Psalms 60-61

Psalms 60-61 - Daily Devotion - 10 January 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

Today we are reading two psalms. As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

1. What things in these Psalms can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in these Psalms that makes me think of Jesus?

Psalm 60

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A Miktam of David for instruction. When he fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

1 You have rejected us, O God;
You have broken us;
You have been angry;
restore us!
2 You have shaken the land
and torn it open.
Heal its fractures,
for it is quaking.
3 You have shown Your people hardship;
we are staggered from the wine You made us drink.

4 You have raised a banner for those who fear You,
that they may flee the bow.
Selah

5 Respond and save us with Your right hand,
that Your beloved may be delivered.

6 God has spoken from His sanctuary:
“I will triumph!
I will parcel out Shechem
and apportion the Valley of Succoth.
7 Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine;
Ephraim is My helmet, Judah is My scepter.
8 Moab is My washbasin;
upon Edom I toss My sandal;
over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

9 Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
10 Have You not rejected us, O God?
Will You no longer march out, O God, with our armies?
11 Give us aid against the enemy,
for the help of man is worthless.
12 With God we will perform with valor,
and He will trample our enemies.

Psalm 61

For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. Of David.

1 Hear my cry, O God;
attend to my prayer.
2 From the ends of the earth I call out to You
whenever my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I.
3 For You have been my refuge,
a tower of strength against the enemy.
4 Let me dwell in Your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.
Selah

5 For You have heard my vows, O God;
You have given me the inheritance
reserved for those who fear Your name.
6 Increase the days of the king’s life;
may his years span many generations.
7 May he sit enthroned in God’s presence forever;
appoint Your loving devotion
and Your faithfulness to guard him.
8 Then I will ever sing praise to Your name
and fulfill my vows day by day.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

1. What things in these Psalms can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in these Psalms that makes me think of Jesus?

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

Psalm 59

Psalm 59 - Daily Devotion - 9 January 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

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

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

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him.

1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
protect me from those who rise against me.
2 Deliver me from workers of iniquity,
and save me from men of bloodshed.
3 See how they lie in wait for me.
Fierce men conspire against me
for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD.
4 For no fault of my own,
they move swiftly to attack me.
Arise to help me, and take notice.
5 O LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel,
rouse Yourself to punish all the nations;
show no mercy to the wicked traitors.
Selah

6 They return in the evening, snarling like dogs
and prowling around the city.
7 See what they spew from their mouths—
sharp words from their lips:
“For who can hear us?”
8 But You, O LORD, laugh at them;
You scoff at all the nations.

9 I will keep watch for You, O my strength,
because You, O God, are my fortress.
10 My God of loving devotion will come to meet me;
God will let me stare down my foes.

11 Do not kill them,
or my people will forget.
Scatter them by Your power,
and bring them down,
O Lord, our shield.
12 By the sins of their mouths
and the words of their lips,
let them be trapped in their pride,
in the curses and lies they utter.
13 Consume them in wrath;
consume them till they are no more,
so it may be known to the ends of the earth
that God rules over Jacob.
Selah

14 They return in the evening,
snarling like dogs
and prowling around the city.
15 They scavenge for food,
and growl if they are not satisfied.

16 But I will sing of Your strength
and proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning.
For You are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.
17 To You, O my strength, I sing praises,
for You, O God, are my fortress,
my God of loving devotion.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

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

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

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

Psalm 58

Psalm 58 - Daily Devotion - 8 January 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

Today I’ll make a brief comment at the end of the reading. But as always, as you read keep in mind our two questions:

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

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

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David.

1 Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers?
Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?
2 No, in your hearts you devise injustice;
with your hands you mete out violence on the earth.

3 The wicked are estranged from the womb;
the liars go astray from birth.
4 Their venom is like the venom of a snake,
like a cobra that shuts its ears,
5 refusing to hear the tune of the charmer
who skillfully weaves his spell.

