by Pastor Glenn Crouch
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You cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24).
Read Matthew 6:19–24
We do like our ‘stuff’. I have always enjoyed collecting things – especially when I was younger. Oh, the joy of coming across that stamp I was missing from a set or that comic that had the conclusion of a story I had been waiting ages to finish. Even though my pastoral library is primarily digital these days, I still get a good feeling when I complete a commentary set – or an expensive book I’ve been after is on a good special! How about you?
In today’s passage, Jesus is not saying that all this stuff we have is bad. God created and sustains a beautiful and rich world, and there is nothing wrong with enjoying the many blessings he supplies. Rather, Jesus is warning his followers about priorities. How much weight do we place on our possessions (money, property, status)?
Treasure is something we tend to horde, lock away and keep to ourselves. We protect and fight for it. We can easily turn our stuff into idols – we can treasure it more than following Jesus. Our eyes drift away from the cross as we focus on our stuff. Our ears no longer hear the Holy Spirit as we follow where the materialism of our world leads us. We cannot be followers of Jesus and be obsessed with our possessions.
Turn back to the cross. Confess your sins. Receive the forgiveness that your Lord Jesus has earned for you. Get up and go out and follow Jesus. Hold on to Jesus, and never forget that he has an even tighter hold on you.
Creator God, thank you for the abundance you supply me with. You far exceed my needs. I need your help to keep me focused on my Lord Jesus. I want to be good at following Jesus, but I fail so often. Forgive me. Help my eyes to remain focused on him. In his 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.
by Pastor Glenn Crouch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
This, then, is how you should pray … (Matthew 6:9a).
Read Matthew 6:7–15
I spent many years of my adult life where the Lord’s Prayer was seen primarily as a framework for how to pray. Don’t get me wrong – it does do a wonderful job of this. But since joining the Lutheran Church 30 years ago, I have found such joy and blessing in the liturgy. I now feel that a church service where we don’t say the Lord’s Prayer together is missing something.
Yet, as many commentators have pointed out, this prayer isn’t really how Jesus prayed but how he wanted us as his followers to pray. (See John 17 for our Lord Jesus praying.) So, we must think about the words we pray in this prayer. We can’t do that justice here – instead, let’s look at one particular aspect: ‘our.’
We pray to ‘Our Father’ – we are brothers and sisters through Christ. We ask for ‘our daily bread’ – not just for my needs but also for my family’s and my neighbour’s needs. We ask for forgiveness for ‘our debts’ – not only for my sins but also for the sins of others. We ask, ‘Lead us not into temptation’ – not only for my protection but also for the protection of others.
While I definitely bring my praise and requests to my Heavenly Father, as a follower of Jesus, I must not forget those around me. As we ask for ourselves, we also ask for others. Jesus advocates for us (as does the other great advocate, the Holy Spirit), so we do need to advocate for others. We should see beyond our own needs and problems and thus see the needs and problems of those around us – and bring those to our Heavenly Father.
Our Father in heaven, thank you for this prayer that your Son gave us. I thank you that I can bring my praise and my needs before you. Help me remember that you also want me to bring praise and the needs of my neighbours before you. In Jesus’ mighty 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.
by Pastor Glenn Crouch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen (Matthew 6:6a).
Read Matthew 6:1–6,16–18
We continue our week of looking at what is involved in being a follower of Jesus. Today, we look at the area of piety. This may not be a term we are comfortable with using these days, but by it, we mean our personal devotion to God.
The first thing we notice, and this may come as a surprise, is that Jesus talks about our giving to those in need. This is a part of our personal devotion to God and not something we do so that others can see how generous we are. We give to those in need because our Heavenly Father gave his only Son for us. We are to be generous with all that God has given us, and we need to be discreet about our giving.
