St Matthew 9: 27 – 31

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David!’  When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ They said to him, ‘Yes, Lord.’  Then he touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith let it be done to you.’  And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly ordered them, ‘See that no one knows of this.’  But they went away and spread the news about him throughout that district.

Reflection

What a wonderful story. It’s one I remember from Junior Church. It’s so easy to picture, and has a happy result. 

Yet years later, as a hospital chaplain, I came almost to loathe this story. Time and again this passage was quoted at me by people who had faith but were not getting any better, or by their family and friends who would tell me they felt God was letting them down because so and so has such faith, and yet they have not been cured. Many, many times I found myself in such conversations. My response was always the same; there are no answers. Sadly some people became embittered. 

However, more commonly, I would see a change in the patient themselves. They may not be being physically cured, but their whole demeanour would gradually alter. Despite their problems, a sense of peace would emerge. Yes, they may still struggle or be sad, but sometimes it was almost as though I could see ‘the everlasting arms’ supporting and loving them. 

These people were discovering the deeper meaning of today’s passage. Just like the two blind men, through faith they were looking to Jesus, and the more they looked, the more their eyes were opened, realising the truth of who Jesus was, and being more open to receive gifts through him. 

This is not just a story about physical blindness. It is a story for us all, reminding us that we all have blind spots, but that the more we look to Jesus the more his light of love will shine into and through us. We don’t have to wait until we hit a tough time in life, though maybe such phases do concentrate our minds. This is a simple message for us all, everyday. What a wonder-full story. 

Prayer

Open our eyes Lord,
we want to see Jesus, 
to reach out and touch him 
and say that we love him. 
Open our ears Lord, 
and help us to listen; 
O open our eyes, Lord, 
we want to see Jesus.  

Robert Cull (b 1949)   © 1976 Maranatha Music USA     

 

St Matthew 9: 18 – 26

While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, ‘My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.’  And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples.  Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak,  for she said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.’  Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And instantly the woman was made well.  When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute-players and the crowd making a commotion,  he said, ‘Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up.  And the report of this spread throughout that district.

Reflection

Jesus meets a father who should be mourning the death of his daughter and preparing her body for burial, but instead has rushed to the Messiah to ask that she be healed out of death.  As he travels there, Jesus meets a midlife woman. Instead of protecting others from being contaminated by her ritual uncleanliness, she is reaching out to Jesus, trusting that she might be healed from an illness that has wasted away her energy and her place in the community. These stories are powerful: people who should have no hope find hope and healing in Jesus. We notice too that Jesus is unafraid to be touched by, or to touch, unclean bodies: those who are bleeding, the dying and the dead. God is not ashamed, or afraid, of sickness or death. 

Jesus does not see our situation as we might see it. He does not see a little girl who has died, but one who is sleeping.  He can, and does, ask her to get up, and returns her to her family. Everyone is amazed, though her father had trusted that this was possible for God. 

Often, I am asked by families of the dying whether I believe that Jesus can raise the dead and heal the dying. I do believe God has absolute power to heal. Sometimes healing is more life, less pain, mental clarity, renewed abilities.  It might also be more ability to find pleasure, find meaning, and take our part as the Holy Spirit prompts us. Sometimes healing comes through death. In times of need we can ask for the healing we long for, and we can ask God to supply the healing that we need, trusting that God sees our situation more clearly than we can and desires what is good for us children.

Prayer

Today we pray with words from the hymn Amazing Grace:

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

 

St Matthew 9: 14 – 17

Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘The wedding-guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.  No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak, for the patch pulls away from the cloak, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.’

Reflection

How homely Jesus’s illustrations are! We get a picture of home life where old clothes had to be mended, and that done wisely!  My grandmother was a seamstress and she and my mother made many of our clothes. As the second in line in the family, my older sister’s clothes needed to be adapted or mended so I could wear them. And now we live in a society where clothes are cheap, fashion is fast, and the products are disposable. A recent statistic shows that 92 million tons of clothes-related waste is disposed of each year. And the amount of water used to dye fabric, and the amount of energy needed to produce it, is horrifying.

We live in a very wasteful age compared to when Jesus watched his mum mend an old cloak.  I’d suggest disposability has become part of our landscape. Relationships, church membership, belonging to a political party or other organisation – we stick with it for as long as it provides us with what we need (consumerism, anybody?) and when it no longer does what we want, we dump it like an old pair of jeans.

