As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1 In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
save me by Your righteousness.
2 Incline Your ear to me;
come quickly to my rescue.
Be my rock of refuge,
the stronghold of my deliverance.

3 For You are my rock and my fortress;
lead me and guide me for the sake of Your name.
4 You free me from the net laid out for me,
for You are my refuge.
5 Into Your hands I commit my spirit;
You have redeemed me, O LORD, God of truth.

6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols,
but in the LORD I trust.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in Your loving devotion,
for You have seen my affliction;
You have known the anguish of my soul.
8 You have not delivered me to the enemy;
You have set my feet in the open.

9 Be merciful to me, O LORD,
for I am in distress;
my eyes fail from sorrow,
my soul and body as well.
10 For my life is consumed with grief
and my years with groaning;
my iniquity has drained my strength,
and my bones are wasting away.
11 Among all my enemies I am a disgrace,
and among my neighbors even more.
I am dreaded by my friends—
they flee when they see me on the street.
12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind.
I am like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the slander of many;
there is terror on every side.
They conspire against me
and plot to take my life.

14 But I trust in You, O LORD;
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in Your hands;
deliver me from my enemies
and from those who pursue me.
16 Make Your face shine on Your servant;
save me by Your loving devotion.

17 O LORD, let me not be ashamed,
for I have called on You.
Let the wicked be put to shame;
let them lie silent in Sheol.
18 May lying lips be silenced—
lips that speak with arrogance against the righteous,
full of pride and contempt.

19 How great is Your goodness
which You have laid up for those who fear You,
which You have bestowed before the sons of men
on those who take refuge in You!
20 You hide them in the secret place of Your presence
from the schemes of men.
You conceal them in Your shelter
from accusing tongues.

21 Blessed be the LORD,
for He has shown me His loving devotion
in a city under siege.
22 In my alarm I said,
“I am cut off from Your sight!”
But You heard my plea for mercy
when I called to You for help.

23 Love the LORD, all His saints.
The LORD preserves the faithful,
but fully repays the arrogant.
24 Be strong and courageous,
all you who hope in the LORD.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

A Psalm. A song for the dedication of the temple. Of David.

1 I will exalt You, O LORD,
for You have lifted me up
and have not allowed my foes
to rejoice over me.
2 O LORD my God, I cried to You for help,
and You healed me.
3 O LORD, You pulled me up from Sheol;
You spared me from descending into the Pit.

4 Sing to the LORD, O you His saints,
and praise His holy name.
5 For His anger is fleeting,
but His favor lasts a lifetime.
Weeping may stay the night,
but joy comes in the morning.

6 In prosperity I said,
“I will never be shaken.”
7 O LORD, You favored me;
You made my mountain stand strong.

When You hid Your face,
I was dismayed.
8 To You, O LORD, I called,
and I begged my Lord for mercy:
9 “What gain is there in my bloodshed,
in my descent to the Pit?
Will the dust praise You?
Will it proclaim Your faithfulness?
10 Hear me, O LORD, and have mercy;
O LORD, be my helper.”

11 You turned my mourning into dancing;
You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing Your praises and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks forever.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

This month, we are returning to our devotions through the book of Psalms. For these devotions, instead of hearing someone else’s reflections, each day I’ll ask you to reflect on the Psalm yourself using two simple questions:

1. What things in the Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus? It could be something about his ministry, his suffering and death, his resurrection, his kingdom, or what God has done for us through Jesus.

