The challenge of change

by Stuart Gray

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When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life’ (Acts 11:18).

Read Acts 11:1–18

Changing a long-held and deeply ingrained cultural attitude or belief can be extremely difficult.

A major inflection point for the Jewish people was the ministry of Jesus and the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In today’s reading, the people of Israel are confronted with the reality that Christ died for all. In the previous chapter, Peter visited the house of the centurion Cornelius. For Peter to be comfortable doing that, God had to work on him to understand his will.

The vision of a large sheet being let down to earth containing all kinds of animals is a strange one; however, the message to Peter is ‘do not call anything impure that God has made clean’. This vision happened three times. It gives me some solace that, at times, even Peter struggled to understand God’s purpose.

Upon meeting Cornelius, Peter said that ‘it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him’; however, because of the vision, Peter was comfortable being with Cornelius and the large gathering.

The dietary distinctions of the Old Testament had symbolised Israel’s separation from the nations. Now, through Christ, God removed another barrier between Jew and Gentile.

While speaking to the gathering, the Holy Spirit came upon them. The Jewish believers were ‘astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out, even on the Gentiles’.

When Peter went back to Jerusalem, he copped criticism from the ‘circumcised believers’.

In this passage, Peter explains what happened and concludes by remembering what Jesus said: ‘John baptised with water, but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit. So, if God gave them the same gift that he gave us, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?’ (verses 16,17).

It was a logic that was difficult to argue against, and the objectors had no further issues and praised God, saying, ‘So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.’

This is something we must remember and renew each day. Christ died for me and for everyone.

Heavenly Father, help us to throw off the beliefs and attitudes that keep us from accepting that Christ is our Saviour. We pray that the Holy Spirit sustains us in our faith and in our witness to the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Stuart lives with his wife Pamela Dalgliesh in Mansfield, in the beautiful High Country of Victoria. In between helping to maintain a large garden and domestic orchard with 80 fruit trees, Stuart is a volunteer mentor for learner drivers, a Red Cross patient transport driver and is involved in a very active Mansfield Anglican church community. Stuart loves travelling, being outdoors and maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle.

A new creation

by Stuart Gray

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

‘As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,’ declares the Lord, ‘so will your name and descendants endure’ (Isaiah 66:22).

Read Isaiah 66:18b–22

These are the last verses, bar two, in the final chapter of Isaiah, a book full of prophetic visions. A major theme of Isaiah is God’s judgement of external evil and inward corruption. Isaiah 66:18 refers to this judgement, ‘For I know their works and their thoughts …’, but it quickly moves to a time of gathering and restoration, ‘And I … am about to come and gather the people of all nations and languages, and they will come and see my glory’.

God is not just gathering the people of Israel, but ‘all nations and languages’. This indicates God’s plan to offer salvation to all people, not just Israel. He says that after the judgement, some survivors will be sent to the four corners of the world, to people who ‘have not heard of my fame or seen my glory’, to proclaim his glory.

This would have been difficult for the people in Isaiah’s time to grasp. Priests came from Aaron’s line, and Levites came from the tribe of Levi, yet the prophecy says people from all nations will serve in these roles. The idea of the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9) foreshadowed here is another example of the incredible interconnectedness between the Old and New Testaments.

And these nations, who have been the enemies of Israel, oppressors and idol worshippers, will now worship God and participate in a grand pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Then God declares, ‘As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me, so will your name and descendants endure’ (verse 22).

Isaiah 65:17–25 describes the new heavens and new earth with wonderful imagery of life, fulfilment, harmony and peace. There will be a transformation: ‘The former things [the fallen world] will not be remembered nor will they come to mind’ (Isaiah 65:17).

The new heavens and the new earth will be sustained by God, as will his people. There will be renewal under God’s reign, and his people will have everlasting life.

What a wonderful and joyous prospect.

Heavenly Father, your glory and majesty are hard for us to comprehend, as is your promise of new heavens and a new earth that will be sustained by you. Help us to keep this vision in our hearts as we face the highs and lows of our daily lives, so we always have hope for the future. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Stuart lives with his wife Pamela Dalgliesh in Mansfield, in the beautiful High Country of Victoria. In between helping to maintain a large garden and domestic orchard with 80 fruit trees, Stuart is a volunteer mentor for learner drivers, a Red Cross patient transport driver and is involved in a very active Mansfield Anglican church community. Stuart loves travelling, being outdoors and maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle.

A feisty faith

by Stuart Gray

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

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).

Read Matthew 15:(10–20) 21–28

The elements of this story are simple. A woman seeks healing for her daughter from ‘The Healer’. However, her encounter with Jesus is quite profound. A Canaanite – historic enemy of Israel – and a woman, possibly without a husband, so an outsider even in her own country.

Yet this woman recognises Jesus as ‘Lord, Son of David’. She pleads for mercy and, much to the disciples’ annoyance, persists.

Jesus’ initial reaction and conversation seem harsh. Firstly, he ignores her, which I’m sure is not a technique recommended by modern counsellors dealing with a distressed person. But the silence demonstrates how persistent the woman is and points to the strength of her faith.

Jesus then emphasises her ‘outsideness’. ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ This does not stop her. She ignores what Jesus has said but takes advantage of the fact that he is talking to her. ‘Lord, help me.’ A simple and humble plea for help.

But Jesus has not finished testing her faith. ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.’ Imagine the outrage that public statement would cause today! Social media would be white hot.

Again, this does not deter the woman, and her response is amazing. ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ That response would take me a day or two to formulate.

In her response, the woman recognises Jesus’ purpose for the lost people of Israel. She trusts that he has mercy enough for those beyond Israel.

This is a story of powerful spirituality. The woman acknowledges her need, refuses to give up, trusts Jesus’ mercy and approaches him with humility.

Jesus meets us in our individual situations, in the down-and-dirty harshness of life.

I wonder what the disciples learnt from this encounter. The Canaanite woman foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles into God’s kingdom. Yet even after the resurrection, some of the disciples struggled to understand that Jesus died for all people and nations.

Do we persist in prayer like the Canaanite woman?

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the examples of faith you have given us in Scripture. Help us to acknowledge our needs, be humble, trust in your mercy and be persistent in prayer. Thank you for accepting Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross so that all people and nations can have a personal relationship with you. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Stuart lives with his wife Pamela Dalgliesh in Mansfield, in the beautiful High Country of Victoria. In between helping to maintain a large garden and domestic orchard with 80 fruit trees, Stuart is a volunteer mentor for learner drivers, a Red Cross patient transport driver and is involved in a very active Mansfield Anglican church community. Stuart loves travelling, being outdoors and maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle.