Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit."
TO PONDER
Do you ever stop to marvel at these words of Jesus? "As the Father has sent me, Now I am sending you."
It really is quite a profound statement, especially when you put it alongside other things that Jesus said to his disciples. Things like, "those who believe in me will do the works I have been doing and they will do even greater things that these." (John 14:12).
In yesterday's text we heard Jesus say he had been sent and anointed with the Spirit of God to proclaim good news to the poor, bring recovery of sight to the blind, proclaim freedom to the captives and release for the prisoner. If that is how the Father sent him, then that is how Jesus is now sending you.
Just sit with that for a moment, God sent Jesus to do all that, and now Jesus is sending you to do the same and even greater things.
Now think about this, Jesus also said, "I have come so that they may have life in all it's fulness" (John 10:10). Now he sends you so that others may have life in all it's fullness.
Try this one, "For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him." (John 3:17). Now Jesus is sending you into the world, not to judge and condemn it, but to save it through you.
Think about it too hard or too long and it becomes an overwhelming burden. However, Corrie Ten Boom put it like this."Trying to do the Lord's work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you."
Don't exhaust yourself trying to make these things happen, but just as importantly, don't exhaust yourself trying to resist the ministry of Jesus from flowing out of you, both are an exercise in exhaustion and futility. Instead just look for what God is doing in you and around you, expect to see God do things as you follow the leading of his Holy Spirit. after all, it's what Jesus said would happen. So just trust him and expect to see him do things through you.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you that you have given me the Holy Spirit to help me continue the work that you started.Please help me to grow in my faith and trust that whatever tasks you have for me to do, you have empowered and equipped me with your Spirit to see it through. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him [Jesus]. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
TO PONDER
I think I'm sometimes guilty of thinking of Jesus as a "one trick pony". I mean really Jesus is all about his death and resurrection isn't he???
Maybe there is an element of that kind of thinking that has some truth to it. After all, the freedom that he's talking about in this reading, and the blindness, and the good news, are all somewhat brought about by his death and resurrection so there is that.
But is the freedom here only talking about spiritual freedom from sin? I know multiple people who would say that Jesus has freed them from slavery to various addictions. Is recovery of sight for the blind just talking about spiritual blindness? Didn't Jesus literally heal of heir physical blindness also? I don't know any formerly blind people who have been healed like that, but I certainly know various people who say Jesus has miraculously healed other physical illnesses and ailments.
In today's reading, Jesus says that, "the Holy Spirit is upon him because he has anointed me to..." the Holy Spirit was upon Jesus to help him do all the works that the Father had sent him to do. Whether we talk about Jesus or the Holy Spirit, it's pretty clear that what the Holy Spirit is not a one trick pony. He does not just call us to faith in Christ for our own salvation, but He also remains with us to equip and empower us to do all the works that God has planned in advance for us to do. Maybe that is to heal the sick and deliver the captives in very literal, practical and miraculous ways. Maybe it is also more simply to enable you to love as Jesus did, forgive those who persecute you, and proclaim the goodness of of God to others.
Whatever it is, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you because he has anointed you to...?
PRAYER: Lord God, I know you have made me for yourself and that you have plans for me and things that you have in mind specifically for me to do, to build your kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. Please help me to notice and follow the leading of your Spirit so that I may go where you call me to go, love whom you call me to love, and serve who you call me to serve, in Jesus name, Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
TO PONDER
I am very tempted to leave this verse of the day as just the verse alone and the recommendation to read it again and again but I will not but really read the verse a bunch more times, I will pause here…
Did you know that God does't only 'not condemn' us but as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12), God’s forgiveness is aggressive (Romans 5:20 MSG) as in; the greater and farther we fall, the greater the forgiveness (it’s right there in Romans 5).
Grace is, after all, forgiveness to the power of eternity through/in Jesus.
When you get the chance Google (yes it is indeed a verb) the story of the song “Amazing Grace”! It’s a tearjerker.
PRAYER: Loving Saviour, I give you praise for your amazing grace that you lavish on me, I once again ask for your help to show your aggressive forgiveness to everyone around me. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Dany Brock, LifeWay Westside
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
TO PONDER
Have you ever wondered; “Why am I not experiencing the overflowing life Jesus talked about in John 10:10?" Well, I have. So, even if no one else reading this has, I’ll just continue as if I’m not alone in asking this question…
Today’s verse opens with “He has saved us and called us "to” (italics added) which indicates action required by Timothy, and by extension us. This action is a result/response to what he has already accomplished for us.