Jesus was good at mending. He did a lot of it. As he went around, he seemed to home in on the people who needed mending, physically, mentally, spiritually. There’s a quote from somewhere that church is less a social club for the healthy than a hospital (repair shop!) for those needing mending.

Prayer

Give us wisdom 
in our use of the earth’s resources, Lord, 
and care as we encounter lives and hearts 
that may be wounded and in need of mending.
Amen

 

St Matthew 9: 9-13

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’  But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’

Reflection

I have just come from a church away day where we were looking at the life of the congregation and what God desires of us. The leader of the event quoted Micah 6: 6-8. It names all sorts of things (including sacrifices) to bring before God before ending with (v8): ‘what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?’ Jesus echoes those words in today’s passage.

Jesus calls Matthew to follow him and, as it is told, he got up and followed him. Many would have been appalled at Jesus calling a tax collector to be one of his chosen followers. They were known as collaborators, lining their pockets, not really accepted fully by the Roman authorities nor by the people in Jerusalem either. Even at that time there were clear thoughts on who was ‘in’ and who was ‘out’.

Sadly, not much has changed and, even sadder, it feels to me like the divisions are becoming more marked and more people are being ‘othered’. People are condemned, excluded, and rejected for gender, sexuality, race, skin colour, disability, religion, and even for seeking justice or calling out excluding or harmful behaviour. 

Now more than ever we, as followers of the Jesus way, need to be more like him. To make sure we include those whom sections of society reject. To love our neighbour, without exceptions. This is not easy, but it also means we are called to love those with whom we disagree. This is what Jesus showed us. 

The URC produced a poster that says: ‘Love your neighbour who doesn’t look like you, think like you, love like you, speak like you, pray like you, vote like you. Love your neighbour with no exceptions’.  (You can find the poster here Ed)

This is our challenge. 
And is more and more urgent and necessary each day. 

Prayer

Dear God,
help us as we struggle to love our neighbours; 
those we like and find it easy to love, 
those with whom we clash;
those with whom we disagree; 
those that don’t like, act, or think like us. 
It is not easy yet Jesus calls us to love. 
In this troubled world, 
may we find ways of loving that include and affirm, 
and open dialogue and discussion. 
Help us on our way, Amen. 

 

 
Today’s service is led by the Revd Jenny Mills

 
Introduction 

My name is Jenny Mills and I am a URC Minister of the Word and Sacraments currently serving in a General Assembly role as Deputy General Secretary (Faith in Action) which encompasses discipleship and mission. It is good to be with you this Sunday as we begin Advent and the Church year. I love Advent as a time of reflection, anticipation, and waiting. In a world where there is a lot of focus on much of Christmas happening before 25th December, it is interestingly counter cultural to pause and consider what God’s Word is for us today, in advance of the celebration of Jesus’ birth. 

Call to Worship 

I rejoiced with those who said to me,  
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

Welcome to worship.
Those who feel able to rejoice and those who feel weighed down.
Those who are bright eyed and bushy tailed 
and those who are slightly drained. 
Those who come with hope and those who come with fear. 
Those filled with anticipation and those filled with worry. 
God meets us where we are and welcomes us as we are. 

“May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.”
For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.”

Let us worship the Lord our God 
who wills good for the whole of humanity,
who plants the seeds of peace and love
and waters the hearts of followers and faithful alike 
to step up and speak out. 
Let us come together to listen, learn, reflect, and respond. 
We are here and God’s Spirit is with us. 
Come, now is the time to worship. 

Hymn     Come Now is the Time to Worship
Brian Doerksen © 1998 Vineyard Songs (UK/Eire) OneLicence No. # A-734713. Sung by Chris Brunelle and used with his kind permission.

Come, now is the time to worship.
Come, now is the time to give your heart.
Come, just as you are to worship.
Come, just as you are before you God, come.

One day every tongue will confess You are God;
one day every knee will bow.
Still the greatest treasure remains
for those who gladly choose you now.

Prayers of Approach and Confession

God of all creation and all that is, 
we come to worship you with all our being: mind, body and soul. 
As we gaze at the wonder of your world, 
we are humbled by the beauty, diversity, pattern, connectivity 
and synergy of it all.
As we begin our journey to the birth of your Son, Jesus, 
we come in anticipation on this familiar journey 
that leads us to know more about you, 
revealed in the presence of a tiny child 
born into a hurting world where oppression was rife. 
As we continue our journeys through life 
and particularly through Advent, 
we acknowledge the power of your Holy Spirit 
leading, sustaining, inspiring and enabling us. 
God of all that is, 
we come in awe, wonder and humility to worship.

