Kinlochleven Church - the next service is on Sunday, 5 May at 10.00 am led by the Rev. Malcoolm Kinnear.
Duror Church - the next service is on Sunday 12 May at 10.30 am led by the Rev. Malcolm Kinnear followed by the Stated Annual Meeting of the Congegation of South Lochaber.
Nether Lochaber Church - the next service is on Sunday 5 May at 11.30 am led by the Rev. Malcolm Kinnear.
St. Munda's Church - the next service is on Sunday 5 May at 10.30 am in the Shinty Pavilion led by the Rev. Marion Kinnear.
South Lochaber Parish : Bible Study - Tuesday 30 April at 10.45 am, Jonah chapters 3 & 4 hosted and led by Jeremy.
Kinlochleven : Bible Study - Tuesday 7 May at 7.00 pm, Jonah chapters 3 & 4 led by Rev. Malcolm Kinnear.
Sunday 21 April 2024 Kinlochleven & South Lochaber Churches - available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/fMGp4esP9qE
Opening Verse ‘Jesus Christ, ruler of the kings of the earth’. (Revelation 1:5)
Psalm 24 verses 10-19
Ye gates, lift up your heads; ye doors,
doors that do last for aye,
be lifted up, that so the King
of glory enter may.
But who is he that is the King,
the King of glory? who is this?
The Lord of hosts, and none but he,
the King of glory is.
Prayer God of mercy and love, your Son brought healing and blessing to the sick and injured. May we, bruised by life’s challenges find healing and newness of life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Bible Reading Matthew 12:8-15 “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath”. Going on from that place, Jesus went into their synagogue, and a man with a shrivelled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Wherefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. The Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.
Message Ballachulish was once the slate capital of Scotland. Also quarrying was part of the industrial landscape in Duror and Kentallen. The men who worked these quarries became skilled using hand tools such as a chisel, hammer, mallet and claw.
There is an ancient tradition around this gospel passage that the man whose hand was withered was a stone carver whose injury meant he could no longer work. Even if this version of events is not accurate we can still appreciate that being made whole meant much to him.
The passage reveals the authority of Jesus over all life. This authority stems from being Son of God and from the victory he wrought over sin, death and disease. He gave himself for our sins. He rose triumphant from the grave. He is Lord of the Sabbath. His opponents were plotting to remove him, but Jesus remained in control of the situation.
The passage reveals to us that Jesus restores human function. He has authority over sickness and death. This extends to the physical and the spiritual. We who were dead in our sins and trespasses are made alive spiritually in Christ. But there is also a healing of the inner self and the outward body that flows from his redeeming work. Jesus reclaims a broken and fallen creation for himself.
It is also shows us that Jesus restores human dignity. This man was being used as a mere pawn in a religious game that the Pharisees were trying to play. They wanted to get at Jesus. They were willing to use this man by taking advantage of his situation. Jesus made the man his priority. It is always his priority to heal even when there are people who want to cause trouble. I read of a Protestant gathering in Northern Ireland with a preacher with a healing ministry. There turned up a large contingent of the IRA most of whom were there to stir up trouble. An elderly woman came forward, she was prayed for, and was healed. It turned out she was the mother of one of the IRA leaders.
The passage also shows us that Jesus restores our humanity. Sadly, the Pharisees placed religious observance and rule-keeping above human need and compassion. Jesus said that was all wrong. Jesus teaches us to prioritise mercy. We must not allow rules and procedures to get in the way. There are withered minds as well as withered hands. Jesus who reconstitutes our humanity can restore both.
In scripture hands are for worship and prayer, ‘lifting up holy hands’, and for working relationships, ‘the right hand of fellowship’. As we become open to the Saviour we learn his ways, love, compassion. Once withered hands find a use. Grace restores our purpose and partnership in the gospel.
Prayer Open our hearts and minds, Lord, that we might learn gospel values, and be made whole, in Jesus’ name, Amen.