Read “The Walk to Emmaus” in Luke 24 : 13 – 35

Their footprints were going in the wrong direction, away from Jerusalem, away from the other believers and away from all that had happened. They were leaving behind all that had happened, not only the tragedy of the crucifixion but also their hopes and dreams of a New Way of Life, a New Order of things. The powerful Jesus, the Prophet had been seized by men of power and effectively disposed of. where was the power now? where was the Hope? All seemed to be lost so they journey back. A painful journey emotionally, having to go back and face their community.

You can see why they are confused, the reports are that the Tomb is empty, what does that mean? the two argued as they walked along and quietly, their living proof, Jesus started to walk alongside them. He joined them as it was always safer journeying in numbers.

Jesus had looked out for them and had decided to help His followers and He did so personally. This is because not only were they waking in the wrong direction but their thinking was also back to front. They had all the elements of the narrative of Jesus but they saw only despair, they could not see past the crucifixion. How could someone survive the cruelties of the Romans, the sentence placed on Him by the Sanhedrin?

Jesus walked alongside to teach and to show them where they were going wrong. He took time with them, He sought them out, He changed their direction from going away from the right path to set their feet on the right path. When they realised who He was their hearts were lifted, they were shifted from darkness to light, from despair to utter happiness.

There are times in our lives when we go off in the wrong direction spiritually, when, maybe, we lose faith and wander off, or, find the teaching too hard, or even are called to a specific task and find ourselves walking in the opposite direction. It wouldn’t be the first time or the last. Yet in each case, the Lord gets alongside and calls us back, back on to the straight path. He does not shout from on high to condemn, there is no finger pointing, no list of wrongs cast up. Jesus walks alongside to send us out on to the straight path, to make sure our footprints are facing in the right direction. May you gain that sense of Jesus ever with you as you strike out this week on life’s journey.

LET US PRAY

LOVING GOD,

We thank You that Jesus walks alongside 

and guides us gently on to the right path of life.

we thank You that there is always 

the opportunity to change direction

and be able to walk closer with You.

A walk which gives such peace and comfort and 

The glory of a new direction in life.

We ask in Jesus Name. AMEN

“They pulled the boats up on the beach, left everything, and followed Jesus.”  [Luke 5 : 1 – 11]

Jesus was doing something new and the effect was far-reaching. So come with me and imagine yourselves by the shore of Galilee, the bright sun sparkling off the water, which edges it way in along the sand. The place is busy, busy with fishermen landing and the fish going off to be prepared and always people around. Let us be part of the crowd now, pressing closer so that we can hear what He is saying. Something new and something intriguing. 

Jesus stops, He gets into Peter’s boat and starts to preach and in the natural amphitheatre by the lake, everyone can hear Him and they cannot get enough. Jesus has come out of the synagogue to go out to the people in order to tell them about the Love of God. usually teaching takes place in the Temple or in the Synagogue and the Rabbi’s teach disciples who go to them. Yet now Jesus starts a tradition of reaching out to people, something which is practised right down to this day. We think of Mission and Outreach where Church is open to all in different ways such as Café church for example.

Jesus speaks and he speaks in a way that He reaches the heart of each one there. He speaks with such simplicity that everyone understands message right away, that God is Love and He Loves all people. He reached the heart of Peter who is amazed and impressed by the size of the catch. This was someone special and too good, this led Peter to declare that He was a “sinful man” and did not feel worthy of being in Jesus presence.

Yet Jesus understood Peter and his confession but wiped it away as the waves wipe out the marks on the sand. He offered Peter and Andrew, then James and John a new direction, a new way of life, which they accepted without a second thought. 

He offers this life to each one of us, to follow Him, even if we think we are not good enough, or have blown our chances through our past mistakes. He deals with that and clears the past, just as the waves smooths out the writing on the sand. It is what lies ahead that is really important. God is doing something new in this church and we look forward not only in faith but also with anticipation. He opens our eyes to the possibilities of being involved in the church and in the community. Have you heard His Call? Has He touched your heart? Then listen out for that call and follow Him.

