132. Rock Goes The Gospel - REM "Stand"

"Stand" is a song by the American alternative rock band R.E.M., released as the second single from the album Green in 1989. The song quickly rose up the charts, peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming R.E.M.'s second top 10 hit in the United States. The song reached number 48 on the UK Singles Charts. The song reached number 16 in Canada. It was placed on R.E.M.'s Warner Bros. Records "best of" album In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003 in 2003. Singer Michael Stipe has said of the song's origin that he and the other band members were discussing The Banana Splits, The Archies, The Monkees, and similar 1960s pop groups. “They threw these super bubblegummy songs at me, and I said, ‘I’ll raise you and see you one.’ And I wrote the most inane lyrics that I could possibly write. Now, it was a very intentional thing to do that. I really like most of those songs, in fact.”

Stand in the place where you live
Now face north
Think about direction
Wonder why you haven't before

Now stand in the place where you work
Now face west
Think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven't before

If you are confused, check with the sun
Carry a compass to help you along
Your feet are going to be on the ground
Your head is there to move you around

So stand in the place where you live
Now face north
Think about direction
Wonder why you haven't before

Now stand in the place where you work
Now face west
Think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven't before

Your feet are going to be on the ground
Your head is there to move you around
If wishes were trees, the trees would be falling
Listen to reason, season is calling

Stand in the place where you live
Now face north
Think about direction
Wonder why you haven't before

Now stand in the place where you work
Now face west
Think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven't before

If wishes were trees, the trees would be falling
Listen to reason, reason is calling
Your feet are going to be on the ground
Your head is there to move you around

So stand (Stand!)
Now face north
Think about direction
Wonder why you haven't before

Now stand (Stand!)
Now face west
Think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven't

Stand in the place where you live
Now face north
Think about direction
Wonder why you haven't before

Now stand in the place where you work
Now face west
Think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven't before

Stand in the place where you are
Now face north
Stand in the place where you are
Now face west
Your feet are going to be on the ground
(Stand in the place where you are)
Your head is there to move you around, so stand.

R.E.M. insist that there is an underlying message to this song. It is about becoming involved in the places you live and work. This can be seen in the video, where people are seen doing things like recycling. Michael Stipe told Q magazine in 1992: "It's about making decisions and actually living your life rather than letting it happen. It surprises me when I walk by a parking lot and I've been walking by that parking lot for eight years but, for the first time, I look at it and say, My God! There's a parking lot! and I wonder why, for eight years, I've chosen not to look at it." For me personally it's about taking a stand in what you see. So therefore it's easy to relate the lyrics to the subject and ministry of prayer or witness. "Stand in the place where you work" and "Stand in the place where you live"In this mornings devotion I'll be looking at the subject and ministry of intercessory prayer.

Often, the problems we face seem too big for us. No matter how much we try, we cannot solve them on our own. It's times like these when we need to turn to the Lord in intercessory prayer. 

WHAT IS INTERCESSION?

Intercession is taking a "Stand" in the place where you live and work. It's prayer that pleads with God for your needs and the needs of others. But it is also much more than that. Intercession involves taking hold of God's will and refusing to let go until His will comes to pass.  Intercession is warfare -- the key to God's battle plan for our lives. But the battleground is not of this earth. The Bible says, "We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and spiritual powers in the heavens above" (Eph. 6:12).  Intercessory prayer takes place in this spiritual world where the battles for our own lives, our families, our friends and our nation are won or lost.

A PLAN FOR BATTLE

If you are born again, you are God's son or daughter (John 1:12). As His child, you have a direct "hotline" to God. At any time, you can boldly come into His presence (Heb. 4:16) This incredible access to God is the basis for intercession. Once you are in God's presence, you can now discover His battle plan for the situation you are facing. Because prayer alone is not enough -- you need a target for your prayers! To discover God's plan, all you have to do is ask. The Bible says that "if any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you" (James 1:5). When we ask God for wisdom, His desires will become the focus of our prayers. "Let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to Him" (Romans 12:2).