The required action in response to what Jesus already accomplished for us, is to live “a holy life”, even when suffering, especially suffering for our faith. And we can do that, not just because the Apostle Paul tells us to in this letter to Timothy, but because Jesus has already accomplished the 'holy life' for us.
Not being a seminary trained scholar like Pastor Mat, I tend to try to dumb things down to its simplest form and so here I tend to read “live a whole(y) life”, a complete life, an undivided life, an overflowing life even while suffering, made available by the 'holy' life of Christ who now covers us in his Righteousness and holiness.
That's the good news, that the whole(y) life is available to us “because of his own purpose and grace”, the grace that was given to us “before the beginning of time”.
The whole(y) life, or the John 10:10 life, is not a reward to be earned but a life to walk in, through faith and by grace.
Remember, grace is getting what you don’t deserve so start living out your whole(y) life today.
PRAYER: Loving Saviour, I thank you for your amazing grace and the life that is afforded to me by grace, help me to walk daily in that life by saying yes and amen to you and your commands. Amen
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, Life Westside
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
TO PONDER
One of the first times I drove a car I was in a friends car. The car owner sat in the passenger seat as another friend sat in the back, both giving me support, encouragement, and helpful instruction.
The impromptu lesson was going very well up until the brake and accelerator got confused as I carefully steered the vehicle around a corner and the confused pedals caused the car to jump the gutter and forced an innocent “No Standing” road sign not to stand.
Now, for the learned lesson from that experience, I never paid for the damage caused to my friend’s car (fairly minimal) but somebody did.
Today’s verse reminds us that there is a cost, a price to be paid for our sin -the wrong that we do- and that price has to be paid.
In my many conversations with people this topic often comes up, “If God truly is a loving God, why doesn’t he just forgive everyone?” and in those conversations I use the above driving experience.
Everything we do has a price, a cost to be paid, and somebody pays that price. Whether good, bad, or non-consequential (if there is such a thing) it costs someone, when we do something nice for a friend/stranger, at minimum, it costs you time and energy, when we respond in anger to a family member damage has been done and somebody needs to bare that cost.
Today’s verse tells us that Jesus bares the cost we owe, he paid the price of our sin, by grace (gift) so we don’t have to pay the price of death (there is a lot more to say here but we don’t have the time or space in this post).
My friend, the owner of the car, paid to fix the damage I was responsible for, the damage I created, the damage that was a result of my actions. That's what Jesus does for you.
PRAYER: Forgiving God, Thanks for paying the price of my wrongdoing, the cost I owed, the debt I was unable to pay because you love me. Help me share the grace you freely have given me to others. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
TO PONDER
In yesterday’s post I talked about becoming a Canadian Citizen after 16 years of living in Canada as a Non-Citizen, an Alien.
Living for years in a country which is not your own you are constantly reminded of your non-belonging, your foreignness when even ordering a Coke at a drive through was usually fraught with the wrong beverage (usually a Sprite) let alone when the Canadian National Anthem was played… should I stand, sing along (I usually chose discomfort and embarrassment).
After April Fools’ Day 2014 (read yesterday’s post) I would look for opportunities to proudly stand singing along loudly, with a heavy Australian accent, “Oh Canada” when the Canadian National Anthem was sang because I finally belonged, I was a Canadian too.
Today’s verse reminds us that we do belong, we are new persons, our identity has changed, we belong to Christ, our old identity has gone because we belong to Christ.
This is where my story of becoming a Canadian Citizen form yesterday breaks down due to on April Fools’ Day 2014 my identity wasn’t changed but rather added to, as I retained my Australian Citizenship and became a Canadian Citizen at the same time (dual citizenship).
Once we belong to Christ we renounce our previous “belonging”, we can not have dual citizenship to the two separate kingdoms of the world and of God.
John, the best mate of Jesus says we now line “in” the old kingdom (world) but we are not “of” that kingdom because we now belong to God’s Kingdom (John 17:11-15).
Today’s verses lead us to one question, are we still living as citizens of both kingdoms?
PRAYER:
Abba Father, I thank you that you have made me a new person, you have changed my identity, help me live as a good ambassador for your Kingdom while still living in this now foreign kingdom of the world. Amen
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
TO PONDER
When I moved to Canada in 1997 I did it as a born and bred Australian Citizen, with all the rights and privileges afforded to me by my Australian Birth Certificate and passport, after a certain amount of time, money and lots of paperwork I was approved for the status of a card carrying “Permanent Resident” allowing me most of the rights of a Canadian but there were strict laws I was required to abide with to keep that status.