Do you put aside time to pray? Should it be the same time each day? What about using a prayer journal? What about an app for your phone that looks after this? How does fasting fit in? All wonderful questions so please talk to your pastor or a Christian mentor about these things, as your prayer life is important. We will talk more about prayer tomorrow, but in today’s passage, Jesus tells you that when you pray and/or fast, it is something between your Heavenly Father and you. Some things are not for public consumption.
You may be surprised that Jesus didn’t include daily reading of Scripture, something many of us have as part of our devotional time. We often forget that we live in a truly blessed time when we can easily access the Scriptures in print and electronically. As followers of Jesus, we need to spend time learning more about him through our Bibles and good devotional tools. This very resource is one of those tools.
Gracious Father, help me to do better when it comes to giving to the needy, spending time with you in prayer, and reading your word. I know I need to spend more time with you – help me. Forgive me when I fail and encourage me to continue these useful habits. In Jesus’ name, 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.
All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips (Luke 4:22).
Read Luke 4:21–30
Throughout this week of devotions, we shall look at what these passages tell us about being a follower of Jesus. Our faith comes down to trusting in Jesus and following where he leads. Scripture is where we discover Jesus and what he wants us to do.
In today’s passage, which picks up after Jesus has preached in his hometown (Nazareth), we see in verse 22 how delighted the people were at his words. This was a fine preacher. Here was someone they could follow. However, they then are reminded who this preacher is – and notice that this is in the same verse (verse 22). Seeing Jesus’ words that follow, the question they propose is akin to ‘How could we possibly follow this man who grew up here – the son of the carpenter, Joseph?’
Following Jesus’ rebuke (verses 23 to 28), they got so mad that they were prepared to kill him (verses 28 and 29)! But it was not the time nor place for that, so Jesus walked away (verse 31).
Did you see how quickly things changed? Are you sure you want to follow this Jesus? He is a divisive person (Luke 12:51–53). As we will see throughout this week, his commands are tough.
As a follower of Jesus, we need to be like Peter after Jesus delivered some hard teachings and many stopped following him: Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God’ (John 6:68,69). We may struggle with who Jesus is – and the challenging things he says – but he is our Lord and our God; where else can we go?
Heavenly Father, thank you for the wonderful gift of your dear Son, our Lord Jesus. I thank you for his life, death and resurrection. I thank you for the Scriptures through which I continue to find more about him. Help me, through your Holy Spirit, to be better at following my Lord Jesus. In his 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.
by Tatiana Overduin
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:44,45a).
Read
Revenge. It is such a common emotion in our broken world. It replays in our heads, winds us up and plays out on the screens of our hearts and minds. Who is not guilty of wanting to pay someone back when they have wronged us? I only see one hand raised. Jesus says, ‘But I tell you …’ Here in this text, we, as followers of Christ, are provided the way to behave toward our enemies by Jesus.
Stop the press! I don’t know about you, but this isn’t my default. I get hurt, someone says something hurtful, insulting, mean … and I go into a defence mechanism. It’s like pushing a button. I can’t do it. I can’t love my enemy. I feel indignant. They need to learn that it’s not nice to say that, do that or treat me that way! They need to learn that it’s just not on, and I will be the one who teaches them!
Wrong option. Wrong door. Wrong way. Turn back. Repent.
My way is human. What I need is divine intervention. And it comes, you know. It comes when we sit with the Lord, open his word, speak with him in prayer and pray for the ‘offender’. Our hearts soften. The psalms are a witness to this transition that occurs when we seek the Lord for something so against our human default. The psalmist calls for help, releases their complaint, and help comes. God’s mercy delivers the capability to gain genuine love for our enemy. The psalmist praises God.
This Christmas, a dear friend gifted me Reading the Psalms with Luther: The Psalter for Individual and Family Devotions, and it has provided much consolation since the beginning of this year. I’m reminded daily how I cannot fulfil Jesus’ command to love and pray for my enemies. But when we seek him and his way, we can, in return, achieve this love with gratitude, freedom and peace.
