suggests that there were false teachers in Colossae who were presenting a distorted gospel which differed considerably from the Holy Gospel.

One of the greatest enemies of the Holy Gospel in the late first and second centuries AD was Gnosticism.

The term Gnosticiism came from the Greek word “Gnosis” which meant knowledge.

Gnosticism was a false spiritual belief system that incorporated many facets of human thought and teaching, and found its roots in classical Greek thought.

Gnosticism was based on the concept of secret knowledge that was hidden from the common man but was able to be gleaned by those who had been initiated into a Gnostic cult, and had then delved into the realm of ancient mystic writings, Greek philosophy coupled with Jewish “magic” and “occult” all mixed up with the misuse of much Christian teaching.

In its full blown state Gnosticism denied man’s ability to know the things of God, and the humanity of the Lord Jesus, which it replaced with an ethereal, non-corporeal spectre, who did not die to pay the price of our sin, but only appeared to die. Other facets of the Lord Jesus’ life were relegated to almost “ghostly” appearances and happenings.

The Gnostics would have entirely rejected the Holy Gospel as an impossible event.

It is in this context of pending attack from Gnosticism, that St Paul urged the Colossian Christians to hold fast to the “true message of the gospel” that has come to you.”

This is the Colossians life line and anchor in the coming storm.

St Paul continues:

“In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.”

St Paul commended the Colossian Christians on the way that their upright lives, and good works have become the fruit of the Holy Gospel, from the very beginning when Epaphras, with the authority and commission of St Paul. first preached the Word of God among them.

St Paul takes care to note that the Holy Gospel was firmly planted in Colossae by the use of the phrase “since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.”

“Truly understood God’s grace” are the key words.

St Paul then beseeched God to give the Colossian Christians all the wisdom that is available through the Ministry of the Mighty Holy Spirit:

“9 “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”

They key words in this portion of our Epistle are “endurance and patience.”

The Lord Jesus will equip all His people, with Heavenly Grace and courage, so that they are able to complete the work that He has given them.

All the attributes and qualities that He has promised will be given, but in His own time as He sees appropriate.

St Paul concludes our Epistle Reading by summing up the meaning and significance of what was received, and believed, by the Colossian Christians from the first rime that they heard Epaphras proclaim the Holy Gospel:

“13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

May God give to us today all things that are needed by us to grow in grace, love, and wisdom, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and especially patience and endurance as we await the return of the Lord Jesus on the Great day of Judgement, when His Everlasting Kingdom will be revealed and inaugurated. Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St Matthew, Chapter 9, Verses 18-26.

This portion of St Matthew’s Holy Gospel gives us an account of the raising, from the dead, of the daughter of a Synagogue official and the healing of a woman who had a discharge of blood.

St Matthew records the scene:

“18 While Jesus was speaking to John’s disciples, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.”

The Synagogue Leader had a faith that believed a touch of the Lord Jesus’ hand would heal his daughter. It is possible that the man believed that the Lord Jesus was a “thaumaturge” (a worker of wonders and miracles).

That the Synagogue Leader obviously had more than an Old Testament Jewish faith in the Lord Jesus, is shown by the fact that he knelt before Him.

A Jew would not kneel before any person or idol, but only before God.

The text does not specify whether the Synagogue Leader had become a believer, however his kneeling before the Lord Jesus is powerful sign that he regarded the Lord Jesus as being a Divine Emissary from God.

The Lord Jesus immediately responded to the man’s plea for help and set off, with His Disciples, for the Leader’s house.

As they started for the Leader’s home they were held up by a woman with a discharge of blood:

“20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

The woman obviously had a menstrual condition that resulted in a constant discharge of blood.

This was not only medically serious but the constant flow of blood made her ritually unclean and as such she was excluded from the spiritual life and fellowship of her community.

The Old Testament Book of Leviticus Chapter 15, Verse 25 specifies:

25 “‘When a woman has a discharge of blood for many days at a time other than her monthly period or has a discharge that continues beyond her period, she will be unclean as long as she has the discharge, just as in the days of her period.”

To be ritually unclean would effectively render a woman an outcast from her people.

The fact that the woman came up behind the Lord Jesus would suggest that she was unable to speak to Him face to face for fear of ridicule from the crowd. She shows her faith in the Lord Jesus by believing that to just touch the hem of His garment would heal her.

The Lord Jesus responded to her touch and her display of faith:

“22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.”

It might easily seem that the woman was superstitious, and that the hem of the Lord Jesus’ garment was regarded, by her, as a lucky talisman.

The Lord Jesus’ command to the woman “take heart daughter” together with His declaration “your faith has healed you” leaves us in no doubt that the healing was through her faith in Him.

The arrival and action at the Synagogue Leader’s house is recorded by St Matthew:

“23 “When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him.

The noisy crowd and pipe players were a common feature at the family home of a deceased person. These people were professional mourners and were hired by the family to assist in the mourning activities.

It is no wonder the Lord Jesus told them to “Go away,” as he declared that “the girl is not dead only asleep.”

The response from the crowd was to laugh at him.

After the insincere, and money motivated crowd, together with the pipe players, were put outside the Lord Jesus took the girl by the hand and she arose, and was restored to her parents:

25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.”

News of this raising of the Synagogue Leader’s daughter by the Lord Jesus quickly spread throughout all the region.

In the miraculous healing of the woman with a discharge, and the raising from the dead of the synagogue leader’s daughter we see the Lord Jesus’ Lordship over all things, both in the physical world, and in the spiritual realm.

As the pre-existing Son of God and the second person of the Holy Trinity the Lord Jesus has absolute authority over all things and is able to bring about a complete reversal of all normal processes, including life and death.

Nothing is beyond His control.

Let us always praise and thank God that we have been saved and secured by the Holy Gospel, and forever more we are clothed in the Righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In that Holy Righteousness that nothing can separate us from the Love of God in Christ. Amen.

Bishop Ian

Sunday 27th October 2024 Trinity 23

The Collect for the Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity

O God, our refuge and strength, who is the author of all Godliness; we beseech You, to hear the devout prayers of Your Church; and grant that those things which we ask in faith, we may obtain; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Amen.

The Epistle Philippians 3:17-21

17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.

18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.

20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await the Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

The Holy Gospel of St Matthew 22:15-22

15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.

17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Epistle Reading is taken from St Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians Chapter 3, Verses 17-21.

St Paul begins this portion of his Epistle with an exhortation to the Christians at Philippi to live their lives, and to conduct themselves, in the same manner as he and other faithful Christians lived and conducted themselves:

“17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”

St Paul told the Philippian believers that he, and other faithful Christians, have set them an example in their life and conduct.  The Philippian Christians are strongly encouraged to emulate the words and deeds of more mature, and experienced Christians.

Living a Christian lifestyle was not an easy in the First Century AD.  There were many pagan, idolatrous, and vile distractions to ensnare the followers of the Lord Jesus.

St Paul warns the Philippian Church that there is a great many people around them who through their depraved lifestyle, and lust for pleasure, are the enemies the Holy Gospel:

“18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.”

The pursuit of pleasure and self-gratification consumed the elite, affluent, citizens, and those of the middle to upper classes.  Much of this search for pleasure involved feasting drinking and carousing.  There was no shortage of prostitutes, both female and male, and facilities to cater for every type of lust.

There was also an abundance of pagan mediums, magicians, and diviners to beguile, lead astray, and fleece a populace desperate to commune with departed family and friends.  These desperate people craved to know of the future so as to ensure success of business deals, and to secure good fortune in major life events such as marriage, purchase of property and acquisition of wealth.

Rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ, and His Holy Gospel is a certain recipe for disaster, leading to eternal damnation in Hell, separated from God for eternity.

God is always ready, and desires to forgive any penitent person their sin, through the Holy Sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the Cross.  However to reject this most precious and Holy Gift of God is to bring the full force of God’s most terrible anger and eternal punishment upon those persons.

St Paul then contrasts those who live as enemies of the Lord Jesus, with those who love the Lord Jesus and have committed their lives to His service by promoting the Holy Gospel and seeking always to live lives that are pleasing to Him.

St Paul concludes our Epistle Reading by declaring that Christian Citizenship is not of this world, but rather of the Great and Eternal Kingdom that the Lord Jesus will usher in at His Second Coming, on the Day of Judgement:

“20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await the Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ”

We are told that at the time of the Great Judgement the Lord Jesus will transform our mortal bodies into glorious bodies like His Glorious Body that He revealed to His Disciples and followers after His Resurrection:

“21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

When we consider all the appearances of the Lord Jesus after His Resurrection, and begin to understand the nature of His Glorious Body we can start to comprehend and appreciate the tremendous Gift that God will bestow on us.  Our Resurrection bodies will not age, nor be subject to any disease, and they will be without any blemish.

Our personalities will also be transformed.  Gone will be the petty jealousy that often plagues us now, gone also will be all evil thoughts together with anger and hatred.  Depression and sadness will no longer consume our thoughts and destroy our lives.

Our New Glorious bodies will be filled with happiness and joy that will manifest itself in perfect love of our Heavenly Father, His Blessed Son the Lord Jesus, and the Mighty Holy Spirit, together with our Heavenly brothers and sisters.

What a wonderful, marvellous, and Blessed thing we can look forward to, and long for, with all our hearts.

May the Lord Jesus give us Grace through the indwelling of the Mighty Holy Spirit to live as those redeemed by the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, having our citizenship in the Eternal Kingdom of God. Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St Matthew, Chapter 22, Verses 15-22.

This portion of St Matthew’s Holy Gospel has been a favourite of mine for many years as it reveals the Lord Jesus’ complete mastery over the “loaded question” technique employed by the Pharisees (a Jewish religious party) in order to trap the Him into making a politically charged, treasonous statement, or committing religious blasphemy.

St Matthew sets the scene:

“15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.

17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

Verse 15 reveals to us the Pharisee’s motive in asking the “loaded question.”  Verse 16 informs us of the technique used, by these enemies of the Lord Jesus, to set up the “loaded question.”

The “Herodians” mentioned in Verse 16 were a minor Jewish political / religious party who took their name from King Herod and were favoured by his dynasty.  They were enemies of the Lord Jesus, and would ally themselves with the Pharisees when it suited.

In this instance they were in agreement with the Pharisees on the question of nationalism verses the yoke of a foreign occupation.

Judea, in the time of the Lord Jesus, was under Roman occupation, as were many countries at that time.  The Romans were shrewd masters for they allowed the conquered lands to be ruled by the local kings, and governors, who kept the peace and collected taxes.  The taxes were then paid as tribute to Rome.

This arrangement worked well, on the whole, as it allowed the local political and religious customs to be continued, with minimal interference from Rome, and saved Rome the time and expense of enforcing local laws and maintaining huge garrisons in every city.

The other main Jewish party, at the time, was the Sadducees.  They were primarily concerned with political matters, especially keeping the peace between the Jewish authorities and Rome.

The paying of taxes to Rome was a very sore point with the Jews.   They had to be paid to avoid military intervention by the irresistible Roman army, but the payment, of the tax, was hated by the Jews.

Another sticking point was that the Roman tax was paid in Roman coinage which bore Caesar’s image and this image was seen by the Jews as idolatry, which broke the Second Commandment, regarding graven images.

The Ten Commandments were the summary of the Sacred Law, given by God to Moses.

The Temple Tax paid by all Jews, to fund and maintain the Temple in Jerusalem, had to be paid in Jewish coinage that did not bear the graven image of Caesar.  The money changers, whom the Lord Jesus had driven out of the Temple, calling them robbers, were set up in the forecourt of the Temple to exchange Roman, and other coinage bearing images, for Jewish coinage that bore no image.

The Holy Gospel of St Matthew records this incident, with the money changers, in Chapter 21, Verses 12-13:

12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.”

The Holy Gospel of St John also records the event in Chapter 2, Verses 12-17:

13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.

16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

Certainly Temple and Roman taxes were an important, and contentious, part of Jewish life in the time of the Lord Jesus.

It was against this important, but resented, issue of Roman taxation that the Pharisees and the Herodians sought to trap Jesus by posing the “loaded question” regarding the legitimacy and moral correctness of paying taxes to an occupying force.

If the Lord Jesus answered “Yes” to the “loaded question,” then the Pharisees and the Herodians would have denounced the Lord Jesus as a traitor to Judea and the Law of Moses, in the hope of compromising His ministry and credibility.  Who knows, in their minds they may have thought they could whip the people up to stone the Lord Jesus, thus solving all their problems.

