by Rev Dr Noel Due
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And behold, they cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?’ (Matthew 8:29).
Read Matthew 8:28–34
Yesterday’s devotion reflected on Jesus’ deeds and words of power. We saw that his deeds included the freeing of people from demonic forces, as well as healing from their diseases, and that his words explained the nature of God’s kingdom.
In today’s passage, we see another example, perhaps the most dramatic of all, in which Jesus expels demonic powers. When he draws near, the forces of darkness are forced back.
One of the most remarkable elements of this truly extraordinary account is that the demons recognised Jesus’ true nature. This is in sharp contrast to his disciples and to the crowds, who are repeatedly shown as being dull of heart and spiritually blind (for example, Luke 18:34).
In other words, the demonic forces knew something the rest of the world didn’t. That, in part, explains why Satan and the forces of darkness were so intensely active during Jesus’ earthly ministry. Even though, for example, the Book of Acts covers almost 40 years, we see only a fraction of the demonic manifestations there when compared with the three years of Jesus’ public ministry.
Why might this be? Because the powers of darkness mistakenly believed that if they could destroy Jesus, they would overthrow God and rule the universe. So, they threw everything at him, all the time. They knew he was not only Jesus the Nazarene but also Jesus the Son of God. That’s why they tried every trick in the book.
They even thought that by aligning all the forces of human greed, political cowardice, religious pride and human betrayal, they could put him to death.
But the outcome was not as they expected.
Though the powers of darkness planned the cross as Jesus’ destruction, God planned the cross as Jesus’ exaltation and our salvation.
This should give us great comfort. Though the forces of wickedness are opposed to God, to his Son, and to the people of the Spirit he has brought to birth, none of their deeds or schemes will prevail.
As Martin Luther’s great hymn says: Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing …And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us … one little word shall fell him.
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the gift of Jesus, the Son of God, and King of Heaven. Thank you that he has overcome the greatest of our foes and that their schemes cannot prevent your reign and rule in our lives. Help us to live in the truth of Jesus’ victory over the evil one. Amen.
Noel is currently serving as the Intentional Interim Pastor of the Top End Lutheran Parish. He lives in Darwin with his wife, Kirsten, a medical doctor who mainly works on remote Indigenous communities. He also serves as a professional supervisor for pastors, chaplains and others.
Luke 6:17-26 Blessings and Woes
17 He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, 19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.
20 Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
4 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. 25 Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
by Rachael Stelzer
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For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction (Psalm 1:6).
Read Psalm 1
Today’s psalm is the first and introductory psalm. It is poetry but also reflects Old Testament wisdom literature. It contrasts the one who delights in the law of the Lord with the wicked.
I love the peaceful picture of the one who meditates on God’s law, day and night, being like a tree planted by streams of water. It is a picture of growth and flourishing. In stark contrast, the wicked are ‘like chaff that the wind blows away’. This is reminiscent of the foolish builder in Jesus’ parable, who builds without a strong foundation.
This short psalm is well worth meditating on, as it presents some clear pictures and wise life advice. Let’s aim to be like that tree planted by the stream, with the Lord watching over our ways.
Dear Lord, you watch over the way of the righteous. In my own strength, I am no more than chaff that the wind blows away. Thank you for the righteousness that Jesus has won for me on the cross. Lead me in your way and teach me how to flourish in you. Amen.
Rachael Stelzer is Primary Head of Faith and Spirituality at Coomera Anglican College near Brisbane. She is a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale.
by Rachael Stelzer
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He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm (Matthew 8:26).
Read Matthew 8:18–27
Earlier in our passages this week, those listening to Jesus marvelled, because he spoke ‘as one with authority, and not like the teachers of the law’ (Matthew 7:29). And the Roman centurion had correctly identified Jesus as one in authority, and he would know, as one who was used to telling others what to do.
Now, in case there was any doubt about the authority of this man, he told off the storm that had his disciples in fear for their lives. ‘Who is this man?’ they wondered. ‘Even the wind and waves obey him!’
The disciples were in awe of Jesus’ authority. They learned to trust him in all situations. And we can too.
Lord Jesus, when I take my eyes away from you, I am tempted to forget that you are in control. Remind me that you are with me and that you are more powerful than my fears. Amen.
Rachael Stelzer is Primary Head of Faith and Spirituality at Coomera Anglican College near Brisbane. She is a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale.
by Rachael Stelzer
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The centurion replied, ‘Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed’ (Matthew 8:8).
Read Matthew 8:5–17
This week we have seen Jesus at work in the lives of a number of different people. After teaching about the difference between true disciples and false ones, Jesus interacted with and healed a number of ‘outsiders’. After healing the man with leprosy, a Roman centurion came to Jesus to ask him to heal his paralysed servant. Jesus asked the centurion if he should come with him to his house. The centurion’s response floored Jesus.
Don’t worry about coming to my house, he said. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
The centurion’s actions spoke volumes. His trust and respect for Jesus were rock-solid and marked him as a true disciple. His ethnicity and his politics did not disqualify him from Jesus’ assistance – his life showed the fruit of sincere faith and trust in Jesus. May we also look further than the superficial and see the fruit of faith in the lives of others.
Dear Jesus, the centurion took your breath away with his understanding of your authority and power. None of your ‘true believers’ had shown that amount of certainty in your healing power. Grant me that faith and certainty. Drive me humbly to my knees to acknowledge your sovereignty. And never let me judge others as beyond your help or love – you see the heart. Amen.