So much has changed since Jesus was born 
and yet so much has stayed the same.
Our world is overrun with technological innovation and AI, 
with new ways of doing things, greater knowledge 
and amazing inventions and possibilities. 

And yet, when we look around us, so much stays the same. 
The poor get marginalised, the hungry are not fed,
those on the edges are refused a seat at the table;
yet, the rich get richer, the powerful wield more power,
those at the centre call the tune. 
We fail to call out injustices, 
we perpetuate poor practices,
we focus on difference and sow seeks of division. 
We think that things are other peoples’ problems not ours. 
We blame others and deflect responsibility. 
We refuse to account for our actions. 
All because it is too hard, or we are too busy;
or because we see it as someone else’s job.
We take the path of least resistance – 
maybe posting on social media or sharing a meme. 
Maybe highlighting the issue 
but seeing the solutions as someone else’s problem 
but making excuses about why we are not the ones 
who should be stepping up. 
However, as part of the global family 
our lives are all intertwined, 
and our responsibilities are collective. 

As we come today to hold before God the things done and not done, 
we do so as people seeking forgiveness 
for the wrongdoing in our own lives 
and the lives of those we know and love, 
as well as for the times that our actions or non-actions 
have hurt others who we may never meet, 
or our choices have perpetuated 
established behaviours and patterns of oppression 
that are never challenged. 

Whilst we journey through Advent once again, 
may we seek God’s forgiveness for the institutional 
as well as personal sins we have committed 
and find ways to turn from them 
and seek renewal and change. 

Gracious God, hear our prayers and forgive our sins. 

Declaration of Forgiveness

The birth of the Saviour of the world 
heralded a new beginning with new possibilities. 
Jesus was born, lived, ministered, died, and rose again 
so we may start afresh each time we confess our sins. 
God hears us and forgives us. 
Let us forgive ourselves, forgive others and go in peace. 
Today and every day. Amen. 

Hymn     Put Peace Into Each Other’s Hands
Fred Kaan (1929-2009) © 1989 Stainer and Bell OneLicence No. # A-734713. Performance © 2021 Joy and Ruth Everingham and used with their kind permission

Put peace into each other’s hands and like a treasure hold it,
protect it like a candle-flame, with tenderness enfold it.

Put peace into each other’s hands with loving expectation;
be gentle in your words and ways, in touch with God’s creation.

Put peace into each other’s hands like bread we break for sharing;
look people warmly in the eye: our life is meant for caring.

As at communion, shape your hands into a waiting cradle;
the gift of Christ receive, revere, united round the table.
 
Put Christ into each other’s hands, he is love’s deepest measure;
in love make peace, give peace a chance and share it like a treasure.

Prayer for Illumination 

Lord of all, bless these words from Scripture 
as we listen for your Word through them.
Bless our hearts as we reflect on them and seek to respond. 
Bless the thoughts I offer and the thoughts they inspire. 
These are words, thoughts and actions that can change the world. 
These are radical ideas of inclusion and welcome, 
of hope and healing, of love and peace. 
May they inspire and challenge us, 
and may your world be blessed by all that comes next.  Amen.

Reading     Isaiah 2:1–5 

This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: in the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.  Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples.  They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Reading     St Matthew 24: 36–44

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;  and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.  Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.  “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.  But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Hymn     Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Charles Wesley (1707-1788) public domain. Sung by Lythan and Phil Nevard and used with their kind permission.

Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free,
from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a king,
born to reign in us for ever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all-sufficient merit Raise us to thy glorious throne.
 
Sermon

Loving God, as we encounter your word through this sermon, may we find challenge and comfort. Through our listening, our musings and reflections, may we come closer to you and learn more about your love in the world. Open our eyes and hearts to your presence. Amen.

Isaiah gives us a vision of a world that is inviting. A vision of peace and harmony, walking in the light, coming together as God’s people. It is alluring and the sort of vision that many of us pray for, protest for and hope for. How many times have we shared the texts about beating our swords into ploughshares and our spears into pruning hooks? How we long for a world where instruments of violence are not needed. Isaiah offers a vision of the end times where there is peace and unity. And yet we still live in a world where war is experienced and the effects of violence are seen, near and far.  Our prayers are for God’s kingdom to come in all its fulness, we long for a day when hate and hurt and harm are no more, and peace reigns. As followers of the Jesus Way, we believe that our words and actions can be part of the vision of God’s kingdom; how we live, speak, treat others, share what we have, and respond to each other, all these things can promote peace (or not!). 

