SUNDAY 5TH APRIL 2020
HOSANNAH! It’s hard to believe, as we enter this significant week on the Christian calendar, Holy Week, that we are unable to meet together to remember and celebrate. It’s a week when we reflect on the fulfilment of the great messianic prophecies. When we mourn the consequences of our sin taken on in the death of Jesus Christ. But also when we celebrate with great jubilation that we serve a risen saviour who overcame death and gave us the gospel, good news. You’ll have seen the way people are rightly responding to the selfless work of our NHS staff by way of applause, cheers and music on the streets every Thursday at 8pm. The important thing will be not to forget that gratitude and admiration when in the future we return to normality. It might be tempting once more to complain about the provision of care, or the length of waiting lists. But we mustn’t forget the way in which these dedicated professionals have given of themselves when asked. It was the case for Jesus as he rode in to Jerusalem, people cheered, clapped and treated him like royalty on his arrival. But just a short time later, the same crowds would be calling for his crucifixion. I reflect a little more on this in the thought this week. It’s human nature to change our minds according to what suits us best personally. But at this time of national emergency, our greatest strength is prevailing, which is that of unity, community and cooperation. It is these virtues that are bringing out our best character and also meaning that other people can survive through this and survive it well. I was encouraged when meeting with the Care for People in Emergencies Group at the CnES this week to hear of the numbers of people who are volunteering help to the various communities across the island. This has come from individuals, companies and faith groups. All of us are pooling our resources well to reach the people who need it most. For example, maintenance workers for HHP have been redeployed to deliver essentials to residents who are self-isolating and they have collected some things from us to deliver to people using their vans. I hope when all this has passed, that the other thing we won’t forget is our ability to do amazing things as a community when we all work together. We have been called upon to step up to respond to a crisis, and I think it’s fair to say The Salvation Army has played its part well. But so too have many other individuals, community groups and companies. Surely this is what Jesus was teaching us about when calling us to love our neighbours. Surely this community of looking after each other is what Christ called us all to be. ‘May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,’ that great community of saints.
The Salvation Army Stornoway Corps 59 Bayhead Stornoway HS1 2DZ
“We exist to worship God, to support each other and to serve our community. ” REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 214779 AND IN SCOTLAND: SC009359
Corps Officers Lts. Callum & Emma Newton Callum.newton@salvationarmy.org.uk
Telephone: 01851 703875 Mobile: 07493 880058
@stornowaysalvationarmy
Something to listen to...
Sunday meetings at 11:00am and 6:00pm. Listen online at www.fortressradio.online (Broadcasting music all week).
Enjoy a ‘30 Minute Gospel Music Hymn Sing’ with many songs that I’m sure you’ll know and be able to sing along to with great pleasure and blessing. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the ones you don’t know too! It’s a great way to spend half an hour giving praise to the Lord. Find it here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=wCJeI78J1ho
Luke 19: 38“Blessed is 39the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” It was a triumphant return to Jerusalem for Jesus. The Messiah rode in to the city on a donkey, just as had been prophesied and the people believed in him and shouted aloud their praise. The Pharisees didn’t believe in him, they wanted the crowd silenced, but Jesus told them that there is no stopping the praises of our God and King. But this great moment was tinged with sadness in the heart of the Lord who knew what was to come a short time later. 41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The story of the great fall from triumphal entry to crucifixion is played out in the continuing of the story in Luke as we read of the message Jesus had for the people of Jerusalem. The message of God to them was not one that sat well with their own lifestyles. They were not words they wanted to hear. It was not all comfort and self-gratification. Firstly, he chased all the cheating businessmen out of the temple (19:45-46) and followed that up by teaching the truth of the gospel in the temple, which greatly upset the priests and teachers who wanted him dead (19:47-48). He spoke out against the practices of the teachers of the law and the chief priests (20:9-19) and told people to pay their taxes honourably (20:20-26). He spoke about heaven and marriage (20:27-40), the Messiah (20: 41-44) and hypocrites (20:45-47) with unquestionable authority. He challenged their offerings to the church (21:1-4), and warned them to be ready for the final days (21: 5-37). He warned them; ‘Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.’ (21:34). All of these things challenged Jerusalem, people knew they were hearing the truth because they kept coming back to hear more, but for many, the truth was too hard to handle. The response was a betrayal. By a close friend and then by the crowds that had once cheered him on. They found it was easy to praise the name of Jesus and sing ‘Hosanna’ when it didn’t cost them anything. They were less keen to cheer for Jesus when it meant there had to be some changes in their lives. Humans can be very fickle creatures, and we can be very stubborn to change. We like people who tell us what we do is fine, and get angered by those who challenge us. Perhaps sometimes we should be listening for the voice of God in the challenges. It can be easy to sing about Jesus on Sunday and praise His name in church. But it usually costs us much more to keep following him all the rest of the week. Currently we do not have the luxury of meeting in church, it is therefore easy to forget to worship. Perhaps some of you might have put any conscious effort to nurture your faith on hold until we can get back to church. We shouldn’t just wave our palm branches when it is convenient, lest we should be considered one of the hypocrites. We should give all of our lives, always, as an act of worship and service to our God. We have the privilege of living our lives as an act of worship because he gave up his life in an act of sacrifice. Jesus wept over Jerusalem on the day of his triumphal entry. He saw how close they were to understanding and receiving the gospel and their sure salvation. So near yet so far. I am convinced that there is still weeping in heaven for those who come so close to understanding the gospel, perhaps even profess to have faith, but their life is still consumed by evil and bad choices. They still crave more money, lust for more lovers, deny Christ when it suits, or all manner of other things. But until the final day of which Jesus spoke in Luke 21, which will come upon us when we least expect it, it’s not too late. Just as Jesus weeps over the lost; ‘In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’ (Luke 15:10). Perhaps you know of some people who are so close to receiving the gospel but have not yet truly been to Jesus to receive their salvation. Remember to especially uphold them in your prayers this week. Be in contact with them. Offer them your prayers, your support, a word of scripture and anything else that might lead them to a fuller knowledge of the saviour. Lets pray that as a result, when we come together to wave palm branches next year, we’ll have many new faces among our fellowship of believers.
Prayer Focus God of compassion, be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation. In their loneliness, be their consolation; in their anxiety, be their hope; in their darkness, be their light; through him who suffered alone on the cross, but reigns with you in glory, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Please remember in your prayers… • International political leaders, scientists and medics working to overcome the virus. • The thousands of families who have lost loved ones and have been unable to say a proper goodbye to them. • The work at our own corps and the need to have enough food. • The many people who have come through our doors or have had food delivered to them by Stornoway Salvation Army in the last few weeks. S.A. Songbook 362 1. Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising, Give me joy in my heart, I pray; Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising, Keep me praising till the break of day:
Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna!
Sing hosanna to the King of kings! Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna to the king! 2. Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting, Give me peace in my heart, I pray; Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting, Keep me resting till the break of day:
3.Give me love in my heart, keep me serving, Give me love in my heart, I pray; Give me love in my heart, keep me serving, Keep me serving till the break of day:
Something to watch...
There are a number of videos available to watch on UK Salvation Army’s YouTube page. https://www.youtube.com/user/salvationarmyvideo Amongst other videos detailing the work of The Salvation Army, you will find some videos specifically featuring the Army’s response to the Covid–19 crisis. You will also find a weekly message from the Territorial Commander who offers some helpful spiritual reflections for us all during this unusual time. It really is worth taking a few minutes to listen to the Commissioner’s thoughts and also to keep an eye out for further messages over Easter. You will also find on the channel, music and other helpful videos to aid worship at home. A further search on YouTube will find similar encouraging messages from The General.