Rachael Stelzer is Primary Head of Faith and Spirituality at Coomera Anglican College near Brisbane. She is a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale.
by Rachael Stelzer
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Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing’, he said. ‘Be clean!’ (Matt 8:3)
Read Matthew 7:28–8:4
After Jesus taught the crowds on the mountainside, in his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6 and 7, a man with leprosy came to Jesus. Lepers lived outside the city at this time, in communities of similarly sick people, who had been cast out of the town, and forbidden to enter the temple. They could not even hug their families goodbye and had to carry bells to warn others to stay away from them. Catching their disease, in Jesus’ day, was a death sentence.
This leprous man had the audacity to come dangerously close to non-leprous people and even walked up to Jesus and knelt before him. He showed beautiful simple faith when he said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean’.
Jesus honoured his faith, saying, ‘I am willing! Be clean!’ This was more than just a physical healing. Jesus gave him not just healing, but the opportunity to rejoin life inside the city walls, to reunite with his family and to enter the temple community once again.
And, in keeping with Jewish law, Jesus instructed the man to go and show himself to a priest – who could pronounce him officially clean – and to make the offering that went with this pronouncement. Jesus restored the man to his community. This was healing in every sense – physical, social and spiritual. And Jesus gladly gave this man back his life.
Lord Jesus, you come near to us in many ways, offering healing and restoration of our bodies, our souls and our relationships. Help us to take a step of faith, and to praise you for your abundant grace. Amen.
Rachael Stelzer is Primary Head of Faith and Spirituality at Coomera Anglican College near Brisbane. She is a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale.
by Rachael Stelzer
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:24)
Read Matthew 7:22–27
Today’s parable follows Matthew’s account of Jesus’ teaching about true disciples. He uses a parable about wise and foolish builders to demonstrate his point.
I’ve often read this parable incorrectly. Surely, I say to myself, the wise builder is the one who listens carefully to Jesus’ words, and the foolish one ignores them.
But that’s not how Jesus characterises the two builders. They are both listeners to his words, potentially both believers in the same community, hearing the same teachings and encouragements.
The difference between the wise and the foolish builders? Five little words: ‘… and puts them into practice’. The wise man hears Jesus’ words and puts them into practice. The foolish man hears Jesus’ words and doesn’t put them into practice.
I’ve heard Jesus’ words. Am I putting them into practice? Or am I sitting in my pew, looking around me smugly at all the people I believe should be acting on what they hear?
To take some steps in love, in prayer, in service and in witness – these are the things that show that my foundations are firm and that I have built on the Rock.
Dear Jesus, your words are life and love. Help me to put them into practice in my own life. Strengthen my foundations and help me build my life on your word. Amen.
Rachael Stelzer is Primary Head of Faith and Spirituality at Coomera Anglican College near Brisbane. She is a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale.
by Rachael Stelzer
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Thus, by their fruit you will recognise them (Matt 7:20).
Read Matthew 7:13–21
In this passage, Jesus taught his disciples how to recognise true prophets and true disciples from those who were tricking others, and even those who fooled themselves. It is not an easy teaching, but it is clear and simple.
Jesus used a simple analogy to help people understand the difference between true prophets and false ones. He pointed out that no-one picks grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles. A good tree bears good fruit, and a bad tree bears bad fruit. So rather than listening to what someone says, we need to look for the fruits demonstrated in their life.
Do we notice the fruit of the Spirit, their quality relationships and the empowering of those around them? Do we hear words of life and encouragement? Do they convey the love of a generous God?
Jesus even suggested that not everyone who calls him ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do those things that are God’s will for them.
US preacher, poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson has been quoted as saying, ‘Your actions speak so loud that I cannot hear what you say.’ Rather than the ‘do as I say, not as I do’ attitude, the life that Jesus looks for is the one fruitful in actions, in love and in legacy.
Lord Jesus, please forgive me for the times I talk the talk but don’t walk the walk. May my actions speak louder than my words. May my life reflect the fruit of the Spirit in me. Amen.
Rachael Stelzer is Primary Head of Faith and Spirituality at Coomera Anglican College near Brisbane. She is a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale.
by Rachael Stelzer
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’ (Luke 5:8)
Read Luke 5:1–11
Peter and his brother and friends had been fishing all night. And they had caught nothing all night. These simple men had not even caught enough fish to feed their families, much less enough to sell to make a profit.
And now this stranger, this itinerant preacher, was telling them to try again on the other side of the boat. It beggared all common sense. What did he know about fishing?
And yet, something about the way he spoke drew Peter in. There was something about him. And Peter figured he had nothing to lose. So, he talked the others into trying again.
And suddenly, they reeled in a catch like they had never seen before. So many fish that they were nearly swamped! They called for reinforcements from the other boat, and both almost sank under the weight of the fish!
And Peter knew without a doubt that something more than an abundant catch was being provided here. Peter recognised the power at work in this man. And his own imperfection. And the fear of God moved him to speak.
‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’
But the stranger did not turn away. Instead, he calmly said, with a twinkle in his eye, ‘Don’t be afraid. From now on, you will be catching people.’
And Peter was hooked from that moment.
Dear Lord, when we recognise the abundance you bring into our lives and communities, we are hooked. May our lives tell the story of your welcome, your leading and your rich love so that others will also be attracted to the abundant life you offer. Amen.
Rachael Stelzer is Primary Head of Faith and Spirituality at Coomera Anglican College near Brisbane. She is a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale.