Scripture

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Observation

A man in the crowd asks Jesus to tell his brother to share his inheritance with him. Jesus uses this opportunity to talk about greed.

He tells the story of a man whose land produces a bumper crop. He starts to plan how to store it all up and prepare for retirement. But God says tonight he will die and all will be lost to him.

Application

People invest their time and energy into gathering more and more possessions. There is often a tendency in many places to judge people by their monetary wealth.

People are more than their possessions.

Sometimes we naively think that a better paying job or a lottery win will fix out problems. But really this is generally not true.

In pursuing wealth it is easy to take risks that lead us into bondage of ever increasing debt. A thriving business may fall apart suddenly because its owner borrows too much to grow too quickly, and the slightest down turn in the economy pulls it all down. Home owners borrow too much and cannot make the repayments.

Possessions do not define us. Our relationships do.

Our relationship with God is the most important thing. We were created for friendship with our creator. Anyone who tries to live without God lives a broken life.

Our relationship with family is also important. Those closest to us should build us up and encourage us, strengthening us for the daily battles of life. In the same way, we need to give ourselves to our families.

The relationships that many people miss in our self-centred lives are those with community- our neighbours and our christian brothers and sisters. Everyone is looking to belong in a community, but many do not realise it.

Prayer

Thank you, Father, for showing me that possessions are far less important than my relationship with you and with the people around me. Help me to build closer ties with you and with my family and friends. Amen.

Scripture

The Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details. There is only one thing worth becoming concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Observation

Jesus and his disciples are travelling to Jerusalem. They come to the home of Mary and Martha. Martha is distracted by the dinner she is preparing while Mary sits at the Lord’s feet listening to His teaching.

Martha complains to Jesus about her sister, but He tells her Mary has chosen the better thing.

Application

Preparing food for thirteen people (plus all the extras) would have been a big thing then- no take away pizzas were available! In that culture, as in many places today, it was expected that you would put on a good meal for visitors, especially for someone as famous as Jesus.

Martha slaves away, preparing the food and fuming at her sister who has not lifted a finger to help.

Jesus tells Martha she has missed the point. Food is important, but not as important as eternal life. Honouring Jesus with food is good, but not when you are focusing on the failures of others.

The question not asked here is “What motivates you?”

Do I do things because it is expected of me, and people will judge me if I don’t do things according to their priorities?

Do I love Jesus with my words and actions while harbouring resentment or pride in my heart?

Jesus looks at our heart to see the true motivations that drive us. In that sense, we all need to spend more time with Jesus, letting His words transform out hearts.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I confess that many of the things I do “for you” have mixed motives. Forgive me for those times when I serve you from self interest. Help me to seek you for who you are and not for what I get from being seen to serve you. Amen.

Scripture

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbour?”

Observation

An expert in the Jewish law asks Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus asks him what the law says, and he replies that it is to love God and to love our neighbour.

To justify himself, the man asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbour?” In response, Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan.

Application

We always want to justify ourselves. We always want to look good to others and to God.

The law is too hard to keep. God’s standard of righteousness is too hard to match. To cover our guilt we make excuses that seem to justify our actions.

We can never make ourselves right under the law.

Even if we could fulfil every letter of God’s law and live a perfect life, it would still not be enough.

A religious approach to life will always disappoint us and God. We can never be good enough for Him by our own efforts alone.

In Christ we do not have to live up to expectations that are too high.

In Christ we are already accepted by God. The sin is washed away in His blood. Better still, He gives us the grace to be “good.” And when we fail, He keeps on forgiving.

Acceptance comes first, and then the ability to live a life that is acceptable. God does not want performance form us. He wants love.

When I was saved, the love of God flooded into my heart. My response was, “God loves me so much; how can I love Him in return?”

I don’t worry about sin or about being good enough. No, I seek to serve my Father and to let Him correct my actions and attitudes. Much better to have a loving coach than to just read the rule book!

In Jesus there is no need to feel guilty abut our sins. There is no need to justify ourselves when we fall.

God’s love covers it all.

Prayer

Thank you Jesus for paying the price for my sin. Thank you for showing me what love looks like. Help me to walk in fellowship with you every day, letting your grace transform my heart. Amen.

Scripture

Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So Jesus got into the boat and left.

Observation

Jesus and His disciples sail to the region of the Gerasenes. Jesus is met by a man possessed by a legion of demons who lived amongst the tombs.

As Jesus ministered to this man, the demons begged Him not to be sent into the Abyss. Instead, at their request, He sends them to a nearby herd of pigs.

People come to see what has happened and are amazed to see the man clothed and in his right mind. But they are filled with fear and ask Jesus to leave them. The healed man, though, asks to come with Jesus. But Jesus tells him to stay and tell people about what God has done for him.

Application

Imagine a man so tormented buy many demons that nobody knows what to do with him. Jesus comes and heals him, at the cost of the lives of a herd of pigs.

Instead of rejoicing over a man set free from years of torment, the local people were afraid of the power of Jesus.

To the Jewish person, the loss of a herd of pigs would seem inconsequential. But these were Gentiles, and it was their living that was threatened.

Perhaps the local towns people were themselves demonised, and this was the cause of their fear. in any case, they rejected Jesus. They actually asked him to leave.

When people are confronted with a choice between an immoral lifestyle and salvation, many will choose to continue their lifestyle. This is why the church is hated in so many places.

The healed man remained, and his testimony must have changed some hearts. Perhaps their fear was overcome by love.

Prayer

Lord help me to always put you front and centre in my life priorities. May I never be afraid to follow you. Amen.

Scripture

They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

Observation

It is the day celebrated by the church as Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week and of the events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Jesus sends two disciples ahead with instructions to bring a colt that they will find in the next village. If anyone challenged them, they are to say, “The Lord needs it.”

So they bring the colt, and Jesus mounts it to ride into Jerusalem. The whole crowd of Jesus’ disciples shout praises to Him along the road.

The Pharisees don’t like this so they tell Him to keep His disciples quiet. But Jesus replies, “If they keep quiet the stones will cry out!”

Application

Jesus told His disciples that if anyone queried their taking of the donkey, they were simply to say, “The Lord needs it.”

It is enough for a christian, when faced with a need to say, “The Lord needs it.”

This is not to justify stealing cars in Jesus’ name, just because we are lacking transport.

If the Holy Spirit tells us to meet a need then we should do it without thinking.

This includes:

• our possessions
• our money
• our time
• our energy
• our prayers

Whatever we have that the Lord needs we should give it up instantly.

We like to remember that God provides for us in our times of need. There are many testimonies about God’s provision. Rarely do we recall that God usually uses someone to bless us in those times.

Following Jesus means that He owns us and all that we have. Everything we own- including life itself- is a gift from the Lord anyway.

What is the Lord needing from me today?

Prayer

Holy Spirit, please release generosity in my heart so that when you say, “The Lord needs it,” I respond with joy. Amen.

Scripture

“No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish too.”

Observation

Jesus learns that Pilate has murdered some Galileans as they were offering sacrifices in the Temple. He tells the crowd that they did not die because they were more sinful than others. No, everyone must repent or they too will perish.

He then tells a parable about a barren fig tree. The landowner tells the gardener to cut it down because it is a waste of space. But the gardener suggests they give it another chance. They can leave it in the ground, give it extra attention and more fertiliser, then if it still fails to produce they can cut it down.

Application

A week ago a man entered two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand and went on an evil killing spree that has shocked both New Zealand and its neighbour Australia.

Many things have been said and written, some of them helpful and others not so helpful. Some have demanded tougher gun laws, others have pointed out the hypocrisy of the media that gloss over Islamic terrorism while obsessing over this incident.

Jesus says that it is not important to think about whether any particular group of people is more sinful than others, or who is more worthy of judgement.

We must all repent, every one of us, and turn away from our sins. Otherwise we too will perish.

These events come as warnings to us, reminders that we too will die and face God.

It doesn’t matter whether we are less sinful than others whom we might want to judge. What matters is our own relationship with Jesus.

Turn away from your sins today and ask Jesus to forgive you. Make Him Lord of your life, seeking to follow Him in all you do.

Prayer

Today, Lord, I give up on judging who is the worst sinner. I recognise the sin in my life and I ask you to take it away. I choose to follow Jesus, and I ask for your grace to do that. Amen.

Scripture

As soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Observation

Jesus is preaching on the shore of Galilee. The crowd presses in around Him, so He gets into an empty boat and tells Simon to go out a little way.

After Jesus has finished preaching, He tells Simon to go deeper and let down his nets. When Simon does this, there is such a large catch, he has to call for help to bring it in. There is enough fish to fill two boats.

Jesus tells Simon, James and John to come with Him to catch people instead of fish. So they immediately leave everything to follow Jesus.

Application

It was the right place, the right time, the right thing to do. So they left everything to follow Jesus.

When Jesus calls, it is always right to go with Him. He is never late, always on time- the kairos time, the time of opportunity, the crossroads moment.

A decision “Yes” or “No” in that moment of calling changes the direction of our whole lives.

Not all of us are called to abandon our business and family on a spur of the moment decision. But when the call to take a new direction comes, you know because God has been talking to you for months, maybe years.

The opportune moment comes, or perhaps a crisis, and Jesus says, “Come and follow me.”

I have found in my life that God plants an idea or dream in my heart. I think “Yes. Some day that will happen.” Suddenly “some day” is “this day” and always too soon in my human thinking. But in God’s timing the opportunity, the resources and support from others, all come together and I am persuaded to say “Yes” again to Jesus.

Prayer

Lord I thank you for your invitation to work for you in your Kingdom. Help me to always say “Yes” to your call. Amen.

Scripture

“I baptise you with water, but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am- so much greater that I’m not worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

Observation

People are eagerly expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they begin to ask John the Baptist if he is the one. John says that there is someone coming soon who is much greater, and who will baptise with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

One day, Jesus comes to be baptised by John. The heavens open, the Holy Spirit descends , and a voice from heaven says, “You are my beloved Son, and you bring me great joy.”

Application

The baptism of John was a baptism of repentance from sin. The baptism of Jesus is a baptism into the Holy Spirit and fire.

When we turn from our sins and ask Jesus to take control of our lives, we are immersed, soaked and filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the empowering to live for Christ and in Christ. The Holy Spirit comes with many gifts to enable us to have the power of Christ, and the fruit to give us the character of Christ.

Sometimes the expression of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is delayed. I have no explanation for that. I do know that at conversion we get all of the Holy Spirit.

There is another baptism, a baptism of fire. Fire represents judgement on sin. For those who do not follow Jesus it is a destructive fire. For those who so know Jesus, it is a purifying fire, a fire that burns away all of our sin.

Water baptism is a one-off event that symbolises our death to self and resurrection in Christ. Spirit baptism is a constant process in which we soak continuously in the grace of God.

Prayer

Glorious God, thank you for the baptism in the Spirit and of fire. Soak me and burn away all the chaff from my life so that I can be totally dedicated to you. Amen.