Gus Cameron

19 April 2025

Luke 20:19-26

Gus Cameron

19 April 2025

19 When the scribes and chief priests realized that Jesus had spoken this parable against them, they sought to arrest Him that very hour. But they were afraid of the people.
20 So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor. 21 “Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
23 But Jesus saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?”
“Caesar’s,” they answered.
25 So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
26 And they were unable to trap Him in His words before the people; and amazed at His answer, they fell silent.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Lachlan Shead

There are two kinds of unbelievers: those who are totally apathetic to Jesus and faith; and those who are open to talking about Jesus and even following him...

Or at least, that's how I thought until last month. Then I spoke with a Muslim who broke my neat categories. He was passionate about Jesus, but totally convinced that we have him all wrong. Nothing I said changed his mind, and I was left discouraged.

It would have helped me to remember this passage. Some people openly opposed Jesus, like the scribes and Pharisees; others trusted him, like his apostles. But these spies are different – they are flatterers who look like they are his fans, but they aim to "catch Him in His words". The trap they were setting went like this: If Jesus said, “No, don’t pay taxes to the evil Emperor,” he would be arrested for rebelling against the Roman government, but if he just said, “Yes you should,” he would lose the crowd’s support.

Jesus' response – "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's" – strikes the perfect balance. The people should submit to their earthly government and pay Caesar his tax. But that does not mean they belong to Caesar or owe their allegiance to him. They are to submit to God above everything else, because they owe God... everything! I'm amazed by Jesus' words. So are his opponents.

But they are not amazed like we are. We are amazed because we recognise that Jesus has God’s wisdom. The spies are merely "unable to trap Him", and "they fell silent." That's not the reaction I would hope for if I were in Jesus' shoes!

When I try to convince people and they don’t respond to the gospel, I tend to blame my own words – I assume they would see that Jesus is Lord if I was as wise as Jesus. But Jesus himself was rejected, to the point of being killed! This passage was a helpful reminder to me that my job is to share the gospel, not to be so wise that everyone is convinced. I'm encouraged to remember that “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lachlan is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

18 April 2025

Luke 20:9-18

Gus Cameron

18 April 2025

9 Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time. 10 At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed.
11 So he sent another servant, but they beat him and treated him shamefully, sending him away empty-handed.
12 Then he sent a third, but they wounded him and threw him out.
13 ‘What shall I do?’ asked the owner of the vineyard. ‘I will send my beloved son. Perhaps they will respect him.’
14 But when the tenants saw the son, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 15 So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and kill those tenants, and will give the vineyard to others.”
And when the people heard this, they said, “May such a thing never happen!”
17 But Jesus looked directly at them and said, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written:
‘The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone’?
18 Everyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Nathan Ting

In today’s passage, Jesus tells a parable to call out the wickedness of the religious leaders – the chief priests, scribes and elders of the people (20:1).

The tenants in the parable represent these false spiritual leaders. The tenants are tasked with looking after the owner’s vineyard. At harvest time, the owner of the vineyard – who represents God – sends servants to collect the fruits that the vineyard had produced. The fruits of the vineyard rightfully belong to the owner, however we see that three times the tenants abuse and reject the servants that the owner has sent.

The owner then sends his own son, thinking that surely because it is his own son, the tenants would not treat him like they did the servants. But in verse 14, this actually has the opposite effect. Blinded by their wickedness and greed, the tenants foolishly think instead that if they kill the son, they will gain the son’s inheritance.

Jesus warns the crowd that the owner of the vineyard would not let this go unpunished – the tenants would pay for their wickedness with their lives, and the inheritance that they had been greedy for would be given to others.

The chief priests and scribes knew instantly that Jesus was talking about them. But what about us? Although we aren’t chief priests or scribes, I wonder if the parable applies to us more than we might immediately think. For me, there have been (and still are) plenty of times when I have intentionally turned a blind eye to my sin. I am reminded that while Jesus has already cleansed us from our sin by taking our place on the cross, continuing to live for Jesus means living in repentant obedience to Jesus and His authority.

Spend some time now remembering ways you have been stubborn-hearted and have rejected Jesus’ authority. Give thanks for God’s kindness and mercy in sending Jesus to die on the cross, and pray that you would continue to live a repentant life that honours God.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nathan is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

17 April 2025

Luke 20:1-8

Gus Cameron

17 April 2025

1 One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the gospel, the chief priests and scribes, together with the elders, came up to Him. 2 “Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?”
3 “I will also ask you a question,” Jesus replied. “Tell Me: 4 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”
5 They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
7 So they answered that they did not know where it was from.
8 And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Rebecca Shead

On a first reading of this passage, I felt sympathy for the chief priests, scribes and elders. It seems like they are being diligent leaders, testing Jesus to protect the people from a fake Messiah. It sounds like a genuine question. But remember what we saw yesterday in the verses immediately before these: “the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill” Jesus (Luke 19:47).

