But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
TO PONDER
I was talking to someone recently about God’s judgement and he liked the idea of the ancient Egyptians where the deceased's heart was weighed against the feather of Ma'at by Anubis to determine passage to the afterlife. I guess we are conditioned by our society that there is a pass mark for us to be accepted by God.
Jesus needed us to understand that the pass mark set by God was so high that we humans could never achieve it. To help us understand this, he often gave us examples of His pass mark. Earlier in this chapter of Matthew, Jesus gives examples of his standards with respect to hatred, lust, deception and revenge; and then this one on relationships with people we don’t get along with or who are hurting us.
Jesus’ aim here was not to get us to try harder, because He knew - as we slowly learn as we experience life - that trying harder often only leads to failure and guilt and discouragement and finally defeat.
Jesus wants us first of all to accept that we cannot meet His standards by our own efforts. He has already met His own infinitely high standards when he lived here on earth, and He has attributed that perfection to us. So, now, we can stop trying.
What!? I can stop trying to be good and live by God’s standards. Yes! However, God does still want us to be shining lights of His love and commitment to all people. So, how do we resolve this apparent conundrum. God’s answer is surrender; surrender into God’s vision and plan for our lives. God’s plans for our lives are far more rewarding than anything that we might think up. We don’t know the future and we cannot plan for what challenges we might meet. But God does know the future and wants us to first experience the excitement of being part of the Heavenly family consisting of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and be involved in the family business.
And He provides the training that we need to be able to do what he asks us – through Holy Spirit living in us. It is a gradual process, first in the surrender part, because we cannot really surrender to God until we grow in trusting His love and goodness and commitment to us.
What I have found helpful is to talk to God about my fears, failures and lack of faith, fully acknowledging them, and then handing them over to God to change me through the working of Holy Spirit in my life. And also, not to stress about my failures. I know that Jesus has already dealt with my failures, but for some reason, I find it hard to let go of them. It is all part of growing into surrendering my life and future to my loving Heavenly Family.
Prayer: Heavenly Family, thank You that You have a plan and purpose for my life, and thank You for the way You are working in my life to grow me into the person you want me to be. I surrender all I am and have into Your plans for me, knowing that I will regularly grab back control of parts of my life out of fear and mistrust in Your love for me. Thank You that You are not offended by this and will keep loving and growing me. Amen
Today's devotion written by Charles Bertelsmeier, LifeWay Epping
But in your hearts set Christ apart as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
TO PONDER
I can really relate to this verse because on two occasions when I have been discussing my faith with an interested person, I have been asked to do just that. My initial reaction was, ‘hasn’t she been listening’, then the realisation dawned that I probably hadn’t made myself clear.
We all want to be accurate and truthful when sharing our faith, but it is easy to forget we are talking to someone only taking baby steps on their faith walk, and how we react to their questions is very important to continue building a positive relationship.
While we need to be confident, we also need to be humble, reflecting Jesus’ nature as we share our personal story of hope in Jesus, making sure that this is our personal story, not made up or second-hand.
Sometimes we can meet angry responses to our message, other times our conversation can be the last step someone someone takes into a long term life of following Jesus and it seems to come out of nowhere. This is more reason to remain calm and gently respond the someones questions and not just revert to a laundry list of pre-prepares responses and doctrinal statements. We have been given a chance to share our hope in Jesus, we don’t want to lose it!! When we ask God to walk beside us on this journey, we can be sure of his help if things get tricky.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you have made sure that we are well equipped to share our story of our hope in you with others, may we remember that this could be a new experience for our listener and gently answer their questions or correct a mis- understanding, May you always walk with us on this journey. Amen
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth
TO PONDER
The disciples must have been a bit nonplussed - for forty days Jesus had been teaching them and then with this message about the Holy Spirit he ascended into Heaven. The Holy Spirit would give them power, not physical power but abilities they did not have, the Hoy Spirit was to work through them.
Likewise, the Holy Spirit works through us, when in faith, we ask for His help; help to be effective witnesses to God’s power, His love and His grace. As Jesus' disciples today, we face opposition and scepticism and this can be off putting but we have that power and Jesus’ promise ‘you will be my witnesses’. Perhaps we need to be bolstered in courage, maybe we need to grow in wisdom, perhaps we need help addressing our assumptions and attitudes towards others to continue to be effective workers in bringing lost people to faith. Help to do this is only a prayer away, and Jesus promises that those who ask shall receive.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you have taught us through your word and actions and now by the gift of the Holy Spirit how to be your effective witnesses of God’ love and grace in a tired and lost world that lacks hope. Please help me to cherish this task you have given and seek your help when it seems too hard. Amen
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion “Your God reigns!”
TO PONDER
Isaiah used these words when prophesying Israel’s release from captivity. There is a sense of urgency in those words making them very applicable in today’s unsettled world. People want relief from everyday issues, to be free of worry. Our ‘feet’ need to be swift to overcome whatever stands in the way of telling people who are in dark places that our God reigns supreme. They need to know the Good News of God’s Son who lived and died that we might have salvation from our sins, finding peace in our freedom. We are not guaranteed that our lives will be free of worry or hardships and that needs to be part of our message, but we can always take our troubles to God in prayer. Maybe that would lead us into a conversation about prayer and it becomes clear how easy it is to build a growing relationship if our faith is like those beautiful feet. While feet can move swiftly sometimes, they also need to slow down at times, so the message is given clearly and understood rightly and it can bring the peace that ‘surpasses all understanding’
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to be visible and find those who are thirsty for peace and hope in their lives. Forgive me, when in my hurry, I rush and miss those precious opportunities to share the good news of Your love and forgiveness. Amen
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle
How, then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
TO PONDER
These verses serve as a bridge from yesterday’s text, how can we, believers in 2026, do what is necessary to share our faith with those who are lost and searching for hope? We have long since ditched the idea of "if you build it, they will come" - we see that this isn't working. No, we need to actively search among our acquaintances, in our workplaces, our general daily activities, and act as ambassadors for Christ.
