Author: Carol Purves

Both Moses and Jesus were faced with danger at a very young age. At the time of Moses’s birth Israelite boys were being drowned in the river Nile. Pharaoh was worried about the increasing number of Israelites and thought killing all the baby boys would overcome the problem. (I could never understand why he didn’t kill the little girls instead.)

In a twist that only God could have planned, Moses was brought up in an Egyptian household, which gave him the best training for his future role. When in a further twist, the baby’s sister, Miriam, suggested that their mother could care for the baby, instead of paying for child-care the mother of Moses was presumably paid to look after her own baby.

Because of his jealousy King Herod ordered the death of all baby boys. Death awaited Jesus and all the other infant boys, only God’s intervention sending the family to Egypt saved His life. But God reigns supreme, His will is sovereign. God had a special task for Moses, to lead his people towards the promised land and away from the yoke of slavery. Jesus also led His people to freedom and broke the yoke of sin by His redeeming death.

God is the person who formed our bodies to need food and drink, so it is no wonder that both these things figured so largely in His own life. He had fish meals with His disciples by the sea-shore. He ate with Martha and Mary and witnessed a family dispute and finally He had the Last Supper with His closest friends. He turned water into wine and five loaves into a gigantic picnic.

In our own lives there is great gain in settling down to a meal together. Confidences are often shared over the meal table which might not happen in other places. We can extend hospitality through offering refreshment to friends, family and neighbours. Also the stranger, homeless and hungry can be fed by us. God created such a good thing when He made us needing food and drink.

As I thought about nature growing, maturing and progressing, I thought about my own Christian life. . Am I growing, progressing and maturing? As the seasons pass we can see the evidence of growth in nature. Can my progress be seen? Am I displaying the fruits of the spirit? Do people witness that I am less selfish, more patient and long-suffering as others are losing their tempers?

Do we really love, especially those people who annoy us or dislike us? Am I settled and comfortable, not reading the Word, praying or mixing with God’s people? So many questions but I trust that the answers are, by the grace of God, I am and I do.

I’m so pleased that Jesus was human as well as divine. He knew what it was like to be tempted but unlike us He never gave into temptation. He knew what it was like to be tired but His sleep was deep and refreshing, not shallow and dream-laden. I can get annoyed with people but Jesus understood why people were like they were and had a kind word for them when necessary.This means He understands when I fail, am tempted or just plain confused. Jesus is the example for me to emulate.

Jesus knew His mission in life’ I must be about my Father’s business.’ I on the other hand am shilly-shallying what to do and often am not sure of my purpose in life. I will continue follow my human and divine Lord.

There is no doubt that Jesus is the greatest story teller that the world has ever known. The parables we have in the Bible are evidence of this. His stories were completely applicable for the people of His day. Those people would have known about fishing, farming, masters and servants. The tales would have ‘rung a bell’ with them. Like all stories we hear, the next step is whether we apply them to ourselves. The stories of Jesus were not just stories, They had a deeper meaning if people looked for them. They were so wise that we can still use them today. They speak to out lives and situations, even in 2022. The parables of Jesus are not just nice stories to tell to children, they are hard-hitting for our world-weary souls. May we mark, learn and inwardly digest.

I’m looking at the tree outside my house and seeing there is only one leaf left on the empty branches. The other thousand and one leaves are swirling round my garden along with leaves from all the neighbouring trees. I now imagine the tree settling down for the winter. The branches have spent all their strength coping with the howling winds, torrential rain and maybe even snow.

Inside the tree it will be resting and getting ready for the next season that will surely be coming – spring. Just as we dream of longer, brighter days and rising temperature, so will the trees be..