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.
Shining God’s Light 29th December Read: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 “For God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV)
“In the beginning there was nothing, God said ‘Let there be light!’ There was still nothing, but now you could see it.” When on a Lutheran Youth Encounter Team in America, our team often had to lead ‘lock-ins’ – overnight youth sleepover in a church where they were locked in. There were games, pizza, study and discussion and a little bit of sleep! One of the favourite games for a lock-in was ‘Sardines’. One person went to hide, and everyone had to find them. When they were found, they had to hide with them, and it kept going until the last person found the whole group trying to hide in the same place all squished together. Torches were not allowed, and we had to keep very quiet. 10-15 people squished in one hiding spot were usually found – the noise was enough.
The faces of the youth shone with laughter and joy, and we had to allow time for our eyes to adjust to the light after being in darkness for so long. I enjoyed these games and the time to talk. Many times, there were some in the group who did not know who Jesus was, and spending time together grew the friendships and by the end you could see the light of the knowledge of Jesus shining in their eyes.
When we know Jesus and the saving love of our Lord and Saviour our face shows the glory of God. It shines brightly. There are many in the world living in darkness without knowing about Jesus. God said: ‘Let there be light’. We can relate this to let there be light in our lives and hearts enough that we shine out His glory. Sometimes it is much easier to hide especially in a group and not tell others about our faith. We hide in the dark with the others even though we know the truth about Jesus. Maybe it is time to find all those ‘lost’ in the dark and bring them into the light of Jesus.
We won’t need a torch – our face will show enough light! Hiding in the dark can be fun, but enjoying Jesus’ light in community is better! Prayer: Lord Jesus, let my face show and shine out to others the knowledge and love I have in you. Help me not to hide my light in dark places, but to shine it out for all to see. Amen
Proclaiming Light 28th December Read: Acts 26:19-23 “But I have had God’s help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen – that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise form the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles.” Acts 26:22-23 (NIV)
One evening, a man took a small candle from a box and began to climb a long, winding stairway. “Where are we going?” asked the candle. “We’re going up higher than a house to show the ships the way to the harbour.” “But no ship in the harbour could ever see my light,” the candle said. “It is so very small.” “If your light is small,” the man said, “just keep on burning brightly and leave the rest to me.”
When they reached the top of the long stairs, they came to a large lamp. Then he took the little candle and lit the lamp. Soon, the large, polished mirrors behind the lamp sent beams of light out across the miles of the sea. A blinding light brought Paul to acknowledging Jesus as God’s Son and then became one of the greatest evangelists sharing the Gospel and encouraging new churches and congregations in the faith. Paul had his share of difficulties: arrested, beaten, stoned, thrown into prison, shipwrecked, bitten by a poisonous snake and had a physical malady, his ‘thorn in the flesh’. But his faith in Jesus never wavered, even when he addressed King Agrippa in Acts 26. Paul shared the Gospel at all times and in all circumstances.
Even in times of difficulty and persecution, Paul told of his Saviour Jesus, hoping to bring more to know Him. In the above story of the candle, we also may feel that we are only just a little light in the big world, how can we make a difference. But we are God’s candle, and it is our job to keep shining. Just like Paul. The result of this shining is in God’s hands. A tiny candle or match can start a forest fire.
The little flame of your good example can change people’s lives without you even knowing. Be a light to them like the beacon in the story that guided ships to safe harbour. Shine brightly to others that they may see you and then give glory to God. Prayer: Dear Jesus, allow my small light to shine brightly that others can see you. Encourage me to grow through learning more about you and your love so that I can share it more confidently. Amen.
The Light for Everyone 27th December Read: Acts 13:44-49 “For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” Acts 13:47 (NIV)
I lead a KYB (Know Your Bible) group in our church. During term two we were studying about ‘Jesus of Nazareth, God and Man’. It was eye-opening to not just me but the entire group, all the prophecies that have been told about Jesus that are now fulfilled with His coming to earth as a human. One of them is the above, with Paul and Barnabas quoting Simeon, prophesising about Jesus when he was 40 days old: this child will be “…a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:32) Jesus came first and foremost to the Jews, the people of Israel, to lead them to knowing their God and His Son Jesus, to bring them all salvation. But, the Jews (people of Israel) rejected Jesus, and put Him to death on the cross.
They didn’t believe that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God who had come into the world to deliver everyone from their sins. Orthodox Jews are still waiting for their Messiah to come. When the Jews rejected Jesus, the above prophecy came true, that Jesus was coming to deliver all people (the Gentiles – non-Jews) from darkness leading them into the light of God’s forgiveness and love bringing them salvation. God’s love and forgiveness is for everyone and God desires, “…all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
(1 Timothy 2:4 NIV) Even when Paul and Barnabas were speaking to the Jews in Antioch, the Jews were filled with jealousy that he had so many listening to him. They were also rude and abusive. Others who were there listening (Gentiles) were glad to know that God is a God for all and they honoured the Word of God. There will always be those who reject the Word of God, but don’t let that stop you from talking to people about the light of Christ that has come into your life. To become a Christian, one must first hear about Jesus! Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the light that has come into the world to bring all people to know your love and receive eternal life. Guide me to share your Gospel freely to others from all walks of life. Amen