When they ask him, “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” their question was a trap. They have seen the “things” Jesus was doing – in fact, they have seen everything they need to draw the right conclusions about him. But they simply don’t want to, so they try to devise another question to discredit him.

In the previous chapters, Jesus has been teaching about the kingdom of God; he healed sick and blind people and even raised a girl from the dead; he entered Jerusalem as the promised king; and yesterday we saw that he cleared out the dishonest people from the temple.

The chief priests, scribes and elders knew their Old Testament. They should have recognised that everything Jesus did was fulfilling God’s promises. But their hearts were hard and instead of rejoicing that Jesus was the promised Messiah, they wanted to kill him! Jesus knew their hearts. His authority is reinforced by his clever reply to them.

This makes me think about how we respond to Jesus today. We know the end of the story – that Jesus will die on the cross and be raised to life again. We have even more evidence than the chief priests and scribes! I am so thankful that in his mercy, God has opened my eyes so I can see the truth about Jesus our saviour. Do you see it too? If you do, join me in praising God! If you don’t trust Jesus yet as your king, ask God to reveal Jesus to you by his Holy Spirit, and accept his gift of eternal life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rebecca is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

16 April 2025

Luke 19:45-48

Gus Cameron

16 April 2025

45 Then Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were selling there. 46 He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be a house of prayer.’ But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’ ”
47 Jesus was teaching at the temple every day, but the chief priests, scribes, and leaders of the people were intent on killing Him. 48 Yet they could not find a way to do so, because all the people hung on His words.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

At church, we have just finished a sermon series on Leviticus. In God’s love and overwhelming grace and mercy in bringing his people out of slavery and leading them to the promised land, he laid out a set of rules and principles on how to live as a people group that belong to Him. These rules and principles help establish what sanctification looks like – being set apart and wholly devoted to God himself. The temple played a significant role in all of this – it was the place where sacrifices were given so that people seeking to be right with God could be made clean.

In today’s passage, Jesus enters the temple grounds where he finds, instead of a place devoted to making a people group right with God, big business is happening. The process of sanctification has been commoditised. Money exchange tables have overtaken altar tables. Rather than being a place where prayers of dependence on God are made, it has become a place that fosters a dependence on money. And because of all this, Jesus is not happy and drives people conducting business out.

Jesus died once and for all, to be the final sacrifice needed for us to be right with God. But we can still be tempted today to commoditise our relationship with God. For example: If I give more money to church, maybe God will give me more favour. Or: If I give more money to a ministry, maybe God will overlook some more of my sins.

Both Leviticus and Jesus tell us that a relationship with God cannot be commoditised. In fact, the only exchange that gains us anything from God was a substitutionary sacrifice that he himself provided – Jesus’ death for us. When we accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, we’re free to use whatever money or business that we have in our lives for God’s kingdom and glory, knowing that in Christ we already have inherited an eternity of relationship and fellowship with other believers, a type of richness that money could never buy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ian is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

15 April 2025

Luke 19:41-44

Gus Cameron

15 April 2025

41 As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it 42 and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will level you to the ground—you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God. ”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Elise Le

We read just yesterday that Jesus entered Jerusalem on a colt, and we saw people spreading their cloaks on the road, praising Jesus as the King. But the Pharisees detested the crowds’ exaltations and did not recognise that the very man in front of them was the one of whom the prophets had spoken (Zech. 9:9).

In today’s verses, Jesus weeps because the people in Jerusalem don’t truly recognise what he has come to do. They praise him as King, but they fail to see Jesus as the Son of God, the Lord of the universe, and they do not understand that he must first suffer many things, be rejected, and die for their sins. Jesus describes the judgment that they will face in the future, pointing towards a day when their city will be besieged. This foreshadows the divine punishment that will come upon those who do not know Jesus as their King on the day of his return.

When I travel home from work at 3pm, there is always the pain of having to drive through school zones. There have been many times when the person in front of me has continued to drive at 60km/h, maybe not realising the speed limit sign, and flash... they get caught by the speed camera. The people in Jerusalem failed to see the signs of Jesus being the Messianic King and would face the consequences, just like failing to see the speed sign as you drive through a school zone and receiving the penalty of a speeding ticket.

When I first read Luke 19, I was quick to judge those in Jerusalem. But on reflection, I know I don’t perfectly live every day with Jesus as my King. I need to ask myself: Do I remember that Jesus will come back as judge, and do I live each day in light of his return? Pray that we will live such holy lives that are shaped by knowing Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elise is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.