If the Lord Jesus answered “No” to the “loaded question” then the Pharisees and the Herodians would have once reported His answer to the Roman Governor making the Lord Jesus out to be a trouble maker spreading sedition and advocating rebellion.

The Roman army acted quickly and decisively against those who fomented rebellion.  The most decisive, and most convenient solution, was to kill all involved in such activity.

Faced with a seemingly “no way out” situation the Lord Jesus defeated them with the following brilliant manoeuvre:

“18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.”

The conspirators were flabbergasted.  They had tried their best to catch the Lord Jesus out but were caught in their own ignorance.  They had not considered the nature of the coinage and on whose behalf it had been issued.

I have often wondered if any of the Pharisees or Herodians learned anything from the incident…we may never know this side of Heaven.

May God give us His Grace and wisdom to test all things by the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, and to discern what in our lives belongs to the world, and what belongs to God and may the Lord Jesus to give us the Grace and courage to render to God those things that are God’s and to ignore what belongs to the world. Amen.

Bishop Ian

Sunday 20th October 2024 Trinity 22

The Collect for the Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity

Lord, we beseech You to keep your household the Church in continual Godliness; that through Your protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve You in good works, to the glory of Your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.    Amen.

The Epistle Philippians 1:3-11

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

The Holy Gospel of St Matthew 18:21-35

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.”

23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, cancelled the debt and let him go.

28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Epistle Reading is taken from St Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians Chapter 1, Verses 3-11.

This portion of Scripture forms part of the opening of St Paul’s letter to the Philippian Church.

In typical fashion, St Paul mentions that in his prayers he always gives joyful thanks to God for the new Church, and their partnership in proclaiming the Holy Gospel of The Lord Jesus Christ:

“3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Many families in newly founded Christian Churches would share in the ministry of the Holy Gospel, by providing lodging for St Paul and his companions together with providing gifts of food, clothing, and money to support the preaching and teaching of the Holy Gospel.

St Paul then tells them that he has petitioned God for His grace to be given to the Church to continue as they had begun, and so to grow in Christian maturity until the Day of Christ (the future second coming of the Lord Jesus at the Day of Judgement).

He then informs the Philippian Christians that he always has, in his heart, affection for them whether he finds himself in comfortable conditions or whether he is in prison for his preaching, and testimony, to the truth of the Holy Gospel:

“7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.”

The Grace of God is provided to, and enjoyed by, all Christians whether their circumstances are good or bad.  God’s grace will sustain and deliver a faithful believer no matter what befalls them.

St Paul declares that God knows that he longs to be with the Philippian Christians enjoying their fellowship in the Love of the Lord Jesus.

Many of us can identify with this yearning of St Paul for fellowship, when we think of close Christian friends who may be great distances from us.  This same yearning for familiar fellowship is felt by many missionaries when they are in faraway countries and find themselves homesick for their own church and close friends.

The Grace of God will always sustain faithful believers in such situations.

St Paul concludes this opening portion of his Epistle with this prayer:

“9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”

St Paul wants the Philippian Church to grow in knowledge of the Holy Gospel and to see, and understand, its ramifications.  He wants them to be “able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”

This prayer of St Paul beseeches God that the Philippian Church may be equipped with such understanding of the Holy Gospel that they may always choose, and adhere to, those thoughts and actions that are pure and Holy, and that they will so endure until the second coming of the Lord Jesus.

May God ever give us thankful hearts for His Great Gift of the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, and may He give us His Grace to embrace this Priceless Gift, daily, in our lives that, so that like the Philippian Christians, we might be sustained and endure until the Great Day of the Lord Jesus’ Second Coming. Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St Matthew, Chapter 18, Verses 21-35.

In this passage of Scripture we are taught the nature of forgiveness and how we ought to apply it in our daily lives.

In the time of the Lord Jesus, the Jewish Rabbis (teachers of the Law of Moses) taught that forgiveness should be offered three times to those who have committed offences against us.

It is interesting to note that it was the Apostle Peter who posed the question of forgiveness and how many times one should forgive those who have wronged us:

“21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

The Apostle Peter was regarded as the Chief Apostle, yet he would be the one who would deny knowing the Lord Jesus three times, after the Lord Jesus was arrested.

Some commentators suggest that the Apostle Peter was trying to impress the Lord Jesus by declaring that he was willing to forgive anyone who offended him seven times.  This was more than twice the number of times that the teachers of the law required forgiveness to be offered.

The Lord Jesus very quickly and decisively dismissed the Apostle Peter’s suggestion that forgiveness should be offered seven times and told him that seventy times seven would be a more appropriate number of times:

“22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.”

Although we may instantly calculate that the Lord Jesus’ declaration calls for forgiveness to be offered four hundred and ninety times, the real meaning of the Lord Jesus’ response was that forgiveness must be offered without limit.

Four hundred and ninety was a large number which was not easily calculated by the average person in the Lord Jesus’ time. 

So, in fact, four hundred and ninety times really meant that forgiveness was to be given continually without keeping track of the number.

The Apostle Peter, and no doubt his fellow Disciples and the other followers of the Lord Jesus, were thinking in terms of the Law of Moses with its prescribed limits, rather than the Lord Jesus’ teaching of Grace and Forgiveness which, in stark contrast, had no limitations.

To more fully show forth the nature, quality and depth of God’s forgiveness the Lord Jesus told a parable (an earthly story with a spiritual message) of the king who wished to settle his accounts with his servants:

23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

The servant, in this parable, owed his king an enormous amount of money is brought before the master.

We are told that this servant owed the king ten thousand bags of gold, which in our currency may have exceeded a hundred million dollars.

The servant tells his king that he is unable to pay the debt and accordingly the master ordered that the man, and his wife, and his children, and all that he had, be sold to repay the debt.

The servant, knowing that total ruin was upon him reacted as Verses 26-27 record:

“26 At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, cancelled the debt and let him go.”

This was an amazing turn around for the servant, from utter devastation to complete freedom and a new life, free from debt, for himself and his family. 

We would expect that the servant would be overjoyed and most grateful to have his debt cancelled.

We would also expect that the servant, as a consequence of his master's extraordinary, mercy and kind treatment, would show similar mercy to all those who owed him any debts.

Unfortunately the forgiven servant was not as like minded as his Master, in his approach to his other servants:

“28 But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.”

The forgiven debtor found a fellow servant who owed him a hundred silver coins (maybe twenty dollars), and grabbed him and began to choke him saying “Pay back what you owe me!”

The first servant had quickly forgotten the millions in debt that the master had cancelled.

He was so determined to get his twenty dollars back from his fellow servant that he had him imprisoned to ensure the debt was paid, presumably from the sale his family and his belongings.

The other servants of the master, who had witnessed this incident, were outraged and reported the matter to the master:

“31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.”

The master was, quite rightly, most angered by what had transpired, and summoned the servant, whose huge debt had been forgiven, before him:

32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

The wicked servant paid a very high price for his failure to show the same mercy and forgiveness, to his fellow servant, that had been shown to him by the Master.  His future was a lifetime of damnation and torture in prison.

An unforgiving person has no place in the Lord Jesus’ Eternal Kingdom, and the Lord Jesus gives us this solemn warning:

“35 This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

The Lord Jesus is telling all of us that we must show forth the same quality of mercy and forgiveness, to all who injure or offend us, that God has shown in forgiving us the immeasurable debt of our sins.

The person who has been forgiven by God through the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ must show, in the treatment of all others, clear evidence of their thankfulness and grateful love of the Lord Jesus, and their faith in His Holy Word.

Forgiveness is not to be given in a stingy manner, counting who, or how many, but rather given in an endless flow, like a mighty river, to all others.

St Paul exhorts us to unlimited forgiveness by ridding ourselves of all anger and its associated sins in his letter to the Ephesians Chapter 4, Verses 31-32:“

“31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

May God give to us, by His Holy Spirit, Grace and Godly Wisdom, to ensure that all debts owed to us, by others, are cancelled in a like manner as our huge debt to God has been cancelled by the power of the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Bishop Ian

Sunday 13th October 2024 Trinity 21

The Collect for the Twenty First Sunday after Trinity

Grant, we beseech You, Merciful Lord, to Your faithful people, Pardon and Peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve You with a peaceful mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Amen.

The Epistle Ephesians 6:10-20

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

The Holy Gospel of St John 4:46-54

46 Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.

48 “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”

49 The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.”

The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52 When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.”

53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.

54 This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Epistle Reading is taken from St Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians Chapter 6, Verses 10-20.

This portion of Scripture is one of the best known, and most beloved, passages in the Holy Bible.

In this passage St Paul reveals the equipment that the Lord Jesus has given to us to use in our battle with Satan, and his forces, which are active in the world, as well, as in the spiritual realm.

St Paul rallies us with a rousing exhortation:

“10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

St Paul then urges us to understand that our battle with Satan is not in the physical realm only. He tells us plainly, with a solemn warning, that our battle will be fought on a physical and spiritual plane:

“12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

We are told that our enemies are not only human beings of “flesh and blood” but also the dark “spiritual forces of evil” that are operating not only on the earth but also in the unseen spiritual realm.

The Holy Bible speaks of spiritual beings created by God to serve Him.  These Heavenly Beings are Angels, Cherubim, and Seraphim.

Before God created Adam and Eve there was a rebellion in Heaven and Satan and his followers (fallen angels) were cast out of Heaven by God, by the hand of the Archangel Michael (the leader of God’s Holy Angels).

The Non-Biblical, but most valuable, Book of Enoch (the great grandfather of Noah) describes the battle in which Satan was cast out of Heaven with 200 fallen angels (demons).

This host of evil was banished to the earth and have been allowed to exercise limited rule over this world until the Great Day of Judgement, at which time they, and all people who have rejected God and the Lord Jesus, will be sent to eternal damnation in what the Holy Bible calls the “Lake of Fire.”

Through the Holy Gospel, the Lord Jesus has already defeated Satan and his followers and we only wait for the full revelation of His Mighty Victory, on the Day of Judgement.

Satan and his demons operate on this earth at present, and they have infiltrated every facet of our society including governments, corporations, sporting and social organisations and especially the media.

It is through the media that Satan exercises strong influence via the deluge of immoral and pagan material that is broadcast to unsuspecting victims, from children to adults.

The many vile and filthy films that are created by Hollywood bear testimony to the hand of Satan in that industry.

The popular music industry actively promotes Satanic devotion with many songs and live performances laced with vulgarity and paganism.  We only have to look at the elaborate costumes worn by today’s megastars to see the close resemblance to the dress and robes of pagan deities from ancient Egypt or the Greco-Roman era.

The revival of interest in the pagan gods, and culture of ancient Celtic and Norse traditions, clearly bears the mark of Satan, seeking to divert us from the true God and the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The modern fascination with tarot cards, séances, ouija-boards, vampires and zombies, again bear witness to the hand of Satan.

The great interest and devotion of many young, and not so young people, to the boy wizard Harry Potter, and his so-called magic, is a mark of Satan’s great influence over the author of the books, and the film makers.

In a like manner modern science has sought to hide the truth of God by fabricating false explanations for phenomena that we are able to see and experience every day..

It seems that every week we hear news reports of the discovery of some new planet or cosmic phenomena, that seeks to remove us further from the God who created all things.

Satan works to remove God from His creation and to divert us from any attempt to truly seek the One True God.

St Paul then further exhorts us as to how we should prepare for the coming battles:

“13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

St Paul then describes the equipment that we will need to defeat Satan and his allies:

“14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

It is no wonder that St Paul uses the equipment of a Roman soldier to liken God’s provisions to us, for battle.  In the first Century AD, there were no guns or artillery pieces and only the catapult, loaded with large stones or fire balls, was available as a fearsome weapon.

In that era battles were fought hand to hand, and the main kit of a soldier was his body armour, shield, and personal hand-held weapons.

St Paul’s allusion to a soldier, ready for battle, no doubt hearkens back to the words of the Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 59, Verses 15-20, in which he describes God preparing for battle against the enemies of His people:

"The Lord looked and was displeased
    that there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no one,
    he was appalled that there was no one to intervene;
so his own arm achieved salvation for him,
    and his own righteousness sustained him.
17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate,
    and the helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on the garments of vengeance
    and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
18 According to what they have done,
    so will he repay wrath to his enemies
    and retribution to his foes;  he will repay the islands their due.
19 From the west, people will fear the name of the Lord,
    and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory.
For he will come like a pent-up flood
    that the breath of the Lord drives along.

20 “The Redeemer will come to Zion,
    to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,
declares the Lord."