In our reading from Matthew, we have a quite disturbing story that follows on from the first 35 verses of chapter 24 which speaks of the destruction of the temple and signs of the End Times. In the chapter Jesus speaks of what is to come in the future: societal breakdown, wars, conflicts, natural disasters….all as signs of the times. Signs that humankind has turned from God’s ways and as a result the bad stuff happens.  Now this text has been interpreted in many and varied ways over the years! It has been used to instil fear about the end times that mean some will be taken away from their everyday life. (The reference to Noah makes it clear that those left behind are the ones that are regarded as faithful (as those saved by the flood were the faithful).) It says no one knows the time that the end will come, but that God will be there and faithful living will be rewarded and those living in ways that do not reflect God’s love and God’s desire for humanity, will perish. It is used as a key text for explaining that Jesus will return and no one knows when or how, and says how important it is to live the Jesus Way so that you can be regarded as one of the faithful. This text has also been taken, less literally, to mean that one day the whole of creation will be reconciled to God, that the end will come when peace shall reign and harmony rule, and that God will be there. And so used as a reminder to seek to live well. Then there is a more graded understanding of this text that sees the chapter showing the gradual demise of humanity and that this will be followed by a gradual restoration.  When Matthew was writing they were still pretty convinced that this end time, the coming of Jesus to reconcile the world to God in all its fulness, the coming of the kingdom, would happen soon. And so the imminence of the event meant attention and care, and carried an urgency. As this has not come to pass and it is over 2000 years later, the urgency has dissipated. But the message of good living, attention to living as God desires, the need to come together to share love, and work with each other to ensure all have the opportunity for abundant living, still lives on. Alongside the belief that, one day, the world will end and God will be there, as God has been since the beginning, however that happens and whatever it looks like. 
Whatever place we are coming from theologically and however we read this text, how we live, what we do, how we come together in worship, discipleship and fellowship in the here and now really matters. We can all see that the world currently does not reflect God’s vision for it. We see war and conflict, hate and harm, continued inequality and prejudice, division and a lack of unity. Our world is not as Isaiah envisioned, humankind is not living in ways that bless each other and the natural world around us, and so we are called to speak out, to show there is another way to live and to love. We are actively called to be peacemakers. Peace, following God’s way, being Christ’s hands and feet in the world, being harmony holders, thereby bringing God’s kingdom a little closer, revealing what the world should look like instead of what it currently looks like in many places. Through our actions, thoughts, ways and words we can be peacemakers. 

Jesus appeared again to his followers following his resurrection, and still today he comes in the words and actions of helpers, peacemakers and protestors for justice. And at the end time, when the whole world is finally reconciled to God and peace reigns for eternity, Jesus will be there. The issue is, none of us really know what that will look like and so we keep the faith, follow the teachings of Jesus and respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit until that time.

This Advent and Christmas, once again, we recall how God came to earth to show humankind how to live. Christ came into the world as a vulnerable baby to show the world that power did not lay in might or domination but in humility and in weakness. It is God’s countercultural way. It was his incarnation here on earth that we give thanks for and celebrate each Christmas and seek to respond to through our lives.  Each time we do a kind act, share with others, show compassion, live in harmony with nature and each other, Jesus comes afresh and new into the world. Each time we care for the least and the lost, we call out injustice, we speak out about inequality, then Jesus is seen, heard and known. Each time we share the love of Jesus and speak about our faith, Jesus comes to the world again through our words and actions. 

Whether we believe that Jesus will return again in person, or whether we believe that God’s purpose is to reconcile the world to God and at some point in the future peace will prevail and we will live in harmony, or whether we take the texts this morning as an encouragement to continue to live out the Gospel message of love believing that what we do contributes to God’s ultimate purpose of a world where people live together in peace and in harmony with all of creation, what really matters is how we live, how we worship, how we care, how we talk, how we act, what we do as Jesus followers in this world. If it is good, kind, compassionate, speaks of love, builds up, breaks down barriers, means people learn about the love of God in Jesus, turns the world upside down in a really good way- that is what God wants from us. The time to live like this is now. Not because we are under threat of being punished but because Love came down at Christmas and showed us that this is how we are to live. 

