Tag: Matthew

If two of us agree on something it has heavenly consequences. It’s meant to put us on notice. A community marked by love and restoration.

There were 12 disciples – but only one felt inclined to get out of the boat and take a short walk. Perhaps you are that one person in 12?

What if you received an e-mail from ‘God’? Would you open it? Would it make a difference if ‘God’ was offering you a free gift but you had to press on a link?

Doesn’t that sound wonderful? Rest. An easy yoke. A light burden. Sounds almost too good to be true, in today’s rapid-fire, high-pressure, no-excuses world.

It was 8pm and it was a Thursday. Jesus was stood outside the front door at the time, applauding the key workers…

Jesus says: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves”. When the going gets tough, you are going to have to dig-in. You must prepare to be different.

Jesus shared this story to give us our own template on how we too can resist temptation. He taught us which tools we can use, the words of God. To be prepared for when it comes our way, when we are vulnerable.

Old Trafford has a number of places of worship. Our banns were heard at St Hilda’s, Old Trafford. But far and away the largest place of worship has thousands of adherents. Every Saturday, or thereabouts, they gather to chant devotion to their god. At times they will invite the leader of the worship, dressed in black, to improve his eyesight. They cheer whenever the team in red puts the ball into the net…

It’s often said that history is written by the victors. But what must it feel like to be defeated in war? Ashamed, frightened, disorientated, demoralized, physically hurt, mentally traumatized, angry at those who promised that you would be victorious, relieved the fighting is over, struggling to survive, cold, hungry…??

As the Word made flesh and dwelling among us, Jesus physically demonstrated the continuity of God, his unchanging love and mercy that we can always count upon. But he also showed us the God of surprises too. He changed what we thought about God and challenged the pre-conceived ideas that he came across. In physical, bodily form – as the body language of God – Jesus re-imagined God for us.