Daily Digest
Food for the Soul
Food for the Soul
Matthew 21:1-11
1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Can you imagine being one of the Jewish people in the crowd, seeing Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a donkey? You would know the cultural and historical significance of what he was doing. He was fulfilling an ancient prophesy that Zechariah had spoken some 500 years earlier to indicate the actions of their coming king. No wonder the crowd was excited and praising him – something great was about to happen.
Jesus would also know the significance of this event.
Yet before it happened, he found an opportunity to include his disciples. He gave them details about the donkey and what to say. He spoke to them and then they went. I see this as taking steps of faith and curiosity to see what would happen. And it happened exactly as he had said. How assuring is that.
So, whether it be a 500+ year old prophesy, or words spoken to you directly by Jesus, or a sense we have when we read His word or someone speaks a God-given word over us – it is more than information. Rather, it is an invitation to bear witness and participate in what God is about to do.
How cool is that. Thank you, Lord!
Written by Gab Martin
Matthew 20:29-34
29 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 31 The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 32 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 33 “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” 34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
Ophthalmology deals with eye disorders. There are over a dozen subspecialities with the field. Globally, according to the WHO, there are over 2.2 billion people with near or distance vision impairment.
Soteriology deals with salvation. There is only one way to be saved: Jesus. Globally, according to the bible, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Call to him! Jesus was not some magic medicine man whose sole reason was to heal people physically. His purpose was more than that. He came to be the Great Shepherd, the Bread of Life, the Chief Cornerstone, the True Vine, the Lamb of God, and the King of Kings. He comforts those who call to him and eases the burdens of those who follow him. And that is exactly what happened in this passage. Two men called to him, and those same two men end up following him. Jesus took the time, showed mercy, and had compassion on them. The same as he does with us. Call to him!
Lord, thank you for your overflowing love. Thank you that you are with us each day, especially through troubled times. Thank you for your mercy and compassion in our lives. Help us to call out to you, Lord. We trust in you and your unfailing promises. In your precious name, Jesus.
Amen
Written by Sven Bessesen
Matthew 20:20-28
20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. 21 “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” 22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. 23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” 24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Surely, if I do something amazing for God, I should be rewarded with honour, and a special place in His kingdom right? I mean the parable of the talents basically says if I’m faithful with little, He will entrust me with much, right?
“Not necessarily” says Jesus in this passage!
The bottom line here for me is clear. Jesus came to serve, not to be served. But this isn’t just His unique way of life… He expects us to follow him in his self-denying service to others!
Lord, thank you that you make it clear and plain how you expect us to live our lives in service to others. Please continue to help me to serve you and serve others humbly, all the days of my life.
Written by Ps Justin Ware
Matthew 20:17-19
17 Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, 18 “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death 19 and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”
The Wright Brothers sent a telegram to their family concerning the first ever successful flight of a powered, heavier-than-air flying machine… and that they would be home for Christmas. The family, as it turns out, only heard that Wilbur and Orville, being good cooks, would be home to prepare the Christmas turkey.
Jesus was to rise from the dead, a very important detail. But if my Messiah just told me He was about to die, at the hand of those who should have accepted and championed Him, and be crucified by enemy Romans no less, I think I’d miss that detail too. No wonder they were slow to believe on Easter Sunday.
Am I really listening to Jesus or am I missing critical details? Am I hearing and accepting His truth about me – that He loves me and would stop at nothing to rescue me for eternity, that He has a plan and purpose for me? I am so loved! Yet am I still focusing on the lesser details, or my own biases, or my own thoughts, or the enemy’s lies?
It’s time to hear the whole story from Jesus – and focus only on Him. Everything else can fall by the wayside.
Jesus, I choose today to only think on what you say about me. Help me let everything else go.
Amen.
Written by Boudy Van Noppen
Matthew 20:1-16
1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went. “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ 7 “ ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
This beautiful scripture is again about a farmer, in fact a vineyard landowner who employs people to work for him. Those who begin the day with work and those who join in later in the day. The reward in wages is the same no matter how long they worked for and no matter what job they are given.
Jesus is soon to head to Jerusalem. He is challenging the disciples (and us) about comparison, jealousy, favour, attitudes that could tear them apart rather than work together for the Kingdom.
