by Stuart Gray
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For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world (John 6:33).
Read John 6:24–35
I find preparing these devotions very challenging. I am not trained in theology, so I am constantly wondering whether I have made the right interpretation of the texts, if relating my life’s experience is relevant and whether the devotions are engaging enough for people to read.
But the challenge is so very rewarding. I am forced to read widely, compare translations, ponder and contemplate, pray for guidance, and draw on personal experiences to illustrate points and to share my thoughts and feelings.
In preparing for this item, I read the online NIV version of the text and then looked at my NIV study Bible to check the notes when I noted a small but significant difference in the highlighted text.
‘For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world’ (online version).
‘For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world’ (NIV study Bible).
The second version, by personalising Jesus as the bread of heaven, was an ‘ah-ha’ moment for me, a tangible deepening of understanding of an important biblical truth.
Yes, I know the texts say that Jesus is the bread of heaven, that Jesus is the bread of life, but on reading ‘For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven …’, within moments, I had a greater depth of understating of the interconnectedness between the Israelites supported by manna from heaven during their wandering in the wilderness, Jesus, as the bread of life, sustaining us and giving us eternal life and the sustaining wonder of the Eucharist, ‘unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you’ (John 6:53).
It was an awesome moment – I was literally in awe of God’s plan for his people and how he executes that plan through Christ, the bread from heaven who died for our sins, so we may be in relationship with God, and who sustains us with the sacrament of the Eucharist.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the rewards you give us when we study your word. We pray that we gain new insights and new understandings that reflect on who we are in the church and the community. We thank you for Christ, the life-giving bread from heaven who sustains us until we are eternally in your presence. Amen.
Stuart, with his wife Pamela Dalgliesh, lives in Mansfield, Victoria. Stuart has a background in agricultural science, rural journalism and corporate affairs. He loves living on a small farm in the beautiful High Country of Victoria, being involved in the Mansfield community and travel. He is currently travelling in Europe which will include a visit to the Poznan region of Poland, from where some of Australia’s original German Lutherans came.
by Sal Huckel
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Yet he commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven, and he rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven (Psalm 78:23,24).
Read Psalm 78:23–29
‘Yet’. Today’s lectionary reading starts with this small, three-letter word directing us to what goes before to get the full sense of our passage. We need to look to the beginning of this Psalm to understand today’s reading.
Psalm 78 is headed: ‘Tell the coming generation’. Today’s passage comes from the second longest psalm in the Bible, which tells of God’s miraculous provision of food to the Israelites in the desert. So, why the ‘yet’?
To marvel at our amazing God and his provision for the Israelites, and of course for us – we need to understand the context here. This psalm encourages us to teach the story to future generations and recounts the story of God’s people from Jacob onwards, and Israel’s history. Pastors and households must tell the accounts of the wonders of God’s work to our children to be passed on. When we learn of the miraculous food that rained down on the Israelites in abundance, we marvel at the works of the Lord. When we investigate the ‘yet’, we realise this: the Israelites time after time tested God, sinned against him, forgot his miracles, and complained about him some more. ‘Yet’.
Read today’s section of Psalm 78 and be in awe of our amazing God. Put it in context and worship even more our forgiving, loving God, who removes our sins from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). Worship God the Father, whom Jesus shows us is like the Father welcoming back his prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32). Worship Jesus the Son, who while we were still sinners, died for us (Romans 5:8 is one example of many).
What can we learn from this psalm? Just as in our previous readings in Acts, where the history was recounted up until the time of Jesus’ death and resurrection in the testimonies and teachings of the apostles, we too need to take note of this history. We must note the inability of humankind to keep God’s law – and the saving grace we have in the gospel. We will make mistakes, like the Israelites, time after time. God forgives us over and over again. ‘Tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders he has done’ (Psalm 78:4).
Father God, you are the creator of the universe: almighty and everlasting, forgiving and loving. Through the power of your Holy Spirit help me to live daily in my baptism, to come to you for forgiveness, and to tell of your mighty acts and deeds to the next generations. May we remember our history and learn from it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sal is married to Pastor Matthew Huckel and they live in Victoria with their six children. Music, theology, literature, and languages are passions the family share and explore together. Sal loves writing, speaking and walking to the beach at every opportunity.
by Sal Huckel
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As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told to them the next Sabbath (Acts 13:42).