ARMED FOR BATTLE

Intercessory prayer is a serious matter. And just like soldiers who are preparing for battle, we cannot take on the enemy if we leave our weapons behind. That's why we must go into "battle" armed for spiritual conflict (see 2 Cor. 10:3,4).  First, recognise that Jesus is in control of the situation. Jesus "rules over forces, authorities, powers, and rulers ... over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well" (Eph. 1:21). He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Then, put on "all the armour God gives" (see Eph. 6) so that you will be ready to fight with God's weapons. These are the "weapons of our warfare" that can pull down strongholds in the spirit world (see 2 Cor. 10:3,4). They will also protect you from the attacks that are sure to come once you begin the spiritual battle.  Next, bind the work of Satan, knowing that Jesus has given you authority "to defeat the power of your enemy" (Luke 10:19). If God shows you the identity of specific spiritual strongholds that are at work, take authority over these strongholds in the name of Jesus. And always remember that "God's Spirit is in you and is more powerful that the one that is in the world" (1 John 4:4).  Finally, as you begin the spiritual battle, take comfort knowing that you are not alone: Jesus also is interceding on your behalf! The Bible says that Jesus "is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Heb. 7:25; see also Romans 8:26,27,34). The Bible says that you can do all things in him who strengthens you. (Phil 4:13)

PERSISTING IN BATTLE

Intercessory prayer is also prayer that doesn't give up. It's the kind of prayer that continues to "Stand" in the place where you live and work. It's prayer that endures all setbacks and overcomes every obstacle. It's prayer that "presses on" until we "apprehend" God's will in whatever situation we are facing (see Phil. 3:12,).  This kind of prayer is the key to seeing breakthroughs in your life and in the lives of those around you. Jesus gave a great model for intercession in the story of the persistent friend. Here we see a friend who knocks on his neighbor's door at midnight to ask for three loaves of bread. The neighbor does not want to get up, but Jesus said, "because of his friend's persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs" (Luke 11:8,). Then Jesus said, "Everyone who asks will receive, everyone who searches will find, and the door will be opened for everyone who knocks" (Luke 11:10). Those words mean keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking. In God's time, your persistence in intercessory prayer will reap a spiritual harvest in your life and the lives of those around you!

BATTLING FOR YOUR NATION

Throughout the Bible, God searched for those willing to fight the spiritual battle for their land. In Ezekiel, God says, "And I searched for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found no one" (Ezek. 22:30,). Through intercession, you can take the offensive in the spiritual battle, building up your community, your nation and your world. As you follow God's call to rise up and take your place in the spiritual battle, God promises to "heal their land" (2 Chron. 7:14,).

JOINING THE BATTLE

God is calling followers of Jesus to join His battle plan for this world -- to join in intercessory prayer. He is not looking for perfect prayer warriors, just willing hearts who want to see His will come to pass on the earth. All you have to do is turn to the Lord in prayer:  "Father, I come into Your presence and ask You to give me the heart of the intercessor. Help me to be persistent in prayer until the breakthrough comes. Thank You for this powerful weapon of spiritual warfare -- and for Your faithfulness in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen."

GOD'S WORD ON INTERCESSION

"We live in this world, but we don't act like its people or fight our battles with the weapons of this world. Instead, we use God's power that can destroy fortresses. We destroy arguments and every bit of pride that keeps anyone from knowing God. We capture people's thoughts and make them obey Christ" (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

SCRIPTURES FOR FURTHER STUDY

• Isaiah 59:16; Galatians 6:2; 1 Timothy 2:1 -- Our responsibility to intercede 
• Genesis 18 -- The importance of righteous believers 
• Isaiah 58:6-7 -- The need for intercession 
• Romans 8:26-34 -- Help to intercede 
• Ephesians 6 -- The "armour" for spiritual battle

131.Rock Goes The Gospel - Fleetwood Mac - "Little Lies"

"Little Lies" was the third single to be taken from Fleetwood Mac's 1987 album Tango in the Night. As of 2014, it is their final top 10 hit in the U.S. The song was composed by the band's keyboard player and vocalist, Christine McVie and her then-husband Eddy Quintela. When released, the song reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. (#1 for four weeks on the American adult contemporary chart) and #5 on the UK Singles Chart. It continues to be played on radio stations as a classic hit of the late 80's, along with 'Everywhere' released a year later. It was also accompanied by a music video, filmed on a farm, in and around its rustic buildings and fields. In "Little Lies" the singer would rather hear little lies than the unhappy truth from her lover, although near the end she admits "We're better off apart. Let's give it a try." Fleetwood Mac was known for singing about the group members' rocky relationships.