6 O God, shatter their teeth in their mouths;
O LORD, tear out the fangs of the lions.
7 May they vanish
like water that runs off;
when they draw the bow,
may their arrows be blunted.
8 Like a slug that dissolves in its slime,
like a woman’s stillborn child,
may they never see the sun.

9 Before your pots can feel the burning thorns—
whether green or dry—
He will sweep them away.
10 The righteous will rejoice
when they see they are avenged;
they will wash their feet
in the blood of the wicked.
11 Then men will say,
There is surely a reward for the righteous!
There is surely a God who judges the earth!”

REFLECTIONS

We will encounter a few psalms like this one, where the psalmist asks God to destroy the wicked or looks forward to their final destruction. We often find these psalms hard to read and wonder whether we should pray them. I’ll make more detailed comments on that when we get to Psalm 69. But for now, a couple of comments.

First, David and the other psalmists longed for God to bring an end to violence, injustice, corruption, exploitation and wickedness – and so do we. When God judges wickedness and puts all evil to an end forever, it will be good and will bring rejoicing. Secondly, notice that this psalm is especially directed at rulers and people in authority who “mete out violence on the earth” (v 1-2) – and on top of that, these rulers have refused God’s call to repent (v 4-5). The Bible has specially targeted warnings for those in positions of power. Finally, we all by nature would come under the judgment of this Psalm. It is only God’s grace to guilty sinners that means we can receive a “reward for the righteous” that we don’t deserve. Only Jesus is “righteous” in himself, but through his blood shed for the wicked, he gives us the reward of his own righteousness.

Now spend a moment thinking about the questions:

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

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

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

Psalm 57

Psalm 57 - Daily Devotion - 7 January 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

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

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

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave.

1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy,
for in You my soul takes refuge.
In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter
until the danger has passed.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills His purpose for me.
3 He reaches down from heaven and saves me;
He rebukes those who trample me.
Selah

God sends forth
His loving devotion and His truth.
4 My soul is among the lions;
I lie down with ravenous beasts—
with men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
may Your glory cover all the earth.

6 They spread a net for my feet;
my soul was despondent.
They dug a pit before me,
but they themselves have fallen into it!
Selah

7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast.
I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my glory!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.

9 I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing Your praises among the peoples.
10 For Your loving devotion reaches to the heavens,
and Your faithfulness to the clouds.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
may Your glory cover all the earth.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

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

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

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

Psalm 56

Psalm 56 - Daily Devotion - 6 January 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

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

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

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David.

1 Be merciful to me, O God,
for men are hounding me;
all day they press their attack.
2 My enemies pursue me all day long,
for many proudly assail me.

3 When I am afraid,
I put my trust in You.
4 In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust.
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?

5 All day long they twist my words;
all their thoughts are on my demise.
6 They conspire, they lurk,
they watch my steps
while they wait to take my life.
7 In spite of such sin, will they escape?
In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.

8 You have taken account of my wanderings.
Put my tears in Your bottle—
are they not in Your book?
9 Then my enemies will retreat
on the day I cry for help.
By this I will know that God is on my side.

10 In God, whose word I praise,
in the LORD, whose word I praise,
11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?

12 Your vows are upon me, O God;
I will render thank offerings to You.
13 For You have delivered my soul from death,
and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

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

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

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

Psalm 55

Psalm 55 - Daily Devotion - 5 January 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

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

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

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

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

For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David.

1 Listen to my prayer, O God,
and do not ignore my plea.
2 Attend to me and answer me.
I am restless in my complaint,
and distraught 3 at the voice of the enemy,
at the pressure of the wicked.
For they release disaster upon me
and revile me in their anger.

4 My heart murmurs within me,
and the terrors of death assail me.
5 Fear and trembling grip me,
and horror has overwhelmed me.
6 I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and find rest.
7 How far away I would flee!
In the wilderness I would remain.
Selah

8 I would hurry to my shelter,
far from this raging tempest.”

9 O Lord, confuse and confound their speech,
for I see violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they encircle the walls,
while malice and trouble lie within.
11 Destruction is within;
oppression and deceit never leave the streets.