In this passage from the Book of Isaiah we see God arming Himself with the equipment that He Himself has produced, and will use to bring justice to His people and punishment to those who have oppressed them.

It is interesting to note that in the description of the Christian’s equipment to battle Satan and his army, all items, bar one, are of a defensive nature.  The belt, the breastplate, the shoes, the shield and the helmet are all to protect us from the attack of the evil forces.

The one offensive weapon is the “sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.”

The Word of God, is the most powerful weapon in Heaven and earth.

In the third verse of the well known Christmas Carol “O Come all ye Faithful” we joyfully sing:

“Word of the Father now in Flesh Appearing”

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Living Incarnate Word of God.

The Lord Jesus used His Father’s Words, recorded in the Old Testament, to defeat Satan when He was tempted in the wilderness immediately after His Baptism:

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”

As previously stated, the Word of God, the most powerful weapon that exists, is readily available to us today and, coupled with prayer, it is able to sustain, protect, and guide us as we journey through this dark evil world.

St Paul closes our Epistle Reading by urging us to pray for all of God’s people:

“18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

We, who now live, have received the Revelation of the most Holy Truth of God, and His Blessed Son, and His Mighty Holy Spirit.

We now await the Glorious Return of our Lord Jesus to bring on the Great Judgement and the Establishment of His Everlasting Kingdom.

St Paul finishes by asking for the Ephesian’s prayers on his behalf, that his missionary work might be carried on even though he is in chains for his testimony to the Holy Gospel:

“19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”

It is important to note St Paul’s use of the word “mystery”, in connection with the Holy Gospel.

Our English word “mystery” means a puzzle, or something that is hidden.

The Greek word translated “mystery” denotes something that was hidden but has now been revealed to all.

The missionary work of St Paul would eventually lead him to Rome and to his death at the hands of the Roman Emperor Nero around 67 AD.

May God give us His Grace to always thank Him for the Gift of the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, and may He bless us each day, guiding us through prayer, and protecting us through the use of His Holy Armour and by the wielding of His Holy Sword. Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St John, Chapter 4, Verses 46-54.

In this passage the Apostle John records the healing of the son of a Royal official.

St Paul begins with the Lord Jesus again visiting the city of Cana:

“46 Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine.”

At Cana the Lord Jesus was sought out by a man who is simply described as a “royal official:”

“And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum.”

We are not told who the official was but the designation “Royal” would indicate that he was a high official in the Jewish hierarchy, possibly a Sadducee (Jewish aristocracy), and was employed in the King’s service.

The official lived at Capernaum, and had travelled to meet the Lord Jesus to plead for his seriously ill son’s life.  We are, again, not told how he had heard of the Lord Jesus’ power, however he may known of the miracle at the wedding in Cana when the Lord Jesus turned water into wine.

His knowledge of the Lord Jesus caused him to act swiftly to arrange a meeting:

“47 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.”

When the official met the Lord Jesus and begged for the life of his son, “who was close to death,” the Lord Jesus’ answer seems a little surprising:

48 “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”

The Lord Jesus knew what was in the mind of the official and saw that the man’s faith was, at that stage, superficial and not true, trusting, faith.  The official needed to see an outcome to reinforce his faith.

Despite the Lord Jesus’ original rebuff the man, a second time, begs for the life of his son and the Lord Jesus detected a change in the nature of his faith, and as St John records:

“49 The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.”

The official then demonstrated true faith, based on the Lord Jesus’ promise that his son would live, and he departed for his home fully expecting to find his son alive and well:

“The man took Jesus at his word and departed. “

St John concludes his account of the event:

“51 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52 When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.”

53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.

54 This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.”

The official was overjoyed that his son had recovered and that his true faith had been rewarded.  On his way home he did not need to see a result as he trusted the Lord Jesus’ Word that his son would be well.

On hearing of his son’s recovery he ascertained the time of the healing and realised that it was the exact time that the Lord Jesus had promised that the boy would live.

The official finally realised that true faith did not depend on immediately observable outcome, but rather he knew that a positive outcome would be brought about in God’s time.

We are told “and he and his whole household believed” on the Lord Jesus. The true faith of one man led to the Salvation of his whole family, and his servants.

The essence of true Christian faith is that we believe and accept God’s Holy Word without the necessity to see the outcome immediately as if to instantly reinforce our faith.  We accept that anything that the Lord Jesus has promised will come to pass at the time appointed by God.

May God give to us all the faith that believes without seeing, that rests on the sure knowledge that God will accomplish His promises when the time is right, and may we ever give God thanks for the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus. Amen.

Bishop Ian

Sunday 6th October 2024 Trinity 20

The Collect for the Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

O Almighty and most merciful God, of Your bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech You, from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things that You would desire to have done; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Amen.

The Epistle. Ephesians 5:15-21

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

The Holy Gospel of St Matthew 22:1-14

1 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

4 “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

5 “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. 6 The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. 7 The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

8 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.

13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Epistle Reading is taken from St Paul’s the Epistle to the Ephesians Chapter 5, Verses 15-21.

St Paul commences our Epistle Reading with an exhortation to live our lives in a wise and cautious manner, as evil lurks at every turn in our daily lives:

“15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

We are commanded to make the most of every opportunity to proclaim the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus and strive to understand the Lord’s Word and Will:

“17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Only fools do not attempt to know what God’s Will is. The wise always seek to know God’s will and then act upon it.

St Paul then exhorts the Ephesians not to overindulge in wine and become entangled in immorality, like pagans:

“18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.”

St Paul further exhorts the Ephesians to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to use every variety of praise such as Holy Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs (Songs inspired by the Holy Spirit in praise of God and the Lord Jesus), to relate to one another and to praise and glorify the Lord Jesus, always remembering to give thanks to God for the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, and all the Blessings that flow from this, His Greatest Gift:

“Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Our Epistle Reading concludes with St Paul’s command to always relate to one another, in Love, with a reverence for the Perfect Love which the Lord Jesus showed to us by shedding His Precious Blood for our Redemption, and Adoption as Children of God:

“21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

Submitting to one another means to place other people’s needs ahead of our own wants and needs. In doing this we show Reverence, Love and Honour to our Lord Jesus Christ.

By doing this God is honoured, pleased, and will always make sure that our own needs are met, often in a more full and rich way than we could have hoped for.

Let us ask God for His Guidance each day of our lives, thanking Him for His Great Gift of the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, and may we always honour His Holy Gift as we meet and relate to other people, especially those who have no knowledge of the Holy Gospel and are in desperate need of the Love of the Lord Jesus.     Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St Matthew Chapter 22, Verses 1-14.

St Matthew opens this portion of our Holy Gospel Reading with a parable told by the Lord Jesus while He teaching in the Temple Court area.

The Lord Jesus told his hearers a parable in which He likened God’s Great Kingdom to a wedding feast, prepared by a king, for his son:

“1 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.”

In the Lord Jesus’ time it was customary to invite guests to a function prior to the event being held, so as to alert them of the upcoming function, and then, on the day, to send his servants to advise the invited guests that the function was ready and about to begin:

“3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come”.

To refuse to come to a function when called to attend, having been previously invited, was a great insult and would have invoked the wrath of the host.

In the Lord Jesus’ parable the king sent further messengers to implore the invited guests to attend.  These second messengers informed the guests that the king had expended much effort, and expense, in the preparation of the feast by butchering his finest cattle for the meal:

“4 Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.”

The invited guests disregarded this second call to attend the king’s banquet, with many choosing rather to attend to their own routine day to day activities:

“5 But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business.”

The remaining invited guests so resented the king’s call to attend that they abused the king’s messengers and then killed them:

“6 The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them.”

The king was furious and sent his army to kill the murderers and destroy their city:

 “7 The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.”

Having dealt with those invited guests who refused his call, and killed his servants, the king then moves quickly to ensure the success of his wedding feast.

The Lord Jesus then tells us that king judged the invited guests unworthy to attend his wedding banquet, and sent out his servants to invite any, and all, people who were willing to attend, and enjoy, the prepared wedding feast:

“8Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’”

This rejection of the King’s invitation to come to the Wedding Feast is a direct reference to the nation of Israel who were invited to God’s Great Banquet that would come to pass after the coming of the Great Messiah and following the Great Day of God’s Judgement.

The nation of Israel, like the king’s invited guests, in the parable, ignored the invitation and went about their earthly business.

This retribution on the guests who refused the king’s call in the parable, foreshadowed the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD as God’s punishment on those who had refused to accept the Words of His only Son, the Lord Jesus, and then crucified Him.

The Lord Jesus is the Great Messiah who came to His people to bid them come to God’s Heavenly Banquet, and share in God’s Eternal Kingdom.

Following the Great Day of Judgement God’s Eternal Kingdom will be established and celebrated in the Great Heavenly Banquet, at which God’s Faithful, Chosen people will rejoice and celebrate with the Lord Jesus, His Heavenly Father, and God’s Mighty Holy Spirit.

Like some of the king’s wedding guests, who mistreated the king’s servants, so the nation of Israel had mistreated and killed a number of God’s Holy Prophets, in days gone by.

In the Lord Jesus’ parable he king’s servants went out into the streets and rounded up many people, both good and bad to fill the wedding banquet hall:

“10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.”

By refusing to heed the call of the Lord Jesus, the Great Messiah, the people of Israel forfeited their right to be the people of God, so God called those outside Israel, the Gentiles, so that His Great Banquet would be full of joyful and thankful guests.

In the parable as the wedding banquet is underway the king came in to greet the guests.  He noticed a man who was not wearing a wedding garment.

“11But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes.”

In the Lord Jesus’ time Jewish culture required the host of a wedding banquet to supply a special wedding garment to each invited guest.  This was usually a white robe that was worn over the guest’s normal clothes.

The king asked the man how he came to be admitted to the wedding banquet:

“12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.”

The man could not provide an explanation as to how he gained admittance into the wedding banquet.

To attend a wedding banquet without wearing a wedding garment was a major insult to the host.

The king reacted swiftly to this insult:

“13Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

The Lord Jesus concludes His parable with a warning regarding God’s call to all people to attend His Only Begotten Son’s feast and to enter His Eternal Kingdom:

“14For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

God calls all people to accept the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus and so become clothed with the Lord Jesus’ Holy Righteousness.

The Lord Jesus’ Holy Righteousness is our Wedding Garment, to be worn at the Great Banquet to be held at the second coming of the Lord Jesus.

As we live our daily lives we can come across people who have the outward appearance of being Christians, even attending church on a regular basis, however they do not possess a true faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and are therefore not clothed in His Holy Righteousness.

They are not wearing the Wedding Garment, given as a Precious Gift, by God.

Without this Wedding Garment no person can enter the Great Banquet that ushers in the Eternal Kingdom of God.

May God give us His Grace to thank Him for the Gift of our Wedding Garment, which is woven with the Holy Righteousness of the Lord Jesus, and washed a brilliant white by the Holy Blood of the Lord Jesus, shed on the Cross of Calvary, through which cleansing we have become God’s Adopted Children and inheritors of His Great Eternal Kingdom.    Amen.

Bishop Ian

Sunday 29th October 2024 Trinity 19

The Collect for the Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

O God, without You we are unable to please You; Mercifully grant, that Your Holy Spirit may in all things direct, and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Amen.

The Epistle, Ephesians 4:17-32

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

The Holy Gospel of St Matthew 9:1-8

9 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralysed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”

4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”

So he said to the paralysed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Epistle Reading is taken from St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Chapter 4, verses 17-32.

St Paul begins this portion of today’s reading with an emphatic command that the Ephesian Christians must not continue to live as the Gentiles (non-Jews) do, in futility of thought:

“17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.”

The expression “futility of their thinking” means depraved reason.

Depraved reason is the result of the Gentiles’ immoral way of life resulting from their corrupt spiritual outlook and ignorance, and, or, rejection of the Holy Gospel.

Without the Light of the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, given by the Holy Spirit, the Gentiles had no absolute Truth to which they could anchor their spiritual lives:

“18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.”

The Greek and Roman world of the First Century AD was ruled by idolatry, and the result was the pursuit of pleasure, both on an individual level and on a community level.

The false gods of Greece and Rome in many instances encouraged their worshipers, through their priests and priestesses, to indulge in all manner of debauched activity to celebrate the worship of a particular god.

Many false religions featured temple prostitutes who would celebrate the worship, of the false deity, by carousing with the worshipers, in exchange for donations or gifts which would flow into that particular false religion’s coffers.

