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.
The Good Shepherd dies for his sheep
by Glenn Crouch
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I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).
Read John 10:11–18
We continue from Sunday’s passage, as Jesus explains more about how he is our Good Shepherd.
One thing I enjoy is getting to know people better and hearing their stories. Within our congregation, it is a blessing to discover the prayer warriors, those who care for others, those who open their homes and more. I’ve been the pastor here in Esperance for more than three years now, and I am still discovering new good works happening. No fanfare, just people following Jesus.
Today’s passage reminds us that this Jesus we follow is the Good Shepherd – and that he cares for us so much that he is not only willing to die for us, but he does die for us, willingly! His death is not something forced upon him, nor something he was tricked into. Rather, he chooses to lay down his life for us. But death did not stop our Good Shepherd – did you read verses 17 and 18?
As we discover more about our Good Shepherd, we not only learn the depth of love he has for us, but also that he has a unique relationship with the Father. Read verse 15 again. As we get to know Jesus better, we also get to know the Father better. We also see that the Father and the Good Shepherd work together for our benefit.
I’ve spent my entire life getting to know more about Jesus, and I am still discovering new things.
I encourage you to discover more about our Good Shepherd.
Father, thank you for loving me so much that you sent your Son to be our Good Shepherd. Thank you that he died for me. Thank you for his resurrection. Create in me a hunger to learn more about 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 when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.
Our God searches for lost sheep
by Glenn Crouch
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In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish (Matthew 18:14).
Read Matthew 18:10–14
Do you recall what God did after our parents ate the fruit way back in Genesis? God came down, walked in the garden and asked, ‘Where are you?’ (Genesis 3:8,9). They deserved death (Genesis 2:16,17), but rather than obliterating them and starting over, God searched for them. God called out to them. Sadly, our first parents didn’t turn to God; rather, they gave excuses. So, God listened patiently, explained the consequences and then he clothed them before removing them from the garden.
Our God does not sit on his heavenly throne, waiting for us sinners to come to our senses. He is not waiting for us to earn his forgiveness. No, he comes down and enters into our messiness. He comes searching for us. This is the good news of the incarnation – God becomes one of us. The amazing love of our God is seen in how far he goes so that we don’t perish (verse 14).
We all know family and friends, many of whom have been baptised, who have had a church upbringing, but who now seem far away. I encourage you to continue praying for them. Be assured that not only does our God hear us, but he is the God who searches for the lost. He will do mighty things to prevent even one of us from perishing.
Oh Father, thank you that you are indeed a God who searches. Thank you for finding me, and keep finding me when I go astray. Lord, I lift before you those who are dear to me and ask you to break through. Please find them and bring them to the cross of your dear Son. 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 when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.
Bad shepherds do not escape justice
by Glenn Crouch
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For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them (Ezekiel 34:11).
Read Ezekiel 34:1–16
Have you ever been in a situation where your church has let you down? Perhaps a Christian leader or mentor has failed you. Christian leaders are supposed to be shepherds who follow the example of the Good Shepherd, but what happens when they are wolves? Where is God when that happens?
In our passage today, we see God’s response to the religious and political leaders’ failure as shepherds of his people. In verse 2, they are condemned for putting themselves first. They eat and dress well (verse 3), but they do not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick (verse 4). They think they have gotten away with their mistreatment of the Lord’s people, but he sees all, and his justice will come (verse 10)!
And the really good news? God himself will get his feet dirty and search for his people, and he will look after them (verse 11). He will rescue them (verse 12) and gather them from different countries (verse 13). Oh, how good it is for God’s people to have the Lord God as their Shepherd (verses 14 to 16).
Do you also see how our Lord Jesus fulfils this prophecy? He is indeed our Good Shepherd. Put your trust in him.
You can also be assured that the promise of justice in verse 16 still applies.
For those of us in leadership, we need to heed the warning given in this passage and protect and serve his people.
Gracious Father, heal the hurt that is within me. Open my eyes to where I have hurt others, forgive me and help me make amends. Lead me to the rest that you offer, through your dear Son. 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 when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.