Watching Daily At Wisdom's Gates

He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." John 21:16 ESV By this second time, I think Peter was getting a sense of what Jesus was doing. Jesus asked  him the same number of times he'd denied Him if he loved Him. It must have hurt, but 'the wounds of a friend are faithful'. Jesus refers to Simon as Simon rather than the nickname He'd given him of Peter. It seemed that Simon had given up being a fisher of people and had decided to go back to being a fisherman. But Jesus had other plans. Jesus asked Simon if he 'agaped' Him- loved Him with the kind of love with which He loved him- sacrificially giving His life for him. Simon however, replied that he 'philosed' Him- loved Him like a brother or a friend. Jesus however persisted a third time for Simon to give an assurance of his love. Simon had thought of returning to

 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" John 19:14 ESV Little did Jesus's murderers know that they were preparing the Passover Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. Near the start of John's gospel, John the Baptist declared Jesus to be the Lamb of God. Now, near the end of John's gospel, pagan Pilate mockingly declares Jesus the King of the Jews. People often seem to try and paint a sympathetic portrait of Pilate, but I see little room for that in Scripture. This is a man who had already massacred Galileans come to worship in Jerusalem (Luke 13). Now he was going to murder the King of the Jews. Pilate might have tried to abdicate responsibility, and pass off Jesus's crucifixion as the doing of the Jews, but ultimately he had the authority to condemn Jesus, and he did. His death squads had already mercilessly flogged Jesus, digging furrows in His back, and mockingly r

 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, Philippians 2:15 ESV We might never be perfect in this life, but we can have a good measure of blamelessness and innocence. How? By refusing to grumble or to dispute. It is often a temptation to grumble and to dispute the providences that come our way. But if we give in to that, we're not better than the world that is destined for destruction. As God's people, we are to march to a different tune. I don't think our generation is any less crooked and twisted than that of 1st century Philippi. We are to be without blemish, to refuse to allow ourselves to be stained by the world. When we do get blemished, we need to come afresh to wash, as it were, in the blood of Jesus. We are to shine as lights in a dark world. As the moon reflects the sun, so we are to reflect the glory of Christ. We mustn't hide our lamps

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 ESV 'Does anybody know what we are living for?' sang Freddy Mercury. Surely that is one of the most important questions we can ask. If we know the meaning of life, life will of course be meaningful for us. Many people live for fame and fortune. But like Freddy Mercury, if they 'win the lottery' and gain them, they realise that they are not the meaning of life. Paul discovered the secret: the Lord Jesus Christ is the meaning of life. What does it mean to live for Jesus? Well by implication, we're not then living selfishly, for ourselves. We live to magnify Him, not ourselves. What is death for the one who lives for Christ? It is for us to gain a face to face relationship with our Saviour and Lord. It's a win-win situation for us. 'Lord, thank You for revealing the meaning of life to us. Thank You that when we receive Christ, we gain even when we die, unless He returns first, which would be grea

  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. John 15:2 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/ jhn.15.2.ESV   This is a scary verse, especially if we're unfruitful in our lives. If we're not producing the fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace etc., then God's going to take us away. In other words we're destined for fire.   This might seem harsh, that God would cast anyone into hell. But we wouldn't question a vinedresser for throwing unfruitful branches into an incinerator. Neither should we question God's prerogative to send sinners to hell.   Even if we are bearing the fruit of the Spirit, this verse isn't comfortable reading. To be pruned is to have the dead wood cut away, a painful process. But if we want to be ever more fruitful, we must be pruned by God.   Maybe we feel like we're not very loving, joyful and peaceful, etc. Well it might be a scary thing to pray, b

 But Moses implored the Lord his God and said, "O Lord , why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Exodus 32:11 ESV Whilst Moses was communing with the Lord, Aaron and the people were indulging in idolatry and immorality. Understandably, having delivered them from slavery in Egypt, God was furious at their ingratitude and unbelief, and was mindful to destroy them. 'But Moses'! Moses pleads with God to have mercy upon His people, who He has brought this far. Having made such great promises to and about them, how could God go back on His word? Because of Moses' intercession, God resents of His idea to destroy His people. Moses is like an old testament picture of Christ. God would quite rightfully destroy us His people for our sinful rebellion against Him. But Christ who died for us now intercede for us to our heavenly Father. Being a leader amongst the people of God isn't

