Secret disciples (2)

"There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night"                                                          John 3:1-2     NKJV

Why did Nicodemus come to Jesus by night? There are probably two explanations. (1) The Pharisees encouraged studies to be be carried out at night so that it didn't interfere with their daily tasks. (2) He may not have wanted his fellow colleagues from the Sanhedrin to know that he had an admiration for the teachings of Jesus. They would most definitely have cast a dim view on him for such behaviour. Therefore, he probably came to Jesus in the cover of darkness to avoid this. Now this flags up a common behaviour in a lot of people's faith. Quite a few people do not want to be known as 'religious' by their workmates and friends. So they play it down, hide their bibles away if someone visits and avoid talking about Jesus. Some workers have to do this because of threat to their jobs by way of persecution. Many people have been told by their management not to wear a cross whilst at work. Therefore, some fall to the ranks of being secret disciples.

Nicodemus had a flaw in his theology. To him, Jesus was a teacher come from God to teach, not God come to teach. He didn't yet understand that Jesus was God Himself in a body, rather than just a representative of God. However, He did later on, as recorded in John 19:39, 'And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.' Nicodemus was obviously a wealthy man as these would have cost quite a lot of money. Just the fact that Nicodemus did this and was involved in the preparations for Jesus' body, shows that he had become more bolder in his belief.

In certain countries, it is forbidden to be known as a Christian. Some people can be executed or thrown in prison because of their faith. Therefore, they have to become, 'secret disciples' to avoid punishment. However, when we live in a country with religious freedom, we should never be ashamed to stand up for Jesus. He stood up for us - at a great cost. We should do the same. The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:16, 'For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.'

Let us never be tempted to be a secret disciple of Jesus. Let us live up to our calling as Children of the Living God, wherever possible.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

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Secret disciples. (1)

"After this, Joseph of Arimathea being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission."                                                                                     John 19:38   NKJV 

At this time, many people were interested in Jesus and followed Him everywhere. However, they were more interested in the signs that He performed, rather than in Jesus Himself. Thus, they were not identifying themselves with Him and Jesus knew this and didn't give Himself fully to them, because He knew what was in men John 2:23-25. These people were not yet ready for what Jesus had for them. There is a lot of of truth in that for most people today because they seek what Jesus can do for them instead of seeking Him for who He is.

There were two prominent men who were secret disciples. One was Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. We will look at Nicodemus tomorrow so let's concentrate on Joseph. He was a rich. powerful and prominent man in society, a member of the Sanhedrin and yet, he had been a disciple for quite a while. However, with his position in society and being a member of the Sanhedrin, who had been plotting Jesus' death, he kept himself to himself. Perhaps when the Sanhedrin had been debating about what to do about Jesus, he had remained quiet, letting the other's speak. However, when Jesus had been crucified, something happened to him. He decided that he would no longer hide away under the shield of his status and went to Pilate and requested that he be allowed to take Jesus' body away for burial to a tomb that was prepared for Him. Pilate allowed this. This was a dangerous thing for Joseph to do because burying a crucified man would mean that this 'criminal' had dramatically changed his life.

One can say, that Joseph was frightened of being recognised as a follower of Jesus; and this is true. Many people today are scared to admit that they are a Christian because of the reprisals that they may suffer, therefore, they live in a cloak of secrecy. We should never be this way and Joseph finally realised this, otherwise he would never have became so public that he went to claim Jesus' body from Pilate. He must have felt that it was time to 'fly the flag'. And it is time for us to do the same. Jesus knows our hearts; He knows who is willing to live the life no matter what the cost. It is all about standing up for Jesus. We do this for our football teams, or for protests about this and that. Isn't it about time that we make that stand for Jesus and stop living a life of secrecy?

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

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His best is not a thing of the past, there's more to come!

"Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!"      John 2:10    NKJV 

Here we witness the miracle of transformation. This is what happened here in Cana that day. The wedding celebrations hit a major problem, they had run out of wine. This would have been a social scandal for the bridegroom, his very reputation was at risk. But after Jesus had told the servants to fill the great stone pots with water, miraculously the water was turned into wine, and not the inferior kind either, but the finest. The Master of the Feast tasted the wine and commented to the bridegroom that he had kept the good wine until last. Tradition was such that guests were given the best wine first and the inferior wine later, when they had drunk a lot. Here, it was the finest to be found.

