by Tatiana Overduin
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The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor (Luke 4:18).
Read Luke 4:14–21
In this Scripture text, we often translate ‘the poor’ simply as those who are ‘financially poor’. However, in Greek, ‘the poor’ are also broken-hearted, those without support, ultimately, we could interpret, as those who do not yet believe in the message of the cross and the inheritance of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
In this Lukan text, Jesus specifically cites the reference, written in the Book of Isaiah 61:1–3, where the Old Testament prophet describes the coming of the Messiah:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release the prisoners from darkness.
So we, too, now understand that Jesus fulfils the prophecy, reiterating in verse 21: ‘Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing’.
Jesus walked in the power of the Spirit. He stood in the synagogue, read the Old Testament Scripture before those who gathered there, and proclaimed the fulfilment of the Scripture. We read that those who were there were ‘amazed’. Jesus had a mission: he was sent by his Father to proclaim the good news, and Jesus himself fulfilled this because he was – and still is – ‘the good news’.
This truth remains and continues to be proclaimed today. Jesus remains the definitive good news to an impoverished world. In response, we, too, are called to fearlessly walk in the power of God’s Spirit and witness to the poor, the message of God’s redemptive power working through the death and resurrection of Jesus, all to fulfil God’s plan and save a sinful human race. Sometimes, we are called to be witnesses of Christ to family, sometimes to friends and at other times to strangers. When we call on Jesus to help us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, God promises to be with us. May we continue to do this faithfully through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lord God, thank you for empowering us to walk in the power of your Spirit, being with us through grace every day, reminding us through your word that we need not be afraid when confronted by life’s difficult challenges of living a life of witness to the redeeming power of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Thank you for forgiving us when we fail to do this and reassure us now that you are with us as we place our trust in you. Amen.
Tatiana is married to Jim, and they live at Largs North, a seaside location in Adelaide. They have two adult children and six grandchildren. This year, Tatiana looks forward to spending more time building her art therapy/knitting business, writing, gardening and enjoying an early morning beach walk. Tatiana gained a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Australian Lutheran College in 1996. Both Tatiana and Jim attend worship at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide.
by Pastor Tim Klein
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Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14).
Read Psalm 19
Where have you heard these words before? How often have you heard them?
From me, I have heard them as a prayer prelude to many sermons by many different preachers.
It’s a good prayer, but perhaps it shouldn’t be limited to preaching sermons. What if God’s people prayed this prayer in the many different circumstances of their lives? For example, just before a meeting, in the morning before you meet your family and then go off to work, as you head off to school or play sport.
In my experience, it’s always a good thing to take the word of the Lord into my head and heart and then onto my tongue. It makes a difference. It adds a level of consciousness to what I might say and the situations in which I say them. The Lord’s Spirit will direct me away from error and toward the truth – away from sin and to his grace.
Some preachers may also pray: ‘Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth’ (John 17:17 ESV). In this prayer, the preacher is asking that the word proclaimed is truth – God’s truth – a truth that will renew and restore those listening people in their holiness.
This is a powerful package. When we (both preachers and everyday people) engage the Lord in this prayer, his Spirit will indeed go to work in us. More than that, if what we say is acceptable to the Lord and reflects his truth, it will inevitably have a positive impact on the place where it is said.
We don’t always know the impact of what is said. We simply need to trust that the Lord remains faithful to what he has promised. We can trust that when his word is faithfully and truthfully brought into the circumstances of people’s lives, he will be at work there. We trust the Lord when he says he works for good for those who love him. And so, we know and trust that he will work for good through any word of truth spoken into their lives.
So, here we are at the end of another week of devotions. This is my prayer:
Dear Lord: I pray that the words of my lips and the meditations of our hearts are acceptable to you through Jesus, our rock and redeemer. I pray that you have been at work in these truths that have been expressed this week, sanctifying and renewing each of us in our faith and life. In the name of Christ. Amen.
Tim has served as a pastor for more than 30 years in Australia and New Zealand. Not retired but repurposed on 12 January, this husband of wife Joy, father of three and grandfather of 10 intends to spend more time in the garden, write some songs that have long lingered in his mind and heart and keep up with the activities of his grandchildren and friends. He also has several active beehives that need managing, with some still to be constructed and populated. Tim will continue his voluntary service as a chaplain with SA Police.
by Pastor Tim Klein
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… theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3b).
Read Matthew 5:1–10
In these Beatitudes from Matthew 5, the usual translations (for example, the New International Version) use the passive form of ‘blessing’: ‘Blessed are those …’
In modern times, we don’t use the passive voice as much. We turn it around and make it active. We identify the subject and object (God and his people) and translate the phrase as: ‘God blesses those who …’ You read this in the Contemporary English Version.
These eight verses, known as the Beatitudes, identify eight characteristics of those who belong to the Lord and their reward.
Four of the characteristics are ones with which, on the surface, we aren’t so enamoured: being poor in spirit, mourning, being meek and being persecuted. We tend not to want to go there, even though we know they are a regular reality in the lives of Jesus’ followers. It is good, however, that each has its own reward – it’s won blessing. God has a specific blessing for each condition. Can you look back and see how God has blessed you in such times? Perhaps take a short while to reflect …
I invite you to step back from a close perspective of these ten verses and consider the bigger picture. As I suggested in yesterday’s devotion, as followers of Jesus, we are already part of his kingdom.
This is restated in Matthew 5 in two of these verses, though it is implied in all of them: theirs is the kingdom of heaven. We are forgiven followers of the king.
This truth is a great comfort and encouragement to us as we follow Jesus. It’s God’s gift to us in every one of these characteristics of our lives of faith. In times of trial and success, in times of sadness and joy, in times of struggle and ease – we belong to the kingdom! Our king, Jesus, is with us.
So, we follow, trusting, loving and serving – completely assured of our salvation. God bless you with this sure and certain faith.
Dear Lord, we thank you for your presence with us in all the circumstances of our lives. Open our eyes and hearts to see and recognise how you bless us time after time in specific ways. Let us know how you bless us overall, acknowledging the presence of your kingdom in our lives. In the name of Christ. Amen.
Tim has served as a pastor for more than 30 years in Australia and New Zealand. Not retired but repurposed on 12 January, this husband of wife Joy, father of three and grandfather of 10 intends to spend more time in the garden, write some songs that have long lingered in his mind and heart and keep up with the activities of his grandchildren and friends. He also has several active beehives that need managing, with some still to be constructed and populated. Tim will continue his voluntary service as a chaplain with SA Police.
by Pastor Tim Klein
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And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them (Matthew 4:21).
Read Matthew 4:18–25
Old Mr Nowotny would regularly greet me after church in Northam when I was a young man: ‘When will you be a pastor like your father?’ I would smile and brush off the comment … until one day, married and with our first two children, I had a strong sense of a call to ministry. My wife confirmed that call, saying she had a similar feeling. Less than 12 months later, we had sold our little cottage home, packed up our goods and chattels, and followed that call to Adelaide, where I studied and prepared for pastoral ministry. That call took place just over 40 years ago.
Even though I am retiring from full-time ministry in January (as you read this, I’m already retired), the call remains. I hope to respond and share the good news well into whatever years the Lord gives me. One day, I will lay back in the arms of the Lord: Lord, into your hands, I commit myself!
God’s call is for all of us. He calls all of us to follow – in whatever capacity he gives.
We might not know where answering the call will take us – place, situations and people. But we do know the destination. In a way, those early followers stepped into the kingdom of God when they stepped into the company of Jesus. With that understanding, our destination is already happening.
You might like to reflect on what it has meant for you to be a follower of Jesus. Where has that taken you? Who have been some of the characters you have met along the way? Who have you served with? What have been your experiences? What blessings have you been able to bring to others? What blessings have you received? I’m sure you have other things to reflect on.
Maybe the Lord is calling you right now to follow him into something new.
We do not travel alone. Jesus’ words ring in my ears from time to time, especially during the tough times: ‘I am with you always, even to the end of the age!’
Lord, thank you for your call at work in our lives. Open our ears, eyes and hearts to hear your call. Give us willing hands and feet to follow and serve. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Tim has served as a pastor for more than 30 years in Australia and New Zealand. Not retired but repurposed on 12 January, this husband of wife Joy, father of three and grandfather of 10 intends to spend more time in the garden, write some songs that have long lingered in his mind and heart and keep up with the activities of his grandchildren and friends. He also has several active beehives that need managing, with some still to be constructed and populated. Tim will continue his voluntary service as a chaplain with SA Police.
by Pastor Tim Klein
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From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’ (Matthew 4:17).
Read Matthew 4:12–17
After my ordination – in July 1991 – I was sent to serve in the mid-north parish of Clare-Blyth-Burra.
It was a bit like Jesus’ sending: ‘Tim, go and preach – “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”’ I recall my trepidation at the time and my strong sense to be faithful to the Lord’s call on my life. I’ve now been preaching the kingdom for more than 30 years.
The message is still needed, not just for the listener, but also for me and you.
Repentance doesn’t sit easy. Who really wants to confess their sin – both the obvious and the hidden? But we need repentance every day. God wants us all to be safe and saved. You might say: ‘But I’m a faithful baptised person – I don’t need to repent.’ You might even say, ‘I’ve really got nothing to confess’.
But listen to what the Lord in Hebrews 4:12: ‘For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.’ Listen and know that he knows what we need to confess!
Martin Luther’s Evening Prayer has this word of confession: ‘And I pray that you would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong.’ Building this daily prayer into our lives is a good thing.