Loving God, speak to us daily through your holy word and help us to seek your way to deal with conflict, harm and indignation. Let us daily turn to you when we need to love our enemy. Enable us by the power of the Holy Spirit to pray for our enemies so we can live as your children on Earth, as we await your coming again when we can live with you forever. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. 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 Tatiana Overduin
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
All you need to say is simply, ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one (Matthew 5:37).
Read Matthew 5:27–37
It makes sense these days to keep things simple. ‘Yes, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow’ OR ‘No, I won’t be able to make it’. I was only talking with a friend yesterday who explained how her Christian friend didn’t respond to her invitation but just ignored it – that was her way of saying ‘No’. My friend felt cheated, ignored and unvalued. Why not speak the truth and simply say, ‘Thank you for your invitation, but I’m unavailable’? When did this become so difficult to do?
When I taught in the classroom, I noticed a growing increase in the lack of honesty among some students. It’s perpetuated in our modern culture, isn’t it? What some people don’t realise is that honesty can be extremely empowering. It doesn’t have to be impolite. Just authentically liberating.
My friend and I spent time watching some popular TV shows based around criminal activity, and the overriding theme was that the criminal was not fessing up! Of course, the twisted, chaotic and extremely frustrating plotlines revealed that, in the end, the criminal was revealed, caught and compelled to confess.
Confession can be a frightening prospect without God’s help. In the Book of James, chapter 5, we read: ‘Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.’ Jesus reiterates in our Bible text reference today the healing power of honesty: Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No’!
We are sinful. We make mistakes – sometimes big ones that can have a lasting consequence. But confession and seeking our neighbour’s forgiveness and God’s forgiveness is the healing way: it is God’s way. May we seek God’s way daily as we live in relationship with others in our lives.
Merciful God, we are so grateful, and we give you thanks that we can ask for your help and forgiveness when we sin against our neighbour and against you. We know we are sinful and inevitably do wrong, even when we try to do the right thing. Teach us to be honest. Gift us with your grace to confess our sins to one another and you. Let our ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and our ‘No’ be ‘No’. Empower us with your strength to face the truth, even when we feel embarrassed or ashamed by our sinful behaviours. Thank you for the saving power of the cross. Thank you that we can turn to you daily and call on you to help and save us. May all that is within us praise your holy name. To God be all honour and glory forever and ever. 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 Tatiana Overduin
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgement (Matthew 5:22a).
Read Matthew 5:21–26
The repeating message throughout Matthew chapter 5 reiterates both blessing and judgement. We all are ‘subject to judgement’, for all stand guilty before God’s throne (Romans 3:19–22). Only through the saving power of Jesus are we redeemed from God’s judgement. The blessing we receive is extended to us through the gift of faith in Jesus as Lord. Only then can we be free from the judgement we deserve, and the blessing can be embraced.
We are emotional beings; God created us this way. We’re going to get angry about things – it’s unavoidable. So sinning against our brother and sister by getting angry, being impatient, losing our temper: it’s not an ‘if’ but a ‘when’.
Getting angry at another person not only upsets them but us too. It can eat away at our core. We innately know that we have done wrong: sinned against God and our neighbour. But, as Christians, we know that we have a way out of the guilt and shame associated with offending another person. We repent and ask for forgiveness.
We ask for forgiveness from God. We apologise and recognise the offence: our short tempers and our lack of love. We ask God to give us the grace to ask the person we have offended to forgive us.
In my home, we have a running question: ‘Are you feeling a little ‘hangry’?’ Various situations can certainly affect us, which in turn can influence the way we relate to others: being hungry, for example (thus the hangry), feeling tired, perhaps, or even feeling unwell – or worse, in pain. God is always there to help.
Language can change, but God’s word and his promises remain the same.
Jesus tells us today we are not to hurt others, be angry or harm (to murder) others. God loves us, and he calls us to love others. We love God when we love our brother and sister (Matthew 22:37–40). On our own, we fail and stand subject to judgement. But, with God’s help, we immerse ourselves, surrounded by his blessing.