We can look around the world and even in our locality and find people who “seem to have it easy”. Maybe they have no financial issues, maybe no health issues, maybe no challenges – that we can see!! Then we see others who seem to suffer continually. However, God always looks at the heart. He looks at how we respond.
In Romans 12 v 15: We are called to rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn, and weep with those who weep. Comparison is an ugly disease, an enemy of the Gospel of Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, help me to look at the heart of people. Help me to better walk the journey with others. Help me not to be awed or jealous by peoples’ circumstances and blessings but help me to respond with grace. Keep my radar as to how to better love like Jesus did. Amen.
Written by Ps. Sue Botta
Matthew 19:16-30
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’” 20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
As a person who grew up in church and always tried to be “good girl”, I must admit that I was a bit shocked as I got older to discover that “being good” was an impossible task.
As I’ve grown in self-awareness, I’ve discovered that even when I think I am doing something good, I am often, deep down, still acting in my own best interests.
Jesus is quite clear on this as He answers the man’s question about how to be good enough to gain eternal life. No one is good but God. Period.
Jesus goes on to say, you can try keeping all the Commandments and doing everything that God requires, but the disciples pick up on this and are astounded at how hard this is – “Who in the world can be saved?”
In fact, Jesus responds, it is humanly impossible to be saved on our own merit. But with God, it is possible!
What a relief! All my striving to be perfect and then still falling short is wrapped up in the grace and forgiveness of Jesus.
Today I am freshly grateful to Jesus for lifting the burden of perfectionism off our shoulders.
Written by Shelley Witt
Thanks Shelley
There is so much in this passage! The young person asking what good thing they are to do – as if there was one thing that gets us into eternity. The young person declares they have achieved what Jesus asks. Jesus then says give away your wealth and follow Him. I have commonly thought that it is the giving away of so much that was this person’s stumbling block, and that is fair to say given Jesus comment about rich people afterwards. However, I wonder how much of a stumbling block to this person was the second piece of Jesus’ request – to follow Him.
The Jews presumed that there was a correlation between wealth and God’s approval and I think we commonly fall into this error as well. Jesus is making the point that the amount we may have or not is not a measure of God’s blessing necessarily but that following Him means you are on the right path to eternal life.
Father, help me to see properly and to follow You wholeheartedly.
Matthew 19:13-15
13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. 14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
I love the way that Jesus interacts with all the people present in this story. He isn’t afraid to be counter cultural, to demonstrate the Father’s heart of love towards all people. Children included. Jesus rebukes the ones who think they are doing the right thing in order to ensure that all know the love of God, know that they are welcome, know that they belong and matter. This demonstrates the nature of God. His arms are open.
As we reach people with Jesus, we are reaching them with a God whose arms are wide open, who loves them whole heartedly and welcomes people in. Who has paid the price for the many and the one. This shapes our approach to reaching people, it shapes who we reach and how we reach.
Jesus, thank you that you model what it is to welcome people into your family. Thank you that you live with your arms open towards humanity. Help me today to have eyes to see the people that you want me to reach with your love. In Jesus Name, Amen
Written by Ps. Annique Botta
Matthew 19:1-12
1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. 3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” 4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” 8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” 10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
Jesus had been busy teaching the people and then healing many when the pharisees came “to test him”. Their challenge to Jesus, after witnessing such amazing miracles, reveals their hardness of heart. They were not looking for a genuine answer to the question of divorce but were trying to catch him out.
Jesus shows that God’s good design was for a man and a woman to marry and remain committed for life. Divorce was only permitted by Moses “because of hard hearts”. It is an uncomfortable truth that hard-heartedness/sin of some sort is involved in every divorce. However, getting divorced is not an unforgiveable sin as some would have us believe. Sometimes (such as in domestic abuse) separation is the right answer.
In discussing hardness of heart, I suspect that Jesus sees right through the pharisees and is challenging them to recognize the state of their own hearts.
So, I am prompted to ask myself some questions:
Father, please examine my heart and challenge me when I need to change. Please help me to have a soft heart. Help me to love and support others without judging.
Amen
Written by Megan Cornell
Matthew 18:23-35
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ 30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
V35…forgive your brother from your heart.
The kingdom of God is a kingdom of forgiveness. Wholehearted forgiveness. The “master” in this story Jesus is telling, forgives a massive debt “completely”. He responds with mercy and forgiveness for the entire, enormous, life-crippling debt. There is now no longer anything owing. He is free.
