by Rachael Stelzer
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He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm (Matthew 8:26).
Read Matthew 8:18–27
Earlier in our passages this week, those listening to Jesus marvelled, because he spoke ‘as one with authority, and not like the teachers of the law’ (Matthew 7:29). And the Roman centurion had correctly identified Jesus as one in authority, and he would know, as one who was used to telling others what to do.
Now, in case there was any doubt about the authority of this man, he told off the storm that had his disciples in fear for their lives. ‘Who is this man?’ they wondered. ‘Even the wind and waves obey him!’
The disciples were in awe of Jesus’ authority. They learned to trust him in all situations. And we can too.
Lord Jesus, when I take my eyes away from you, I am tempted to forget that you are in control. Remind me that you are with me and that you are more powerful than my fears. Amen.
Rachael Stelzer is Primary Head of Faith and Spirituality at Coomera Anglican College near Brisbane. She is a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale.
by Rachael Stelzer
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
The centurion replied, ‘Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed’ (Matthew 8:8).
Read Matthew 8:5–17
This week we have seen Jesus at work in the lives of a number of different people. After teaching about the difference between true disciples and false ones, Jesus interacted with and healed a number of ‘outsiders’. After healing the man with leprosy, a Roman centurion came to Jesus to ask him to heal his paralysed servant. Jesus asked the centurion if he should come with him to his house. The centurion’s response floored Jesus.
Don’t worry about coming to my house, he said. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
The centurion’s actions spoke volumes. His trust and respect for Jesus were rock-solid and marked him as a true disciple. His ethnicity and his politics did not disqualify him from Jesus’ assistance – his life showed the fruit of sincere faith and trust in Jesus. May we also look further than the superficial and see the fruit of faith in the lives of others.
Dear Jesus, the centurion took your breath away with his understanding of your authority and power. None of your ‘true believers’ had shown that amount of certainty in your healing power. Grant me that faith and certainty. Drive me humbly to my knees to acknowledge your sovereignty. And never let me judge others as beyond your help or love – you see the heart. Amen.
Rachael Stelzer is Primary Head of Faith and Spirituality at Coomera Anglican College near Brisbane. She is a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale.
by Rachael Stelzer
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing’, he said. ‘Be clean!’ (Matt 8:3)
Read Matthew 7:28–8:4
After Jesus taught the crowds on the mountainside, in his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6 and 7, a man with leprosy came to Jesus. Lepers lived outside the city at this time, in communities of similarly sick people, who had been cast out of the town, and forbidden to enter the temple. They could not even hug their families goodbye and had to carry bells to warn others to stay away from them. Catching their disease, in Jesus’ day, was a death sentence.
This leprous man had the audacity to come dangerously close to non-leprous people and even walked up to Jesus and knelt before him. He showed beautiful simple faith when he said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean’.
Jesus honoured his faith, saying, ‘I am willing! Be clean!’ This was more than just a physical healing. Jesus gave him not just healing, but the opportunity to rejoin life inside the city walls, to reunite with his family and to enter the temple community once again.
And, in keeping with Jewish law, Jesus instructed the man to go and show himself to a priest – who could pronounce him officially clean – and to make the offering that went with this pronouncement. Jesus restored the man to his community. This was healing in every sense – physical, social and spiritual. And Jesus gladly gave this man back his life.
Lord Jesus, you come near to us in many ways, offering healing and restoration of our bodies, our souls and our relationships. Help us to take a step of faith, and to praise you for your abundant grace. Amen.
Rachael Stelzer is Primary Head of Faith and Spirituality at Coomera Anglican College near Brisbane. She is a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale.
by Rachael Stelzer
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:24)
Read Matthew 7:22–27
Today’s parable follows Matthew’s account of Jesus’ teaching about true disciples. He uses a parable about wise and foolish builders to demonstrate his point.
I’ve often read this parable incorrectly. Surely, I say to myself, the wise builder is the one who listens carefully to Jesus’ words, and the foolish one ignores them.
