Daily Digest

11 While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. 12 He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ 14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ 15 “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. 16 “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ 17 “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ 19 “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ 20 “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21 I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’ 24 “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ 25 “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ 26 “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 27 But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”

What is incredible to me in this passage is how quick the king is to reward faithfulness in what he has given responsibility over. Interestingly as well, the reward was the blessing grander responsibility. Two of the three servants were to “take charge” of 10 and 5 cities respectively, because of how they used the money he gave them before he left.

It would appear that Luke is saying that Jesus taught this parable because people thought that the “Kingdom of God was going to appear at once.” As history tells us, however, Jesus has ascended to heaven to return some day soon, and has given us gifts and “mina” to “put to work” in the meantime.

Interestingly, the third servant in the passage “laid away” their mina. They treated what the king had given them as though they had never been given it.

Just as all the servants in this parable had at least some resource and responsibility from the king, so too has Jesus given me resources and responsibility. This parable does not allow me to have such an attitude whereby I think I have nothing to give. It rather calls me to know and uncover the resources that God has given me to use, and to use them responsibly – put them to work for his glory.

Lord, help me to discern, and put to work, every bit of resource you have given me – my time, my talents, and my treasure – so that you may be supremely glorified in my life. And keep me from ever considering myself as a “have not” – for there are no “have not’s” in your Kingdom.

Written by Ps. Rob Waugh

35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. 42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

The blind man heard a commotion around him and knew something big was happening but he didn't understand it. So he asked, “What's happening?”

Sometimes in the confusion of life we too can wonder “What's happening to me?… What's going on here?”

I really like the blind man's response to the situation – he basically yells out “God, help me!!”

As we see here in Jesus's response, this is a cry that God likes to hear. Jesus asks him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Sometimes, I find that I am actually afraid to tell God exactly what I want Him to do

for me. Maybe it's because it feels too selfish or bold to ask Him for something. Or maybe it's because I'm afraid that He won't answer the way I want Him to and then I'll be disappointed.

As we see here, Jesus liked the man's boldness and his faith, and was pleased to answer his request. Sometimes, we don't have something because we don't ask.

Help me Lord, to openly, honestly and boldly bring my requests to You. Thank you that You are always willing to hear and respond to our faith filled cry.

Written by Shelley Witt

18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’” 21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with human beings is possible with God.” 28 Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!” 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”

The religious leader asks the ultimate question ie. “What should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus refers the man back to the commandments which he already knows and has adhered to since he was young.  So the religious leader is a decent human being.

Jesus identifies his weak spot – his wealth and possessions.  These things are preventing him from following Jesus and it saddens the religious leader as he wasn't prepared to give them up.  This man's security seems to lie in his wealth and possessions.

Those that overheard this conversation were disheartened as this was a “good” man.  ie.  who can be saved?  Jesus went on to reassure the people that all things are possible with God.  In Jesus conversation with Peter he states that those that give up their homes, families etc. to follow Jesus w

ill not only be repaid in this life but also in the life to come.

The religious leader knew he had to do something more than he was currently doing.  His walk with God wasn't quite right.  This is a challenging piece of Scripture.  Can we be brave and ask the same question about our lives, knowing the Lord will be able to pin point an answer pertinent to us.  ie.  Lord what do I need to do to inherit eternal life or what do I need to do to follow you more fully?  Seems to open up a series of questions really, such as:

• Where is my security ?
• What's in the way of me following Jesus?

Lord, please highlight those things in my life that prevent me from following you and give me the wisdom and strength to obey. Amen

Written by Ainslie Woods

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Jesus’ parable is about self-righteousness (Pharisee) and a humble-sinner (Tax collector).

Both Pharisee and Tax collector went to the temple to pray:

1. Pharisee:

Attitude: proud (v11: stood up and prayed about himself)

Contains: Self

1. I thank you..

2. I am not like other men and this tax collector …

3. I fast twice a week.

4. I give a tenth of all I get.

2. Tax Collector:

Attitude: humbled (v13: stood at a dista

nce and would not even look up to heaven, but beat this breast.)

Contains: Repentance (God, have mercy on me, a sinner)

Jesus applauded the tax collector. He did not mean “fast or tenth“ were not important for His disciples, but because “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.” (Psalm 51:17). Without the humble heart/spirit, we cannot please God.

Dear Lord, help me always to be humble before you, no matter what circumstance I am in.