Read Acts 13:26–43
What a response to Paul’s message! When have we been so keen to hear the word of the Lord brought to us that we cannot wait to hear it again next week?
Perhaps you are part of a Bible study group and look forward to attending each week. You may look forward to Sunday, for refuelling with word and sacrament. Or perhaps many of us might feel we can miss a Sunday here and there, or that attending church once in a while is enough.
As Lutherans, we believe that the word of God is efficacious and that he works through it to produce faith and obedience. Certainly, we see an example here of that happening in the synagogue as a result of Paul’s teaching.
We have the privilege of a free country. The word of God can sit openly on our bookshelves, in our pews, on our phones and computers. Look at how much opportunity there is for God to work if we give him the opportunity. While our faith is a gift from him and not something we create ourselves – we need to allow him to work. We must move on from spiritual milk to solid food. Are we as hungry for the word as the hearers of Paul’s message?
Choose a book of the Bible, and commit to reading it daily, asking the Lord to work through his word and create a deeper faith in you. Ask him to give you desire and passion for his word and the ability to encourage others in their faith. In this world where so many voices call out to us daily, let’s give the Lord the priority of our attention. Go to church!
Father God, you declare that the word that goes out from your mouth shall not return to you empty, but it shall accomplish that which you purpose and shall succeed in the thing for which you sent it (Isaiah 55:11). Work in our lives through your word brought to us by faithful pastors and increase our desire to learn from you through them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sal is married to Pastor Matthew Huckel and they live in Victoria with their six children. Music, theology, literature and languages are passions the family share and explore together. Sal loves writing, speaking and walking to the beach at every opportunity.
by Sal Huckel
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After the reading from the law and the prophets, the synagogue rulers sent a message to them, saying, ‘Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it’ (Acts 13:15).
Read Acts 13:13–25
Visitors to the synagogue were invited to give the message from the Scriptures read that day, which is why we find Paul teaching here. We may recall Jesus being invited to do the same. Paul begins with the history of Israel in Egypt, and this passage continues to the genealogy of Jesus from the line of David, and the preparation of the people for Jesus, by John the Baptist.
We have no idea what the rulers of the synagogue were expecting when they invited Paul to speak, but one may liken this teaching to the account Stephen gives before he is stoned to death (Acts 7). Paul (Saul) was present to hear Stephen’s testimony and approve of his death. Now Paul is giving his testimony and teaching right in the synagogue. We will find out in our next passage how this turns out for Paul.
There is a small detail in this passage to cross-reference. We learn that John left Paul’s mission and returned to Jerusalem (verse 13). We hear nothing more of this as Paul continues to serve where the Lord has sent him. However, the departure of John becomes the source of a ‘sharp disagreement’ between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36–41).
The root of that disagreement and eventual separation began here while carrying out the Lord’s mission together and bringing many to faith. Even for Paul and Barnabas, partnering in the gospel in miraculous ways, this divides their ministry. The result of this of course is that the mission is divided up and more ground is covered. What the enemy intends for evil God will use for good (read Genesis 50:20).
Again, we see through the readings this week that God has a plan. Through the early church and the members’ adversity and interference from the enemy, God works his purpose out and brings the gospel to save the lost. He works through imperfect human beings who are persecuted, who sometimes persecute each other, and who are sometimes even killed while doing his work. How are you encouraged through this knowledge today?
If you have time, seek out a recording of the hymn, ‘The Church’s One Foundation’.
Lord, you work through your people, in our weaknesses, and our disagreements. Even in times when ministries divide, you are glorified and your will prevails. Help us to remember that you are in control, you are glorified and what the devil intends for harm, you will use for good. We submit to your will in our lives for your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sal is married to Pastor Matthew Huckel and they live in Victoria with their six children. Music, theology, literature, and languages are passions the family share and explore together. Sal loves writing, speaking, and walking to the beach at every opportunity.
by Sal Huckel
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While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them’ (Acts 13:2).
