Read: Mark 1:21-28 “The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, ‘What is this? A new teaching – and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.’” Mark 1:27 (NIV) A schoolteacher injured his back and had to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. It fit under his shirt and was not noticeable at all. On the first day of term, still with the cast under his shirt, he found himself assigned to the toughest students in school. Walking confidently into the rowdy classroom, he opened the window as wide as possible and then busied himself with desk work. When a strong breeze made his tie flap, he took the desk stapler and stapled the tie to his chest. He had no trouble with discipline that term.
Jesus was great teacher. He taught with authority from God. He had personal experience about His Heavenly Father and the Kingdom of God. He was able to enforce the power of nature to acknowledge His sovereignty. In Jesus’ day, there were a lot of religious teachers who taught about God’s Word, but Jesus came clearly knowing what God wanted to say to His people. Jesus being part of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) came to earth with first-hand knowledge of God’s will. In Jesus we find God himself proclaiming His Word to His people.
There was no uncertainty, there were no questions, and His testimony was clear and to the point. When a man with a demon came shouting about who Jesus was. This was truth, not blasphemy, but Jesus didn’t need acknowledgement from a demon – He has ruling authority over Satan and so commanded it to be quiet and it comes screaming out of the man. Now, that is authority! The ultimate authority over death and Satan came on the cross. Jesus battled Satan and won the victory of eternal life and forgiveness for us. Jesus rose from the dead and reigns in Heaven with His Father – our Father! Defeating Satan is what Jesus does best!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you have ultimate authority overall, yet you chose to come to me to listen, love and forgive me. Thank you for being my Saviour. Amen.
Read: Matthew 21:18-22 Jesus said: “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:22 (NIV) When we left Loxton, I took with me a big rhubarb plant which had provided me through the years with lovely rhubarb pies, stewed rhubarb and rhubarb yeast cake. It produced abundantly. So I dug it up and potted it. When arriving in Noosa I made a lovely new raised garden bed, planted my rhubarb, fed it, watered it regularly and covered it from the digging bush turkeys. It did well for a while and then stopped producing the lovely leaves. I tried giving it more attention, but to no avail… it perished! I wondered what had caused it to die but dug up the roots and the plant to rework the soil when I discovered the source of the death.
There were huge white grubs chomping on my rhubarb’s roots. The foundation of the plant was literally being eaten. Reading through the miracle of Jesus in Matthew 21:18-22, I couldn’t help but think of my rhubarb. The roots and foundation were gone, there was nothing that could now give it sustenance to produce fruity stems. Jesus discovered this with a fig tree. One thing about a fig tree, if it has leaves it should have fruit. Jesus wanted some breakfast as He was hungry, but as there were no figs, He cursed the tree and immediately it withered. The disciples were amazed!
Faith and trust are the roots and foundation of being a disciple of Jesus. He tells us that even a small amount of faith can move a mountain or wither a fig tree. It is very easy as we live and move through our lives to have this faith and trust eaten away and eroded and doubts begin to creep in. No matter how much we water and feed our faith – if we doubt that Jesus is Lord – our faith and lives will not produce the fruit that God wants us to: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Belief comes from faith and trust!
Prayer: Merciful God, grow faith into my life. Help me to believe you always and know that you are the Lord of my life. In you I trust. Amen.
Read: Matthew 17:24-27 “Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” Matthew 17:27b (NIV) A couple years ago I started playing social ‘pickleball’. It has different rules and strange terms and uses a type of beach bat and waffle ball. One rule is you need to stay out of the ‘kitchen’ area and the only time you can go in there is when the hard waffle ball bounces in there. To participate in this sport and others, there are rules that need to be followed. When I got my first part-time job I learned about taxes. No one is exempt who is of age, and you give a tax according to your salary for the successful running of the country and society. Jesus doesn’t often talk about money, but there are a couple times when Jesus is asked questions about taxes. This story is one of them. He is in a temple in Capernaum and there they have a temple tax for each person of 2 drachma (this is less than 1c in AUD).