LET US PRAY

LOVING LORD,

We love to walk along the shore of Galilee in our imagination.

We love to hear of the miracles and teaching of Jesus.

May we be open to Your Call

And may we be prepared to follow wherever You Lead.

For we know that we are ever in Your Hands

For You Love us and will always be with us.

We give You Thanks and pray in Jesus Name 

AMEN

“Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things.” [Matthew 6 : 33] 

Who among us could live without computers? They are everywhere you look and are necessary for so much in our lives. But they are only recent things, just three generations ago the Chairman of IBM declared there is a world for only five computers. As recently as 1977 the President of Digital Equipment claimed there is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home! 

The revolution was brought about by Steven Jobs who was just 21 when he and Steve Wozniak invented the Apple Computer. Up till then computers were the size of a small room, they managed to create something which was the size of a box and could sit on a desk. They offered their invention to Atari, they got knocked back, they tried Hewlett Packard and again knocked back. 

So Jobs sold his car and Wozniak sold his calculator and they had 1300 dollars and started Apple Computers, they called it Apple in memory of a happy summer that Steve Jobs had spent working in an orchard. The rest as they say is history. Everything was going well as far as the visionary side was going but Jobs soon realised that he needed someone with great management expertise. He approached the then President of Pepsi Cola John Sculley and asked him to join the company. He got knocked back.

He tried again and got knocked back again. Finally in a last ditch effort he presented his vision and asked the following question – “ Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or do you want a chance to change the world?” It took no time for Sculley to answer yes and the company went from strength to strength and they did change the world.

Jesus comes to us with the same question – “do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or do you want a chance to change the world?” most of us spend our lives making sugared water, going to work to accumulate more possessions and perhaps finding space for God and the world in our spare time. But Jesus had a vision to change the world. His was a vision of the Kingdom of God and He Calls us to place it at the centre of our lives, to put God first before all things. To Pray for guidance and courage in all that we do, to give thanks for all that we have, and all that we are.

AMEN

[The information about Apple Computers can be found on “ideafinder” website.

LET US PRAY

LOVING GOD,

You are the all in all, the beginning and the end, the centre of all things

We give You thanks for this life and all its blessings.

For joys great and simple.

For gifts and powers more than we deserve,

For the light in this world, brought to us by Jesus,

Shining ever through the Holy Spirit.

We pray in Jesus Name. AMEN

“A poor boy was selling goods from one door to another to pay for his studies. One day he found that he had only one dime left, and he was hungry. While approaching the next house, he decided to ask for a meal.

But when a young woman has opened the door, he only dared to ask for a glass of water. She looked at him and understood that probably the boy is hungry. So she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it and then asked how much he owed her. The woman replied: „You don‘t own me anything. Mother taught us never to accept pay for a kindness“. „Then I thank you from the bottom of my heart“, – he said and felt that now is stronger not only physically, but his faith in God has grown as well. The boy‘s name was Howard Kelly.

Many years have passed. One day that woman became seriously ill. Local doctors could not help her. Therefore they sent her to a big city, where her rare disease would be studied by specialists. Dr Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he entered her room in the hospital, he immediately recognized the woman, that showed kindness to him, when he was poor. The doctor was determined to do his best to help her recover from her disease.

The struggle was long, but together they managed to overcome her illness. After some time the woman received a bill for her treatment. She was worried that the amount to pay would be so significant, that it would take the rest of her life to pay for it. Finally, when the woman looked at the bill, she noticed words that were written on the side of the bill. The words were: „Paid in full with a glass of milk“. “

I found this story the other day and it just shows that every action no matter how small has an effect we can never calculate. To show care and even the smallest act of kindness is doing the work of the Lord, this lady’s kindness not only physically helped the poor boy but spiritually as ell. Have you thought about the effect your kind actions or words have had on others? Maybe not, but they have and you never know what will happen when we all show even a little kindness.