Written by Allen Leu

20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” 22 Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. 23 People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. 24 For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 26 “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. 32 Remember Lot’s wife! 33 Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35[36] Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.” 37 “Where, Lord?” they asked. He replied, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.”

Dodgy questions.  I love the language Jesus uses when responding to dodgy questions.  So direct and yet still makes you think.  And getting the question wrong doesn’t seem to matter to Him.  He gives the answer we need despite getting the question wrong.

In Luke 17:37 Jesus was talking to the disciples about when He would come back and that some would go to be with Him and some that didn’t choose to believe would be left behind.  Heartbreaking.  The disciples stammer out the dodgy question “where is this going to happen?”

The dodgy question/awesome answer that gets to me though is the one at the start of this passage…

Pharisees – “when will the Kingdom of God come?”

Jesus – “It is so close – it is inside of you”

I sometimes think that my family and friends are so far from God – so far from believing in Jesu

s but in reality they are so close – the potential is inside them.  Their salvation is on a hair trigger.  It’s a grace and love deluge from God that is ready to pour into their lives and is held back by the tiniest twig.

I wonder if I could help break the twig.

What would happen if I ask them a ‘dodgy’ question i.e. the unusual, slightly awkward question?

“what’s your take on Jesus?”

“where are you at with God?”

“has anyone taken the time to explain how to become a Christian?”

“what’s stopping you from believing in Him right now?”

Oh God, my heart breaks for those I love that will be left behind.  Grant me the wisdom to know what to say to them and the courage to say it.  Please break the twig and may your love and salvation flood their lives.

Written by B van Noppen

17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. 2 It would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around your neck than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 So watch yourselves. “If a brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. 7 “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

Forgiveness is a powerful thing.

The context of another believer sinning is brought into focus by Jesus here.  There are some clear instructions given:

1. Rebuke the sinner – that is to bring to the attention of the person that they have sinned.  We should not expect the person to know they have sinned and in the case of our brothers or sisters we should love them enough to say something.

2. The sinner should re

pent as a result of them being made aware of their sin.

3. On the basis of this repentance we are to forgive, even if they sin again, we are to forgive on the basis of them repenting.  If there is not repentance there seems, at least here, to be no obligation of forgiveness.  However, the Scripture is plain; if there is repentance then there MUST be forgiveness.

Written by Ps. Richard Botta

14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. 16 “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and people are forcing their way into it. 17 It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law. 18 “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

These stories are rather perplexing.

Is Jesus condoning theft, for isn't that what the steward is doing, cutting the value of the bills simply for his own gain?

Do worldly resources truly benefit us for eternity?

What are true riches of h

eaven?

The clear lesson of the stories is that how we deal with our money has an impact on our futures. It is a window into our character, a clear indicator on our ability to deal with people.

Written by Ps. Richard Botta

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

The picture of the loving father in the parable of the Prodigal Son is unimaginable really when we look at how we love others.  I find this parable a great blessing.  This part of the parable about the older son is interesting and challenging.  Its easy to be confused by the picture – to think why didn’t God reward him, he did the right thing.  This is a great reminder about how generous God is if only we would reach out.  The older son did “the right thing” but didn’t understand why nor did he understand how the father thought of him.  We need to engage with God, to reach out, to work with Him, alongside Him.  When we work with God we see the world through His eyes and we have access to everything He has made – all the ri

ches of the universe.

The older son was as far away from really understanding what was going on as the prodigal son.  They both needed to learn how much the father loved them and how life working together with him would provide everything.  The prodigal son appeared to learn but the older son was just starting to hear when we leave the story.  It would be nice to know what happened next.

Dear God

I need to learn more about how to be the person who understands how You organize things, how You want us to engage with You.  I want to learn the lessons of both sons and to live my life working with You not for You.  Help me to see the picture you are painting here – really see.

Written by Therese Manning

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

When the woman loses one silver coin, she will do whatever she can to find it. Because without the lost coin, “ten silver coins” are not complete (according to Jewish custom).

So, the true value of the “lost one” is not just “one” but “ten”. That’s why when the woman finds the one that

was lost, she calls her friends and neighbors together to rejoice with her.

In the same way, when one sinner repents, the rejoicing in heaven is huge.

Dear Jesus, please open my eyes to see what you see and open my mind to have the heart of Jesus. Amen.

Written by Allen Leu

25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even life itself—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ 31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. 34 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

Costly, challenging, requiring great sacrifice and measured intent. Jesus cautions the crowds that following Him is not be something to be taken lightly. His words must have seemed shocking to them. He has their attention! He has my attention!

