What Jesus do you trust in?

Sunday, 19 March 2023 by

Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 19 March 2023

What Jesus do you trust in?

The life of God’s people can often seem a roller-coaster. After the highs of the Transfiguration for three disciples, we walk down the mountain to the lows of the nine below, whose faith is wavering. This is not a new state of affairs – just read the Exodus accounts! And just as God is, time and time again, Jesus expresses a holy exasperation. He also utters an explanation: ‘Because of your little faith!’ (vs.20). Again, the present tense jumps out – and we are encouraged to confront the same explanation. What Jesus do we trust in? Do we trust in Jesus? The Jesus to trust in is the Almighty-God-in-the-flesh who is rejected, dies, is buried and rises from the dead. That King is worth knowing and trusting. Do we?

Scripture References: Matthew 17:14-27, Psalms 12:1-8, Deuteronomy 32:1-20

From Series: "Matthew"

More From "Matthew"

Powered by Series Engine

Sunday, 22 June 2025
Give Thanks to the Lord
from Bernard Gabbott
The psalms were written across the history of God’s people. But they were composed as God’s people returned from the Exile. And Psalm 107 poses this question: what were the words on their lips? At the heart of their time under judgement was their coming to know two truths: only the LORD rescues because only the LORD transforms. And this meant that they could return with thanks on their lips and in their hearts – because of the LORD’s work. Jesus himself knew this truth, lived this truth, sang this psalm. And this means we can, too. And so, what words are on your lips today?
Sunday, 15 June 2025
Build your life on the solid foundation of God's word
from Trace Akankunda
On first reading, it seems fair to ask why Lamentations 4? It’s a fair question to ask because, for the most part, the poet simply rehashes chapters 1-3. But upon further meditation on the poem, one comes to appreciate its value for God’s people in helping them process and respond rightly to his judgement in repentance and faith. In his judgment against Judah, God is not only reversing their fortunes but also restoring their hope in Him alone.
Sunday, 8 June 2025
I am the Man Who has seen Affliction
from Bernard Gabbott
‘I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of God’s wrath’ (Lam.3:1). In the third poem of lament, we hear from the poet himself – and his description is striking. He is a man. He is obviously in the middle of this tragedy. He has experienced it personally, and yet he also seems to speak representatively. Who is this man? I think it is most likely Jeremiah – the prophet who had laboured for 40 years calling God’s people back. And he did experience all this personally (just compare Jeremiah 38 with Lam.3:52-57) – and so, he can also speak representatively. As he experiences the immense dissonance of, for example, the ‘rod’ of God that guides him safely (remember Ps.23:4) through the ‘valley of the shadow of death’ which now brings affliction, where does he turn? What does he consider? Jeremiah turns to the bedrock theological truths of the LORD – and so, he waits patiently on Him, and trusts that His ‘faithful love’ will bring deliverance.