If I could turn the page
In time then I'd rearrange just a day or two
Close my, close my, close my eyes
But I couldn't find a way
So I'll settle for one day to believe in you
Tell me, tell me, tell me lies
Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies
(Tell me lies, tell me, tell me lies)
Oh, no, no you can't disguise
(You can't disguise, no you can't disguise)
Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies

Although I'm not making plans
I hope that you understand there's a reason why
Close your, close your, close your eyes
No more broken hearts
We're better off apart let's give it a try
Tell me, tell me, tell me lies
Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies
(Tell me lies, tell me, tell me lies)
Oh, no, no you can't disguise
(You can't disguise, no you can't disguise)
Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies

If I could turn the page
In time then I'd rearrange just a day or two
Close my, close my, close my eyes
But I couldn't find a way
So I'll settle for one day to belive in you
Tell me, tell me, tell me lies
Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies
(Tell me lies, tell me, tell me lies)
Oh, no, no you can't disguise
(You can't disguise, no you can't disguise)
Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies
(Tell me lies, tell me, tell me lies)
Oh, no, no you can't disguise
(You can't disguise, no you can't disguise)
Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies
(Tell me, tell me lies)

Behind this song there is the feeling that lies are better then truth because truth hurts. Lies are more palatable than the full content of the truth. We may not come right out and say this but for some this is the way they function on a day to day basis. Believe me when I tell you...because I've been there all too often. Lie's are easier and they become the norm, an excuse if you like.......to justify a reason for doing or not doing. We believe the lie and it becomes normal behaviour to do so. Perhaps we believe the lie that we have been told ... that we will never become much in life..we internalise that lie and we begin to be shaped by that lie, we make excuses why we cannot do certain things because at the back of it, it is that lie that we have allowed to live in our hearts and shape our character. the song "Little Lies" is about a relationship gone wrong and lies in that relationship have become the norm instead of the unhappy and painful truth. In our Christian life we will come across lies that are told to us by the Evil one, who is the master of deception and lies. 

Don’t listen to the lies.....tell yourself the truth!

The devil is a master of deception, and he is also known as the accuser of brethren (Rev. 12:10). He wants you to pay for something that Jesus has already paid for. He is the father of lies; his goal is to steal, to kill and to destroy (John 10:10). He loves to embarrassing you with your past sin, beat you down with guilt and shame of what you did, and he loves to show how gross your sin looks and how filthy you are. He tries to do this not to help you but destroy you. He is doing this to take your peace, to take your freedom and to dominate and rule your sound mind. But here is the good news, YOU ARE FORGIVEN! YOU ARE ACCEPTED! GOD in His mercy and grace gives you a new life, a new day, a new year, a new purpose and a new path. Don’t allow the devil to bind you up or beat you down with your past. God has a plan for their future and it is awesome.

Don’t listen to the lies.....tell yourself the truth!

Satan is known in the Scripture as the accuser, the slanderer, the father of lies, the murderer, the deceiver, and the adversary. There is no truth in him whatsoever. He hates truth and does all he can to create doubt upon it (read Gen 3:1). It is the devil who wants you to dwell in your failure and sins, not God. He (the devil) doesn't want you to understand and acknowledge your God-given purpose in life. As a matter of fact he (the devil) specializes in planting doubt, fear, accusation, despair, intimidation, condemnation, shame, guilt, and regret in out hearts and minds. By doing that he to tries to keep us away from God as much as possible, to show you how much unworthy you are to receive his mercy, and to magnify your past sins and failures and says, “look, Your sin is too big for God to forgive and too much to forget.”

Don’t listen to the lies.....tell yourself the truth!

If you confess and repent your sins, no matter how bad they looks, no matter how great your sins, God will fully forgive all of your sins! He says, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds NO more” (Hebrews 10:17). And the scripture is also says, there is now “no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1. You are now a NEW creation in Christ Jesus, and old things have passed away, and all things become NEW according to 2 Cor. 5:17. God doesn't look at what you've done in the past, he already forgiven you. He doesn't look back now on your sins or your failures with condemnation, and neither should you. God, your wise and loving Father, holds nothing more against you. God doesn't want you to be constantly ashamed and regret of your past. God is more concerned about your future than your past. He wants to raise you up, so rise up!

