Standing Before God 17th Day in Lent (Monday) Read: Romans 5:1-11 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” Romans 5:1-2a (NIV) ‘Grace is the basis for our standing before God’. What does it mean to ‘stand before a King’? I enjoy reading the historical fiction books by Philippa Gregory. It is obvious in these books that there was a hierarchy in society in the Middle Ages. There was the upper class consisting of the kings/monarchs, nobles, knights, and clergy. Then the middle class tended to be the merchants, doctors, and those with important jobs; and then there was the lower class – the peasants and serfs who performed all the menial tasks and jobs. Firstly, to see the king you had to get through all the secretaries and make an appointment – only if you had an important issue. If it wasn’t important or considered necessary or beneficial to the kingship, there would be no way to stand in the king’s presence. Through the saving action of God in His Son Jesus Christ, God has allowed us to come directly into His presence and talk to Him freely. Back in the Old Testament times, the common people had to talk to God through the priests and offer sacrifices to make themselves worthy. Now we are reconciled with God. Reconciliation is talked about quite freely in society and between cultures and nations, but the essence of reconciliation is to bring people together with differences or conflicts and help them understand each other. Being reconciled with God means that He has come to us directly and made us clean through the act of Jesus on the cross. He opened Himself up for us to understand more of the nature of God. So, we can stand in His presence – the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We don’t have to ask for an audience from a priest or secretary. Through the grace of God, we can stand in His presence and ask Him for whatever is on our minds. We can understand and accept the grace and love that He offers us every day. Jesus’ act of suffering allowed us to stand before God. Prayer: Dear Lord God, thank you for your reconciling love and act of grace toward me. Being able to stand in your presence is humbling, helps me always to be appreciative. Amen. 2
What bears God’s image?
by Jodie Hoff
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s (Matthew 22:21b).
Read Matthew 22:15–22
I want to invite us to begin with a simple but hopeful question from Jesus: Whose image does this carry?
In the passage, people come to Jesus hoping to catch him out. But as Jesus so often does, he turns the moment into something deeper. The coin bears Caesar’s image, so give Caesar what is Caesar’s. Then he leaves us with the far more important question: What bears God’s image?
We do.
You do. I do. Every person we meet today carries something of God’s goodness, dignity and possibility.
So, as we begin today, let’s hold onto this: before the work, before the decisions, before the pressures and conversations of the day, we are already loved. We are held by God. And we have the beautiful opportunity to reflect God’s love in what we say and do.
May that steady us, encourage us and help us bring grace, wisdom and kindness into this day.
Loving God, thank you that your image is carried in each of us. Help us to see your goodness in one another and bring hope, grace and courage into all we do today. Amen.
With more than 25 years of leadership experience in Lutheran schools, Jodie Hoff brings a deep commitment to Lutheran education and the people and communities it serves. Having lived and worked in both Queensland and South Australia, she now serves as the executive director of Lutheran Education Australia. Jodie is passionate about building relationships, fostering connection and creating opportunities for people and communities to flourish. Beyond her work, she enjoys photography and the arts.
Areruia! E kingi ana te Atua, te Kaha Rawa (The Lord God the Almighty reigns)
by Mark Whitfield
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Hallelujah! For the Lord God the Almighty reigns (Revelation 19:6b).
Read Revelation 19:5–10
There are times when neither the world nor our lives seem to be under God’s reign. We see conflict, suffering and injustice, and worry about the future or face circumstances we cannot change. We may watch people we love struggle and wonder where God is. Even within the church, we may become discouraged by what is difficult, declining or beyond our control.
Into those moments comes the great cry of Revelation: ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord God the Almighty reigns.’
‘Hallelujah’ means ‘Praise the Lord’. It’s not simply an expression of happiness. It’s a declaration of faith. You praise God not because everything is going well, but because God is still God. He is still Lord. He is still at work, even when you cannot see what he is doing.
