To Follow Jesus

My (Shayne McCusker) notes on Every Day with Jesus, written by Selwyn Hughes; revised and updated by Mick Brooks, published by CWR.

November/December 2014 Issue – ‘Bringing down giants’

The text set for today’s reading and meditation:

Isaiah 53:1-12 (NIV-UK): “Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished.

He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

A remarkable set of verses – don’t you agree?

Selwyn starts today’s study with: “It may seem strange and a little disconcerting that I should choose to discuss the subject of self-pity in the days that surround Christmas. Well , it’s because Christmas is not a time of festivity and fun for everyone.”

As the above verses, testify, that; Jesus took upon Himself the pain and sin of this world to save you and me; no matter how badly we feel, the distress of Jesus on the cross was far greater. And, this truth should shine through the darkness of our self-pity, and lead us towards a brighter day.

As Selwyn says in his conclusion: “All Jesus asks is that you acknowledge your need of Him and He will be there to help you and sustain you. Come to Him in prayer now and ask for His help.”

I think the problem with a number of people who are drowning in their own self-pity, is that they don’t love Jesus enough to fully trust in His power and love for them. All, I can say, is to read the above verses slowly and contemplate the cross and what it means. Perhaps it would be worthwhile if you meditate on what it would have meant, if the first Christmas had never happened.

Your view?

To Follow Jesus

My (Shayne McCusker) notes on Every Day with Jesus, written by Selwyn Hughes; revised and updated by Mick Brooks, published by CWR.

November/December 2014 Issue – ‘Bringing down giants’

The text set for today’s reading and meditation:

1 Peter 5:1-11 (NIV-UK): “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

In today’s study, Selwyn continues his discussion on the ‘giant’ of self-pity.

I liked this statement of his: “Self-pity is a solvent that dissolves faith and pushes a person deep into doubt, where they find constant reasons for thinking that God does not keep His promises and that He forgets, at times, to be gracious. … But perhaps the worst thing about self-pity is that it exposes a person to temptation and causes them to focus on things other than God.”

Perhaps, self-pity comes from a sort of personal pride, that says to a person; ‘You deserve a better life; you are owed more than what you have right now.” It raises questions in a person’s mind about the generosity of God’s provision and love.

These words from today’s reading, provide an excellent summary: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” A humble heart, trusting in God’s love, will leave no room for self-pity. Do you agree?

To Follow Jesus

My (Shayne McCusker) notes on Every Day with Jesus, written by Selwyn Hughes; revised and updated by Mick Brooks, published by CWR.

November/December 2014 Issue – ‘Bringing down giants’

The text set for today’s reading and meditation:

1 Peter 2:13-25 (NIV-UK): “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor.

Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it?

But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. ‘He himself bore our sins’ in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed.’

For ‘you were like sheep going astray,’ but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

There’s a lot of good stuff in the above verses, but they have also been significantly misused by various ‘authorities’ throughout the centuries.

It’s my view that there were some early Christians, especially in Rome, who were expressing the view that they didn’t have to obey, any of the laws proclaimed by human authorities, because they were free to follow and obey – the one and only, true authority – God.

Peter, in his letter, is correctly informing  people that (in general) “it is God’s will that by doing good (obeying the just laws of the land) you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.”  Unfortunately, these verses were used to support the legitimacy of cruel and evil regimes; as many kings/queens used the ‘divine right to rule’ excuse, to do whatever they wanted.

The holy family fled to Egypt to escape the ‘authority’ of Herod the Great. We need to discern with the help of God’s Spirit when we stay and suffer the impact of unjust laws, and when we get up and leave the area of influence of certain human authorities. Do you agree?

In today’s study, we spend one more day looking at the issue of revenge and its antidote – forgiveness.

I liked Selwyn’s comments on Dr W.E. Sangster’s sermon, regarding the “three basic elements of forgiveness as demonstrated by Jesus on the cross. First, Jesus forgave them. He cried to God not for vengeance but for forgiveness. He handed the responsibility for justice over to His Father.

Second, Jesus prayed for them. … Third, He served them. Their unrighteousness and hostility could not deter Him from loving.”

