The grace of Jesus
by Pauline Simonsen
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… they knew it was the Lord (John 21:12b).
Read John 21:1–13
The disciples are lost; they don’t know what to do. Their master was crucified, dead and buried, but now he is miraculously alive again. How can this be? And what are they supposed to do now? Confused and disoriented, they return to the one thing they know: fishing. But today, they’re not even successful at that.
And then: the man on the shore in the early morning light, the call to try once more and the catch of fish – so big they can’t get it on board and must tow it to shore.
Suddenly, the disciples’ heads are full of echoes and memories of another morning three years before, of a man on the shore and another enormous catch. John turns to Peter: ‘It is the Lord!’ And Peter can’t help himself; he leaps out of the boat into the water to go to Jesus. Like he did that night on the lake in the storm – ‘call me to you!’ he’d cried. And Jesus said, ‘Come.’ Peter, desperate to be with his Lord.
But there has been much water under the bridge in those three years. There has been ‘Get behind me, Satan’ (Mark 8:32,33)! There has been Peter’s overconfident declaration (Mark 14:29–31) and then his falling asleep in Gethsemane (Mark 14:37,38). There was his foolish attempt to defend against Jesus’ arrest (John 18:10,11). And, worst of all, there was Peter’s denial of his Lord three times (Mark 14:66–72). The Peter who jumps out of the boat to go to Jesus is heartsick, ashamed and humbled.
But see how Jesus receives him. With a welcoming fire and bread and fish ready to eat. No rebuke or condemnation. Instead, he tells Peter to bring some fish they just caught. Surely, as Peter goes to help the others bring the haul ashore, he is remembering when Jesus called him three years before: ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will be catching people’ (Luke 5:10).
Perhaps the Lord still has a purpose for him?
As Jesus takes the bread and gives it to them, echoing another sacramental meal, Peter realises that above all else his master is grace. Jesus redeems failing humans like Peter, like us.
‘The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning’ (Lamentations 3:22,23b).
Bless you, loving Lord, for your endless grace for us failing humans. Thank you that every day I begin again in your merciful love. Walk with me today, and use me for your kingdom purposes. I go out now in your peace. Amen.
Pauline lives in sight of the ranges in the beautiful Manawatu region of New Zealand with her husband Roger and their two cats. There, she leads Emmaus Bible College and offers spiritual direction and supervision to people from a wide range of backgrounds and denominations.
God with us
by Pauline Simonsen
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It is I; don’t be afraid (John 6:20b).
Read John 6:14–24
Earlier this week, we meditated on Matthew’s narrative of Jesus walking on the water. John’s account contains some differences. After miraculously feeding the crowds, Jesus leaves them. He goes up into the hills alone to prevent the crowd from trying to force him to be their king. John’s account also doesn’t mention Peter’s experience of walking on the water and Jesus saving him.
John’s interest lies in Jesus’ supernatural authority over the natural realm and people’s different responses to it. The morning after the feeding miracle, when the crowd works out that Jesus didn’t go in the boat with the disciples, they pursue him to Capernaum, asking how Jesus got to the other side. They are fascinated with Jesus and his miraculous powers, a fascination Jesus isn’t interested in feeding, then or now (John 6:26,27).
What about the disciples? What do they learn about their master as they battle against heavy winds and waves in their small boat on the lake that night? They see the figure on the water walking out of the darkness towards them, and they are terrified. Then they hear the voice of their master calling out, ‘It is I; don’t be afraid!’
Perhaps Jesus’ declaration is preparing the disciples for his ‘I AM’ statements, the first of which John records in the next few verses: ‘I am the bread of life’ (John 6:35). At the very least, the disciples must be recalling Old Testament Scriptures that speak of Yahweh as the one who controls the seas.
‘The waters saw you, O God … and writhed; the very depths were convulsed … Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen’ (Psalm 77:16,19). ‘You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them’ (Psalm 89:9).