Gus Cameron

14 April 2025

Luke 19:36-40

Gus Cameron

14 April 2025

36 As He rode along, the people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 And as He approached the descent from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of disciples began to praise God joyfully in a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen:
38 “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 But some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!”
40 “I tell you,” He answered, “if they remain silent, the very stones will cry out.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Daniel TK Nguyen

Upon reading this passage it gives me a sense of great encouragement. In the second half of verse 37 it says, “the whole multitude of disciples began to praise God joyfully in a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen.” How amazing this would have been to have seen and heard in person! I can’t remember the last time a group of people walked down the street singing praise to God out loud, can you?

In a society where many people think Christianity is weak or passive, this passage reminds me that it’s the complete opposite. We must stand firm in our faith and not be silenced! If we feel like singing praise to God in the street, let’s do it! What’s the worst that could happen? We have so much reason to be joyful.

Let us pray that God will help us to be courageous to praise him and to be continually thankful for what Jesus has done for us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TK is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.

Gus Cameron

12 April 2025

Luke 19:28-35

Gus Cameron

12 April 2025

28 After Jesus had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
29 As He approached Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, He sent out two of His disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
32 So those who were sent went out and found it just as Jesus had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34 “The Lord needs it,” they answered. 35 Then they led the colt to Jesus, threw their cloaks over it, and put Jesus on it.

REFLECTIONS

Written by James Davidson

Why do you think Luke goes into so much detail about how Jesus got hold of this colt to ride on into Jerusalem? It’s because by doing this Jesus was making a powerful statement about who he was and what he’d come to do. Jesus was deliberately fulfilling the words of the prophet Zechariah in the Old Testament. This is what Zechariah 9:9-10 says:

“9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your King comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
humble and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim
and the horse from Jerusalem,
and the bow of war will be broken.
Then He will proclaim peace to the nations.
His dominion will extend from sea to sea,
and from the Euphrates
to the ends of the earth.”

Zechariah foresaw that God’s King, the Messiah, would come in humility. As a sign of this humility, he would come riding on a young donkey. He would not come on a huge war horse as a conquering general. This was because his mission would be to bring peace to all nations by doing away with war altogether.

This is exactly Jesus’ mission. He came in humility to serve his people from all nations by laying down his life for them. As we trust in him, we are reconciled to God, and we are also reconciled to one another. Jesus knew that wars would continue until his second coming. But when he returns, he will establish a new creation where people from all nations will live in perfect peace.

Let’s pray: Father, we thank you for Jesus our humble donkey-riding king. Thank you that because of his death on the cross, we have a certain hope of a new creation where all people will live in perfect peace.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James is an Assistant Minister of our Bossley Park and Fairfield Early congregations.

Gus Cameron

11 April 2025

Luke 19:11-27

Gus Cameron

11 April 2025

Note: This passage talks about “minas”, which were a type of currency used in Jesus’ day.

11 While the people were listening to this, Jesus proceeded to tell them a parable, because He was near Jerusalem and they thought the kingdom of God would appear imminently. 12 So He said, “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to lay claim to his kingship and then return. 13 Beforehand, he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Conduct business with this until I return,’ he said.
14 But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’
15 When he returned from procuring his kingship, he summoned the servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what each one had earned.
16 The first servant came forward and said, ‘Master, your mina has produced ten more minas.’
17 His master replied, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you shall have authority over ten cities.’
18 The second servant came and said, ‘Master, your mina has made five minas.’
19 And to this one he said, ‘You shall have authority over five cities.’
20 Then another servant came and said, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have laid away in a piece of cloth. 21 For I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man. You withdraw what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.’
22 His master replied, ‘You wicked servant, I will judge you by your own words. So you knew that I am a harsh man, withdrawing what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not deposit my money in the bank, and upon my return I could have collected it with interest?’
24 Then he told those standing by, ‘Take the mina from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’
25 ‘Master,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’
26 He replied, ‘I tell you that everyone who has will be given more; but the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 27 And these enemies of mine who were unwilling for me to rule over them, bring them here and slay them in front of me.’”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Gus Cameron

I find this parable both challenging and encouraging.

Christ Jesus is talking about himself. He is the King who has been appointed, he has left for a while, but he will return. While he is gone, he has left us with the resources to get on with the work of his Kingdom. He’s given us things like time, energy, money and relationships to use now to build up the church and help reach the lost with the gospel.

The challenge for us, then, is this: are we using what God has given us well? Are we investing things like time, energy and money into ministry? Are we investing in relationships to see people know Jesus and grow in Jesus? Imagine Jesus returning right now. If he looked at our calendars and bank statements, what do you think he would say? Would he say, “Well done my good and faithful servants?” I find that a sobering question to ask myself.