Selwyn brings his thoughts together in his conclusion: “To those who feel they cannot follow these principles my reply is this: it’s hard but not impossible. Put your hand in the stream of God’s provisions and you will find the stone you need to defeat the giant of revenge once and for all. It is the stone of forgiveness. … You are free!”

I entirely agree with Selwyn’s conclusion. First off, we should hold this truth close to our heart – Jesus loves us and wants to help us – to overcome the giants that are holding us back from fully surrendering ourselves to His loving care. We can pray to our Lord, seeking His help in nurturing a forgiving heart – because, it’s only through the heart that true forgiveness flows.

We can say to a person – I forgive you – but, if it’s said because it’s a form of an intellectual agreement (our head knowledge) that is what we should do – but it does not come from our heart – then the words are empty. Our behaviour towards the person will not change; we will not reflect the love that can give energy to our forgiveness, to enable it to dissolve hatred and resentment. That is, the strength of the love of Jesus flowing out from us.

Any comments?

To Follow Jesus

My (Shayne McCusker) notes on Every Day with Jesus, written by Selwyn Hughes; revised and updated by Mick Brooks, published by CWR.

November/December 2014 Issue – ‘Bringing down giants’

The text set for today’s reading and meditation:

Luke 23:32-43 (NIV-UK): “Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 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.

Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.’

The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the Jews.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’

Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”

I liked Selwyn’s introduction: “How do we fell the great giant of revenge? Our weapon is the smooth stone of forgiveness.”

Likewise, his conclusion: “The spirit of forgiveness expressed in the first words Christ in the first words Christ spoke from the cross – ‘Father, forgive them’ – can be found in your heart if you allow Jesus to have full sway in your life. In His strength you too can forgive injuries. pray for your enemies, and love them to the end.”

As I mentioned yesterday – the ability to truly forgive another is given to us when we surrender our lives to Jesus. A lot of people can say the words, as found in this well-known prayer: “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.”

Yet, by the nature of their relationship with people who have hurt or insulted them, suggests that there is a lingering issue that has not been fully addressed by their heart. A form of intellectual agreement to the words of the Lord’s prayer is just not enough.

We cannot experience spiritual growth, as followers of Jesus, if we fail to forgive everyone who sins against us. There are no exceptions to this requirement.

Any comments?

To Follow Jesus

My (Shayne McCusker) notes on Every Day with Jesus, written by Selwyn Hughes; revised and updated by Mick Brooks, published by CWR.

November/December 2014 Issue – ‘Bringing down giants’

The text set for today’s reading and meditation:

Ephesians 4:17-32 (NIV-UK): “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.

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. 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.

That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 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; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body.

‘In your anger do not sin’: do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. 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.

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.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

[Today, is the day for my second dose of chemotherapy; I usually operate, at something a lot less, than 100% for a few days after the treatment.]

I found the title of today’s study to be very appropriate, we only need to look at the Middle East destruction, to see just how much havoc that hate causes.

There are a lot of good verses in today’s reading, I found this one to be very challenging: “To put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Any comments on this particular verse?

Selwyn starts with these words: “Hate plays strange tricks with the memory. It exaggerates injuries and militates against time’s healing touch. To use Shakespeare’s phrase, it curdles ‘the milk of human kindness’ and stunts the development of the soul. …

There are some who claim that normally people cannot be free of the desire for revenge. They are probably right so far as those who do not know the grace of God, are concerned. But they are quite wrong when it comes to those who do.

Throughout time Jesus has entered the lives of men and women who have been consumed with hatred and has wiped clean the slate and removed their desire for revenge, replacing it with love. He can do it now for you.”

To pray for our enemies, I think, is a good and effective antidote to the sickness of revenge. Jesus forgave us – we, who were once His enemies. By His death on the cross, He paid the ultimate price, to action our forgiveness. Surely we can follow His example and forgive those who have hurt us.

In our church communities there are people who are members because of social and cultural reasons. They can say a creed, but what betrays them are their actions, which testify to the fact that they hold un-forgiveness in their hearts. It’s only when we allow Jesus to reign in our hearts, can we depend on His enabling power to allow us to forgive from the heart – leaving no trace of any hatred or resentment.

Your view?