1. A Critical Situation (1:1-4)

Nehemiah obtains news from friends just returned from Jerusalem about the sad state of the city.  99 years earlier exiles had returned with Zerubbabel and the Temple had been rebuilt.  Interest had flagged and work had ground to a halt.  They were now in great affliction and disgrace (v3).  We need to examine our spiritual lives regularly to assess our state before God individually and corporately if we are to be workers for him.  Note:

• the people were a small minority, and so felt threatened and fearful.
• resources were limited.  We may limit ourselves by not relying on God’s resources.
• they were unable to defend themselves without walls.
• they were no advertisement for God

Nehemiah’s response is significant:

• he mourned: He was deeply moved.  Does spiritual decline move us similarly?
• he prayed: The situation must be brought before the One who can really help.

2. Assessing the Task (2:12-16)

Nehemiah did not rush when he reached Jerusalem.  He took time to assess the situation carefully for himself.  He wanted to be sure exactly what had to be done.  If he did not do this there would be the risk of discouragement later.  The same principle is taught in Jesus’ parables of building the tower and going to war (Luke 14:28-33).  It is not unspiritual in Christian work to plan and consider carefully.  We must be as sure of God’s will be as we can, since we work for his glory and honour.  When we know God’s will, what he has put into our hearts (v12), we must obey immediately and gladly.

3. Recruiting the Workers (2:17-18)

Nehemiah began by making the people realise what had to be done.  In our lives there is work to do: sin is to be cleared away and in its place we seek growth in grace.  At the congregational level there is also building to be done:  deepening of spiritual life, growth in fellowship, preparation for service, evangelism, etc.  We must seek to build up the work for the present and the future.  Nehemiah did not conceal the difficulties but there were also encouragements, which we can also take for our service:

• it is a co-operative work using all the Lord’s people
• there is the promise of God’s blessing (v.20).

1. The personal concern

The reference to ‘large letters’ (v11) probably does not indicate poor eyesight, but rather Paul’s making his words emphatic – indicating their importance.  It is a token of his pastoral concern for his readers.  He writes ‘with my own hand’ – taking over from his amanuensis, a guarantee of the authenticity of the letter: ‘the distinguishing mark of all my letters’ (2 Thessalonians 3:17).  He speaks with an apostolic authority that must be heeded.

2. The legalist hypocrisy

Paul makes a final attack on the legalists, exposing their true motivation.  They profess concern for the Galatians’ spiritual welfare, but when ‘they are ‘trying to compel you to be circumcised’ – they actually want to gain favour with the Jews when ‘they…boast about your flesh’ (v13).  The Judaizers would look good is they persuade Gentiles to be circumcised.  Their real motive is ‘to avoid being persecuted’ – self-preservation.  They are also hypocrites – though circumcised, they do not obey the law themselves, as they should have done (5:3).

3. The apostolic boasting

In complete contrast to the legalists, Paul asserts, ‘May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (v14).  (The translation ‘glory’ has fewer negative connotations than ‘boast’).  What delights the heart of Paul is the redeeming work of his gracious Saviour.  The ‘cross’ is the heart of the gospel.  The fallen world no longer dominates Paul’s life, and the world has lost it attraction for the child of God.  Our glorying is fully Christ-centred.

4. The essential priority

The rite of circumcision is irrelevant (v15) – ‘what matters is a new creation’, the transformation brought about by God’s grace (2 Corinthians 5:17), our first priority.

5. The closing benediction

            (i).  ‘Peace and mercy…’ (v16):  these blessings are inseparable and are to be desired by God’s people, the true ‘Israel of God’.

            (ii).  ‘let no-one trouble me’ (v17).  He does not seek confrontation, but he has been willing to suffer for the Saviour’s sake – ‘the marks of Jesus’, indicating a true servant.

            (iii).  ‘The grace of the Lord Jesus…’ (v18).  Here is the supreme need of every believer.  ‘Amen’ is a word of faith and confidence.  The Lord will bless his people.

1. A fearful approach

The women are again at the forefront.  When the Sabbath is over (Saturday evening) they buy spices to anoint Jesus’ body.  This was an act of deep love and devotion: after his body being two nights and a day in the tomb in the Palestinian climate, this anointing would have no practical value.  The women’s making the discovery is evidence of the authenticity of the account.  Had the account been fabricated, men would have been the first witnesses since women’s evidence had no legal standing in court.  God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8; 1 Corinthians 1:27).  There is no sensationalising here.  The women are anxious about moving the stone – they seem not to have heard of the seal and the guards.  They do not come expecting the resurrection.  The enemies of Jesus recalled his prophecies of rising again (Matthew 27:63) but the disciples and even these women seem not to have taken his words seriously.  The Gospel account does not hide their failure.

2. A joyful announcement

Their reception is totally unexpected: the stone rolled away and an angel (two mentioned in Luke 24:4).  They are told to stop being alarmed (v6) and good grounds are given – ‘He has risen!  He is not here’ – the glorious news of the resurrection.  His prophecy is fulfilled – after three days he would rise (8:3; actually parts of three days). God’s plan is still being fulfilled.  The Triune God is at work (Acts 3:15).  Christ has been exalted to the highest possible position (Ephesians 1:20).  All the Gospels stress the fact that the tomb was empty.  It is a historical fact that even Jesus’ enemies could not dispute.  This is an essential element of the gospel message.  He has risen to a glorified life, unlike e.g. Lazarus.  Death has been conquered.  The resurrected one is identical with the crucified one.  His resurrection is the guarantee of our resurrection – the ‘first fruits’ (1 Corinthians 15:20).

3. An encouraging promise

The women are given specific instructions – to tell the disciples and Peter.  There will be a reunion in Galilee, as promised (14:28).  The scattered, disheartened, failed disciples will be reunited with their Lord.  They will not be rejected but will be forgiven and restored.  Note ‘and Peter’ – special mention.  Having failed so singularly, he is most aware of his sin and weakness, most in need of encouragement.  In tender love the Lord reassures Peter – there is hope of new life.  The Lord deals with us so graciously when we repent of sin (1 John 1:9).  Grace restores and re-commissions.

4. A silent departure

The women have been face to face with the mighty work of God.  Though the news is joyful, it is also awe-inspiring.  They have a profound sense of the presence of God.  They stand at the edge of a deep mystery and the impact is overwhelming – ‘Trembling and bewildered’ (v8).  They are literally ‘gripped’ by deep emotions.  They flee with a deep sense of the holiness of the place (cf Moses at the bush, Exodus 3:5).  The time for joyful speaking will come later (Matthew 28:8).  The closer we are to God, the more reverent silence there will be.  Closeness to him is too deep for casual word

1. The gratitude to be shown

Commentators are puzzled by the presence of v6 here, regarding sharing all good things with your instructor.  Perhaps it reflects the situation in the churches when no-one was paid for ministry.  It may have been hard for leaders to teach and also earn a living.  Given the factions in the Galatian churches, perhaps the problems were exacerbated.  It is a general principle of church life that there is to be reciprocity between teachers and taught.  The latter receives ‘instruction in the word’, and in return he must ‘share all good things’.  Clearly in view are material things to support the teacher (as in 1 Corinthians 9:14).

2. The principle to be followed

Paul broadens out his instruction to depict two fundamental ways of life.  In a striking way he underlines the importance of the lesson: ‘Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked’ (v7).  It is not possible to disobey God and his law without repercussions.  In general ‘a man reaps what he sows’ (v7).  There is a profound link between how one lives and the results (the crop) that life bears.  Living ‘to please his sinful nature’ (v8) leads to spiritual disaster when account is given to God.  On the other hand, the one ‘who sows to please the Spirit’ reaps ‘eternal life’.  Usually the outcome of these principles is seen only in the long term.  We need to have an eternal perspective, seen from God’s point of view.

3. The harvest to be sought

The harvest is not earned by our effort, but by God’s grace.  Paul issues the exhortation in v9 ‘Let us not become weary in doing good’.  Paul speaks of the certainty of a harvest: ‘at the proper time we will reap a harvest’.  The harvest is not earned by our effort but is the fruit of God’s grace.  Paul seems to have the final judgment in view.  There may be a harvest in this life, but there may not.  There is a proper place for speaking of rewards in Christian service – Jesus says in Matthew 6:4 ‘your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you’ – an act of his grace.  Perseverance is essential and the reward comes ‘at the proper time’.

4. The opportunity to be seized

The practical application of sowing to please the Spirit: ‘Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people’ (v10).  This is an expression of ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ (5:14), so fulfilling God’s law.  We ‘do good’ when we do whatever is for the benefit of others, material/physical as well as spiritual.  We are not to be narrow in our concern – ‘all people’ – reflecting the Saviour’s heart.  Note the proper priority – ‘especially to those who are of the household of faith’ (ESV), those bound to us in the Lord’s love.

1. Restoration

            (i).  Offending.  Note ‘if someone is caught in a sin’ (v1) – Paul recognises the reality of life in a community of saved sinners.  The word ‘caught’ suggests a sudden fall, not a deliberate plan, but it is ‘sin’ that needs to be dealt with.  We may fail to ‘keep in step’ (5:25).

            (ii).  Restoring.  The response is not to be self-righteous condemnation but rather restoring.  Believers should long to see erring brothers brought to repentance and renewed usefulness.  Note ‘you who are spiritual’ – prompted by and enabled by the Holy Spirit.

            (iii).  Watching.  The Spirit’s presence sensitises us to our own sins – ‘But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted’ (v1).  Restorers must be humble and watchful of themselves.  Remember 1 Corinthians 10:12 in order to avoid complacency.

            (iv).  Fulfilling.  The command is, ‘Carry each other’s burdens’ (v2).  We are a community (Romans 14:7).  Giving (and receiving) restoration is an expression of love.  As a result ‘in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ’.  We reflect the likeness of the Saviour.

2. Reassessment

One of the sins that does great damage to healthy church life is pride – an inflated idea of one’s own abilities and importance.  To enable the restoration of a brother caught in a sin can lead to viewing oneself as spiritually superior.  ‘If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself’ (v3).  The temptation is to measure ourselves against those whom we consider ‘inferior’ in some way, allowing us to think of ourselves as ‘superior’.  In comparison to the Lord we are ‘nothing’, insignificant.  Paul is not suggesting we have no value – ‘think of yourself with sober judgment’ (Romans 12:3).  Paul’s exhortation is, ‘Each one should test his own actions’ – evaluating them in the light of God’s Word.  The Word examines us.  If we take to heart and obey God’s law, including repentance for the sin of pride, ‘his reason to boast will be in himself and not in his neighbour’ (v4 ESV). 

3. Responsibility

Why should such importance be attached to evaluation in the light of God’s Word?  The reason: ‘each one should (ESV ‘will have to’) carry his own load’ (v5).  This does not conflict with v2.  Here ‘load’ is the word for a soldier’s pack which could not be shared with a comrade, who has his own pack to carry.  Each believer has his own duties to fulfil for the Lord.  There are regular disciplines to be followed in pursuit of godliness and also specific service that the Lord assigns.  Each individual bears responsibility for fulfilling those duties.  Paul indicates our accountability: ‘we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ’ (2 Corinthians 5:10).  The failure of others does not excuse my sin.