12 For it is not an enemy who insults me;
that I could endure.
It is not a foe who rises against me;
from him I could hide.
13 But it is you, a man like myself,
my companion and close friend.
14 We shared sweet fellowship together;
we walked with the crowd into the house of God.

15 Let death seize them by surprise;
let them go down to Sheol alive,
for evil is with them in their homes.
16 But I call to God,
and the LORD saves me.
17 Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress,
and He hears my voice.
18 He redeems my soul in peace
from the battle waged against me,
even though many oppose me.
19 God will hear and humiliate them—
the One enthroned for the ages—
Selah

because they do not change
and they have no fear of God.

20 My companion attacks his friends;
he violates his covenant.
21 His speech is smooth as butter,
but war is in his heart.
His words are softer than oil,
yet they are swords unsheathed.

22 Cast your burden upon the LORD
and He will sustain you;
He will never let the righteous be shaken.
23 But You, O God, will bring them down
to the Pit of destruction;
men of bloodshed and deceit
will not live out half their days.

But I will trust in You.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

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

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

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

John 5:39-47

John 5:39-47 - Daily Devotion - 3 January 2025

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

39 You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me, 40 yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.

41 I do not accept glory from men, 42 but I know you, that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you have not received Me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

45 Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, in whom you have put your hope. 46 If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me. 47 But since you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Omar Dewan

For those of you who don’t know, I work in superannuation regulation. My job is to make sure that superannuation funds are following the rules we’ve set for them. If they don’t abide by the rules, they face pretty severe consequences.

The interesting thing about the rules we set is that they’re actually principles. They’re not the “tick-a-box” type of rule. This means that I don’t tell superannuation funds what they need to do to run their business, but I’m more concerned with how they run their business. I’ve worked as a regulator for a while, so I can tell when superannuation funds are technically following the rules we’ve set, but they don’t actually believe in the spirit of the rules and what they are pointing towards – that is, running their business properly and well.

Today’s passage from John 5 reminds me of what I face at times in my job, but goes much further. Jesus is rebuking the religious leaders because, while they strictly seem to follow the rules of the Old Testament Scriptures (v 39), they have lost sight of what the Scriptures are ultimately pointing towards: Jesus himself (v 40-44). As we heard yesterday, Jesus is God’s ultimate and perfect testimony of Himself, so it’s no surprise that all the Old Testament Scriptures pointed to him. Because the religious leaders have prioritised rule-keeping and rejected Jesus as God’s revelation, the very Scriptures they said they followed will “accuse” them before the Father (v 45).

Today’s passage prompts me to pause and reflect on my own relationship with Jesus. Maybe you can join me in reflecting on these questions as well.

Are we cultivating our relationship with Jesus by growing in our knowledge and dependence on Him through both good times and bad times?

Have we recognised the only way to be saved from being “accused” before the Father – by believing the Scripture’s testimony and coming to Jesus to have life? Are we following God’s way set out in Scripture by coming to Jesus, or do we treat Scripture just as rules we have to do? If we have come to Jesus, we should be following God’s way as an expression of our trust in Jesus, and to testify of his goodness to others.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Omar is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.

John 5:31-38

John 5:31-38 - Daily Devotion - 2 January 2025

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

31 If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid. 32 There is another who testifies about Me, and I know that His testimony about Me is valid.

33 You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. 34 Even though I do not accept human testimony, I say these things so that you may be saved.

35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you were willing for a season to bask in his light. 36 But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me. 37 And the Father who sent Me has Himself testified about Me. You have never heard His voice nor seen His form, 38 nor does His word abide in you, because you do not believe the One He sent.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Val Dewan

I served on a jury a few years ago. One of our main roles was to assess the credibility of the testimonies of many witnesses. In making our judgement, we had to consider whether their testimonies lined up with factual evidence.