The absolutely mean spirited and greedy response of this free man to his servant, stands in stark contrast to the actions of his master.
I live in the Kingdom of God. A Kingdom of extravagant forgiveness and freedom from debt.
It is my culture.
Lord God – you have mercifully and completely forgiven me. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit – I need your help. May Your kingdom come here on earth as in heaven – through me, as I forgive as you do.
Written by Ps. Linda Quinn
Matthew 18:15-22
15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” 21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
Conflict is an expected part of living life with others; however, this doesn’t mean it’s an easy thing to navigate. Verse 15 sharply caught my attention, in that when we see someone stumble, or find ourselves in disagreement with another Christian, we have a decision about how we act.
It’s quite easy to ‘discuss’ (or perhaps gossip in some situations) the person or error that has been made. This passage makes it clear to talk to the person involved, not just around them. When having a conversation, we might find ourselves trying to be the person who is right. However, is this really the motivation we should have? Instead, we should approach conversations in a way that wins them back to Christ. In the same way, if we are approached, we should be willing to listen.
The ending verses 21-22 remind us that there will be times were people hurt us, but also in turn that we will hurt others and forgiveness is needed. We should be quick to put into practice the advice earlier in the passage; to approach one another and have conversations that lead back to Christ.
Lord, thank you that you forgive me when I do the wrong thing. When I have done the wrong thing, please help me to listen to Godly wisdom. When I see someone stumble, help me to reach out to them with words that lead them to you.
Written by Ps. Andrea Moltino
Matthew 18:1-14
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. 6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. 10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. 11 12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
There is a lot of great wisdom in this passage, it’s almost hard to know where to begin. One of the many things I can observe here is the emphasis and importance Jesus is placing on humility. We all know about humility and we talk about it as something we desire. Humility does not tend to come naturally; I think for most of us it is a daily and active choice to choose to be humble.
As Jesus’ disciples begin to ask which is the greatest among them, Jesus is quick to answer, but perhaps not as they expected. He does not rank them, based on their skills or personality. Instead, He goes on to talk about how important the small, vulnerable and lost are to Him, using the illustration of children and sheep.
The great thing about this is that although most of us have probably dreamt of being lauded and applauded at some stage like the disciples in this passage, the reality is that all of us can relate to feeling small, vulnerable and lost in one way or another. While we may be humans sometimes full of pride and our own grandeur, we are also all like sheep who have gone astray, in need of a Good Shepherd who can seek after us and care for us, as Jesus does. I love that Jesus doesn’t try to suppress us or keep us small and insignificant, but rather conveys that we are so important to Him that He will continue to seek us – all of us – that we may know Him. It’s not about our greatness, it’s about His great desire to be in relationship with us.
Jesus, thank you that you are so interested in and want the best for us. You love to provide for us, not seeking to make us small, but longing for us to recognise our own need for you that cannot be filled any other way, no matter how great we are on our own. Help us to approach you with humble hearts, knowing you are always eager to hear from us. Amen.
Written by Madelaine Tarasenko
Matthew 17:24-27
24 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” 25 “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” 26 “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 27 “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
What an example Jesus gives here of choosing his battles. I read in Jesus’s words a dissatisfaction with paying a temple tax when it is a Jewish temple and he and his fellows are Jews. But rather than cause offence, unnecessary offence, Jesus – rather miraculously – arranges for provision for the tax.
So much to take away. I am called to wisdom – do I take care not to cause unnecessary offence? And do I know what my purpose is – is it to be right, or is it to point people to salvation in Jesus?
I am called to faith – it was nothing for Jesus to arrange, through the mouth of a fish, for the temple taxes required. God’s provision is no issue for the purposes He is bringing about in our world.
Lord, help me to be wise, and in my wise choices, trust you for where there is shortfall. If I wisely align with your good purposes, your provisions will follow!
Written by Ps. Rob Waugh
Matthew 17:14-23
14 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” 17 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” 22 When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. 23 They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief.
Have you ever had the role of being a Manager or Teacher? In these roles you would be required to instruct and educate employees and also you would be required to review their performance.
