Read: Isaiah 11:1-5 “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him” Isaiah 11:1-2a (NIV) Last year, my husband and I went on long-service leave. Neither of us had been to Europe since the early 1990’s and so we decided to revisit it, but this time together. As part of our wanting to see different parts of Europe we also wanted to trace our family lines and see what we could find. Part of our trip included Silesia, Poland, Lautenthal, Germany and Nykøbing, Denmark. In so many of my family books, family from Germany and Poland, the history was unknown before they immigrated, and I wanted to know why. We found, in Poland, WW2 changed everything, Lutheran churches were reclaimed as Catholic or destroyed along with any records, and any German headstones in cemeteries were reduced to rubble. Much of what I was hoping to find was wiped out.
We though did discover that in 2010, the Catholic church acknowledged the Evangelicals and memorials were erected where the cemeteries or churches had been. Bishop Paul Smith made mention of the memorial of Fritsche’s church in the town of Trzciel in a previous issue of ‘The Lutheran’. This memorial and ruins of the church were all that were left of a thriving church. We explored Kavel’s church (now a Catholic church), the memorials in Züllichau, Chlastawe and Chichagora. Knowing where my ancestors lived and their surrounds had to satisfy me, as there was nothing else to be found. (I will share another time what we found in Germany and Denmark.)
Just like myself, the people of Israel wanted to know where they were from, which is why so much genealogy is included in the Bible. Isaiah foretold that a descendant of Jesse would come, and the Spirit of God would rest on Him. This gave comfort to the people of Israel knowing that God had not forgotten them and this person was to be someone special given by God. This man Jesus was the Son of God who was more than special, He is miraculous! You are chosen and planned for by God. Your history is found in the Bible.
Prayer: Loving God, you have always loved me, and my family history is tied up in your Holy Word. Thank you for choosing me as your special child. Amen.
Read: Isaiah 35:3-7 “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.” Isaiah 35:5 (NIV) Isaiah served as God’s prophet in Jerusalem from about 740-701 B.C.
He lived during the latter half of Israel’s kingdom period and spoke to the leaders of Jerusalem and Judah on God’s behalf. He constantly warned them about God’s judgement and to turn to Him, but he also prophesied about the Saviour who was to come. He gave them hope and comfort that a Saviour was coming who was to be “Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) In our Bible verse above Isaiah also foretold of what the people could expect when Jesus came to His ministry. As we have read from the other devotions this prophecy has been fulfilled. Interestingly though this prophecy isn’t just about Jesus and the miracles He performed; it is also about the end times on Judgement Day, when all believers will enter heaven “… with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10) Sure sounds like a wonderful time. But until that time, Isaiah gave the people hope in a Saviour who heals, who cares, has compassion and provides for everyday needs. We also have this hope and comfort that a Saviour who cared back then is also able to care and help us in all our needs today. Our Miraculous Jesus has been given the power of His Heavenly Father. He is Lord and shows loving kindnesses to all His children. It is hard not to be in awe and somewhat fear of this power – like a child appearing before the principal. But our God comes to forgive us from ourselves and the wrongs we do each and every day – that is a loving God and Saviour. “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come… he will come to save you.” (Isaiah 35:4) Isaiah prophesied a healing loving Saviour, that Saviour still does these things today!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you came to heal and save. Thank you for all you have done for me. Continue to grow my faith and help me to look forward to your coming again with joy. Amen.
Read: John 21:1-14 “He [Jesus] said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.” John 21:6 (NIV) As I mentioned in an earlier devotion, our family used to go to Marion Bay (on Yorke Peninsula, SA) for holidays when I was a child. My father had holidays in September so that is when we went, water was freezing and the weather cold, but we were near the beach and the jetty and that meant fishing. Sometimes we caught a squid or two, leatherjackets, rock cod and maybe a couple snook.
The memories of just sitting quietly, getting a nibble or two and hopefully a couple fish to eat for our dinner are quite vivid. Many times, we walked home without any fish, but other times we had a feast! Fishing requires patience. Jesus had risen from the dead and had appeared to the disciples, and the disciples were just waiting around to see what would happen next and what Jesus would tell them to do. Simon Peter was an impatient and impetuous man (makes you wonder if he was a good fisherman). He wanted something to happen so instead of sitting around, he decided to do something. So, six of Jesus’ disciples went out fishing all night. “Throw your nets over the right side”, called out Jesus from the shore. (This had happened to them before with amazing results).
The disciples did that and were rewarded with 153 fish. Simon (being impetuous) jumped into the sea and swam to Jesus. Jesus had a fire going and they cooked some of the fish for breakfast. Jesus had risen and he used fish to prove to them that He was Jesus Christ, God’s Son and Saviour! There are at least 153 reasons to believe that Jesus is who He said He was! He has given us His Word and His life to feast on. Now, go out and do some fishing for Jesus, be bold, do something different, throw the net on the other side, and grow your faith and in doing so grow the faith of others around you! Throw your net on the other side, be patient and feast on Jesus’ breakfast.
