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.
Live what you know
by Jim Strelan
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Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard, obey it and repent (Revelation 3:3a).
Read Revelation 3:1–6
If you grew up in a Christian family with a strong connection to a Christian church, you may have been taught, over and over again, about God’s acts in the past and what he can do in the present. If you are newer to the faith, perhaps you also heard the message and felt convicted.
Many, many years ago, when I was confirmed, the process that qualified (!) me for confirmation was my ability to repeat things I had learnt off by heart. In my ministry, I encouraged young people to express their faith in their own words. Not just head knowledge, but something heartfelt. There’s a difference.
In this passage, the church at Sardis is encouraged to remember what it has received and to live that out. Sardis was a famous and wealthy city. It would have been easy for the people of that city to be influenced by what was around them. They gave the appearance of being alive in faith – that was their reputation, but the call is for them to be real. If it meant repentance, then repent. Some weren’t influenced by what was around them but were faithful. God acknowledged them.
The focus is on living what you know. Would you say your faith is more than words, more than head knowledge, more than the Bible verses you can recite, but rather something that impacts all of your life? Is it evident in how you trust when you are anxious, how you hear the word of forgiveness and allow it to cover you, and how you love your neighbour and so show your love for God? To receive something is to be given a gift. You have that gift. Let it define you. Live it. God’s Spirit is with you, working to bring what you know to life. Your name is in the book of life and will never be blotted out.
Thank you, loving God, for revealing yourself to me. As I grow in knowledge and understanding, help me to live that out. Help me to be true to what I am. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Jim is a retired pastor living with his wife Ruth in Deception Bay, Queensland. He spends his retirement making space to add more Lions’ premiership posters to the six (3+3) he already has on his garage wall.
Stay confident
by Jim Strelan
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded (Hebrews 10:35).
Read Hebrews 10:32–39
You know, of course, that any moment could be your last, no matter your age. Does that scare you? There’s a saying: ‘Live each day as though it were your last.’ That helps us value and treasure each moment and makes us more determined to live worthwhile lives. I prefer: ‘Live each day as though it were your first.’ The joy of discovery, the newness all around you, the learning you can do, the relationships that can deepen.
The same applies when we think about the end of all things and Christ’s promised return. You can live apprehensively, or you can live with the confidence that God is with you in everything, cares about you and never abandons you.
Look at the attitude the writer of Hebrews encourages in their readers. See how they lived even when terrible times came upon them. Exposed to insult and persecuted, they stood side by side with those who were ill-treated, felt sympathy for the imprisoned and were joyful even when things were taken away from them. So they are encouraged to remain confident in their loving God. They are encouraged not to shrink back because they can be sure of their salvation (a word which, in a general sense, means ‘wellbeing’).
As you get older, you can look at the death notices in the paper, and if your name isn’t there, then be sure you are still alive! This day is a gift. Each day is a gift. God is here; he is with you, so trust in him. He is a good God. This reminds me of a chorus of a song: ‘All my life, you’ve been faithful. All my life, you’ve been so, so good.’
This week’s readings about Christ’s second coming aren’t meant to cause fear. They remind us that God does things in his time. So let him, and enjoy life in the meantime.
Thank you, God, for all your promises. They give me such confidence that all my days are gifts given by you. Help me to find joy in each day, trusting in your goodness. Amen.
Jim is a retired pastor living with his wife Ruth in Deception Bay, Queensland. He spends his retirement making space to add more Lions’ premiership posters to the six (3+3) he already has on his garage wall.
Stay confident
by Jim Strelan
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded (Hebrews 10:35).
Read Hebrews 10:32–39
You know, of course, that any moment could be your last, no matter your age. Does that scare you? There’s a saying: ‘Live each day as though it were your last.’ That helps us value and treasure each moment and makes us more determined to live worthwhile lives. I prefer: ‘Live each day as though it were your first.’ The joy of discovery, the newness all around you, the learning you can do, the relationships that can deepen.
The same applies when we think about the end of all things and Christ’s promised return. You can live apprehensively, or you can live with the confidence that God is with you in everything, cares about you and never abandons you.
Look at the attitude the writer of Hebrews encourages in their readers. See how they lived even when terrible times came upon them. Exposed to insult and persecuted, they stood side by side with those who were ill-treated, felt sympathy for the imprisoned and were joyful even when things were taken away from them. So they are encouraged to remain confident in their loving God. They are encouraged not to shrink back because they can be sure of their salvation (a word which, in a general sense, means ‘wellbeing’).
As you get older, you can look at the death notices in the paper, and if your name isn’t there, then be sure you are still alive! This day is a gift. Each day is a gift. God is here; he is with you, so trust in him. He is a good God. This reminds me of a chorus of a song: ‘All my life, you’ve been faithful. All my life, you’ve been so, so good.’
This week’s readings about Christ’s second coming aren’t meant to cause fear. They remind us that God does things in his time. So let him, and enjoy life in the meantime.
Thank you, God, for all your promises. They give me such confidence that all my days are gifts given by you. Help me to find joy in each day, trusting in your goodness. Amen.
Jim is a retired pastor living with his wife Ruth in Deception Bay, Queensland. He spends his retirement making space to add more Lions’ premiership posters to the six (3+3) he already has on his garage wall.