Read Acts 13:1–12
We are familiar with Paul’s letters being read in church and we may think about them as we encourage each other with Scripture. Let’s take some time today to read this passage about Paul’s first mission. Grab your Bible or click on the link, if you haven’t already. I’ll wait …
Saul is new to the faith. Here, we have his commissioning, in accordance with the Holy Spirit, who instructs the apostles to set him apart from Barnabas and send them out together. On their first mission trip, they encounter a false prophet, a magician, who tries to turn a proconsul away from the faith (verses 7,8).
What stands out to you in this encounter? For me, it’s the continuance of the theme we encountered yesterday. Nothing will stop the word of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, from accomplishing what the Lord is setting out to do.
‘But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time”’ (verses 9–11).
We might remember Isaiah’s references to making straight the way of the Lord (Isaiah 40:3, 45:2). Here we have the opposite forces of the devil in effect. The false prophet’s ploy fails because Saul’s rebuke and miraculous intervention is a perfect example of the ‘highway being made straight’ through the power of the Holy Spirit.
We serve a God who does what he says he will. If we are in his service, he will flatten the highways and make straight the path of his will. We must, like Paul, resist the false prophets who exist today, sometimes in our midst. The Lord will deal with them, too, so those seeking him will find truth, despite their interference.
Lord, set us apart for your mission. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, received in our baptism, work in us to bring truth to those who seek you and give us discernment to call out and disable false teachings sent from the enemy to distract from, and confuse, your sovereign will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
by Sal Huckel
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But the word of God increased and multiplied (Acts 12:24).
Read Acts 12:18–25
Earlier in Acts, we find wisdom from a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a ‘teacher of the law held in honour by all the people’ (Acts 5:38,39): ‘ … So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!’
It is true we have had some heavy losses by this time in Acts. Apostles have been martyred – but not before seeing visions, appearing radiant and giving powerful testimony, and after performing many miracles through which God increased his church daily.
In our passage today, we may be mildly surprised at the harshness of the death of the unfortunate soldiers guarding Peter in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, in the context of the events up until now, we have seen many life-and-death miracles, including the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira for cheating the Lord financially. Now we see the deaths of these two soldiers and Herod himself. Gamaliel was right – his words are borne out in our reading today. To be found opposing God means death. We know that to be on the Lord’s side means death is not ‘death’ at all – it is life with Christ in eternity.
God’s kingdom is a ‘life-and-death business’. Our faith has stood the test of time: more than 2000 years later we know Gamaliel is still correct. The undertakings of man will fail – but the Lord’s work cannot be overthrown.
We read in Acts how the early church was persecuted and members put to death. We know (as the apostles did) that life in the body is not our main aim – it is life in Christ. The Lord is sovereign over his church. His will is sovereign. What he allows to die and what he allows to continue is not in our human knowledge or understanding. We take comfort in this. We must remain faithful to his word: preaching Christ in season and out.
His will be done.
Your will, Lord, be done on earth, as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sal is married to Pastor Matthew Huckel and they live in Victoria with their six children. Music, theology, literature, and languages are passions the family share and explore together. Sal loves writing, speaking, and walking to the beach at every opportunity.
by Sal Huckel
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Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting (Acts 12:11).
ReadActs 12:1-17
If you haven’t read the beginning chapters of Acts up to this point, it would be worthwhile doing so today over lunch or a cuppa. We may be familiar with the main parts of this account of Peter being rescued from high-security imprisonment. However, putting it into context, we learn that this has occurred as part of an extraordinary series of events since Jesus’ death and resurrection. Miracle after miracle, the imprisonment and miraculous release of the apostles (Acts 5) and the martyrdom of Stephen after his amazing testimony in a trial similar to that of Jesus. Saul is converted and begins his ministry. It is only a matter of time before more apostles are martyred. The believers have prayed for boldness to proclaim the gospel (Acts 4:23–31). Is this Peter’s time? No, it is not. He experiences what he feels is surely a vision and yet is miraculously freed from his chains.
Peter has gone from miracle to miracle and continues zealously for the Lord to bring even the Gentiles to faith in the Lord Jesus.
We know that martyrdom awaits Peter. He knows it too. He doesn’t know when, but this time is not his time.
It is challenging and confronting for some of us to accept that ‘staying alive’ is not the goal of the Christian life. As we read in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).
We have in our hands amazing accounts of the strong faith of the early church. We know that the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ are truly the acts of the Lord Jesus, working through them. While we live in very different times, we press on to the same prize. Until we are indeed called to be with Christ Jesus, in whatever manner he chooses, we must continue living daily in our baptism, growing deeper in our knowledge of him and following in obedience wherever he leads.
Lord, we praise you for the mighty works of your hand, establishing your church and desiring all people to be saved and turn to you. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit through my baptism and the new life I have in you. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, may I follow you in obedience until it is my turn to meet you face to face. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
by Sal Huckel
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Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?’ He said this to test him, for he knew what he would do (John 6:5b,6).
Read John 6:1–21
If you have ever given a juice box to a small child, you know they are filled to the brim and that, within seconds of handing it to a toddler, their immediate squeeze of the box will go everywhere. I fixed this by telling them I was ‘just taking the top off first’. As our family grew, so did my little ‘freebie’ drink and I could give six children a drink without buying one for myself! The older children knew exactly what I was doing when I still ‘took the top off’ theirs long past the age of needing to avoid spillage. This has progressed to the dinner table. Last week when my husband was away, and all six children (some now young adults) were home, I served six dinners instead of seven – only to be asked where my plate was. This has happened before, and we know the drill. I took a polite spoonful of rice and beef chilli off each plate, and all seven dinners still looked perfect – this time with some for me. You never would have known!
I pondered this experience and the loaves and fish miracle. My version is simple ‘mum economics’, though of course the Lord provides through those. However, no matter of mum economics could feed 5000 people with the loaves and fish from one lunch as we read in all four gospels.
Jesus’ question to Peter was to test him. Jesus already had in mind the miracle, but he was testing Peter’s trust and knowledge. I have two thoughts today on this passage. Firstly, we cannot underestimate or discount the miracles of God – and we cannot do them on our own strength. Secondly, it might seem crazy to give the very little we have to the Lord, for his kingdom work. ‘My plate isn’t enough to share’, or ‘I can’t give much so it’s pointless me giving anything’. Let us remember that what we give to the Lord, he multiplies as he chooses. It might be a loaves-and-fishes miracle. Or it could be a home-style beef chilli or juice box miracle in which the smaller sums work together for a larger effect. Consider your time, your talents – and your dollars. How can we contribute our little, or a little more, to the Lord’s work?
Lord God, you are our ‘Jehovah-Jireh’, God our provider. You allow us to participate in your kingdom work. Help me to be a good steward of all that you generously provide to me, and to be willing to contribute to your work. Help me to trust you and to consider those around me who may also need to share in what I have, whether I can only give a little, or whether it be a little more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sal is married to Pastor Matthew Huckel and they live in Victoria with their six children. Music, theology, literature, and languages are passions the family share and explore together. Sal loves writing, speaking and walking to the beach at every opportunity.
by Pastor Glenn Crouch
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The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does (Psalm 145:13b).
Read Psalm 145:10-18
I have heard the Psalms referred to as Jesus’ hymnbook or as his prayer book. This book was so important to the early church that it is quoted in our New Testament more than any other Old Testament book. Sadly, until about 10 years ago, I didn’t take the book seriously. Sure, I had read all 150 of the Psalms many times and I have my favourites, but the psalter came alive when I was advised to pray them. When I read them as my prayer to my Lord, and then built on that prayer all that has been revealed through Jesus.
In our passage today, we have the basis of a prayer of praise. Read the passage again, then use it as a prayer to your heavenly Father. Then build on that with what Jesus has revealed. So, for example, the following prayer is based on the section quoted above:
Father, you are trustworthy. You keep all your promises, and you are faithful in all of your actions. You promised Israel a Messiah. You promised a seed that would crush the head of the serpent. These and so many more promises, you faithfully fulfilled in and through your dear Son, Jesus. My faith is so feeble compared with your faithfulness – help me to trust you, help me to keep my focus on my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
See how you fare with the other verses in our passage today. It can be very helpful to write them down. Why stop with this passage? Through Scripture, the Holy Spirit can give us words when we struggle to pray.
Faithful Father, forgive me for not spending more time talking with you. Through your Holy Spirit, open your word to me. I want to know you better. I want to love you better. Help me see Jesus more clearly. In his name I pray. Amen.