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for showing me that you are risen from the dead. You have shown the disciples how to fish and the results of listening to you. Help me to do the same. Amen.
Read: John 11:1-44 “Jesus said to [Martha], ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 (NIV) As a child I remember watching the ‘Super Cartoon Show’ immediately when coming home from school. It went for about half an hour and my brothers and I watched about 3-4 cartoons. I remember the Road Runner and Coyote cartoon – no matter what was done to the coyote, he just wouldn’t die! Tweety Bird was able to be eaten and squashed, Sylvester the Cat could have an anvil dropped on his head, Bugs Bunny could be shot and Elmer Fudd dropped from a height and still none of them would ever die. Death just did not happen on the cartoons!
They had this superpower that resisted any form of death. This was not the case with Lazarus, and John (the Gospel writer) went to great lengths to prove it to those reading this story that Lazarus did die. Jesus even made sure of it by waiting two more days before going to visit the family. There could be no doubt that when Jesus got there, Lazarus had been dead and in the tomb for four days. His body would have already begun the process of decomposition. So why did Jesus wait so long and why didn’t he come immediately so that rather than raising Lazarus from death he could have just healed him from a sickness?
Basically, Jesus was proving to all around that not only could He heal, but He had the power over death. Jesus was raised from death by our Heavenly Father after three days, but Jesus was also showing that He had the same power – He was truly God’s Son, not just someone subservient to God who could do some things and not others. Jesus has the power to heal and the power over death itself. Won’t He then have the power to hear your prayers and your concerns and help you? Faith in Jesus is the key to all that He promises… eternal life! T he power of Jesus is incredible, don’t underestimate it or His love!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, so often I don’t ask for your help thinking that you can’t. Forgive me for underestimating your power and love for me. Give me a faith that moves mountains! Amen.
Read: John 9:1-11 “He replied, ‘The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.’” John 9:11 (NIV) We probably know of the Fred Hollows Foundation which restores sight to people affected by cataracts. Blindness changes the lives of not just the person themselves but everyone who cares for them. In Tonga, a man named Ngu had developed cataracts through an accident. He could no longer farm, his wife had to work longer, and his young daughter was the constant caregiver – giving up sports and playing with friends.
Ngu had the cataract surgery and when the bandages were removed, he looked to the sky, raised his arms and exclaimed, “Praise be to God!” Reading the Bible story of Jesus healing the man born blind – we don’t hear of his joy and exclamations when healed, but we can read of him trying to understand what had happened. Basically, he was blind, Jesus touched his eyes with some mud, he washed his eyes, and he could see!! Not much more to say, but obviously those who were against Jesus tried to discount the miracle by saying it wasn’t the man and he wasn’t born blind. Read further through this chapter (John 9:12-41) to read the lengths that the Pharisees went to in trying to discredit Jesus – even calling on the man’s parents for confirmation that this was their son, and he really was born blind.
I love the formerly blind man’s response: “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” [John 9:30-33] The opening of the man’s eyes made him truly see who it was who had healed him, and he was bold in stating his convictions. Open your spiritual eyes this Lent and see God at work around you and be bold in sharing His love. Don’t be blind to God at work in your life – open your eyes!
Prayer: My dear Jesus, open my eyes to see you at work in the world and my life. Help me to be bold in sharing your love and grace that others may see you and your saving action on the cross. Amen.
Read: John 5:1-15 “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’’ At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” John 5:8-9 (NIV) I have a routine each day, not that I have to do each of the things in turn, but as I go through my morning it follows a pattern. I’m sure each of us follows some sort of routine. When holidays come, or family comes home, my routine is disturbed – I love it, but it all just happens differently.
Every day for 38 years a man had been coming to the pool of Bethesda. This pool was known by the sick and infirm to heal the first person touching the water after it had been disturbed. It was said that an angel’s wings touched the waters, disturbing them. So many sick and ailing sat there day after day just to be the first to touch the water to be healed. In the meantime, all those who sat there begged for money, food and survival. It was what they did, day after day - their routine! This man had the same routine for 38 years and obviously made enough money begging to make a living.
When Jesus asked: “Do you want to get well?”, the man didn’t leap at the chance rather he was more cautious telling Jesus no one was there to help him when the water was stirred. For, after 38 years being there, if he was well, how would he earn a living? Jesus asked no more, rather told him to ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ No therapy or physio recommended. No take it easy, just a ‘Get up!’
The muscle and tone of his legs would have fully wasted away, but with Jesus anything is possible! But Jesus wasn’t just worried about his physical healing, He wanted the man to be spiritually healed and become a man of God. Begging wasn’t the routine he should continue; the man needed to now earn a living and live according to God’s ways. ‘Pick up your mat and walk,’ says Jesus to us as well. He has a new way of living for each of us. Live a new routine with Jesus guiding and leading!
Prayer: Loving Saviour, daily you offer me forgiveness and a renewal of my life. Help me not to fall into a routine but live a life of newness with you. Amen.
