Scripture

Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So he held out his hand, and it was restored just like the other one. Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.

Observation

Jesus goes to the synagogue where He sees a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees ask Him if the law allows a man to be healed on the Sabbath. Jesus replies that it is fine to rescue a sheep from a well on the Sabbath. He then heals the man.

The Pharisees start to plot how to kill Jesus, so He leaves that area. He heals all the sick, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy about the servant who brings justice for the oppressed,

Application

Jesus brings life, but religion brings death.

It is after Jesus heals on the Sabbath, bringing joy and new life to a man with a deformed hand, that the Pharisees start to plot His death.

As the cynical saying goes, “No good deed goes unpunished.”

The Sabbath was given to protect labourers from being oppressed, not to stop people from enjoying God’s life. But the Pharisees and other religious leaders took the law to an extreme so that what was meant to bring freedom in fact brought misery.

The fruit of a life dedicated to the Lord is life- spiritual renewal, hope, joy, love. Where these things are present, the Spirit of God is moving.

Where there is misery, condemnation, death and fear, we can be sure that the spirit of religion is active.

Our worship, family life, work and leisure should all be opportunities for life.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for setting us free from deadly religion. May I always know the joy of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Scripture

“But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: I want you to show mercy not offer sacrifices.”

Observation

Jesus and His disciples walk through some grain fields on a Sabbath. They begin to break off some heads of grain to eat them, but some Pharisees criticise them for harvesting on the Sabbath.

Jesus points out that the priests work on the Sabbath. It is more important to show mercy than to offer sacrifices.

Application

There is a constant battle in every human heart between the Holy Spirit and the religious spirit.

The Holy Spirit wants sons and daughters to freely celebrate the power and presence of God shown in love and relationship.

The religious spirit demands a joyless conformity to the rules.

The Holy Spirit tells us that we are loved by God.

The religious spirit tells us that God is mad at us, and our only hope is to obey the rules.

Righteousness is not a status to be earned; it is a gift from a holy and loving God.

When Jesus was criticised by some Pharisees for picking grain on the Sabbath, His reply was that God is not so much interested in what we do for Him as in us allowing Him to change our hearts towards Him and others.

Religious law is never about conformity and legalism, but about giving space for our spirits to grow into God.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, please help me to find your way for me. Amen.

Scripture

“O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think they are wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.”

Observation

Jesus compares the people to children playing a game in which they complain to their friends, “We played wedding songs and you would not dance. We played funeral songs and you would not mourn.”

Jesus denounces the towns where He did miracles but they refused to repent and turn to God. He then prays, thanking God the Father for hiding these things from those who think they are wise and revealing them to the childlike.

Application

Humility is the key to the kingdom of God.

We must realise that, when it comes to sin and judgement, we are totally dependent on God’s mercy. We have to recognise firstly that we are sinners who fall short of God’s standards for us. Secondly, we have to recognise that Jesus has done for us what we could not do for ourselves, that is, to pay the price for our sins.

As we approach the Easter season, we remember the awful facts of Good Friday. We crucified the one person who had never sinned. This awful fact contains the awesome truth that in one sacrifice the sins of the world were taken away.

The “wise” and the arrogant people can never see this because they think they are good enough. Their learning, money or personal achievements will get them through with God.

It doesn’t work that way. Just as Jesus emptied Himself of all divine power in order to meet with us, so we have to empty ourselves of every form of self-righteousness in order to meet with Him.

As the old hymn says, “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling.”

Prayer

Thank you Jesus for dying in my place. Amen.

Scripture

“From the time John the Baptist started preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent men are attacking it.”

Observation

John the Baptist hears in prison about all the things the Messiah is doing. He sends messengers to ask Jesus, “Are you the One?” Jesus replies, “Tell him what you have seen and heard.”

Jesus then asks the crowd what they thought John would be like. He is the one predicted by the Scriptures- the voice of one in the wilderness preparing the way for the Messiah.

Of all who have ever lived before that time, none was greater than John. But the least in the Kingdom is greater than John. The kingdom is advancing forcefully and violent men are attacking it.