From today’s passage, I reflected on the credibility of Jesus’ claim that he is equal to God, which we saw back in verses 18-23. Jesus gives three strong testimonies that prove this claim:

1. The testimony of John the Baptist (v 32-35),

2. Jesus’ works, through which God the Father himself testified about Jesus (v 36-38), and

3. Scripture (as we’ll see in tomorrow’s devotional).

What struck me was that even though the religious leaders knew these three pieces of factual evidence very well, including witnessing Jesus heal a man who was disabled for 38 years earlier in John 5, they did not judge Jesus’ claims to be credible. Instead, they started planning for his death.

I was comforted that Jesus provides these testimonies in order to save us from God’s judgement and enable us to inherit eternal life (v 34). I thank God that He has worked by His Spirit to soften my heart to trust in His Word and accept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. His ultimate testimony is that he died and rose again from the dead. Therefore, His claim as the Son of God is not only credible, but unshakeable. I am encouraged to keep testifying that Jesus is the Son of God to friends and family who do not call on Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Val is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.

John 5:25-30

John 5:25-30 - Daily Devotion - 1 January 2025

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

25 Truly, truly, I tell you, the hour is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted the Son to have life in Himself. 27 And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.

28 Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice 29 and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

30 I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Nathan Ting

“Everyone dies – but not everyone lives”. That’s a quote I heard somewhere several years ago. I remember when I processed what it meant, I had a bit of a moment of having my mind blown – I thought it was really clever. In its context, what this quote was saying is that everyone will die at some point, but whether you can look back and be content with the life you’ve lived is a different matter altogether. The quote is an encouragement to take a step back, reflect on the things that truly matter in life and live in a way that is meaningful to you.

Reflecting on it now, I think it’s a bit vague and subjective, but it got at least one thing right: that in the big scheme of things, death is imminent.

Today’s passage strikes me as a reminder of the need to urgently share the gospel with the world because death is imminent – but it’s also not the end. We saw from verse 24 in yesterday’s passage that whoever hears and believes Jesus will receive eternal life, having crossed over from death to life. Verse 29 makes it clear that everyone will be resurrected, however not everyone will be resurrected to life – sadly, some will not have crossed over from death and will instead be resurrected to face eternal judgment. Verse 25 highlights the urgency of sharing the gospel with people – Jesus says that the hour is not just coming, but that the hour “has now come” when those who hear and believe will be saved. All who are spiritually dead in their sin have an opportunity to hear about the grace of God and to find salvation in Jesus, which is the will of the Father as we saw earlier in John 3:17.

The question for us is: As followers of Christ, are we Christ-like in seeking the will of our heavenly Father, which is to see a world that puts their trust in Jesus? Are we taking the opportunities given to us to share this eternity-changing news with those around us? Ask God to help you be bold and live with urgency in sharing the gospel – so that even though everyone dies, they might also live because of Jesus.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nathan is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

John 5:22-24

John 5:22-24 - Daily Devotion - 31 December 2025

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

22 Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

24 Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

Have you ever had the experience of thinking you’re in deep, deep trouble, you can see no possible way out – and suddenly you get handed a seemingly-miraculous lifeline? That’s how today’s short passage made me feel.

It starts, in verses 22-23, with one of the most shocking and direct statements in Jesus’ whole ministry. The Jewish religious leaders already suspected that Jesus was claiming to be equal with God (v 18). Jesus pours petrol on the flames by directly confirming it. The Old Testament declared that the Lord God is the one who will judge the world (Psalm 96:13), and that he will not share or give his glory to any other (Isaiah 42:8). Then Jesus goes and says, “the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.”

Jesus claimed that he is fully and completely God, because he is the Son of the Father. That’s either breathtaking or blasphemous.

