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.
Heart faith
by Tatiana Overduin
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I say these things so you might be saved (John 5:34b).
Read John 5:31–40
This text offers an amazing insight into Jesus’ own testimony as the one sent from his Father. The preceding verses reveal a conversation between Jesus and the Jewish leaders, who are seeking validation of who he is – his authority and authenticity. Jesus rebukes the leaders because they look for human validation through witnesses rather than trusting in his teachings and miracles (verse 36).
Jesus reveals the truth of who he is, testifying that it is God the Father who has sent him (verse 37). It is also important to note that they do not believe his message because they do not believe in their hearts (verse 38). They search the Scriptures for eternal life, yet refuse to believe that Jesus is the one sent from the Father – the one to whom the Scriptures point (verse 40). Jesus continues to rebuke them, saying that he knows they do not have God’s love within them because they have rejected him (verse 42).
Heart – faith. As I reflect on this text, I think about ‘heart faith’. How often I lose heart over what are, in hindsight, insignificant things. To lose heart is to become discouraged. If I place my trust in earthly things, such as other people’s approval, it is no wonder I lose heart. Jesus himself says in verse 44: ‘No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honour one another but do not seek the honour that comes from the one who alone is God.’
What is our measure of success, faith and trust in God alone? It is so easy to become caught up in the troubles and cares that fill our lives, or in what others think. Our guide should always be to live lives pleasing to God: trusting him for all our needs and trusting him even when we are prone to doubt.
Heart faith grows as we read the Scriptures daily, because the whole of Scripture points to Jesus. Jesus tells the Jewish leaders that ‘Moses wrote about him’ (verse 46), and goes on to say, ‘If you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?’
The whole Bible is a testimony to Jesus. It is a story that points to him: ‘The Scriptures point to me!’ (verse 39). In heart faith, we read the word, trusting, knowing and believing wholeheartedly in the truth, who is Christ Jesus. He says these things so that we may be saved (verse 34).
Believe in your hearts. Believe in him who has taken away the sin of the world. Believe in his promises. And when you find yourself ‘losing heart’, fill your heart with his truth and be saved.
Dear Lord Jesus, help us to have heart faith: a faith that doesn’t waver when we feel overwhelmed or discouraged. Lead us to seek you in all things so that we can be strengthened to encourage others and witness to the hope we have found in you. Amen.
Tatiana is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Adelaide, where she enjoys singing on the music roster. She is married and has two adult children and six grandchildren. Now retired from full-time secondary education, she pursues her creative interests in fibre arts, taking inspiration from God’s hand evident in the beauty of creation.
What the Lord will do for you
by Tatiana Overduin
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‘Yes,’ says the Lord, ‘I will do mighty miracles for you’ (Micah 7:15a).
Read Micah 7:14–20
One of the things I struggle with in my daily walk with God is the impact of media. Whether it’s watching Australian or world news, scrolling on Facebook or watching films and shows on Amazon Prime while engaging in a craft activity such as spinning wool or knitting, it’s easy for me to have the TV on.
We know that engaging with media has become a huge part of our lives: it’s often difficult to ‘switch off’. It’s habitual and, at times, necessary. But I do find myself getting so wrapped up in a TV series, or worse still, deeply affected by the news, that I can find myself easily falling into despair. Yes, it is important to know what’s going on in the world, but this daily bombardment of information can cause fear and distress.
God’s word is the antidote to this fear and distress. Engaging daily with Scripture brings a different result. Today’s reading from Micah contains key words that offer great comfort that the news cannot give.
Protection: God speaks to us and promises protection for his people, leading them as his special possession (verse 14).
Provision: Even though they are alone (verse 14), he provides fertile pastures.
In a time of dramatic world unrest and increasing lack, God’s assurance of safety and abundance comforts us: ‘The Shepherd cares for his flock’ (verse 14). And he continues to say ‘yes’ to you and to me. Daily, despite the noise of modern life, we can give thanks and remember that ‘Yes,’ says the Lord, ‘I will do mighty miracles for you’ (verse 15).
God calls us to trust in him for all we need. He does not want us to doubt his promised goodness. ‘Where is another God like you?’ (verse 18). Today, we are exposed to so many ‘gods’ (you know the list), yet none can ‘pardon our guilt’ or ‘retain anger forever’ (verse 18).
This text instead reassures us of God’s promises: his unfailing love, compassion and faithfulness (verses 18 and 19), just as he showed to Abraham and Jacob. God’s word continues from of old; it remains true and everlasting. Though we may be surrounded by personal trials, confronting media images and disturbing news (both real and imagined), we are encouraged by the gift of being able to turn daily to the best and only source of truth – God’s word.
Dear Triune God, help me daily to turn to your holy word for consolation and comfort. May I pray for those who are suffering in these difficult times to also seek you for protection and provision. In Jesus’ holy name, we pray. Amen.
Tatiana is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Adelaide, where she enjoys singing on the music roster. She is married and has two adult children and six grandchildren. Now retired from full-time secondary education, she pursues her creative interests in fibre arts, taking inspiration from God’s hand evident in the beauty of creation.
Walk with him – commune with him
by Tatiana Overduin
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Suddenly their eyes were opened, and they recognised him (Luke 24:31a).
Read Luke 24:13–35
Today’s reading from Luke chapter 24 is a rich covenant text, revealing both the divine and personal relationship between our risen Lord Jesus and us in our everyday walk with him.
What becomes evident here is the contrast between human limitation and God’s divinity. Verses 13 to 15 show that, although the two men are discussing the events of that very day – the drama of Jesus’ resurrection and how it had affected their lives – when Jesus comes alongside them, they do not recognise him. Even as they speak about him, he remains a stranger walking with them.
Isn’t this odd? To them, he was just someone there, and they went on to almost insult him (verse 18 paraphrased): ‘You must be the only one around here that doesn’t know what’s been going on! What’s wrong with you?’ They rebuke him with an air of insolent pride. Oh, how human!
The text describes how, as they recount all that has happened to Jesus, he responds patiently, navigating them back to God’s word. It is God’s story, the story of Jesus himself, foretold through the Old Testament prophets. This is God’s divine plan in action, his promise for us.
Only when Jesus gives of himself in the breaking of the bread (verse 31) do they finally recognise him. He was there with them all along, yet they did not truly understand or see him. Only when they commune with him are their eyes opened.
Can it, at times, be a little like that for us, too? There is a daily temptation to be puffed up with knowledge about Jesus, which can fill us and yet blind us, so that we fail to fully recognise that Jesus is right here, walking alongside us through all the tribulations and joys in our daily walk. Do we acknowledge that he is always with us? Can we – and do we – recognise him, perhaps even in conversation with a ‘stranger’?
I reflect on this text in my own arrogance and lack of faith as I journey through my daily walk with Jesus. There are times when I forget that he is walking with me; times when I search for answers elsewhere instead of relying on God’s promises. I need not fear or worry, but trust him in all things. May the ‘human face’ of the two men on the Emmaus walk be a daily reminder that we also see, trust, honour and obey his divine providence in our lives, as we journey and commune with him. May our eyes and hearts be fully opened to his promises.
Dear Lord Jesus, I can’t see you unless my eyes are opened to you. Dear Holy Spirit, guide me to seek your truth in my daily walk. Dear Father God, lead me to trust in you through your holy word. Amen.
Tatiana is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Adelaide, where she enjoys singing on the music roster. She is married and has two adult children and six grandchildren. Now retired from full-time secondary education, she pursues her creative interests in fibre arts, taking inspiration from God’s hand evident in the beauty of creation.