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“Then Jesus took the twelve aside and said to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. ³² For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; he will be mocked, mistreated, and spat on. ³³ They will flog him severely and kill him. Yet on the third day he will rise again.” ³⁴ But the twelve understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what Jesus meant.” Luke 18:31-34

God of eternity,

Jesus, Son of man and yet Your Son – Son of God. Going as many did up to Jerusalem and the Temple to celebrate Passover. He knows the time is right to go there and he is preparing the disciples so they will be ready for what happens next.

Ah the hindsight of Easter just past and recent celebrations. The perception of an event after it has happened when things fall into place and we understand what we did not previously. The disciples too. After they met the resurrected Lord they remembered His words. There was no other alternative, hindsight showed that what Jesus did was the only way for death to be conquered and sin forgiven. There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin wrote Cecil Frances Alexander.

Sometimes, we do not always understand what You are doing in our lives till we have hindsight! Then we can see how You have led us and what You have taught us. You may have told us but we don’t always understand. Help us not to worry, but do what the disciples did, stick with You, keep on following and serving You and wait. Till our faith becomes sight.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God,

For our family and friends. Those we know well, those estranged. Help us pray with love.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. Place the gospel at the centre of all that is done.
For the royal family. For peace of mind, healing and family support and unity.
For our Parliament. The ability to work together for good.
For our local dentists, GP’s, chiropodists and those in training. Those choosing their careers.
For those caring for the aged and the very young. Carers, social workers, fosterers, adopters.
For those suffering depression to lift their eyes and find You.
For those at odds with each other, even family, a way forward to peace.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, places of conflict. Bring an end to war. Speak peace to stubborn hearts.
For a day to trust in You, Lord. To give thanks for what You will do in our lives today and this week for good.

In Jesus name we pray Amen.

Worship Monday 15th April 2024
I vaguely remember singing this. . . a modern hymn in traditional style. The words of the chorus just seem to fit today, we’ll walk by faith and not by sight. It is one of those hymns that grows on me the more I hear.

By faith, we see the hand of God
In the light of creation’s grand design;
In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness,
Who walk by faith and not by sight.

By faith, our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God’s own hand –
A place where peace and justice reign.

We will stand as children of the promise,
We will fix our eyes on Him, our soul’s reward.
Till the race is finished and the work is done,
We’ll walk by faith and not by sight.

By faith, the prophets saw a day
When the longed-for Messiah would appear
With the power to break the chains of sin and death,
And rise triumphant from the grave.

By faith, the church was called to go
In the power of the Spirit to the lost
To deliver captives and to preach good news,
In every corner of the earth.

Chorus: We will stand . . .

By faith, this mountain shall be moved
And the power of the gospel shall prevail,
For we know in Christ all things are possible
For all who call upon His name.

Chorus: We will stand . . .

Lyrics: Stuart Townend