 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, Galatians 4:1 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/gal.4.1.ESV We're all either slaves or sons. We are either slaves to sin or adopted children of God. But on the face of it there's not much difference between the two. The master has a manager to manage his slaves. He has a guardian to manage his son. His slaves have to work for him. But similarly his son has to obey him. His son might get to inherit everything, but he still has to study how he might be responsible with what he will inherit. We might be prodigals, welcomed back prodigiously by our prodigal Father God. But we are to joyfully serve Him upon our return from metaphorical pigsties.  Everything might be ours in Christ. But that doesn't mean to say we can act like spoilt brats. We are to faithfully steward all that God has given to us to enjoy and to use for His glory. 'Father God, may we not selfishl

Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Galatians 3:3 ESV The illustration that comes to mind is of the Spirit as a mechanic who fixes the 'cars' of our hearts. Having been fixed, we don't need to push our cars up hills of difficulty. We simply need to drive! How do we begin a life of faith? By slaving away to keep the law of God? Or by simply trusting in God and receiving His Holy Spirit? Of course, it's the latter. Why do we seek to do the right thing? Is it to earn the favour of God? Or is it because we have already received the favour of God? The works of the law can never change the hearts of people. It's by the work of the Spirit that we can be changed, transformed and able to live as we should. We just need to trust God to do His work in us. 'O Lord, and Father of mankind, forgive our foolish ways. Please help us to trust in You and not to go astray. For Your glory, amen'

The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) John 4:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.4.9.ESV Jesus will no doubt have been schooled in societal norms of His day, like not to talk with Samaritan women as a 'good Jewish man'. But Jesus loved His neighbour, whether that happened to be a 'good Jewish man' or a bad Samaritan woman. A 'good' member of the church of England, the head of which is the Queen, might not talk to Meghan for 'leading Harry astray', but Jesus would. This Samaritan woman knew her limitations. Being a woman from Samaria made life difficult for her, never mind her promiscuous past that Jesus exposed. But instead of going to the tabloids, Jesus went to her, transformed her, and through her, transformed her village. A man made religious man might have snubbed the Samaritan, but Jesus asked her for a drink. Jesus turned Hi

Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things. 2 Corinthians 11:6 ESV Paul had had a top education under Gamaliel, a leading Jew of the time. But either rhetoric wasn't top of the Jewish curriculum, or else Paul didn't excel at it, but he apparently wasn't a skillful speaker. Thankfully, what he lacked in charismatic oratory, he more than made up for in his written work. Paul's writings don't just showcase his knowledge in spiritual matters, but also his competency. He was commissioned by the risen Christ to take the good news to the Gentiles, having persecuted his people who trusted Christ. And he obeyed his calling with great zeal and effectiveness. The implication in this verse is unlike some of his critics, Paul isn't simply a bag of wind. There's substance to his arguments. He's not just some 'lifestyle guru' who tickles the ears and massages the egos. Sadly, i

'You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Exodus 19:4 ESV We often might think of the Biblical books of Moses as rather legalistic, lists of dos and don'ts. But clearly there's far more to them than that. This verse is a great example.  We are not to obey in order to be accepted by God. We are to obey God because He has accepted us. God didn't bring Israel out of Egypt because they were worthy of deliverance. God doesn't deliver us from sin because we're worthy, but because He is merciful. Israel didn't have to fight their way out of slavery in Egypt. God fought for them. The God who carried Israel on eagles wings, will carry His new testament people to Himself as well. I believe eagles carry their young initially, before they start flying themselves. Even if and when we manage to start spiritually 'flying', we do well to remember that in Him we live and move and have our

 When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, "What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?" Exodus 18:14 ESV This verse is part of one of the most significant chapters in the Bible about delegation. Moses was doing the best he could judging the disputes of many thousands of Israelites. Clearly, however, as one man, there was only so much he could do. Thankfully Moses' father in law Jethro came to visit, and perceived the problem. Of course, it's a shame that none of the Israelites thought of his idea. But often it takes someone from outside of a situation to be able to see problems and find solutions. Jethro could see that Moses judging Israel from dawn til dusk wasn't sustainable. But he didn't just spot a problem. Thankfully he came up with a solution too. Jethro told Moses to appoint responsible men over different units of people. In