Don’t listen to the lies.....tell yourself the truth!

Today, tell the devil that you've already been accepted, forgiven and received a new heart and a new mind. Tell him and tell yourself that you are now a new person, a new creation, has a new purpose, peace and sound mind. Tell him and yourself you are not going to walk according to the flesh; you are not going to walk in anger, despair, resentment, impurity, bitterness, envy and fear NO MORE!!!

In Jesus Christ, in Him ALONE, you are justified freely Romans 3:24, you are forgiven of all your sins and washed in His Blood Eph 1:7; Heb 9:14; Col 1:14; I John 2:12, I John 1:9, you have passed from death into life John 5:24, you are God’s child for you are born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God which lives and abides forever I Peter 1:23,Jesus Christ is in you (John 14: 20), His peace is yours wholly John 14:27, you are no longer need to be a slave to sin, because God has given you His power in Christ to became a vessel to holiness and obedience Romans 6:6, you qualify to be given wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. I Cor. 1:30, you are a temple of God in which the Spirit of God dwells I Cor. 3:16; Ephesians 4:30, you are holy and blameless in God’s sight. Eph. 1:4, you have been saved from your sins by grace through faith Eph. 2:8, you have been purified from your former sins and you are now a child of God 1 John 3:2! Amen!!!

Following Jesus is a life of freedom, freedom from any guilt, shame and condemnation. Don’t listen to the enemy of souls. Don’t waste your time listening to his lies, because he is the father of lies according to John 8:44. Enjoy your freedom that you have in Christ. You are free, and “If the Son (Jesus) sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8: 36).

130. Rock Goes The Gospel - ZZ Top "Jesus Just Left Chicago"

This ZZ top song also alluded to as "Jesus Done Left Chicago", This track follows on from "Waitin' for the Bus"; in an interview with Jeb Wright of Classic Rock Revisited, lead guitarist Gibbons explained: "The two songs "Waitin' For The Bus" and "Jesus Just Left Chicago" were written separately during sessions that were not too far apart. We were in the process of compiling the tracks for the album "Tres Hombres," and that segue was a fortunate miscalculation by the engineer. He had been attempting to splice out some blank tape, and the result is that the two come off as a single work. It just seemed to work." The Deep South is noted for its Christian roots, and in spite of the hostile reception rock 'n' roll received from the Bible Belt when it first reared its head, many contemporary musicians began their musical careers in or around the church. The most famous white rock 'n' roller from the Deep South to combine the two was of course Elvis Presley, who recorded the odd religious song. Although "Jesus Just Left Chicago" isn't exactly a hymn, but it does have a strong spiritual dimension, to it, and is written more in the style of gospel music, adhering to a strict blues format.

Jesus just left Chicago and he's bound for New Orleans.
Well now, Jesus just left Chicago and he's bound for New Orleans.
Yeah, yeah.
Workin' from one end to the other and all points in between.

Took a jump through Mississippi, well, muddy water turned to wine.
Took a jump through Mississippi, muddy water turned to wine.
Yeah, yeah.
Then out to California through the forests and the pines.
Ah, take me with you, Jesus.

You might not see him in person but he'll see you just the same.
You might not see him in person but he'll see you just the same.
Yeah, yeah.
You don't have to worry 'cause takin' care of business is his name.

The song "Jesus left Chicago" contains themes of Journey, Eucharist, The "Hiddeness" of Jesus, Continuation, Commitment, Travel and Presence. There is an occasion on the morning of the resurrection that all these themes come together all in the same place. Luke the Apostle writes about this occasion in Luke 24. Our devotional this morning will highlight another aspect from the story of the Road to Emmaus. We covered the first part of the story in Rock Goes the Gospel No 125. Snow Patrol - "Open Your Eyes" in which we reflected upon the "Hiddeness of Jesus." This morning we are going to reflect upon the "Presence of Jesus" or the "Presence of God"

Prior to His arrest, Jesus travelled up and down the strip of land once ruled by David and Solomon, inviting the people of Israel to become a part of His kingdom, promising abundant life and being present with them. His followers fully expected that He would become their king and that Israel would again be prosperous and free. He was their Messiah. But on one fateful Friday afternoon, as the sun fell behind the horizon, the Son of God hung cold and lifeless on a Roman cross just outside the city walls.

