v. I am the Resurrection and the Life

Preacher: Alan Cameron

Verses: John 11:25

I am the Resurrection and the Life

Alan Cameron

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The raising of Lazarus from the dead is the climactic miracle of John’s gospel, the last of seven miracles inserted just before the beginning of the final week of Christ’s earthly ministry.  Moreover, it contains the fifth of seven ‘I am’ saying of Jesus viz. “I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they die and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:26).  It also contains the shortest verse in Scripture: “Jesus wept” (v35).  As such it highlights both the divinity of Jesus, his power over life and death, as well as his humanity, his ability to grieve in the face of loss.

 Jesus was “deeply moved in spirit and troubled” (v34) in the face of death and loss.  The word in the original depicts the snorting of a horse at the prospect of battle or staggering under a heavy load.  Jesus was familiar with grief as we are, “A man of sorrow and acquainted with grief” (Isa 53:3).  As one commentator put it, “He gathered up into his personality, all the misery resulting from sin, represented in a dead man and broken-hearted people round him”.

"He would know... that she is a sinner"

Preacher: Lincon Hardouin

Verses: Luke 7:36-50

"He would know... that she is a sinner"

Lincon Hardouin

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This is of course the second Sunday in advent. It is such an amazing time of the year, a time for family, a time for friends, a time to celebrate. With Christmas around the corner, I’m sure the preparations are well underway. Focusing on the family traditions, putting up the Christmas tree, getting all the Christmas shopping done, wondering about and planning the meal for Christmas day… What a wonderful time right. And in the midst of all the joy and the celebration, the one thing that is so often overlooked in today’s society, one person that we think about but not as we should, is the person of Jesus. Jesus, who should be the central focus during, at the very least, this time of the year, is sometimes nothing more than a periphery character, someone we glance at over there, while we focus on what is going on here. 

And this is somewhat true of what Luke records in this passage. There are three characters he mentions, there is Simon the Pharisee, the unnamed woman and then there is Jesus at the very centre of this moment. Luke, in recording this incredibly beautiful passage, makes a very important comparison or distinction between these two people, Simon the Pharisee and the unnamed sinful woman. One being self-righteous, seeking to analyse and understand the person of Jesus in the most logical way possible, but cannot see Him for who he truly is nor what He has truly come to achieve, the other, humble, seeking simply to worship Him, to glorify Him, to be in His presence.

iv. I am the Door

Preacher: Alan Cameron

Verses: John 10:7

I am the Door

Alan Cameron

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The children’s chorus I sang so many years ago is so appropriate when we consider Jesus’ statement “I am the door of the sheep” (v7)

                         There’s a way back to God

                        from the dark paths of sin

                        There’s a door that is open

                        And you may come in

                        At Calvary’s cross is where you begin

                        When you come as a sinner to Jesus.

 Jesus’ great statement is made in the midst of opposition from the pharisees after the Feast of Tabernacles.  They took exception to Jesus healing a man born blind.  Some scholars argue it was made during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) some three months later, celebrating the re-dedication of the temple by Judas Maccabeus after its desecration by the Greeks.  This context suggests that Jesus’ admonition about false shepherds is not directed to the pharisees alone but all false leaders who lead people astray.