But there is also an encouragement in this. King Jesus recognises that each of us has different capacities to serve him. We don’t all have as much money to give; we don’t all have the same amount of social energy. He expects us to use what we have been given, but not more than we’ve been given.

Our King expects us to faithfully serve him now – and he is both fair and full of love for us. I need to keep reflecting on both those truths. When I’m tempted to be self-indulgent with what he’s given me, I need the reminder that he’s coming back! When I’m at capacity, I need to remind myself that he expects only as much as he’s given me capacity for.

Pray that our Heavenly Father would help us reflect on our lives. If you’re aware that you’re not serving God in the way he expects, pray that he’d help you do that. If you’re feeling grief or anxiety that you can’t serve God more, pray that God would remind you that he is delighted when you serve him in whatever way you are able.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gus is an Assistant Minister with our Fairfield congregations.

Gus Cameron

10 April 2025

Luke 19:1-10

Gus Cameron

10 April 2025

1 Then Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And there was a man named Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, who was very wealthy. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but could not see over the crowd because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Him, since Jesus was about to pass that way.
5 When Jesus came to that place, He looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down, for I must stay at your house today.”
6 So Zacchaeus hurried down and welcomed Him joyfully. 7 And all who saw this began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinful man!”
8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Laura Lie

As a child, I thought this passage was all about Zacchaeus. I suppose that was reinforced by the songs we learned about him in kids church: “Zacchaeus was a wee little man and a wee little man was he. He climbed up in that sycamore tree, the Lord he wanted to see…”

To me, Zacchaeus seemed to be something of a genius. “He ran on ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Him, since Jesus was about to pass that way” (v4). Brilliant! What a clever man! His strategy works too – Jesus sees him, calls him down and to the general irritation of the crowd (v7), goes and has a private lunch in HIS house.

The cleverness continues. Zacchaeus realises he’s been a bit self-centred and clumsy with his tax collecting, renounces his ways, and Jesus welcomes him to the fold: “…salvation has come to this house…” (v9). Job done.

As an adult, I reread this passage and realise it is all about Jesus – as he says in verse 10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

It occurs to me that Zacchaeus wouldn’t have been the first to think of climbing a tree to see Jesus. I always had visions of him perched up there alone, easy for Jesus to spot. But there were large crowds gathering to see Jesus, so there were probably lots of people climbing trees, not to mention the thousands thronging the streets to get a glimpse of the Messiah.

So how did little Zacchaeus, up in the tree, end up sharing a meal with Jesus?

Jesus was looking for him. He called him by name. “Zacchaeus, hurry down, for I must stay at your house today” (v5).

How incredibly humbling, mortifying, gratifying – what a rollercoaster of emotions that must have been, to be called by name by the Son of God! Out of the crowd of thousands, who he had probably taxed and cheated (into significant poverty!), Jesus sought Zacchaeus out.

Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (v9-10)

As a child, I loved the story of how Zacchaeus was able to be seen and saved by Jesus. As an adult, I am so thankful that Jesus sought Zacchaeus out, that he still seeks to save the lost like us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

9 April 2025

Luke 18:35-43

Gus Cameron

9 April 2025

35 As Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting beside the road, begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening.
37 “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they told him.
38 So he called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
39 Those who led the way admonished him to be silent, but he cried out all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
40 Jesus stopped and directed that the man be brought to Him. When he had been brought near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want Me to do for you?”
“Lord,” he said, “let me see again.”
42 “Receive your sight!” Jesus replied. “Your faith has healed you.” 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, glorifying God. And all the people who saw this gave praise to God.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Michael Legaspi

Hopelessness, desperation, defeat. They are heavy words, but I think almost everyone can relate to them. If you’ve ever experienced that, what happened in your life to make you feel that way?

In this passage we meet a man who can’t see the one who could save him. But he asks as he begs on the street, “what’s happening?” Only then does he hear the name “Jesus of Nazareth.” It seems that he knows his Old Testament, because he shouts out something peculiar: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Son of David – the Messiah, the promised King! How did he know? Had he heard rumours of the things Jesus had been doing?

“Those who led the way” in front of Jesus rebuked the man and told him to remain quiet, but he cried out even louder (verse 39). When you’re desperate, you would give anything to escape the hopelessness of life. I found the blind man’s words strange – “have mercy”. I would have expected, “help me, heal me.” But his anguish means he doesn’t concern himself with their discouragement.

The people rejected his plea. But Jesus ordered that this poor, desperate nobody be brought to him – what extraordinary compassion! Jesus asks an amazing question: “What do you want me to do for you?”