St Paul tells us that Gentiles are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of (the true) God because of the ignorance they have in them.  They have depraved powers of reason due to the hardening of their hearts.  This in turn leads to an abandonment of all restraint and the handing over of themselves to sensuality, and allowing themselves to be full of greed.

The use of the term “ignorance” (Verse 18) does not mean a lacking of knowledge but rather a deliberate refusal of mind to know the One True God and honour Him by accepting the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

St Paul’s use of the term “greed” (verse 19) as translated from the Greek, is associated with immoral ways and means the intellectual trigger and driving thought to seek gratification from every kind of immorality.

St Paul reminds the Ephesian Christians that this sinful and immoral life is not what they had learned from the teaching they had initially received from St Paul and other Christian missionaries:

“20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness”.

The new Ephesian converts were told to put off their old ways and to consider their former lives as buried with the Lord Jesus.  They were told to walk from henceforth as those who had put on a “new self.”

This “new self” means the God given, via the Holy Spirit, clothing of oneself with the Righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

This honours the Lord Jesus and greatly pleases God the Father.

St Paul then gives the Ephesians the following exhortations to ensure that the new believer’s behaviour conforms to the expectations of the Lord Jesus:

“25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.”

“28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”

“29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

In Verses 30-31 St Paul declares a very important truth about the nature of the Holy Spirit in that he assumes that the Holy Spirit is the beloved Third Person of the Blessed Holy Trinity:

“30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”

Many cults, claiming to be Christian, do not accept the personality of the Holy Spirit but believe that He is merely the impersonal power that God employs to accomplish His work.

Nothing could be further from the Truth!

The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Blessed Holy Trinity and can be grieved, and can rejoice with the Lord Jesus Christ, and God the Father.

It is the Holy Spirit who has “sealed us” (Verse 30) as the adopted sons and daughters of God.

St Paul concludes our Epistle Reading with a command to the Ephesians to show Love and Forgiveness to one another as the Lord Jesus showed Love and Forgiveness to all Who encountered Him:

“32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Our relationship with the Lord Jesus will be revealed in all its Glory and Splendour when the Lord Jesus returns, a second time, on the Day of Judgement, to usher in the Everlasting Kingdom of God.

These commands of Verses 25-32 are the blueprint for a Godly life that is pleasing to our Heavenly Father.

May God give to us all, Grace through the Holy Spirit, to put away all evil and vile things, and to continue in the life that began when we first received, and believed, through the Holy Spirit, the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St Matthew, Chapter 9, Verses 1-8.

In this portion of his Holy Gospel St Matthew tells us of the Lord Jesus’ encounter with a paralysed man who had been brought to Him by a group of men, when He came to His own town (Capernaum).

On meeting with the paralysed man, the the Lord Jesus healed him:

“1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralysed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

The men mentioned in the narrative, may have been relatives, or friends of the paralysed man, and they had obviously heard of the Lord Jesus’ power to heal the sick.

When the Lord Jesus saw the paralysed man and the men who had brought him, He immediately recognised their faith which had led them to seek His aid for their friend.

The Lord Jesus said to the paralysed man “take heart, son, your sins are forgiven.”

As was usual throughout the Lord Jesus’ public ministry, the Pharisees and teachers of the Law were not far away, listening to every word spoken in order to issue a word of condemnation or bring any possible charge against the Lord Jesus.

The Lord Jesus, as always, was many steps ahead of the Pharisees and their followers, and this occasion was no exception.  He declared to the paralysed man that his sins were forgiven.

Immediately some of the teachers of the Law said that the Lord Jesus was speaking blasphemy (mocking, cursing, or insulting God):

“3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”

The Lord Jesus, knowing their thoughts, asked them why they thought this of Him:

“4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”

To declare that the paralysed man’s sins were forgiven was much easier to say and it did not require a physical effort, or proof, of a change in the man’s circumstances.

Forgiveness of sins can be granted with no outward sign by the person forgiven, as the changed status is in the heart and mind, and that is what is noted by God.

To say “get up and walk” required a physical response from the paralysed man and so obviously to pronounce his sins forgiven was the easier choice.

The Lord Jesus had spoken the words “your sins are forgiven” so that not only would the man be healed, but so that the Pharisees and teachers of the Law would know that the Lord Jesus was the “Son of Man” (a strong Messianic Title) and that He had the Authority of God (the Lord Jesus being God incarnate) to forgive sins on earth.

Following this revelation to the Pharisees, teachers of the Law, and the crowd who had gathered to see and hear the Lord Jesus, He commanded the paralysed man to rise up, pick up his mat and go home:

“So he said to the paralysed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home.”

At this the command the paralysed man rose, took up his mat and went home.

On seeing this miracle unfold before them, the crowd was filled with amazement and praised God:

“8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.”

The Lord Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of Man, the Son of God, the Proper (Righteous) Man Who, having God as His Father, inherited no sin from the first man Adam, and Who never committed any actual sin during His Earthly Life.

The Lord Jesus was God in the Flesh and so He spoke and acted as God.

Just as Adam (the first man) sinned, he became the “old man” whereby sin entered the human race and stained all men and women, so the Lord Jesus is the “Proper (Righteous) Man” Who takes away the penalty of sin for all believers.

It is in the Holy Righteousness of the Lord Jesus that we are clothed, by faith, and have put off the “old man” and have passed from death to Life.

May God Bless this Reading to us and give us comfort and peace, knowing that our sins are forgiven, and that clothed in the Lord Jesus’ Holy Righteousness, through Faith in the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, and that Faith being Gifted to us by the Mighty Holy Spirit, we need not fear any evil or hardship. Amen.

Bishop Ian

Sunday 22nd September 2024 Trinity 18

The Collect for the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

Lord, we earnestly ask You, to grant Your people Grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow You, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Amen.

The Epistle, 1 Corinthians 1:4-8

4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you.

7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Holy Gospel of St Matthew 22:34-45

34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 “What do you think about the Messiah?  Whose son is he?”

“The son of David,” they replied.

43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says,

44 “‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
    under your feet.”’

45 If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?”  46 No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Epistle Reading is taken from St Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians Chapter 1, Verses 4-8.

This passage opens with St Paul giving thanks to God for all the blessings bestowed on the Corinthian Christians, through the Grace that comes by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ:

“4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.”

No person can believe the Holy Gospel and call Jesus “Lord” without the power of the Holy Spirit opening their minds to receive this Holy Truth.

From our point of view it may seem that we decide to believe the Holy Gospel, but in reality it is the Holy Spirit, guiding us to this decision.

The Almighty God Who created the world, by His Holy Word and Mighty Holy Spirit, has chosen every believer to be His adopted Child.

What a Wondrous Miracle!

We could not become an adopted son or daughter of The Almighty and Holy God in our existing state, as we are stained not only by our day to day sins (actual sin), but by the sin of the first man, Adam.

This sin of the first man, Adam, is what is known as original, or inherited, sin.

The Old Testament Prophet Isaiah declares, in his Book, Chapter 64, Verse 6:

"All of us have become like one who is unclean,
    and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;
we all shrivel up like a leaf,
    and like the wind our sins sweep us away."

A poor analogy is that we, in this day and age, would not attend a close friend’s wedding ceremony dressed in filthy greasy overalls after working underneath a car in the garage.

Through the power of the Holy Gospel, the Lord Jesus, Who had no sin, inherited or actual, has washed us clean, as pure as driven snow.

By shedding His Blood, and yielding up His Perfect Life, on the Cross on Mount Calvary, the Lord Jesus has made payment, in full, for our sins, and has cleansed us from the stain of all our sins, past, present, and future.

The Lord Jesus’ Death and Mighty Resurrection, has clothed us forever in His Perfect Righteousness, which is most pleasing to God, and this is the garment in which we are adopted as Sons and Daughters of God.

St Paul then tells his readers that through the Lord Jesus they have been enriched (blessed) in every way and this confirms the Truth of the Holy Gospel that St Paul and his followers first preached to the Corinthian Christians:

“5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you.”

It is very significant that St Paul uses the first part of Verse 5 to describe the lives of the Corinthian Christians as being”enriched”.

The Corinthian Christians were predominantly Greek and throughout the ages, and especially in Classical Greek thought, knowledge and speech were very important assets.

The Greek language of St Paul’s time was an evolution of the language of the ancient Greek philosophers, and as such, it had an existing vocabulary and phraseology to describe and discuss theological, spiritual, and philosophical ideas and thought.

This ready made theological vocabulary, and thought concepts, greatly facilitated the proclamation of the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus.

Also, the Greek language, by the time of the Lord Jesus, was the educated language of the Roman Empire, not Latin, which was, by then, on the decline.

It is no accident that God chose the Greek language to be the principal language used by his chosen believers to write the original New Testament manuscripts that record and proclaim the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, for future generations to read and believe, and so become faithful followers of the Lord Jesus.

It is also no accident that God revealed His Blessed Son to the world at a time when the Roman Empire was at its peak, allowing free travel throughout almost all of the known world.

This freedom of travel facilitated St Paul, a Roman Citizen, to undertake his missionary journeys, to the Gentiles (non-Jews) throughout the Mediterranean world.

A marvelous record of Christian Preaching colliding with Greek philosophy is found in The Book of the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 17, Verses 16-34, when St Paul preaches before a group composed of Stoic and Epicurean philosophers of the Areopagus (the most prestigious council of Greek scholars and philosophers):

"16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.

18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the Resurrection.

19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.

24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.

26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring’.

29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.

31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others."

The “man that He appointed” (Verse 31) who will be the central figure in God’s Judgment of the world in justice, is the Lord Jesus Christ, our Holy Saviour, Whom God raised from the dead and Who rules at God’s Right Hand for Eternity.

St Paul’s sermon the meeting of the Areopagus is a most perfect and succinct presentation of the history of God’s dealings with mankind.

St Paul closes this portion of today’s Reading by reminding us that we do not lack any spiritual gift, as we live our daily lives in expectation of the “Lord Jesus to be revealed:”

“7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

By the phrase “wait for the Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed,” St Paul is referring to the glorious Second Coming of the Lord Jesus.  The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus ushers in the Day of Judgement, and is sometimes referred to as the “Day of the Lord”, or the “Last Day”, or the “Close of the Age.”

On that great, longed for Day, we, and all God’s Adopted Sons and Daughters from every age of history, will rejoice as we see the Lord Jesus revealed in all His Glorious and Dazzling Splendour, Power, and Majesty.

We will have no fear, only love, wonder, and awe, as we will be clothed in His Holy Righteousness, and eager, with joy, to enter into Eternal Life with the Lord Jesus, in God’s Great, Everlasting Kingdom.

Let us pray that God will hasten the day of the Lord Jesus’ return to our world to usher in His Eternal Kingdom with it’s glory, peace, and joy, which all believers will share, as Adopted Sons and Daughters, clothed in the Holy Righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, through the Mighty Holy Spirit’s Gift of Faith in the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus. Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St Matthew, Chapter 22, Verses 34-46.

In this portion of his Holy Gospel St Matthew cuts to the chase by telling us that the Lord Jesus had confounded, and silenced, the Sadducees (the Jewish Party holding the majority of seats in the ruling Sanhedrin council).

Jesus had silenced the Sadducees on a question that they had posed in an attempt to have the Lord Jesus endorse their belief that there was no resurrection of the dead and no afterlife.

The Holy Gospel of St Matthew records this debate in the passage just preceding our Gospel Reading for today, recorded in Chapter 22, Verses 23-33:

“23 That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 24 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him.

25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. 26 The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. 27 Finally, the woman died. 28 Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?”

29 Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 31 But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”

33 When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.”

The Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead and the after-life, often publicly argued their differences with the other prominent Jewish Party, the Pharisees, who believed in the resurrection from the dead and an after-life.

The people who listed to these arguments no doubt enjoyed the controversy that the arguments generated.  The problem was that the people were often left none the wiser for listening.

It is no wonder that the Pharisees quickly stepped up to the plate to test (trick) the Lord Jesus into endorsing their points of view and interpretation of the Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament:

In the encounter recorded in today’s Holy Gospel Reading the Pharisees tried one of their favourite testing questions (verse 36):

“34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

This question had been asked of the Lord Jesus, on previous occasions, by a variety of people including other Pharisees, both sincere and insincere.

The Lord Jesus yet again answered the question in His authoritative manner:

“37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

On another occasion when the Lord Jesus was asked which commandment was the greatest, He praised the teacher of the Law who asked the question. This event is recorded in the Holy Gospel of St Mark Chapter 12, Verses 28-34:

“28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.”

