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Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realise that Jesus Christ is in you? (2 Corinthians 13:5a)
Read 2 Corinthians 13:1–14
For the past two days, you’ve been invited to reflect on unity: we are united with God and each other. Today’s reading combines these ideas in a way that can lead to challenging questions: Do I realise that Jesus Christ is in me? Do I really know who Jesus is? Am I living in the faith? Has my life been transformed?
I sometimes think of transformation as something dramatic – a conversion on the road to Damascus or a saint who has lived in the slums with the poor her entire life. My next thought is usually something like, ‘Well, that’s not my life’ or ‘There’s no way I can do that.’
I wonder if transformation is something internal that can manifest in different ways externally. I wonder if transformation is about deeply knowing the presence of Jesus Christ in me and allowing that to shape how I see myself. I wonder if transformation is about becoming more aware of the presence of God in others and allowing that to shape how I see others and the world. Once I see myself, others and the world differently, then this can impact the way I speak and act. It can change the way I interact with other people and the world.
How can the presence of Jesus in us help us to see differently? Through the cross, we can come to know and learn more about who Jesus is. This cruciform lens can transform our seeing and our being. It challenges what the world values and instead points us to humility, generosity and service.
What helps you to deeply know Christ’s presence in you?
How might knowing Christ’s presence in you make a difference in your life today?
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me. (St Patrick’s Prayer)
God, awaken my whole being to your presence in me. Challenge my way of living so my faith may be lived out in humility, generosity and service. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Renée lives on Ngunawal country with her family and belongs to the community at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, ACT. She works as a teacher and enjoys listening to music, reading, walking in nature and the challenge of solving cryptic crosswords.
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We are speaking in Christ before God. Everything we do, beloved, is for the sake of building you up (2 Corinthians 12:19b).
Read 2 Corinthians 12:11–21
The theme of unity from yesterday’s reading can also be found in the passages from Corinthians for the next two days. In today’s passage, we read about the unity between Paul and Titus (‘with the same spirit’ from verse 18), Paul’s call for respect from the Corinthians and his desire for unity within the Corinthian church.
What things can be barriers to unity in our churches? Paul provides a comprehensive list in verse 20: quarrelling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, conceit and disorder.
When we honestly search our hearts and lives, we can see that we don’t always strive for unity. But when we see our failings and repent (verse 21), we can begin to change with the help of the Holy Spirit.
As we commune together, receive forgiveness and live in unity with the help of the Holy Spirit, we build up our community.
Flip the list of unity barriers from verse 20, and we can find positive, helpful suggestions that build up our communities: respectful conversations, gratitude, selflessness, encouraging words, truth, humility and order.
Here are some questions to consider:
- Respectful conversations: Do we give each other the gift of our undivided attention? Do we listen deeply? How can we have difficult discussions – or even disagree – in respectful ways?
- Gratitude: What are you grateful for about your church community? Can you think of one thing you are thankful for about your church community each week on your way to/from church? Challenge yourself to make it a different thing each time!
- Encouraging words: Who can you thank? Who is going through a tough time and might appreciate a thoughtful card, phone call or email?
What areas of unity can your church or faith community focus on?
May we be one, sharing life together with the Father and his only Son.
Now we have life in this world of death; Heaven has begun, he makes us one.
(‘May we be one’ by Robin Mann, AT 172)
Triune God, we are sorry for the times when our words and actions cause division rather than unity. Help us to build each other up and strengthen our community. Amen.
Renée lives on Ngunawal country with her family and belongs to the community at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, ACT. She works as a teacher and enjoys listening to music, reading, walking in nature and the challenge of solving cryptic crosswords.
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I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them and I in them (John 17:26).
Read John 17:20–26
The words of today’s passage, part of Jesus’ prayer on the night before he died, seem to weave and cross over each other like a complex tapestry. I tried to tease apart the interwoven phrases and wondered if this was futile. Perhaps the interconnection of ideas is a literary illustration of a key theme in this text: unity.
‘They may be one’ is written three times, and there are many references to the unity within God and the unity between God and people.
What might this mean for us today? What does unity look like as part of God’s kingdom? We needn’t look far to see the opposite of unity: we see people divided based on politics, culture, race, sexuality, age, wealth and many other factors. It is in our families, churches, communities and world. Am I an instrument of unity and peace? Do my words and actions point to the God of love? So often I fall short.
