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.
What bears God’s image?
by Jodie Hoff
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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.