by Sal Huckel
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Read Matthew 3:1–12
Today’s passage invites us to the banks of the Jordan, where John the Baptist was preparing the way for Jesus’ ministry. His humble lifestyle and calls to repentance were already bringing the people to respond to their sins and be baptised by John in the river. Not surprisingly, also came the conflict with the Pharisees and Sadducees.
John’s reprimand and call to repentance is stark. We might feel that it was well deserved. After all, we do know much about the Pharisees and the Sadducees and their apparent hypocrisy. Paul himself was a Pharisee. While the Pharisees and Sadducees had doctrinal disagreements, they were united in their efforts against Jesus. Here, John’s warning is for them all.
What can we learn here today? We can study the baptism John was bringing, how Jesus’ baptism is the one we need and the meaning it has for us now to be baptised into Jesus’ baptism. We can also ponder what it means to ‘produce fruit in keeping with repentance’. How does that look? What do we need to repent of? We sometimes hear that Jesus simplified the Ten Commandments and that we don’t need to worry about all of those anymore; we are not ‘under the law’. However, Jesus said he did not come to destroy the law or the prophets but to fulfil them (Matthew 5:17).
Unless we understand God’s law, we cannot properly repent. We may feel the law is less prescriptive and onerous ‘since Jesus’, but if we begin to unpack the Ten Commandments and look at Martin Luther’s explanations – the Small Catechism is very helpful on this – we will see that they go further than we might expect. It’s a misleading idea that ‘Jesus replaced them’. Helpfully, rather like the ways in which it is best to teach children, Luther offers positive instruction to further expand on the negatives.
Start today with commandment number one: ‘You shall have no other gods before me.’ We don’t have to look very far to see the things that compete for our attention, love and trust. How can you fear, love and trust God above all things today? To produce fruit in keeping with repentance, we need to follow through with this.
Father God, help me to more fully understand the law written in our hearts (Romans 2:15) and produce fruit in keeping with repentance. In Jesus’ name, 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.
Generosity leads to generosity
by Peter Bean
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The believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem (Romans 15:26).
Read Romans 15:25–33
The Greeks in Macedonia (northern) and Achaia (southern) had heard the good news. This obviously changed their lives. No longer were they slaves to tradition or rules, but they had freedom in Christ. They recognised the generosity of this gift, brought to them by Paul. They wanted to celebrate. They wanted to share the good news. And so, they took action.
They eagerly took up an offering. They didn’t have to. They could have looked after themselves. They could have worshipped, prayed, encouraged and eaten together. In fact, they probably did all these things. But they knew what a gift they had received. They wanted to respond to the generosity of God’s grace in as many ways as they could. So, they eagerly took up an offering to help the poor in Jerusalem.
We are not told how the poor in Jerusalem responded to this. However, we can assume they would have been grateful, full of joy and, quite possibly, responded similarly.
How do you, how do I, respond to the generosity of God’s grace? We don’t have to respond with a gift of money. If you can, do so with enthusiasm. But responding in some way is a natural thing. We all like to receive gifts. But the gift of life? Wow! I want to respond by using the gifts God has given me. I hope you might respond similarly. Obviously, we all have different gifts. But imagine the wonderful community that would arise from our generous gifts given eagerly.
Perhaps a good response to God’s gift of grace is to identify your gift or gifts, and then, as eagerly as you can, use it to further God’s kingdom. It could be a gift of money, a word of support, an empathetic response, fighting for justice, looking after grandkids or volunteering somewhere. Whatever response you have, respond eagerly. And know that your generosity will lead to further generosity. And the sharing of God’s grace in word and deed.
Generous Giver, help us to be generous too. Inspire us with your Holy Spirit so that we may respond eagerly in using our gifts. Amen.
Spring has sprung. Flowers are displaying their colours; fruit is forming on the trees. There is new growth everywhere. Peter prays that as you observe this wonderful new life, may you revel in the new beginnings God offers you each day. As Peter continues to meander his way through the psalms, he invites you to read them anew, applying them to your lives. If you would like his paraphrase of any psalm (from 1 to 91), send your request to pbean087@gmail.com
by Peter Bean
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Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach (Luke 15:1).