As the sun rose on Sunday morning and the Passover feast came to an end, two of Jesus’s followers, disillusioned and resolving to leave their foolish dreams in Jerusalem, left for home. The dejected pair began the seven-mile walk to Emmaus even as rumours of resurrection circulated among the ranks of Jesus’s disciples (Luke 24:13). Dejected because the presence of Jesus among them was now gone and in their minds it was gone forever.

Luke describes the disciples’ conversation as bantering ideas back and forth with great emotion in a shared search for answers (24:14-16). The Greek phrase homileo suzeteo, “talking and discussing” (24:15), would be more literally translated as “conversing” and “disputing.” The disillusioned followers desperately wanted to know why their expectations of the Messiah had come to such a tragic end. Jesus approaches, travels and is present with them with the express purpose of helping the two disciples see, Luke tells us that Jesus reviewed the entire history of Israel from the time of the Exodus to His own resurrection, highlighting God’s plan for the Messiah (24:27). But they still do not get it.

In keeping with ancient Near Eastern rules of hospitality, the two followers then invited the “stranger” to stay the night and be present with them. Jesus accepted their offer, yet maintained His cover in order to complete the lesson He had begun teaching them just outside Jerusalem. According to Luke 24:16, their eyes were prevented from recognizing Jesus. He revealed His identity only after taking great pains to explain to them “the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (24:27).

Luke concludes this story with a twist. A dramatic opening of eyes. The disciples had been staring into the face of the risen Jesus all along, yet they were prevented from seeing Him until they buried their faulty expectations. Then, the disciples travelling with Jesus are treated to a careful review of the Scriptures which gave them a God's eye view on all that had happened in Jerusalem. At the meal table as Jesus was breaking bread their eyes were opened. He was present with them all along.  The Greek phrase ophthalmos dianoigo epiginosko, translated “eyes were opened and they recognized Him,” literally means “their eyes were completely opened” and “they came to fully comprehend Him.” It was a behold moment. They were looking God in the face. This moment was more than them simply recognising His features. They came to recognise Jesus in all His significance as the Messiah of God, and the one who they had hoped in and will hope in again. They know his confident presence with them restoring hope to them.Now, their new, resurrected hope carried them back to Jerusalem to bear the good news to others (24:33-35).

The devotional point that I want to get across this morning is "Thank God that when we cannot see him, He can see us, and he is present with us.  I'm thankful for this story as it illustrates the fact that Jesus is present with his disciples even when they cannot see him. The theme that Jesus is present with us is part of the lyrics of the song "Jesus Just Left Chicago" "You might not see him in person but he'll see you just the same" Thank God there comes a time when our blindness in life and faith will be ended and we will understand and sicover the Jesus of the resurrection is with us.. Just like the disciples at the meal table. All of us from time to time walk a lonely road and struggle to see the presence of God with us. This story is Luke's way of telling the story of the resurrection as the story of the Jesus/ God who never leaves us who turns us from people of the broken hearted to being people of the presence.

129. Rock Goes The Gospel - ACDC "Back In Black"

'Back in Black' crowned the greatest, best-selling hard rock album of all time with a heartfelt tribute lyric -- notably penned by his successor, Brian Johnson. 'Back in Black' also reflects AC/DC’s deepest roots in ‘50s rock and rockabilly, since its famous turnaround lick was allegedly inspired by the Johnny Kidd & the Pirates classic “Shakin’ All Over” "Back in Black" is a masterpiece of a song by AC/DC, appearing as the first track on side two of their 1980 album of the same name. Known for its opening guitar riff, the song was AC/DC's tribute to their former singer Bon Scott. His replacement Brian Johnson recalled to Mojo magazine in 2009 that when the band asked him to write a lyric for this song, "they said, 'it can't be morbid – it has to be for Bon and it has to be a celebration.'" He added: "I thought, 'Well no pressure there, then' (laughs). I just wrote what came into my head, which at the time seemed like mumbo, jumbo. 'Nine lives. Cats eyes. Abusing every one of them and running wild.' The boys got it though. They saw Bon's life in that lyric." It peaked in the U.S. at No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1981 and was No. 51 on Billboard's Top Tracks chart, which debuted in March 1981. "Back in Black" received the RIAA's Master Ringtone Sales Award (Gold and Platinum) in 2006 and reached 2x Platinum status in 2007.