This question as to which was the greatest commandment, was, I believe, asked in a sincere and reverent manner by this teacher of the Law. The Lord Jesus’ commendation of him proves that he was a devout and faithful teacher of the Law and if his quest for the truth was carried to its logical end it would, in short time, lead the him to faith in the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus.

The question posed in today’s Holy Gospel Reading was asked by the Pharisees in order to “tempt” (trap) the Lord Jesus into taking sides with the Pharisee Party and so enhance their standing in the Jewish community.

The Lord Jesus, on answering the Pharisees’ question, immediately went on the offensive and asked the group of Pharisees a return question:

“41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 “What do you think about the Messiah?  Whose son is he?”

The Pharisees pondered the Lord Jesus’ question, and formulated their response:

“The son of David,” they replied.”

The Lord Jesus then replied to their response:

“43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says,

44 “‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
    under your feet.”’

( Psalm 110, Verse 1)

“45 If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?”  46 No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.”

The Lord Jesus completely stumped the Pharisees with this question and His answer, in which He quoted King David’s words recorded in the Book of the Psalms of David, Psalm 110:

"1 The Lord says to my Lord:

“Sit at my right hand
    until I make your enemies
    a footstool for your feet.”

“2 The Lord will extend your mighty sceptre from Zion, saying,
    “Rule in the midst of your enemies!”
3 Your troops will be willing
    on your day of battle.
Arrayed in holy splendour,
    your young men will come to you
    like dew from the morning’s womb."

"4 The Lord has sworn
    and will not change his mind:
“You are a priest forever,
    in the order of Melchizedek.”

"5 The Lord is at your right hand;
    he will crush kings on the day of his wrath.
6 He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead
    and crushing the rulers of the whole earth.
7 He will drink from a brook along the way,
    and so he will lift his head high."

Psalm 110 is richly laden with references to the coming of the Messiah (Great Deliverer and Saviour from God) who will defeat, once and for all, the earthly and spiritual enemies of God’s people.

The Lord, that King David speaks of, is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Messiah of God, who does not only save Jewish believers, but Gentile (non-Jewish) believers as well.

The Old Testament believers who faithfully worshipped God, together with both Jewish and Gentile believers after the coming of the Lord Jesus, and those who live between that age and the ages to come until His Second Coming at the Last Day, make up the whole People of God (the Church).

These people have, since about 50 AD, have been known as as Christians.

May the Lord Jesus give us Grace, as His people, to resist the daily temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, until His glorious appearing at the end of the age, when we will also be glorified, and confirmed as God’s Adopted Children. Amen.

Bishop Ian,

Sunday 15th September 2024 Trinity 17

 The Collect for the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity

Lord, we pray that Your Grace may always go before and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Amen.

The Epistle Ephesians 4:1-6

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over us all and through us all and who is within us all.

The Holy Gospel of St Luke 14:1-11

14 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.

2 There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” 4 But they remained silent.

So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.

5 Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” 6 And they had nothing to say.

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honour at the table, he told them this parable:

8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honour, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.

10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honoured in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Epistle Reading is taken from St Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians Chapter 4, Verses 1-6.

In this portion of his Epistle, St Paul describes himself as the Lord Jesus’ prisoner:

“1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”

This description of himself was used by St Paul on a number of occasions to describe his bond to the Lord Jesus and his unwavering belief that he would never be separated from this Holy Union by any earthly, or satanic power. 

St Paul was bound to the Lord Jesus as an earthly prisoner might be bound, by chains to a prison officer.

St Paul then exhorts the Ephesian Christians live a life worthy of the high calling that they have received.  This calling was to faith the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, which leads to Eternal Life in the Great Kingdom of God.

St Paul then urges the Ephesians to adopt humility:

“2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

He urges them to be humble and gentle, bearing with each other in love.  This means overlooking their fellow Christians’ shortcomings, and forgiving any offence without reservation, even as the Lord Jesus sought His Father’s forgiveness on behalf of those who were crucifying Him, as recorded in the Holy Gospel of St Luke Chapter 23, Verses 32-34 :

“32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”

St Paul further urges the Ephesians to strive for unity and peace:

“3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Life was not easy in the first century A.D.  Disagreements over food, shelter, employment, together with more serious disputes over land and property could arise at a moment’s notice.  Such disputes could lead to friends, families, and even communities being torn apart, with bitterness and grudges lasting for many years, if not generations.

An example of a dispute, on a national scale, is the enmity that existed between the Jews and the Samaritans.  This enmity began with Joseph and his brothers (the ancestors of the Jews and the Samaritans) and is recorded in the Old Testament Book of Genesis Chapter 37, Verses 3-4:

“3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.”

This enmity, between the Jews and the Samaritans, lasted, and intensified, for 1,800 years, and was still strong in the Lord Jesus’ time, as recorded in the Holy Gospel of St John Chapter 4, Verses, 4-9:

“4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.

7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.”

The meeting between the Lord Jesus and the Samaritan woman is a most significant events described in the whole Bible as it is the first time that the Lord Jesus publicly stated that He was the Messiah, the long promised Saviour of the Israel, and ultimately the whole world.

Reading further into the Holy Gospel of St John Chapter 4 reveals the mighty Truth about the Lord Jesus.

10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”

17 “I have no husband,” she replied.

Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

St Paul taught that living in peace with fellow Christians would show all people the love of the Lord Jesus as He had commanded in the Holy Gospel of St John Chapter 1, Verses 34-35:

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

St Paul then declares to the Ephesians:

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord,

one faith, one baptism”

“6 One God and Father of all, who is over us all and through us all and who is within us all.”

St Paul’s thrust in Verses 4, 5, and 6 is that the Christian faith, with its two sacraments (visible signs of a Spiritual profession), of Baptism and Faith, is founded on the unity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

In concluding our Epistle Reading, St Paul has made a strong declaration of the Triune nature of the one True, Almighty, and Holy God.

He makes the point that there is one body, which is the body of believers (the Church) and one Holy Spirit who has called all people to one hope (the Holy Gospel), by faith in one Lord (The Lord Jesus Christ), and this was expressed by the believers undergoing one Baptism (the sign of forgiveness, or washing away, of sins and new birth).

The first statement “One God the Father over us all.”  tells that God the Father rules over The Kingdom of Heaven and all of His Creation.

The second statement “And all through us” refers to the Lord Jesus Christ, in Whose Righteousness we are clothed.

The third statement “And who is in us all.” refers to the Holy Spirit who dwells in our hearts, by faith, and guides us in our daily lives by showing us the things (truth, love, wisdom, and the joy of obedience) of the Lord Jesus, as promised in the Holy Gospel of St John Chapter 16, Verses 12-15:

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.

He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.

15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

May God grant us a great measure of the Holy Spirit’s guidance so that all we think, do, and say may show forth the Love of the Lord Jesus and the Truth of His Holy Gospel. Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St Luke Chapter 14, Verses 1-11.

This passage of Scripture is a wonderful record of the wisdom and compassion of the Lord Jesus, which He abundantly showed forth during His earthly ministry.

Our account opens up by telling us that even when the Lord Jesus accepted an invitation to a meal (a sign of peace and fellowship) at a prominent Pharisee’s home, He was under close survellience by His enemies (the Jews):

“1 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.

The meal invitation ironically was from a “prominent Pharisee”.  It may seem puzzling as to why the Jews would carry out close scrutiny, of the Lord Jesus, even at the house of one of their own prominent members.

The answer lies in the fact that there were factions among the Pharisee Party of the Jews which even reached into the Sanhedrin (the Ruling Council of the Jews).

While it is true that the Lord Jesus did preach, on a number of occasions, against the Pharisees and their hypocrisy, there were certain devout and kind Pharisees, who were truly looking for the coming of God’s Messiah.

These men led lives of a high moral standard, and were a blessing to those whom they led and taught.

The Lord Jesus’ praise of one such teacher of the Law is recorded in the Holy Gospel of St Mark Chapter 12, Verses 28-34:

“28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.”

This question of what was the greatest commandment, was obviously asked in a sincere and reverent manner by this teacher and the Lord Jesus’ commendation of him proves that he was a devout and faithful teacher of the Law which if carried to its logical end would, in time, lead the teacher to the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus.

There were, however, other questions which were put to the Lord Jesus that in order to try to back Him into a “no win” situation.  One such question was “is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar.”  Another “no win” question, even asked by St Peter, who most likely had had the question put to him, was “how many times must I forgive my brother”.

The Holy Gospel of St Mark Chapter 12, Verses 13-17 records the Lord Jesus’ response to the question of payment of taxes to Caesar:

“13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.

14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.

16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.

17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.”

The Holy Gospel of St Matthew Chapter 18, Verse 21-22 records the Lord Jesus’ answer to the question of “how many times must I forgive my brother”:

“21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.”

Seventy times seven was a very large number, and would be understood in the Lord Jesus’ time as limitless.

In today’s Holy Gospel Reading, when the Lord Jesus entered the Pharisee’s house he saw a man who was suffering from a disease that made his body swell:

“2 There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” 4 But they remained silent.”

On seeing him the Lord Jesus went on the offensive and asked the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, who were also guests in the house. “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?”  They could not answer and remained silent.

The Lord Jesus immediately, took hold of, and, healed the sick man and sent him on his way:

“So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.”

The Lord Jesus, obviously perceiving that the Pharisees would see His healing of the sick man as a work, and so braking the Sabbath Day Law forbidding work, He then asked the Pharisees, if any one of them had a child or an ox that fell into a well on the Sabbath day would they not immediately undertake a rescue:

“5 Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” 6 And they had nothing to say.”

This highlighted the old thorny question that haunted the Pharisees, “was man made for the Sabbath or was the Sabbath made for man?”

The answer was simple, the Sabbath was made for man, and doing good works took precedence over observing the Sabbath as recorded in the Holy Gospel of St Mark Chapter 2, Verses 27-28:

“27 And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”

Prior to the meal, at the Pharisee’s house, the Lord Jesus drew His hearer’s attention to how the guests all sought to secure the seats of honour.  This was possibly so they could more easily reach the food or hear the table conversation.  In doing this they were able to promote themselves as distinguished guests and so be seen by the other guests as important persons.

The Lord Jesus warned His hearers against this practice:

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honour at the table, he told them this parable:

8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honour, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.

The Lord Jesus taught His hearers that if they were invited to an important event, such as this wedding, do not hasten to take the best seat lest a more distinguished person be invited and you will have make way, get up, and be forced to take a more lowly seat and so suffer humiliation (not a pleasant thing in Jewish society).

The Lord Jesus then taught His hearers how they should behave at an important event:

“10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honoured in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

It is always better to take the lowest seat and have the host invite you up to a better seat and so honour you in front of all the other guests.

Humility is one of the most desirable characteristics that St Paul urged his readers to adopt.

To be genuinely humble is a most rewarding and praiseworthy character trait as it demonstrates courtesy and allows others to approach and communicate with you and so build trust and respect.

Many wonderful and rewarding friendships have grown from a humble manner that has been recognized and appreciated by the recipient of such a manner.

Let us pray that God will give us all a Spirit of humility and gentleness that we may bring honour and praise to our Heavenly Father and to our Lord Jesus Christ Whose Righteousness we are clothed in, and protected, by. Amen.

Bishop Ian

Sunday 8th September 2024 Trinity 16

The Collect for the Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity

O Lord, we ask you, let Your continual mercy cleanse, and defend, Your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without Your protection, preserve it evermore by Your help and goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Amen.

The Epistle Ephesians 3:13-21

13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

The Holy Gospel of St Luke 7:11-17

11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!”

15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Epistle Reading is taken from St Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians Chapter 3, Verses 13-21.

St Paul opens today’s Epistle Reading with a plea to the Ephesian Christians not to be discouraged on hearing of his sufferings (at the hands of the Jews:

"13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory."

St Paul tells them that his sufferings are their glory.  By this he means that his suffering, or indeed, suffering that overtakes any Christian person, is on account of that person’s faith in the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus.

Christians will always encounter some form of suffering, persecution, or discrimination from either the government of their land, their fellow citizens, their friends, or even their own family members.  Not all people, irrespective of who they are, or what their relationship to us is, will be sympathetic to, or receptive of, the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus.

In the Holy Gospel of St John Chapter 16 verse 33 the Lord Jesus told his Disciples:

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

The Lord Jesus was concerned that the troubles and trials of this world (Satan’s domain) could overwhelm His Disciples.  He reminded them that no matter what came their way, they should be courageous, as He has overcome the world, ruled by Satan and his allies, who are the instigators and movers of all spiritual and earthly trouble.