LOVING LORD,

We thank You for the small acts of kindness shown to us,

Save us from taking them for granted and help us to appreciate each one.

We thank You for those whose lives are filled with thoughtfulness and kindness,

May we emulate them in our lives and strive to be kinder every day.

We remember the Loving Kindness of Jesus and above all give thanks for Him.

We pray in His Name

AMEN

“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven: May your holy name be honoured;
¹⁰ may your Kingdom come;” [Matthew 6 : 9-10]

How do you view God? Right now, stop and have a think, what picture is in your mind’s eye when you think of God? is it a rather austere individual sitting on a magnificent throne, glaring down at humanity – throwing lightening bolts just like the depictions in films? Aloof and judgemental and when we pray every gift has to be bargained for or coerced out of Him? Or maybe you see a mocking God, one who sees all and knows all yet does stays apart for each of us and in a very mechanical and bureaucratic way deals with people. [I hope not]

Or do you see a Loving Father who is so keen to be so generous to His children that He will give them whatever they ask for that is good? This is the image which is the true one of God. We are the children of God and we have the right and the ability to call on God directly in our prayers and to call Him Father. It was Jesus who introduced the world to the vision of God as Father and it is underlined in the prayer that He Taught us. He said, “Our Father “, the word He used was “Abba” which means Dad, a more familiar way of speaking and it implies that Love and Gracious Nature of God towards His people.

Jesus was keen to teach everyone around that God is Love and this was a hard lesson for the people at the time because their vision of God [or gods thought of by the gentiles] was either one of the two scenarios described at the beginning, dark and judgemental or capricious and uncaring. 

His teaching though was to change the mind-set of the time to see God as a Fatherly Figure, one who cares, provides, supports and gives to His children. Difficult as this last point is to take on board as we are not that good at asking. A child would ask – they don’t worry about convention or even being polite. They just come out with it and ask for the toy or the ice cream or whatever, and generally we respond by giving which is a natural response, if you can, you give. How much more does God the Father give to us?

But as adults we hang back and refrain from asking because we are not used to asking for ourselves. We are independent people, we can cope, we don’t need help, we are grown ups. We pray for others and ask for help, or courage, or support for them and can do so quite easily. The question is – have you done so for yourself? Have you prayed for help when it is most needed, have you asked for patience in a difficult situation, have you been stressed out of your mind? 

God is just as concerned about us and our daily lives. If He is our Father as we say He is in our prayers – then remember to treat Him as such. Not as a stern judge glaring down or as a bureaucrat but as the Father He is. The God of Love, the Father who loves us. The image of God is Love and kindness and beauty and I hope that is the image you have of Him.

LET US PRAY

Heavenly Father,

WE PRAISE YOU THAT WE CAN APPROACH YOU AS YOUR CHILDREN,

AND RESPOND TO YOU AS OUR FATHER IN A SPIRIT OF LOVING ADORATION,

WE THANK YOU THAT YOU CARE FOR US, MORE THAN ANY FATHER CARES FOR HIS CHILDREN,

WE REJOICE IN YOUR LOVING CARE FOR US AND GIVE THANKS FOR THE SECURITY THAT GIVES US

WITH GRATEFUL HEARTS WE GIVE YOU OUR PRAISE AND COMMIT OURSELVES TO YOUR SERVICE.

WE ASK IN JESUS NAME.

AMEN

“Do not be afraid—I am with you!  I am your God—let nothing terrify you!
I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.” [Isaiah 41 : 10]

Jesus sent His Disciples out [Mark 6 : 7 – 13] in pairs to go out to the villages and neighbourhoods to preach the Good News. This was scary stuff for the Disciples, so far, they had been in the passenger seat. Smiling as they went along, taking all the kudos for being with Jesus. Oh yes, they special friends of His didn’t you know, and what they had seen and the stories they could tell – – – -. 

