by Neil Bergmann
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Read Luke 19:1–10
As a tax collector, Zacchaeus was a social outcast. Not only was he hated because he worked for the occupying Romans, but it seems like he was known to cheat on how much he collected and passed on.
Which do you think came first – being an outcast or being a tax collector? Most likely, he had been an outcast in society for a long time – perhaps ridiculed for his short stature – and not part of the in-crowd. This is likely true for many of the ‘sinners’ Jesus encountered in his travels.
As Jesus came through Jericho, the crowds surrounded Jesus. Although Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, too, the crowd blocked his view. How often do we, in our desire to focus on Jesus as Lord and Saviour, form a huddle that keeps outsiders away? We are comfortable with those like us and often uncomfortable with those who don’t fit.
Zacchaeus was so keen to see Jesus that he climbed a tree. Jesus was always on the lookout for the outsider and the outcast and gave Zacchaeus the one thing his wealth couldn’t give him – acceptance and inclusion.
Luke 19:10 says, ‘For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost’. We are called to do the same – to seek out the lost and let them know they are accepted and loved.
Jesus, move us out of our comfort zone. Help us to look around our communities to find the lost and make them feel welcomed and included. Amen.
Neil Bergmann worships at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Rochedale, Queensland. He enjoys being part of the monthly Messy Church planning team at Our Saviour.
by Pastor Tim Klein
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[Jesus] cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out’ (John 11:43).
Read John 11:32–44
I am looking forward to resurrection when this ageing, painful, wearing-out body of mine will be fully restored by the Lord:
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4).
Whenever a Christian congregation confesses the Apostles’ Creed, we confess that we believe in the resurrection of the dead. We believe that on the last day, our bodies will be raised from the dead, and we shall all be gathered in the presence of Jesus. This is a central and essential statement of our faith.
The Apostle Paul makes that clear when he says this:
If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith (1 Corinthians 15:13,14).
For some, even to consider resurrection is impossible. But for us who believe, it gives hope and even power to our lives. I consider that if the Lord was able to knit me together in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139) and give me life in the first place, then he can restore me from the grave.
This story of the raising of Lazarus from the tomb by Jesus is another account of the incredible power over life that the Lord has. It took only three words from Jesus, and Lazarus was resurrected. In just three days, Jesus overcame death and all the powers of darkness and was himself raised to life.
Can people die and be raised back to life again? Of course. Here’s an example. It’s called ‘cardioversion’. Tomorrow, I will lie down on an operating table, and my cardiologist will stop and start my heart. I have experienced this several times over recent years. As the anaesthetist injects the anaesthetic, I don’t count backwards. I simply say: ‘Lord, into your hands … zzzz.’ I am fairly matter of fact about it.
Likewise, I am convinced of our confession: ‘I believe in the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting!’ I will live and die in faith (by God’s grace), and on the last day, he will raise me to life with him forever.
Lord of death and life, strengthen such faith in me so I can be confident of this resurrection confession and place my life in your hands daily. Amen.
Tim has served as a pastor for more than 30 years in Australia and New Zealand. He plans to retire on 12 January in 2025. Husband to his wife Joy, father of three and grandfather of more than 10, Tim says he is living in hope. He enjoys gardening (especially his orchard of more than 60 trees, succulents and flowering plants), making music (he loves to sing), beekeeping and taking photos.
by Pastor Tim Klein
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So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her (Genesis 29:20).
Read Genesis 29:1–20
In yesterday’s devotion, in Genesis 28:2,3, Jacob’s father Isaac sends him on his way with instructions and a blessing:
Arise, go to Paddan-aram to the house of Bethuel your mother’s father, and take as your wife from there one of the daughters of Laban your mother’s brother. God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples.
So much for ‘the best-laid plans of mice and men’ (thank you, Robert Burns). Those plans soon went astray. With some significant manipulation (dare we say ‘skullduggery and trickery’) by Laban, not one, but two wives – both the daughters of Laban – were married to Jacob. But God’s plan was still at work. Fulfilment of the blessing took more than one wife; it took both wives and two maidservants, Bilhah and Zilpah (whom Jacob also married), to produce Jacob’s 12 sons, the founding fathers of the tribes of Israel.
It is amazing how God persists with his plan. It’s the big salvation plan. One of the sons is Judah – and his house is the house of Israel from which Jesus came.
If you are interested in the story, keep reading Genesis for the extraordinary roll-out of God’s saving plan all those generations ago.
Is there some encouragement in this for you and me? If you read on, you will discover the characters of the 12 leaders of the tribes of Israel. They were many and varied, and God had something to say and do through each of their lives.
You may find a direct comparison to your life among them. However, in general terms, you will see the miracle of how the Lord works through different people, in good and bad situations, always working for the good of his people and the sake of his kingdom.
By all means, we lay our plans. But most of all, we trust the Lord to guide us through them all.
Lord: you must laugh sometimes at the plans we make. Yet despite us, you remain working in and through us. Please continue to give us the confidence to boldly step ahead in faith, trusting in you, knowing that you are there with us, working your good for the sake of your kingdom. Amen.
Tim has served as a pastor for more than 30 years in Australia and New Zealand. He plans to retire on 12 January in 2025. Husband to his wife Joy, father of three and grandfather of more than 10, Tim says he is living in hope. He enjoys gardening (especially his orchard of more than 60 trees, succulents and flowering plants), making music (he loves to sing), beekeeping and taking photos.
by Pastor Tim Klein
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Then Rebekah said to Isaac, ‘I loathe my life because of the Hittite women. If Jacob marries one of the Hittite women like these, one of the women of the land, what good will my life be to me?’ (Genesis 27:46)
Read Genesis 27:46–28:4,10–22
What a way to move out of home and start your own journey – sent off by Mum, who doesn’t want you to marry one of ‘those’ women!
It’s happening again. God uses one of life’s dilemmas to set the path for his big plan. So, Jacob packs his life up and moves away. What an adventure and an amazing way God unfolds his plan for Jacob and all people – including you and me.
Jacob leaves with the blessing of God given through his father:
God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples. May he give the blessing of Abraham to you and to your offspring with you, that you may take possession of the land of your sojourning that God gave to Abraham!
On the way, he has an amazing dream where God speaks to him directly:
I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.
Jacob set up an altar in that place – called Bethel (around 11 miles north of Jerusalem) – and made promises to the Lord.
What an astounding start to an incredible journey! More about how the journey unfolds tomorrow.
But, for now, what might we learn? I believe the Lord sets us all off on a life-changing journey. Every day has the potential for joy and satisfaction – even if we encounter struggle and pain. God promises to be with us – to never leave us. We can trust in his promises. He will be at work in and through you and me.
Lord, open us to hear your guiding word, see the way you have promised, and serve – for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Tim has served as a pastor for more than 30 years in Australia and New Zealand. He plans to retire on 12 January in 2025. Husband to his wife Joy, father of three and grandfather of more than 10, Tim says he is living in hope. He enjoys gardening (especially his orchard of more than 60 trees, succulents and flowering plants), making music (he loves to sing), beekeeping and taking photos.