34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn“‘a man against his father,     a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36     a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.REFLECTIONSWritten by Josh Coscia Lately, I’ve been reading a book that talks about the problem with thinking that, as Christians, the most important thing is to be a nice person. Of course, Christ calls on us to treat people with love, kindness and gentleness. But sometimes we can think that means being completely passive, trying to please everyone and make them happy, and avoiding conflict at all costs. Sometimes we might think we’re being patient, but it’s actually cowardice.Jesus came to bring God’s love for sinners into the world. A little later in Matthew, he says that he is gentle and humble in heart, and people who come to him will find rest for their souls (Matthew 11:29). But that doesn’t mean Jesus was a “nice guy” – someone who always tries to please people and make them happy. In today’s passage, he says: “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (v. 34).If you're anything like me, this verse might make you a little uncomfortable. It’s confronting. In the next chapter, he demonstrates “bringing a sword” when he publicly criticizes and condemns towns that did not repent and turn to him (Matthew 11:20). The truth is: Jesus wasn’t nice – he was much more than that. He was good, righteous and holy. He was kind and gracious. And he was also shrewd, discerning and 100% committed to the truth. He spoke truth into people’s lives when it was needed. He was divisive on matters of importance – especially the most important matter of all: whether people are willing to follow him.Jesus calls us to be the same: to be prepared to be divisive when necessary. To be willing to lose our father or mother, son or daughter, because we love him above all else (v. 37). He commands us to take up our cross – to follow him no matter what the cost. It is my prayer that we would be bold. Ready to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Ready to warn people – like Jesus did – to repent so that they won’t perish (Luke 13:3). This message may be culturally insensitive today, but … it is the truth. Jesus didn’t shy away from the truth, neither should we.QUESTIONHave you ever had a friend or family member reject you because you believe in Jesus? Ask God now to help you love Jesus more than everyone else.ABOUT THE AUTHORJosh is a member at our Bossley Park morning congregation.

32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.REFLECTIONSWritten by Annie DaviesIn Matthew 10, Jesus is sending out his disciples to share the good news about himself and the kingdom he was bringing (verse 7). Today’s verses are part of his instructions and teaching to his disciples as he sends them out.It strikes me here that how we treat Jesus is how we treat God the Father in heaven. If we acknowledge Jesus, then we will be in God’s kingdom in heaven. But if we reject Jesus, we are also rejected by God – since he is God’s Son. It reminds me of John 14:6 where Jesus says “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. It is clear that it is only through Jesus that we know God and receive salvation.I also find it interesting that Jesus says this to his disciples, particularly as they were about to go out to share the good news about him in the face of persecution and opposition. Is it to show the weight of the message they are sharing, that it will have eternal consequences for those who hear? Or could it also be a warning for the disciples themselves – and for us as well – not to disown Jesus even if we suffer?Are there times when you are tempted to disown Jesus? For me it’s hard when my non-Christian parents disapprove of what I am doing in serving at church. Or when my friends are successful in their careers and I feel I have nothing much to show for my work. But I am reminded and thankful that Jesus came to die for our sins and has been raised to life. Through Jesus we can now call the God who created us our Father! What an amazing blessing and comfort! This helps me to persevere as a Christian and praise God that we can know him through Jesus.QUESTIONHave people ever treated you badly because you follow Jesus? What will help you to keep telling people you follow him?ABOUT THE AUTHORAnnie is a member at our Fairfield Evening congregation.

24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.REFLECTIONSWritten by Sam DarmoAs Christ’s people and His witnesses, as we obey the great commission to go out and make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19-20), how do you think the world is going to react towards us?Jesus Christ our Lord answers the question in verses 24-25 by saying that the unbelievers of the world will treat us the same way they treated Jesus. Although Jesus is the LORD of glory, some of his own people accused him of being the worst thing in their minds: Beelzebul, or the Lord of the flies (lord of the evil spirits).The Gospel message is offensive to the world because it exposes the lawlessness and wickedness of the human heart. But Jesus Christ our Lord reminds us three times not to be afraid. In verses 26-27, he tells us not to be afraid of proclaiming the gospel which we have learned from Him, but instead to proclaim it and see its power (Rom. 1:16-17).In verse 28 he tells us not to be afraid of people (who can only hurt us physically), but to be afraid of what God will do to those who do not repent. Fearing men and not God is a kind of idolatry.In verses 30-31 he tells us not be afraid because we are worth more to God than other creatures. In fact, we are worth so much more to God that he did not even spare His own Son to save us (John 3:16; Rom 8:32). So do not be afraid of anyone, because we are worth more than sparrows; and like the lives of the sparrows, our lives are in God’s hand and under His sovereign good will, especially to those who love Him (Rom 8:28).“Do not be afraid!” – but that’s exactly what I forget sometimes. Pray with me that we won’t be afraid because Jesus Christ our LORD is our victorious risen God.QUESTIONAre there people you are afraid of? When you see a bird, what can you remember to help you to be brave and speak about Jesus to them?ABOUT THE AUTHORSam is an Assistant Minister, and is part of our Fairfield Morning congregation and our Arabic and Assyrian ministries.

16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.REFLECTIONSWritten by Thom BransdonIt was only a few years ago that I first came across a Christian organisation called Voice of the Martyrs, which aims to raise awareness and defend the rights of persecuted Christians around the world. I remember how shocked I was when I read current reports about Christians being killed, attacked, and persecuted, all over the world. I couldn't believe that these stories were not from history – people were suffering, dying for the message of the gospel right now, and very few people knew about it.The passage today reminds us that we have also been sent to spread the gospel, just like the saints I read about, just like the Twelve being sent out in our passage – and like them, we’ve been sent out into a world of wolves. Our sinful world is hostile to Christ and His message, and He warns that His followers will definitely suffer hardship in His name. He tells the Twelve to be shrewd and innocent and to be on guard – to be good witnesses of Christ when they go through trials.Mercifully, even as the passage warns of floggings and being arrested, we are told in verses 19-20 that we don’t need to worry about finding the right words – a fear that we can all relate to. God will give us the words to say when we need them; the Spirit will speak through us on His behalf. What a comforting thought for the Christian who dreads public speaking, or (like me) worries that they will say the wrong thing about the gospel, or leave something vital out!Verse 22 tells us that we will be hated by everyone because of our association with Christ. I for one am tempted to try to ingratiate myself with the world. I struggle to accept that the world will hate the news about Christ. Jesus tells us that this is the way it is, but blessedly only for a short time. The Son of Man will return, while we’re still in the middle of doing His work. We should spread the gospel in the face of adversity, work urgently and encourage one another to stand firm until He returns at the end.QUESTIONWhen people treat us badly for being Jesus’ followers, what things can we remember to make sure we keep telling them about Jesus anyway?ABOUT THE AUTHORThom is a member at our Fairfield morning church.

9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.REFLECTIONSWritten by Rebecca SheadAs we’ve seen in our devotions so far, Jesus has shown his authority over all things (Matthew 8-9). Now he is sharing his authority with his twelve disciples, as they join him in his mission of preaching the good news, teaching, and healing (Matthew 10:1, 7-8). The mission is urgent – people need to hear the good news about Jesus and his coming kingdom so they can be saved! And so Jesus sends his disciples out as workers into the ripe harvest of Israel.Jesus tells them not to gather provisions, but simply to go (vv 9-10). Here is a practical example of what he taught them on the mountain about not worrying about food or clothes (see Matthew 6:25-34) – they can trust God to provide for them. The way he will provide is through people’s hospitality – the people they minister to are to give them everything they need (v 11).Yesterday we remembered our St Barnabas mission partners. This passage challenges us to ask ourselves: How are we helping our church mission partners with everything they need to work in Jesus’ harvest fields?In verses 13-14, Jesus makes it clear before the disciples head out that not everyone will accept their message. The stakes are high, for those who don’t put their trust in Jesus and accept him as king will be judged and condemned (v15). Sodom and Gomorrah were two towns that God destroyed because of their sin (see Genesis 18-19). It must have been a shock for the disciples to hear that there would be towns in Israel that would suffer the same fate – they were God’s chosen people! But Jesus makes it so clear that turning to him as king in God’s kingdom is the only way to be saved.QUESTIONWho shared the good news about Jesus with you? Have you accepted Jesus as your king?ABOUT THE AUTHORRebecca is a member at our Bossley Park morning congregation.

1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.REFLECTIONSWritten by Susan DucHaving told his disciples to pray for God to send out workers to gather the harvest (9:37-38), Jesus calls them and sends them to do the work of mission. Jesus empowers the twelve to take on his ministry, to proclaim the coming kingdom and heal people. His instructions are to avoid the Gentiles and go to the lost sheep of Israel. This is an urgent mission to Israel!Jesus’ earthly ministry prioritised the Jewish people, for it was God’s plan for the gospel to go first to the Jew and then to the Gentile (Romans 1:16). But after Jesus’ resurrection, he gave the apostles a much bigger task in his Great Commission: “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Jesus’ mission to Israel was only the beginning of a mission to proclaim the gospel to people of all nations.This passage reminds us that God is faithfully working out his saving plan, in his way and in his timing. Here, Jesus summons a ragtag group including fishermen, a tax collector and even a traitor to carry out his work of calling people to himself. Through them, the gospel of the long-awaited Messiah and King would be preached to the lost sheep of Israel and fan out to all people, fulfilling God’s ancient promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3).Most or all of us are Gentiles, who have received the gift of the gospel and become God’s people through the later mission to all nations. We are now called to obey Christ by praying for God’s saving mission to continue. As we do, we know that God is faithfully carrying out his promise to bless all peoples on earth through his Son, the seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16). QUESTIONJesus is still sending people all over the world to spread the news of his kingdom. Do you know who our church mission partners are, and which parts of the world Jesus has sent them to?ABOUT THE AUTHORSusan is a member at our Bossley Park congregation.

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”REFLECTIONSWritten by Paul BoggGo down to the park on a sunny afternoon. Go down the beach on a warm summer's day. Go take some time out at lunch time today. Sit and watch the crowds of people going about their business. The crowds of people you see are no different to the crowds of people that Jesus saw – they are like sheep without a shepherd.When Jesus spoke to his disciples, he said that the "harvest is plentiful" – do you believe that to continue to be true today? Do you believe that so many more people in these crowds that you see before you are destined to be part of his great harvest? If the God we serve is a compassionate one (as this passage states), then surely the answer is Yes.Jesus is calling disciples to ask Him to send out workers into his harvest field – for the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Are you one of them? Will you pray with me that more workers would be sent out into his great harvest field? Will you pray with me that both you and I would be those workers?QUESTIONThere are so many people all over the world who need to hear about Jesus. How do you think God will make sure they hear?ABOUT THE AUTHORPaul is a member at our Bossley Park congregation.

27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”“Yes, Lord,” they replied.29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talkwas brought to Jesus. 33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”34 But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”REFLECTIONSWritten by Glenn WilmingtonThese two healings might seem like “more of the same”, given the ones before. But the blind men do something new. They say in verse 27, “Son of David, have mercy on us.” These are the first people in the Gospel to put into words what Matthew told us in Chapter 1:1. Jesus is the Son of David. While that could just be his family line (Matthew 1:20), the other times this title is used of Jesus in the Gospel suggests something more to it (chapters 12, 15, 20, 21 and 22).The Son of David was a promised saviour who would rule forever (2 Samuel 7:12-13). Despite not being able to physically see, these two men saw God fulfilling his promise in Jesus. They followed Jesus and they were not quiet about it! They really believed he was able to heal them and in accordance with their faith it was done (v28-29). They believed Jesus was able to save, to have mercy on them, and he was able.Jesus warned them not to tell anyone (V30), but after being healed they couldn’t stop doing what they were doing before being healed. They spread the good news about the Son of David – so much that everyone in the area came to know about Jesus (v31).As they did so, other people came to experience the salvation that Jesus offered (isn’t that always how it happens?). This time it was a demon possessed man who couldn’t speak (v32). The blind men could speak about Jesus before he healed them, the mute man could not. Not everyone’s journey in following Jesus or experiencing his salvation is the same. But when it is seen, it can bring glory to God (v33). How can we use our own journey of following Jesus today?Finally, with greater publicity for Jesus came greater hostility. The religious leaders make their most damning assessment of Jesus yet: They see him not as the Son of David, the Saviour, but as a servant of Satan (v34). The passage started with two blind men, but the question we are left with today is: who here is able to see Jesus most clearly?QUESTIONWhy do you think Jesus had the power to heal people and drive out demons?ABOUT THE AUTHORWilmo is a member at our Fairfield Morning and Evening Churches.

18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.”19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart,daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.REFLECTIONSWritten by Zac AndersonThe two episodes in this one passage show us what it means and what happens when we have faith in Jesus.Notice how social standing makes no difference to Jesus and his compassion. Here we meet a man who is revered as a synagogue leader, and a woman who is reviled because she is continually unclean. He was so confident that he just interrupted Jesus' teaching, she was nervous even about touching Jesus' cloak. Jesus shows grace to both.But it's the similarities in the stories that really teach us about faith in Jesus. Both the synagogue leader and the woman come to Jesus. This is the first step, of course, but it's what they both do next that makes their encounters life changing. They trust that Jesus has the power to save (v18b and v21). This is what it means to have faith in Jesus – to admit you need rescue from sin (which is why death and illness are in our lives), and trust that he can provide it.And what happens? Jesus acts instantly on both occasions (v19 and 22). Jesus heals instantly and effortlessly both times (v22 and 25). Jesus restores the bleeding woman with one sentence, and the lifeless girl with one motion. To Jesus, raising the dead is the same as waking someone up (v24).The matchless might of Jesus to save, is beautifully balanced by his total tenderness. Have you ever felt ignored, forgotten, or dismissed? The woman had probably lived as an outcast for 12 years, and what’s the first thing Jesus does with her? He sees her, tells her to take heart and calls her “daughter.” With the girl, he goes to her and takes her by the hand.Do you or someone you know need to entrust your life into the ready, strong yet gentle hands of Jesus? Do that now or pray for them.QUESTIONDo you ever wonder whether Jesus really cares or listens when we ask him for help? What does this passage show us about Jesus?ABOUT THE AUTHORZac is a member of our Bossley Park Church.

14 Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.16 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”REFLECTIONSWritten by Jesse MorrisonIn today’s passage, we witness a curious little conversation between the disciples of John the Baptist and Jesus’ disciples. John’s disciples are questioning why Jesus’ disciples don’t fast. It is clear to them that Jesus’ disciples live differently. And Jesus is about to tell them why.The first reason is because the bridegroom, the husband about to be married, is here! It’s Jesus. At a wedding, when the bridegroom walks through the door, the guests don’t mourn and fast. Instead, they celebrate! Jesus has walked through the door and so his disciples are rightly celebrating.The disciples also live differently because the bridegroom’s arrival signals the introduction of the “new.” It is not that the old form of Judaism was wrong. Rather, the point is that now that the “new” has come, it cannot be attached to the “old.” Take a moment to reflect, have we ever mixed old forms of religion or tradition with the new Kingdom of God? The new unshrunk cloth cannot be added to the old garment. Neither can the new wine be poured into the old wineskins. Instead, Jesus ushers in a new Kingdom by fulfilling the Law (Matt 5:17). This is why the disciples do things differently. So what about us, should we be mourning or celebrating? Well, we are not with the bridegroom… yet. So there is something right about mourning as we long to see the bridegroom come. But, one day, we will be with the bridegroom once more. Matthew 22:2 describes the Kingdom of heaven like a wedding feast. On that day, there will be no more mourning, just joyous celebration. Pray with me that the Lord Jesus would come and take us home to that wedding feast. Perhaps today, you could spend some time just looking forward to and getting excited about that wonderful occasion to come.QUESTIONDo you ever feel sad that we aren’t with Jesus in heaven yet?ABOUT THE AUTHORJesse is a Student Minister at our Fairfield Morning and Evening Churches while he’s studying at Moore College.