Jesus, remember was becoming a celebrity, everyone wanted to know Him, be near Him and to hear what He had to say. So being a Disciple was pretty good. Jesus stood in front of the crowds, dealt with critics, and the authorities. He called the shots and made the decisions. So far so good but that “honeymoon time” was coming to an end, now it was their turn. It was like a precipice had appeared and they were standing at the edge of it.

Have you ever been there, where you suddenly realise that you are on your own and have to get on with it? For me it was the first time [too many years ago to mention] I stepped onto the ward during my nurse training and somebody shouted “Nurse” and I looked round and was staggered to realise they meant me. I was armed with knowledge and had all the experience of the tutors behind me but now was the time to put this into practice. 

Or for you it might be the first time you drive the car after passing the test. Where was the comforting voice guiding you through the traffic? Going on your own is quite a step in the dark despite all that training and encouragement. 

For the Disciples it was a big moment, so what did tip the scales between stepping back and dropping out and deciding to go forward? What made these uneducated ordinary working men go forward then and much later after the resurrection of Jesus? A devotional writer Max Lucado sums it up as having “an ounce more devotion than fear”. 

The Disciples travelled light and simply depended on God’s Grace. They were Called by Jesus and Sent out by Him and they at all times went in His Strength. They believed the promise that they would never be alone. For us, in the here and now we also step forward trusting in God to give us the strength and courage to carry out His work in the world. 

Sometimes in this life, Jesus nudges us a bit, but never to something we cannot cope with. So many people have surprised themselves when they have found themselves taking part in the church life. finding talents that they never knew they had because Jesus always wants the best for us and brings out the best in us. The best part of all we know that we are never alone for He will always be with us.

LET US PRAY

LOVING FATHER,

Thank You for Your continuing Presence in our lives,

For Your Encouragement, and Support,

For Your Call to Service

And for the opportunity we have to be all that we can be.

We ask in Jesus Name.

AMEN

Have you heard of John Newton, maybe not but you have heard his most famous hymn? I found this little story of his life and I would like to share it with you, I do not know who wrote this but is beautifully written.

“To be at sea in a storm on an ocean liner can be thrilling. To face a storm in a sailing vessel that is not seaworthy can be terrifying.  The boat in which John Newton sailed was in disrepair and it sails and rigging worn. A hard man who had often mocked God, John was considered impious even by his godless mates. One night he was wakened by a violent wave crashing against the vessel. Water filled his cabin, hurrying above he found that timbers had been ripped away. All were in terrible danger as the ship plunged through a furious storm. Men pumped desperately. Clothes and bedding were stuffed into holes and boards nailed over them. John joined those who were manning the pumps.

Too exhausted to pump any longer, he was lashed to the wheel to try and steer the ship. The storm raged on and on. It was bitterly cold, the more so because since the men had few clothes left. In this desperate moment John turned his eyes back over his life. raised to the age of seven by a Christian mother, he had sought the Lord with fasts and prayers, but failing to find God he had become embittered. Despite this, the Lord preserved him through many dangers, once he was even made a servant to slaves on the West Coast of Africa.

In his heart he believed Christianity to be true, this brought him no consolation. “ I concluded my sins were too great to be forgiven. I waited with fear and impatience to receive my doom.” But soon he heard the glad news that the ship was freed of water. “I began to pray———-to think of that Jesus that I had so often derided, I recollected His death: a death for sins not His own, but, as I remembered, for the sake of those who should put their trust in Him.” On this day, March 27, 1747 a day he ever after observed, John realised that he needed a Saviour to interceded foe him with God.

He snatched a free moment to open the Bible and began to read. Though the storm raged on for days, John spent every free moment in the Scripture and praying for guidance. Hungry, cold, exhausted, the men kept the ship afloat and only one man died of exhaustion. But the Captain muttered that John should be thrown overboard like Jonah as his wickedness was the cause of all their misery. Finally they reached Ireland.

