Week beginning Monday 15th December

Matthew 9 & 10

Reading  these two chapters together was a a balancing act for me – the wonder and amazingness of the miracles of God’s Kingdom realised through Jesus and His disciples in contrast with the confrontation and reality of a living a life following Jesus. The mix of healing and hope with heartache and challenge. And the reality is that following Jesus is a mix of miracles and difficulties. It is a good reminder for me this week that the road less travelled can often be a lonely and difficult road – one where condemnation and accusation will come from those close to you. Chapter 10 verses 26-31 are the compass within the miracles and challenges – that is, look to God, press in to God, don’t fearful of people and know how much God cares. The love of God is the ultimate place and source of life…’so don’t be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows’. [Prayer - LORD I do want to see more miracles and I know that this will mean more trouble. As I journey with you help me to not be afraid. AMEN]

Week beginning Monday 8th December 2008

Matthew 7 & 8

The words and actions of Jesus bringing a new reality to the world called God’s Kingdom. His teachings cut through so much junk in human relationships bringing truth and relationship between people and with God. His actions were unlike any others – healings / crossing cultural divides / unreal acts of nature. And this is all reality – a reality that draws people into it but challenges us to the core. Many said, “Jesus, I will follow you!” only to find that Jesus’ reality was too demanding, in that they couldn’t have what they wanted and needed to rely totally on God’s provision.

The Jesus in these two chapters challenges me. Jesus makes me think about the way I judge people. Jesus makes me confront my values and trust in God. I take heart however as I read how the disciples too were challenged by Jesus. On a boat in a storm they say, “Jesus, save us!” What were they expecting him to do??? He calms the widn and the waves and they are overwhelmed. I too get overwhelmed by Jesus, especially when he does act to save me – I don’t always like what Jesus does…I get challenged and blown away…but I’m so glad that Jesus does save me. I surely need to be saved. (Prayer – LORD sometimes I don’t know what I am expecting when I ask you to save me, but faithully and in your way you do. Thanks. Amen)

Week beginning Monday 1st December

Matthew 5 & 6

In these chapters Jesus renews and realigns the Law of God back to God’s intention – that is the Law as the gift of God to humanity to show us the best way to live within the order of creation. Jesus highlights and contrasts what the world in disorder does against God’s way of relationship – love and truth. Jesus offers us a ‘better way’ where our identity and purpose comes from God and not our own self. Jesus tells us what a blessed life looks like – dependence on God; grief; humility; obedience; mercy; purity; doing right; being happy and excited in God! Further Jesus calls us to pray, love, generousity, faithulness, and prioritising things of God’s Kingdom over the things of the temporary.

[Prayer - LORD, let me sit at your feet today, listening to your teaching. Give me your Spirit that I might follow your way. LORD I will follow your way. AMEN]

Week beginning Monday 17th November 2008

Matthew 1 & 2

Beginning the first Gospel of the New Testament – I love starting a new book. Particularly the Gospels. It is an opportunity to come afresh to the story of Jesus. Matthew’s Gospel makes the links with the Old Testament, showing that this ‘new’ thing that God is doing in Jesus Christ is part of a patient, eternal and wonderful plan. This in fact is what jumped out at me from the first two chapters – the contrast between God’s way and Human’s way. God is patient, eternal, empowering and limitless while man’s plans are fleeting, immediate, power protecting and limited. Herod thinks he can manipulate God’s intention but all he does is inflict suffering and his plan dies when he dies. God’s plan endures forever.