The tapestry of text in this passage reminds us: God is love. God loves all people. God’s love is in us. We are called to share this love with all people.
When we are aware of the self-giving love of God in us, we can better share this love with others. We can be a vessel for that love, a conductor that passes this divine love generously and freely. Wouldn’t that be unifying?
When we are awake to God’s presence in us and each other, we can be united by this. We can work on being together, rather than divided. This unity and love in action, led by the Spirit, may guide others to know and love God too.
May we be one, bound in love forever, growing close together day by day; growing as God fills us with his life.
We are joined in him; he makes us one. (‘May we be one’ by Robin Mann, AT 172)
Loving God, open our hearts to see your presence in others, so that we may love freely and be united through and in you. Amen.
Renée lives on Ngunawal country with her family and belongs to the community at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, ACT. She works as a teacher and enjoys listening to music, reading, walking in nature and the challenge of solving cryptic crosswords.
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The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice (Psalm 97:1).
Read Psalm 97
‘The world is going to hell in a handbasket’ is an excellent idiom that describes the feeling that things in our world are out of control. It’s a strange phrase. A handbasket, a simple and mundane object, juxtaposed with the serious notion of hell, adds a layer of irony and emphasises how easily our world seems to slip into chaos.
Psalm 97 is part of a collection (Psalm 96 to 99) that reflects a major theme in this section of the Book of Psalms: no matter the chaos that seems to be going on in our world, we can trust that God reigns over all.
The imagery in Psalm 97 is striking. We have the divine presence of Almighty God hidden in the thick darkness of the Shekinah cloud, fire reminiscent of the pillar of fire of the Exodus, and the dramatic imagery of the mountains melting like wax before the Lord of all the earth. These vivid pictures speak of God’s unmatched power and majesty. Yet, amid this awe-inspiring description, we also find reassurance: ‘Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne’ (Psalm 97:2b). God’s rule is not cruel or arbitrary. It is built on what is right and fair.
In a world where injustice and uncertainty often dominate the headlines, Psalm 97 realigns our focus. The chaos around us doesn’t change who God is. He is still in charge. He is still just. He is still worthy of our praise.
And we find solace and encouragement in verse 11: ‘Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.’ Even in the darkest of times, Almighty God shines light and joy into the lives of those who trust him. His sovereignty doesn’t just command awe; it provides peace, purpose and hope.
God of peace, who brings light to the universe, shine your light into our chaos. Bring help to those facing injustice. Give us your peace, purpose and hope in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Stephen Abraham is a retired Lutheran pastor and musician who served as a school pastor and church planter in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. Having to retire due to a spinal injury that leaves him largely housebound with chronic pain, Stephen still preaches, takes chapel and serves his local church and school. He also writes and records personal songs, worship songs and Christian meditations, which he shares on his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/StephenAbrahamMusic
Our true superpower
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But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Corinthians 12:9a).
Read 2 Corinthians 12:1–10
Now we come to the ultimate superpower Paul reveals as he engages the super-apostles at Corinth. But it’s not authority given by the extraordinary experience of being temporarily ‘caught up into Paradise’ of verses one to four (which many regard as Paul self-referencing his own conversion experience). No, it is far more unexpected than that amazing experience. It’s not supernatural insight, powers of miraculous healing or signs of great power. Paul’s superpower is – wait for it! – weakness! His prickly thorn in the flesh (verses seven to nine).
What? No! It can’t be – but it is. Paul, this most faithful servant of Christ, was not spared from suffering. Instead, God used that suffering to reveal a deeper truth: his strength shines brightest when we are at our weakest. We often think our usefulness to God depends on our strength, success, abilities or gifts. But Paul’s life tells a different story: God works most powerfully when we are broken, letting go of our need to be strong and allowing his grace to sustain us.
Instead of resenting brokenness, Paul embraces it: ‘Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me’ (2 Corinthians 12:9b). My sisters and brothers, this is our superpower. God’s strength in our brokenness.
So we don’t need to pretend we have it all together. In fact, I’d argue based on this that one of the most powerful things we can do in this lifetime is to let down our guard and share our vulnerabilities with those God brings into our lives. For when we are weak, then we are strong.
Loving Father, thank you for the gift of your grace. Help us not hide our weaknesses but bring them to you, trusting that your power is made perfect in them. Teach us to rely not on our strength but on yours, for you are our true superpower. Amen.