If you were asked the same question, what would you ask for?

In Jesus’ loving character, he heals the man. But he hints at something more than just physical healing when he says, “Your faith has healed you.” Jesus is the one who can not only help him, but save him from the judgment and condemnation that we all deserve. No wonder the man starts following Jesus and glorifying God!

There is no shortage of suffering in life, and each one of us will have to endure it. But how? Seeing how Jesus calls the blind man even though others reject him helps me greatly. It’s even better to know that Jesus gave up his life for us out of his great love and mercy. There is great comfort in knowing that he knows our failings and inadequacies, yet he approaches us to seek our good.

That not only helps us to endure pain and suffering, it will motivate us to follow Jesus and glorify God, not because he forces us, but out of love and thankfulness.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

8 April 2025

Luke 18:31-34

Gus Cameron

8 April 2025

31 Then Jesus took the Twelve aside and said to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything the prophets have written about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32 He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. 33 They will flog Him and kill Him, and on the third day He will rise again.”
34 But the disciples did not understand any of these things. The meaning was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend what He was saying.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Tara Sing

Sometimes I feel really sorry for the apostles. Walking with Jesus while he healed people, calmed storms, walked on water, multiplied bread and fish, raised dead people to life and many other miracles must have been very confusing at times. How many times do the apostles ask each other "Who is this man?" and how many times were they absolutely baffled by things Jesus said or did?

Today's passage is another one of those moments, where Jesus speaks clearly and plainly but completely baffles his friends. They believed he was the Messiah, the Christ sent from God. They believed he was the one whom the prophets spoke about. And yet there was so much that didn't make sense to them.

Firstly, because it didn’t fit with what they thought the Christ would come and do. They were expecting political revolution, freedom for God's people from oppression and foreign rule. They weren't expecting him to die.

Secondly, they couldn't make sense of what Jesus said because the true meaning was hidden from them. In God's wisdom, it wasn't the right time for them to fully understand exactly how or what would happen.

To you and me, Jesus’ words seem very clear. We know that he went with his disciples to Jerusalem. We know that he was handed over to the Gentiles when the Pharisees brought him before Pontius Pilate. We know that he was mocked, insulted and spit on by Roman soldiers, brutally beaten before being sent to die on a cross. We know he was nailed to the cross, and mocked and insulted again whilst hanging, gasping for air. And we know that after he died, he rose again on the third day.

But it wasn't time for the disciples to know yet. In God's kindness, he does reveal to the disciples the full meaning of these things once Jesus has risen. It all clicks and makes sense, because God allows it to.

At the end of the day, the gospel message can really only make sense to anyone because God allows it to be so. God conceals knowledge and God enables understanding when he sees fit. Give thanks that in God's kindness, we understand Jesus’ words. Pray that God would show his mercy to those who do not understand and that one day they will understand and accept what Jesus has done for them too.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tara is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

7 April 2025

Luke 18:26-30

Gus Cameron

7 April 2025

26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”
27 But Jesus said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
28 “Look,” said Peter, “we have left all we had to follow You.”
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Yuan Vongsavanh

Yesterday, we ended with Jesus’s striking statement: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (v25). This leads those who are listening to ask the bewildered question in verse 26: “Who then can be saved?”

From Matthew 19:5, where the same event is recounted, we know that the disciples were among those who were asking that question. I can picture them puzzled, wondering— the rich and powerful have everything and can do anything. If not the rich, then who? Jesus answers in verse 27, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Notice, He doesn’t point to any human trait as making salvation possible—rich or poor, powerful or weak—it’s only by God’s power that anyone enters His kingdom.

Jesus’ words in John 14:6 reinforce this truth: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Salvation is not about who we are and what we give up, but about what God has done through Jesus.

Yet, Peter still doesn’t quite grasp it. In verse 28, he insists, “We have left all we had to follow you!” He’s still thinking about the rich man who wouldn’t let go of his riches. Peter might be thinking: Surely we will get to enter God’s kingdom, because unlike the rich man, we’ve left everything behind? But Jesus, ever patient, reassures him in verse 29 that those who leave everything for Him will receive much more. And in verse 30, He promises something far greater—eternal life in the age to come.

Let’s reflect on this: Our salvation isn’t based on who we are or what we do, but on what God has done. Through Jesus, the impossible becomes possible.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yuan is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

5 April 2025

Luke 18:18-25

Gus Cameron

5 April 2025

18 Then a certain ruler asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 “Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.’ ”
21 “All these I have kept from my youth,” he said.
22 On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
23 But when the ruler heard this, he became very sad, because he was extremely wealthy.
24 Seeing the man’s sadness, Jesus said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Alan Vongsavanh

Today we come to the well-known parable of the rich young ruler. On the surface we think that it is all about money and the fact that, for those who have money, it is very hard to enter the kingdom of heaven. As I reflected and read through the passage carefully, I started to notice a few things that made me think: Maybe it isn't only about money in the end. Maybe it’s about what we value – and also about how we think we can inherit eternal life.

