by Pastor Peter Bean
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What to make of these verses? Not the most wonderful reading in the Bible. It started off well with hospitality shown by Lot. But it quickly degenerated into all sorts of terrible things: sexual immorality, betrayal of family, disbelief, tardiness, warnings ignored, ingratitude. And, as we read on, there is more.
What do we do with all of this? Of course, it’s easy to jump to conclusions and become judgemental of actions and inactions, groups and individuals. And don’t we do that? Sorry, I’ll let you answer that for yourself. For myself, yes, I do jump to conclusions. I do make judgements. I do look down on people. Lord, have mercy.
And the Lord does. Even when we think we have more time to prepare. Even when we joke about what God might do. Even when we are inhospitable. Even when we condemn!
I guess, here, in these verses, we have a good description of human nature. Thoughts and actions are described that can lead us away from God. Even when God is present – in our face, if you like – even when God is clear, and we can hear the voice of the Spirit guiding us. (Did you know that, in the Hebrew Scriptures, to hear is the same as to obey?)
But we also have a good description of God’s nature: to be merciful, to restore those who lack trust or think they can make it on their own. Can each of us examine our lives? Look for those times when you didn’t trust God’s promises and thought you could make it alone. Look for those times when God’s mercy re-appeared: in a word of forgiveness, in a restoration of relationships, in a comforting hug, in the quiet breath of the Spirit breathing new life into you.
And give thanks for the Lord’s mercy.
Lord God, Heavenly Dad, gracious Saviour, life-giving Spirit, thank you for your mercy, shown to me in so many ways. Thank you. 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.
Where did he come from?
by Shane Altmann
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So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak (Genesis 32:24).
Read Genesis 32:22–32
Today’s Bible reading is a critical and pivotal moment in both biblical and world history – the very beginnings of the creation of Israel. You shall be called Israel because you have struggled with God and humanity and won! I mean, you don’t have to scratch very deep to see the powerful significance in those words, still many thousands of years later.
But I think it is worth reflecting on verse 24, highlighted above. Jacob has sent his wives, his sons and ultimately his possessions across the river, and is alone. And then a bloke turns up for a fight.
Ex nihilo, out of nowhere.
For all intents and purposes, this guy just arrives. I’m channelling Jesus-in-the-locked-room vibes from yesterday’s devotion. Once again, God is at work, actively working for the world and moving things forward. Unlooked for, lining the ducks up.
As we consider Jacob’s desperation here, it is easy to forget this is yet another story of God at work in the world. Yep, Jacob wrestles with this ‘man’, perhaps to stop him from crossing the river and getting at his unprotected wives, sons and stuff, but it is God who turns up for the fight. It is God who stays in the game with Jacob until the point of his desperation. It is God who touches Jacob’s hip and stops the fight. Ultimately, it is God who blesses Jacob, renames him and sets history on its course to the ultimate work of Jesus.
Ex nihilo, out of nowhere.
When everything is on the line, our wives, our sons, our goods, when we stand alone and vulnerable, God turns up.
And he chooses the underdog once again, the younger son, the sneaky one who tricked his brother, the stubborn one who won’t let go. That’s how God rolls. He calls Abraham out of Ur, Israel out of the desert, Joseph the spoiled son, Moses the speech-impaired and exiled old shepherd, anoints David the boy, sends Jesus, the baby in a manger.
God’s got a type. You and me. Ordinary, everyday people who he draws to himself through his gracious love.
Ex nihilo, out of nowhere.
But like Jacob, he is taking us somewhere.
God, thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for always showing up for us, and you are always there, ready, out of nowhere, for us. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, empower and embolden us to hang on to you stubbornly, like Jacob. Forgive us for when we get it wrong and bless us as we go. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Shane Altmann is the principal of Faith Lutheran College Redlands in Queensland and has served in education for more than 35 years. Married to Monica and father of two children, Harry and Zoe, Shane has learnt that he is largely helpless without the love and support of the people with whom he lives and works. A pilgrim of multiple Caminos de Santiago, a Penrith Panthers tragic and a restorer of old stuff, Shane loves a project and, when he is able, fills his days tinkering with something.
