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The Lone Ranger (Matthew 21 v 1 - 17)

28/3/2015

 
The first three quarters of the movie had been ok, neither the best nor the worst, but now out came the stops.  The familiar trumpet chorus from Rossini’s William Tell Overture sounded, the white stallion reared on its hind legs, and we were off at a gallop with the Lone Ranger and Tonto, chasing the baddies through the mountains on a runaway train.

From around the cinema, all the men around my age murmured our approval.  For a few seconds we were transported back over the years to when we were wee boys watching cartoons on TV.  Perched on the arm of the sofa as our horse, we urged on the masked rider in the white hat.  Hi – ho - Silver – away!    

Now our childhood hero was back, charging fearlessly to the rescue.  For just a moment we were assured the innocent would be saved, the villains would get what was coming to them, and good would somehow finally win the day.

A bit like when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on ‘Palm Sunday’.  Something stirred in the people that day, like an old memory.  A prophecy they had been taught as little children, that one day a hero would come to their rescue!  So they lined the streets and clapped and cheered, like crowds at a movie premiere, eager for a glimpse, an autograph, a miracle.

But their enthusiasm was short lived, their commitment shallow.  Within a week, disillusioned by His insistence on spiritual priorities and holiness, and poisoned by the slander of their leaders, most of them had turned on their Saviour and had him executed.

However Christians believe this was not a failed mission, nor indeed the end of the story.

The Apostle Paul, writing to the Colossians, insists that Jesus’ suffering and death were in fact God’s way of bringing us forgiveness, new life and freedom!  The witnesses insist Christ rose victorious over death and evil, mighty to save all who trust in Him!  Alone He has triumphed, and His followers are given to share in the joy of all He has achieved in His cross and resurrection, for time and eternity! 

‘Having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.’ (Colossians 2 v 15)

Anyone can discover this joy of knowing Jesus through trust and obedient service, even though, like Him, we may temporarily suffer opposition and rejection from some out there in the world.

Being a Christian definitely isn’t for wimps.  It is for those who want to be heroes.  Those who dare to believe, even in the face of all the world’s cynicism, that goodness will ultimately have the victory.  Those willing to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, the greatest hero of them all!

Senses

15/3/2015

 
Our senses are a fine thing.

Very handy to see where you’re going, and hear that car horn just when you were about to step off the pavement.  And nice too, when you want to smell the roses, enjoy a warm hug or it’s Bolognese for tea!

That being said, the messages our senses send us vary a bit.

I mean that takeaway smelled really mouthwatering last night, but today the car is stinking.  What was a pleasure in the evening is sometimes a problem in the morning!

And not everyone shares the same tastes.  One man’s ‘meat’ of cabbage and bacon is like proverbial ‘poison’ to others.

The apostle Paul used sense imagery when speaking about how being a Christian affects us, and those around us!  He writes that God ‘uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere.  For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other an aroma that brings life.’  (1 Corinthians 2 v 15-16)

It seems the more closely we seek to follow Jesus, the more His Spirit produces an authentic Christ-like character to our lives.  We begin to think with more purity like Him, speak more truthfully like Him, and act with similar compassion and love.

This pleases God, like the wonderful smell of dinner-almost-ready makes us smile!  And people who bring a flavour of Christ to life provide a compelling witness to friends, neighbours and associates.  Some are persuaded to try the challenge of faith for themselves, while others screw up their faces and hearts in resentment and opposition.

March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland.  Here, and indeed worldwide, everyone gets to feel a little ‘Irish’ and celebrate a bit of a holiday.  However it should be obvious that most of the celebration has little or nothing to do with the coming of the good news of Jesus to Ireland in the 5th century!

While legends abound, evidence suggests Patrick was a godly man and a sincere evangelist.  His ‘Breastplate’ prayer for daily protection reflects someone whose earnest desire, like the Apostle Paul’s, was to bring a savour of Jesus to all whom he met:

‘…Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in me…

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me…’

 

Wouldn’t that be a fine prayer for every Christian to offer and reflect on!

That every encounter we have with people would have a powerful impact for Jesus.

Let’s pray that He will help us make it so.

For the glory of our Lord and the spread of His kingdom worldwide.

Amen.

    Author

    Rev Andrew Watson, Minister of Dunfanaghy and Carrigart Presbyterian Churches, Co Donegal.

    Further material by Rev Watson can be found at www.wordsurfers.com

    Rev Watson has also published a book of reflections and prayers, "Finding Our Way Home", with all royalties going to charity.

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