But if you get stuck on how shocking Jesus’ words are (as the Jewish leaders did), you’ll miss the breathtakingly good news that follows. Remember, Jesus the Son is the glorious, holy judge of all – the one whom the apostle John would later see, in a vision, riding a war horse, a terrifying king with eyes like blazing fire and a sharp sword coming from his mouth, treading the winepress of God’s wrath (Revelation 19:11-16). His judgment brings death to all sinners.

So when I read verse 24, I felt a wave of relief and thankfulness: “Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.”

What a word of amazing comfort and assurance! No judge in a human courtroom has any power to declare a person “guilty” but then miraculously wipe away their charge and acquit them, or sentence them to life in jail and then instantly release them with no criminal record. That’s what Jesus did – because he is not only the glorious judge, he is also the servant of the Lord who came to suffer our death sentence for us. And he offers us that death-to-life gift if we listen to his word and believe in him.

That is, quite literally, the most miraculous lifeline that ever existed, offered by the one who is himself “the radiance of God’s glory” (Hebrews 1:3). Praise and worship Jesus the Son, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, for his amazing kindness!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our senior minister.

John 5:16-21

John 5:16-21 - Daily Devotion - 30 December 2025

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

16 Now because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews began to persecute Him. 17 But Jesus answered them, “To this very day My Father is at His work, and I too am working.”

18 Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

19 So Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does. 20 The Father loves the Son and shows Him all He does. And to your amazement, He will show Him even greater works than these. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He wishes.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Mercy Saw

On first reading this passage, verse 19 stood out to me. What does it mean that “the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it”? Isn’t Jesus fully God, so couldn't he have done whatever he wanted? Actually, this tells us something profound about the Trinity – that because the Son is fully God, he does everything the Father does, and always acts in perfect union with the Father’s will.

However, reading this verse in context, Jesus is speaking particularly about the work he came to do. Jesus gives us a glimpse of the intimate relationship he has with the Father, where the Father loves the Son and shows him his work, and the work that Jesus does is fully aligned with the Father's purposes. He can do nothing by himself, because he and the Father are so entwined in love and will.

This contrasts sharply with the Jewish leaders' response to Jesus' miraculous healing of the paralysed man. Rather than responding in joy or praise to God, the Jewish leaders instead try to persecute Jesus for breaking the law by working on the Sabbath. Whilst claiming to be doing God's work by upholding the law, they completely miss the signs pointing to Jesus as the one sent to do the work of the Father, the one who would bring the true Sabbath rest and restoration to creation. They act to oppose the work of God and ironically, they try to kill Jesus because they recognise he is claiming to be equal with God.

This reminds me that it is only by God's grace and work in us that any of us can see Jesus clearly as the one sent by God to reveal himself to us. It is possible – like the Jewish leaders – to see the miracles of Jesus and still not believe in him. This reminds me to keep praying for those who are lost, that God would work in them to help them receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

This passage also fills me with thanks for the greatest work God the Father has done in raising Jesus from the dead, and through Him giving us new life. God is still at work in bringing people to himself, and we have the privilege of sharing in his work too by sharing the good news of Jesus and praying for the salvation of those who do not yet know him. This may feel small when we focus on our efforts, but we can be encouraged that God is the one who is powerful and mighty to save. Praise God that he is always at work!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mercy is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

John 5:9b-15

John 5:9b-15 - Daily Devotion - 29 December 2025

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

Now this happened on the Sabbath day, 10 so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “This is the Sabbath! It is unlawful for you to carry your mat.”

11 But he answered, “The man who made me well told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’”

12 “Who is this man who told you to pick it up and walk?” they asked.

13 But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while the crowd was there.

14 Afterward, Jesus found the man at the temple and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Stop sinning, or something worse may happen to you.”

15 And the man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

Today we return to the man who was an invalid for 38 years and was miraculously healed by Jesus.