The rich ruler starts off by getting something right, when he addresses Jesus as “good teacher”. Only God is good – which means Jesus is good (since he is God’s Son). But you get the sense that the rich young ruler also thought he was good, because he thought he was able to keep all God’s commandments. It only took one challenge from Jesus to show how wrong he was: “Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” But for this man, money had become an idol, and it was too much to give this up to follow Jesus.

It makes me think about what things in our lives could become idols. What might you find difficult to give up to follow Jesus? At the same time, do we feel that the good things we do are what will make us inherit the kingdom of God? That is impossible. And yet Jesus says, “What is impossible with man is possible with God” – because it is God who saves and not through our own works. Pray that God show us any idols in our lives that are preventing us from wholeheartedly following Jesus, and that as we do follow him, we would trust him as the one who give us the gift of eternal life, not because of our merit or good works.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alan is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

4 April 2025

Luke 18:15-17

Gus Cameron

4 April 2025

15 Now people were even bringing their babies to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them. And when the disciples saw this, they rebuked those who brought them.
16 But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

I love to read today’s passage with my children. They are keen listeners, keen to accept truths, and keen to believe. Their innocence and keenness to believe mean that I need to be really careful with what I tell them – so pointing them to run to Jesus is some of the best life-long advice that I can give them. And being able to tell them that Jesus himself welcomes them, today and forever, is wonderful news.

The challenge to me today is: do I share with them in this keenness too? Am I keen to listen, accept truths, and believe what Jesus says, and indeed the whole of God’s Word? Do I sit in church listening to a sermon being preached, and have the same longing to hear a message from my loving heavenly Father? Because the kingdom of God is to be simply received – it can’t be earned or bought. And with all the helplessness and keenness of a little child, we enter into the most wonderful family that could ever be, by simply believing and running to Jesus himself.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

3 April 2025

Luke 18:9-14

Gus Cameron

3 April 2025

9 To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’
13 But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Sarah Armstrong

How do we view ourselves? We are often so quick to compare ourselves with others – to judge how well we are going. For example, we parents often judge our parenting by how well behaved our kids are compared to someone else’s. Or we congratulate ourselves on following society’s rules better than someone else. So many other examples popped into my mind!

In today’s passage, Jesus tells a parable to challenge and change the attitude of those who trust in their own righteousness and view others with contempt.

Jesus doesn’t just look at our outward actions. Jesus knows our hearts. Those who want to be forgiven and justified – which means to become “just as if I didn’t sin” – need to be like that tax collector rather than the Pharisee. Tax collectors were social outcasts, whereas the Pharisees had the best outward appearance of following all God’s laws. But actions aren’t what justifies us. God justifies those who come to him with a humble, contrite heart (v 14).

This is not a new idea. In the Old Testament, God said to Samuel, “the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). King David cried out to God, “Have mercy on me, O God … For I know my transgressions” (Psalm 51:1, 3).

The difference now is that, because of Jesus, we can be justified – and we know how: because of his death on the cross.

We need to keep humbling ourselves. This is a big challenge for me – no matter how long I have been a Christian I still need to keep repenting and working towards being like the tax collector. I was reminded today that I’m only justified because of Jesus’ sacrifice, and I am not saved by my actions, no matter how “good” they are. It Is truly a heart issue and not an action issue. I cannot bring anything to contribute to my salvation. So today, I will be still for a minute and ask God humbly to “have mercy on me, a sinner!” and thank him humbly for saving me. How great is our God! Stop and reflect too, and let’s all humbly repent and exalt Him each day.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah is our Parish Administrator.

Gus Cameron

2 April 2025

Luke 18:1-8

Gus Cameron

2 April 2025

1 Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: 2 “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’
4 For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect men, 5 yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. Then she will stop wearing me out with her perpetual requests.’”
6 And the Lord said, “Listen to the words of the unjust judge. 7 Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help? 8 I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Amelia Lin

In this passage, Jesus tells his disciples another parable about an unjust judge who eventually grants justice to a widow, due to her persistence and perpetual requests. Jesus then compares the unjust judge to God who is just. Jesus reminds us that God will bring about justice for his people … and he will do so promptly and gladly, unlike the unjust judge!

Jesus then leaves his disciples with a question: When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?