The disciples witness Jesus, their master, doing what only God can do. Whether they fully perceive it yet, the ‘I AM’ of the burning bush is among them! Immanuel, God is with us!
The God who led Israel through the waters of the Red Sea is the same God who walked over the Sea of Galilee to the disciples’ boat. And this is the same God who speaks to you and me in our storms, ‘It is I, don’t be afraid!’ Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
In the troubles of my life today, Lord Jesus, grant me to see you with clarity and trust as the God of my salvation. Let your word quell my fears, and your presence bring me peace, today and always. Amen.
Pauline lives in sight of the ranges in the beautiful Manawatu region of New Zealand with her husband Roger and their two cats. There, she leads Emmaus Bible College and offers spiritual direction and supervision to people from a wide range of backgrounds and denominations.
Grace, not death
by Pauline Simonsen
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Salvation comes from the Lord (Jonah 2:9b).
Read Jonah 2:1–10
Like the Old Testament people, I have a wary respect for the sea – for its relentless waves, vast expanses and profound depths. I’ve swum in the sea, travelled in boats over it, gazed at it from the beach – but the sea remains a powerful, untameable vastness that would swallow me in an instant.
So when Jonah says to his fellow sailors battling a fierce storm, ‘throw me overboard’, I feel the terror. So do the others. They try everything: chucking cargo overboard, praying to their gods, rowing – but nothing helps. Finally, asking Jonah’s God for mercy, they throw Jonah into raging waves. The sea grows calm, and the sailors are stricken with greater fear of this Hebrew God who is more powerful than the sea. They worship Yahweh.
What did Jonah experience as he went over the rails into the violent sea? Fear of mighty waters runs throughout the Old Testament. Jonah feared the Lord more. He knew his rebellion against God’s command to preach to Nineveh caused the storm. He submits to what he believes is his punishment: certain drowning. Jonah lives by the law.
But he doesn’t drown. God sends the great fish to swallow him up. More terror – he will surely die in the belly of this fish!
But he doesn’t die. In the swirling darkness of this strange would-be grave, he remembers Yahweh. He reaches out in faith to the God he spurned and remembers with thanksgiving that ‘salvation comes from the Lord’.
It surely does. Jonah is vomited onto the beach, alive.
However, this narrative (and Jesus took it seriously – see Matthew 12:39–41) reveals the nature of Yahweh. This God who calls Jonah to preach against Nineveh also sends storms, great fish and vines that reveal God’s heart of mercy. God desires to save people – Jonah, the sailors and Nineveh – and goes to extreme lengths to do so.
Jonah is famously displeased with God’s mercy (Jonah 4:1,2) and would rather die than watch God’s compassionate grace on Nineveh. The very same grace that Jonah pleaded for in the belly of the fish!
Thank God, his divine love and mercy are not frugally portioned out, only for those I think deserve it. God’s grace is lavish and undiscriminating – extending to whoever calls out to him and pursuing those who don’t.
Have mercy on my hard-heartedness, Father. Thank you for your endless grace to me, secured in Jesus Christ. Give me the same heart of grace and compassion for all those I meet today. Amen.
Pauline lives in sight of the ranges in the beautiful Manawatu region of New Zealand with her husband Roger and their two cats. There, she leads Emmaus Bible College and offers spiritual direction and supervision to people from a wide range of backgrounds and denominations.
Our God saves!
by Pauline Simonsen
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… all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God (Isaiah 52:10b).
Read Isaiah 52:7–10
Israel languishes in captivity in Babylon …
Suddenly a voice cries out, the voice of the Lord. ‘Wake up, my people and my holy city! Shake off the dust, put on your finest clothes – because your salvation has come! Too long have my people been oppressed, and my name slandered. But now, my people will know my name – I AM!’
The God who delivered his people from Egypt will deliver them from Babylon; the great ‘I AM’, Yahweh, returns with his people to his holy city Jerusalem, and the watchmen on the ruined walls shout for joy. The Lord has comforted his people, lifting his mighty right arm of power to redeem them from slavery. All nations will see that the God of Israel saves!
