As people living in a post-Christian world, whenever we read about healings in the Scriptures our thinking often goes to debates about Jesus’ divinity or evidences that Scripture is true. But, as important as these debates might have been, they can take our mind off what is most important in Scripture by diverting our attention to what is most important to us.
Did you notice the connection made between Jesus’ healing ministry and Isaiah’s servant bringing about justice?
Read More justice, healing, priorities, restoration
There is nothing sweeter than having a relationship restored. Strained friendships are a burden for both parties. An unwillingness to forgive robs everyone of joy.
The forgiveness of God is complete and thorough. The invitation extended to Moses highlights the restorative mercy of God. Moses is asked to chisel two tablets of stone like those he broke in anger.
Read More grace, forgiveness, restorationThis is the human story. God offers life and we choose death. But God still holds out life and invites us to embrace a relationship with him as our Creator.
The Lord, in these blessings and cursings, establishes the two ways life will play out: with obedience will come blessing and with disobedience will come consequences.
Read More grace, blessing, love, restorationAt the cusp of spring, our family descended on the deck, the air still cooled by large patches of snow from winter past. When the blaze in our fire bowl beckoned, we sat round, young and older, chatting and reminiscing. Grateful for the warmth.
Maybe it was more than the obvious draw of heat to thaw a chilled body; but perhaps, like my family, it was only that which Peter grasped at first.
Read More betrayal, restoration, denialFew people actually go out of their way to deliberately hurt others. That probably cannot be said of liars or gossipers or people who bear false witness. But, most people mean well, and want to do what is best for themselves and for others. The problem is, even good people can do harm. We can make a bad decision or say the wrong thing or say the right thing in the wrong way, or ignore someone who reaches out to us and we don’t see them, or we fail to give a word of encouragement because at that moment we are too self-centered.
Read More consequences, forgiveness, restoration, harmI’m the king of the castle and you’re the dirty rascal. Sound familiar? Looking for status and power? The disciples are. Jesus flips the disciples’ thinking with, “Forget the power play. Serve others. Later, there’s a kingdom where you will sit at the banquet table with me, like kings. But for now, do everything you can to help someone. Don’t think you are better than others. You stood by me all this time – surely you get the picture: serve others. If I served them, you serve them.”
Read More service, humility, restorationThe story of Peter’s betrayal of Jesus is well known. So are all the mistakes he made (like losing his nerve and his faith when he tried to walk on water) and the mistakes and blunders all the disciples made.
It’s easy to judge from a safe distance.
Read More grace, despair, forgiveness, restoration, failure
Attributed to Asaph, one of Israel’s worship leaders, this psalm aches with longing for restoration. In it we hear the voice of a prophet as well as a psalmist.
A prophet’s role was to speak the words of God to the people, especially when there was a cultural sway away from the truth. Often the harshest words were reserved for kings and leaders who abused their power and failed to protect their most vulnerable subjects.
Read More light, Saviour, restoration, longingWhen there’s a repetition of a text, it’s obviously important – a mnemonic device to capture attention, aid memory and precipitate action. “Restore us, O God” is the echoing heart cry of this psalm (compare vv 3, 7, 19), a visceral plea for God to “make us strong again” (CEV), “smile your blessing smile” (Msg), “bring us back” (GNT), “make your face shine down upon us” (NLT).
Read More prayer, restorationThe prophet Hosea lived in a time of political turmoil, an era when the people of his nation were more concerned to serve the gods of power and material wealth than to walk in the ways of the God of Israel. They were, in a word, unfaithful.
Hosea is the unfortunate prophet called to deliver the unwelcome message that Israel’s unfaithfulness was a great grief to God.
Read More betrayal, love, restoration, unfaithfulness