Daily Digest

Matthew 26:17-30

¹⁷ On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

¹⁸ He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ ” ¹⁹ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

²⁰ When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. ²¹ And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

²² They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”

²³ Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. ²⁴ The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

²⁵ Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”

Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

²⁷ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸ This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. ²⁹ I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

³⁰ When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

So much is happening in this passage. We could focus on the miracle of Jesus’ foreknowledge about the place and preparation of the Passover meal. We could focus on Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. But I want to focus on Jesus giving his body and his blood.

The Passover meal had a script. There were specific questions, answers, prayers, and rituals throughout the celebration, including the food eaten and the wine drunk. Matzah, or unleavened bread, was eaten three times during the ceremony. The last time, called the ‘afikomen’, was the last thing eaten during the celebration and represented the lamb’s sacrifice in Egypt on the night of the Passover when God redeemed his people from slavery. It was when distributing this bread that Jesus said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” I can imagine the atmosphere there. There would already have been tension from Jesus’ proclamation that one of them would betray him. Then, he goes off-script and essentially equates himself with the sacrificial lamb that brought redemption. I imagine the disciples were stunned, confused and curious all at once.

Then Jesus took the cup of wine. This was the third cup (out of 4 ordinarily drunk) and was known as the ‘cup of redemption’. Jesus said, “Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸ This is my blood of the^[ covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Again, the atmosphere would have been electric as he implied that his blood would bring redemption.  The fourth cup, which Jesus and his disciples did not drink that night, focussed on the future, when all living creatures will praise God’s name. Jesus said he would drink wine again “new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Jesus, your boldness and genius of timing and meaning are stunning. As we approach Easter this year, I thank and praise you that you are the sacrificial lamb. Thank you for giving your body and your blood to redeem me. I look forward to that future when all will praise you.

Written by Megan Cornell

Daniel 7:13-14

¹³ “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. ¹⁴ He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Luke 22:66-71

⁶⁶ At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. ⁶⁷ “If you are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.”

Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, ⁶⁸ and if I asked you, you would not answer. ⁶⁹ But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”

⁷⁰ They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?”

He replied, “You say that I am.”

⁷¹ Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.”

These two scriptures speak to the identity and authority of Jesus Christ. In Luke, we see Jesus standing before the Jewish council, boldly proclaiming His identity as the Son of God. He is mocked, beaten, and questioned. But our Saviour remains steadfast in His faith, knowing that He is fulfilling the prophecy of the Messiah from Daniel.

In Daniel, we see an incredible vision of the Son of Man coming before the Ancient of Days (Our Heavenly Father) and receiving dominion, glory, and a kingdom that will never be destroyed. We can remain steadfast with this passage as it speaks to the ultimate triumph of Christ over all earthly powers and kingdoms, and His eternal reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Together, these two scriptures reveal the identity and authority of Jesus as the Messiah and the eternal ruler of everything! Through His suffering and death, Jesus fulfilled the incredible prophecy of the Son of Man from the book of Daniel, and through His resurrection and ascension, He secured His place as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. As believers, we are called to follow His example of faithfulness and endurance, trusting in His ultimate victory and looking forward to the day when He will return in power and glory to establish His kingdom on Earth.

Lord Jesus, we come before you with gratitude and thanks to You, our Lord and Savior, who stood before the Jewish council and boldly proclaimed Your identity as the Messiah and Son of God. Help us to follow Your example, remaining steadfast in our faith and trusting in Your plan. We pray that You would help us to live in anticipation of Your return, seeking to honour and serve You in all that we do. We ask for Your guidance and strength as we strive to follow in the footsteps of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Written by Sven Bessesen

John 12:12-16

¹² The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. ¹³ They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

¹⁴ Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:

¹⁵ “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.”

¹⁶ At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.

What sort of King is Jesus to you? The crowd clearly didn’t get it. They thought Jesus was a mighty political leader, a King that would lead them out of Roman oppression. Even after all Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven being a kingdom like no other (see Matthew 25), they still held to their own agenda. Jesus riding in on a donkey should have been a dead giveaway. Be He was not the King they wanted – which became heartbreakingly clear only one week later.

What sort of King have I made Jesus to be in my life? Do I expect Him to take away all my troubles and make life easy? Am I shocked and disappointed when He doesn’t answer my prayers the way I want Him to? Do I rail against Him when He calls me to love and sacrifice and deny myself for the sake others? Or is my life filled with perpetual worship and wonder at this King who willingly sacrificed His life for me – because He values me so much?

Jesus, may praise and love and wonder and worship flow without ceasing from this grateful heart. Be my King – whatever You say I will do.