What do our readings mean this morning for our 21st century lives in this Advent season in a broken and hurting world? One day we believe there will be peace. We know not when or how, but this we believe. And we believe that how we live in our everyday lives can help make the world a better place. This is what Jesus showed us to do and what God calls us to. Not exclusive, pious, judgemental faith that criticises and condemns, but open, honest, loving and welcoming faith that reaches out and speaks of joy, peace, hope and love through Advent and beyond. Trusting in God to guide, enable, sustain and inspire us. 

We are today’s prophets, what we speak of and how we live can attract or scare.  How are you sharing the love of God revealed in Jesus with those around you?  What does ‘keep awake and be ready’ mean to you as a Jesus follower this Advent?

Offertory 

God calls us to think about how we use all we have. So, we come as people of faith, bringers of God’s kin-dom, called to share with others that which we have received. Through our giving God’s love can be more clearly seen, known and experienced.   Come, let us pray: 

Gracious God, 
we are fortunate to have shelter, warmth, food and freedom.  
As you give to us, so we respond, with our lives, our time, our hearts.  
We offer our gifts, talents and money 
to be used for your purposes in your world.  
May all we offer bring light and love as it is shared.  
May all we offer be a force for good.  
May all we offer be a blessing.  
In your world, for your people, until your kingdom come.   Amen.  

Hymn     Light of the World You Stepped Down Into Darkness
Tim Hughes (born 1978) © 2000 Thankyou Music One Licence No. # A-734713. Performed by Christafari

Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness,
opened my eyes, let me see
beauty that made this heart adore You,
hope of a life spent with You.

So here I am to worship, here I am to bow down,
here I am to say that You’re my God;
and You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy, 
altogether wonderful to me.

King of all days, O so highly exalted,
glorious in heaven above.
Humbly You came to the earth You created, 
all for love’s sake became poor.

So here I am to worship, here I am to bow down,
here I am to say that You’re my God;
and You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy, 
altogether wonderful to me.

And I’ll never know 
how much it cost
to see my sin upon that cross.
(Repeat)

Intercessions

Lord we are happy that we can come together to worship. We are thankful for those who provide this facility each week and are grateful for their commitment and time given. We are also grateful for the blessings that have surprised, sustained, and been ours this week. We give thanks for the joy of this season and the opportunities this brings for community and conversations. 

But Lord we are also sad that there are people who cannot count their blessings or be thankful because they are unwell, oppressed, are victims of crime, living in areas of conflict or find themselves unable to see the positives. We are concerned for those who find life unbearable, who struggle to function each day, those who are depressed and those with suicidal thoughts. May the words of our prayers and the sharing of your love, touch their hearts and offer hope.  

Gracious God, we are angry with the injustices that we see around us- in our communities, our country and your world. We see so much suffering and hardship that we almost become immune. Shock us into caring, prompt us into challenging where we are able, inspire us to act and speak out knowing that your heart is for humanity to live in peace and harmony. We bring our prayers for those who are fearful and worried, those whose lives do not speak of flourishing or abundance. May the words we offer in prayers change us and our attitudes, may they stir up an emotion in us that refuses to accept the status quo, and may we consider the ways in which you are prompting us to respond.  

In a short time of quiet, we will offer the prayers of our hearts – for ourselves, for those whom we love and care for and for those people, places and situations in the news at this time.   

Silence

As we hold all these prayers before you, we know that your love is stronger than anything else in this world and we conclude our prayers reassured and renewed.  

Bless us, we pray. 
Bless those for whom we have prayed. 
And bless those who need our prayers but are unable to ask for them.  
In Jesus’ name, who came to earth as a vulnerable child, lived, died and rose again that we might live. Amen  

Hymn     The Spirit Lives to Set Us Free
Damian Lundy (1940–1997) © 1978 Kevin Mayhew Ltd  One Licence No. # A-734713 
Frodsham Methodist Church Cloud Choir.  Accompanied by Andrew Ellams and produced by Andrew Emison and used with their kind permission.
 
The Spirit lives to set us free, walk, walk in the light.
He binds us all in unity, walk, walk in the light.
Walk in the light, walk in the light,
walk in the light, walk in the light of the Lord.
 