Back in black I hit the sack
I been too long I'm glad to be back
Yes I am
Let loose from the noose
That's kept me hanging about
I keep looking at the sky cause it's gettin' me high
Forget the hearse cause I'll never die
I got nine lives cat's eyes
Using every one of them and runnin' wild

Cause I'm back
Yes I'm back well I'm back
Yes I'm back
Well I'm back back
Well I'm back in black
Yes I'm back in black
Back in the back of a Cadillac
Number one with a bullet I'm a power pack
Yes I am

In a bang with the gang
They gotta catch me if they want me to hang
Cause I'm back on the track and I'm beatin' the flack
Nobody's gonna get me on another rap
So look at me now I'm just makin' my play
Don't try to push your luck just get out of my way

Cause I'm back
Yes I'm back
Well I'm back
Yes I'm back
Well I'm back back
Well I'm back in black
Yes I'm back in black

Well I'm back yes I'm back
Well I'm back yes I'm back
Well I'm back back
Well I'm back in black
Yes I'm back in black

Ho yeah
Oh yeah
Yes I am
Oh yeah, yeah oh yeah
Back in now

Well I'm back, I'm back
Back, (I'm back)
Back, (I'm back)
Back, (I'm back)
Back, (I'm back)
Back
Back in black
Yes I'm back in black

Outta sight

"Back in Black " is a resurrection song. You only have to hear the lyrics to understand that they convey a return. A coming back and taking up where things were left off. More than that from the song lyrics it's a dramatic return. Lines like "Let loose from the noose" and "In a bang with the gang" and "Number one with a bullet I'm a power pack" These are are metaphorical lyrics that tell the story of a return of someone. There seems to be a vague storyline in the lyrics of someone escaping the hangman's noose. You can find the lyrics a deep illustration of an escaping from the clutching of death. It's a song of triumph "I'm Back in Black" It's a song about the resurrection with a resurrection riff and rythym.

The painting below is called “My Redeemer Lives.”and is a painting which was produced by Roger Loveless.  It captures the familiar scene that is from the 20th chapter of John's gospel. As you look at the painting you can almost hear the word of Jesus to Mary Magdalene: “Mary!” In this painting, Mary is turning to see if her ears deceive her; her handkerchief is in mid air. There, standing near the open tomb, is the Conqueror of Death.

Of course his artwork is just the product of an artist’s imagination. Only when we look into the Scriptures do we see the real portrait of Jesus, the Conqueror of Death. This portrait—the one found in Scripture—is the one that we need to see , and to really see it every day… not just on Easter Sunday.You could be forgiven for seeing in the painting a suggestion that is equal to ACDC's song. Paraphrased Jesus is saying "it's me Mary, I'm back"

Death is something we don’t like to think about or consider. It’s a subject that often causes anxiety and not in a small way either. Death is not such a subject that we talk about all that often. It still remains a taboo subject. In times past Death was more prominent in communities and neighbourhoods as people were laid out at home. But in today's world most people die in hospital. For all of us death is inevitable and part of  our future. Still, we very often don’t think about it until we must. People spend shed loads of money every year in an attempt to avoid death. We exercise to stay healthy, go to the doctor, and take pills—all in an effort to prolong life, to live.

Yet we can’t avoid death. We can’t escape it.  Death will come to all of us. No has learned to buck the trend and come back from death although there are stories of near death and death experiences. Death is something that all of us whether we like it or not will have to face in our lifetime. Both my parents have past away and their passing has left a space where they had been. Their death has made a difference in my own life. Even the town that they lived in and where I was brought up has been affected by their death. The house that they lived in is not occupied by someone else and so on. Returning home is often a painful experience for me in more ways than one.