But that’s not how Jesus characterises the two builders. They are both listeners to his words, potentially both believers in the same community, hearing the same teachings and encouragements.
The difference between the wise and the foolish builders? Five little words: ‘… and puts them into practice’. The wise man hears Jesus’ words and puts them into practice. The foolish man hears Jesus’ words and doesn’t put them into practice.
I’ve heard Jesus’ words. Am I putting them into practice? Or am I sitting in my pew, looking around me smugly at all the people I believe should be acting on what they hear?
To take some steps in love, in prayer, in service and in witness – these are the things that show that my foundations are firm and that I have built on the Rock.
Dear Jesus, your words are life and love. Help me to put them into practice in my own life. Strengthen my foundations and help me build my life on your word. Amen.
Rachael Stelzer is Primary Head of Faith and Spirituality at Coomera Anglican College near Brisbane. She is a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale.
by Rachael Stelzer
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Thus, by their fruit you will recognise them (Matt 7:20).
Read Matthew 7:13–21
In this passage, Jesus taught his disciples how to recognise true prophets and true disciples from those who were tricking others, and even those who fooled themselves. It is not an easy teaching, but it is clear and simple.
Jesus used a simple analogy to help people understand the difference between true prophets and false ones. He pointed out that no-one picks grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles. A good tree bears good fruit, and a bad tree bears bad fruit. So rather than listening to what someone says, we need to look for the fruits demonstrated in their life.
Do we notice the fruit of the Spirit, their quality relationships and the empowering of those around them? Do we hear words of life and encouragement? Do they convey the love of a generous God?
Jesus even suggested that not everyone who calls him ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do those things that are God’s will for them.
US preacher, poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson has been quoted as saying, ‘Your actions speak so loud that I cannot hear what you say.’ Rather than the ‘do as I say, not as I do’ attitude, the life that Jesus looks for is the one fruitful in actions, in love and in legacy.
Lord Jesus, please forgive me for the times I talk the talk but don’t walk the walk. May my actions speak louder than my words. May my life reflect the fruit of the Spirit in me. Amen.
Rachael Stelzer is Primary Head of Faith and Spirituality at Coomera Anglican College near Brisbane. She is a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale.
by Rachael Stelzer
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’ (Luke 5:8)
Read Luke 5:1–11
Peter and his brother and friends had been fishing all night. And they had caught nothing all night. These simple men had not even caught enough fish to feed their families, much less enough to sell to make a profit.
And now this stranger, this itinerant preacher, was telling them to try again on the other side of the boat. It beggared all common sense. What did he know about fishing?
And yet, something about the way he spoke drew Peter in. There was something about him. And Peter figured he had nothing to lose. So, he talked the others into trying again.
And suddenly, they reeled in a catch like they had never seen before. So many fish that they were nearly swamped! They called for reinforcements from the other boat, and both almost sank under the weight of the fish!
And Peter knew without a doubt that something more than an abundant catch was being provided here. Peter recognised the power at work in this man. And his own imperfection. And the fear of God moved him to speak.
‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’
But the stranger did not turn away. Instead, he calmly said, with a twinkle in his eye, ‘Don’t be afraid. From now on, you will be catching people.’
And Peter was hooked from that moment.
Dear Lord, when we recognise the abundance you bring into our lives and communities, we are hooked. May our lives tell the story of your welcome, your leading and your rich love so that others will also be attracted to the abundant life you offer. Amen.
Rachael Stelzer is Primary Head of Faith and Spirituality at Coomera Anglican College near Brisbane. She is a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale.
by Pastor Glenn Crouch
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I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart (Psalm 138:1a).
Read Psalm 138
Do you find some places more worshipful than others? Out in the bush? Looking up at the night sky? Walking along the beach? Watching the skies afire with lightning? Think of a place like that as you read this psalm. Better yet, if you can, go to a place like that and read this psalm. It is good to worship our Lord – yes, you can do that wherever you are. Remember Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail (Acts 16).