Jesus is setting priorities before the people – following Him means putting Him first above everyone and everything else. There is to be no confusion – there is no half-hearted following

– it's all or nothing.

All… or nothing…

All… or nothing…

God I'm sorry for giving you less than you ask. My “some” is not enough. You ask for and deserve my all.

Jesus help me keep choosing to give you my all…

Help me sacrifice my own plans and priorities this day…

Help me keep my eyes on You and respond to Your lead as I follow.

Written by Ps. Linda Quinn

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Jesus noticed that the guests picked the places of honour at the table. This would not have come as a surprise to Him. This, unfortunately, is basic human (flawed) nature- to want the best for yourself without considering others. You see it very early on in young children fighting over a toy or something else they want. And so we have to work hard (with God's help) to train ourselves out of this tendency to grab for the best for ourselves.

This parable of Jesus and also his follow-up statement challenges my self-centredness which, it seems, is something that needs to be regularly challenged. It's a reminder for me to check my motivation in what I do, because even a

'good' work can have a selfish motivation.

Firstly, the parable challenges my motivation in wanting to feel important and get recognition. Am I happy to serve even if no one (besides God) ever notices or thanks me for it?

Secondly, the statement following the parable challenges my motivation in relating to people. Am I only relating to the people that I enjoy hanging out with, or am I reaching out to people in need who may not be able to give me anything in return?

Lord, may you continually help me to serve in a way that brings honour to You. Help me to show Your love to those You have called me to with a pure motivation.

Written by Shelley Witt

31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! 34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Jesus knew what Herod was capable of; he built two cities, Tiberius and Sepphoras. He collected taxes to satisfy his own whims and that of Rome. He was morally bankrupt, he wanted to divorce his wife and marry his brother’s sister. He also had Jesus’ cousin John thrown into prison and because he could…. he beheaded him. It was also Herod’s father—also called Herod—who had all the male babies of Bethlehem massacred when Jesus was born. Jesus knew Herod and what he was capable of, but more importantly Jesus knew himself, His ministry and why He came. Jesus was not going to be manipulated and controlled by political pressure or opposition. He determined His walk based on the will of God and by doing so He would fulfill His entire ministry.

Is it possible that the Pharisees really cared about Jesus, or wa

s it that they didn’t want Jesus upsetting the status quo and spoiling favours they had wrangled from Herod?

Have we sold out to the political correctness of our world, or do we miss the voice of Jesus on behalf of the lost, broken and the hungry?

When Jerusalem rejected Jesus, they set themselves up for destruction. Jesus longs to bring us under the wings of His protection and bless us beyond what we can imagine. When people reject Jesus’ grace, they bring sorrow and destruction into their lives.

When we are faced with opposition, my prayer is that I never waver from what God has called me to do. That I would follow Christ with courage and integrity and that I would serve Him with a confidence that my today and my tomorrows are in the hands of my God.

Written by Cathy Croft

18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.” 20 Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[a] of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

Jesus had just set free a woman who had a disease for eighteen years on the Sabbath day, He was then challenged by the ruler of the Synagogue, so He made two comparisons of what kingdom of God like.

One is a mustard seed and the other is yeast. People may have different explanations about those two comparisons, but what I believe is that both mean such a “small” element can become or affect a “big” body.

The tiny mustard seed can become a huge tree (kingdom of God) and a tiny

amount of yeast can leaven the whole dough.

Jesus warns us to be careful about what we “think” and how we “see”.  (the Sabbath regulations were more important to the leader of the synagogue than Jesus setting the woman free)

Proverbs say “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

Today, there are many things happening around us (family, church, work place..), can I see it through Jesus’ eye?

Written by Allen Leu

6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

God created each of us with a purpose. He is waiting and looking for us to bear fruit.

In this parable Jesus is the gardener. When we don’t bear fruit he pleads on our behalf (intercedes for us). He also fertilises the tree. In those days there was no superphosphate! Fertiliser was manure heaped around the tree. Sometimes God lets us go through hard (pooey?) times to lead us towards repentance and aligning our hearts with his will so that we will be fruitful.

The p

assage also says that the gardener paid special attention to the tree during the year of waiting for fruitfulness. When we go through unfruitful times we are not bereft. Jesus is paying special attention at those times to help us through them.

I think it is encouraging that we are so loved that Jesus goes to all this trouble to help us fulfil our purpose. As we are told in Proverbs the Lord disciplines those he loves.

Written by Megan Cornell