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In Luke 15, Jesus tells three parables in response to a complaint. The religious leaders grumble because He welcomes sinners and eats with them. Jesus uses pictures of a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son to make His point.

The first two parables tell of a God who rejoices when the lost are found. Then Jesus introduces the story we often call the Parable of the Prodigal Son. When we see who Jesus is talking to, we realise that the real focus is not on the younger brother’s recklessness, but the father’s heart, and the older brother’s self-righteous anger.

Continue reading “Joining the Father’s joy-filled feast”

In Gospel of Luke 13, Jesus does something unsettling with tragic news.

Some in the crowd report a horrific event. Galileans have been killed by Pontius Pilate, their blood mingled with their sacrifices. It is brutal. It is disturbing. It travels quickly through the grapevine, as bad news always does. We know how that feels. A taxi accident. A tower collapse. A local tragedy in our own town. Shock. Sadness. Sympathy.

We instinctively look outward. Jesus turns the lens inward.

Continue reading “The mercy of borrowed time”

Imagine setting out a lavish picnic while sirens wail and bombs fall overhead. Fine china. Silver cutlery. Champagne poured carefully. It would be absurd — not because food is wrong, but because the context makes the feast foolish.

In Gospel of Luke 12, Jesus tells a story about a man who does something just as irrational.

Continue reading “Folly, Fear, and the Father’s Generous Love”

There are few things more discouraging to a Christian than prayers that seem to go unanswered.

In Luke 11:5–13, Jesus tells an interesting parable. A man goes to his friend in the middle of the night to ask for bread because a traveller has arrived and he wants to show hospitality.

Through this parable, Jesus teaches persistence in prayer. He shows that God sometimes does not answer even legitimate requests from sincere hearts immediately.

Why would that be?

Here is a story that helps us wrestle with that difficult question.

Continue reading “The puzzle of unanswered prayer”

A summary of Sunday’s sermon

The parable of the good Samaritan is one of Jesus’ best-known stories, yet its familiarity can blunt its edge. It is not a sentimental lesson about kindness, nor a simple call to help strangers. It is a sharp exposure of the human heart, a challenge to self-righteousness, and a powerful declaration of the love of God that alone makes true love possible.

The scene begins with a lawyer, an expert in the Law of Moses, standing up to test Jesus. His question is weighty: “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Beneath the theology lies a universal longing. We know we are dying, yet we sense we were made for more. We long for life as God intended it to be.

Continue reading “Perfect love, impossible law, unexpected grace”

All our groceries have sell-by-dates or expiry dates.

So much of our thinking comes from our consumerist way of seeing the world. This mindset can creep into our view of people as well. Even if it’s unintentional, we think of people as having a “best-before” date—a date after which people no longer play a useful role in our lives and in the church.

Continue reading “Our “veterans” are indispensable”

One of the most striking moments in Scripture is found in John 8, where Jesus encounters the woman caught in adultery. The religious leaders brought her before Him, ready to condemn her according to the law. Their eyes were fixed on justice, yet Jesus responded in a way that challenges us even today: He upheld the law and called sin to account, but He did so without crushing the sinner. He said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). One by one, the crowd left. He did not excuse her sin—His command was clear: “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11). In this moment, Jesus prevented her immediate execution while calling her to a changed life. Mercy and truth, love and correction, were held together in perfect balance.

We must admit that we often struggle to achieve this balance.

Continue reading “Mercy and Truth: Balancing Love and Correction”

A Simple Guide to Slowing Down with Scripture

Hurried “quiet times” leave Christians unfulfilled, other than having ticked off another activity on their daily to-do list. Is there not a better way to approach Bible reading?

Continue reading “Don’t Just Read the Bible—Encounter God”

In 1919, Edward Shillito — a poet and World War I chaplain — wrote the poem below in response to the horrors he had witnessed. It is not a philosophical answer to the trauma and suffering of broken people, but rather, the reality of the hope found in a Messiah who associates with our suffering.

Jesus of the Scars

Continue reading “Jesus of the Scars”

We’ve all been there — that awkward moment when you ask a brother or sister, “How are you doing?” and get a polite but vague, “I’m fine.” But real discipleship goes deeper.

Being quick to hear and slow to speak is essential in discipling someone. Walking with someone and helping them grow requires understanding. And understanding what’s going on in the heart and mind of a dear brother or sister is the gateway to truly helping them.

Continue reading “Deeper Than “How Are You?” — Asking Better Questions in Discipleship”