Amen

Written by Boudy Van Noppen

John 11:20-27, 38-44

²⁰ When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

²¹ “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²² But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

²⁴ Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

…

³⁸ Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. ³⁹ “Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

⁴⁰ Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

⁴¹ So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. ⁴² I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

⁴³ When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Have you seen the “Back to the Future” movies?  Where people go back in time changing something in a previous generation which will mean that now everything in the present—and the future—can be different.  It’s a kind of nostalgia, not for the past as it was, but for the present that could have been, if only the past had just been a little bit different.  That is here in vs. 21 in Martha’s ‘if only’ to Jesus.  She knows that if Jesus had been there, he would have healed Lazarus. And she knows that it had taken Jesus at least two days longer to get there than she had hoped. Lazarus has already been dead for three days, but perhaps … he might just have made it … if only …

Jesus challenges her to exchange her ‘if only …’ for an ‘if Jesus …’.
If Jesus is the Messiah, the One who was promised by the prophets, the One who was to come into the world …
If He is God’s Son, the One in whom the living God is strangely and newly present …
If He is resurrection-in-person, life-come-to-life …

How often do you live in the ‘if only…’ view of life?
How often do you live in the ‘If Jesus…’ view of life?

Father, help me to keep a constant focus on Jesus – particularly when I am tempted to view life with nostalgia.

Written by Ps. Richard Botta

Luke 9:28-36, 43b-45

²⁸ About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. ²⁹ As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. ³⁰ Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. ³¹ They spoke about his departure, ^q which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. ³² Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. ³³ As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)

³⁴ While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” ³⁶ When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.

…

^43b While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, ⁴⁴ “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” ⁴⁵ But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

How could they not understand?

We’ve just heard how God revealed to Peter that Jesus is the Messiah. Now Peter, James and John have seen Jesus shining in glory, talking with Moses and Elijah, and heard God’s voice telling them to listen to Jesus, because he is God’s son. Jesus has talked openly about what happens next: Jesus being rejected, betrayed, handed over and killed by their leaders and being raised back to life.

We tend to shake our heads in disbelief at their lack of understanding. We, of course, understand what they didn’t. We know that Jesus was taking the penalty for our sins (1 Peter 2:24) … or maybe he was redeeming us from slavery to sin … of maybe he’s disarming the powers of this world by nailing our sin to the cross (Colossians 2:13-15) … or maybe his resurrection is the beginning of God’s promised renewal of all creation … or maybe its all of these things and more. Colossians 1:15-20 says Jesus was reconciling all things. All God’s plan for his people and his world come together in Jesus’ extraordinary death and resurrection. Maybe I understand less than I think I do.

They couldn’t understand because they couldn’t see it (9:45). Jesus was going way beyond what they expected Messiah would do. But their big mistake was that they were too scared to ask.

Jesus, open my mind to understand even a bit of what you did for me, for all your people, for your world on the cross. And when I see that, show me more. I thank you, I worship you, I stand in amazement at the enormity of what you did. Please give me words that are simple and clear to speak into the lives of people around me that will allow them to be part of what you did too.

Written by David Cornell

Mark 16:14-20

¹⁴ Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

¹⁵ He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. ¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷ And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ¹⁸ they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

¹⁹ After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. ²⁰ Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

“Their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him.” This verse shocked me. This group of disciples had been through so much with Jesus. Survived storms, seen people healed, freed from demons, caught huge numbers of fish, seen people raised from the dead. But in their fear and disappointment they had forgotten all Jesus’ words that he had to die but would rise again. Possibly they didn’t want to get their hopes up by believing this amazing news.

He had to pull them into line.

How disappointed Jesus must have felt to see how quickly the disciples had lost faith and belief in him.

But incredibly he stuck by them. In fact, he passed his work and message to them. It was a great responsibility, charging them with sharing the message of the gospel to all.

Jesus never gives up on us.

Even if we wallow in unbelief, he will always give us another chance.

This is very comforting when I think of family who seem to have turned away from him. He does not turn away from us. Ever. Like the father who looked out for and celebrated over his lost son, God longs for everyone to return to him.

His Spirit will intervene to change and soften hearts.

Dear Heavenly Father, you are a God full of compassion and understanding. Thank you that you never give up on me, and you call me back even when I stubbornly refuse to listen to you. Praise you! Amen

Written by Claire Moore

¹ When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. ² Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³ and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

⁴ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. ⁵ As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

⁶ “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ”

⁸ Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

Whenever I read about the death and resurrection, I am struck by how ordinary this part of the story starts out. These 3 women who knew and loved Jesus were going to do what needed to be done to his dead body. They weren’t sneaking up to the grave to check if it was empty, or to see an angel. Because God is the God of all things including the unexpected. What these women encountered defied all imagination, and yet although they were terrified/unsettled/confused they were clearly convinced they had received a word from God. This reminds me I need to be open to experiencing God in new and unexpected ways. Although I live in a world bound by the laws of nature etc, the God who created those laws, who wants to be in relationship with me and you, can move above and beyond the expected to achieve His ends- even defeat death. 