To suffer for the Lord Jesus is to show forth the Truth, Power, and Glory of His Holy Gospel.

St Paul then tells the Ephesians that he prays for them.  He tells that he kneels before their Heavenly Father from Whom all families in Heaven and Earth derive their name:

"14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

This opening to St Paul’s prayer may be seem to be a strange way to describe the Fatherhood of God, but it shows the relationship of God to His creation.  “Every family in Heaven” refers to the Angelic beings that God has created to serve him in His work of caring for His Heavenly Kingdom and His people.

“Every family on Earth” refers to God’s people on earth, descended from Adam and Eve.

When the great Kingdom of God is revealed in all it’s Glorious Majesty and Splendor, at the Lord Jesus’ Second Coming, we will fully understand God’s Fatherhood.

The human families of God derive their name from the Lord Jesus who died and rose again for the salvation of God’s chosen people, and to open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.

Our old sinful nature has been buried with the Lord Jesus and we have been born again, in His Resurrection, as God’s adopted children and we are clothed in the Holy Righteousness of the Lord Jesus, by faith in His Holy Gospel, hence we bare His Holy Name as brothers and sisters.

The Name of the Lord Jesus is imputed (placed by God through Faith) into every believer’s heart and mind, and can be recognized by all of God’s people, by the illuminating power of God’s Mighty Holy Spirit.

St Paul then prays that God will grant all His people the greatest measure of His Holy Spirit so that they become so grounded in the Love and Deep Knowledge of the Lord Jesus that they may know the Depth, Width, and Height of His Love :

“16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

St Paul uses a three dimensional image of the Lord Jesus’ Love to reinforce, in the reader’s mind, that the Love of the Lord Jesus, which surpasses all human knowledge, is all enveloping and surrounds us on every side.  We are clothed (rooted and established) in the Character and Holy Righteousness of the Lord Jesus and no power of Satan can remove us from that place of Love and Safety.

The Fullness of God’s Love and Power holds, and protects us, for all eternity.

St Paul concludes this passage with a doxology (a prayer of Praise to God and a Blessing on His People):

“20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

This doxology praises God, Who will do more than we can ask or imagine.

St Paul's concluding doxology brings to mind his quotation of the great Prophet Isaiah (Book of Isaiah Chapter 64, Verse 4) and is recorded in St Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians Chapter 2, Verse 9:

“However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”
the things God has prepared for those who love him.”

We can only stand in awe when we begin to comprehend the Mighty Love and Power of God and realise that this Power, revealed in the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, saves and guards us, now and forever.    

May God give us His Grace to always remember, and long for, the good things that He has prepared for us, and which we can only inherit through being clothed in the Holy Righteous of the Lord Jesus, and so made His Adopted Children and Heirs of His Eternal Kingdom.     Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is from the Holy Gospel of St Luke Chapter 7, Verses 11-17.

In this passage of Scripture we read of the Lord Jesus’ encounter with the widow of Nain.

The Lord Jesus, and His Disciples, travelled around from town to town preaching to the crowds, and healing those people with diseases, or possessed by evil spirits.

On this occasion the Lord Jesus and His Disciples together with a large crowd of His followers were approaching a village called Nain.

Coming near to the town they were met by a large funeral procession leaving the town, carrying a young man:

"11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her."

We are told that the young man was the only son of a widow.  The size of the funeral procession reveals to us that the widow was well respected in the village.

For a woman to have lost her husband and her only son was a most sad event in Jewish life.

A woman without a husband would have had a very hard life as it was the husband’s duty to earn a living for his family, by laboring or working at a trade.

Without that support a widow would have had a difficult time making ends meet.

In the event of a husband’s death, the widow’s son(s) would have been required to take on the role of provider by securing employment to provide an income for the mother and family.

For the widow in today’s Holy Gospel Reading life had become much worse, as her only son had died so she had no one to care and provide for her.  She would have probably been facing the prospect of begging for food and money:

"13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

The Lord Jesus, when he saw her, was filled with compassion and we are told that His “heart went out to her.”  The Lord Jesus knew what sort of life awaited her without a husband, and a son.

The Lord Jesus immediately stepped up to the bier (funeral stretcher).  Those men carrying the bier stopped, and the Lord Jesus touched the bier.  Touching any part of a funeral bier made a Jewish person ceremonially unclean for seven days, during which time that person could not participate in the Temple, or later the Synagogue, worship of God.

The Lord Jesus ignored this ceremonial uncleaness and was only concerned with the plight of the widow.  He acted with great Authority, Power, and Love:

“14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!”1 5 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother."

The Lord Jesus called out, “young man I say to you, get up” and immediately the young man’s life was restored.

We are not told what had killed the young man, an accident or illness, however there is no doubt that the Lord Jesus had the power of life and death.

At the Lord Jesus’ command a miracle was forthcoming.  The miracle was to benefit a woman in need, and demonstrates the Lord Jesus’ Love and Provision for every one of His people.

The Lord Jesus’ power over all things is revealed a number of times in the Holy Bible.  In the Holy Gospel of St Matthew Chapter 8, Verses 23-27, we see the Lord Jesus’ power over the forces of nature:

23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 So the men marvelled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

Again, we see the Lord Jesus’ power of life and death shown forth in glory, when He raised Lazarus from the dead, as recorded in the Holy Gospel of St John Chapter 11, Verses 1-44:

"11 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”

9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him.

30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odour, for he has been there four days.”

40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.”

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

This account by St John is most important, as the Lord Jesus' miracle directly links the raising of Lazarus and Martha’s confession, to Himself as the Messiah.

Verse 25 and the first part of Verse 26: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” are two of the most important and cherished verses in the Holy Bible.

The crowds accompanying the funeral procession from Nain, together with the crowds that followed the Lord Jesus, were filled with awe at this miracle of the widow’s son being raised from the dead, and proclaimed this fact far and wide:

“16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.”

There were, no doubt, many devout and faithful Jews to whom this news was most significant.

The raising of people from the dead, together with the healing of the blind, deaf and lame were all unmistakable signs of the coming of the Messiah.

When John the Baptist, was in prison awaiting execution, he sent his disciples to the Lord Jesus asking if He were the Messiah or “should we look for another”.

The Lord Jesus’ reply, recorded in the Holy Gospel of St Matthew Chapter11, Verses 4-5, is quite specific:

"4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”

The Lord Jesus is the long promised Messiah, and as was revealed after His Resurrection, He was the Messiah for both the Jews and the Gentiles (non Jews).

May God bless these readings to us, and strengthen our love and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Timothy 6:15, Book of Revelation 17:14, 19:16).     Amen.

 Bishop Ian

Sunday 1st September 2024 Trinity 15

The Collect for the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity

Keep, we ask You, O Lord, Your Church with Your perpetual mercy; and, because the frailty of man without You cannot but fall, keep us ever by Your help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Amen.

The Epistle Galatians 6:11-18

11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.

14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 for in Jesus Christ neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.

17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

18 Brothers and Sisters, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit Amen.

The Holy Gospel of St Matthew 6:24-34

24 “No one can serve two masters.  Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Epistle Reading is taken from St Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians Chapter 6, Verses 11-18.

St Paul commences this portion of his Epistle by calling on the Galatian Church to note the size of the letters which he is using to write this letter to them:

“11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!”

This might seem a strange way for St Paul to commence a passage in his Epistle, however it may be a clue to a matter which St Paul mentions in Chapter 12, verses 7-10 of his second letter to the Church at Corinth:

"7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

There is no explanation of what this “thorn in the flesh” is.  Some commentators suggest it was a disease or weakness in St Paul’s eyes which could have hindered the writing of his Epistles to the various churches throughout Asia Minor.

This theory is supported by the fact that St Paul, on a number of occasions, dictated his Epistles to a scribe who then penned them, with St Paul sometimes writing a greeting or benedictory note in his own handwriting.

The Christian Churches in Galatia were composed predominantly of Jewish converts to Christianity.  Many of their number wanted to require all new Gentile (non-Jewish) members to believe in the Holy Gospel, and also require the males to undergo circumcision in obedience to the law of God, given to Moses (the Mosaic or Old Covenant) some 1500 years before.

St Paul immediately launches into the thrust of his Epistle to the Galatians, that being the value of circumcision in relation to the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus:

"12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ."

St Paul exposes the very heart of the circumcision controversy by telling us that the the main reason that many of the existing Galatian Christians, being of Jewish birth and heritage, were desperate to maintain their church’s devotion to the Jewish faith, and so sought to compel new Gentile (non Jewish) Christian converts to be circumcised, was to avoid being persecuted themselves, by the Jerusalem (Jewish Christian) Church for not enforcing compliance with the Law of Moses' provision that all males must be circumcised.

Faith in the Lord Jesus did not require physical circumcision to make a believer righteous before God, but many of the early Jewish converts to Christianity feared the Jewish authorities and saw circumcision as a way to appease the Jews by making faith, alone, in the Lord Jesus seem a less radical departure from Judaism.

St Paul then declares the truth about those Jews who boasted about being circumcised:

“13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.”

St Paul then declares the only basis on which he would ever boast:

“14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 for in Jesus Christ neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.”

St Paul calls the Galatian Jewish Christians’ requirement that new Galatian believers be circumcised, a “different gospel” to the Holy Gospel first given to them.  This description by St Paul is found in his Epistle to the Galatians Chapter 1, Verses 6-9:

“6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!”

I like to describe the Galatian Jewish Christian teaching, as a “Gospel Plus” teaching, thus making it a false gospel.

Fourteen years prior to the current incident, that became known as the circumcision controversy at Antioch (a large city in Galatia), St Paul had been accepted, by the Elders (leaders) of the Christian (from a Jewish background) Church at Jerusalem, as the Lord Jesus’ Apostle.

The Elders of the Jerusalem Church accepted that St Paul had been chosen, by God, to minister to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people).  These elders included Cephas (St Peter, the Lord Jesus’ Chief Apostle), St John, and St James, the half brother of Jesus and leader of the Church at Jerusalem.

The account of the circumcision controversy is recorded in Galatians Chapter 2, Verses 11-21:

“11 When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray."

14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?

 17 “But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.

19 “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

When St Peter visited Antioch, he, at first, ate and shared fellowship with the non-Jewish Christians.

This sharing of fellowship ceased, however, when a group of men, from the Church of Jerusalem (made up exclusively of Jewish Christians) visited Antioch.

St Peter withdrew from fellowship with the non-Jewish Galatian Christians, so as not to be seen to extend full fellowship to them lest he incur the anger of the group from the Jerusalem Church.

St Paul argued with St Peter at Antioch, face to face, about St Peter’s hypocrisy.

The issue was finally resolved at a later meeting in Jerusalem, which after much discussion, concluded with a decree by St James, the leader of the Jerusalem Church and recorded in The Acts of The Apostles Chapter 15, Verses 19-21:

“19 It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

St Paul then declares that physical differences (circumcision) means nothing to God who judges all people by their relationship to the His Blessed Son, the Lord Jesus Christ:

“14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 for in Jesus Christ neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.”

It is most important to note that in Verse 16, St Paul refers to all people who accept the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus as the “Israel of God.”

This declaration by St Paul informs us that all believers in the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus constitute Israel, the true Jews of the Old Testament, and hence the inheritors of God’s promises to Abram (later known as Abraham) given some 1,500 years before. God’s promises are recorded in the Old Testament Book of of Genesis Chapter 2, Verses 1-3:

1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

2 “I will make you into a great nation,
    and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
    and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
    and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
    will be blessed through you.”

The value of circumcision in relation of the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus is further revealed by St Paul in his Epistle to the Romans Chapter 2 Verses 25-28:

"25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God."

St Paul's argument reminds us that God desires that a person believes and loves the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus and displays the fruit of that love, rather than the observance of rituals and the display of emblems in the physical body. As God declared in the Old Testament Book of the Prophet Hosea Chapter 6, Verse 6:

“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”

St Paul continues by asking for personal peace from other believers so that he may continue his Ministry without hindrance:

"17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus."

The Marks that St Paul bore on his body were scars of wounds from beatings inflicted on him by the Jewish religious enemies of the Lord Jesus, while he was preaching the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus.

St Paul concludes our Epistle Reading with a typical Pauline benediction for the grace of the Lord Jesus to be upon his fellow believers:

"18 Brothers and Sisters, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit Amen."

May God give us His Grace to trust only in the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, to clothe us Eternally in the Holy Righteousness of the Lord Jesus, for Salvation from God's Holy Judgement, and to enable us to live, with Joy, as God's Adopted Sons and Daughters in His Eternal Kingdom.     Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St Matthew Chapter 6, Verses 24-34.