What glorious news for Israel in captivity!
But Isaiah’s beautiful message of hope rings in our ears even more gloriously, because we have seen Yahweh’s greatest act of salvation: our Lord Jesus defeating sin, death and the devil on the cross and rising to everlasting life. All nations of the earth see how the God of Israel saves: through his Son, now enthroned as king of all creation.
And one day the king will return in glory to his domain, earth, bringing final justice and shalom in the fullness of his kingdom.
What an astonishing, beautiful message of salvation and hope in these days of war and struggle and the apparent triumph of evil. Our God reigns! Our God of mercy and steadfast love lifts his powerful, holy arm to save his people – lifting Peter from the waters of Galilee, lifting you and me from our sinful struggles. This is the good news we carry and bring to other struggling sinners: receive the grace of this God who saves; rest and rejoice in it.
Those are our beautiful feet Isaiah describes!
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’
Lord God, our Saviour and King, remind us daily how you have saved us – that in our baptism we were joined to Christ our redeemer, and we belong to you. Spirit of God, renew in us each day the joy of our salvation, and make us willing messengers of hope to those who need this glorious news! Amen.
Pauline lives in sight of the ranges in the beautiful Manawatu region of New Zealand with her husband Roger and their two cats. There, she leads Emmaus Bible College and offers spiritual direction and supervision to people from a wide range of backgrounds and denominations.
Heaven meets earth
by Pauline Simonsen
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Truly you are the Son of God! (Matthew 14:33b)
Read Matthew 14:22–33
Jesus is mourning the death of his relative John the Baptist, executed by Herod. Jesus has tried to withdraw from the crowds to grieve, but they pursue him, and in his compassion, he tends to them. He feeds 5,000 men (plus women and children!), and when all are satisfied, he dismisses them. Once more he withdraws, sending his disciples off in the boat across the lake, while he goes up into the hills to be alone with his Father.
What happens next reveals Jesus in a different realm than us mortals. After communing with his Father and receiving divine comfort, refreshment and energy, he decides to rejoin his disciples. Being far out on the lake, battling a savage headwind and buffeting waves, doesn’t appear to be an issue for Jesus. He walks out to catch them up, striding powerfully through the waves as though walking along a dusty road in Galilee. This Jesus is also the Son of God, Creator Lord of this natural realm.
This is how the disciples encounter him – a pale figure in the darkness striding past them on the water. A phantom?! This extraordinary figure, untroubled by wind, waves and darkness, greets their terror with the words, ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’
For a moment, Peter glimpses the divine realm, his Master’s home, and he wants to experience it. When Jesus invites him, Peter climbs out of the boat and walks towards his Creator Lord. What an experience! In Jesus’ presence, the divine and mortal realms meet; heaven intersects with earth, and humans walk on water.
It only lasts a moment. Like the pull of gravity, Peter’s mortal nature reasserts itself. He sees the waves and feels the wind buffeting him, and he is once more merely human, now sinking into the Sea of Galilee, crying out to his Lord for salvation.
Immediately, Jesus reaches out his hand to catch Peter, to save him and bring him into the boat of safety. ‘You of little faith,’ he says to Peter, ‘why did you doubt?’
Why do we doubt our Lord Jesus when he brings the limitless power of his divine home to our cramped, mortal lives, when his hand alone saves and restores us to the safety of the boat with our fellow travellers?
Lord Jesus, forgive my doubts and fears, and stir my faith to see your true identity as my Saviour Lord and my God. Remind me that one day, your home will be mine as well. Amen.
Pauline lives in sight of the ranges in the beautiful Manawatu region of New Zealand with her husband Roger and their two cats. There, she leads Emmaus Bible College and offers spiritual direction and supervision to people from a wide range of backgrounds and denominations.
Not just a good season
by Mark Gierus
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The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest (Psalm 85:12).
Read Psalm 85:8–13
In the tropics, you have two seasons: the wet and the dry. In more temperate parts of the world, you have four seasons: summer, autumn, winter and spring.
Wherever you live, you may notice the seasons change, bringing new things, new weather patterns and new temperatures. There are seasons when there are more flowers or fruit, and seasons when vegetable crops are ready for harvest. But who sends the rain? Who sends the sun? Who governs the seasons?
God gives us what is good in every season. You may not enjoy every season, but God continues to give good gifts in them all.
We are funny as humans, aren’t we? When it is dry for a little while, we complain because we have to water our lawns and gardens. When it rains, we complain because it is too wet. When it is cold, we are tempted to complain and say we can’t wait for the summer. When it is hot, we complain and want it to be cooler. Yet in every season God gives good things.
What season of life are you in right now? Is it a cold, winter-like season, or are you living it up in the spring–summer season of life?
Can you give thanks and be filled with joy in every season of your life? God doesn’t change. He is still the loving God who cares for you and continues to provide what is good, no matter what season you are in.
Can you begin each day in the confidence and trust in God and say, ‘The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.’
God is your God in all seasons – in times of harvest and sowing, growth, drought and flooding. He will bring a harvest of love in you as you live in him through every season. God is always present.
Loving Father, you provide so much for us, giving us all good things we need for this life and forever. Let me always be thankful for the gifts you have given, and let me always be willing to share these good gifts with those around me. Amen.
Pastor Mark Gierus currently serves as a Lutheran pastor in the Alberton Lutheran Parish, including the LORDS school at Ormeau in Queensland. He is married to Kerstin, and they have three beautiful girls aged 9, 13 and 23. They enjoy family things like hiking, going to the beach, singing and jamming, looking after their pets and going on road trips. Mark and Kerstin pray that God will continue to bless you as you grow in him and come to know him more and more through his life-giving eternal word.
What work should I do?
by Mark Gierus
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Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent’ (John 6:29).
Read John 6:25–35
What sort of work pleases God? Have you ever wondered what he requires of us?
We are told over and over again that when it comes to work, we are to do our best, often going above and beyond what is asked of us. Think of students at school or university – work hard and strive to do your best. You may even have been brought up that way, encouraged to finish every job well. But when it comes to working for God, what does he really require of us as his children?
Yes, God wants us to give the work we are called to do our very best, put our hearts into it and carry it out as though we were working for God himself rather than for a boss or system. Yet what is it that God requires of us?
Jesus tells us straight about what work God requires of us. The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.
Serving, loving our neighbour, sharing God’s love and telling and living the good news of the gospel – that Jesus died for my sins, in my place so that I might be forgiven and set free – is surely the work of God and what he requires of me, isn’t it?
Yes, but the work of God first and foremost is to believe in the one he has sent, his only Son, Jesus. Then, out of faith in Jesus come good works of service, sharing and living out God’s love toward others, giving all our work our best effort. This all flows from believing in the one the Father sent – Jesus.
Dear Jesus, you tell us that the work of God is to believe in you. I believe; help me when I doubt and worry to trust that you are the one the Father sent, and you are the one who gives me peace. Amen.
Pastor Mark Gierus currently serves as a Lutheran pastor in the Alberton Lutheran Parish, including the LORDS school at Ormeau in Queensland. He is married to Kerstin, and they have three beautiful girls aged 9, 13 and 23. They enjoy family things like hiking, going to the beach, singing and jamming, looking after their pets and going on road trips. Mark and Kerstin pray that God will continue to bless you as you grow in him and come to know him more and more through his life-giving eternal word.
God does far more than we can ever imagine
by Mark Gierus
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For this is what the Lord says: ‘They will eat and have some left over’ (2 Kings 4:43b)
Read 2 Kings 4:42–44
What is God calling you to do that seems too big, too hard or simply impossible? Many things seem impossible to us, yet nothing is impossible for God.
There was once a man who was asked to build a big boat, kilometres from the nearest ocean or, for that matter, any sort of body of water big enough to float it. Yet he obeyed, and it happened just as God had said it would. This man, of course, was Noah.
There was a man who saw a bush that was burning, yet it didn’t burn up, and so he sat there and had a chat with God. Even though this man said, ‘Maybe, God, you’ve got the wrong guy to do what you would like me to do’, it happened just as God said it would. This man was Moses, and he led the people out of Egypt through the Red Sea.
We may not part the Red Sea or build a boat in a dry place, but we are called to trust in God’s provision, purpose and word, knowing that all things are possible for him.
When it comes to heaven and eternal life, you or I could not find a way there, nor could we make ourselves right in God’s sight to earn a place in heaven. We can’t save ourselves from our hopelessness in our sinful ways.
It was God who gave us a way, and that way is Jesus Christ. God sent his only Son, Jesus, to suffer and die on the cross so that we might have eternal life and be forgiven and saved from sin, death and the power of the devil.
We are free to follow Jesus as God’s children and to trust that God can do all things, knowing that he does what he says he will do. If God calls you to a seemingly impossible task, he will give you what you need to follow him.
Lord, you are amazing, always doing more and giving more than I can ever imagine. Thank you for all you do and for who you are in my life. Help me see day by day the blessings you have given me. Amen.
Pastor Mark Gierus currently serves as a Lutheran pastor in the Alberton Lutheran Parish, including the LORDS school at Ormeau in Queensland. He is married to Kerstin, and they have three beautiful girls aged 9, 13 and 23. They enjoy family things like hiking, going to the beach, singing and jamming, looking after their pets and going on road trips. Mark and Kerstin pray that God will continue to bless you as you grow in him and come to know him more and more through his life-giving eternal word.
Not in my own strength
by Mark Gierus
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‘Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.’ … Strengthened by that food, he travelled … until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God (1 Kings 19:7b,8b).
Read 1 Kings 19:4–8
Have you been on a holiday recently that you really needed because of work, life pressures and busyness? One where you were able to get right away from the daily routine and stresses and just be?
Perhaps you enjoyed a brilliant new book or finally caught up on the sleep you’d been promising yourself. You may have even given up technology or social media for a while or reconnected with a spouse, family member or friend.
How did you feel when you returned from holiday? Were you refreshed and ready to face life with joy? Or did you wonder whether you had the strength to return to what had caused you stress?
Many of us fall into the trap of working ourselves to burnout – not just physical burnout but spiritual burnout as well. We tell ourselves to keep pushing on, and then we’ll finally reward ourselves with a holiday. Yet sadly, we don’t always get the holiday. Some holidays are not so relaxing either because we are tired, run down and have forgotten the art of relaxing.
In our worries and stress, we find it easy to take a holiday from God but not from that which stresses us. We forget that God loves us and provides for our every need. He seems far away, and we grow weary in work and life.
Elijah had a heavy work schedule and was asked to do some challenging things. Today’s reading shows Elijah so burnt out that he would rather die. After rest, God provides a nourishing meal so he can get up and go again.
We all need a good holiday, but more importantly, we need God, day by day, who gives us strength to sustain us in all we do. Reconnect with God, spending time in his word, and he will renew your strength to face each day.
Loving God, you have called me to follow where you lead for your purpose. Help me always to trust in you, knowing that you strengthen me, not only with the things for my body, but with your precious word for my soul so that I may go where you lead me. Amen.
Pastor Mark Gierus currently serves as a Lutheran pastor in the Alberton Lutheran Parish, including the LORDS school at Ormeau in Queensland. He is married to Kerstin, and they have three beautiful girls aged 9, 13 and 23. They enjoy family things like hiking, going to the beach, singing and jamming, looking after their pets and going on road trips. Mark and Kerstin pray that God will continue to bless you as you grow in him and come to know him more and more through his life-giving eternal word.