Great and Mighty Heavenly Father, help me to keep my mind open to you, to see you at work today and to know the miracle of your power in my life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Written by Christine Knight

Mark 15:33-41

³³ At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. ³⁴ And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

³⁵ When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

³⁶ Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

³⁷ With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

³⁸ The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. ³⁹ And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

⁴⁰ Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome. ⁴¹ In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.

“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me” and he breathed his last. The temple curtain was torn in two. Other Gospel accounts recall an earthquake, the sky growing dark and the dead rising from their tombs.

Clearly this was an unusual and significant event. But what was the significance of Christ’s cry? The earthquake? The curtain? The dark sky? And I’ve heard people ask: Why the zombies?

Living in Australia in 2023 as I write this, my experience with the supernatural is pretty limited. I have experienced maybe a dozen things in my life that seem significant or special that can’t easily be easily explained through rationality, logic or science.

So, its easy to dismiss the Bible today when it reports significant supernatural happenings, because of the assumption that the supernatural isn’t real. But if Christ really was who He said He was, and if in that moment on the cross, the wrath of God that was due to all of mankind for all time really was poured out on him – If the bondage that sin has over the world, separating us from God, was truly broken – it shouldn’t be surprising at all that there would be an overflow from the spiritual realm into the natural realm.

Lord, Your existence and presence is both natural and supernatural. Your love, grace, mercy and forgiveness do not just exist spiritually, but they are real and tangible. Lord, I thank You for Jesus – the very embodiment of Your being – who died in my place, for my sin and who rose again to life for me.

Written by Ps. Justin Ware

Mark 15:16-20

¹⁶ The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. ¹⁷ They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. ¹⁸ And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” ¹⁹ Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. ²⁰ And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

How awful to think how Jesus was treated by these soldiers, who were in positions of authority by the Governor of Judea.  They taunted, humiliated and mocked Jesus before crucifying Him.

It reminds me that no matter what position of authority we hold, as a parent, a husband, a wife, a leader, a worker, a manager, a friend, etc; how we treat people is so important.  Jesus taught us to be kind to those who were blind in their sin, He taught us to love, He taught to believe the best of other people, He taught to have eyes for those who are broken and downtrodden, He taught us to care…

Jesus in this moment could have spoken one word and all those soldiers would be dead.  These soldiers were blind to who He was, they abused the authority they had and have been written into the history book of the Bible forever.

He could have demonstrated His power and authority, but He came for a purpose, to die for You and Me.  To lay His life down.

Lord Jesus, help to always love, care, and be merciful to those who are blind.  Help me Lord to speak and respond like you.  In your name, Amen.

Written by Ps. Sue Botta

Mark 14:66-72

⁶⁶ While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. ⁶⁷ When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.

“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.

⁶⁸ But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.

⁶⁹ When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” ⁷⁰ Again he denied it.

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”

⁷¹ He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”

⁷² Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

This is a heartbreaking story. Peter’s famous angry denial that he did not know his beloved friend Jesus is a grim reminder of what fear can do to the human heart. When confronted with his fear of what might happen if he was known as a friend of Jesus, Peter chose to lie to save his own skin.

Additionally, only days before this event, Peter had vehemently denied Jesus’s prediction that all of His disciples (including Peter) would ultimately disown Him. How humbling for Peter.

Before I get too down on Peter, I need to recognize that I am often unaware of what my heart is capable of when confronted by my own fears.

Denial of the truth to save our own skin is a common human response, and I have certainly fallen into that trap at times. Just think of how quickly a child is prepared to lie when they think they are going to ‘get in trouble’.

Spiritual maturity not that we have moved beyond the capability of sinful thoughts and actions. Spiritual maturity is recognizing just how capable of sin we still are and owning the truth, no matter how painful it may feel to admit our weaknesses.

Lord, I thank you for your acceptance and forgiveness in the midst of our failings. May I have the courage to own the truth of my own weaknesses and allow Your grace to meet me there.

Written by Shelley Witt

Mark 14:43-52

⁴³ Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

⁴⁴ Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” ⁴⁵ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. ⁴⁶ The men seized Jesus and arrested him. ⁴⁷ Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

⁴⁸ “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? ⁴⁹ Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” ⁵⁰ Then everyone deserted him and fled.

⁵¹ A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, ⁵² he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples. One who had walked with him for nearly 3 years. By one who had shared meals, stories, laughs and tears. Judas calls him Rabbi (teacher) and identifies him with a kiss. A greeting of brothers.