By then, John was convinced that the Lord had reached down and delivered his soul. The story of the Prodigal Son seemed to fit his case. He never turned back from that day of Salvation, although, not realising that slavery was a sin, he worked six years as a slaver. He showed kindness to the slaves he transported, held worship services for the men and wrote hymns for them. Later he saw that slavery was wrong and he became an abolitionist and a minister. Reflecting on his hard life, he wrote one of the world’s most famous hymns “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now I see.” 

LET US PRAY

MERCIFUL FATHER,

You Call us to walk in Faith,

But we hesitate to do that.

You Call us to Love one another,

But we hesitate to do that,

You Call us to trust in You completely,

But we hesitate to do that,

FORGIVE US our hesitation, our fearfulness, our lack of trust.

Touch our lives with Your Healing Forgiveness,

Put in us a new heart and spirit, that we may follow in all faith

We ask in Jesus Name. AMEN

“Jesus said to him, “Anyone who starts to plough and then keeps looking back is of no use to the Kingdom of God.”  Lk. 9:62.

Nostalgia is wonderful.  We now call it “retro” but whatever we call it, we usually view it through rose-tinted glasses, a soft focus and a wistful sigh.  That’s not to say that looking back isn’t a good thing.  Britain has just celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II which is not only a wonderful achievement but has given many towns, villages and local streets the chance to join together in garden parties to celebrate after what has been a tumultuous two years of a pandemic.

Even so, what Jesus is telling the person here as he’s walking towards Jerusalem, is that looking back doesn’t help God’s message to move forward or move out into communities.  His meaning here in using the word “plough” isn’t literal, it’s metaphorical.  Jesus, by his teaching, has sown the seed in people’s hearts, it’s up to those who’ve listened and understood to then nurture that seed in others, and disciple them so they, in turn, can carry on God’s work.  If one keeps looking back to what one had before, or how things used to be, then the seed planted will remain lifeless, dead and will never be brought to life and nurtured.  

I don’t believe any of us enjoy looking forward as it involves challenges, obstacles, perhaps a new way of thinking, and a letting go of what we’ve known before.  That’s hard for us all with many disliking change, yet it’s not others who are urging us to move forward, it’s God.  If we, in the church today, wish to have a presence in our communities, then we must, with God’s Spirit in us, move forward as “looking back is of no use to the Kingdom of God.”

PRAYER

Living God, we don’t find it easy to journey in faith.  We want a clearer idea of what the future holds, a knowledge of where we are heading and an explanation of how we are going to get there.  Yet neither life nor faith is like that, few things as definite as we would like them to be.  Inspire us, though, by the knowledge that you are journeying with us every step of the way.  Jesus, it’s not easy to follow you; you challenge our whole perspective on life, calling us not just to a statement of belief but to a way of life.  You are always leading us forward, eager to guide us into new experiences of your love and a deeper understanding of your purpose, yet so often we refuse to follow where you would have us go.  Forgive us for losing the sense of direction that marked our early days of discipleship. Forgive us for trusting you when all goes well but doubting the moment life fails to conform to our expectations. Forgive us for thinking that we have done all that needs to be done, imagining that one simple confession of faith suffices for a lifetime.  Take us forward with you, so that we may plough without looking back.  Amen.

“ Then Jesus went to the villages around there, teaching the people. ⁷ He called the twelve disciples together and sent them out two by two. “

The Disciples were sent out in pairs to help and support each other, Jesus Himself, went out and about to come alongside and among the people. So typical of Him to “come alongside” and then get through to all sorts of people in all walks of life.

It is rather lovely to have someone “walk alongside” you to support in time of need. I had an experience of this many years ago, not a spiritual walk alongside but in a practical way. I joined a Church group on a walk to celebrate EasterWeek which was to take place in Glenshee along a very rugged path to Lochnagar which is in the middle of nowhere.

I had not appreciated where the walk was to be and was poorly equipped for such an event. The wrong shoes, the wrong clothes, the wrong attitude as I was expecting a comfortable stroll in the countryside. When I got off the bus and saw that we had to climb a steep track to start off with my heart sunk because I knew that I would never make it easily, if at all.