After 16 years of living in the oft’ frozen land of Maple Syrup and polar bears, I was granted Canadian Citizenship on the 1st of April 2014 as I swore allegiance to the “True North strong and free” Canada and reaffirmed my allegiance to the Queen.
My identity was changed on April Fools’ Day 2014 and I have the Canadian Citizenship Certificate and passport to prove it, with full rights and privileges of my new Country.
Today’s verses remind us that we now have a new identity because of Jesus, we now have the full rights and privileges of God’s children, we are fully accepted citizens of His Kingdom. Our Citizenship Certificate is the death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection, our passport, proof to others of that citizenship, our baptism, and unlike my Canadian citizenship, it cost us nothing.
Within months of becoming Canadian I crossed the border into the U.S. with my obviously heavy un-Canadian bogan accent, proudly dressed as a Canadian clothed in my Canadian Citizenship Certificate allowing me entry as a Canadian by the proof of my Canadian Passport.
PRAYER: Almighty God, I thank you for my citizenship in your Kingdom through the death and resurrection of the Son, help me share the message of that Kingdom to others. Amen
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside
Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, (MSG)
TO PONDER
At the time of writing there are only 2 days until Christmas day, the presents have been placed under the tree and, excitement is in the air.
Even though both our boys no longer have the childhood excitement of Christmas, everyone in our house is expectantly dreaming about what “brand-new” bounties could be hidden, encased in those presents.
That smell of “brand-new” can trigger memories of Christmas past and long forgotten gifts. That smell even has the honour of an extra title, “brand” as in its not just new but it is a special new, dare I say, newer than new, it’s “brand-new”.
Adding the word “brand” to the already adequate word, “new” seems to imply a special kind of imbued amazingness to the subject, extra awe in its newness?
Today’s verses can be lost in familiarity, in Christianese (church language), so deserved to be read in a translation of the Bible like the Message, or the Amplified Bible, which can shock us out of that familiarity.
In the Message the usual word used, redemption, which most other translations use isn’t even mentioned, instead Eugene Peterson and team chose to use the word “free” and even added one of those “extra” words to an already adequate word by adding “Abundantly” to free.
We are not just free in the normal way, in the regular way but we are “abundantly-free” because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. We are extra free, overflowing free, Jesus free.
PRAYER: Saviour Jesus, I thank you for providing me with your abundant freedom from sin and death, I am no longer a prisoner of guilt and regret but walk in your abundant freedom because you paid the price and redeemed me. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
TO PONDER
When I played soccer in high school, I played for our town's local team. We were not very good. Many of the other teams in our local competition were run by local ethnic clubs in the district, clubs like the Croatian club, the Italian club, generally European countries who take soccer very seriously. So, each week, we would travel to whichever local soccer field was hosting the games for that week and prepare to lose, and prepare to lose big. I'm not sure why I kept playing to be honest, it wasn't a good feeling.
Then one week it happened. We won a game. You cannot imagine the elation of our entire team. It didn't matter that the opposition were the only other team in the comp not to have won a game, we had done it and I don' think I've ever heard a louder sound of car horns going off at any country sport event ever. Every car that had driven to this game from my hometown of Portland, Victoria blew it's horn and celebrated our victory with us.
Sometimes it's easy to believe that we are on the losing team in this life. Christians are not respected like they used to be, we don't have the same kind of influence in society as we might have had in the past. Many people these days don't see what Christianity has to offer and as a result, tend to think of Christians as weak minded or ignorant folk who just refuse to keep up with the times.
But we know victory is on the way. the battles in this life may be hard to fight, but Jesus has won for us the ultimate victory, the one that really counts. To borrow again from the world of sport; it's like Jesus has won four Cricket test matches for us in a five game series, and while we still have to play the final game, the result doesn't matter because the outcome is assured, Jesus is the victor and he will be exalted.
So even if you feel like you are constantly losing you can relax knowing that in the end, Jesus has you covered. Rest and rely on him to get you through.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you that you invite me to share in your victory. Thank you that even when it feel like I'm struggling to get any runs on the board or to kick any goals in life, that you have won the victors crown and I can rest knowing that your victory is also mine and that when you come to earth again, you will settle things once and for all and I will find myself at your victory feast. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle