Every Day with Jesus

It was once said that leadership is simply taking people from position A to position B. To achieve this you have to either explain to those you are leading how bad position A is or how much better position B will be. 

Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem and before he tells the people of his plans and the task that God has ordained him to do, he decides to take ‘only a few others’ with him and investigate what is needed for the plan to be achieved. Some might say he was being secretive or not very transparent, but not everything has to be shared with everyone all the time. 

Whenever someone is successful, there is a person in the background offended by their achievements. For every politician who wins the vote, there is someone who loses out. For every salesperson who, scores a big contract there is one who misses out on a bonus. 

This is a beautiful moment in the story, where Nehemiah adds the extravagant request. Makes the Big Ask. Having nervously asked the King for some leave and got his royal approval, he then adds on an extra plea: ‘Could I have a security team and extra timber, because I will need the wood for the new walls, gates and a house for myself!’ Nehemiah, the cupbearer has upsold the King. How often do we o...

My children know when the best times are to ask me for something, whether it be for me to help them with their homework, give them a lift to a friend’s house or whether we might plan to go somewhere special at the weekend. 

In the TV show Dragons Den , potential entrepreneurs present their ideas to wealthy business people, hoping for financial investment in their big idea. Once they have completed their pitch, they are asked questions by the Dragons. 

We know from the story of Queen Esther about the importance of presentation in front of the king. Anyone in the court of the king must meet his approval, so a great amount of effort would go into the outfits that would be worn and the make-up applied to cover any blemishes. 

We mentioned a few days ago how the practice of prayer is more like sowing seeds than using a heavenly slot machine. If we want to see favour and blessing in our lives, we need to be praying today for opportunities of favour tomorrow. 

Have you ever read the Bible and considered what part of the story you resonate with. People often place themselves in the position of the hero of the story. They are David not Goliath, they are Paul not Saul, they are Esther or Mordecai but definitely not Haman, they are Joseph but never one of his many brothers. 

Sometimes the concept of prayer is seen as a shiny chrome celestial slot machine. Prayer is asking God for things we desire, and He gives them to us. Anything is possible. A bit like when I was a child, circling all the things I would want for Christmas in the, now defunct, Argos catalogue and leaving it lying around to ensure my parents were aware of my festive request, hopeful that they would ge...

That moment when you hear tragic or disappointing news, your knees go weak and you can do nothing but sit down, weep and stare into the distance. Whether it be exam results, financial issues, health concerns, the breakdown of a relationship or the unexpected loss of a loved one, these moments bring real pain and there is no way to immediately fix it or make it better somehow. 

The ritual of burial in first-century Israel involved the corpse being washed, then anointed with a variety of oils and spices. The body would then be wrapped in white linen grave clothes, which also contained spices. The body of Lazarus had been given life, but he still had to contend with the grave clothes that would inhibit him. Hence Jesus’ command in verse 44. 

Back in verse 4 we learned of Jesus intention, and now it’s time for Him to raise Lazarus from the dead. John reminds us that Jesus is still deeply moved (v38). This is not a magician delighting to perform a trick, but a man who cares for all involved in the business of life and death, and granted power by His Father for this extraordinary act. 

Jesus never wastes a moment, and the interchange between Him and the two sisters is telling. He could have simply announced before they spoke: ‘It’s OK – I’m going to raise your brother from the dead, so don’t worry!’. But instead, He could see the value in talking with the woman about their faith in Him and the situation. 

Jesus heals all who ask Him in the gospels with one exception – this one! And in this case the outcome is far better. We cannot imagine fully what was going on in Jesus’ mind when he hears news that Lazarus is ill and close to death. We know that Lazarus is a close friend, indeed Jesus stayed with the family when He came to the Jerusalem area. 

At the start and finish of the book of Ruth we have a clue as to why this is included in God’s library. This book is a wonderful contrast to the preceding book of Judges (mentioned in verse 1), which has some of the toughest narrative in the whole of the Bible. 

At the heart of the story of Ruth is a wealthy landowner, Boaz, whose many workers harvest the fields in Bethlehem. He is an upright, generous man who makes sure there is increased provision for Ruth, requesting harvesters to leave something for her (in accordance with Levitical law). But there’s more. 

This is a classic ‘grim tale to start and wonderful ending to finish’ kind of story. It begins with a famine and real pain with the death of three husbands (Naomi’s husband and her two sons, who were married to Moabite women). Naomi’s daughter-in-law Ruth, chooses to stick with Naomi, who is part of the people of God. 

Things are going well. God has just used you to see a lame man healed and you have had opportunity to preach the good news to non-believers. And you are especially feeling good because you gave God the glory. 

Paul has an opportunity to speak to the people and, although Luke doubtless gives just a summary of what he said, it is interesting that Paul communicates in a way appropriate for people with little or no grasp of the Scriptures that Paul has been schooled in. 

If you have ever seen someone healed by God, you will know how amazing it can be. We thank God for His healing through medicine and other means but, at times, we get to glimpse the inbreaking kingdom, as with a prayer or command God instantly intervenes to cure the malady being suffered. 

Since the time of Adam, the Scriptures make it clear that all human beings will face death. But Enoch’s passing is at odds with that of other men and women, and the implication is that his ‘ending’ is connected to his lifestyle. Here was a man who ‘walked with God’ and ‘then he was no more’, implying that, like Elijah, he is translated to heaven rather than his physical body dying and being buried...

Even in our permissive age, most regard cheating on a spouse or partner as a reprehensible act. Here is one of the Ten Commandments from the Old Testament which translates well into most people’s personal moral code and, of course, especially if you are the innocent spouse. 

Jesus is still on the theme of the heart, but this illustration is not about a ‘brother’ who has something against you, but about a situation where someone is so upset that they are willing to take you to court – the kind of thing that might end up in a civil court today.

At some time in your life, you have probably been on the end of a donation request. A charity you support, a salesperson, a request at the checkout of a petrol station. But how often has anyone had any concern about your heart first? Did anyone think to check that your relational life was smooth before you transferred the money? Of course not. But Jesus continues majoring on the heart.