by Pastor Peter Bean
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Read Genesis 23:1–20
If you have been reading the story of Abraham carefully this week, you’ll have noticed that among all the horrible bits is a story of hospitality. In fact, hospitality and inhospitality are woven throughout this narrative. The Greek word for hospitality literally means ‘love of strangers'. So, Abraham welcomes the three strangers in Genesis 18, feeds them and gives them a drink. This is taken up in Hebrews 13, where we are told: ‘Remember to welcome strangers, because some who have done this have welcomed angels without knowing it.’ Think back through this week’s readings. Where are examples of hospitality and inhospitality?
So, we come to Genesis 23. Sarah dies. Abraham seeks to bury her. He goes to the Hittites, the adversaries of the Israelites and their (our) God. And as you read the chapter, you will see hospitality played out, back and forth, until there is an agreement all are happy with.
No bickering over whose land this is, no slandering of each other, no questioning each other’s motives. Rather, acceptance of who they are and their place in the world. Peace in their time!
Can we follow their example? Can we accept God’s statement to us through Paul in Ephesians 2:19? ‘So now you are no longer strangers and aliens. Rather, you are fellow citizens with God’s people, and you belong to God’s household.’ And then apply it to our lives?
God accepts all. You, me, your neighbours, the first inhabitants of Australia, those who come from different lands. In our world of social disharmony that we seem to live in, we do well to remember God’s words: ‘You belong to God’s household.’ Then, living in grace and forgiveness, extend that hospitality to all we encounter, all humanity, remembering each person is made in God’s image and is also extended grace.
God of hospitality, who loves humanity in all its various expressions, let me live in your love. Help me to reflect that grace and forgiveness to everyone I meet. Amen.
In early October, Peter enjoyed a family camp with his children and grandchildren at Lake Bonney, South Australia. Then, he returned to weeding, planting, riding, reading and relaxing!
by Emma Strelan
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Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly (Matthew 26:75).
Read Matthew 26:69–75
Shame. It’s a powerful feeling. When we have acted in a way utterly opposed to our morals and intentions, it makes us question our very identity. Who are we if we can’t do what we know to be right?
I’m sure Peter felt that way. So aware of the words of passion and challenge that he’d spoken to Jesus that same evening: ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you!’ Peter’s words were rendered seemingly meaningless by his own weakness.
How often have we made a commitment to God, a promise of faithfulness, obedience and willingness to do whatever it takes to follow him, only to turn and fall down the next moment? The burden of our shame weighs heavily upon us.
Over the past few years, I have taken my spiritual formation seriously. I’ve completed a six-month intensive discipleship and mission course, read spiritual formation books by renowned authors, practised various spiritual disciplines and met with a spiritual director. I have learned enormous amounts about myself and God during that time and have been constantly challenged in many of the foundational parts of my identity and beliefs.
However, after all these years of seeking to go deeper with God and asking him what’s next and what I can learn now, it has been my experience of grace in the face of failure that has had the most profound and transformative impact on me.
Peter had many powerful first-hand experiences with God, both building him up and reminding him of his humanness. As one author I’ve been reading put it: ‘No-one flops like Peter.’
Jesus knew Peter would fail. Our flops don’t surprise Jesus. Neither does Jesus need nor want our bravado. He knows our flesh is still weak, no matter how willing the spirit is.
But the gospel story is one of redemption for Peter – and for us. Maybe we all flop like Peter. But no-one succeeds like Jesus.
God, our victorious king, may we rest in your victory, which covers our failures. Please keep picking us back up when we fall. Thank you for your eternal grace that never ceases to amaze and transform. Amen.
Emma Strelan works part-time as a content producer with Lutheran Media and part-time as a freelance videographer around Adelaide. You’ll often find her rummaging through op shops or dreaming of her next camping trip or outdoor adventure. She feels blessed that her current work combines two of her biggest passions – creative media and exploring faith – and hopes the projects she works on will have a positive impact on others.
by Emma Strelan
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, ‘I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God’ (Matthew 26:63).