Some temple officials asked Peter if Jesus pays this tax. Jesus turns it back to Peter asking him whether kings get their taxes from their own children or others. When Peter replied, “Others”, Jesus said, “So the children are free?” – referring to the fact that our salvation as God’s children has been paid. Jesus was thinking way too deeply for Peter and so said that they would pay their temple taxes to the officials so that they wouldn’t offend the system. They didn’t have the money for the taxes for them both – four drachmas, so Jesus performed a miracle telling Peter to go fishing and get the coins out of the mouth of the first fish caught. If only paying our taxes were that easy!! But it is this easy. Jesus was the one who paid all our debts for us when He went to the cross for our sake to forgive us all our wrongdoing. We will still have to pay taxes in this life, but our eternal life and freedom has been paid for. Our debt was paid on the cross!
Prayer: My loving Saviour, thank you for paying the debt owed for my salvation. You shower me with blessings every day, please help me to not take the gifts of life and love for granted. Amen.
Read: Matthew 15:21-28 “Then Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed at that moment.” Matthew 15:28 (NIV) I really enjoy making greeting cards. I love to take a blank piece of card and with creativity and persistence, a card is created for someone whom I love. I think that over the years I have gotten better, and my creativity has expanded as well as all the tools of the trade I have gathered in my little (or not so little) cupboard. I have been to craft shows, workshops and listened and watched friends to gain more ideas and courage to try something different. Because it is something I am passionate about and really enjoy I try to squeeze in time to make them for others. When we are passionate about something, we can become quite persistent and relentless in getting it right. A woman came to Jesus asking for help. She was not a Jewish woman, but a Canaanite woman, who at that time meant she was a pagan and unclean to the Jewish people.
When you read this story, at first, it appears that Jesus insulted this woman when he appeared to call her a ‘dog’. However, in this metaphor, Jesus was at this time trying to explain the priorities in His ministry as well as teaching His disciples. Non-Jews were known as Gentiles and were considered so unspiritual that even being in their presence could make a person unclean. Then Jesus explained that His duty was to the people of Israel and changing this would be like a father taking food from his children and giving it to the pets. Jesus was sent to turn everything upside down. The woman said she understood for that was within the cultural norms but had the persistence to keep asking. She believed Jesus could heal her daughter. Jesus then tested her intentions and her faith in Him. Do we have the faith and convictions in our Saviour to keep asking and to keep persisting in our prayers? Are the things we are asking for something Jesus could do for yours or others well-being? Persistence takes an effort and great faith!
Prayer: Loving Father, keep me asking, keep me searching for your truths in this world. Help me to have the faith that you will answer all my prayers. Amen.
Read: Matthew 14:22-33 “Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried, ‘Lord, save me!’” Matthew 14:29b-30 (NIV) Our crew of the ‘Vivid’ were rounding a marker for a race off Outer Harbour in South Australia. The seas were wild, and we had a harness on to keep ourselves clipped to the 44ft yacht. None of the crew wore a lifejacket as it restricted our movements to winch and pull sails. Orders were being barked out by the captain, and I was asked to get to the winch… just then a huge wave hit, and I had not refastened my harness – I was headed off the boat when another crew member reached out and grabbed at my harness saving me from being washed overboard. It is frightening being in an angry sea. The sea of Galilee was prone to storms as the warm air from the Mediterranean Sea moved east and passed over the mountains mixing with the cool air. The disciples were sent out by Jesus into a boat while He dismissed the crowds and went to pray by Himself.
