Fish for people

Wednesday 30 November (Andrew the Apostle)

Matthew 4.18-22  Matthieu 4.18-22

A few weeks ago I received in the post a ‘save the date’ card for the wedding of Andrew and Louise, in June 2017. I'm ashamed to admit that I had to think for several minutes whom Andrew might be, before remembering that he's my 24-year-old God-son. I was not a good choice on his mother's part, I fear, as I've been unable to play much of a rôle in his life, mainly because he grew up in London while I remained over here. For his Christening I embroidered a small picture for the nursery, with his name and the quotation from today's Gospel ‘I will make you fishers of men’, and some jolly fish! This is probably one of the better-known and simplest sayings from the Bible, often quoted to children (did you also sing the Sunday-school favourite of the same name as a child?), but it's also one of the hardest to fulfil. However eagerly I follow Christ, if I try to spread the Word the fish seem to scatter at the sight of me. I don't think I'm alone in being a useless fisherman, but I certainly need God's help to improve my catch. In this season of Advent I pray that God's Word, working in my life, will shine out in the world in the same way as the lanterns that are used by night fishermen to attract fish.

Carol de Lusignan

The Miraculous Catch of Fish Raphael 1515
Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1718094

Celebrity or service?

Tuesday 29 November

Psalm 80, Isaiah 43.1-13

Psalm 80 tells us of Israel’s cry to God to be saved from her enemies. No doubt, from what is recorded in this Psalm, they expected immediate relief from foreign oppression and could not wait for God to restore their freedom and their dominion over neighbouring lands. Only when God has done this for them do they offer to stop disobeying Him and to give Him praise (v 18). So often we are like these Israelites and want to make our loyal service to God conditional on Him first changing our life situation. We could be such devoted disciples if only He would make life easier for us.

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In the Isaiah 43 passage God says that He will save them (v 1), but that does not mean taking away their difficulties in life, but being with them and strengthening them even as they go through trials (v 2). They are very precious to Him, He calls them by name and is prepared to give up whole nations to save their life (vs 1,4).

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Psaume 80   Esaie  Esaie 43.1-13

Psaume 80 nous dit du cri d'Israël à Dieu pour être sauvé de ses ennemis. Sans doute, de ce qui est enregistré dans ce psaume, ils prévu un soulagement immédiat de l'oppression étrangère et ne pouvait pas attendre pour que Dieu restaurer leur liberté et leur domination sur les terres voisines. Seulement quand Dieu l'a fait pour eux, ils offrent d'arrêter Lui désobéir et de lui donner la louange (v 18). Très souvent, nous sommes comme ces Israélites et voulons rendre notre service fidèle à Dieu conditionnel à Lui d'abord changer notre situation de vie. Nous pourrions être ces disciples dévoués, si seulement il rendrait la vie plus facile pour nous.

Dans le passage d’Ésaïe 43 Dieu dit qu'Il les sauver (v 1), mais cela ne signifie pas enlever leurs difficultés dans la vie, mais d'être avec eux et de les renforcer comme ils passent par des essais (v 2). Ils sont très précieux pour Lui, Il les appelle par leur nom et est prêt à renoncer à des nations entières pour sauver leur vie (vs 1,4).

David Fieldsend 

**karma.wiki650 

Rob Playing What Time is it Mr Wolf at Gerihun Refugee Camp. — in Bo, Sierra Leone.

Seek and encounter Him

Matthew 12.1-21   Matthieu 12.1-21

Too often, we get into habits, becoming complacent.  We assume we know the ‘rules’ of our religion and may become judgmental of the behaviour of others. Jesus challenges us, as he challenged the Pharisees, with His understanding of Scripture and of God’s mercy towards us all. 

During this advent, indeed this very day, are we willing to be challenged by the Son of God? At least the Pharisees asked Him about what was happening. Are we willing to seek Him out and encounter Him, in prayer, scripture, one another, all of life?

Ann Milton 

Current Darkness...future hope

Isaiah 2.1-5 - Esaie 2.1-5
The Advent season is a dark season with light shining bright in the distance. Our readings this season contain the same contrast. As we journey through Advent we reflect on upset and uncertainty, yet we hold on to a strong, 'long' hope of certain restoration. Political uncertainty around the globe may worry, but should not unsettle us. The biblical outlook is that things will get worse before they suddenly get better.

The King will return! Despite wars and rumours of war, peace will come. ‘He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples’ (v 4). Nations will turn to the God of Jacob 'that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths' (v 3). Faithful living in times of darkness, walking with Jesus, is what will bring us home. So God's family, 'let us walk in the light of the Lord'! (v 5).

Paul Vrolijk