Lunch - Week 9

Oh, okay then, i’ll go first….

John 20 is an awesome chapter, it’s the mystery of the whole thing, the empty tomb, and the rather surprising actions of various people that got me thinking. Hopefully some of it will make sense.

The first thing which is key is that Mary Magdalene was the first to get to the tomb (in John’s gospel), before light she was there. We can probably assume that following the events of the crucifixion, the disciples would have left Jerusalem and gone to neighbouring towns to escape recrimination, and then returned later under the cover of darkness. “Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter”, never more true than in this situation. Only a few would have remained at that time. That would explain why the disciples wouldn’t have turned up en masse at the grave.

But the question still remains, why would Mary have been the first? She brings John and Peter to the tomb to see that it is empty, but then, for some reason they have a look at the tomb and the strips of linen, and then just go home!! Mary is left sobbing at the tomb, while the other two go home. If they somehow had faith to know that Jesus was going to rise again, surely their reaction would be more pronounced than simply leaving. There is no recording of their fear, confusion, shock, or even grief. In the immediate aftermath of such an event, it’s almost impossible to believe that they disciples were just waiting for Jesus to return, because not all of them understood that he was going to.

I love the fact that when Jesus did come among them again, his first words were “Peace be with you”. This just knocks me sideways, the fact that after all the pain, all the humiliation, all the abandonment, all the separation, that his first words are words of grace and love toward his disciples who were gathered. No matter what he went through, it shows truly that he went through it for our sakes, and wants us to have peace in our hearts just as he asked his joyful followers to have at that time.

Hi!
I’d just like to ask for help….
I started off really well, for the first 7 weeks…then it all went totally pear shaped…I can’t get back into reading my bible…there’s just a total mental block…any ideas how to get back into it?
Also, how do i stop my reading being a mental excercise and make it really mean something??

Julia, thanks for your really honest question. I’m sure that you are not alone in this.

Try not to beat yourself up over it as what we have attempted here is quite a big ask. Ten chapters a week is a fantastic habit to get into but it’s a tough one to get into too.

Just looking at it, it might not seem a lot. Many people read more than that in fiction every week (not me you understand, I’ve never been a big reader) but we need to remember that we are in a battle. Satan does not want you to read your Bible so he will put as many obstacles in your way as he possibly can.

Some things that have helped me.

1. I need a regular slot. Habit often has negative conatations but this is a good one to have. If you do it at the same time every day then over time it will seem natural.

2. I have found having a not pad (or laptop) has really helped. When I read a passage I try to write everything down that comes to mind; thoughts, questions, surprises, links to other parts of the bible, what’s it telling me, anything that comes to mind.

3. Always pray before you start. Pray for the spirit of revelation to open the passage up. Pray for protection against distraction.

There is a certain level of discipline involved. Sometimes you will not want to do it even after the course of habit forming as set in. ut sometime we have to force ourselves to do things simply because a) we are told to (search the scriptures), b) it’s good for us (cannot live by bread alone)

Hope that helps.

Anybody else got some top tips.

Julia, thats something I’ve struggled with all my life - I start off something new with such good intentions but it can fall to pieces so quickly.

I try to make reading the bible a bit of an event in my day, after all as well as being for instruction reading the bible should be fun! It’s the time of my day that I sit down with a cup of coffee, stick some Hans Zimmer soundtrack on, pig out on some chocolate and relax. All those things help me to forget about the business of the day and focus on whats ahead.

Hope this helps

Well I’m back. I’m sure you survived with out me, so thanks Rob for filling in for me there.

It’s been a frustrating couple of weeks; you have to love it when your motherboard dies. Anyway completely up and running now. Had a little bit of a realisation during the process too.

When ever I get computer problems I am screwed. I have absolutely no idea about computers, when mine breaks I am normally on the phone to my geeky/tacky friends like Rob to ask how to fix it. It’s a horrible feeling though when you are completely out of control, the problem could just be a simple fix but as I have no knowledge of the area I am completely helpless.

It made me realise how important it is to know the bible. When problems occur in our life knowing the bible inside out is probably the best way to know God’s view on the situation. If I have no idea what I’m basing my life on then that can result in that horrible feeling of being completely helpless (which is sometimes good, means we have to put our trust in God)

Anyway, to catch up on some of your posts, thanks Julia and Dave, great to hear your feedback.

Being consistent in our time with God and reading of His word is a huge challenge.

If you hadn’t already noticed a lot the thing we do on ‘threedays’ are done not just because they might benefit those that read them but mainly because it helps our spiritual lives.

So for example I find it really helpful doing ‘Lunch’ because I know I have to do a small post each week so that really motivates me to keep on top of the reading. One suggestion Julia would be that at the end of each Lunch week try and drop a post to say what parts stood out for you, if you knew you had to do that each week it might motivate you keep going with it? Just a practical suggestion that I know helps me.

Look forward to hearing some suggestions for the New Year!