Jesus is again condemning the Pharisees and Sadducees for their rejection of him as The Messiah. Here again they were asking him to prove himself to them – to show them a sign from heaven that proves he is the Messiah. The fact was they had already been shown plenty of signs that he was. Instead they rejected him mainly because he did not fit their preconceived ideal of the conquering Messiah come to free Israel. The ultimate sign Jesus refers to – the sign of Jonah by which he was referring to his death, burial and resurrection (see Matthew 12 v 40) – wasn’t going to convince them either – who ever heard of a conqueror being killed?

Of course, I can be just like the Pharisees and Sadducees when I ignore Jesus’ claims over my life. I decided to follow him, and this can come at a cost and make demands on me I’d rather avoid. Sometimes he does not answer my prayers in the way I’m wanting, or just seems to leave me to struggle on through situations. My ideas about how Jesus should be treating me are getting in the way of me being able to see him for who he is. He gently draws me back and says This is who I really am, walk with me.

I see so many signs in my life that Jesus is Lord. But many people have no concept of Jesus, let alone preconceived ideas. This passage challenges me to share Jesus with them so they can choose to follow him too.

Dear Lord Jesus

People of all eras have wanted to put you into a mould to suit their agenda. Thank you that your agenda is to have a relationship with each of us individually. That is such a blessing, coming out of your heart of love. I am so grateful. Amen.

Written by Claire Moore

Jesus’ response to this woman is shocking, and her response to him is astounding. I suspect he intended the whole exchange to shock his followers, including us, and to shake us out of lazy preconceptions.

I can’t be sure, but I think Jesus’ was putting into words what his good Jewish disciples were thinking. They all knew that Israel was God’s chosen covenant people, conveniently forgetting God had chosen them to be a “kingdom of priests” (Exodus 19:6) to bring all the nations to him. It’s as though Jesus – always so good at seeing into people’s hearts – is pushing her to give voice to the extraordinary faith that he knows is in her. Twice in Matthew’s gospel Jesus describes someone as having “great faith”, and both are Gentiles and outsiders: the centurion in 8:5-13 (despised as Israel’s conqueror); and this Canaanite woman (despised as conquered by Israel). Yet both came in dramatic humility but with firm conviction that Jesus would hear their cry and respond in compassion.

It challenges me. Who have I made into an outsider? Who have I assumed there would be no point introducing them to Jesus because they would never put their faith in him? What preconceptions and prejudices obscure my view of what Jesus is doing?

Jesus, give me at least some this extraordinary woman’s humility and faith in you. Please shatter all of my preconceptions that would limit what you’re doing.

Written by David Cornell

This passage reminds me that I need to expect Jesus in the ‘down’ times. The disciples had spent the day experiencing Jesus feed 5000+ people miraculously. The ministry high must have been tremendous, but when the moment had passed, and they were back to doing ordinary things (like sailing in a storm) the disciples were unexpectedly met by Jesus. They struggled to take the miraculous faith moment forward into their everyday lives. I come to church/connect group/conferences expecting and experiencing the mighty power of God. But do I expect and look for him in the everyday? In the stormy parts of life where things aren’t going well? Sometimes I think it can be a struggle to see the power of God at work in those moments. And yet Just like Jesus walking out to meet the disciples I am confident that He does the same today for you and I in the quiet times, the ordinary times and in the stormy times. Even the disciples who knew Jesus best did not recognise him immediately. Their fear and their circumstances overwhelmed their capacity for faith. But Jesus did not turn his back. He urged and encouraged them to exercise/grow their faith. Today in your ordinary, your mundane or your storm He is with you and calls you to do the same.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, mighty God of all things, help me to recognise you today in the midst of my circumstances. Thank you that you are standing beside me right now. Help me Lord to take the faith that I have and step ‘out of the boat ‘when you call me. Help me Lord to keep my eyes on you and not on my circumstances. In Jesus mighty name I pray. Amen.

Written by Christine Knight

The tragic end of John the Baptist unfolds in these verses. We see here how Herod feared people, however John feared God.  Herod’s foolish pride and vanity force him into a ridiculous trap that causes him distress. John is an example of incredible integrity. By speaking truth, John demonstrates boldness and commitment to God, providing an amazing example to us.

I think about my commitment and boldness in sharing the Gospel and where can speak truth and love in peoples’ lives. I can echo Jesus, John the Baptist and other Christian who are driven in their love of Jesus: William Wilberforce who campaigned against the slave trade, Martin Luther who nailed his 95 theses to the Wittenberg church, William Tyndale who illegally translated the Bible into English, or even Eric Liddell who put God first, no matter what.

Knowing who to place your trust in, as John did in God, is of vital importance. Trusting God’s plan, and not human plans, leads us to a ‘good’ life. We see how Herod rewards up to half his kingdom to a foolish dance, but Jesus rewards an entire kingdom to those who call upon his name!

Lord, we thank you that you are mightier and wiser than anyone in this world. We acknowledge your plan for us. Even though times of trouble and turmoil will enter our lives; you promise to be faithful and good. Help us to hold onto your truths, to seek you, and to fear you Lord. In your precious name, Jesus.
Amen

Written by Sven Bessesen

I love the disciple’s response to Jesus’ question, “do you understand these things?” I think I would have said, “Ah, not really.” Because, lets face it – God’s Kingdom seems too good to be true. Could it really be that God considers me a treasure that is so precious that He’d sell everything in order to acquire me? Could He actually be desperately searching for me and when He finds me will stop at nothing to have me in His Kingdom? Yet, this is exactly what happened. God made a way for me to be part of His kingdom – Jesus. This is the Gospel – this is the really good news. 

And it was His plan all along. To seek out the humble – those who would turn to Him in faith and trust Him for a new righteousness, a true rightness before God, not just an old law-keeping standard, or a lame justification like, “but I try to be a good person.” He was looking for people that knew they could never rise to God’s perfection by themselves. Yet, when these “righteous ones” realise how deeply they are loved, and the cost by which they were saved, they turn to Him gratefully and helplessly in faith, and in turn, receive a righteousness not their own. It is these people that begin a kingdom life, in the here and now, that reflects their New Kingdom’s King. 

Lord God,

How is it that I am so dearly loved by You. You have been pursuing me – today I will let you catch me! I want to be part of Your Kingdom.

Amen.

Written by Boudy Van Noppen