Jesus promised life to all, walk, walk in the light.
The dead were wakened by his call, walk, walk in the light.
Walk in the light, walk in the light,
walk in the light, walk in the light of the Lord.

He died in pain on Calvary, walk, walk in the light,
to save the lost like you and me, walk, walk in the light.
Walk in the light, walk in the light,
walk in the light, walk in the light of the Lord.

We know his death was not the end, walk, walk in the light.
He gave his Spirit to be our friend, walk, walk in the light.
Walk in the light, walk in the light,
walk in the light, walk in the light of the Lord.

By Jesus’ love our wounds are healed, walk, walk in the light.
The Father’s kindness is revealed, walk, walk in the light.
Walk in the light, walk in the light,
walk in the light, walk in the light of the Lord.

The Spirit lives in you and me, walk, walk in the light.
His light will shine for all to see, walk, walk in the light.
Walk in the light, walk in the light,
walk in the light, walk in the light of the Lord. 

Blessing

May the love, hope, joy and peace of the Advent season be ours. 
May we embody, express, and experience all the blessings. 
May God’s promise, faithfulness, and love 
sustain and inspire us all as we live the Jesus way. 
May we find ways to share this with others, 
especially those who find themselves on the margins. 
And may this year’s journey to the Saviour’s birth 
be eventful, exciting, thought-provoking, reflective, 
hope-filled, and precious. 
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

inspiration in your inbox Saturday, 29 November 2025  St Matthew 9: 1 – 8 And after getting into a boat he crossed the water and came to his own town. And just then some people were carrying a paralysed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’  Then some of the scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’  But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts?  For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”?  But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he then said to the paralytic—‘Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.’  And he stood up and went to his home.  When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings. Reflection I wonder what the paralysed man thought when Jesus said to him “Take heart, your sins are forgiven”. Was it, “Thanks a lot, mate, that’s obviously what I was hoping for”? (note the sarcastic tone as you read that response!), or did he perhaps feel the weight of any guilt lift and recognise the grace and welcome that Jesus was offering him? I guess we’ll never know. But one thing was clear – the crowd were unimpressed. Words come easy sometimes, don’t they? And what evidence was there that this wasn’t just fake news anyway? Though Jesus knew the veracity of his words, he also knew that sometimes actions do speak louder. Actions are more tangible. You could say that the miracle of healing he performed was, in reality, a much smaller thing than the awesome gift of forgiveness, knowing as we do that it is that grace that gives us eternal life, but for the crowd it was the visible outworking of Jesus’ power that confirmed there was something special about this man and the awesome God he claimed to represent. What does this mean for us, then? Well, for me it is a stark reminder that I can say anything I like about God’s kingdom, God’s grace, God’s awesomeness, God’s love, but unless I back it up with my actions, with the way I live my life, then to everyone around me it’s just so many words. It’s meaningless, crazy babble. The quote that springs to mind is attributed to St Francis (probably incorrectly, but he’d probably have wished he said it!): “Preach the gospel at all times: if necessary, use words”. If we hope to share our faith with others and help them get to know Jesus for themselves, we need to show it in our actions and our attitudes. Prayer Awesome and miraculous God, inspire us and empower us through your Spirit, not only to speak the good news  but to BE the good news. Let us walk in your way,  share your love,  follow the example of Jesus,  and put our faith into action,  so that all may see that what we claim is true:  You ARE an awesome and miraculous God. Amen

Today’s writer Lorraine Webb is a Methodist local preacher New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

St Matthew 8: 28 – 34
When Jesus came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way.  Suddenly they shouted, ‘What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?’  Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them.  The demons begged him, ‘If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.’  And he said to them, ‘Go!’ So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and perished in the water.  The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs.  Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighbourhood.

Reflection
Unexpected consequences. The Gospels are full of unexpected consequences and it’s how we frame these unexpected consequences that matters.

Which headline do you prefer?

“Galilean Man casts out demons.” Yay! Or:

“Stranger makes local swineherds redundant.” Boo!?

No wonder the whole town came out to meet Jesus and begged him to leave their neighbourhood… they wanted to keep their jobs, and everything was going along reasonably well, thank you very much. Absolutely no need to shake things up. Jog on, Jesus.

Everything we do can have unexpected consequences. It would be fantastic if every local URC looked at the Children and Youth Friendly Church Award process (Children and Youth Friendly Church Scheme – United Reformed Church or contact your Synod CYDO+ for more details) but are we prepared to deal with the unexpected consequences?