Read Luke 15:1–10
This is an interesting introduction to the three ‘lost’ parables: sheep, coin and son. We usually focus on the recovery of the lost and the great rejoicing that follows. And that is good.
But have you ever considered these opening verses of Luke 15? Notorious sinners – or ‘men and women of doubtful reputation’ (The Message) – came to listen to Jesus. And he treats them like ‘old friends’ (verse two).
Somewhat scandalous, really! How often do you associate with notorious sinners and those of doubtful reputation and, what’s more, treat them like old friends? And if you do, what do others think of you? (And does it matter?!)
The introduction sets the scene for three stories about the lost and found. Perhaps these notorious sinners were already found! Maybe those of doubtful reputation are those whose sight has been restored and can now see clearly, as opposed to those who ‘see and yet do not see’. Perhaps having a doubtful reputation allows them to see themselves clearly in the following stories.
I suspect most of you reading this are not notorious sinners. Nor would you have pursued a doubtful reputation. Yet those are the ones who Jesus gets close to.
And no, I am not suggesting you go out and commit some notorious sin. But perhaps each of us is called to examine our own lives a little more closely. Maybe as we examine who we are, the way we act and think, we can put aside our judgement of others and stand before the mirror Jesus provides.
Seeing oneself as a sinner (even if not notorious) and recognising one’s reputation is not all it’s cracked up to be might allow us to read these ‘lost’ stories differently, revelling in the generosity and the grace of the one who finds us anew every day.
Gracious Friend, accept us as we are. Find us in our lostness. Restore our sight. Bless us with your grace and forgiveness. Amen.
Spring has sprung. Flowers are displaying their colours; fruit is forming on the trees. There is new growth everywhere. Peter prays that as you observe this wonderful new life, may you revel in the new beginnings God offers you each day. As Peter continues to meander his way through the psalms, he invites you to read them anew, applying them to your lives. If you would like his paraphrase of any psalm (from 1 to 91), send your request to pbean087@gmail.com
A heart laid bare
by Jane Mueller
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Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).
Read Psalm 51:1–10
David knew the weight of failure. After committing adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrating the death of her husband, David could have hidden in denial or defended his actions. Instead, he turned to God with a heart shattered by guilt and longing for mercy. Psalm 51 is rich in emotion and spiritual depth. It’s David’s raw, vulnerable cry – not just for pardon, but for renewal.
‘Have mercy on me, O God,’ David begins, appealing not to his worthiness, but to God’s steadfast and unfailing love, great compassion and abundant mercy. This is the beating heart of repentance – not fear of punishment, but trust in a merciful God who longs to restore.
David doesn’t gloss over or downplay his sin. He names it, owns it and understands its depth. ‘Against you, you alone, have I sinned.’ His confession is full, honest and humble. He knows that God desires more than apologies. God desires truth in the inmost being. David sees that his broken actions flow from a broken heart, and what he needs is not only forgiveness but transformation.
‘Create in me a pure heart, O God,’ he pleads. Not just cleanse me but recreate me. His prayer moves from remorse to hope and from guilt to grace. He believes in a God who can bring beauty from ashes and who delights not in perfection, but in contrite hearts made new.
This psalm calls us to a bold and honest surrender. It reminds us that God is not put off by our failures. Instead, he meets us in them. When we come to him with open hearts and truthful words, he doesn’t shame us; he restores us. There is no sin too dark and no heart too broken for the mercy of God. His love doesn’t just cover our past; it creates a new future.
Come as you are and let him make you new.
Lord, have mercy on me. Cleanse me. Wash me whiter than snow. Recreate me. Restore my joy by your unfailing love. Amen.
Jane is a former Lutheran school principal and now serves as Governance Leadership Director for Lutheran Education SA, NT & WA. Jane has a keen interest in psychology, enjoys hiking and loves learning about and trying new things.