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.
by Steve Liersch
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Jesus replied, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me’ (Matthew 26:23).
Read Matthew 26:17–25
It took around three years to form and train the group that we have come to know as the 12 disciples. All along, you can’t help but think that Jesus would have chosen only the best followers to train and carry on his ministry. Judas was among them. The gospels of Matthew (26:14–16), Mark (14:10,11) and Luke (22:3–6) all refer to Judas as the one who would betray Jesus into the hands of his enemies. God knows, and Jesus knows, that Judas would be an integral part of his plan of salvation. Go figure!
How often do we hear stories of an ‘insider’ doing damage to an organisation? For example, a club captain doing drugs or scheming to move to another club (topical to a couple of AFL teams), a childcare worker abusing a child, or a business manager diddling the books. So many times, we hear of trust being betrayed and comments like, ‘I never thought they were that sort of person.’
In Jesus’ case, he knew what was about to unfold. He even knew who would do what and predicted it so that people would be aware that nothing is beyond his knowledge. ‘Peter, you will deny me three times before the rooster crows.’ It wasn’t just Judas who would fail.
In verse 25 of today’s text, we read, ‘Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.”’ No-one likes to be called out for doing the wrong thing.
Yet this is no ordinary meal being shared with Jesus. In just a few minutes after this exchange with Judas, Jesus speaks words that he, along with you and I, need to hear constantly, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’
This is the best ‘bombshell’ that Jesus could ever speak. Betrayal, denial, scheming, deceitfulness – the list goes on. And Jesus’ response is: ‘Forgiveness is available through what I am about to do for you.’ If only Judas had waited a few days to see how it all turned out. That forgiveness could have been his despite what he had done.
Don’t wait too long to repent and make peace with God as you receive his forgiveness. The results will be life-changing.
Thank you, Jesus, for your forgiveness. Please work through your Holy Spirit so that I may ask for it every day. Amen.
Pastor Steve Liersch and his wife, Angelyn, are now empty-nesters living in Port Kennedy in the southern coastal suburbs of Perth. Steve says that he sees every day as a gift from God, allowing him to discover new ways to journey with Jesus and learn more about the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as well as how his Heavenly Father wants to use him in some small or great way.
by Steve Liersch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him (Matthew 26:3,4).
Read Matthew 26:1–16
It’s easy to get frustrated and even angry with people who should know better. People who do the wrong thing, even to the point of being outright evil. Think here of adults abusing children in their care. Or financial advisors ripping off their clients for large sums of money. Or experienced drivers leaving their passengers seriously injured or dead as a result of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They should all know better. They are in a position of trust. No-one would have ever thought it possible that they would do such a thing.
God knows what you and I are all capable of because we’re sinful. Because, given the right circumstances, everyone is capable of something terrible sooner or later. Thankfully, most of the time, we are guided by our values and principles, maintaining a healthy balance between right and wrong, and we choose what is right. But not always – especially if we can get away with it.
The story leading up to Jesus’ death reflects poorly on the chief priests and elders of the Jewish society at that time. Peter exposed their evil plans in Acts 2:23: ‘This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.’ Ouch. That’s a bit hurtful, isn’t it?
Thankfully, God did use their evil ways to ensure we and the whole world are forgiven our sins. God can transform evil situations and turn them around for some good. Romans 8:28 reads, ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’
At Pentecost, we read:
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’ (Acts 2:37,38).
Ahh! Now there’s grace at work.
Recall a time when God used a bad situation and turned it out for the good. Thank him.
Dear God, you never waste a moment to help lead people back to you in repentance. Please continue doing that in my life as well. Amen.
Pastor Steve Liersch and his wife, Angelyn, are now empty-nesters living in Port Kennedy in the southern coastal suburbs of Perth. Steve says that he sees every day as a gift from God, allowing him to discover new ways to journey with Jesus and learn more about the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as well as how his Heavenly Father wants to use him in some small or great way.
by Steve Liersch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go (Luke 10:1).
Read Luke 10:1–11,16–20
I’ve always enjoyed mathematics, although I know that not everyone shares this sentiment. When my children were in primary school, we had a times tables chart inside the toilet on the wall facing the seat. All that time for them and anyone else who visited our house to learn or get a refresher course in multiplication. It isn’t until you get to 6 x 12 that we first encounter the number 72. That’s a lot for a kid to get their head around. Not for Jesus.
Often, we only think of Jesus having 12 disciples. Yes, there might have only been that number in his inner circle that we read and hear about, but there were more – lots more. By the time he was ready to give them one of their first practical exercises in sharing the good news about the kingdom of heaven, we learn from Luke 10 that there were 72 of them. Not only that, but even if the 12 disciples each took one more person, that would still total only 24.
Where did the other 60 come from? And who were they? And how did they get to be included in such a daunting task as going to neighbouring villages? How did they muster up enough courage to talk to strangers? And fancy not taking a purse, bag or sandals, not to mention not greeting anyone on the road, until they found a ‘house of peace’.
After the 72 returned with joy (verse 17), they reported that even the demons submitted to them in Jesus’ name. There’s the clue and the ‘glue’ that makes God’s ‘Great Commission’ possible. They, like us, go in Jesus’ name, speak about Jesus and go in the power of the Holy Spirit because he is with us all to the close of the age (Matthew 28:20).
Practise speaking about your friend and Saviour Jesus with someone you know, and see what the results may be as the Holy Spirit leads you. (Give it a bit of time to bear fruit, too.)
Lord of the harvest, you promise to be with me like you were with your first disciples. Give me the courage and willingness to speak of you as my Lord and Saviour to help your kingdom grow. In your name, I pray, Amen.
Pastor Steve Liersch and his wife, Angelyn, are now empty-nesters living in Port Kennedy in the southern coastal suburbs of Perth. Steve says that he sees every day as a gift from God, allowing him to discover new ways to journey with Jesus and learn more about the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as well as how his Heavenly Father wants to use him in some small or great way.