Isaiah anticipates that the people in Babylonian exile will miss his Gospel message in Isaiah 40:1–5. He signals his disappointment through the sudden shift from the divine glory, witnessed by all flesh (Isaiah 40:5), to the pathos of human transience in Isaiah 40:6–8a where “grass” is used to describe people four times. In our transient lives and world, the only sure source of joy and life is God’s Word which endures forever (Isaiah 40:8b).

We often cry, “Let me out!” Many know addictive behavior such as high anxiety, unpredictable anger, or biting sarcasm. Others are chained to a grudge that won't leave until there’s revenge. Still others are fighting an inner battle with a skeleton in their closet that is rattling louder and louder. Repentance is the doorway to freedom from these besetting sins, with the result that we see a new God’s magnificent glory in Jesus Christ our Lord!

The prophet writes to exiles in Isaiah 40:1, “Comfort, comfort My people.” Gone is the scornful “this people” of Isaiah 6:9; rather, the herald declares “My people!” These words explode with comfort, for they reflect God’s covenant promise at Sinai, “I will be your God, and you will be My people” (Exodus 6:7). Comfort comes in Isaiah 40:1 and pictorially in the words of Isaiah 40:11, “He will tend His flock like a Shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”

While Jesus is teaching His disciples in Luke 6, He gives them a one-word financial challenge (that proceeds from faith of course): GIVE (didomi). That’s it. Simply give. Live generously as possessors of His kingdom (v20). And when His children live generously with all that He has entrusted to them, Jesus promises great blessing in return. He says, “Give and it will be given to you.” How much? “Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.” Why? “For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you [by God].” What would this next step with Jesus look like for you/your family? How about for St. Peter? Where have you already seen His Great Measure poured back into your lap?

While money itself is not evil, the Lord warns us today of its powerful and consequential lure. People who desire to be rich, Paul says, fall (1) into temptation, (2) into a snare, and (3) into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. Why? Because “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” In fact, Paul even adds that “through this craving [to be rich], some [believers themselves] have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” God’s warning is not simply that the “love of money” is harmful for us, but that this sin has led some to shipwreck their faith and sink into unbelieving ways.

In the midst of all the cares, pursuits, and anxieties that fill the hearts and lives of the unbelieving world around us, Jesus invites His followers to trust fully in the Father’s gracious provision for His dear children. Why? For (1) life is more than possessions; (2) material worry is not constructive in any way, shape, or form; and (3) the Heavenly Father - who continues to nurture even birds and flowers - loves and delights Himself to give us His own kingdom! If the Father delights to give us the kingdom, will He not also grant us our daily bread? For followers of Jesus, then, it is faith/trust – not financial worry – that characterizes us as we seek His kingdom daily above everyone and everything else. He will graciously provide the rest!

As people who have been chosen by the LORD to be His very own, holy family, we respond to such grace by truly loving GOD with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength…as well as loving all neighbors – even the least likable – as ourselves.

After Peter identifies Jesus as “the Christ of God” and Jesus predicts His own torturous death and resurrection, Jesus invites anyone who would come after Him to “deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow” Him. As there is no comfortable way to carry a cross – no matter how one positions it – the heart of discipleship entails following Jesus at all times and at any cost. Yet everyone who by faith loses his/her life now for the sake of following Jesus here gains it for eternity.

The picture of eternity encompasses an uncountable throng from every nation, tribe, peoples, and tongues uniformly praising God and the Lamb for His wondrous salvation! Jesus foretells this very picture to a Roman centurion when He says, “I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” Hear and celebrate what God is doing among the nations in South Africa through partnerships like St. Peter!

Mass migration to the West has opened a door for God's mission nobody can shut (Rev. 3:8). Nowadays, Christians do not need to travel to the jungles of Africa or the dangerous war-torn Middle East in order to share the Gospel with the lost. The mission is on our doorsteps. Muslims, Arabs, Hindus, and other ethnicities are in our colleges, hospitals, gas stations, fast food restaurants. We just need to trust Jesus Christ and share the Gospel boldly with the lost.