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.
All light, no night
by Stuart Gray
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There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever (Revelation 22:5).
Read Revelation 21:10–22,22:5
How do you describe perfection? More specifically, how do you describe God’s perfection and the promised eternal life with him?
Today’s reading offers a good attempt to describe the divine splendour. It is rich in imagery, a breathtaking vision of extravagant beauty and perfect fellowship with God and the Lamb.
I doubt if modern film technology could do justice to the glory and brilliance expressed in this passage. It is beyond human comprehension.
But apart from the dazzling description of the New Jerusalem, there are three very interesting insights.
Verse 22 says, ‘I did not see a temple in the city.’
The temple in Jerusalem was central to Old Testament Jewish life. As well as a place of worship, it was the spiritual, religious and national centre of Israel. The inner sanctum of the temple represented God’s presence. But while the people worshipped at the temple, their access to the inner sanctum was very limited, only by a priest on the Day of Atonement.
In the New Jerusalem, there is no temple, ‘because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple’. There are no barriers between God and the redeemed; there is direct fellowship with God as full reconciliation has been achieved.
The second important message is that there is no more night. Darkness is often associated with fear, danger, evil and death, but in the New Jerusalem, none of these exists, only the pure light of the Lord God.
And the third insight of this vision: ‘… and they will reign forever and ever.’ This relates to Genesis and God’s original intention that humankind should rule over creation under God’s authority. A creation that was ‘very good’ (Genesis 1:31).
Redeemed humanity is not merely living eternity; they are reigning with God.
What a wonderful vision and hope to hold onto.
Heavenly Father, we so look forward to your promise of being in direct fellowship with you and the Lamb in the New Jerusalem. Help us to be your light in this world so that all people may come to you through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Stuart lives with his wife Pamela Dalgliesh in Mansfield, in the beautiful High Country of Victoria. In between helping to maintain a large garden and domestic orchard with 80 fruit trees, Stuart is a volunteer mentor for learner drivers, a Red Cross patient transport driver and is involved in a very active Mansfield Anglican church community. Stuart loves travelling, being outdoors and maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle.
One mediator
by Stuart Gray
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
For there is one God and one mediator between God and humankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people (1 Timothy 2:5,6a).
Read 1 Timothy 2:1–7
Today’s reading raises a difficult question. Are Christians the only ones who will see salvation and eternal life? The text says, ‘For there is one God and one mediator between God and humankind, the man Christ Jesus.’
But the next verse says, ‘… who gave himself as a ransom for all people.’
A definitive answer to the question is way above my pay grade, so I would like to take a wider look at the passage and explore what Paul is saying to us.
First of all, Paul urges us to pray for all people. That’s a big ask. During intercessions, when we have the opportunity to pray for those in our hearts, I soon run out of names of family and friends and a few general categories. But Paul says to pray for all people.
And he has distinctions in prayer: supplications, requests for specific needs; prayers, general worshipful communication with God; intercessions, pleading on behalf of others; and thanksgivings, expressions of gratitude.
Paul says we should pray for all those in authority so we can live in ‘all godliness and holiness’.
And the reason for this? Verses 3 and 4 say, ‘This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.’
Again, Paul says God wants all people to be saved and know the truth. And the truth Paul refers to is that there is one mediator between God and humankind. This is ‘the man Christ Jesus who gave himself as a ransom for all people’.
It is clear that Christians are to place their trust in Christ alone as mediator, but God wants the salvation of all people. Thankfully, it is not our role to judge individuals. Our faith is in God’s justice and mercy.
As Christians, we can bear witness to Christ crucified, the mediator between perfect God and sinful humankind; we can respect and love people of other faiths and leave the final judgement to God.
Heavenly Father, we pray that the Holy Spirit works through us to be witnesses to Christ crucified. Help us to treat all people with love and respect. In the name of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Stuart lives with his wife Pamela Dalgliesh in Mansfield, in the beautiful High Country of Victoria. In between helping to maintain a large garden and domestic orchard with 80 fruit trees, Stuart is a volunteer mentor for learner drivers, a Red Cross patient transport driver and is involved in a very active Mansfield Anglican church community. Stuart loves travelling, being outdoors and maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle.
You choose
by Stuart Gray
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46b).
Read Acts 13:42–49
This passage describes the dramatic response among the Gentiles to the message that Christ died for all peoples, not just the Jews. It takes place during the first missionary journey of Paul the Apostle and Barnabas in Pisidian Antioch. After Paul’s sermon in the synagogue, people want to hear more about forgiveness and the hope offered by God’s grace through Christ.
The next Sabbath, the whole town turned out – such was the spiritual hunger – but this upset the Jews, who were jealous of the response by the Gentiles to the gospel. They began to contradict Paul and Barnabas and ‘heaped abuse upon them’.
(It’s interesting how we now place a lot of blame on social media for social and political divisions and for people’s inability to discuss issues rationally and respectfully. However, well before social media, abuse was obviously part of the playbook to discredit those with different ideas.)
This raises an interesting question.
Martin Luther writes in the Small Catechism:
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.
But Paul and Barnabas say to the Jews that while the word of God was preached to them initially, they rejected it and ‘did not consider themselves worthy of eternal life’.
People are still accountable for how they respond to the gospel. Just as Jesus offered comfort, he also confronted the establishment. The gospel comforts and confronts at the same time.
Compare the negative reaction of the Jews with how the Gentiles responded to Paul’s message – with rejoicing, glorifying the word of God and faith.
It raises questions about how we respond to God’s word. Do we consider ourselves worthy of eternal life?
Heavenly Father, help us to turn to Christ for the big and little events of our lives. Give us the heart to rejoice in God’s word and to have true faith in your promise that we are worthy of eternal life with you. In the name of the crucified one, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Stuart lives with his wife Pamela Dalgliesh in Mansfield, in the beautiful High Country of Victoria. In between helping to maintain a large garden and domestic orchard with 80 fruit trees, Stuart is a volunteer mentor for learner drivers, a Red Cross patient transport driver and is involved in a very active Mansfield Anglican church community. Stuart loves travelling, being outdoors and maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle.