Talks, Sermons and Reflections

John 11:1-44 In our reading we are told that Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus, a brother and two sisters. We are also told that when Jesus hears that Lazarus is seriously sick, he deliberately stays where he is for two more days. And Lazarus dies. Why does he delay? He knew he could have saved Lazarus. And Jesus tells his followers, “It is for God’s glory, so that God’s Son may be glorified through it” (v4) That sounds terrible. Jesus lets bad stuff happen simply so that people may see how cool or great he is. Well let’s look and see how the Son of God is glorified. 1. Jesus is glorified because we see his love Verse 5 of our reading in some translations says this: “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, therefore when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was”. It seems he stays where he is, not because he doesn’t love Martha and Mary, but because he loves them. So often the bad things happen not...

John 4 This week, like I guess many of us, I’ve felt empty. It is that sinking feeling which comes when you hear bad news. Like they probably had on the Titanic. Disaster is coming and there is not much we can do about it. For many of us coronavirus has already led to a major disruption of plans. Some of our people are having to self-isolate: although my son has taken to the idea of self-isolation a bit too keenly, leaving university a week early to go to our cottage with 3 of his friends. Some have gone out to the dacha. And for those who are older or vulnerable, it is much more scary.  In John 4, Jesus meets with the Samaritan woman. And Jesus offers this woman living water. "Whoever drinks of this water will never be thirsty again ... it will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life". Jesus is speaking of the Holy Spirit but he is using poetic language. We know what it is like to be dry and thirsty physically - and we also know what it...