Even if you have not had one of these roles mentioned above, it is likely that you have been in a position where you have been taught by someone, like being a student at school. Can you remember being taught? A particular school subject may come to mind or perhaps a teacher that was encouraging. Sometimes I wonder if I was a good student, did I listen to the details? Did I demonstrate what I was taught? Did my Teachers ever become frustrated with me?
Jesus, the ultimate Teacher, chose his disciples carefully. In this verse, it becomes very clear that Jesus is quite frustrated with the disciples, indicating in verse 17 “How long shall I put up with you?” and verse 20 “Because you have so little faith”. Jesus’ humanity is shown very clearly here, rebuking the disciples. Also the students’ (the disciples’) humanity is on show.
Everyone is behaving like human beings, making it feel more real. The disciples had clearly missed the lesson on understanding the authority that Jesus had bestowed on them in Matthew 10:1, “to drive out impure spirits and heal every sickness and disease”. But still the disciples were chosen on purpose by Jesus, there was no mistake. They were chosen because they were imperfect, because, yes, they would make mistakes along the way.
Dear God
Thank you for your disciples. Thank you for choosing men who were not perfect and needed plenty of guidance and instruction. Thank you that we in our contemporary society can relate to the imperfection and the struggle to apply your teachings at times. Thank you for your endless forgiveness and enduring love.
Amen
Written by Susannah Ware
I have always found this an abrupt passage of Scripture. I mean here are the disciples, learners, who are still learning and Jesus says they have little faith, in fact saying that because of their little faith the deliverance of a person was not effected. Jesus clearly had an expectation that they had learned more than they had up until this point of their journey. All too often I live in a bubble in my faith, I see things through my eyes alone and into my situation alone. When was the last time I prayed for healing for a person that didn’t happen and then asked myself was the lack of healing because I had little faith. I like to reason it must be something about the situation, but rarely reflect on my part in a causal manner. God is not limited, faith as small as a mustard seed is all that is required. While not suggesting there are not other factors at work – it is important for me to ask what are uncomfortable questions of myself as well.
Father give me the courage to ask questions that spur my faith on!
Matthew 17:1-13
1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” 10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.
Observation: Peter, James and John followed Jesus up a mountain where they witnessed his transfiguration and saw Moses and Elijah. They also heard the voice of God affirming who Jesus was. The disciples were awestruck by this experience and Jesus asked them not to mention it until he had risen from the dead.
Application: What an encounter with Jesus and God the Father, not to mention Moses and Elijah the disciples had! Saying it was truly unique is an understatement. This was truly an amazing experience but what led to it? I note that the disciples were firstly with Jesus who was then able to lead them up the mountain where they encountered God like never before. It got me thinking, “Am I close enough to Jesus so he can lead me?” Peter, James and John were well positioned to encounter God in a new way. The other thing that can’t be overlooked is the voice of God affirming Jesus, his son and telling the disciples to “Listen to him.” There can never be enough reminders to heed the voice of Jesus!
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to be close to Jesus so that he can lead me into the things you have purposed and help me hear his voice clearly. Amen
Written by Ps. Ainslie Woods
Matthew 16:21-28
21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. 28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
Earlier in this chapter Jesus tells Peter that he will be the rock on which the church will be built – that Jesus has big plans for him. Now in this passage, Peter is trying to get Jesus to stop speaking about what needs to occur next because he cannot believe that is what will happen to the Messiah – for Him to be killed.
Often we get confused about Jesus and why He answers our prayers the way He does or why the world is full of bad situations where good people get hurt. Just like Peter, we think we know how God should organise things, how Jesus should save us from what we don’t like etc. But God knows way more about what is going on than we do and He has better ideas and plans. We may not like those ideas or those plans but He promises that we can trust they will work for good in all of us.
In the second half of this passage, Jesus asks us to trust Him, to believe that He knows best, that He loves us beyond our imagining, that He wants us to join Him in bringing His ideas to life even when they don’t make sense to us and, as a result, we will become who we were created to be.
Lord, thank you for the examples in the bible of people getting confused, misunderstanding your intentions or just plain missing the signs about what will happen. Thank you because that is what we do too. Help us to be reminded that you are God and that we are not, that you have ideas and plans that we may never be able to understand and that we can trust you 100%. Thank you for your love and that your desire is for each of our souls to be saved. Amen.