There is also something wonderful about worshipping with fellow followers of Jesus and knowing that we are coming together in God’s presence. In our gathering, we join in with those already with our Lord Jesus – and all of heaven – in worshipping our Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For those who originally sang this psalm, it is about going to the temple. For us, it may be a Sunday worship time or some other gathering where we come together to hear his word, sing his praises and receive forgiveness. I think our worship goes to the next level when we can gather around his table and receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus, where we receive all he has done for us.
As we come and worship our Lord and God, we realise how much more praise he deserves. As the Spirit within us joins in the worship, we are refreshed – we are renewed. This is what truly amazes me: We come to bring our praise and thanks for all that he has done for us, and in doing that, we receive far more than we give! How great is our God!
A good exercise is to take a psalm (such as today’s) – or a passage from it – and turn it into your prayer. Give it a try!
Great and merciful God, grant me the words so I can praise you – not only on Sundays but every day. Renew in me the joy of your salvation. Above all, I want to thank you for my Lord Jesus. Thank you for his incarnation, life, death, resurrection, ascension and promised return. O, my Father, how great you are! Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying regular video chats with their first grandchild.
by Pastor Glenn Crouch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you (Matthew 7:12a).
Read Matthew 7:1–12
As we have journeyed through Jesus’ teaching from the Sermon on the Mount this week, we have focused on what is required of us as followers of Jesus. As I prepared these devotions, I found that these passages remind me of the ‘plank in my own eye’ (verse 3) that still needs lots of work. How am I to ‘cast stones’ when there is still so much work for the Holy Spirit to do with me?
Of course, Jesus wants us to have good discernment (‘wise as serpents’ – see Matthew 10:16), but we must be careful that we don’t set ourselves up as the judge of others, as there is only one Judge (James 4:12). It is not up to us to decide who God saves, especially given that we cannot even save ourselves.
Remember when we looked at the Lord’s Prayer on Tuesday? Check out the verses Matthew included following the prayer (Matthew 6:14,15). If we are forgiven, then we should forgive others. If God is gracious to us, then it makes sense that we should be gracious to others. When I get frustrated with others, I try to remember a comment a Pentecostal pastor (and good friend) said to some of us pastors: ‘I am glad that God is more patient with me than I am with others!’
As we deal with our families, schoolmates, friends, work colleagues – whomever we encounter – we need to remember how our loving God has treated us, and this should then be how we treat others.
Gracious Father, forgive me for how often I forget all you have done for me. Remind me each day of your wonderful gospel. Please help me, through the power of your Spirit, to treat others well. I pray in the name of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying regular video chats with their first grandchild.
by Pastor Glenn Crouch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33a).
Read Matthew 6:25–34
This is a passage I need to hear continually. Jesus has no problem with us having sensible concerns or making good contingency plans. The problem is when those concerns turn into worry and anxiety that then seem to take us over. Added to this, many of us have health issues (both physical and mental) that make us anxious. You may find this passage challenging if you are already in a dark place. Please bear with me if you can.
Jesus asks us, as his followers, to put our trust in him and to rely on our Heavenly Father even when everything is falling down around us. Do this first – don’t try fixing things first, don’t try complaining about it first; instead, trust in Jesus.
In this passage, the first thing we are told to do is to seek his kingdom and his righteousness (verse 33). Hold onto Jesus as best you can, knowing he is far better at holding onto you. Rather than focusing on tomorrow, hold onto Jesus now. Give him your concerns and worries. Let him know what is freaking you out.
I frequently come back to the dad whose son is possessed, and the disciples have been unable to help. The dad says to Jesus, ‘I believe! Help my unbelief’ (Mark 9:24). Based on this, I often pray, ‘I trust you, Jesus; help my lack of trust – calm my anxious heart …’.
Loving Father, I hand to you all that I am anxious about. However, I have trouble letting go of my worries. Please help me. Keep my eyes focused on Jesus. Father, I also lift before you those I know who are struggling with depression, anxiety and the weight of this fallen world – grant them your comfort and peace. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying regular video chats with their first grandchild.