The Servant (Part IV): Suffering & Glory (Isaiah 52:13-53:12)
Posted by Simon Clay in Easter, Isaiah on March 28, 2024
‘…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ (Mark 10:45) These words were said by Jesus to his disciples as he began to make his final journey to Jerusalem. He knew what was ahead of him, having already declared, ‘We […]
The Servant (Part III): Restoration and Salvation (Isaiah 49:1-7)
Posted by Simon Clay in Easter, Isaiah on March 21, 2024
‘…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ (Mark 10:45) These words were said by Jesus to his disciples as he began to make his final journey to Jerusalem. He knew what was ahead of him, having already declared, ‘We […]
The Servant (Part II): Chosen & Named (Isaiah 44:1-5)
Posted by Simon Clay in Easter, Isaiah on March 14, 2024
‘…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ (Mark 10:45) These words were said by Jesus to his disciples as he began to make his final journey to Jerusalem. He knew what was ahead of him, having already declared, ‘We […]
The Servant (Part I): Justice & Gentleness (Isaiah 42:1-4)
Posted by Simon Clay in Easter, Isaiah on March 7, 2024
‘…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ (Mark 10:45) These words were said by Jesus to his disciples as he began to make his final journey to Jerusalem. He knew what was ahead of him, having already declared, ‘We […]
On the hills outside Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:1-13 & Luke 2:8-20)
Posted by Simon Clay in 1&2 Samuel, Christmas, Luke's gospel on December 10, 2023
A young shepherd boy had been out on the hills near Bethlehem tending his sheep when he was surprisingly summoned to return to his father Jesse’s house. When he arrived a feast was about to get started because Samuel the prophet had turned up. However, before Samuel would allow the food to be served he […]
Psalm 84 – Three blessings
Posted by Simon Clay in Psalms, Snippets from the Psalms on October 8, 2023
Psalm 84 is one of those psalms which is full of oft-quoted phrases, not least the opening exclamation: How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! and verse 10 which has been used as worship song lyrics by many of us: Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. Other verses about […]
Psalm 36 – Four beautiful attributes
Posted by Simon Clay in Psalms, Snippets from the Psalms on July 11, 2023
Psalm 36 begins and ends with the wicked, those who have ‘no fear of God before their eyes’ (v1). David’s description of them is a description of each of us before the grace and mercy of God invaded: When surrounded by such people who are committed to the pursuit and promotion of evil it is […]
Psalm 118 – The Hallel (Part 6)
Posted by Simon Clay in Easter, Psalms, Snippets from the Psalms on April 6, 2023
Psalms 113-118 are a collection of six psalms known as the Hallel which are recited at key Jewish festivals, including that of Passover. In this series of posts I will take a brief look at each of them in turn as we move through Lent. As I reflect on the Hallel I will have in […]
Psalm 117 – The Hallel (Part 5)
Posted by Simon Clay in Easter, Psalms, Snippets from the Psalms on March 31, 2023
Psalms 113-118 are a collection of six psalms known as the Hallel which are recited at key Jewish festivals, including that of Passover. In this series of posts I will take a brief look at each of them in turn as we move through Lent. As I reflect on the Hallel I will have in […]
Psalm 116 – The Hallel (Part 4)
Posted by Simon Clay in Easter, Psalms, Snippets from the Psalms on March 16, 2023
Psalms 113-118 are a collection of six psalms known as the Hallel which are recited at key Jewish festivals, including that of Passover. In this series of posts I will take a brief look at each of them in turn as we move through Lent. As I reflect on the Hallel I will have in […]
The Sharpened Sword 
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