Canvey Island Methodist Church Bible Study 4th November 2020
Canvey Methodist Church Bible Study. 3rd November 2020 In our Bible Study this week there are two Bible passages. The first is Psalm 116, part of a series of Psalms known as the Hallel. (Psalms 113-118). More on this later. The second is from Mark 14: 12-26, the account of Jesus enjoying a last Supper with his friends, the disciples. Did you know that the Passover meal also included a sing a long at the end? Please read on….. Psalm 116:1-10. New International Version 1 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
Mark 14:12-26. New International Version. The Last Supper 13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” 16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” 19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” 20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the[c] covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives
Key Verse : Mark 14:26. New International Version When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Whilst it is true that every week brings about a whole host of developments and changes, the week through which we are all living, promises to be one that will bring about changes that, most likely, will influence and effect the course of history for the next few years, if not beyond; The people of the United States of America are voting to choose their next (or indeed perhaps the same) president, England is about to experience its second Covid 19 lockdown (along with many of its European neighbours), and sadly, several European nations are dealing with the aftermath of some deadly extremist attacks. In the vernacular of the meteorological office, stormy, gale force winds are blowing, dark clouds of fear and uncertainty are gathering and an icy cloak of a deepening depression threatens to wrap itself around normal life as we have known it. Amy Peterson, writing in this week’s “Finding Hope in the Psalms" reflects that Jesus, upon realising that His death was imminent, spent part of the same evening singing with his friends words from this very Psalm 116, and indeed those which immediately precede and follow it. And as He did so, Jesus also praised God’s faithful love for Him (117:2) and he thanked God for Salvation (118:4). Surely these psalms comforted Jesus on the night before His crucifixion because straight after singing them he went off out into the night to meet what he knew would inevitably follow. Jesus’ trust in God was so great that even as He approached His own death (a death He had done nothing to deserve) He chose to sing of God’s love. Whatever we may be facing this week, may each of us take heart that we are not walking alone. God is with us both directly and through fellowship with each other. We can therefore be sure in our faith that because of Jesus, in spite of the unfolding events of this week, we too can have confidence in Him; that whatever we face, God is with us. Amen Ponderings. 1 Amazing grace (how sweet the sound) that saved a wretch like me! 2 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; 3 Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come: 'tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. 4 The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures; 5 Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease:
A Prayer His love endures forever. May God bless us all this week In Christian Love Colin |