In John’s Gospel account of Mary's encounter with Jesus we see an intimate portrait written to give all of us who are facing life and death hope in the resurrected Christ. Jesus comes back from the dead and is triumphant. This is what we celebrate at this Easter-time This encounter with Jesus gave Mary hope for the future because Jesus triumphantly rose from the dead the third day after His crucifixion. Jesus is spoken about else where in scripture as the one who holds the keys of the grave and of death (cf. Revelation 1:18). We can have hope in such a Jesus.

The open and empty tomb is the proof that the New Testament is holding out to each of us. Jesus is the Conqueror of Death! He has come back from it. As the angels sitting in the tomb said to Mary, “Woman, why are you weeping?” (v. 13) Take a look the story widens as Mary takes the news to the disciples. The Scripture paints the picture of Jesus, the Conqueror of Death! “Peace to you!” the risen Lord said to His disciples (v. 26). As the Conqueror of Death told Thomas, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (v. 29). For the disciples in the early church this return from the dead was a return to the plan of God. All that Jesus did before his death he was going to do again through the ministry of the early church. He was back and it was business as usual.

128. Rock Goes The Gospel The Beatles - "All You Need Is Love"

"All You Need Is Love" is a song written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney. It was first performed by the Beatles on Our World, the first live global television link. Watched by over 400 million in 25 countries, the programme was broadcast via satellite on 25 June 1967. The BBC had commissioned the Beatles to write a song for the United Kingdom's contribution.  The Beatles were asked to come up with a song with a message understood by everyone. "It was an inspired song and they really wanted to give the world a message," said Brian Epstein. "The nice thing about it is that it cannot be misinterpreted. It is a clear message saying that love is everything." 

Love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love, love

There's nothing you can do that can't be done
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy

Nothing you can make that can't be made
No one you can save that can't be saved
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time
It's easy

All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need

Love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love, love

All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need

Nothing you can know that isn't known
Nothing you can see that isn't shown
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be
It's easy

All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need

All you need is love (All together, now!)
All you need is love (Everybody!)
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
Love is all you need (Love is all you need)
Love is all you need (Love is all you need)
Love is all you need (Love is all you need)
Love is all you need (Love is all you need)
Love is all you need (Love is all you need)
Love is all you need (Love is all you need)
Love is all you need (Love is all you need)
Love is all you need (Love is all you need)
Love is all you need (Love is all you need)
Love is all you need (Love is all you need)
Love is all you need (Love is all you need)
Yee-hai! (Love is all you need)
Love is all you need (Love is all you need)

Yesterday (Love is all you need)
Love is all you need (Love is all you need)
Love is all you need (Love is all you need)
Love is all you need (Love is all you need)
Oh yeah! (Love is all you need)
She loves you, yeah yeah yeah (Love is all you need)
She loves you, yeah yeah yeah (Love is all you need)

According to journalist Jade Wright, "Lennon was fascinated by the power of slogans to unite people and never afraid to create art out of propaganda. When asked in 1971 whether songs like "Give Peace a Chance" and "Power to the People" were propaganda songs, he answered: 'Sure. So was All You Need Is Love. I'm a revolutionary artist. My art is dedicated to change.' The day before the Our World broadcast, the Beatles decided that the song should be their next single. Released on 7 July 1967, it went straight to number one and remained there for three weeks. It was similarly successful in the United States after its release on 17 July, reaching number one for a week. It was also included on the American LP version of Magical Mystery Tour in November as well as in the film, and on the LP Yellow Submarine, released in 1969. This song is also featured in the Cirque du Soleil's show Love, based on the songs of The Beatles, which has been performing in Las Vegas since 2006.

This begins with a clip from the French national anthem, "La Marseillaise," written and composed by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in Strasbourg on April 25, 1792. Its original name was "Chant de guerre de l'Armee du Rhin" ("Marching Song of the Rhine Army") and it was dedicated to Marshal Nicolas Luckner, a Bavarian-born French officer from Cham. It became the rallying call of the French Revolution and got its name because it was first sung on the streets by troops from Marseille upon their arrival in Paris. Now the national anthem of France, the song was also once the anthem of the international revolutionary movement, contrasting with the theme of The Beatles song. In the late 1970s, Serge Gainsbourg recorded a Reggae version "Aux Armes et cetera," with Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar and Rita Marley in the choir in Jamaica, which resulted in him getting death threats from veterans of the Algerian War of Independence. Today in this mornings devotion "All You Need is Love" is the slogan of another revolution the swept the world. 