We don’t just verbally share our faith, but, as beautiful feet suggest, small acts of kindness, speaking to the lonely, helping the poor, just ‘being there’ are a great witness to our faith and witness to God’s goodness. Those beautiful feet also bring news that faith brings freedom from the captivity of sin. We need to remember that we do have a helper, the Holy Spirit. When we flounder and feel out of our depth, Holy Spirit gives us the words and can use even our feeble, but faithful, efforts to grow and nurture faith in others.
How might God be wanting to use your feet to bring good news today?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we live in a world burdened by sin, and many people are without hope. Yet you have given us your Holy Word, your faithful promises of life and forgiveness in Christ, and Jesus’ example of how to express and live out our faith so that your goodness shines as a beacon of hope. Please help me to do that today so that you may be glorified. Amen
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden
TO PONDER
You know the feeling of confusion when there is a sudden blackout. You wait a few seconds in case the lights come on, but then you grope your way to where the torches are kept, you trip and stub your toe, crack your hip on a table, for a little while you are lost and it’s painful!
Today Jesus is telling his disciples that there are lost, lonely people without hope in the world, groping and stumbling about - being hurt in the process - but we are to be as the moon reflects the sun’s light and reflect Jesus’ love and light into the lives of these people. To walk beside them, listen to their stories, put a comforting arm around them, give them hope for the future. When our words and actions mirror Jesus’ teaching, they are noticed and are like a beacon to others not to hide their faith but let it shine so that God can be glorified.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I give thanks that you came to earth to spread the Good News of your Father’s love and taught us how to live our lives serving others. May I always be aware of those who are lonely and without hope and serve them with love and compassion and bring your light and love into their lives. Amen`
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle
... Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
TO PONDER
We all know these words are part of the Great Commission, that baptism is more than a sign, it is how the Holy Spirit produces faith, which is a gift of God - but how do we, as Jesus’ disciples, go about this today?
When we meet someone who is wanting to learn more about God, I think gentle questioning is a good start, and to then base any teaching on peoples responses. Do your teaching verbally and in dialogue with others so that questions can be answered as the person learns and reflects on what you tell them in real time. Baptism is the public confession of faith and accepting Jesus as Saviour and Lord, it is a precious Sacrament. Sometimes baptism marks the beginning of that journey of following Jesus, other times it is a marker somewhere along the way when a person formally recognises that they have been called by Jesus ad following him for quite some time.
But who this 'someone'? How do we meet them an begin a conversation with them? By the way we live out our faith, show love to the un-loved, be ready to help when needed, to give care and comfort to those in need, like in yesterday’s verse you become a beacon, a light in the darkness that draws people to itself.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I thank you for the gift of baptism and the Holy Spirit who grew faith in me. Give me strength and courage to go boldly and teach others that they may come to know you and seek all that you have won for them, through Jesus Christ your Son. Amen
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for nothing except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
TO PONDER:
Salt is important in our diet, in fact we are wired to crave salt to ensure we get enough. It adds flavour and is also an excellent preservative.
I recall my brother and I experimenting after a Sunday school lesson by dampening some salt, it didn’t take long for the crystals to disappear into a powdery mess. Matthew records Jesus’ words following Jesus speaking the Beatitudes and blessing his disciples. Jesus wants his disciples to speak the truth into a world that’s tired and lost its way. We do that by living a life showing care, help, and consideration to those we meet, to be ready to share our story of God’s love and forgiveness. BUT we need to be watchful that we do not drift from Jesus and his love because then we will become ineffective, and it will be very difficult to regain that ground.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, Your word has provided me with so many instances where I can tell those who are lost and looking for direction, about your love. May I never forget to call on you for help so that I can be an effective disciple. Amen
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
TO PONDER:
I can’t read today’s verse without thinking “Blessed are the cheesemakers…” from a Monty Python movie released way back in 1979, a movie I was banned from watching by the church I was part of. Now, in the church’s defence it was a controversial film, it was banned in Ireland for being “blasphemous”, which it kind-of is.
In the comedy, a group of people were listening to Jesus as he was delivering the Sermon on the Mount. Being too far back, the group of random people ended up exchanging insults and eventually blows because they misheard the teaching of Jesus.
The whole Sermon on the Mount was shocking in content, controversial in its challenging of the status quo, and was considered to be blasphemous to the religious and non-religious alike. Jesus’s own people were living under occupation of a conquering military force, waiting for the Messiah to arrive in power and might to overthrow the invaders, and then the Messiah arrived preaching things like “peacemakers”, extreme forgiveness, and loving your enemies.
The way of Jesus continues to offend today for the very same reasons as it did in the Monty Python movie and 2000 years ago because Jesus came as a peacemaker to restore relationship with God and humanity, to destroy religion and replace it with grace.
Religion focuses on 'doing' while grace focuses on what's already 'done'! Religion is man’s attempt to reach God, grace is Jesus coming to earth to reconcile the earth with the creator, and when he took his last breath on the cross he exhaled it with the words, “It is done!”
We are blessed when we continue in sharing the “done” with everyone we come into contact with, when we are carriers of God’s grace and his ambassadors of reconciliation.
PRAYER: Jesus, God of grace, Thank you for those last words on the cross when with your last breath you said “it is done” bringing an end to the doing of religion and ushering in the done, the enabling of my relationship with you. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay WestSide