A weeping Saviour

Today I've been preparing a talk for an after-school bible club i do in New Malden on Lazarus. Its a story we're all familiar with, Jesus shows up and raises his friend Lazarus from the dead. But reading it again has made me stop and ask a few questions.

Why did Jesus cry?

The typical answer? Because Jesus was sad that his friend had died? But why? If he was about to raise him from the dead, why would he cry about it... his friend would be fit and well in no time!

Surely Jesus then wasnt crying at the death of his friend - no. He was crying at the hurt, the pain, the futility which death inflicted on humanity around him. This wasnt how it was meant to be.

God created us to love him and worship him and be in perfect relationship with him for eternity. Way back in the garden thats how it was for Adam and Eve. But Lazarus's death was a reminder of the consequences of our sin. We had brought death upon ourselves and it broke Jesus heart.

Jesus wept for humanity - we are lost in our fallenness.

And yet theres hope, because Jesus makes Martha a promise...

" I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die" John 11:25-26

Jesus claims that though we will die, there is life after death for those who believe and live in him.

And how can we be certain of that? Absolutely fool-proof sure? Because right after Jesus made that promise he went on to do the impossible, he proved his power, proved his point and proved his promise.

He raised Lazarus back to life defeating deaths hold.

And he rose to life himself showing that the promise is true. Brothers and sisters, if we Believe in him and live in him, he will raise us to life in him!

What a beautiful Saviour.

Dusty lamp in the old Antique Shop?

This week we were looking at Acts 2 at church... Pentecost; an incredible event when God sent his Spirit among his people and empowered them for mission! The disciples had waited in Jerusalem for the arrival of God's Spirit... the Spirit was going to fuel them for ministry; he would be the power through which God would use them to minister to the world.

The Spirit was the fuel that set their lamps aflame.

So often as christians we can be like dusty lamps in an old antique shop. We sit in the shop gathering dust, something of our beauty can be seen, but we do not burn bright, because we do not allow Gods living Spirit to light us up. We long to be lit, but we lack the power to light ourselves. We might even be plugged in, but if we arent switched on, we won't light up.

How often we try to do things in our own strength: rely on our own intelligence, wisdom, energy. How much more effective would we be as witnesses for Christ if we would let his light burn bright within us.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16

Books I'm reading...

Also thought I'd post a few of the latest recommendations after a bit of time of over christmas to do some reading...

1) A Passion for the Impossible: The life of Lilias Trotter (Discovery House Publishers).
I'm always one for a biography, and this christmas present from my parents-in-law-to-be has proved to be both a gripping read and an incredible challenge and inspiration as I read about the life of a woman who quite literally sacificed fame and fortune for the Gospel. Her heart and passion for the lost have inspired me greatly and I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn from our brothers and sisters in history!

2) Questioning Evangelism: Randy Newman (Kregel Publications)
This book has challenged me on the way I present the Gospel. Newman discourages strategy and method, and instead challenges us to get beneath the question we are asked by asking another question, in the same way Jesus did. His argument is compelling and his style of writing makes this a very accessible and helpful read in knowing how to best encourage our friends, family and neighbours to think about the bigger questions of life! My CU girls are reading this one at the mo, and we're finding it very helpful!

3) Esther and Ruth: Reformed Expository Commentary: Iain M.Duguid
This is a fantastic commentary which is helping me in my devotional life to get to grips with two bible women who were incredibly used by God in his grace. The book itself says "a closer reading shows an embittered Naomi to have abandoned the Promised Land and God's people, and Esther to have become thoroughly assimilated to the culture and values of Persian Society (...) in both books, a gracious and sovereign God works through flawed individuals - unable even to help themselves - to rescue his people and prepare for the coming of Christ"... its a fantastic book that will help you dig deeper into God's word and rejoice in the grace that is ours despiteour flaws and failures.

4) Revolution Within: Dwight Edwards
Dwight Edwards is a direct descendant of Jonathan Edwards, and so far has shown as much insight into glory of God and the freedom that is ours in Christ as his ancestor did. The book is a refreshing look at God's grace and spirit-empowerment which is fantastic for dustin out the cobwebs in our spirtual walk and breathing a breath of fresh air into our often legalistic lungs. This book has helped me to praise God more, love Christ better, and hunger for the Spirits empowerment. A gem of a book.

Hope this'll provide some ideas for some reading guys. Enjoy!

Goodbye 2007!

Christmas this year was rather eventful in the Robinson household... we had the usual comings and goings of family, the usual roast turkey, christmas crackers and bin bags of wrapping paper, the usual carol services, nativity plays and pantomimes... but something a little less usual was that I was presented with a diamond ring when David asked me to marry him... and I said YES!
Well... that was the most exciting thing that happened to me this christmas.
Amidst all that exciting it was a great time to relax, to enjoy time with family, to reflect a little on what the Lord has been teaching me in the last term and to look forward to the year ahead.
Here's to a year in which I long to know God better, love him more, rejoice in him and serve him better.