Ever-loving gracious God, help us love each other through seeking reconciliation with compassionate hearts toward our brother and sister. Lord, forgive us for sinful pride that can stop us from apologising when we have offended or hurt another. We thank you for your merciful gift of forgiveness. In Jesus’ name. 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 Tatiana Overduin
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Therefore, anyone who sets aside the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practises and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:19).
Read Matthew 5:17–20
In the Lutheran Confessions, adiaphora is identified as ‘customs not necessary for salvation’ or practices or traditions that are neither ‘commanded nor forbidden’ by God in Scripture. There are many recurring themes we read of in the Bible that seem unnecessary for us today. But, if commanded by God as stated in his word, these are then his requirements for us and should not be ignored: not adiaphora. What are the ‘least of these commands’ that Jesus refers to in these verses?
Jesus himself came to (and continues to) fulfil the whole of the Old Testament law and the whole of the biblical story. He himself is the law and the story God has provided to us. A law of a righteous love, given by God, the ultimate plotline for all humanity and in all eternity. We are, therefore, called to practice the command of God’s love toward him and our neighbours here while on Earth, but also for the sake of the kingdom to come: the kingdom of heaven.
So, what message do we need to take away today? We need not feel alone; we do not journey through life alone. The Bible provides a divine plotline, gifted by God to us, from which we receive great comfort and reassurance despite hardship and persecution. The Sermon on the Mount that precedes this text provides this comfort and reassurance. During our lifetime on this earth, difficulties may endure for a little while; however, we look to God’s kingdom, which we know is not of this world but a kingdom in heaven where moth will not destroy, and rust will not decay (Matthew 6:19–21). Jesus teaches us that we are empowered to forgive and to love God and one another. This is not adiaphora but his command.
God of love, we are gifted with a way for life that maps out our life journey, just like the plotline of life that God provided in the Bible. We pray that we do not despair when hardships and persecutions cross our paths. We trust that we can recalibrate our compass daily by turning to your word to allow us to direct our daily steps and actions. In your holy name, we pray. 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 Tatiana Overduin
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:13a,14a).
Read Matthew 5:11–16
Today’s Bible reading begins with an antithesis: a blessing and a warning. Verse 11, as taught by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, informs us that we are blessed when we are insulted, blessed when we are persecuted, and blessed when we are falsely accused. How contrasting is this message to what our sinful self and the world purport? Great is our reward in heaven: for the prophets endured the same! This eschatological blessing is our encouragement when we live as ‘salt and light’ in a world of ‘distaste and darkness’.
Salt can lose its saltiness when dissolved or heat affected. So, we are informed not to water down the gospel message just so it, and we, can fit in with the world’s message. There is no need to point out any specific examples here, as you are likely aware of them through the media, educational institutions, places of employment, our families and our church communities. How much do we turn down the heat of God’s (sometimes unpalatable) message to fit the world’s standards? Light is dimmed when hidden. What choices do we make when presented with an opportunity to shine the gospel message to others? How brightly do we shine in the darkness? How far do we adapt and change God’s word to live in, yet not of, this world?
Today’s text warns us that we will endure difficult situations for Jesus’ sake. But, at the same time, we are also encouraged that this work is blessed, and we are called not to dissolve or hold back the saving power of the gospel. Jesus is there with us, for he has endured it first on the cross.
This eschatological message to us today (meaning that it points to End Times) teaches us to continue trusting in God and being courageous during those difficult times of insults and persecution. As Christians, we are called to follow Jesus and continue to be witnesses for God’s ‘salt and light’ working in and through our lives, through God’s message of salvation through Christ Jesus. Amen.
Dear Jesus, thank you for being the flavour and light in our lives. Holy Spirit, instill in us an unshakable trust and an ever-burning flame within our hearts, as we live lives that witness to your word. We thank you, Heavenly Father, for giving us your Son, our friend and Saviour. 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.