Revelation gives us a wonderful picture of where everything is heading: the marriage supper of the Lamb. Jesus, the Lamb who gave himself for our salvation, is the bridegroom, and we are part of his beloved people. Our future is not ultimately defeat, abandonment or despair. Our future is with Christ.
That means our hope doesn’t depend on how strong we feel today. Our faith doesn’t rest on our ability to have everything sorted out. It rests on Jesus’ faithfulness.
So, today, simply be faithful where God has placed you. Pray. Worship. Love someone. Forgive. Encourage. Serve. Trust. Even the small and ordinary things you do in faith are seen by God.
You may not see the difference your faithfulness makes. But God does.
So, lift your heart today and join the song of heaven: Areruia! E kingi ana te Atua, te Kaha Rawa – Hallelujah! The Lord God Almighty reigns.
Lord Jesus, when I cannot see what you are doing, help me trust that you are still Lord. Keep me faithful, hopeful and courageous, knowing that my future rests not in myself, but in you. Amen.
Pastor Mark is a Kiwi and loves being pastor of St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ōtautahi (Christchurch) on New Zealand’s South Island. He is bishop emeritus of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand (LCNZ), has served on the LCA Commission on Worship and represents the LCNZ on the Roman Catholic–Lutheran Dialogue Commission. He is married to Leanne and is dad to Chelsea (and Tim), Brittany and Charlotte. A musician (organist, pianist, singer and composer), Mark also enjoys gardening, making people laugh and following sport, especially cricket and rugby. And when the opportunity arises, he loves eating rollmops on fresh bread with his father-in-law, Kevin.
When Christ knocks
by Mark Whitfield
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Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you with me (Revelation 3:20).
Read Revelation 3:14–22
Are there times when your faith feels a little too familiar?
You know the prayers. You know the songs and hymns. You know the stories of Scripture. You may have followed Jesus for many years. Yet familiarity can sometimes become complacency. The wonder of grace can begin to fade, and you can forget just how much you need Christ each day.
That is why Jesus personally speaks these words to you: ‘Be earnest, and repent.’
But hear what lies behind those words. Jesus doesn’t speak them because he has given up on you. He says them because he loves you: ‘I reprove and discipline those whom I love.’
His purpose is not to condemn you, but to draw you back. Not to push you away, but to awaken you to his presence and renew your faith.
And then comes that beautiful picture: ‘I am standing at the door, knocking.’
Jesus is near you. He is speaking to you. He is inviting you to listen: ‘Tēnā, whakarongo mai – whakarongo ki tōku reo’, which in English means, ‘Please listen – listen to my voice.’
What might Jesus be saying to you today?
Perhaps he is calling you back from spiritual complacency. Perhaps he is reminding you of the wonder of his forgiveness. You may have something that you need to honestly bring before him. Or perhaps he is simply reminding you that you do not have to carry today in your own strength.
Jesus is still knocking.
You don’t need to have everything sorted out before you open the door. You don’t need to prove yourself worthy. Simply come as you are. Receive his grace again. Let him renew your faith, restore your joy and draw you into deeper fellowship with him.
Jesus doesn’t knock because he has given up on you. He knocks because he loves you.
Lord Jesus, help me to hear your voice today. Forgive me when I take your grace for granted. Awaken my faith, renew my joy and draw me closer to you. Amen.
Pastor Mark is a Kiwi and loves being pastor of St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ōtautahi (Christchurch) on New Zealand’s South Island. He is bishop emeritus of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand (LCNZ), has served on the LCA Commission on Worship and represents the LCNZ on the Roman Catholic–Lutheran Dialogue Commission. He is married to Leanne and is dad to Chelsea (and Tim), Brittany and Charlotte. A musician (organist, pianist, singer and composer), Mark also enjoys gardening, making people laugh and following sport, especially cricket and rugby. And when the opportunity arises, he loves eating rollmops on fresh bread with his father-in-law, Kevin.