Doubting Thomas or certain Jesus?
by Shane Altmann
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On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ (John 20:19)
Read John 20:19–31
There is so much cool stuff in this Bible passage, the well-known ‘doubting Thomas’ story. So much to wonder about.
- Jesus appears in a locked room. Can our post-resurrection body move differently through space and time like Jesus’?
- Jesus showed the marks of his death on his hands and his side. Will our post-resurrection body still have its scars and scratches like Jesus?
- Jesus performed many other miracles that were not even recorded. What were those extra miracles and signs?
I’m looking forward to finding out one day. But seriously, kind of, who cares? It is what this passage gives me certainty about that I love. Let’s focus on Jesus throughout the passage, on Jesus’ actions.
- Jesus came and stood among them.
- Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you’, twice.
- Jesus said, ‘I am sending you …’
- Jesus breathed on them and filled them with the Holy Spirit.
- Jesus gave them the authority to forgive sins.
- Jesus knew Thomas’ doubts.
- Jesus invited Thomas to have his doubts confirmed.
Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. The disciples are largely passive in this story. Locked away, hanging out together. They aren’t looking for Jesus, they aren’t inquiring about what to do next, and they haven’t asked for or invited the Holy Spirit. Again, the list goes on. The disciples just exist. And Jesus does the work.
It’s always God’s work.
Our amazing God of Love is constantly engaged in his gracious movement towards us, towards humanity, towards the world. Even then, even now. Like the disciples, we are not responsible for the fact that the Holy Spirit is active in our lives – Jesus is.
Like the disciples, we cannot transport ourselves to where Jesus is, but he comes to us. Even in our locked rooms, he breaks through our feeble barriers to be with us, to bring us peace, to bless us with the work that lies before us. And in response, Thomas gives us the words, we cry, ‘My Lord and my God!’
Hallelujah.
Thank you, Jesus, for breaking into our lives unexpectedly and miraculously. Thank you for your gracious and redeeming work that makes us right with you. Thank you for your faithfulness towards us. Fill us again with your Holy Spirit and bless us as we gratefully attend to the important stuff you have placed before us this day. Amen.
Shane Altmann is the principal of Faith Lutheran College Redlands in Queensland and has served in education for more than 35 years. Married to Monica and father of two children, Harry and Zoe, Shane has learnt that he is largely helpless without the love and support of the people with whom he lives and works. A pilgrim of multiple Caminos de Santiago, a Penrith Panthers tragic and a restorer of old stuff, Shane loves a project and, when he is able, fills his days tinkering with something.
Security in God
by Faye Schmidt
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You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay (Psalm 16:10).
Read Psalm 16
If anyone ever needed a safe place, it was David. He spent half his life on the run from people who wanted to kill him. First, it was King Saul, then foreign kings and leaders and even his own son Absalom. David knew his vulnerability, but he also had his safe house: God. God was David’s refuge, his safe place.
David says he has a beautiful inheritance awaiting him, and it’s safe because it’s not held in an investment bank, but by God himself. So, what is this inheritance? What David is talking about is the priceless inheritance God has reserved for his children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay (1 Peter 1:4).
At the end of his psalm, David makes an incredible statement. He says in verse 10, ‘You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay’. He is prophesying about someone else. Who is the faithful one who has seen no decay? David is, of course, speaking of the Messiah who was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. He was resurrected on the third day and is in heaven at the right hand of God.
Jesus is our refuge, he’s our inheritance, and we are heirs of all that belongs to him and only because of him. It is all made possible through Jesus. We can be fully secure, not in our own ability or in anything this world can offer us, but in what Jesus Christ has done for us on the cross of Calvary. He is all that we need. He is our refuge. He is our inheritance. He is our hope.
Almighty God, you are my refuge and strength. Hold me always secure in your love and grace. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations in Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.