This illustrates the change that Jesus makes in a person's life, when you believe in Him and obey His word. He brings out the best in you and when you position yourself rightly by obedient submission, He pours in the finest for your life. You may have thought the best has come and gone but, there is more to come when you are walking with Him.

This day at the wedding, Jesus changed the social custom of tradition by producing the finest of wines. The same can be said of you as well. He so wants to produce the best in you and if you allow Him, He will do so. Let's face it, many of us were walking in total darkness before Jesus got a hold of our lives. If you can, just think back to where you were before Jesus began to make changes within you; and He hasn't finished with you yet, 'He who has begun a good work in you, will complete it until the day of Christ' Philippians 1:6. Note the word 'begun.' The work is not completed yet so, don't beat yourself up; He has more refining to do. However, note also the word 'complete.' This confirms that He will complete the work in us and if we remain in Him, He will take us into His heaven when our time comes. 

Until then, HIs best is imminent, He is getting us ready, but we can help this along by getting into the position He wants us in - 'the willingness for Him to work in us'.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

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Do what He says!

"His mother said to the servants, 'Whatever He says to you, do it!"    John 2:5     NKJV 

This statement, which is really well known, is pivotal to our walk with Jesus. It is a statement that Jesus says to many people, but sadly one in which it falls on deaf ears quite a lot. When we feel Jesus is telling us something it may be important to write it down word for word so that we don't forget it and that we ensure that we hear the words properly. It is so easy to water down what He says, especially if we share it with someone. Remember the Garden of Eden? The serpent twisted what God had said when he spoke with Eve, 'Has God indeed said?' It may be better to keep to yourself what God says to you, until you are fully sure about it.

When God speaks to us or asks us to do something, He often does not describe the path that He is taking us on. He tends not to explain how He intends to deal with our problems or supply what we need to comply with His request. He simply calls us to obey His revealed word. This can be difficult, especially if you have no experience of living by faith and relying on Him totally. He may call you into His mission field or He may reveal something important that He wishes you to handle. Whatever it is, you need to ensure that you hear it properly and act on it.

Take for instance Jesus' request to the servants to fill the large water pots to the brim with water. The servants must have thought that this was a crazy idea. Nevertheless, they did it and the guests at the wedding in Cana were treated to the finest of wines. 

It is difficult at times to work out what God is doing, so don't try. Just take Him at His word. He sees the future, you don't. Where God sees it for what it is, our humanity tries to work it all out trying to figure out what is happening. Instead just do it.

What has God spoken to you about just lately? Has He asked you to do a particular thing and you are struggling with it? Mary said, 'Whatever He says to you, do it!' This statement is still relevant today. God doesn't waste words. When He tells us something, He expects us to respond. It could be a matter of life or death. It could be that He is telling you to help somebody out who is going through very deep waters and needs a friend. What is He asking you to do? Are you going to obey Him or cast it aside feeling that it is not from God at all? Are you going to do what He says?

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Whether you realise it or not, you are significant!

"And Nathanael said to him, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"     

                                                                                                           John 1:46     NKJV

Philip came to Nathanael and said, 'We have found Him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote - Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph John 1:45. Now, Nazareth was a small town in Galilee which had a poor reputation. Nathanael felt it was an obscure and totally insignificant place for the Messiah to come from. He had been born in Bethlehem, hadn't He? So he replied, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' He was not speaking an insult towards the small town, not at all. He knew the place had very little going for it and the Messiah simply could not come from there. He was right about Him being born in Bethlehem but didn't realise that Jesus - the Messiah, had been brought up in Nazareth.