My reflection and self-challenge is to try and see/participate in God’s unfolding plan – for my part is so small but in God it becomes part of something so huge. The three wisemen had such a small part, in one sense, but they have shown us what participation in God’s plan looks like – they looked – they followed – they listened – they obeyed. This is a good way for us to join in with God’s BIG plans – search for God – follow God’s way – listen to God’s whispers and dreams and then obey. [Prayer - LORD may I be wise as were the wisemen. AMEN]

Week beginning Monday 11 November

John 21

This would have to be one off my favourite chapters in the Gospels – It has everything that connects with me at a very personal level. The disciples doing what they know when confronted with a situation that don’t know how to deal with – they go fishing. How real is that! Jesus comes to them in their escapism and invites them to a miracle meal. He shows them compassion and meets them exactly where they are at. Jesus then reconciles the disciple Peter back to himself – redeeming his denials by inviting him to name his love and to participate in Jesus’ very own mission. The call to ‘follow’ Jesus is heard again and is re-instated as the force that gives life and hope and direction to Peter and the other disciples. Peter is personally called by Jesus and told something of lies ahead of him. And typical of Peter he says ‘what about the other bloke (the beloved disciple) and Jesus gently but clearly says, ‘it is not for you to worry about’ – in other words ‘Peter don’t be distracted…focus on your call and on your relationship with me (Jesus).

I guess over the years I have let this passage be one that ‘reads’ me and my life. I too, am easily distracted by all manner of things, but Jesus persistently and lovingly calls me to His purposes and to relationship with Him first and foremost. Jesus does meet me where I am at and feeds me and reconciles me and sends me to the greatest mission there is – ‘feed my lambs…feed my sheep’ A fisherman becomes a shepherd…who would have thought? [Prayer - LORD you know I love you. Amen]

Week beginning Monday 27th October

John 17 & 18

These chapters are turning point chapters – Jesus’ final prayer for His disciples and the betrayel scene and the beginning of His trial. Such contrast…Jesus’ love for people and His desire to see them in the unity of loving one another…to the victiousness of the crowd who with one voice bay for the blood of Christ. O Lord – what you went through that we may have hope. The crowd will never…can never…see what is really happening right in front of them. Violence and fear begats violence and fear…unless something breaks the cycle with a power that renders power powerless. A power that is unity formed out of love. This is what is really needed across our community…across our world. I pray for the Indigenous and Pacific Islander communities in these days…may there be peace, justice, forgiveness and love…the only power able to render power powerless, that there might be hope, healing and freedom!!! [Prayer - LORD bring wisdom to the Elders of the ATSIC and Pacific Islander communities. In Jesus name. Amen]

Week beginning Monday 20th October

John 15 & 16

These are both precious and important chapters as they reveal some of Jesus’ final conversations with His disciples prior to his trial and crucifiction. In them I hear both Jesus love for His friends and also the criticalness of his mission and message. Knowing that He and they were about to go through suffering and persecution Jesus wants to encourage them, challenge them, warn them and comfort them. John 16:7 (CEV) says, “…But I tell you that I am going to do what is best for you…” What is best for us is not easy or comfortable in the short-medium term…but then one day we will know Joy and Peace in all their fullness.

John’s gospel is not just a story about 2000 years ago it is also a story about today, as followers of Jesus around the world face challenges and persecution. The words of Jesus echo through the centuries to today in all places where people are sharing the good news of Jesus – “…stay joined to me and I will stay joined to you…ask our Father for anything in my name and you shall receive…If the teacher suffers then so won’t the students…” These words are God’s words still for today as God’s Holy Spirit enlivens them in us as we prayerfully read them and let them speak to us. [Prayer - LORD send your Spirit to speak the truth to me and help me stay joined to Jesus together as part of your church - your vine. Amen]

Week beginning Monday 13th October

John 13 & 14

EMPOWERED TO SERVE…this is the heart of the True Christian Life. In a world of “getting” the message of Jesus slams straight into the culture of our age. In these passages from John’s Gospel Jesus comes to the main story of his life and chapter 13:3-5 captures it…3Jesus knew that he had come from God and would go back to God. He also knew that the Father had given him complete power. 4So during the meal Jesus got up, removed his outer garment, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5He put some water into a large bowl. Then he began washing his disciples’ feet and drying them with the towel he was wearing…

Jesus, in His divinity with the power that comes from God, bends down and washes His disciples feet. There it is…service! The laying down of power, position and presence to love. Any of us who claim to follow Jesus are called to this same way – knowing that our identity is in the grace and love of God, empowered as God’s people, we pick up the ‘bowls and towels’ of service to all. Importantly we don’t and in fact can’t do this by ourselves – we actually need Jesus’ presence and power to do this. Which is why in chapter 14 Jesus goes on to talk about the work and presence of the Holy Spirit. [Chapter 14:26 The Father sends the Spirit to take the place of Jesus] The Holy Spirit is our teacher, guide, comforter and counsellor. The way of Christ is the way of service which is the way of the Spirit. [Prayer - LORD give me your Spirit that I may follow you that the world may know of your great love. May I be a giver and not a getter...a server and not a consumer. AMEN]

Week beginning Monday 6th October

John 11 & 12

It was great reading these chapters in one hit as it really painted the scene of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and set up why the people got all excited about Jesus’ coming.

It is a wonderful story of Jesus love for a family – Martha, Mary and Lazarus. It is a story with the realness and rawness of grief in death – which for Jesus was something he was about to embrace for himself. The story begins in an interesting way with Jesus intentionally delaying His visiting this family, even though there was an urgent request to come. This alone got me thinking about the ‘urgent’ appeals of others in life, and also what I myself see as ‘urgent’ – Jesus challenges this by not being urgent…instead he sees the circumstances that were unfolding as an opportunity for people to put their faith in Him and the one who sent Him (God). The death of Lazarus would become an opportunity for faith and new life. This is the mini-picture or, if you like, the summary story of the BIG story of Jesus. God who made life overcomes death and brings new life. This is the story that we are all invited in to.

Chapter 12:11 describes Lazarus as being the reason for people putting their faith in Jesus (the catalyst to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem). I thought about what Lazarus did to become this reason…and basically all he did was to get sick and die. Well actually what was significant about Lazarus was that he had a relationship with Jesus. Obviously every day people were and are still getting sick and dieing but it is the action of Jesus in Lazarus life (or in this case death) that is a faith-enliving dynamic. When I first thought about this I wondered, “Am I a reason for people to put their faith in Jesus?” and then realised, as I’ve  stated above, that Lazarus didn’t ‘do’ anything of his own, except have a relationship with Jesus. This is a great comfort and blessing to know that the most significant action I can take, to draw people to Jesus, is to be in relationship with Jesus myself and then live by and in this relationship – and if I am well or am sick it is Jesus (God) that brings people to faith – i.e. Jesus brings people to himself (see John 12:32 & 47). [Prayer - LORD thank you that you love and save and don't judge and condemn me - even though I can think of many reasons to be judged. LORD you bring people to yourself through people whom you love and through the power of your own love. LORD thankyou that I can join in your loving of this world through the new life you have given me. Help me be less urgent and more in tune with what you are wanting to do...AMEN]

Week beginning Monday 8th September

John 3 & 4

3:21 (CEV) says, “…But everyone who lives by the truth will come to the light, because they want others to know that God is really the one doing what they do…” This text shows the link between truth, humility and witnessing. The seeker of truth is the one that God shines His light on. The challenge today is to not get stuck in your seeking. It is easy to get comfortable and sure in what you think you know. A good test according to this passage is to live out the truth you have come to know, and if your lifestyle is true then you will ‘come to the light’. Always remembering that Jesus is a free gift to all. Your lifestyle hasn’t earned you Jesus Christ because as the text goes on to say, you will realise that it is God doing the work that it looks like is yours, but it is not. Humility allows us to know this and share this and God wants to give his light (Jesus) to everyone. [Prayer - LORD your life in me is what is good in me. This light isn't mine but is yours. Keep leading me by your Spirit to live in Christ and give me the opportunities to share this good news with others. Amen]