The Bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel, Classic Version, 2015Sample

Endless Energy

The world is running out of energy. It is a question of supply. How do we ensure sufficient energy supplies to sustain life? Where will we find this energy? Our own resources (oil, coal, gas, etc) are running out. We are searching anxiously for power ‘from above’ – trying to harness the almost limitless power of the sun.

Father Raniero Cantalamessa points out that there are parallels between what is happening on the spiritual level and what is happening in terms of the physical environment. The church is facing the same problem as the world as a whole, but on a different level. We stand before a choice: do we look for the energy we need in ourselves and the resources of our intelligence and our entrepreneurial spirit, or do we look for it ‘from above’, from the risen Christ, the Sun of Justice?

In the passages for today we see something about the extent of God’s energy, power and strength. Whereas on a physical level we struggle to harness even a fraction of the power of the sun, God has given us full access to his endless energy through Jesus’ resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 68:28-35

1. Where does it come from?

Power and strength come from God. Amazingly, God promises to give you his power and his strength. This psalm ends on a note of confidence as David proclaims that ‘the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!’ (v.35).

David prays, ‘Summon your power, O God; show us your strength, O God, as you have done before’ (v.28). This sums up the psalm. He prays, ‘Do what you have done before.’ David knows from his own experience that God’s power is more than enough for all his needs.

In contrast, he is dismissive of any attempt to seek power elsewhere. He talks of the worldly power of an evil regime, ‘Rapacious in her lust for silver, crushing peoples’ (v.30, MSG). Yet he knows that ultimately such power ‘will submit … to God’ (v.31).

Thank you, Lord, for the way that you have shown your power and strength to me so many times. Thank you that I can be confident that you will give ‘power and strength’ to your people. Fill me today with your energy, power and strength.

John 19:28-20:9

2. What is it like?

God gives to us the same energy, strength and power that he used to raise Jesus from the dead.

I remember a time when I was speaking at a conference for church leaders. I had been speaking for several hours each day. Eventually we reached the tea break. I felt completely exhausted and drained. I went into the pastor’s study and picked up a copy of Eugene Peterson’s translation of the New Testament. I happened to open it at Ephesians 1:19–20: ‘The utter extravagance of his work in us who trust in him – endless energy, boundless strength! All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death’.

In this passage, John emphasises that Jesus had truly died. When he had ‘completed’ (John 19:28a) the job he had been given to do, thereby fulfilling the scripture (v.28b), he cried out, ‘ “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit’ (v.30).

Death by crucifixion could be sped up by breaking the person’s legs. In Jesus’ case, this was not necessary, as he was already dead (v.33). ‘Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water’ (v.34). At death the clot and serum of the blood separates, and this would look like blood and water. John provides good medical evidence that Jesus was truly dead.

It may be that there were already people at the time arguing that Jesus did not really die, but only seemed to. This view came to be known as docetism. Mohammed was influenced by docetic views. The Quran states, ‘They did not kill him, neither did they crucify him; it only seemed to be so’ (Sura 4:157).

As against this view, John emphasises that Jesus really did die – he gives the physiological evidence. He also shows that Jesus’ death was in accordance with the will of God revealed in Scripture. ‘These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced” ’ (John 19:36–37).

The body of Jesus was wrapped in linen cloths and seventy-five pounds (34 kg) of spices. If anyone had removed the body, surely they would have removed the lot. No thief would have left the only items of value. Jesus certainly could not have taken the grave clothes off himself (humanly-speaking). Yet the disciples found ‘the linen cloths lying there, and the kerchief used to cover his head not lying with the linen cloths but separate, neatly folded by itself’ (vv.6–7, MSG).

William Temple, the great Archbishop of Canterbury, points out that the language used is extraordinarily vivid, and ‘such as no invention would devise, no freak of imagination conjure up.’ 

On this evidence, it is hardly surprising that when the disciples saw, they believed (20:8). At this stage no one had even seen the risen Jesus. Yet the evidence of the state of the tomb and the absence of Jesus’ body was enough in itself to convince them of the resurrection.

When the New Testament speaks of God’s love, the focus is the cross. When the New Testament speaks of God’s energy, power and strength, the focus is the resurrection (Ephesians 1:19–20). We rightly think of power belonging to God. Yet we so easily forget that God’s power is also ‘for us who believe’ (v.19).

As Ben Cantelon’s song The Same Power puts it:

‘There is power in his name,
for the stone was rolled away,
mountains bow down before,
Jesus Christ our risen Lord.

Mighty Saviour,
lifted high
king forever,
Jesus Christ,
crowned in glory
raised to life
The same power lives in us.’

Lord, thank you for your extraordinary love, that you were willing to die for me. Thank you also that that was not the end. Thank you for your resurrection, and that the same power now lives in me. I pray you will fill me with that energy and power today.

John 19:28-20:9

3. How do we receive it?

Do you ever feel exhausted, at a low ebb, not knowing how you will be able to cope with all the problems you are facing?

These were terrible times for the people of God. David had reached a low ebb in his life. He had got himself in the position of being about to fight for the Philistines against Israel. But then, even the Philistines decided that they didn’t want him.

He gets back to find that the Amalekites have captured his and his men’s wives, sons and daughters. The result is an explosive mix of grief and anger. The whole company was distraught at what had happened, and David’s followers then turned the blame on him, threatening to stone him (vv.4–6).

But in the middle of all his problems, ‘David strengthened himself with trust in his God’ (v.6b, MSG). This was the turning point in David’s life. Those who, like David, have turned to God in their deepest distress have been repeatedly amazed at the speed with which he has been able to change their fortunes.

As the men return from battle, some of his men did not want to share what they recovered with those who were too exhausted to fight (vv.21–22). But David was wise enough to see that everyone has a part to play in God’s work. He replied, ‘No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us … The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be same as that of him who went down to the battle. All shall share alike’ (vv.23–24). Those who do the less glamorous work are just as important as those who hit the headlines.

As we read of the death of Saul and his sons, it is clear what a brutal world they lived in. Saul takes his own life in order to avoid being abused in the way that Samson was. Faced with such dangers and barbarism it must have meant so much to David to strengthen himself ‘with trust in his God’.

Follow David’s example – spend time with God strengthening yourself, being reenergised and then trusting him whole-heartedly, believing that he is in you by his Spirit, and believing that you are able to do whatever you need to do through him.

Lord, thank you that whether we are at our lowest ebb or facing great trials and challenges or just facing the ordinary struggles of life, we can all find strength and energy in the Lord our God.

Pippa Adds

John 19:39 

It is so good to see Nicodemus back and a continuation of his story. His original conversation with Jesus in John 3 must have had a huge impact on him. It could just have been a one-off discussion, but here he is collecting the body of Jesus having bought, at great expense, seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes. You never know the impact of a conversation with someone. 

Notes:
Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version Anglicised, Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 Biblica, formerly International Bible Society. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Publishers, an Hachette UK company. All rights reserved. ‘NIV’ is a registered trademark of Biblica. UK trademark number 1448790.

Scripture quotations marked (AMP) taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture marked (MSG) taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.