Written by Therese Manning
Matthew 16:13-20
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Who do you say Jesus is? This is the most important question we will ever answer. Reading this passage Jesus is saying He is the Son of the Living God. What a claim! As CS Lewis puts it, this only leaves us with three possible answers – (a) Jesus is lying (b) Jesus is crazy (c) Jesus is the Son of God. And just as Jesus asks His disciples for an answer, so He asks us for an answer today. This is not a question to put off until tomorrow.
Secondly, if we believe Jesus is truly the Son of God, then we must necessarily believe what He has to say about us. Jesus tells Peter who he is. He tells Peter the amazing things He will do through him. I wonder if Peter doubted Jesus’ words about himself when he later made mistakes, when he denied Jesus and when he watched Jesus die. When I sin or when things don’t go to plan, it’s easy to doubt that I am loved, that God has good purposes for me, and that I have access to the power of heaven through Jesus. But if I believe what Jesus says about Himself, I must also believe what He says about me.
Lord help me to put on the belt of truth each day- help me surround myself with your true thoughts of me, rather than listening to the lies that sometimes rattle around in my head. Thank you that I can trust you.
Written by Rhi Mellor
Matthew 16:5-12
5 When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. 6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.” 8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Sometimes I wonder if Jesus was tempted to give up on parables and metaphors! However, I think the reason the disciples and the crowds were hard of hearing is because they simply were not attuned to the spiritual frequency Jesus was communicating on.
The disciples seem to be worried here about immediate and physical concerns, like food in their belly. Jesus was concerned with the state of their heart and soul.
I can be just the same as the disciples, my mind occupied with things of the ‘flesh’, ignorant to more pressing spiritual concerns.
Jesus’ warning to the disciples is for me as well. I need to be careful of the teaching that I am ‘ingesting’. Teaching spreads and becomes pervasive. The Pharisees and Sadducees actually had completely different theologies, yet both groups had lost any sense of true humility and intimacy before God in Worship. Their teaching was devoid of the Spirit of God.
“Lord, help me right now to become aware of any teaching that is becoming pervasive in my life, but not of your Spirit – wherever it might be coming from: friends, TV, the internet, etc.
[Pause to allow God to speak].
“Lord, may I be pervaded by your voice, and may the Scriptures be the source of life teaching for me and my family. Amen”
Written by Andrew Mellor
Lord, help me to become aware…
Lord, may i be pervaded by Your Voice; Your Word..!
So true!!
So many voices shouting out for our ears;
or subtle pseudo-spiritual whisperings in our philosophy-saturated airwaves…
Lord, help me to become aware of Your Voice in all this buzz. Help me to filter out the constant noise and hear your voice in the gentle breeze…
Matthew 16:1–4
1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.
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
Matthew 15:29-39
29 Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 30 Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. 31 The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel. 32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.” 33 His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?” 34 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” 35 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. 37 They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 38 The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.
I know you’re thinking, ‘didn’t we just read this in chapter 14, surely Matthew isn’t repeating himself?’ This miracle of feeding the 4,000 is quite different from the 5,000 even though we don’t hear quite so much about it. It’s taking place in a different location, very likely a crowd that is mainly non Jewish who have been with Jesus for days, many miracles had already taken place in their midst, and this time the disciples had the bread & the fish.
I’ve thought about the disciples in this passage and verse 33. It seems that they had forgotten how Jesus had come through for them previously and how like us they are! Even though the location, the faces, the situation had all changed, they didn’t seem to believe or have the memory that Jesus could provide for them, that he could do another miracle, that he cared for them in the same way as he had before.
I know that I stress and worry over the next big thing in my world and yet Jesus has always been there, provided and cared even though the situation is different from the last time. This passage has reminded me to trust Him, to remember how Jesus has responded in the past for me, to relax into his love and care for me, to do what I can do and allow him to do the rest.
Thank Jesus that you are always there for us and even though circumstances alter you do not. You walk with us in each and every situation. Jesus, remind us through the Holy Spirit of your goodness.
Written by Suzie Hodgson
Matthew 15:21-28
21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” 23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” 25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. 26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” 27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” 28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
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
David – fabulous!! Love your insights
What an encounter with Jesus – bruising, confrontational, wow Jesus knows how to get into someone’s face. No gentle Jesus meek and mild here – which for some of course is not the picture they want to see of Him, if He is only gentle then He is containable, here He shows there are many facets to His character and nature.
