“So the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh left the Israelites at Shiloh in Canaan to return to Gilead, their own land, which they had acquired in accordance with the command of the Lord through Moses. 10 When they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan. 11 And when the Israelites heard that they had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side, 12 the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them. 13 So the Israelites sent Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, to the land of Gilead—to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh. 14 With him they sent ten of the chief men, one from each of the tribes of Israel, each the head of a family division among the Israelite clans.” Joshua 22:9-14 NIV
God of Reconciliation,
The people are moving into the land allotted to them. But the Reubenites, Gadites and half tribe of Manasseh are going back to the land they had taken along the way and left their families in. And they had not gone far before there was a huge misunderstanding. Involving everyone. It looked like they were building an altar to another God already! The other tribes gathered for war but . . . but first they send a delegation. To ask and hear the answer. Talking explained the was build for a good reason.
Lord the outside world looks to the church to set and example of good living and charity and generosity and love for their community. Help us to understand each other and when we don’t – to talk and reconcile and show the world a united front. Help us talk out our differences and make peace even where we cannot fully agree. We do not gather in a courtroom but around the cross where You, risen Lord remind us who is the True Word and the Prince of Peace and forgiveness. Keep us reconciled to You and help us keep peace with each other. Especially where we have to keep working at it.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 31st March 2025
Come and see, come and see
Come and see the King of love
See the purple robe and crown of thorns he wears
Soldiers mock, rulers sneer
As he lifts the cruel cross
Lone and friendless now he climbs towards the hill
We worship at your feet
Where wrath and mercy meet
And a guilty world is washed
By love’s pure stream
For us he was made sin
Oh, help me take it in
Deep wounds of love cry out ‘Father, forgive’
I worship, I worship
The Lamb who was slain.
Come and weep, come and mourn
For your sin that pierced him there
So much deeper than the wounds of thorn and nail
All our pride, all our greed
All our fallenness and shame
And the Lord has laid the punishment on him
Man of heaven, born to earth
To restore us to your heaven
Here we bow in awe beneath
Your searching eyes
From your tears comes our joy
From your death our life shall spring
By your resurrection power we shall rise
Lyrics: Graham Kendrick