A storm hit during the night and the waves washed into the boat. The disciples were probably tired, hungry, wet and frightened when they saw in the twilight before dawn a figure walking towards them. A ghost? Jesus called out that it was He and not to be scared. Peter was the first to recover and asked to come out to Jesus on the waves, but fear overtook him. Peter placed more faith in the wind and the waves than in his Lord and Saviour. But Jesus reached out His hand to help Peter and questioned why he didn’t believe and keep his eyes fixed on Him. The winds ceased as soon as Jesus stepped into the boat. Like Peter, we will always try other means before asking for help from God. The presence of Jesus brings peace. With Jesus, there is safety and there is no fear. Jesus is our lifeline and our harness to keep us safe. Look to the cross and the saving power of Jesus as we focus on His presence in our lives this Lenten season. Keep your eyes focussed on Jesus and He will save you!
Prayer: My Lord and Saviour, help me to keep my eyes focussed on you. When everything around me starts to frighten me, give me the faith to trust in your helping hands. Amen
Read: Matthew 9:32-34
“And when the demon was driven out, the man who was mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.’” Matthew 9:33 (NIV) I am amazed and astounded by happenings that changed history and the way of life for humanity. There are 15 things that start with the letter ‘A’ that have been achievements contributing to human progress: The Acropolis, The Apollo 11 Moon Landing, Airplane Invention, The Atomic Bomb, The Abolition of Slavery, Automobile Invention, The Aswan High Dam, Antibiotics Discovery, The Alhambra, The American Revolution, The Aztec Empire, the Adoption of Agriculture, The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, The signing of the Armistice and The Apollo 13 Mission.
These events have all left an indelible mark on human history. You may need to research as to what each meant to the whole of the world, I sure needed to! Amazing and incredible! Just as I am amazed, so people in the time of Jesus were amazed at the events that seemed to follow Jesus wherever he went. Jesus was changing the world at that time with His teachings and all the astonishing miracles he was performing. God had been silent for 400 years since Malachi and now He was appearing as a man with the power to perform the most unbelievable things. To cast out a demon is no small feat. The Pharisees tried to discredit Jesus by saying He was a prince of demons to be able to do this. But why would a demon want to cast out a demon?
Once the demon was cast out, the mute man could speak. Amazing! God is the only one who has the power over the happenings in our world. God has given people incredible gifts to achieve amazing things, but it is only God who has the power over what is unseen! Jesus being God’s Son also has the power to change the impossible. As we enter the Lenten season we come to God with our needs, concerns and wants. God knows what we need, and, in His time, He can do all things – just believe He can! People have limitations, but with God, nothing is impossible!
Prayer: I praise you Lord for your incredible creation and the gifts you have given your people. Work in my heart and mind to know that with you nothing is impossible, and you have all things in your hands. Amen.
Do You Believe? 1st Sunday during Lent
Read: Matthew 9:27-31 “Then he [Jesus] touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith let it be done to you’” Matthew 9:29 (NIV) Magic defies reason. When a magician does a trick, even though you may be watching ever so carefully, you do not see the sleight of hand that makes the trick appear magic. Our eyes see one thing, but another occurs. Is it real? Our reason says no, but we cannot prove it! A magician wants people to marvel at their gifts. What if we could not see it? Would it then still be magic? There is the idiom: ‘I’ll believe it when I see it’ or ‘Seeing is believing’.
But what if you can’t see it, yet you believe. Is this a stronger faith? The two blind men in the story above in Matthew obviously believed that Jesus could heal them from their blindness. Their faith came, not by seeing Jesus perform miracles, but from hearing the stories about what Jesus had done. These two wanted the mercy of Jesus and so believed in His power to be able to open the eyes of the blind. It seems that their faith was the one condition that granted their healing request. It is interesting that this healing happened inside and out of sight of the public – for “they went right into the house”.
After they were healed Jesus also told them, “See that no one knows about this.” While Jesus is all powerful, his power was used to show his compassion and care and not to show off as a magician would do. He didn’t want to gain notoriety with people just wanting to see His miracles. In the Gospel of Matthew, we are reminded over and over that following Jesus is about following His commands and words that bring life, health and healing in body, mind and spirit. Jesus, as God, is all about teaching about the Kingdom of God and showing compassion to all. This is something we can all do this Lenten season – share about Jesus’ love and care for those around us! Jesus’ act of forgiveness is not magic, it is a gift of love and grace!
Prayer: My Loving Jesus, you showed me the need for my healing from the wrongs I do. Your forgiveness and love are all I need. I trust you and have faith that you hold me in your hands. Amen.
Touch of Love 4th Day in Lent (Saturday)
Read: Matthew 8:14-15; Luke 4:38-39 “He [Jesus] touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.” Matthew 8:15 (NIV) I have yet to be a mother-in-law, but as of last Friday, I will be one after Easter this year. Being a mother-in-law means that you care for the one who is caring for your child – an important job! In Jesus’ time women and widows were always cared for by a son, but Peter showed compassion for his wife’s mother in caring for her, as it appears that the mother-in-law is living with Simon Peter and her daughter.
Peter’s brother Andrew and possibly children are also living there, so we can assume she is a widow. The mother-in law would be helping her daughter with the family and household and caring for all who came to visit. When someone is ill, everyone gets involved in the care. Back in Jesus’ day they were also classed as unclean and could not be touched unless the carer also wanted to be classed as unclean (being unclean meant being apart from others for a couple weeks and then presenting oneself to a priest to be declared clean and allowed in public – reminds me also of COVID).
In most of the healings Jesus performed, he always touched those who were sick. Touch brings about a closeness, an empathy with the one unwell, most of all it conveys care and love. This healing was no different. Jesus touched the woman and helped her to her feet – she was healed. She immediately went to her duties to serve the visitors who had come to the house. Interestingly, just as Jesus broke the Jewish law by healing on the Sabbath, this faithful woman also got up immediately and prepared a meal. It was her gratitude that made her also break the Sabbath law and serve Jesus and others who were hungry. Not only had Jesus helped the mother-in-law, but he also helped Peter’s wife to still have her mother around to help when both Peter and Andrew followed Jesus as disciples. Serving and caring touch are something we can do for others out of gratitude for all Jesus does for us. A loving touch and care can show more than expensive gifts.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you came to touch and heal the lives of those who were sick in body or spirit. Your Word is powerful, and you have given it to me as a gift to share with others. Amen.
Unworthy 3rd Day in Lent (Friday)
Read: Matthew 8:5-13 “Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.’ And his servant was healed at that moment.” Matthew 8:13 (NIV) Have you ever been invited somewhere where you felt out of place, or not sure why you were there? A few years ago, when we first moved to Noosa, it was found out that I played f lute and so soon enough the Noosa Orchestra conductor came to me and asked me to be in the orchestra. I told him that I wasn’t as good as the others and he said, “You play what you can, and we will be happy to have you.”
So, I did and practised hard and enjoyed my three years with the orchestra, even though there were many more times I felt unworthy and inadequate. I wonder what it would have been like to be walking around with Jesus. He was God’s Son walking on the earth accepting all, healing all, there was no presumptuousness about him. There was no air of arrogance or pride, rather Jesus lifted others and lowered Himself in humility. In the above story of the centurion, he came to Jesus feeling humbled and unworthy in His presence, but in this he showed great respect, trust and faith in this Saviour of the World. A centurion, who had distinction and rank, came asking for help for a servant. Who cared for servants? Let alone a centurion? This was remarkable.
But he spoke humbly to Jesus speaking of his authority and power, but also his unworthiness. Jesus recognised this humility and faith and that he was a man who cared deeply for others. Jesus honoured the centurion’s plea and healed the servant. Do we treat God with the respect deserved? Do we humble ourselves at His feet begging for mercy and knowing that we are not worthy for God’s love and forgiveness? God does deserve our respect and honour, but He accepts us as we are and as we come to Him – we are forgiven and loved! Healing takes place in all forms – body, soul and spirit!
Prayer: Thank you, Lord God, for showing me your love and forgiveness every day. I am not worthy of this, but you lift me up and promise me your gift of grace. Amen.