Read Luke 13:1–9
The practice of digging around a tree is common when it is not growing well and, in turn, not producing the fruit it was planted for. When the soil around the tree is disturbed, the roots are damaged in the digging, and then the tree has to grow new roots, which, in turn, strengthen the tree to bear fruit for the next season.
Jesus tells a parable about a fig tree that doesn’t bear fruit. The owner says, ‘Well cut it down’, but the man taking care of it says, ‘Leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilise it’.
The tree doesn’t need to be destroyed but disturbed and fed instead.
We are like this tree. We were planted in the kingdom of God by faith in Jesus and given a purpose – to bear fruit. Yet it is easy to drift away from Jesus and begin to follow the way of the world and the way of ourselves. We find it easier to listen to the devil, tempting us with lies in the idea that ‘it is my life and my body; I can do what I like’.
But Jesus has chosen you as his own for his purpose. To bear fruit. The fruit of God’s love in action toward those around you. You are created to be a blessing to others. You are blessed to bless others with God’s love in action.
When the word of the Lord challenges you to live differently, it is like Jesus digging at your roots – the roots in self rather than in the word. You see, the word is the fertiliser of life, and the word of Jesus Christ will feed and sustain you in bearing the fruit of God’s love in action.
When Jesus digs at your roots, hear the word, and be ready for his word to guide, challenge, heal and restore you. Be prepared for his word to nourish your hungry soul, ready to go out into the world with new growth and fruit that blesses others.
Dear Jesus, dig into my roots of selfishness and worldly ways. Let me grow in you to bear fruit for others. Help me to be a blessing to everyone I meet today. Feed me, nourish me, and strengthen me daily in your holy word. Amen.
Pastor Mark lives with his two daughters aged 11 and 8 in Redcliffe, just north of Brisbane. He currently serves as a pastor in the LCANZ and is passionate about sharing Jesus’ love with those around him. Pastor Mark loves to travel with his family to see the wonders of God’s creation and meet people who share their stories of what God has done for them.
Jesus as judge
by Greg Fowler
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Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent (Matthew 11:20).
Read Matthew 11:20–24
What an uncomfortable text. Jesus delivers a sobering warning to the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. These were the very places where he performed most of his miracles, yet he pronounces woe upon them because they did not repent. Scripture is consistent in its witness; Jesus is our Lord who rules with grace. He is also the judge. While faith in Christ gives us security, Jesus as judge doesn’t sit well with us.
This passage highlights a profound spiritual truth: privilege brings responsibility. These towns had front-row seats to the kingdom of God, but familiarity bred complacency. They enjoyed the multiplied bread, the physical healing and the spectacle, but they refused the transformation of their hearts. They mistook God’s patience for permission to remain unchanged. They refused the invitation of grace offered by God in their midst.
Let’s not get too self-righteous. We may not have walked the dusty roads of Galilee; however, we possess the complete Word of God, the indwelling Holy Spirit, the real presence of Jesus in the sacrament and a lifetime of answered prayers. We, too, can take God for granted. We can grow spiritually numb, treating God’s daily mercies as entitlements.
How are our hearts? Are we taking God’s blessings for granted? We dare not let familiarity with God’s presence and blessing harden our hearts. The overwhelming grace offered to us by our loving God is the start of a renewed life. The joy of unconditional love is reason for praise and witness. May we live in your will.
Lord, forgive me for the times I have taken your grace for granted. Soften my heart. Keep me from spiritual complacency, and help me to respond to your daily mercies with repentance and deep, abiding gratitude. Amen.
Pastor Greg lives in beautiful Redland Bay with his wife, Connie, where they enjoy the beaches, weather and outdoor lifestyle of south Brisbane. He serves as the college pastor at Faith Lutheran College, Redlands.
Peace
by Greg Fowler
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They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks … (Micah 4:3b).
Read Micah 4:1–4
In Micah 4:3, the prophet paints a breathtaking picture of God’s ultimate kingdom: ‘They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.’ This powerful imagery speaks of radical, divine transformation. God takes instruments of destruction and repurposes them for cultivation and life.
While this prophecy points to a future of global peace, it also holds a profound mirror to our personal lives today. We may not wield literal swords, but we often carry weapons that do just as much damage. A sharp tongue, a defensive attitude, a lingering grudge, or the relentless need to be ‘right’ in an argument are all weapons we use to protect ourselves or strike at others. Who among us hasn’t struck out at another, driven by our own hurt?
God’s invitation to us is to surrender these weapons. He wants to take our defensiveness and forge it into patience. He wants to melt down our harsh words and reshape them into encouragement. When we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, he transforms our relational battlefields into gardens of grace.
So, what swords are we carrying? Is it a resentment toward a family member? A critical spirit at work? Unsettled energy that often comes out as anger? We can lay that down; we can ask God to help us repurpose that energy into a ‘ploughshare’ – an intentional action that cultivates peace, such as offering encouragement, extending forgiveness or choosing to listen rather than retaliate.
Lord, forgive me for the ways I wield my words and attitudes like weapons. Transform my heart. Take my sharp edges and shape them into tools of your peace, love and restoration. Help me to live the grace you give me. Amen.
Pastor Greg lives in beautiful Redland Bay with his wife, Connie, where they enjoy the beaches, weather and outdoor lifestyle of south Brisbane. He serves as the college pastor at Faith Lutheran College, Redlands.
Rest
by Greg Fowler
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Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28,30).
Read Matthew 11:16–19,25–30
We live in a culture that glorifies busyness. We often wear our exhaustion like a badge of honour, juggling careers, family obligations and endless digital notifications until our souls feel heavy and frayed.
Into this chaos, Jesus extends a radical, countercultural invitation: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light’ (Matthew 11:28,30).
In the ancient world, a yoke was a wooden frame joining two oxen to pull a heavy load. Typically, a young, inexperienced ox was yoked with a mature, stronger one. The older ox bore the majority of the weight and dictated the pace.
When Jesus invites us to take his yoke, he isn’t offering a life of zero responsibility. He is offering a divine partnership; he steps into the yoke with us, bearing the crushing weight of our obligations, anxiety, guilt and need for control.
What burden are we carrying? Are we carrying the weight of others’ opinions, financial worry or the pressure to be perfect? Tell it to Jesus. Be yoked to him while we uncouple from the world’s frantic pace. We do not have to hustle to prove our worth; our value is already securely anchored in Christ.
Let’s step into his rhythm. Spend time with Jesus in word and prayer. Speak to him about where we can surrender control and actively ask him to carry that load with us.
True rest isn’t found in an empty calendar, but in a surrendered heart full of grace.
Lord, I am weary from trying to do it all alone. I surrender my heavy burdens to you today. Teach me your gentle, humble rhythm and give my soul true, lasting rest. Amen.
Pastor Greg lives in beautiful Redland Bay with his wife, Connie, where they enjoy the beaches, weather and outdoor lifestyle of south Brisbane. He serves as the college pastor at Faith Lutheran College, Redlands.