In our last reflection in John, we looked at Jesus’ description of the Holy Spirit as the divine Advocate. This is indeed a precious gift which Jesus promised to us – but what does the work of this Advocate look like? We already know that He will not just be with us, but in us. This is … Read more
I must confess that I love watching legal dramas. There’s something about the intense atmosphere of a courtroom that draws you in. Something too about how truth is disclosed (or avoided), how arguments are massaged and presented, and ultimately, whether justice is served. Although many such dramas nowadays focus large amounts of time away from … Read more
The annual State Opening of Parliament takes place every year, usually in May. It’s an ancient ceremony, when the monarch presents the legislative proposals for the year. As part of the ceremony, once King Charles is seated in the House of Lords, a gentleman known as the Black Rod will go to the House of … Read more
‘I only wish I could see God – and then I would believe!’ I’m sure many of us have heard this line expressed (or something like it) by people we know and love. They want concrete proof of God’s existence: ‘if only I could see for myself…’ Today’s passage gives us a surprising answer. Humanity can see … Read more
The Alpha Course has been the world’s most popular evangelistic course of the last 30 years or so. At last count, approximately 28 million people had attended one, in every kind of church, right across the globe. Its opening session poses the provocative question: ‘Christianity: boring, untrue, irrelevant?’ The answer lies in the famous verse … Read more
Many people who would never go near a church will be familiar with this passage – it is a much-loved choice for funerals, and you can see why. In a few short verses, Jesus packs in so many wonderful promises: first, a word of comfort to all who feel in distress – as the disciples … Read more
Today we get to the famous conversation between Jesus and Peter – it’s one that touches most of us deeply, not least because we all know how easy it is to do: to make a bold promise in the heat of the moment, which we can’t deliver on when it really matters. There’ll be plenty … Read more
‘Love each other dearly always. There is scarcely anything else in the world but that: to love one another.’ So says Jean Valjean on his deathbed to Marius and Cosette, in Victor Hugo’s great novel Les Miserables. It’s a clear re-enactment of this scene in the gospels, as the hero, facing his own death, passes a … Read more
Today we come to one of the most sobering stories in scripture – Jesus’ betrayal by Judas Iscariot. The story is so famous it has entered our culture: we still use the name ‘Judas’ as a generic term for betrayal. Indeed, the identification of Judas with betrayal is so strong that the two other ‘good’ … Read more
Over the years, I have taken part in a few foot-washing ceremonies – both as the washer and the one being washed. Without doubt, they are some of the most powerful and moving spiritual experiences I’ve had. I still remember my first such experience, many years ago. The pastors at our church were offering it … Read more