1 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or motheris to be put to death.’ 5 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used tohelp their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ 6 they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiahwas right when he prophesied about you:8 “ ‘These people honor me with their lips,but their hearts are far from me.9 They worship me in vain;their teachings are merely human rules.”10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. 11 What goes intosomeone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defilesthem.”12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” 13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by theroots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into apit.”15 Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters themouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of aperson’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evilthoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These arewhat defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”REFLECTIONSWritten by Trung NguyenIn this age of Covid, there is a big emphasis on hygiene, cleanliness and safety. We see people wearing face masks, scanning QR codes and signs everywhere encouraging people to use hand sanitiser. These rules are important right now, especially for those who are more susceptible to illnesses.However, in today’s passage we see that the Pharisees had invented extra rules of outward cleansing that stopped people from obeying God’s word. They ask Jesus why his disciples don’t wash their hands before they eat. This culminates in Jesus saying in v.17-18, “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.” So these Pharisees have put extra rules in place so they can be ‘clean’ or ‘good’ before God – but they are only making themselves look clean. Jesus says that t

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.REFLECTIONSWritten by Annie DaviesYou of little faith…why did you doubt?” I know God is all powerful and he is in control of all things. But if I think about my worries and concerns, it makes me realise I often don’t live as if I believed in this truth.  Peter and the disciples have been with Jesus for some time by Chapter 14. They have witnessed all the miracles and teachings of Jesus. The story today is another miracle and demonstration of Jesus’ power as he defies gravity and walks on the lake. With Peter’s encouragement, Jesus calls Peter to come walk on the water too. Peter does walk on the water initially but then freaks out and he begins to sink. I can easily doubt God’s goodness and power. With Covid last year, I saw less and less people face to face and heard on the news the dire situation around the world. It made me think, how can God allow this pandemic? How can I share the gospel with others if I can’t see or meet them? Or when people question me about why I am studying at theological college and ask, how are you going to support yourself? What are you going to get out of this? It does make me doubt if it’s worth it. Even times when things are going well, I can get random waves of doubt. What if God is not real? What if there is nothing to this life? But this passage reminds me that Jesus is powerful, he is “the Son of God” (v33). He demonstrated his ultimate power by rising from the dead. This is someone we can have faith in, we can trust,   as he has even conquered death. Let’s be reminded of God’s power as demonstrated in Christ and pray we may be firm in our faith.ABOUT THE AUTHORAnnie is a member of our of our Fairfield evening congregation.

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.REFLECTIONSWritten by Jesse MorrisonIn today’s passage, Jesus has just heard about John the Baptist’s beheading and is going to a desolate place to pray and rest. I can imagine Jesus might have been grieving. But this passage isn’t about those difficult circumstances. It’s about who Jesusis, despite those difficult circumstances. Jesus is compassionate.I find it really striking that Jesus’ first response to the crowds wasn’t to tell them to go away, but to have compassion. Not only did he heal all the sick (from a crowd in excess of 5000), he also provided for their daily needs. It’s not until our next passage tomorrow that Jesus finally gets around to praying! Isn’t it amazing that Jesus’ natural disposition – even when he has lost a friend… even when he wants to have time with his Father in prayer – is to draw people to himself and have compassion?What is going on in our heart when a brother or sister stops us from getting on with what we want to do? Do we see them as an inconvenience? Amazingly, even the Son of God shelved his own immediate plans in order to love them. Interestingly, by doing so, he still ends up achieving what he set out to do as he thanks God in prayer for the food. Which brother or sister are we most tempted to view as an interruption? How might we show Jesus’ heart of compassion in that space? Pray with me now, in the quietness of our heart, that God would mould us to be more like his Son Jesus.ABOUT THE AUTHORJesse is a student minister with our of our Fairfield congregations.

1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” 3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. REFLECTIONSWritten by Mei ChanWhat things do you fear? One thing I’ve found myself becoming increasingly anxious about is how we as Christians will continue to proclaim the goodness of Jesus and the gospel in a country that thinks we ought to be silenced. I wonder if you’ve felt similarly to me lately. Something that strikes me about King Herod is that his kingdom is earthly and temporal, ruled by fear of the people (v5) and fear of his reputation (v9). He inherited the kingdom from his father, King Herod of Matthew 2, who so feared the birth of Jesus that he ordered every boy under 2 years old in Bethlehem to be killed. What a contrast this is from the previous chapter in Matthew 13, when Jesus describes the Kingdom of Heaven as small, even insignificant in the world’s eyes, and yet more precious than treasure and fine pearls. It is hidden now, but on the last day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.While both King Herods clung tightly to their earthly thrones, we see King Jesus reminding his disciples about the true Kingdom that will one day be revealed. The great irony is that in this passage, Herod feared Jesus because he thought he was John the Baptist risen from the dead; but the reason he actually ought to fear Jesus is because Jesus was the one who wouldultimately rise from the dead, to rule a Heavenly Kingdom that will last forever. How does this passage help us to live as followers of Christ in times of fear? Unlike John the Baptist who was imprisoned for pointing out Herod’s sin in marrying his brother’s wife, most likely we won’t be imprisoned for speaking out Biblical truths in love. But if that day does come, my prayer for us is that we won’t fear the one who has the power to put us in prison, but the One who has authority, dominion and power over all creation, and who has proven it to the world by rising from the dead. ABOUT THE AUTHORMei is a member of our Fairfield morning congregation.

53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. REFLECTIONSWritten by Adam DaviesIt strikes me firstly that all four Gospels record Jesus’ words that a prophet is without honour in his hometown. Why is this the case? Don’t we proudly tell everyone when someone who went to our school, or grew up in our town, or is a family friend or distant relative becomes famous? Why would Jesus not be honoured in his hometown? After all the people here know his mother is Mary, his brothers are James, Joseph, Simon and Judas and they know his sisters. Shouldn’t they love their homegrown prophet?But they take offense at him! They say, isn’t this just the son of a tradie? Where did he get all this wisdom and knowledge? Notice how they judge Jesus on such worldly standards – his family background, his educational qualifications. By discrediting Jesus, they can ignore the words he speaks. They recognise his wisdom and power, yet fail to recognise and honour Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God.A couple of possible reflections for us:First, do we expect God to be or act a certain way, and take offense when God isn’t how we would like him to be? Are we willing to submit to God as our Lord and creator, and trust what he says in his word, rather than say “Well, I like to think that God would…” and then insert what I want?Second, do we dismiss others, especially those who speak God’s word to us, on worldly standards, or do we recognise the good and the truth that God is working through them? Am I willing to sit under a Bible study leader who has a less desirable profession than me? Will I take a truthful rebuke from someone who is less educated than I am? What about godly advice from someone who has come to Christ from a messy family background when I have been in a church all my life?Take some time to think and pray about any pride or prejudices in your own heart that cause you to take offense at God or others.ABOUT THE AUTHORAdam is a member of our Fairfield evening congregation.

47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. 52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”REFLECTIONSWritten by Brian MacgeorgeThis passage opens with the parable of the fishing net. It is remarkably like the parable of the weeds and each includes an almost identical powerful explanation of their meaning.  Here is the explanation of the parable of the net: “This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (v49 & 50).  Look back at verses 41 & 42 to revisit the matching explanation of the parable of the weeds.  Both highlight the judgement that will be faced at the end of the age by the wicked, everything that causes sin and all who do evil.Before continuing, Jesus asks his disciples “Have you understood all these things?” (v51).  They reply “Yes” and Jesus responds with a final uplifting parable teaching that “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old” (v 52). I am encouraged by the image of a disciple in the kingdom of heaven as being like a man who has in his storeroom sumptuous foods, wines, and spices that he eagerly brings out to share with guests.  I take it that the foods etc. are the gospel of Jesus that gives access to the kingdom of heaven.  That good news is what will save us when with Jesus as our advocate we face the judgement that was emphasised in the parables of the weeds and the net. Pray with me that we will be that disciple of the kingdom of heaven, eagerly sharing the gospel from our storeroom of new and old treasures that is God’s written word.ABOUT THE AUTHORBrian is a member of our Fairfield morning congregations.

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found oneof great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.REFLECTIONSWritten by Chris MacgeorgeJesus told the disciples that he was giving them special, privileged information about the kingdom of heaven (v 11). How they must have been hanging on his every word as they tried to drink this in! The kingdom of heaven is like ... a farmer (v 3 and v 24), a mustard seed (v 31), yeast (v 33) – images all related broadly to growth and life and change, contrasted against eternal destruction for those outside the kingdom (vv 40-42).So what’s next? Today’s images of hidden treasure and a priceless pearl tell of the life-changing consequences of “finding” the kingdom of heaven. Both men gave up everything they had in order to possess the priceless treasure they found. Everything. They. Had.What does this look like for us? So often I quickly read this daily devotion with its life-changing words from the creator of the universe and then get on with my day. I even find myself skimming quickly through those life-changing words from the saviour of the world to get to the reflection written by one of my brothers and sisters. I think I’ve got it a bit wrong!Please pray with me that we will stop and reflect on the price that Jesus paid so that we can be part of the kingdom of heaven. Let’s pray that his Spirit will cause us to be so thankful that we will want to respond by giving him everything we have. Let’s ask him to show us how to use everything he’s given us – our time, energy, money etc - to love each other for his glory. ABOUT THE AUTHORChris is a member of our Fairfield morning congregations.

24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’28 “ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’29 “ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ”31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:“I will open my mouth in parables,I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”The Parable of the Weeds Explained36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.REFLECTIONSWritten by Gus CameronToday’s parables remind us that God’s people will continue to grow and remain faithful no matter what. It contrasts those who belong to the evil one with those who belong to the kingdom of God. It’s a reminder that we should expect to see both kinds of people around us. It’s also a stark reminder of how tragic it will be for those who are not “people of the kingdom” when Jesus returns to judge.Let’s respond again in prayer. Give thanks that God’s kingdom continues to grow no matter what. Pray for someone you know who is living as God’s enemy, pray that God would bring them into his growing kingdom. ABOUT THE AUTHORGus is an assistant minister with our Fairfield congregations.

1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “ ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”REFLECTIONSWritten by Gus CameronMany of us will know people who came to church, talked about Jesus, sang and prayed with us, but now no longer follow Jesus. My heart sinks as I think about friends of mine like that, who have walked away from Jesus.This parable describes it so well. I’ve seen people hear God’s word but just not understand it, others who couldn’t accept how the gospel brings joy in their suffering and many have been distracted by the temptations of the world.How do we respond? In prayer. Only God can give eyes that see, ears that hear and hearts that understand. Pray now for yourself, that God would help you understand his word so that it grows in you. And pray now for someone else, that God would do the same for them.ABOUT THE AUTHORGus is an assistant minister with our Fairfield congregations.