But don’t worry if you can’t always think of something – just read, reflect and pray.

~~~

A Psalm of David.

1 Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name;
worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.

3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders;
the LORD is heard over many waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of the LORD
strikes with flames of fire.
8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
the LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD twists the oaks
and strips the forests bare.
And in His temple all cry, “Glory!”

10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
11 The LORD gives His people strength;
the LORD blesses His people with peace.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

44 Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

46 And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.

49 And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

50 When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 praising God continually in the temple.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Lachlan Shead

This year, my brother took me to watch Dune: Part Two in cinemas. I really enjoyed the movie; but then I left the theatre, and Dune really hasn't affected me since then. Sometimes faith feels similar to me. We live in the Last Days, between the resurrection and return of Jesus. Both of these events can feel far removed from day-to-day life.

Today we see the disciples at the very beginning of the Last Days. Jesus has been raised from the dead, and he tells them to wait until he will pour out the Spirit on them. The Spirit will give them power and courage to begin proclaiming this news. Then he ascends to heaven.

If the disciples had felt like me, their next steps would be like leaving a movie theatre: getting back to life as normal. Maybe they'd pick up fishing again. But instead, Jesus changes everything for them: "they worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, praising God continually in the temple" (v 52-53). As I’ve thought about why they were so deeply transformed, two things have stood out to me.

First, people have been longing for a restored relationship with God ever since the fall. We see this at the beginning of Luke’s Gospel. For example, Zechariah thanks God that Jesus will "give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins" (Luke 1:77). In today's passage, Jesus makes it clear that he has brought that restored relationship – his death and resurrection mean repentance and forgiveness of sins are now available to people from all nations (v 47)!

Second, Jesus ascends while he is blessing his followers (v 50-51). There's no gap between the blessing of the resurrection and the blessing of the Spirit. Here we see Jesus' constant attitude toward his people: he delights in blessing us with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3).

This passage brings us to the end of Luke's Gospel. But rightly responding to Jesus is nothing like leaving a cinema. We who trust in Jesus enjoy this same salvation and blessing, through the same Spirit! Let's join in praising God for his great mercy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lachlan is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

36 While they were describing these events, Jesus Himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 37 But they were startled and frightened, thinking they had seen a spirit.

38 “Why are you troubled,” Jesus asked, “and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see—for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet.

41 While they were still in disbelief because of their joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and He took it and ate it in front of them.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Tim Mitry

Just yesterday I was reflecting on how much I am looking forward to seeing Jesus – the image of the invisible God – in the flesh. And now today, reading this account from Luke, I again feel excited. A part of me wishes I got to see Jesus in person when he walked this earth, to enjoy and experience His physical presence with me. I do remind myself that I have access to Christ by God’s Holy Spirit living in me, but I also look forward to the consummation of God's plan, when we will bodily live and relate to our Triune God in the New Creation.

Because our Lord was resurrected with a redeemed and glorified body, I am even more joyful, since I know that I will be raised in the same kind of body fit for eternity (Philippians 3:20-21). This is a profound validation of our bodily existence, because it means that my whole being – my body, my human nature, my senses, all perfected – will share in life and communion with Jesus eternally. This is a deep way of “being known,” which uplifts my heart as I remember the fact of Jesus’ resurrection.

So even though I'm not sharing the "joy and amazement" of the disciples with my eyes (yet!), by hearing their testimony I can have the same response to our resurrected Lord, and I can unceasingly repeat the words: "to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tim is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.

25 Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, how slow are your hearts to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.

28 As they approached the village where they were headed, He seemed to be going farther. 29 But they pleaded with Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.”

So He went in to stay with them. 30 While He was reclining at the table with them, He took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus—and He disappeared from their sight.

32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us as He spoke with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem.

There they found the Eleven and those with them, gathered together 34 and saying, “The Lord has indeed risen and has appeared to Simon!”

35 Then the two told what had happened on the road, and how they had recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Vinh Dang

Yesterday we met these two disciples who were walking to the village of Emmaus. As they travelled, they were discussing the events of Jesus’ crucifixion with a stranger who started walking with them – without realising that this stranger was the risen Jesus. Today’s passage begins with Jesus rebuking them, because it seems they haven’t understood how the Old Testament was preparing them for the gospel. Jesus says, “O foolish ones, how slow are your hearts to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?” Jesus goes on to explain to them the Scriptures.

As I read this passage, these words from Jesus speak volumes to me. My natural instinct when something doesn’t go my way is to feel disappointed. Jesus offers me hope, purpose and a transformed perspective. Because of this, I am reminded that I have a hope that is beyond my own understanding. Jesus has risen and entered His glory, and that is our future in Christ as well. That shifts my focus from worldly pursuits to the eternal hope found in Jesus.

Jesus is the one who also helps me to understand the meaning of the gospel. I can’t understand it on my own because of my limitations and my hardness of heart. The two disciples were filled with disappointment and confusion, but upon breaking bread with Jesus, their eyes were opened and they recognised him. That is a picture of what happens when we read Scripture and Jesus opens our understanding to the gospel.

Thank you, Father God, that despite our failure to recognise the power and truth of the gospel, you never cease to remind us and show us Your grace and mercy through Your Son Jesus. In your forgiveness and grace, we have a Saviour who died for us, even though we are so undeserving. Thank you that today we are saved by His death on the cross. All praise and glory to You alone. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vinh is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.

13 That same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 And as they talked and deliberated, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.

17 He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”

They stood still, with sadness on their faces. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in recent days?”

19 “What things?” He asked.

“The events involving Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “This man was a prophet, powerful in speech and action before God and all the people. 20 Our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to the sentence of death, and they crucified Him. 21 But we were hoping He was the One who would redeem Israel. And besides all this, it is the third day since these things took place.

22 Furthermore, some of our women astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 but they did not find His body. They came and told us they had seen a vision of angels, who said that Jesus was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had described. But Him they did not see.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Charis Ould

It’s so easy for me to read this passage and think that I would immediately recognise Jesus. He’s the very person that these disciples are talking about as they walk on the road, and yet they can’t see who he is! But verse 16 tell us why: “Their eyes were kept from recognising him.”

During his ministry, Jesus had shared multiple times with the apostles that he would die and rise again, and yet even after they know his tomb is empty, they are still confused about what has happened to him. In verse 12, Peter went away from the empty tomb wondering what had happened!

We don’t know much about the two disciples in today’s passage—only Cleopas is named—but like the twelve apostles, they have been told what has happened to Jesus but don’t understand. They’ve heard the testimony from the women at the tomb, that it was empty and the angels told them that Jesus had risen, and yet they are still confused!

We will have to wait until the next part of the passage to see how Jesus responds to them, but he is clearly planning to reveal himself to them in his own timing. Jesus knows they have no reason to be sad! But first, he asks them what things had been happening. He is encouraging them to reveal their hearts and what they know about Him. They speak about their hope that Jesus was the One who would redeem Israel.

These disciples had heard the testimony of Peter about the linen cloths in the grave, and the report from the women, and Jesus wanted them to tell him what they had heard. They don’t yet understand or believe, but soon they will. Jesus will open their eyes to see that their hopes have been realised – Jesus has redeemed his people by dying and rising again. What a great reminder that we can believe based on the reliable eyewitness testimony we read in the Bible, and that Jesus still opens people’s eyes when we share that testimony with them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Charis is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them.

5 As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’”

8 Then they remembered His words. 9 And when they returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But their words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women.

12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. And after bending down and seeing only the linen cloths, he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Ian Mu

Sometimes we might have plans, but God's plans may be different. That's the first thing I noticed from reading the first 4 verses. The women planned one thing with the prepared spices, but straight away their plans were changed.

In this case, God’s plan shouldn’t have been a surprise, Jesus had made it known to them earlier. The angels reminded the women of what Jesus had said. Then they remembered and went to share the news of what had happened to others.