Stephen Abraham is a retired Lutheran pastor and musician who served as a school pastor and church planter in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. Having to retire due to a spinal injury that leaves him largely housebound with chronic pain, Stephen still preaches, takes chapel and serves his local church and school. He also writes and records personal songs, worship songs and Christian meditations, which he shares on his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/StephenAbrahamMusic
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Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45).
Read Luke 24:44–53
When I was 14 and in high school, I knew my vision wasn’t very clear. For years, I couldn’t read the whiteboard in class, and peering forward while squinting hard in the front row to try and make out the letters was giving me headaches. Mum took me to the optometrist, and yes, I needed glasses for distance vision. A week later, we picked up my glasses. While driving home to our farm, I was simply overcome: ‘Mum, I can see trees at the top of that hill! Mum, I can see sheep in that paddock! Mum, I can see! I can see!’
The risen Lord Jesus is standing before his disciples, not only as their resurrected friend and teacher, but also as the fulfilment of everything written in the law, the prophets and the psalms. It’s a profound moment. Jesus doesn’t simply show them his hands and feet. He opens their minds, enabling them to truly understand the Scriptures about his coming, life, death and resurrection.
I imagine the experience was like me suddenly seeing the world clearly for the first time – overpowering, profound joy. A massive ‘ah ha’ moment. Is it any wonder that verses like Psalm 110:1 from yesterday are quoted throughout the New Testament record? The apostles finally saw things clearly!
Jesus goes on to explain that his suffering, death and resurrection were not tragic accidents but part of a divine plan. And with this revelation, he gives his followers a mission: preach repentance and forgiveness of sins in his name to all nations. He doesn’t leave them to do this alone. He promises ‘power from on high’ to equip and embolden them to be his witnesses.
Lord Jesus, open our minds to understand your word. Fill us with your Spirit and send us out with joy to be witnesses of your resurrection. Amen.
Stephen Abraham is a retired Lutheran pastor and musician who served as a school pastor and church planter in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. Having to retire due to a spinal injury that leaves him largely housebound with chronic pain, Stephen still preaches, takes chapel and serves his local church and school. He also writes and records personal songs, worship songs and Christian meditations, which he shares on his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/StephenAbrahamMusic
by Pastor Stephen Abraham
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The Lord says to my lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool’ (Psalm 110:1).
Read Psalm 110:1–7
The most quoted Old Testament verse in the New Testament is Psalm 110:1.
Full of battle language and allusions to defeating enemies and instigating a new era, Psalm 110 is perhaps the premier messianic victory psalm.
When you have defeated an enemy king, you put your foot on their neck. His neck = your footstool – like the ultimate ancient mixed martial arts (MMA) fight victory pose!
But there are questions:
- Who does God himself call ‘my lord’ (verse one)?
- Who is this ‘lord’ who sits at God’s right hand (verse one)?
- Who is the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) of all kings (verse one; verses five and six)?
- Who is this king who is also a priest (verse four)?
- Whose reign as king/priest lasts forever (verse four)?
Matthew, Mark, Luke, Paul, Peter and the writer of Hebrews all testify that this great messianic psalm is fulfilled in one person alone in all of history: the crucified and resurrected Christ Jesus. As Peter says in his great Pentecost sermon in Acts 2:32–36:
This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’ Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
‘Melchizedek’ (meaning ‘king of righteousness’) is one of the most mysterious figures in Scripture. Genesis 14:18 calls him the King of Peace (Salem). The priesthood of Melchizedek serves as a foreshadowing of Christ’s priesthood in at least three key ways. Firstly, in both Melchizedek and Christ, the roles of king and priest are united (see Genesis 14:18; Hebrews 7:1). Secondly, Melchizedek is portrayed as a priest appointed directly by God, without reliance on lineage – a trait Christ shares, as he comes from the tribe of Judah rather than the Levitical priestly line (compare Hebrews 7:3). Thirdly, Melchizedek’s priesthood appears self-contained, with no record of predecessors or successors in his priestly line, just as Christ’s priesthood stands alone.
Lord Jesus, reigning King and eternal High Priest, rule in our hearts and lives. Defend us from every enemy and strengthen us in faith through your word. Amen.
Stephen Abraham is a retired Lutheran pastor and musician who served as a school pastor and church planter in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. Having to retire due to a spinal injury that leaves him largely housebound with chronic pain, Stephen still preaches, takes chapel and serves his local church and school. He also writes and records personal songs, worship songs and Christian meditations, which he shares on his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/StephenAbrahamMusic
Super-weakness
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If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness (2 Corinthians 11:30).