Read: John 4:43-53 “‘Go’, Jesus replied, ‘Your son will live.’ The man took Jesus at his word and departed. While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living.” John 4:50-51 (NIV) In 2010 our family was travelling by subway to a baseball game in the Bronx – New York Yankees vs Philadelphia Phillies. We had our Yankees shirts on and felt quite at home amongst the other NY Yankee supporters.
Then a voice came over the loudspeaker and we didn’t quite get it, but immediately the carriage emptied of all NY followers – one person said that the trainline is not running to the game now. So, everyone jumped out of one train and into the doors of the train next to us, which was about to leave. What do we do? We each grabbed the children by hand and followed, without even questioning the train we were getting on. It was frantic, but we trusted this man we didn’t know, that he was leading us in the right direction. How often do we take a big breath and just follow blindly someone we don’t really know and hope that they will take us in the right direction.
We hear of other religions and TV evangelists, we hear advertisements on the best weight loss regime, we hear that everyone is getting iPhones so that must be the best. So, when Jesus says that He is the only way to heaven, do we take Him at His word and just follow Him? In this miracle, the royal official was desperate for his son’s life. He begged Jesus to heal him. Then Jesus responds in a scolding manner, saying people only believe if they see signs and wonders. Still the official begs and when Jesus says the boy will live – the man believed. He journeyed home finding that at the exact time Jesus said, ‘your son will live’ was the very time his son got better. Not only was the official’s son saved, but the whole household! They took Jesus at His word. Jesus speaks to us through His Word, in our prayers and through the Holy Spirit. Believe His Word and be assured that in Jesus, we have all we need for everyday living and beyond. Jesus’ Word brings life!
Prayer: Help me Lord Jesus to hear your voice speaking to me and guiding me. I will take you at Your word that you know what is best for me – help me in my unbelief! Amen.
Read: John 2:1-11 “Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’” John 2:6-8 (NIV) When living in Adelaide, the Barossa Valley became a wonderful place to visit when we had overseas visitors. Each winery has different wines with unique flavours and for different tastes. It is fun to discover which one is to your liking.
St Paul does tell us in 1 Timothy 5:23: “Stop drinking only water and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” (NIV) Of course we need to take this in the context of the day – the water around was not filtered nor spring fed. It was not always the best to drink and caused stomach illnesses. This miracle of Jesus turning the water into wine was the first one recorded. The weddings in Jesus’ day could last up to a week and it was up to the families to make sure there was enough wine and food for all the guests. Those getting married must have been close to Jesus’ family as Mary (Jesus’ mother) was helping with the serving. She would have been horrified for the family that the wine had run out. It would have been a huge shame on them.
Remember back to Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem with all the visitors and all the things that happened – Mary kept and pondered over all these things. So, it was not surprising for Mary to tell the servants to do everything Jesus may tell them to do. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we also followed all the directions that Jesus tells us to do in the Bible. Maybe during this Lenten season and as we get closer to the cross – Do whatever Jesus tells you! He told the servants to fill the jars to the brim and we are told they were huge jars. Jesus doesn’t do little things – He gives in abundance, full to overflowing. As we f ill our lives with Jesus and His words of life, remember that He blesses abundantly. You will be filled to overflowing with His grace and love!
Prayer: Dear Jesus, fill my life to overflowing with your grace, love and peace so that I may overflow with these blessings and pass them on to those around me. Amen.
Read: Luke 17:11-19 “One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him – and he was a Samaritan.” Luke 17:15-16 (NIV) “Ten unclean and nowhere to go. Ten men cleansed as clean as snow. One returned to give God thanks, but nine went away. God gives gifts to us every day. Favors His people in every way. Hope restored and pain relieved. Do you ever give thanks for a gift received?” ~ Medical Mission Sisters I often wonder why I remember the words from songs I heard as a child, but when I hear the words to other songs today – they don’t stick. The song above was played quite often on a record when I was growing up and it had quite a rousing tune (maybe not by today’s standards - reminds me now of ‘Sister Act’). As you can see it was all about the ten lepers who came to Jesus asking for cleansing so that they could return to society.
They were told by Jesus to show themselves to the priest, and on the way, they were healed. Ten percent of those healed returned to thank Jesus. The Bible has a lot to say about ‘giving thanks.’ So, obviously it is an important part of our Christian living. In fact, it’s one of the most powerful things we can do! Why? Because a thankful person is focussed on God… and all the good things He does in our lives and in those around us. People have a need to be appreciated and be encouraged by words of appreciation. Imagine then how God would feel when someone remembers that it is God who actually gives and provides us with all we need for daily life. Jesus heals and helps every one of us each day. Don’t forget it is God who brings these blessings.
Jesus asked the one leper who was cleansed where the other nine were. It wasn’t like Jesus wasn’t going to then heal the other nine, but He responds with joy to the one who comes and thanks Him. Jesus mentions the man’s faith… for it is through our faith that we recognise that every good gift comes from our Heavenly Father. T hank God today for all the blessings you have received!
Prayer: Thank you, dear Jesus, for all you do for me, my family and my friends every day. You bless me, help me and give me the greatest gift – life everlasting! Thank You! Amen.