It can be hard to continually pray, both throughout the day and for specific things. We can so easily get caught up in our daily business, or forget about something we said we would commit to praying for. Sometimes we can even lose heart when the things we do pray for seemingly don’t change or improve as we want them to.

I am encouraged by the persistence of the widow, who continued to persevere despite the unjust judge. We should have no excuse in persevering in prayer to a loving, just God who cares for us!

I am also reminded that God is just, and that he will hear and answers our prayers according to his good plans. When we don’t think our prayers are being answered, we can remember that God quickly brings about true justice – which he has already demonstrated for us, in Jesus who took our place on the cross. We really have no excuse to persist in praying to our just God!

Let’s ask God to help us continually and faithfully rely on Him through prayer, to make an effort to pray for big and small things throughout the day and to persist in our long-term prayer.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amelia is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

1 April 2025

Luke 17:26-37

Gus Cameron

1 April 2025

26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man: 27 People were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.
28 It was the same in the days of Lot: People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But on the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.
30 It will be just like that on the day the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day, let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve his possessions. Likewise, let no one in the field return for anything he has left behind. 32 Remember Lot’s wife! 33 Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed: One will be taken and the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding grain together: One will be taken and the other left.”
37 “Where, Lord?” they asked.
Jesus answered, “Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

One time at work, when I was talking to a group of Christians about the return of Jesus Christ, there was a short discussion about what that might look like. There were general remarks about how wonderful that moment will be.

In today’s passage, Jesus gives us a bit of a reality check on what that moment will actually look like. Jesus compares it to two episodes from the Old Testament: the days of Noah, when people were going about their normal lives before the flood came, and the days of Lot in the wicked city of Sodom, when people were similarly going about their business before fire and sulphur rained down. What stands out to me with those Old Testament references is that they both relate to cataclysmic events, events that result in mass destruction. But they were also events where a small group of people escaped that destruction – like in the Exodus, when God delivered Israel from the destruction he brought to Egypt.

The warning from Jesus here is clear: don’t long for or love the things that are marked for destruction. Rather, remember that Jesus has opened the way for a new and true exodus, and obey the word of the gospel that instructs and prepares you on how you can escape.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

31 March 2025

Luke 17:22-25

Gus Cameron

31 March 2025

22 Then He said to the disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. 23 People will tell you, ‘Look, there He is!’ or ‘Look, here He is!’ Do not go out or chase after them. 24 For just as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so will be the Son of Man in His day. 25 But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

Today in our devotions, we’re returning to Luke’s Gospel after quite a long break. We are jumping back in just after Jesus has been asked when the kingdom of God will come. Over the next few days, we will listen to Jesus teach us several things we need to know about his second coming – when he will return in glory, to bring this present evil age to an end and to unveil God’s everlasting kingdom.

Today Jesus makes something very clear: His second coming will be such a huge event that it will be obvious to everyone in the world. At first I was struggling to imagine verse 24, where Jesus compares his return to lightning. But then I realised it’s an analogy, not a description. When there’s a huge bolt of lightning, nobody can miss it – it lights up the whole sky. Jesus’ point was: When he comes back, it will be like that – nobody will possibly be able to miss it.

There’s a Wikipedia page called “List of people claimed to be Jesus”, which lists people in the last few centuries who either claimed to be Jesus, or other people believed they were Jesus Christ returned. It gives a few names from the 17th and 18th centuries, 8 from the 19th century … and 31 people from the 20th century. So far we’re up to 12 people this century who claim they are Jesus.

It’s makes me sad that so many people get taken in by those small, lame, fake returns-of-Jesus. But I’m also so glad that Jesus himself gave us such a clear word, to protect us from them. If a friend tells you they believe some amazing and powerful preacher or prophet or priest is Jesus Christ, you don’t need to be the slightest bit worried that maybe they’re right.

See, I still don’t know what the return of Jesus will look like – not exactly. But I know that when he returns, every single person on the planet will see and know without a shadow of a doubt. That’s when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:9-11).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our Senior Minister.

Gus Cameron

29 March 2025

Esther 9:20-10:3

Gus Cameron

29 March 2025

20 Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all the provinces of King Xerxes, both near and far, 21 to establish among them an annual celebration on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar 22 as the days on which the Jews gained rest from their enemies and the month in which their sorrow turned to joy and their mourning into a holiday. He wrote that these were to be days of feasting and joy, of sending gifts to one another and to the poor.
23 So the Jews agreed to continue the custom they had started, as Mordecai had written to them. 24 For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the Pur (that is, the lot) to crush and destroy them. 25 But when it came before the king, he commanded by letter that the wicked scheme which Haman had devised against the Jews should come back upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
26 Therefore these days are called Purim, from the word Pur.
Because of all the instructions in this letter, and because of all they had seen and experienced, 27 the Jews bound themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should not fail to celebrate these two days at the appointed time each and every year, according to their regulation. 28 These days should be remembered and celebrated by every generation, family, province, and city, so that these days of Purim should not fail to be observed among the Jews, nor should the memory of them fade from their descendants.
29 So Queen Esther daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter concerning Purim. 30 And Mordecai sent letters with words of peace and truth to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Xerxes, 31 in order to confirm these days of Purim at their appointed time, just as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had established them and had committed themselves and their descendants to the times of fasting and lamentation.
32 So Esther’s decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, which were written into the record.