His response to this and to those coming after him with clubs and swords is interesting. He says he hasn’t come to lead a rebellion and that this is all happening to fulfil scripture.

Jesus appears to be incredibly focused in the midst of such a sad and scary situation. It is a scary situation, Mark the writer, tells us that an on looking man ran off so scared that he left his clothing behind (Mark 14:53).

Jesus is focused on his purpose and calling, on the crucifixion and his role as Saviour. He is not focused on his offence, on getting his own back, in his rightness or his rights. He knows what he has to do and how that has to come about. He’s certain of His Father’s way.

Jesus, help me be more like you. Give me greater clarity of my purpose and calling. Help me to fix my eyes on you. To be less concerned with my rights and more concerned with what you would have me do. Help me to trust and obey as you did.

Written by Ps. Zoe Stewart

Mark 14:26-31

²⁶ When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

²⁷ “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:

“ ‘I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep will be scattered.’

²⁸ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

²⁹ Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”

³⁰ “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”

³¹ But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

I can understand and empathise with Peter here. It’s one thing to proclaim your relationship with Jesus when you’re surrounded by others who believe and when you’re engaged in church activities. I think it’s pertinent that the disciples have engaged in what would become the act of communion and have then sung a hymn with Jesus just before He tells them that they will deny Him. In that context, it seems crazy to think that they would do such a thing. They were already living for Him, most of the disciples had given up their livelihood, lifestyles and everything they knew to follow Jesus. How could they not be willing to claim their closeness to Him? Yet when push comes to shove and the context becomes much more serious, Peter denies he has been close to Jesus at all. I wonder how many of us also feel this tension. We might be willing to truly live for Jesus in a myriad of ways – sacrificial giving of our time, energy or finances, following His call when it doesn’t make sense to us, or making decisions that are counter cultural yet honour God. Yet sometimes it can feel that the safest or easiest choice in our own lives is to downplay our affiliation to Christianity, the church or God himself. Maybe this is because we don’t know what the consequences will be if we proclaim our faith, even though we are so blessed to live in a nation where our life is not on the line for what we believe. I’m sure each of us has been in a situation where proclaiming our faith would cost us in some way. Peter knew who Jesus was, yet still faltered in the face of serious danger. How amazing that Jesus did not give up on Peter! In fact, He used Peter mightily to build the early church. How grateful Peter must have been that Jesus did not count him out! 

God, even though I love you and want to live for you, I can think of times where I have not been outspoken or have been quiet for fear of how I would be perceived because of my faith in you. I am so grateful that you do not count me out. Thank you that you are a kind and gracious God, and that you continue to use all of us for your purpose. Help us Lord to live as you have called us to, as people who live for you in every way. Amen.

Written by Madelaine Tarasenko

Mark 14:10-21

¹⁰ Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. ¹¹ They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

¹² On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

¹³ So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. ¹⁴ Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ ¹⁵ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”

¹⁶ The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

¹⁷ When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. ¹⁸ While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”

¹⁹ They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”

²⁰ “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. ²¹ The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

This passage reminds me that Jesus is in control. He knows what the disciples will face when they enter the city to prepare a room for the Passover. He knows that one of His disciples will betray him. In this passage, Jesus demonstrates that He is in control of all things. We can be reassured that no matter our situation, we can trust that God is in control.

God, thank you that you are in control of all things. Thank you that you go before me and are with me in all things. Please help me to trust in you, to rely on your words and promises, and to follow you even in times of uncertainty. Amen.

Written by Ps. Andie Molteno

Mark 13:28-37

²⁸ “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. ²⁹ Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. ³⁰ Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. ³¹ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

³² “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. ³⁴ It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

³⁵ “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. ³⁶ If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. ³⁷ What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ ”

It’s easy to get distracted by life. To not pay attention each day to what God wants to say to us or who He has put in our lives for us to bring His love to them. We go to work, look after the family, do the shopping, clean the house – all good things to do. We squeeze God into the moments that are left over from all the things we have to do.

Jesus is reminding us in this passage to remember, to pay attention, to look into His face – so that we will not miss His return. This is a good way to think of every day. Am I paying attention to what God wants for me today? Have a chat with God each morning – what does He want you to know about the day ahead and what does He want you to do today? Bringing His love to each and every person you encounter across a day is a great place to start.

Living today and every day like Jesus is going to return in the next few hours is an excellent way to make sure you are chatting to God, reading His word and paying attention to His voice.

Dear Lord, thanks so much that You are a personal God. You care about what is going on in our lives and in our minds. You pay attention to us. Help us to pay attention to You today. To notice Your voice and to listen. Fill us with Your love and help us know how to show that love to the person in front of us. Amen.

Written by Therese Manning