Application

God’s kingdom seems like nothing important until you look closely. Consisting mainly of ordinary people living out their daily lives, it is constantly advancing.

It is like a tree that seems weak, but over time the tree can undermine and destroy a great building.

We think the church in the West is weak, and it certainly seems that way. Yet in other places, the church is growing and overcoming those who oppose it. In China, huge numbers are coming to Christ, threatening the might of the Chinese Communist Party.

The church grows, the kingdom grows, as individuals share their love for the Saviour with their friends.

This threatens the violent power- hungry people. They seek to destroy God’s kingdom, but this is impossible.

The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us. Nothing can destroy that power.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the immense privilege of being in your Kingdom. Show me today how I can best live for you. Amen.

Scripture

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the One who can kill both body and soul in hell.”

Observation

Jesus tells us not to be afraid of people. We are to proclaim from the rooftops that which He whispers in our ears.

We must not fear people for they can only destroy our body. Rather, we must fear God who can destroy both body and soul in hell.

Whoever acknowledges Jesus before men He will acknowledge before the Father. Whoever disowns Jesus before men He will disown before the Father.

Application

We should not be afraid of people. They can only end our mortal life. They have no power over our immortal soul and our eternal life.

Many christians are paralysed by fear of rejection. They will not talk to their unbelieving friends because they are afraid of their reaction.

In many countries, it is potentially deadly to be identified as a christian. Persecution from government or village leaders, or family members can result in isolation, imprisonment, or death.

The cost of following Jesus is very real.

The cost of not following Jesus is far greater, because it costs us our salvation.

Better to suffer a little while at the hands of people than to suffer for eternity.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you warn us to not fear people. Please help me to entrust everything to you so that fear has no hold over me. Amen.

Scripture

“When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking – it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

Observation

Jesus sends His followers out like sheep among wolves. They will need to be shrewd like snakes and as gentle as doves.

They will be handed over to courts and flogged. But this will be an opportunity to tell the rulers about Jesus. They should not worry about what to say because God will tell them the words to speak.

Family members will betray them, and nations will hate them. Everyone who endures to the end will be saved.

Application

Persecution is always a possibility for christians. Even in the relatively benign Christendom cultures, we see a growing seizure of power by governments and the use of that power against people who question the prevailing ideology.

Covid has been the perfect opportunity for politicians to offer “salvation” to terrified voters. Lockdowns and border restrictions once considered unthinkable became reality.

Pastors who refused to abide by restrictions that forbade church meetings but allowed casinos to operate, found themselves before courts and even imprisoned.

In all of this, we do not have to be anxious about how we will conduct ourselves in court. A trial is a great opportunity to speak of Jesus. Prison ministry can be very rewarding.

When we are under pressure from state, employers or neighbours, we can be sure that the Holy Spirit will speak through us. We can be sure also that the Lord will direct our paths, even through unpleasant trials.

Prayer

Thank you Father for the assurance that you will never leave me. I pray for my nation Lord- please send revival so that every knee will bow before you. Amen.

Scripture

“Go and announce to them that the kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, cure those with leprosy, raise the dead, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received.

Observation

Jesus chooses the twelve apostles and the sends them out to the people of Israel. They are to announce the good news, heal the sick and raise the dead.

The apostles are not to take any money, but to rely on the hospitality of people in the various towns they visit. If anyone refuses to welcome them, they are to shake the dust from their feet as they leave.

Application

Our task as disciples of Jesus is not complicated. Firstly, we are to tell people that the kingdom of God is here. That means that people should turn away from their selfish ways of living and submit to the authority of King Jesus.

To back up the claim about Jesus’ reign, we are to heal the sick, raise the dead and cast out demons. In other words, our message needs to be confirmed with miracles.

I read today about a couple who went to a remote village in Africa to translate the Bible into the local language. It was difficult at first because, although they had learned French which was an official language in that country, very few of the local people understood French. After several years of learning how to fit into that village, there was a boy who was suffering a life- threatening illness. There was no medical care available, so the missionary said to the pastor, “We should pray.” As he said the word “pray” the boy opened his eyes. They prayed for him and he was healed immediately.