I am drawn in this passage to what Jesus saw to be great faith from this woman. It is an uncommon phrase in Jesus arsenal of language and a very high affirmation. From the text I can only think that her boldness, perseverance and belief that Jesus, even though she had no ‘religious rites’ was the answer was what Jesus saw. I am also struck with the thought that the faith was ‘seeable’.
How ‘seeable’ is my faith?
Father help me to be bold and courageous in my steps of faith.
Matthew 15:1-20
1 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” 3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ 5 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ 6 they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 8 “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’” 10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. 11 What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” 12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” 13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15 Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”
Well who wants to hear these words of Jesus, “This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men”.
We love some of Jesus words and then we gloss over others, particularly those words that may be difficult to understand or sometimes simply don’t fit with our preferred view of Jesus. Yet here He is, saying some hard truths.
So what do I do with this? I need to listen; I need to let these words chasten my heart. Where do I give Jesus lip service? Is it to do with the way I treat others the way I speak about others, or the sin I turn a blind eye to because, let’s face it, I like my sin, just as you do yours. I wouldn’t get trapped in its snare if it were not a temptation to me!
So let’s get bold, let’s get obedient. Where are you honouring Jesus with your lips but, in truth, your heart is far from Him? Where are you more reliant on the opinions of men than on God’s Word? As I ask that question, various things come to mind that I recognise may be a snare to me!
Father, give me the grace of repentance that I may change and follow you unencumbered by the opinions of men and women and truly following your Word, will and ways.
Written by Ps. Richard Botta
Matthew 14:22-36
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” 34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
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
Matthew 14:13-21
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
I like it that this passage begins with Jesus being tired. He wanted to withdraw and go and pray. He knew that spending time with his Heavenly Father would refresh him. In this way, Jesus reveals the importance of spending time with his Father.
But a lot more revealing was about to happen. In this well-known story, we see that Jesus performs an amazing miracle: the feeding of the 5000+ people. This has always spoken to me about God’s amazing provision: our Heavenly Father has way more than we need.
But to me this time, Jesus has revealed the truth about my Heavenly Father’s heart towards me. As one who was often dismissed by her father and told to go away and not to be a nuisance, it echoes the words of the disciples, “send them away” (v15). Jesus’ response? Nope. Don’t send them away. Actually, tell them to sit down and stay a little longer – we’re going to have a meal together.
How awesome is that and how opposite to my experience!
Lord Jesus, thank you for not giving in to your humanity but choosing to reveal the heart of my Heavenly Father. Help me to walk in this truth and not my previous experience.
Written by Gab Martin
Matthew 14:1-12
1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” 3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet. 6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
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
Matthew 13:54-58
54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.” 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
What I believe about who Jesus is, really matters. I remember hearing apologist Dan Paterson grouping the possible thoughts about Jesus under these headings:
Lunatic: Jesus didn’t mean any harm, he was just crazy. He made some bold claims, but couldn’t back them up. This idea is not true. Multiple eyewitness accounts, including some reliable sources outside the bible verify that Jesus did back up his claims.
Liar: Jesus made bold claims and backed them up, but it was all illusion and trickery. He did it to gain fame and power. This idea is also clearly false. The teachings of Christ did not elevate himself and He knew at least 3 years before His death that His mission was to die on the cross. His disciples, including his brothers who knew him since He was a child, followed Him so passionately that they laid down their lives for His cause in the years after his crucifixion.
Legend: Jesus didn’t really walk the earth. His story is just myth and fable. This belief about Jesus is actually quite recently emerging. Through history, secular, non-christian, academic and practical historians have remarked on how strong the evidence is that Jesus truly walked the earth.
Lord: Jesus was the Son of God and Messiah. He is worthy of worship, and He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. I must live my life according to His commands and teachings. This fourth option should be the response of anyone who investigates the claims of Christ fully.
But it seems that people in Matthew 13, and people today like to take a fifth path: Likelihood. It’s easy to figure that it’s not likely that God would send His Son to Nazareth. It’s not likely He would do things the was Jesus did. It’s not likely that simply believing in Him will save me from sin and death.
The reality for me is that even though I have faith, I can also fall into a sixth category!
Lazy: Even though I submit to Him as Lord, I fall short of being fully devoted as His follower.
Lord, help me to live my life in full devotion to You. And help me to lead others to understanding of your truth.
Written by Ps. Justin Ware
Matthew 13:44-53
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. 47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. 52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” 53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there.
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
Matthew 13:36-43
36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Having done an Agricultural Degree, I understand the concept of sowing and reaping. When you sow a crop, it may not be perfect conditions, it may be too dry, it may be too wet, however if you sow nothing – you reap nothing.
What we do, how we spend our time, how we spend our money, all have far reaching consequences. If we choose to sow to this world, we will reap nothing of eternal significance, however if we choose to sow to His Kingdom, we lay foundations far greater than what we will ever know.
What if Paul had never gone church planting, what if Peter had never gone to Rome, what if the disciples had not left their businesses and spent time transforming their communities and other places in the world. What if Charles and John Wesley had not answered the call of God, what if William Wilberforce had not used his position in parliament to end the English slave trade, what if John Newton had not got saved and written Amazing Grace?
I remember the story about the South African potato farmer, Angus Buchan, who dared to believe God rather than his circumstances. Once a hard drinking farmer, he met Jesus. His future transformed forever. He is now still a farmer, BUT also an international evangelist, holds healing rallies in his 500 seat auditorium on his farming land, he has set up AIDS clinics, and travels to share his faith in Jesus.
In 2022, WHAT IF YOU AND I …………?
Prayer: Lord, this world is so very broken, we look around, we listen to the news, and we see so much wrong. Lord, we pray that you would use us this year to bring about a revolution for Jesus in our Community. Lord we know your Kingdom overcomes the world. Use us we pray. Amen.
Written by Ps. Sue Botta
“He who has ears – let him hear”.
It is a pretty straight forward phrase, it is packed with a punch. Jesus has just given us a parable that gives us a stark contrast about the nature of the end times when He will judge the peoples of the earth. Clearly the righteous and unrighteous have coexisted up until this time but there is a day when they will be separated. Jesus is calling it – He is warning us. It can be easy to get focused on the things of this world. All too often the evidence of Christ’s kingdom can be obscured from our sight, it can be seemingly slow, even unlikely.
But the kingdom of God is real and it is coming, though not fully here as yet.
Jesus states “Him who has ears let him hear”. What does He mean? Clearly everyone in ear shot heard what He was saying. But did they take it to heart, will they act in the light of what Jesus says, will I act in this knowledge and understanding of life. This is a call to obedience to the life Jesus calls us to – I choose God!
Father, help me to live in obedience to You in all ways at all times.
Matthew 13:24-35
24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 “ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29 “ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ” 31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” 33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” 34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”
My dad grew up in a poor farming family during the Depression era and couldn’t wait to get off the farm when he was old enough. Therefore, I am a city girl, born and raised!
Jesus often used agricultural metaphors to speak in a way that the listeners of the day could understand. Although most of us have probably never been farmers, we too, can understand something of God’s ways through this parable.
Here we read of a scenario that would frustrate any farmer. His precious crops are full of weeds!
Firstly, look how the Farmer’s workers respond to this situation. They are confused by what is going on – “Where did they (the weeds) come from?”, they ask.
The workers lack understanding, but the Farmer knows straightaway that an enemy has deliberately sowed weeds in the fields to try and destroy the harvest.
Secondly, the workers offer a solution to fix the problem – “Shall we pull all the weeds out?!” Again, the Farmer knows better. He instructs them to not act rashly or they’ll just make things worse. Wait patiently and it will all get sorted in the end.
We are often like the workers and God is like the Farmer. When the enemy comes against us, we often are confused and taken by surprise – “What is going on here??”. Of course, God is not surprised – He always knows what’s really going on.
Then my next response is often just like the workers – how can I immediately fix this problem?! Isn’t it good that God, the wise Farmer, always has a solution? Isn’t it challenging that the solution often involves waiting patiently for His wisdom and His timing!
Father God, as we face challenges in our lives, help us to look to You to see what is really going on beneath the surface, and help us to wait patiently for Your wisdom on how to move forward.
Written by Shelley Witt
Phone: +61 2 9875 0300
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Carlingford NSW 2118
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Carlingford High School Hall,
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God bless you multiple ❤️