Determined to make an effort, I did keep going and although the company was great and the scenery stunningly beautiful, I was soon the last one in the group. Worse than that everyone was moving on at a pace much quicker than mine and soon they all disappeared out of sight. It was discouraging and tempting to give up and not bother any more.

However, I was rescued by some of the group who realised that I was not with them. These lovely Christian folk very kindly came back for me and with words of encouragement walked alongside at my pace. They took turns at walking with me and talking lightly and calmly, this got me out of my despondency and got me fired up enough to think, “I could do this.” They gave me confidence and that is such a gift.

In the Gospel narrative, Jesus sends out His Disciples to come alongside people, to stay with them. In that way getting to know a family and then the community, speaking to them in a way they could understand. Building people up and building up their Faith as they go along. Jesus always walked alongside in a lovely, calming, healing way. 

In the journey of life, He walks with us still, strengthening our resolve, deepening our faith, comforting us in times of trouble and celebrating with us in times of joy. That is the most wonderful gift of all.

LET US PRAY

GRACIOUS GOD,

Walk with us in every stage of our journey through life.

Open up to us new horizons, new experiences of Your Love.

Help us to follow Christ as the Disciples of old, getting to walk alongside those in need.

May we respond to Your Call and walk where You lead us,

In the journey of Faith.

Draw us close to You so that Your Transforming Love

May flow in us and through us.

We ask in Jesus Name. AMEN

“Suddenly there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there. ⁴ They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.” [ Acts 2 : 2 – 4]

Last week was Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit came, and it is also the Birth Day of the Christian Church. I was invited to take part in an ecumenical service organised by the Cumbernauld Churches Together in Sacred Heart Chapel. It was a lovely experience all different denominations worshipping together, singing hymns familiar to all of us, listening to the Gospel and Reflections on the Holy Spirit.

In my talk I reminded everyone and all who are reading today, that the Holy Spirit came to Unite not Divide. If you look at the Reading above [at verse 3] you will notice that the tongues of flame appeared on everyone who was there. No distinction between one disciple or the other, no hierarchy noted all received the Flame at the same time and at the same level. 

They started to speak in other languages which emphasises the fact that the Gospel is to go out to the whole world. There were people from fifteen different countries ranging from Crete to Mesopotamia with all their own languages underlining how far the message would go. 

The effect on the Disciples was instantaneous and life-changing, before they had been in hiding, despondent, unsure of which direction they should go. Now they were confident, articulate, courageous, people with a mission and people “on fire” for the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

That is one way the Holy Spirit operates, like a fierce wind, prompting and encouraging people into action. Another way is the Spirit acts is like a soft whisper, gently encouraging and calling people to a mission or for work in the church. That is when you find faithful people serving in the church in a quiet but effective and necessary way. For example, those who provide a warm welcome at the door. This is such a gift to ensure that everyone who comes to church feels part of something and feel wanted.

To demonstrate the work of the Spirit I thought that it would be good to have a practical demonstration where the congregation can see where the wind blows. I decided to blow bubbles into the air and let people see that you never know where they are going to land, just as you never know where the Spirit is going to be next. 

The greatest thing was that I invited Father Campbell to join in and we moved around blowing bubbles over the congregation. It was a wonderful sight, it caused a lot of laughter, and that is often one of the other works of the Spirit is a sense of Delight.

I don’t think any of us will forget that sight and that is also how the Spirit works, thoughts and memories are imbedded and are used as a guide in our lives. The Holy Spirit changed the Disciples from fearful to confident, may He do so for each one of us.

LET US PRAY

LOVING GOD,

WE THANK AND PRAISE FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT

OUR FRIEND, OUR GUIDE, OUR COMFORTER IN TIMES OF TROUBLE

WE THANK YOU FOR THE DELIGHT FOUND IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SPIRIT

HELP US TO WORK TOGETHER AS CHRISTIANS

TO FURTHER YOUR KINGDOM

WE ASK IN JESUS NAME 

AMEN