Read Matthew 26:57–68
Today’s challenge to Jesus comes from the high priest Caiaphas.
Caiaphas represents and embodies the Jewish religious establishment, supposed to uphold the ancient laws and customs that establish the Israelites as God’s chosen people. Yet, Caiaphas is also a politically controversial religious leader, as he was appointed by the occupying Romans.
Unlike the expert in the law from yesterday’s reading, who was willing to engage in Jesus’ returning questions, Caiaphas is only really looking for one answer from Jesus: proof that this come-from-nothing backwater preacher isn’t a threat to his own religious authority and power.
So, Caiaphas presents Jesus with this challenge: ‘I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.’ He’s basically telling Jesus to either admit he’s not who he’s claiming to be or be charged with blasphemy.
But Jesus won’t be cornered that easily. He knows that making plays for power and control do not ultimately impact the Father’s almighty plan.
Caiaphas fails to realise that this man whom he charges ‘under oath by the living God’ is, in fact, the God who dies. While the great high priest is doing all he can to keep control of the situation and maintain his place as the religious leader of the Jews, the very God he claims to serve is giving up his control, becoming powerless, weak and dead. Actions speak louder than words.
We can challenge God’s power and sovereignty all we want, but God’s response will always be: ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And that ‘I AM’ is the Messiah, our Saviour. Let us not let our pride and desire for control blind us to who God is and what he has done for us.
God of truth, may our pride, fear and power be laid low so that your truth may be made known in our hearts and lives. Amen.
Emma Strelan works part-time as a content producer with Lutheran Media and part-time as a freelance videographer around Adelaide. You’ll often find her rummaging through op shops or dreaming of her next camping trip or outdoor adventure. She feels blessed that her current work combines two of her biggest passions – creative media and exploring faith – and hopes the projects she works on will have a positive impact on others.
by Emma Strelan
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise’ (Luke 10:36,37).
Read Luke 10:25–37
This week is a week of challenges. If you follow along the Scripture passages, you’ll witness Jesus’ varied responses to those trying to figure out just what his radical message and subversive presence mean for them.
Today, we read of an expert in the law challenging Jesus: If we are to love God and love our neighbour as ourselves, who is our neighbour?
My church recently noticed we weren’t focusing on mission as much as we wanted to. So, we created a mission ministry support person role to ensure that at least someone was thinking about mission. Having specific roles is a good way to ensure the ministry load is shared around a congregation or community. If there’s no receptionist, who will answer the office phone? If there’s no worship coordinator, who will organise the service orders? If there’s no youth worker, who will run the Friday night youth group? (The answer to all of these is too often, ‘The pastor!’ unfortunately.)
In today’s passage, we hear that loving our neighbour and showing mercy should be one of the highest priorities a Christian should have. So, in congregations filled with band members, money counters, PowerPoint slide operators, communion assistants, Sunday school teachers, flower arrangers, and numerous other roles, perhaps we should add ‘official neighbours’ to the weekly roster to make sure we’re covering our bases. Or perhaps not.
The trap I’ve seen my own church fall into when we assign roles is that anything outside of those responsibilities can easily be brushed off as ‘not my job’. But Jesus reminds us that being a neighbour isn’t defined by the role we’re listed as in the church directory. The Samaritan wasn’t trained in any specific ministry. He simply had a missional opportunity placed along his path, a heart (and resources) ready for compassion, and he decided to move in love toward brokenness.
It’s easy to let things fall into the ‘not my job’ category, especially when our jobs or roles often already come with an overwhelming number of responsibilities. However, when it comes to the battle of obligations, Jesus is very clear in what we should prioritise: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
Do this, and you will live.
Lord of love, may I see the needs of others that you place before me today, and may I be open to new ways to serve you, even if I don’t feel equipped. Amen.
Emma Strelan works part-time as a content producer with Lutheran Media and part-time as a freelance videographer around Adelaide. You’ll often find her rummaging through op shops or dreaming of her next camping trip or outdoor adventure. She feels blessed that her current work combines two of her biggest passions – creative media and exploring faith – and hopes the projects she works on will have a positive impact on others.