by Rachael Stelzer
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Read Luke 5:1–11
Peter and his brother and friends had been fishing all night. And they had caught nothing all night. These simple men had not even caught enough fish to feed their families, much less enough to sell to make a profit.
And now this stranger, this itinerant preacher, was telling them to try again on the other side of the boat. It beggared all common sense. What did he know about fishing?
And yet, something about the way he spoke drew Peter in. There was something about him. And Peter figured he had nothing to lose. So, he talked the others into trying again.
And suddenly, they reeled in a catch like they had never seen before. So many fish that they were nearly swamped! They called for reinforcements from the other boat, and both almost sank under the weight of the fish!
And Peter knew without a doubt that something more than an abundant catch was being provided here. Peter recognised the power at work in this man. And his own imperfection. And the fear of God moved him to speak.
‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’
But the stranger did not turn away. Instead, he calmly said, with a twinkle in his eye, ‘Don’t be afraid. From now on, you will be catching people.’
And Peter was hooked from that moment.
Dear Lord, when we recognise the abundance you bring into our lives and communities, we are hooked. May our lives tell the story of your welcome, your leading and your rich love so that others will also be attracted to the abundant life you offer. Amen.
Rachael Stelzer is Primary Head of Faith and Spirituality at Coomera Anglican College near Brisbane. She is a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale.
Go … to the Gentiles (outsiders welcome)
by Peter Bean
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Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles (Acts 22:21b).
Read Acts 22:1–21
What an amazing conversion story Paul’s is! Read it and rejoice.
Paul was proud that he was a Jew. He often mentioned it when defending himself (Acts 22:3; Acts 26:4,5). Naturally, when God converted Paul, Paul wanted to witness to his fellow Jews. But God had bigger plans. Instead, he sent Paul to the Gentiles. If you are familiar with Paul’s adventures, you would know he went to many towns across the Roman Empire and wrote many letters to early believers (what we call the epistles).
In these towns, he often spoke in the synagogues, debating with Jewish believers; however, his main task was sharing the revelation about Christ that he had received with non-Jews. And he did it well, starting and encouraging groups of believers in Christ in many places. He is often called the apostle to the Gentiles.
Whatever we think of Paul and his various teachings (often taken out of context today), he demonstrates many of Christ’s characteristics.
He proclaims a message of grace – as opposed to living according to the law – and winning God’s favour that way. He does not dismiss the law but makes it subservient to the gospel.
He definitely goes to the Gentiles: to Macedonia, to Cyprus, to Ephesus, and many other non-Jewish towns. He engages with all kinds of people, sharing the good news of Christ with whomever he meets. Even though he wished to witness to the Jews he grew up with (and he did at times), his main focus was on the outsiders – those who had not grown up with the understanding of the Hebrew Scriptures that Paul had.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is for us, and we rejoice in that. But it is also for those who are outside our church circles. Will we go, will you go … to the outsiders? How will you live out the gospel truth of life, hope and grace?
Thank you, Jesus, for life, hope and grace. Thank you for messengers like Paul. I am not like him, but I am still your beloved one. Help me to share this love and life generously and freely. Amen.
Spring has sprung. Flowers are displaying their colours; fruit is forming on the trees. There is new growth everywhere. 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 Book of Psalms, he invites you to read them anew and apply them to your life. If you would like his paraphrase of any psalm (from 1 to 120), send your request to pbean087@gmail.com
Full of surprises (outsiders welcome)
by Peter Bean
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I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel (Luke 7:9b).
Read Luke 7:1–10
We tend to miss so much in this passage! Is it a story about faith, or perhaps lack of faith? Is it about outsiders being welcome or insiders ignoring what is right before them? Is it about Jesus’ power to heal, even when not present at the situation?
Note one: the people following Jesus were Jewish elders (verse 9). That is, those who knew the Torah (law), who trusted God, who were the chosen people.
Note two: the officer whose slave is sick does not even meet Jesus. First, the Jewish leaders speak for him. Then his friends bring the message of his understanding of Jesus’ power and authority. He knows that Jesus can heal. Perhaps he even knows Jesus is the Son of God; he certainly knows what power Jesus has.
Note three: Jesus speaks these words about faith to the Jewish elders, praising a non-Jew (albeit a friend; verse 4), praising a man who believes even if he can’t articulate who or what he believes in.
Note four: the slave is healed. Jesus is not present with the slave. He does not touch the slave or even speak words of healing. He simply expresses his amazement at this Roman officer’s faith.
Wow, what do we learn?
Be careful of your religious faith! What is it based on? What does it tell you? How does it help you live?
Know that God, through the life and death of Jesus, is interested in all people – insiders, outsiders, those who can express their faith clearly and those who struggle with what they believe.
Know that Jesus is present, even when he doesn’t appear to be. Through the Holy Spirit, he can work in our lives, in my life, how, when and where he wills.
Learn that God is full of surprises. Perhaps the main one being that the gift of grace – to you, to me, to everyone and anyone who acknowledges the power and presence of Jesus, even if in ways not expected.
Jesus, there is so much to learn! Give me faith like this Roman officer, to know you can, and do, make me whole. Let me live in your grace. Amen.
Spring has sprung. Flowers are displaying their colours; fruit is forming on the trees. There is new growth everywhere. 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 Book of Psalms, he invites you to read them anew and apply them to your life. If you would like his paraphrase of any psalm (from 1 to 120), send your request to pbean087@gmail.com
Get up and go (outsiders welcome)!
by Peter Bean
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Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you (Jonah 3:2).
Read Jonah 3:1–10
Jonah was not thrilled about this task. He had already gone in the opposite direction (Jonah 1:3), concluding, I guess, that he knew better than God.
But God was not to be deterred. Despite Jonah’s refusal to follow directions, God told him again: GO! Give them a message: a message of destruction; a message of repentance; a message about a second chance (do you get it yet, Jonah?).
Nineveh was a great city; Nineveh was an evil city; Nineveh was not the chosen people or country. Nineveh was a city of outsiders. But Jonah, the messenger of God’s judgement and grace, was to go there. Jonah was not impressed with God: not with the instructions he had been given to go, not with God showing grace (Jonah 4:1), not with God teaching Jonah a lesson (Jonah 4:9).
Despite his unhappiness and unwillingness to be this messenger, God worked through him – and in him. Jonah proclaimed the message; the king and the people of Nineveh repented. God showed mercy and grace.
What do I learn from this passage and the Book of Jonah? God works in mysterious ways! God is willing to use unhappy, grumpy people to share his message. God welcomes outsiders.
And God can use you and me – happy or unhappy, joyful or grumpy – to share the good news of grace and kindness, new life and compassion.
How and where is God telling you to go? What is your response?
God, work in me. Even when I am unwilling, let your love flow through me to those I may not consider worthy, but whom you look on with love. Amen.
Spring has sprung. Flowers are displaying their colours; fruit is forming on the trees. There is new growth everywhere. 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 Book of Psalms, he invites you to read them anew and apply them to your life. If you would like his paraphrase of any psalm (from 1 to 120), send your request to pbean087@gmail.com