Read 2 Corinthians 11:21b–33
In a world of perfectly manicured and manufactured celebrities and influencers who ‘have it all’, Paul’s words indicate that not much has changed in human nature in the ensuing 2,000 years since his ministry. We still look for the perfect veneer, the ‘super’, the successful. The truth of a life dedicated to Christ Jesus is the opposite for Paul.
Instead of listing accomplishments and achievements to prove his authority, Paul recounts his suffering: beatings, imprisonments, shipwrecks, hunger, danger and constant pressure. His point is clear – true apostolic authority isn’t proven by fame or eloquence, but by sacrifice and weakness for the sake of Christ.
Paul’s resume is a list of hardships for the gospel. He had every reason to self-promote by human standards; a ‘Hebrew of Hebrews’, trained under the best teachers. But, instead, he chose to boast in his weakness. Why? Because his suffering was the evidence of his deep identification with Jesus. The path of following Christ is often marked by loss, pain and vulnerability – not ease, success or applause.
In Aussie culture, we are often taught to hide our imperfections and maintain a stiff upper lip and self-pride, or that letting people know of our hardships is a sign of weakness. Paul’s example challenges us. Do we try to hide our weaknesses, or are we honest about them? Do we allow them to display the grace of God? The gospel doesn’t require us to be impressive – it invites us to be faithful. For in our weakness, God’s strength is revealed.
Lord Jesus, our suffering servant, teach us to boast not in our strength, but be honest in our weakness. Help us see our struggles as places where your power can shine through and as places to give you glory. Give us the courage to suffer well, love deeply, serve humbly and proclaim boldly like our brother Paul. Amen.
Stephen Abraham is a retired Lutheran pastor and musician who served as a school pastor and church planter in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. Having to retire due to a spinal injury that leaves him largely housebound with chronic pain, Stephen still preaches, takes chapel and serves his local church and school. He also writes and records personal songs, worship songs and Christian meditations, which he shares on his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/StephenAbrahamMusic
What’s under the costume?
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I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3).
Read 2 Corinthians 11:1–21a
As a comic book superhero fan, I couldn’t resist this title as Paul calls the silver-tongued preachers leading the Corinthian church astray ‘super-apostles’. But as amusing as that sounds, this battle has serious, eternal consequences.
I’ve always loved and admired great orators who can command a stage. From Barack Obama’s ‘Yes We Can’ speech and Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ to gifted Christian speakers, my seminary lecturers and my favourite theologians. But the danger for everyone (including myself) is when we get swept up in the ‘cult of personality’, the magic of a gifted orator whose words we take on board uncritically just because of that gift.
Nowadays, I’ve found myself motivated to ‘take a step back’ mindfully in the heat of the moment, to passively observe and ask the question ‘what is fact and what is personal opinion?’ And sometimes I’ve realised that what was being said was obvious and nothing revolutionary, despite the commanding performance. At other times, it’s a brilliant truth highlighted by great delivery. Still others, an excellent delivery, but patently incorrect.
Unfortunately for the context in today’s reading, the faithful at Corinth were being deceived just as the first humans were in the garden, giving ear to a convincing speaker with bad teaching! Paul raises the alarm at the danger of being seduced by teachings that distort the true gospel and lead believers away from ‘sincere and pure devotion to Christ’.
In chapter 10, Paul addresses the murmurs against his humble ministry, that he is ‘all bark’ in his letters but ‘no bite’ and unimpressive in person.
Today’s text reminds us that devotion to Christ isn’t about appearances, eloquence or perceived ‘spiritual power’. It’s about faithfulness to the gospel. Like the Corinthians, we too can be vulnerable to subtle distortions where Christ is mentioned. However, the message is no longer truly his.
Lord God, protect our hearts from deception and untruths. Holy Spirit, help us stay grounded in the truth of Christ crucified, and give us discernment to recognise what is false. May our devotion to you remain pure and undivided. Amen.
Stephen Abraham is a retired Lutheran pastor and musician who served as a school pastor and church planter in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. Having to retire due to a spinal injury that leaves him largely housebound with chronic pain, Stephen still preaches, takes chapel and serves his local church and school. He also writes and records personal songs, worship songs and Christian meditations, which he shares on his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/StephenAbrahamMusic