This passage of Scripture forms part of the Lord Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which is possibly the most well-known and beloved portion of the New Testament.

The Lord Jesus carried out His Ministry by travelling around, with His Apostles, teaching in synagogues, market places, private houses, by the seaside and even in the street.  From time to time, the Lord Jesus would utilize a convenient geographical location such as a hill or a flat grassy area.

Great crowds often followed Him as he travelled.

On the occasion recorded in our Gospel Reading, the Lord Jesus went up upon a mountainside that provided Him an elevated point from which to preach to a great number of people gathered on the slopes immediately below Him.

In the full Sermon on the Mount (found in the Holy Gospel of St Matthew Chapters 5, 6, 7) the Lord Jesus sets forth the fundamental principles of how a Christian must live and relate to other people.

Our Holy Gospel Reading begins with the Lord Jesus' teaching on divided loyalties and  provides us with a very important rule on how to avoid unhappiness and spiritual disaster:

“24 No one can serve two masters.  Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

Money can be a great blessing if obtained honestly by work, or received gratefully, as a gift from some other person.  Money can buy food and shelter for our families, it can secure medicine for the sick, and provide relief for those who have experienced hardship or who have suffered some other disaster.

Used selfishly and unwisely, money can be a dreadful master, bringing down upon us great evil.  Many lottery winners, gamblers, and drug addicts can testify to the pain and suffering that an abundance of money on one hand, or on the other hand a lack of it, has brought them.

Money itself can sometimes cause great harm in a person’s life.  We have all heard people using the supposed Biblical quote “money is the root of all evil.”  This is however an incorrect quotation of Holy Scripture.

The correct quotation from the Epistle of Timothy Chapter 6, Verse 10 is “For the love of money is the root of all evil.”

Love of money is a great sin as it puts money in the place of God and therefore money becomes an idol.  The love and worship of money will consume a person to the extent they will not be able to enjoy the things that money has bought them.

I remember reading many years ago of a billionaire who ate boiled grass so he could save money!

Then the Lord Jesus teaches us that birds do not sow, or plant and they do not store food in barns, yet God feeds them:

“25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

How true is it that by worrying we cannot add an hour to our life!

The Lord Jesus then teaches us about clothing and its insignificance:

“28 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them."

The Lord Jesus tells us to trust in God for all things.  In the example of clothes, He tells us that King Solomon of ancient Israel, when dressed in his finest robes was not, as splendid as some of the flowers that grow in the field.  The flowers are cut down and thrown into the fire after they have been displayed and have withered.

We are told that the Pagans run around, worrying about the necessities of life, food, drink and clothing, where as our God knows that we need these things.

We are worth far more than plants or birds in God’s sight so He will provide a way for us to sustain ourselves and our families.

It is important to note that there is a difference between what we need and what we want.  God will always give us what we need but it may not be always what we wanted!

Our Gospel Reading concludes with the most solemn and wonderful promise of the Lord Jesus:

"33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Verse 33 brings to mind the same wonderful care and protection, of God to us, as recorded in the Old Testament Book of Proverbs Chapter 3, Verse 6:

"In all your ways acknowledge (believe and obey) Him and He shall direct your paths."

Seeking God’s Kingdom with all the associated Glory and Blessings, brings fulfilment of all of our needs.

The Lord Jesus then teaches us not to be concerned about tomorrow:

"34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

We need not worry about tomorrow as tomorrow’s troubles will keep until then, and God will then deal with them for us.

Held safe in the arms of God, clothed in the Holy Righteousness of the Lord Jesus, we can want for nothing and need not fear any evil.

May God Bless this Holy Gospel Reading to our hearts, and make us always to trust the Lord Jesus for all our needs, and to never dwell on our wants, that we may obtain every blessing that God has in store for us, as His Adopted Children.     Amen.

Bishop Ian

Sunday 25th August 2024 Trinity 14

The Collect for the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity

Almighty and Everlasting God, give us the increase of faith, hope, and love; and that we may obtain those things which You promise, make us to love those things which You command; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Amen.

The Epistle Galatians 5:16-24

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

The Holy Gospel of St Luke 17:11-19

11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Epistle Reading is from St Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians Chapter 5, Verses 16-14.

In this passage St Paul exhorts us to live our daily lives as those who walk (living in obedience to) by the Holy Spirit so as to not be led by the passions of the flesh which are contrary to the Character and Will of God and His Mighty Holy Spirit:

“16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

This passage of Scripture has given rise to much soul searching and self incrimination among Christians throughout all ages of history.

We are told that if we follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance we will not seek to intentionally gratify the desires of the flesh deliberately disregarding the the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

To do so would be to label the Lord Jesus a fraud in respect of His Promise to deliver us from sin.

We pass from death to Life Eternal when we become Christians, by believing and accepting the Holy Gift of the Lord Jesus’ Righteousness, secured for us by His Mighty Work of Redemption on the Cross of Calvary.

Many Christians fail to realise that living as a Christian can be much more difficult than becoming a Christian.  A person becomes a Christian by accepting the Gracious Gift of God by believing the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus.

Once we become Christians we seek to live our daily lives without sinning, as a mark of love and respect for the Lord Jesus.  Unfortunately all of us have discovered that many times we fall flat on our faces and find that we have committed sin both intentionally and unintentionally.

The realisation that we have fallen back into sin brings us sadness and regret at having let the Lord Jesus down.  This leads to feelings of hopelessness at having not been good enough to have maintained the standard that God requires.

If these feelings are not dealt with they can lead to spiritual depression and despondency.

Scripture must always be read and interpreted in the light of other scripture, and our Epistle Reading for today is no exception.

In his Epistle to the Roman Church St Paul declares in Chapter 3, Verse 23-24:

“23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

The Greek word for “fall short,” in verse 23, is the present continuous form of the verb “to fall” and literally means to “continually fall short.”

Having used this verb to describe the continuous nature of our falling short of God’s requirements, St Paul immediately declares that we are freely justified (and forgiven) for our sins through the Redemption that came by the Lord Jesus.

As the adopted children of God, we are clothed in the Righteousness of the Lord Jesus, and by the Solemn Promise of God none shall snatch us from His Hand.  This Solemn Promise is  recorded in the Holy Gospel of St John Chapter 10, Verses 27-29:

"27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. "

The key to understanding our Epistle Reading for today is to understand that the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus is infinitely superior to, and supersedes the Law of Moses.  The Law of Moses was given as a declaration of God’s Holy Standard of Righteousness and to identify and condemn sin, in God’s people prior to the coming of the Lord Jesus, God's Holy Messiah.

Much of the Old Covenant (Old Testament) worship and service to God was focused on forgiveness of sins by the animal sacrifices carried out in the Jewish Temple.

This system of sacrifices to remove sin was a a temporary measure and had to be repeated year in, year out.

The coming of the Lord Jesus and the completion of His Mighty Work of Redemption rendered the sacrificial system of dealing with sin obsolete, as the Lord Jesus’ Perfect Sacrifice of Himself on the Cross, dealt with sin once and for all time.

We appropriate this Great Gift by Faith in the Lord Jesus and His Holy Gospel.

St Paul’s exhortation to walk by the Spirit is essential, as to continue living in the grievous sins which St Paul lists in verses 19-21 of our Epistle Reading, would be a great insult to God and a rejection of the Holy Gospel:

“19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Accepting the Righteousness of the Lord Jesus does not mean that we will never commit sin again.  It means that once we are clothed with the Holy Righteousness of the Lord Jesus we will never be condemned by God for those sins.

The punishment for all our sins, past, present and future has been taken by the Lord Jesus.  Our old sinful nature has been buried with Him.  We have been raised from the dead and are saved from Judgement, by being clothed in His Holy Righteousness.

At the same time, we must never presume on the Grace of God and say to ourselves the Lord Jesus gave His life to pay for my sins, so I am now free to indulge in the passions of the flesh as I will.  That is an insult and blasphemy (sinning against God), and it makes a mockery of the Lord Jesus’ Holy Life and Work.

We must trust in the Great Redemption that the Lord Jesus has graciously given to us and seek always to please Him by doing our best to avoid sin, and to seek to bring forth in our lives the fruits of the Spirit:

“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

On every occasion that we fall short of God’s requirements, as St Paul's declaration in his letter to the Roman Church tells us we will, we must remind ourselves that we are forever clothed in Holy Righteousness of the Lord Jesus.  Accordingly we must immediately confess our sin to God, praising Him for the gift of the Lord Jesus, and re-dedicate ourselves to the Lord Jesus’ service.

May God give us thankful hearts for the Great Gift of the the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, and for His Precious Gift of being Clothed in His Holy Righteousness. May we always confess our sins to God and trust in His Gracious provision of the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus to deal with our sin, and raise us up in confidence to Eternal life as His adopted Children     Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St Luke Chapter 17, Verses 11-19.

In this passage from the Gospel of St Luke we learn of the Lord Jesus’ encounter with ten lepers:

"11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him."

We are told that the Lord Jesus was travelling along the border of Galilee and Samaria.  It would have been common for travellers along this route to encounter both Jews and Samaritans going about their daily business.

Leprosy was the worst, and most feared, disease in the Lord Jesus’ time, as it manifested itself in horrible disfiguration upon the sufferer, and it was a contagious disease.

In the Lord Jesus’ time lepers were outcasts and lived in colonies outside of the city limits.  Lepers were required to avoid contact with the people who lived in towns and villages.

The group of lepers, in our passage, obviously knew of the Lord Jesus and His power to heal the most severely diseased people.

"They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

The lepers met the Lord Jesus as He was about to enter a village.  We are told they stopped at a distance from the Lord Jesus and shouted “Jesus, Master have pity on us!  This shouted request shows that the lepers had faith that the Lord Jesus could, and would, heal them:

The Lord Jesus, recognizing their faith, simply told them to go and show themselves to the Priests.  As they turned and proceeded to show themselves to the Priests their leprosy was healed.  Their faith, in the Lord Jesus’ Powerful Word, had facilitated their healing:

"14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed,"

Throughout the Old Testament era any healing of a disease whether natural, or by the intervention of a physician, or by direct action of God, required the recipient of the healing to present themselves to the Priests who would examine the person and publically declare that the disease was gone, and the person was therefore clean, and fit, to resume normal life within the community.

In our Holy Gospel Reading we are told that as the ten lepers went to show themselves to the Priests, one of ten saw that he had been cleansed and immediately knowing that the Lord Jesus had been the agent of healing, came back to the Lord Jesus, praising God and “threw himself” at the Lord Jesus’ feet and thanked Him:

"15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan."

The Lord Jesus then declared (for the benefit of those with Him):

"17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

It is interesting to note that St Luke informs us that the leper, who returned to give thanks for his healing, and who was described by the Lord Jesus as a “foreigner”, was a Samaritan.  It is most probable that some of the remaining nine lepers were Jews.

In a previous Gospel Reading we looked at the Samaritans and their history in relation to the Jews.  As in the Story of the Good Samaritan, and we see that those persons who were least expected to assist, or to give thanks, were in fact those that performed these acts.

This giving of thanks shows us that gratefulness is a vital point in receiving help from any person, but especially from God.  Gratitude is a very important part of faith in God.  We must never fail to thank God, in the Lord Jesus’ name, for all His gifts, such as health, family, home and our food and shelter.

If God grants our prayer request, for a specific outcome, such as the recovery of a family member or friend from illness, set aside a short time to praise and thank God for this Gift.  Giving thanks to God, through the Lord Jesus, will strengthen our faith in God and deepen our relationship with Him.

May God bless this Reading from the Holy Gospel of St Luke to our hearts, and always give us the Grace to do those things that He commands, and so show forth our love and trust in The Lord Jesus Christ, His Only Begotten Son, our Holy Saviour.

Bishop Ian

Sunday 18th August 2024 Trinity 13

The Collect for the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

Almighty and Merciful God, of Whose gift only it comes that Your faithful people do unto You true and praiseworthy service; Grant, we ask You, that, we may so faithfully serve You in this life, that we do not fail to finally obtain Your Heavenly promises; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord.    Amen.

The Epistle Galatians 3:16-22

16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed” meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.

21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

The Holy Gospel of St Luke 10:23-37

23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.”

28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.

 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

33 But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.

35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Bishop Ian’s Thoughts

Today’s Epistle Reading is taken from St Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians Chapter 3, Verses 16-22.

The opening verse of today’s Epistle Reading (Verse 16) is one of the most important verses in the Holy Bible.  It is the link that unites the Old Testament and the New Testament into a seamless, progressively unfolding, revelation of God’s relationship with His people, starting with ancient Israel's Patriarch Abram (later renamed Abraham) and then flowing on to all nations:

“16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed” meaning one person, who is Christ.”

This verse is also the key to understanding God’s work of salvation which has been unveiled throughout human history beginning with His promise to Abraham and brought to glorious completion by the Life, Death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is vital that the supreme importance of Verse 16 be fully understood by any person seeking to understand the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

St Paul declares to us that salvation is the precious gift of God, that was promised to Abraham and to his Seed (The Lord Jesus).  The promise was not to Abraham’s “seeds” (plural) but to his "Seed" (singular).

This promise was God’s Solemn Word that salvation was guaranteed to Abraham and his Seed as a free and gracious gift, not dependent on any action of men.

St Paul goes on to inform us that the Law, given to Moses on Mount Sinai 430 years after God’s promise to Abraham, does not cancel or replace the promise. The Law of Moses was given to deal with sin:

“17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.”

The Law of Moses specified obligations and prohibitions, which enabled the nation of Israel to deal with sin, albeit temporarily, and live as God’s chosen people until the Seed of Abraham (the Messiah – the Lord Jesus) came, some 1,490 years later to deal, once and for all time, with the sins of God’s people:

“19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.”

St Paul goes on to explain that the law was not opposed to the promises of God, and was the means that God gave His people so that they could live righteous lives as His Chosen People, set aside from the world around them:

"21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law."

The Law, good as it was as a guide, could not impart life to its adherents, The Law has now become obsolete and has given way to the far more effective New Covenant, based on the Perfect Life, the Atoning Death, and the Glorious Resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

These benefits, of the New Covenant, are promised, by God, to all believers.

Sin is the great barrier between God and man, and St Paul describes this as "everything" in scripture being "locked up" by sin:

"22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe."

The Seed of Abraham, the Lord Jesus, through His Sinless Life, Sacrificial Death on the Cross, Mighty Resurrection, and Glorious Ascension into Heaven, has opened the gates of Heaven to not only Jewish believers, but all people, including us today, who believe in the Holy Gospel Of the Lord Jesus.

Faith in the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus unlocks the Blessings of God as it removes all sin forever.

This Mighty Work of the Lord Jesus, The Holy Gospel, mightily fulfilled the promise of God to Abraham, far beyond what Abraham could have imagined.

The Lord Jesus was born without inherited sin (sin inherited from the first man, Adam) and He lived a sinless life, so He alone was able to offer Himself for the sins of all God’s people past, present and future.

The Law was not opposed to the Holy Gospel but was the background that gave the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, Glory, Radiance, and Wonder, as the great Miracle of God’s Salvation.

Let us always give thanks to God for His Wonderful Gift of Salvation through the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, and that He will give us strength and courage to boldly proclaim the news of God's Great Gift of Salvation, to all people that we meet.     Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St Luke Chapter 10, Verses 23-37.

St Luke opens this passage of his Holy Gospel with the Lord Jesus telling His Disciples that they were especially blessed to be seeing and hearing the things that accompanied the Ministry of the Lord Jesus.

“23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

These blessed events were the very Miracles of healing, casting out demons, and the preaching of the Good Tidings of God’s Salvation from sin and death, that would accompany the coming of the Messiah.

The Disciples were told that many great Prophets and Kings longed to see and hear what the Disciples were seeing and hearing, but did not see or hear them.

St Luke then tells us of a question that was posed by an “expert in the Law” (more than likely a Pharisee) to test the Lord Jesus:

"25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

The Lord Jesus answered the man’s question:

“26 What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

“27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.”

28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

The expert in the law was probably a sincere man who not only knew the core of the law’s requirements but was keenly seeking to forensically examine every point of the Lord Jesus’ answer, so he seeks clarification of His reply:

"29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”

The Lord Jesus then uses the parable (an earthly story used to illustrate a spiritual point) of the Good Samaritan to clarify His answer to the "expert in the law:"

“30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.”

 “31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.”

“33 But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.”

“35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.”

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The parable revolves around a man who is set upon by robbers (who plagued travellers on the Jericho to Jerusalem road) as he travels by foot from Jericho to Jerusalem, a journey of 25 km.  The man is badly beaten, stripped of his clothes and possessions and left to die in the hot desert sun.

The parable contrasts the action of three men, two religious figures, a Priest and a Levite (an assistant to the priests in the Temple), and the third, a Samaritan traveller.

Both the Priest and the Levite ignore the man and pass around him by going to the opposite side of the road, but Samaritan stopped and gave the man first aid using oil and wine to salve his wounds and then applied bandages.

Them Samaritan then hoisted the wounded man up on his own donkey and took him to an inn where he rented a room for the man to rest and recover.

Having done all this, the Samaritan, the next day, pays the innkeeper to care for the wounded man while the Samaritan completes his journey and business, with the promise to reimburse the innkeeper on his return journey, for any additional expense incurred caring for the man.

This parable is well known to many people.  Many believe that the Priest and the Levite were religious snobs who cared little for the lower classes, and so could not be bothered helping the wounded man, whereas the Samaritan was a good man who was willing to help others.

This interpretation of the parable, while containing some truth, does not bring out the deeper meaning that the Lord Jesus intended to convey to the “expert in the law.”

To fully understand the deeper meaning of the Lord Jesus’ parable we must briefly examine the history of Israel.

The Israelites entered into the land of Canaan in about 1,500 BC and by 1,100 BC they had established the nation of Israel, with Jerusalem as Israel’s capital city.

Around 1095 BC the people of Israel asked God for a King. This request is recorded in the Old Testament First Book of Samuel Chapter 8, Verses 1-22:

“8 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. 2 The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. 3 But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.

4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”

“6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”

10 Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle[c] and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

“19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”

“21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord. 22 The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.”

Then Samuel said to the Israelites, “Everyone go back to your own town.”

In obedience to God's command, the Prophet Samuel anointed Saul as King of Israel.  Saul reigned as King of Israel for forty years.

Saul was succeeded by King David who also reigned for forty years.

After King David’s death the Kingdom of Israel was ruled by King Solomon (1,015 BC to 975 BC).  During Solomon’s reign the first Jewish Temple was constructed at Jerusalem.

Around 975 BC the nation of Israel split into two separate kingdoms, North and South, as a result of protracted and bitter political and economic issues.  This event is known as “The Great Schism”.

The Northern Kingdom retained the name Israel and had the city of Samaria as its capital.  The people of the Northern Kingdom consisted of ten of the twelve tribes of ancient Israel: Rueben, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Ephraim, and Manasseh.

The people of the Kingdom of Israel worshipped and sacrificed to God at their Temple situated on Mount Gerizim.

The Kings of Israel were not descended from King David.  They were wicked kings who worshipped pagan gods and led their people astray from the Law of Moses.

The Southern Kingdom became the Kingdom of Judah, and consisted of the Tribes of Judah and Benjamin.  They retained the city of Jerusalem as their capital.

The Kings of Judah were descended from King David.

The people of the Kingdom of Judah worshipped God at the first Jewish Temple built by King Solomon on Mount Moriah (the Temple Mount) in Jerusalem.

The Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrians in 724-712 BC and many of the people were, taken into captivity in Assyria. The conquest of Israel is recorded in the Old Testament Second Book of the Kings Chapter 17, Verses 5-17:

“5 The king of Assyria invaded the entire land, marched against Samaria and laid siege to it for three years. 6 In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River and in the towns of the Medes.

7 All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshiped other gods 8 and followed the practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced. 9 The Israelites secretly did things against the Lord their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city they built themselves high places in all their towns. 10 They set up sacred stones and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree. 11 At every high place they burned incense, as the nations whom the Lord had driven out before them had done. They did wicked things that aroused the Lord’s anger. 12 They worshiped idols, though the Lord had said, “You shall not do this.” 13 The Lord warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: “Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your ancestors to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.”

14 But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their ancestors, who did not trust in the Lord their God. 15 They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors and the statutes he had warned them to keep. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, “Do not do as they do.”

16 They forsook all the commands of the Lord their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the starry hosts, and they worshiped Baal. 17 They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sought omens and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger.”

In accordance with Assyrian conquest practices, the local people who were exiled were replaced by people from other foreign, conquered lands.  These relocated people brought their false gods and pagan religions with them.

Those Israelites, who had remained in the conquered kingdom, inter-married with the peoples who came into the land after the conquest, and eventually became known as Samaritans.

With the destruction of the Northern Kingdom of Israel the ten tribes of ancient Israel, mentioned earlier, who had constituted the Kingdom, were dispersed and lost.  They would never again be a nation.

Because of past differences and disputes over worship and other points of economic and political disagreement, the Jews and the Samaritans, of the Lord Jesus’ time, hated each other.

When the Lord Jesus travelled through Samaritan territory, He spoke, at length, with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. The old enmity between the two kingdoms was evident in their conversation recorded in the Holy Gospel of St John Chapter 4:1-26:

“1 Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.”

“4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.”

“7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)”

“9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)”

“10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

“11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

“13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

“15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”

17 “I have no husband,” she replied.

Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

“19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

“21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

“25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

“26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

From the Lord Jesus’ conversation, with the Samaritan woman, we see that the idea of a Samaritan coming to the aid of a wounded traveller, who was most probably a Jew, was almost unthinkable.

In the Lord Jesus’ parable, the Priest and the Levite may have been snobs, however the real reason they passed by on the other side of the road was that if the wounded man was, in fact, dead, and they had touched him, then they both would have been ritually unclean and therefore forbidden to conduct, assist, or participate in the Temple worship for a period of seven days.  This direction regarding ritual uncleaness is recorded in Old Testament Book of Numbers Chapter 19, Verses 11-22:

“11 Whoever touches a human corpse will be unclean for seven days. 12 They must purify themselves with the water on the third day and on the seventh day; then they will be clean. But if they do not purify themselves on the third and seventh days, they will not be clean. 13 If they fail to purify themselves after touching a human corpse, they defile the Lord’s tabernacle. They must be cut off from Israel. Because the water of cleansing has not been sprinkled on them, they are unclean; their uncleanness remains on them.”

“14 This is the law that applies when a person dies in a tent: Anyone who enters the tent and anyone who is in it will be unclean for seven days, 15 and every open container without a lid fastened on it will be unclean.”

“16 Anyone out in the open who touches someone who has been killed with a sword or someone who has died a natural death, or anyone who touches a human bone or a grave, will be unclean for seven days.”

“17 For the unclean person, put some ashes from the burned purification offering into a jar and pour fresh water over them. 18 Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to take some hyssop, dip it in the water and sprinkle the tent and all the furnishings and the people who were there. He must also sprinkle anyone who has touched a human bone or a grave or anyone who has been killed or anyone who has died a natural death. 19 The man who is clean is to sprinkle those who are unclean on the third and seventh days, and on the seventh day he is to purify them. Those who are being cleansed must wash their clothes and bathe with water, and that evening they will be clean. 20 But if those who are unclean do not purify themselves, they must be cut off from the community, because they have defiled the sanctuary of the Lord. The water of cleansing has not been sprinkled on them, and they are unclean. 21 This is a lasting ordinance for them.”

“The man who sprinkles the water of cleansing must also wash his clothes, and anyone who touches the water of cleansing will be unclean till evening. 22 Anything that an unclean person touches becomes unclean, and anyone who touches it becomes unclean till evening.”

The “expert in the law” must have been gobsmacked to hear the Lord Jesus’ response to his question “and who is my neighbour” and the Lord Jesus' command on how to apply it in his daily life.

The simple answer was to follow the example of the Good Samaritan:

“37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

The real tragedy of the Lord Jesus’ parable is that the Priest's and the Levite's desire to be ritually clean, so as to worship God, was exalted over God’s very command to show mercy to others, and to love your neighbour as yourself.

It is also sad to see that by the Lord Jesus’ time the Jewish Religion and its adherents placed ritual cleanness, and many other practices, above God’s commandments, one of the chief being to love one’s neighbours, no matter who the neighbours are.

May God Bless these Readings to us and give us courage to love our neighbours as ourselves, no matter what that love may cost us.  And let us never forget that the Lord Jesus laid down his Life for us while we were sinners and separated from Him by our sin.

Let us also thank God that no matter who we are, or what our background is, we are made acceptable to God, and become His Adopted Children being clothed in the Holy Righteousness of the Lord Jesus, through Faith in His Holy Gospel.     Amen.

Bishop Ian