We might have to sing some ‘new’ songs (I mean, from the 1990s, there’s no need to go mad!)

We might have to change when, and for how long, we meet for worship.

We might need to look at how our worship space is set out.

We might have to encourage Arthur (other Christian names are available) to let someone help with giving out the hymn books even though it’s always been HIS job.

We might have to… well, I don’t know. That’s the thing about unexpected consequences – they’re unexpected.

What are the headlines in your church? Are they mostly positive or mostly negative? Are you prepared to risk unexpected consequences? Or are you happy to just keep on treading water (which the swine in our story, sadly, couldn’t do)?

Prayer
Jesus,
sometimes change feels scary – 
but you bring healing and freedom.

Help me to trust you when things feel uncertain.
Give me the courage to let go of what’s holding me back,
and step into the new life you’re calling me towards.

Thank you that with you, change can mean growth, hope, and freedom.
Lead me forward, even if the path feels unfamiliar.
I know you’re walking with me.
Amen.

St Matthew 8: 23 – 27
And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A gale arose on the lake, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.  And they went and woke him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’  And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm.  They were amazed, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?’

Reflection
Jesus always seemed to be on the way somewhere.  Some times walking, some times in a boat.  Several of the disciples were fishermen so we aren’t surprised by this mode of travel.  What is surprising here is the fear of the disciples in the boat.  Either they didn’t calculate the weather properly or the storm was much fiercer than they expected.  The waves were crashing into the boat.   The disciples were overwhelmed with fear.  

In contrast, Jesus was peacefully asleep.  They had to wake him.  When they did, he calmed the storm.  The chaos of the deep was made safe by the Lord.  They ask, ‘who is this man,’ but his actions indicate who he is – God’s chosen one with God’s power.  

On our own journeys through life we sometimes find ourselves caught up in surprising storms.  We are overwhelmed and feel we are sinking below the waves.  It even feels like God is asleep while we feel we are drowning in the cares of our families, our friends, and the problems of the world.  

The story affirms that God is not asleep at the wheel of the boat.   In Jesus we see that God is the ruler of the wind and rain and the bringer of order to chaos.  Jesus’ role in the story enables us to see the presence and power of God.   We see Jesus’ connection to God.  

We also see that God, as the creator of the universe, is in the boat with us.  When the waters are calm, God is there.  When the waters are choppy, God is there.  Even when we wonder if everyone but us is asleep to the pain and struggles around us, we are assured that God is at work in the life of the world.  

Our journey with the Creator continues.  May we be present to the Creator’s work and the gift of peace.

Prayer
Creator, we are on our way.  
We thank you for being in the boat with us.  
When we sail smoothly through life, 
we thank you.  
When the journey is rough, 
we commit ourselves to you.  
Help us continue to affirm you and your presence 
on this journey of life.  Amen.

Wednesday, 26 November 2025 

Tuesday, 25 November 2025

St Matthew 8: 14 – 17

When Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were possessed by demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. This was to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, ‘He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.’

Reflection

When I saw this text was available to reflect upon, I immediately scrolled past it.  No! Definitely one to avoid. For me anyway. Except … as I surveyed more appealing texts, a little part of my brain kept asking me why not?  And the answer is that I joked many years ago that Jesus only healed Peter’s mother-in-law so he could get some supper! And, yes I am also uncomfortable at the thought of the text being used to enforce a traditional role of women as serving to men. Apologies if that is patronising or mansplaining.

But, seriously, if you arrived at someone’s house and they were in need of something that you could offer, what would you do? Jesus, I see, responded entirely appropriately and cured the lady of her ailment. She, now healthy, responded, also entirely appropriately, by offering hospitality and food. Something that she was clearly amply qualified to do!

It was also something that Jesus almost certainly needed in the midst of his hectic ministry of teaching and healing. No slouch, our Saviour, having eaten and managed a tiny bit of rest, then found the word was out that The Healer was there.  And off he went again healing, curing, making whole.

Could he have done all that on an empty stomach? Almost certainly I’d imagine. But, surely, it was more bearable having received this wonderful woman’s grateful offering? 

I think, after years of looking at this text in embarrassment, I can finally appreciate it … and hope you can too?

Prayer

Lord give us the insight 
to see or hear when others need what we can offer 
and to respond by doing what we can.
Lord we give thanks for those 
who have done likewise for us,
Amen.