Through the years derogatory statements have been said about certain people. It appears to some that if a person does not come from a prominent member of society, then they could never become significant for God; they could never become a minister, evangelist or even a great scholar. 'Nothing good could ever come out of them'. Yet, many people have risen to great heights and become 'significant'. Smith Wigglesworth for instance, was a plumber and yet he could not read or speak grammatically and yet, God used him mightily to heal many people and raise some from the dead. His ways of ministering may have been questionable, but it worked for him. I know someone who was a baker's roundsman with no particular future but when God put someone alongside him, he rose to be a university graduate with a social care and theology degree and after conversion, now works for God. You see God can use the person who appears insignificant and turn him or her into someone of great value.

Perhaps, you have felt that you are insignificant, that you'll never be of use to God or anyone. Consider these three scriptures: 

'Who has despised the day of small things?' Zechariah 4:10

'Let the weak say, "I am strong"  Joel 3:10

'But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things that are mighty.' 1 Corinthians 1:27.

The conclusion is, you are very significant in the things of God. You are valued, loved and important. Don't ever let anyone make you feel different.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

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Is Jesus a resident in your life?

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us"                   John 1:14    NKJV 

The word dwell means to live as a resident. Here scripture informs us, that Jesus came down to earth in human form and dwelt among the people. In other words, God formally introduced Himself to mankind, at their level. Jesus poured His deity into humanity to identify with us. But even though He came as a man, He still remained fully God.

Psalm 34:7 tells us, 'The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them.' He made His dwelling place or pavilion among us. This is recognised as a tent or booth for kings or other members of the royal family. The word is also used figuratively for the dwelling place of God. The term 'other members of the royal family', we can own ourselves because, Revelation 1:5-6 informs us 'To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father,' So, God recognises us as kings and priests to Himself and gives each of us the right to dwell with Him - permanently and He with us. John 14:17 tells us 'the Spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees Him or knows Him; but you know Him for He dwells with you and will be in you.'

Therefore, Jesus, the King of kings is the Almighty God and if you have invited Him into your life, has accepted this invitation and has taken up residence on a permanent basis; what a privilege this is. There is no need to panic or be fearful or depressed or anxious, because the King lives in you and you in Him. You dwell together. If you can only grasp this - fully, it can change the whole of your life. You don't go to work on your own, Jesus goes with you too. You also do not have to go to an important interview or appointment alone, your Friend is right beside you. Furthermore, He is with you whether you are in the shower or shopping in the supermarket. He is with you when you cut the grass and He is also with you when your bank balance looks a little dodgy. What about when you are treated badly by someone; yes, He is right there with you and will offer advice accordingly if you consult Him. In fact, He is interested in everything that concerns you because, you are His child.

So, you are not alone; there is no need to worry; Jesus has your back and is watching over your life. Enjoy each day with Him.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

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How do you respond?

"A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, but harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger"               Proverbs 15:1    Amplified study bible

Well thought out responses to unkind confrontations help to defuse certain situations. A soft, gentle and thoughtful answer stands a better chance of blocking wrath than jumping in like a bull in a china shop. Harsh, painful and careless words promote anger. David Jeremiah says, 'Mean spirited words are the slowest and most venomous of toxins that ultimately brings down two lives. And nearly always, one's tone of voice makes the difference.'

However, a wise tongue speaks knowledge which can be pleasing and acceptable. Often it is not what we say but how we say it that prompts either a response of anger or acceptance. Words can offer life-giving or death-providing results.

Wise speech is both restrained and edifying. Ephesians 4:29 says 'Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.' In a confrontational situation it takes self-control; to respond gently; but in doing so, it is constructive because it helps to turns away an angry, volatile situation.

When we become pressured and burdened with things the last thing that we need is someone coming along and saying something negative to us. They may be in the right but their timing may be wrong. Responding in a volatile way to them - snapping their heads off, is not the best course of action. It may cause an argument or it may leave the recipient of your outburst feeling upset. Who was in the wrong? Both of you, possibly. Perhaps the person that came and spoke to you could have chosen a better time and if they retaliated to your outburst in a defensive manner, they should have controlled this and walked away choosing a different day. However, should you have made the outburst? Probably you feel that you should have; but if you play the video back in your mind of what happened, you may identify that you had allowed yourself to get under pressure, when perhaps you could have arranged your tasks better. 

It is a learning curve for all of us; one in which we have to be certain that we are in control of what comes out of our mouths. Now this is something to think about! 

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

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