But the reaction of the others was that they did not believe. Peter got up and ran to the tomb. But why did Peter run to the tomb? Was it because he believed, or was it because he doubted? If I was to go off what I know of Peter, I would guess it was because he doubted. But his response showed that it wasn’t pure doubt, he went away wondering what had happened.

I noticed the difference in response between the women and the disciples. The women remembered and went and told people. The disciples doubted, and Peter saw and was still puzzled afterwards.

For me, my takeaway is: How often do we remember what Jesus tells us? As soon as the women were reminded, they believed and told others. Peter was left behind, doubting and wondering “what had happened” (v 12). I want to be like the women who remembered and shared. The good thing is, we don’t need two angels to remind us, as we have Jesus’ word directly through the Bible. So I can be the one that constantly reminds myself, and we can remind each other.

My challenge to myself is to strengthen my knowledge of God through the Bible, so I can be reminded of what he has done for us. That way, whatever situation I am thrown in, I can be reminded constantly of Jesus and what he tells us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ian is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

50 Now there was a Council member named Joseph, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision or action. He was from the Judean town of Arimathea, and was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was beginning.

55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how His body was placed. 56 Then they returned to prepare spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath, according to the commandment.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Monica Ly

As I read this passage, I was struck by the courage of Joseph— a member of the Council. Even though he was highly respected and closely connected to the Jewish leadership, Joseph did not agree with their decision. He chose to stand apart from them and not take part in their actions.

Joseph’s actions made a powerful statement. He publicly aligned himself with Jesus, even though he was aware of the social and religious backlash he would face. It seems he understood who Jesus was and the significance of his death. Joseph was waiting for the Kingdom of God (v 51), so perhaps like the thief on the other cross back in verse 42, he understood that Jesus was the King who would bring in the Kingdom. Perhaps he even understood that Jesus’ sacrifice had paid for his sins, so he was no longer condemned but justified, declared “not guilty.” However much he understood, Joseph’s assurance gave him the strength to set aside the fear of human approval. His identity was now rooted in Christ.

Joseph’s conviction challenges me to reflect on my own life. How often I forget that my identity is in Christ. I can easily fall into the trap of seeking human approval, measuring my worth by achievements, or striving to fit into cultural expectations. It’s tempting to define myself by what I do or how others see me, instead of by what Christ has already done for me.

Take a moment to reflect on your own life:

• Where have you allowed human approval to define your worth?

• In what ways have you tried to earn your value through accomplishments or appearances?

Let us come before God in prayer, repenting of the ways we have sought approval apart from Him. Take comfort in this truth: Jesus’ death on the cross has given us our value, our dignity, and our security.

In Christ, we lack nothing. May this truth empower us to live out our true identity in Him—walking in His ways and living lives worthy of our calling in Christ Jesus.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Monica is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

44 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour. 45 The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle.

46 Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last.

47 When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God, saying, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 And when all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts. 49 But all those who knew Jesus, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching these things.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Michael Legaspi

Darkness over the land, a curtain torn in two, Jesus’ last words, sadness for Jesus’ friends – and somehow, a death that brings a soldier to glorify God (v 47).

There are many things going on in this scene, but I’m going to focus on the temple curtain which was torn in two (v 45).

What would you give to be reunited with the ones you love? What would you sacrifice? What would you endure? The death of Jesus, the Son of God, showed both how devastating the problem of sin is, and how far God would go to bridge the chasm of sin.

Romans 3 tells us that all people are under the power of sin. “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away” (Romans 3:10-12). That’s why in the Old Testament, the temple had a curtain stopping people from entering the Most Holy Place, which represented the presence of God. But it also showed that someone was needed who could open the curtain and enter God’s presence on our behalf.

In Hebrews 9 it says: “But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed.” (Hebrews 9:7-8)

The way into God’s presence had not yet been revealed – until Jesus died as the perfect sacrifice and the true high priest. We could not enter paradise or heaven. That place did not belong to us. We would remain God’s enemies, if it weren’t for Jesus’ sacrifice. He is the true shepherd who willingly laid down his life for his sheep (John 10:15-18).

Life can be hard. But death is harder, especially since after death, all will face the judgment of God (Hebrews 9:27). But with this great event of the cross, justice is satisfied and mercy will be given to all who believe in Jesus. Let us praise God for choosing to save us, and let us share God’s truth with all those around us, because Jesus Christ, God’s Son, chose the pain of God’s judgment for your sake and mine.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.