Jesus, John the Baptist, and all the prophets before us each called people back to the Lord. Ordained pastors everywhere continue to proclaim the presence of God’s kingdom. And the same call is on you and me. This is a simple task, really – to speak the truth we know and believe and testify to the presence of the Lord. God knows we miss many opportunities, and we can complicate it with our doubts and uncertainties. But he remains faithful to us, and his Spirit will always be ready to give us the words and actions we need to call people back to the Lord.
Don’t give up on your family, neighbours and friends. They need the assurance of salvation, and you are the one God has placed right there to bring his truth.
Dear Lord, when we struggle to find words and actions to proclaim your call to repentance and the presence of your kingdom, bless us with a calm and sure assurance so that we can faithfully serve you, our families, our neighbours and our friends with your truth. Amen.
Tim has served as a pastor for more than 30 years in Australia and New Zealand. Not retired but repurposed on 12 January, this husband of wife Joy, father of three and grandfather of 10 intends to spend more time in the garden, write some songs that have long lingered in his mind and heart and keep up with the activities of his grandchildren and friends. He also has several active beehives that need managing, with some still to be constructed and populated. Tim will continue his voluntary service as a chaplain with SA Police.
by Pastor Tim Klein
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You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve (Matthew 4:10b).
Read Matthew 4:1–11
How good are you at resisting temptation?
I confess that in some things, I really struggle. For example, put me in a bakery where there are fresh cream honey-logs or Kitchener buns, and it is highly unlikely that I will leave the place empty-handed.
What are the things that tempt you most? You know yours as well as I know mine.
I wish I always had the same splanxa (guts or intestinal fortitude) as Jesus to recognise temptation and confront it head-on. Do you recall the time when Jesus explained to his disciples what he was about to go through concerning his torture and death? Peter talks up and says never – this should never happen to you. Now, Jesus could have thought, ‘Ahh, here at last is somebody on my side, someone who doesn’t want to see me go through the pain’. Instead, he recognises this as a temptation to tempt him away from his God-given mission. So, he responds to Peter: ‘Get behind me, Satan.’ (There’s that cream bun attracting my attention again: Get behind me, Satan!)
Jesus is no stranger to temptation. This famous reading from Matthew chapter 4 is the classic go-to passage when considering temptation.
This is not about froth and bubbles – things without any eternal consequence. Temptation is about taking our eyes off the Lord, relying on ourselves or relaxing our hope and trust in Jesus. This temptation of Jesus has eternal consequences, not just for him but also for you and me. (Actually, when I think about it, perhaps not resisting the temptation to consume cream buns does have some consequences for me and my family in the long run, but certainly not the same level of eternal consequence as Jesus faced.)
We could unpack each of these temptations Jesus faced, but it’s enough to focus on how he dealt with them.
How did he do it? He focused on the Lord. He pointed Satan, the tempter, back to the Lord – to his Heavenly Father – to the living Word of God. He focused the bringer of death onto the giver of life.
We pray: Dear Lord, you know how we people struggle with temptation of all kinds. Please strengthen us in our faith and trust in you and your word so that we can turn away from temptation to you – in every circumstance of temptation we face. Amen.
Tim has served as a pastor for more than 30 years in Australia and New Zealand. Not retired but repurposed on 12 January, this husband of wife Joy, father of three and grandfather of 10 intends to spend more time in the garden, write some songs that have long lingered in his mind and heart and keep up with the activities of his grandchildren and friends. He also has several active beehives that need managing, with some still to be constructed and populated. Tim will continue his voluntary service as a chaplain with SA Police.
by Pastor Tim Klein
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptised by him (Matthew 3:13).
Read Matthew 3:13–17
Have you ever been asked to do something by someone you believe is so much more qualified than you? It can be daunting, can’t it?
I recall a time early on in my relationship with my wife and her parents. My father-in-law (Ron) was a regular fisherman. He would go out fishing off Glenelg with his cousin Doug. I happened to be there once on a fishing day and he invited me along. Once we were out on the water, he asked me to steer the boat. ‘Who, me?’ I was a pretty dab hand at driving my HR 186S, but I had never driven a boat before – and this was quite a powerful boat. ‘Yes, you.’ Why not? So, I took the helm and skippered that boat out to the fishing ground, where we successfully bagged out.
Needless to say, I was chuffed. These two men trusted me with charge of the boat.
Back to John and Jesus. Jesus asks John: ‘Will you baptise me?’ John responds: ‘Who me? It should be the other way round’ (paraphrasing the event). Jesus entrusted himself to John to be baptised by him. It should be no surprise. John was known as ‘John the Baptiser’.
As I reflect, I recall numerous times when people have deferred (or attempted) to me as ‘the pastor’. Yes. Sometimes, it may be appropriate. However, there are plenty of other instances where a layperson is more than able to serve the things of God. For example, I remember being waist-deep alongside a father in a chilled Kiwi Mountain creek while he baptised his daughter in God’s name.
This is a bit like yesterday’s devotion. When are we really ready to serve? I suggest, when the need is right there before us or in front of our minds. Do we trust that the Lord will work in and through us? He trusted his own baptism to John. Will he trust you and me to the constant opportunities to seek, save and serve the lost?
Just like Jesus entrusted himself to John for his baptism, Jesus trusts us to be his agents of loving kindness wherever we are.
Lord of all: Open our eyes and ears, our hearts and our hands to the needs of others. Use us to bring your blessing into the world wherever we are. Amen.
Tim has served as a pastor for more than 30 years in Australia and New Zealand. Not retired but repurposed on 12 January, this husband of wife Joy, father of three and grandfather of 10 intends to spend more time in the garden, write some songs that have long lingered in his mind and heart and keep up with the activities of his grandchildren and friends. He also has several active beehives that need managing, with some still to be constructed and populated. Tim will continue his voluntary service as a chaplain with SA Police.
by Pastor Tim Klein
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come’ (John 2:4).
Read John 2:1–11
How human is that? ‘My hour has not yet come.’
‘Not yet, Mother!’ said Jesus. We do it, too: ‘I am not ready yet. It’s too soon. I’m not prepared to go. Try me again later’, and so on.
But, for Jesus, this is a case of saying one thing and doing another. He might not have been ready in himself as a human being to reveal who he was, yet he did! He served their need – with great blessing.
Why do we sometimes stall and backpedal from both responsibility and opportunity? Are we afraid – scared of what might happen? Are we concerned we might not really have what it takes? Do we find it easier to ‘allow someone else the privilege of serving’? Could it be that we are concerned that once that ability or service is ‘let out of the bag’, we might be saddled with it for the foreseeable future?
If you are a leader in any form, you are likely aware of how difficult it can be to engage volunteers in service. People are reluctant to commit. We are wary of other people having a call on our time and resources. I’m in the middle of seeking a new small team of people to do a 2025 monthly Saturday afternoon bread pickup. It’s not easy. But I’m living in hope. God will move some people to see the need and meet it.
I’m also encouraged by Jesus’ ultimate response to his mum when she simply overrides his reluctance. Next thing you know, her son has performed his first public miracle! She served the need at that time. I have hope and positively expect that there will be enough people to take up the bread run in my retirement next year.
I’m also hopeful more and more people will be willing to take up the call to follow Jesus as he goes about his mission of seeking out and saving lost people!
It’s sins that hold us back from serving. But even Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, despite pleading with his Father to take back the cup of sacrifice he was about to fill, ultimately served us with his life’s blood, and he offers us all this miracle of forgiveness.
He has given us a wonderful example of trusting in the Lord. The outcome is a great blessing. Can we follow his example?
Dear Father, give us the boldness to get out there to follow and serve in the opportunities you place before us. In the name of Christ. Amen.
Tim has served as a pastor for more than 30 years in Australia and New Zealand. Not retired but repurposed on 12 January, this husband of wife Joy, father of three and grandfather of 10 intends to spend more time in the garden, write some songs that have long lingered in his mind and heart and keep up with the activities of his grandchildren and friends. He also has several active beehives that need managing, with some still to be constructed and populated. Tim will continue his voluntary service as a chaplain with SA Police.
by Sal Huckel
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Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart (Psalm 36:10).
Read Psalm 36:5–10
Today’s beautiful psalm follows our devotion yesterday, where we looked a little at God’s law, particularly the First Commandment about having no other gods before the Lord. What better way to start our devotion today than a section of Psalm 36 praising God for his faithfulness, righteousness, priceless love, safety and being the fountain of life? If you ever find it hard to get in that place of worshipping God in this way in your own words, head to the Book of Psalms and use the wonderful Scriptures already recorded for this purpose!
This is our God, who must come first in our lives above all. Daily: moment by moment, hour by hour. It’s difficult – we are human! We fail – but he never does. We talk about loving God and loving others – we also have a reminder here to be ‘upright in heart’. We have grace, the forgiveness of sins – and the responsibility to respond with repentance and daily devotion to the Lord.
Thank you that your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep (Psalm 36). Help me to worship and revere your holy name daily, putting you first before all else. In Jesus’ holy name, I pray, Amen.
Sal is married to Pastor Matthew Huckel, and they live in Victoria with their six children, enjoying their ministry with Moorabbin–Dandenong Lutheran Church. Their two eldest children are excited to study at undergraduate and postgraduate levels during term time in Sydney. Theology, music, philosophy, literature and history are passions the family shares and explores together. Sal loves writing, speaking and walking to the beach at every opportunity.