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.
Lord of all
by Jim Strelan
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For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’ (Romans 10:12,13).
Read Romans 10:11–17
Consider how major this was for the writer to the Romans to say. No difference, in a society where there was every difference. Some were called, chosen, and some not. Some were recipients of God’s covenant, some not. For a Jew and a Gentile to share food was a no-no. Don’t even let the shadow of a Gentile pass over you if you are a Jew, lest you be contaminated. Gentiles were excluded from the temple. Assisting an injured or dying Gentile was a mistake because it just added to the possibility of Gentiles surviving. No difference? You must be joking. Just consider what the Early Church had to deal with as it came to terms with a statement like this.
Over time, Christians have had to work through similar issues. What do we do about slavery? How do we deal with attitudes that separate people because of the colour of their skin? How do we view people whom we almost consider to be of another faith, even though they consider themselves Christians? What role do women have in the life of the church?
What do these words say? First of all, ‘the same Lord is Lord of all’. Of all. Not just those who meet the criteria. All – whether they recognise it or not. Jesus came to draw all to himself. To show them the way to the Father. He crosses boundaries and is scorned and rejected because of it. He frequently goes into Gentile territory; he eats and drinks with ‘sinners’; he elevates women to a status previously denied them. He is Lord of all.
Secondly, he ‘richly blesses all who call on him, for ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’. I often say that when we get to heaven, there will be a lot of surprises. And, of course, the biggest surprise is that we’re there! We don’t need to make calling on the name of the Lord more complicated than it is. The thief on the cross called on the name of the Lord. The father, who said he believed but needed help with his unbelief, called on the name of the Lord. Many who brought their sick to Jesus only asked for help – that’s all. They called on the name of the Lord, and they received healing. God blesses all who call on him.
This is such a different approach to the status quo of the time. Perhaps our starting point when we try to come to terms with issues of our time is just this: there is no difference; Jesus is Lord of all. I wonder what impact that might have.
Lord of all, thank you for crossing all the boundaries. That ‘crossing’ also means I am a recipient of your blessing. As you are gracious, please help me to be the same. In your name, Amen.
Jim lives on Brisbane’s northside with his wife, Ruth. He enjoys reading and listening to music, is a proud Brisbane Lions member and loves his children and grandchildren. Jim is passionate about the gospel and the freedom it brings.
Knowing God
by Jim Strelan
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If you knew me, you would know my Father also (John 8:19b).
Read John 8:12–20
How do you know God? How do you know God’s nature, what he is like? The Old Testament testimony to the nature of God tells us that he is Creator, that he is powerful, that he wants a relationship with his people, that he is ‘slow to anger, abounding in love’ (Psalm 103:8b), that he is a deliverer, a rock and fortress, that he has our names carved on the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:16a) and many other wonderful attributes. But it also shows God as righteous, a punisher, almost a warring God who demands allegiance, a God who is sometimes more hidden than revealed. So, how do we know God? How do we know what he is like?
The best way to know God is to know Jesus. Jesus says that if you know him, then you know the Father. Jesus shows us the Father’s heart. If the God of the Old Testament is sometimes a bit puzzling for you, then look at Jesus. In John 14:9,10, when Philip asks Jesus to show his followers the Father, Jesus says: ‘Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?’
So, what do we learn about God by looking at Jesus? He wants to be a part of our lives, so much so that he comes as a baby born in ordinary circumstances. He is willing to suffer scorn because of the kind of company he keeps, because he wants ‘sinners’ to come to him. His will is for healing and restoration rather than sickness and brokenness. He is prepared to suffer, be put on trial and experience the shame of the cross for us. The presence of Jesus is all around us in the Spirit whom the Father sends in Jesus’ name. We don’t need to be anxious about our dying because Jesus has prepared a place for us in his Father’s mansion and waits for us to come home.
The devotion from a few days ago says the same thing, and we can’t hear it enough. Look to Jesus. See how he is and who he is. And you will know God.
Thank you, God, for showing yourself in the person of Jesus. I see him, and I see you. Thank you. Amen.
Jim lives on Brisbane’s northside with his wife, Ruth. He enjoys reading and listening to music, is a proud Brisbane Lions member and loves his children and grandchildren. Jim is passionate about the gospel and the freedom it brings.
One Lord
by Jim Strelan
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name (Zechariah 14:9b).
Read Zechariah 14:6–11
This is a difficult passage. And it’s the kind of passage that some Christians use to justify every action of Israel in the current Middle East tragedy. Texts like this confirm their belief that Jerusalem will stand whatever is thrown against it. It must stand. And everyone will acknowledge God as the one and only ruler of all. The ‘day of the Lord’ will come, so Israel and her actions must be justified at all costs!
We are still in the post-Christmas period when we celebrate the birth of the Saviour, God’s chosen one, who came into the world to draw all people to God. His birth is a ‘day of the Lord’. As Jesus began his ministry – and throughout his ministry – he was rejected by many and welcomed by many. Some wanted him to be king, but Jesus rejected their notion of kingship. Instead, ‘he became obedient to death – even death on a cross’ (Philippians 2:8b). And then God raised him and gave him a seat of honour and gave him ‘a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow’ (Philippians 2:9,10).
Jerusalem was considered the ‘holy city’ – holy because it was where the temple was, and the temple is the dwelling place of God. But Jesus reminds us that a building made of stones can crumble – in fact, it did. But God dwells not in the confinement of a building, but with his people, wherever they are. In various places, Jesus refers to himself as the temple of God. Where Jesus is, there is his calling to come, to follow, and his promise is to be with us always.
The ‘day of the Lord’ is God’s day. He’s in charge. Whatever that means, whenever it refers to, the issue for you and me is this: Is there one Lord for you? Is there one name above all other names? And are others welcome to know that one Lord, one name?
Dear Jesus, help me to hold fast to the things I know and not be misled by what I don’t. I acknowledge you as Lord of all and my Lord. Amen.
Jim lives on Brisbane’s northside with his wife, Ruth. He enjoys reading and listening to music, is a proud Brisbane Lions member and loves his children and grandchildren. Jim is passionate about the gospel and the freedom it brings.