This is the normal christian life. We need to take hold of the authority given to us in Christ and exercise it to His glory.

Prayer

Lord, teach me how to preach your gospel, heal the sick and raise the dead so that I can serve you effectively. Amen.

Scripture

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.”

Observation

Two blind men call to Jesus, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” Jesus heals them and warns them not to tell anyone, but they spread the news about Him everywhere.

A mute demonised man is brought to Jesus, and He drives the demon out. The crowd is amazed.

Jesus goes throughout Israel preaching the Good news and healing the sick. He looks at the crowds with compassion and tells his disciples they must pray for the Lord to send out his workers into the harvest field.

Application

There are so many people who are desperate for salvation. The harvest is plentiful.

There was a time when this scripture was applied to what used to be called “the mission field.” Over recent decades we have discovered that it applies here at home also.

In Australia a little under 20% of people attend church at least once a month. This is a fairly low bar to describe what it means to be a christian. Yet about 60% identify as “christian” in the census.

The harvest is plentiful, even if we start a the easy place of sharing with the huge number of people who claim to be christian but don’t ever go to church and are not living in the Way of the Lord.

Jesus tells us to pray. We are not necessarily all called to be evangelists, but we all called to pray for the Lord to release workers into the harvest field.

Jesus also tells us to make disciples. We must share the gospel with our friends and family members. The people closest to us can judge whether the God stuff works in our lives.

We are not responsible for results, just to pray and witness.

Prayer

Father, please send your workers out into the harvest field. Show me who to talk to about you and how to do this. May the harvest be great. Amen.

Scripture

“No one puts new wine into an old wine skin. For the old skin would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skin. New wine is stored in new wine skins so that both are preserved.”

Observation

Some disciples of John the Baptist ask Jesus why His disciples don’t fast like they and the disciples of the Pharisees do. Jesus replies that this is a wedding feast and not a time for fasting. It is time for new wine and new wine skins, so the old seasons are passing away.

The leader of a synagogue comes and pleads with Jesus to raise his daughter who has just died. As Jesus is going to his house, a woman who has suffered prolonged bleeding comes and touches the hem of his garment. Instantly, she is healed.

At the synagogue leader’s house, Jesus removes the mourners. He then takes the girl by the hand and she stands up alive.

Application

The kingdom of God is a new age, a new era. The new wine, representing the Holy Spirit, is poured out on all who will receive it.

To contain this new wine, a new wine skin has been created. It is called the church.

The people of the Holy Spirit, the followers of Jesus, are birthed into a new way of living, a new way of relating to the Father that was not available in the old ways.

Religious practices such as prayer and fasting are repurposed. In the old age, people prayed and fasted to impress God, but now we pray and fast to draw near to God. Worship was once to a God “out there”, but now it is to the God who is “in here.”

In the past, the Holy Spirit was only available to a few people. But now He is in all of us.

We are the people of the new wine! Drink in all that He wants to give you.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please forgive me for old wine skin thinking. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who gives me new life in all its fullness. Amen.

Scripture

Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for sending a man with such great authority.

Observation

Jesus returns to Capernaum. There, some people bring on a mat a paralysed man. Jesus says to him, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Some of the teachers of the law are upset by this. Jesus says, “I will prove my authority to forgive sins.” He then heals the man.

Everyone is amazed by this, and the people marvel at Jesus’ great authority.

Jesus then sees a tax collector named Matthew whom He calls to follow him. The Pharisees question why Jesus associates with scum like tax collectors. Jesus responds by saying it is the sick people who need a doctor not healthy people.

Application

The question of authority seems to have been a big issue for some people. They were often questioning where Jesus got His authority from, whether it was authority to heal or teach or to forgive sins.

All human authority comes ultimately from God, whether we recognise it or not. He is the one who puts governmental rulers and spiritual leaders in place.

As christians, we have authority over the evil spirits, authority to heal and perform miracles, authority to preach the gospel. This authority flows from God and is dependent on us remaining in close relationship to God.

We need to be under proper authority in order to exercise authority.

Prayer

Lord, please show me how to walk in the authority you have given me. Amen.