CHAPTER TEN

1 Now King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the land, even to its farthest shores.
2 And all of Mordecai’s powerful and magnificent accomplishments, together with the full account of the greatness to which the king had raised him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia? 3 For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews and highly favored by his many kinsmen, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Gus Cameron

There is so much joy and celebration in this passage, and no wonder! God has used King Xerxes to save his people, and so they rejoice. As I think about how they celebrated, it’s helped me reflect on how we respond to what God has done for us through Christ Jesus.

Do the words “celebrate” and “joy” describe your response to what Christ has done for you? I hope that there are times when you do celebrate; perhaps when you see a new believer being baptised or you’re reminded of a deep truth from a sermon. But I’m sure there are also times when we need to remind ourselves to rejoice. Think about some of the things we do as believers; we come together for church on Sundays, as we sing together, as we meet in Growth Groups, as we pray to our Heavenly Father, as we serve in our teams, as we read our devotions. Let’s approach them all with celebration and hearts full of joy.

I’m sure we can get overwhelmed and distracted by lots of different things each week, but Philippians 4:4 urges us: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”. We know what God has done for us, and we know that he’ll finish what he started. That’s the greatest reason to rejoice.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gus is an Assistant Minister with our Fairfield congregations.

Gus Cameron

28 March 2025

Esther 9:1-19

Gus Cameron

28 March 2025

1 On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the king’s command and edict were to be executed. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but their plan was overturned and the Jews overpowered those who hated them. 2 In each of the provinces of King Xerxes, the Jews assembled in their cities to attack those who sought to harm them. No man could withstand them, because the fear of them had fallen upon all peoples.
3 And all the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and the king’s administrators helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai had fallen upon them. 4 For Mordecai exercised great power in the palace, and his fame spread throughout the provinces as he became more and more powerful.
5 The Jews put all their enemies to the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did as they pleased to those who hated them. 6 In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men, 7 including Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, 8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha. 10 They killed these ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.
11 On that day the number of those killed in the citadel of Susa was reported to the king, 12 who said to Queen Esther, “In the citadel of Susa the Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men, including Haman’s ten sons. What have they done in the rest of the royal provinces? Now what is your petition? It will be given to you. And what further do you request? It will be fulfilled.”
13 Esther replied, “If it pleases the king, may the Jews in Susa also have tomorrow to carry out today’s edict, and may the bodies of Haman’s ten sons be hanged on the gallows.”
14 So the king commanded that this be done. An edict was issued in Susa, and they hanged the ten sons of Haman. 15 On the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, the Jews in Susa came together again and put to death three hundred men there, but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.
16 The rest of the Jews in the royal provinces also assembled to defend themselves and rid themselves of their enemies. They killed 75,000 who hated them, but they did not lay a hand on the plunder. 17 This was done on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth day they rested, making it a day of feasting and joy.
18 The Jews in Susa, however, had assembled on the thirteenth and the fourteenth days of the month. So they rested on the fifteenth day, making it a day of feasting and joy. 19 This is why the rural Jews, who live in the villages, observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a day of joy and feasting. It is a holiday for sending gifts to one another.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Gus Cameron

I find the killing in this passage quite confronting, but I think that’s because I’ve never faced life threatening persecution. King Xerxes had promised the Jews safety, and he allowed them to do what needed to be done to secure their safety, he allowed them to kill those who had tried to kill them.

I can’t help thinking about the book of Revelation, which was written to Christians facing intense persecution, to reassure them that God hadn’t forgotten them. As they watched their friends being killed for following Jesus, Revelation reminded those early Christians that Christ Jesus would come to bring justice and eternal peace.

Revelation 20:15 says this: “15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.”. Those who refuse to repent and who continue to rebel against Christ, and who harm his people will not win. They will face the fury of God almighty.

Thank God that we don’t face that kind of persecution at the moment but also thank him that we don’t have to fight for eternal peace ourselves, Christ will return and secure it for us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gus is an Assistant Minister with our Fairfield congregations.