Sticking with the Easter theme, Jesus in John 13 is in the upper room with his disciples. He has just washed their feet. It's the last supper and Jesus is preparing to leave them. He is preparing them for a life as a community with "Love" at the centre. In other words Jesus is saying "All you need is love"

I am an avid reader, and I really enjoy buying books. In fact, book buying may be one of my greatest addictions. I'm especially prone to buying books on-line. I frequently buy cheap used books on Amazon . When I am done reading these books I collect them on my shelves or give them away. Just recently I've taken to selling the new ones that I've bought in our church bookstall that is stocked entirely from all by own personal books.  However, this past week, instead of buying any books, I did a little research on book titles. Amazon lists 507,878 book titles about heaven, 547,195 about sex, 766,921 about God, and 884,737 about money. Isn't this astounding? Even more staggering is the fact that one topic beats out all of these—love. There are 922,816 that contain love in their title.

Love is a popular word in our society. Our world is desperately seeking true love. There are all kinds of dating services, escort services, personal classifieds, bars, clubs, and social organizations. There are illicit websites and chat rooms where you can pursue love without leaving your own home. All of these opportunities promise “true love” or “real love.” But this is an example of the classic country song by Johnny Lee, “Looking for love in all the wrong places…looking for love in too many faces.” I’ll stop there. The point is: Our world craves love, but they can’t find fulfilling and lasting love.

Love is also a frequent word in the Bible. The Bible uses the root word “love” over 500 times from Genesis through Revelation. Interestingly, for our purposes, the word love is used only twelve times in John 1–12, but in John 13–21 it is used forty–five times! Hence, in the last twenty–four hours of his life, Jesus uses the word love repeatedly. The closer He travels toward the cross, the more love is on His heart and mind. In John 13:31–38, Jesus suggests in our reading today that the key to impacting the world is for His followers to love each other. So why is the church having so little impact on society? We’re not giving the world what it so desperately craves—love. Yet, the church ought to be Jesus’ solution to the lack of true love in this world. We ought to be able to say, “All You Need is Love.” and you can find it here!

Our passage begins in John 13:31–32 with an important footnote and Jesus’ ultimate prediction of love. The footnote is simply: “Therefore when he [Judas] had gone out” (13:31a). One can almost hear Jesus heave a sigh of relief when Judas closes the door behind him. Once Judas departs, Jesus gets down with His believing followers and articulates the cross and the importance of love. Jesus declares, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately” (13:31b–32). What is the key word in 13:31b–32? It doesn’t take a Greek scholar to discern this. Five times in two verses Jesus uses a form of the verb “glorify” (doxazo). Notice as well the past tense verb “glorified.” The cross is as good as done in Jesus’ mind. For Him death is not a mournful tragedy, but a magnificent triumph. It is glorious not gruesome. At this very moment which seems to spell defeat, dishonour, and disaster for Him, the Son of Man is in reality glorified! Later in the Upper Room discourse, Jesus explains that He glorified His Father by finishing the work the Father gave Him to do (17:4). This is also how we glorify the Father. What has God called you to today? How does He want you to sacrificially express your love to others? Will you finish the work He has given you?

Chapter 13 concludes with three verses that seem a bit misplaced. In fact, many commentators include these verses with chapter 14. Yet, I see these verses fitting rather nicely with 13:31–35. John’s concern is that you and I don’t assume that we can pull off agape (Love) in our own strength. Naturally, John brings up another episode with Peter. Look at 13:36a: “Simon Peter said to Him [Jesus], ‘Lord, where are You going?’” I want you to notice that Jesus spoke some of the most profound words about Christians loving each other, and Peter did not hear a word of it. He asks a question that skips over that whole subject entirely (13:34–35), and he goes back to what Jesus had said about going away for a while (13:31–33). That was what got his attention, and he heard nothing else. We too down play "Love" we suggest other plans and strategies for the furtherance of the Gospel. Like Peter we get caught up in those other plans and strategies. Jesus has no other plan it's simply "All You Need Is Love"