The Suffering Servant III. (Isaiah 53)
Between Good Friday and Easter Monday, we have had ample opportunity to reflect on what Jesus had achieved for us in His suffering, death and resurrection. As we move into the post-Easter period, the question remains what the implications of…
The Suffering Servant II. (Isa 52:13-15; Isa 53:10-12)
Isa 52:13-15; Isa 53:10-12 As we celebrate Easter and remember that Jesus has overcome death and rose again, I want to continue our reflections on the Suffering Servant, which sets out the pattern fulfilled by Jesus. As we look at…
The Suffering Servant I. (Isaiah 53:1-9)
Isa 53:1-9 I am always intrigued by people’s different perceptions of the same reality. Some look at a set of facts and conclude that they are facing disaster. Others see in the same set of facts an opportunity. I remember…
Jesus tested III. (Matt 4:8-11)
Matt 4:8-11 The two previous tests of Jesus were subtle, but the last is so blatant that one wonders how anyone could fall for this one. Jews in Jesus’ time recited the Shema (Deut 6:4-5) daily reminding themselves of their…
Jesus tested II. (Matt 4:5-7)
Matt 4:5-7 In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus’ relationship to God is extensively tested. While His connection as Son to the Father is unique, we can nevertheless learn something about the nature of our relationship to God as well. In my first…
Jesus tested I. (Matt 4:1-4)
Matt 4:1-4 Sometimes hardship comes to us for no apparent reason. Jesus acted faithfully, got baptised and was affirmed publicly in our last reading, but now He is in the wilderness, hungry and tempted by the devil (Matt 4:1). God,…
To fulfil all righteousness (Matt 3:13-17)
Matt 3:13-17 As Jesus arrives to be baptised by John, Matthew alone records John’s hesitation (Matt 3:14). We might feel equally uncomfortable: Why should Jesus be baptised when He is sinless? And how does His reply ‘to fulfil all righteousness’…
Is the coronavirus God’s judgment?
As of today, New Zealand is in lockdown due to COVID-19. Except for essential services (e.g. supermarkets, pharmacies, medical facilities, etc.) all businesses are closed. Those who can, work from home or not at all. Schools and universities are closed…
Holy Spirit and fire (Matt 3:11-12)
Matt 3:10-12 John the Baptist’s call to a re-orientation of one’s life towards God is given against the background of God’s coming judgement. We are uncomfortable about the topic for several reasons. I know people whose experience of Christianity is…
The fruit of repentance (Matt 3:7-10)
Matt 3:7-10 When I was a teenager, a church friend invited me to her family’s bach[1] by Lake Balaton in Hungary. As we were sitting on the veranda, I looked up at the tree growing next to the house and…