 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord ?" Exodus 17:2 ESV Last chapter, the people grumbled about lack of food. Now things get more severe. There's no justification for grumbling, but quarrelling is another step along the load to outright rebellion. We might empathise with the children of Israel. It's horrible to be hungry or thirsty- food and drink are basic human needs. But instead of grumbling or quarrelling when we don't have food or drink, we should ask God for our needs, and to hunger and thirst for Him. Complaining to God about our lack of what we need isn't wrong. But grumbling or quarrelling with God isn't asking Him for what we need. It is accusing Him for failing to do what He has no obligation to do for us.   God doesn't owe us anything. But He graciously gives us all things to enjoy. Having delivered His people fr

 And Moses said, "When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord ." Exodus 16:8 ESV People nowadays might talk about 'loving a good grumble (or a moan)'. Biblically however, when we grumble, it's not just against circumstances but against our Creator, whose providence is what determines the circumstances we face. So when the Israelites got 'hangry', a cross between hungry and angry, Moses perceived they were angry against God. To be fair to the Israelites, they had a point. I think most of us would chose being well fed slaves over hungry wanderers. But they forgot that they weren't just aimlessly wandering to starve out in the desert. They were heading for a land flowing with milk and honey.  In this chapter, God mercifully hears the Israelites' grumbling and provides the

 You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain, the place, O Lord , which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established. Exodus 15:17 ESV I'm sure that having made it past the Red Sea and Pharoah's superpowerful army, Moses and the Israelites sang this verse with confidence. Maybe they thought their trek through the desert was going to be a walk in the park. Sadly, it wasn't going to be external enemies that would hold them back, but their own internal rebellious grumbling.  The Israelites ended up being sentenced to forty years in the wilderness, where the vast majority of them perished. Even Moses would only make it to the edge of the promised land. But eventually, Israel would make it to the promised land. The promise of this verse was fulfilled. There's a similar promise in the new testament for God's people of faith, whether Jew or Gentile. He who began a good work in us will carry it through to completion o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_87b3OLKOU To whom it may concern, You might enjoy this, a testimony of mine using the 'hooks' of the songs that have influenced my spiritual pilgrimage. Yours faithfully, Robert

 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 2 Corinthians 2:8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2co.2.8.ESV One of the main themes in the Bible is 'love'. So maybe this verse doesn't surprise us. But when we consider who its referring to, it is a surprise. Paul is asking the Corinthian church to love the unlovely. In 1 Corinthians, Paul tells the Corinthian church to kick out a man who had his father's wife, probably his stepmum, in an incestuous relationship. Excommunication might not seem loving, but if someone sins so overtly and unrepentantly, they themselves are being unloving. The church isn't just to be loving but also holy.  Love shouldn't accept that which is unloving. But in 2 Corinthians, it appears that the excommunicated man has repented and renounced his sin. The Corinthian church, in their zeal for doing what was right, were refusing to welcome him back, but Paul urged them to. How are we with loving the unlovely? Someone might have offended us, and

 And the manager said to himself, 'What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. Luke 16:3 ESV This sadly must feel a relevant parable to many under the current circumstances: that many are losing their jobs due to the plague related lockdowns. The redundant manager weighs up his options, and it doesn't look good for him. It seems that managerial jobs are too thin on the ground for him to consider, and maybe losing this job doesn't set him in good stead for a similar one. He's too physically weak for a labourer kind of job, and he's too proud to go on benefits.  Thankfully, he has an idea whilst he works out his redundancy. He will reduce his fees. In fact, in the best interpretation I've heard of this parable, he forgoes his own commission, banking on the hope that people will remember his discount when he needs a handout down the line.  Nowadays, I'm not sure his plan would w

 The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt. Exodus 12:13 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/exo.12.13.ESV People might often see religious festivals as a bit abstract and pointless. But the Israelite Passover powerful picture of God's mercy to His people. The angel of death was going to visit the firstborn of every household in Egypt, and the Hebrew slaves weren't necessarily exempt. The only way the Hebrew slaves could avoid their firstborns being killed was by killing a lamb in their place, and smearing its blood on their door posts. When the Lord saw the blood, He would pass over those houses and spare their children. We still might think it's just a distant story from an ancient time. But it carried a powerful illustration of spiritual realities. Like the firstborn sons of Egypt, we're on spiritual death row, awaiting God