Two things stand out to me today. First, when the Pharisees notice him and see that he can walk, the first thing they say to him is not, “How is this amazing thing possible?” Instead they say, “It is unlawful for you to carry your mat” – because it was the Sabbath day. How often do we, even as well-meaning Christians, forget to marvel at the amazing work of the gospel of Jesus Christ in people's lives, and instead get caught up in personal differences or even grievances we have about how something is said or done, or even whether someone is or isn’t doing what we think is right? I can recall a conversation I had with a Pentecostal friend who talked enthusiastically about how the Spirit was leading him – only for my mind to be questioning whether it really is the Spirit, or whether he really is in his right mind. What I should have been thinking instead is how wonderful it is that my brother calls Jesus Lord, and that the transforming work of the Spirit is calling him to do things for God’s great kingdom, to the praise of his wonderful name.

The second thing that stands out for me is Jesus’s stern warning to the man who had received this miraculous healing: “Stop sinning.” Jesus was not saying that sin had caused the man to be an invalid. This was Jesus saying to the man: “Recognise who I am. Remember me by the proof that you have been made well. Respond appropriately by stopping sinning.”

I too have received the miracle of Jesus having mercy upon me. I was once dead in my sins, but now I have been made alive by faith in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice. So what should my response be? Recognise who Jesus is, remember him by the proof that I have been made well, and stop sinning.

The passage ends with the man going back to the Pharisees and telling them that it was Jesus who made him well. I kind of wish it had ended more like this: “And the man went away, put to death the sin in his life, and committed the remainder of his life to faithful service in worship to the one who made him well.”

What will your response be to Jesus today?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

John 5:1-9a

John 5:1-9a - Daily Devotion - 27 December 2025

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

Some time later there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool with five covered colonnades, which in Hebrew is called Bethesda. 3 On these walkways lay a great number of the sick, the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed.

5 One man there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and realized that he had spent a long time in this condition, He asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am on my way, someone else goes in before me.”

8 Then Jesus told him, “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.”

9 Immediately the man was made well, and he picked up his mat and began to walk.

REFLECTIONS

Written by MIchael Legaspi

The power of God – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – always astounds me. But even though God has the power to heal and remove all sickness and disease in the world, he does not – well, not yet. There is a purpose and intention to all that God does.

The miraculous healing in today’s passage happens at a large pool called Bethesda, which was discovered by archaeologists in the 1880s. When Jesus arrives there, the pool is surrounded by the desperate, the dependent, the distressed and despairing. What could they do to help themselves, being blind, lame and paralysed? Where are their families? Where are their friends? These people are almost entirely dependent on others, and they long to have what most of us take for granted: the ability to walk and see.

The scene focuses on one man – an invalid for 38 years. His helplessness is illustrated in verse 7: “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred.” He is a picture of human limitation and the need for divine help.

What stands out in verse 6 is that Jesus knows the man’s situation, his limitation, and his need. In the ESV translation, it says: “When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be healed?’”

Jesus knew. But Jesus doesn’t just know about people’s physical needs. Jesus has a deep understanding of our real situation, a deep understanding of our life. Jesus has the true wisdom of knowing our situation of sin and rebellion, our limitation that we can’t save ourselves, and our need to be saved from judgment.

What was this man’s greatest need? And what is yours?

Let us ask God to help us remember the reality of humanity’s situation and the limitations we face. But even more, ask God to help us know and trust the one who has the deepest wisdom and understanding of us: Jesus Christ. And let us remember Jesus’ power to solve our real need – just as he said to the man “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk,” and at once the man was cured, picked up his mat, and walked.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

John 4:51-54

John 4:49-54 - Daily Devotion - 26 December 2025

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

Reminder: We read the first half of this episode on Christmas Eve, when the royal official came to Jesus because his son was about to die. We will pick it up again in verse 49.

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49 “Sir,” the official said, “come down before my child dies.”

50 “Go,” said Jesus. “Your son will live.”

The man took Jesus at His word and departed. 51 And while he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was alive.

52 So he inquired as to the hour when his son had recovered, and they told him, “The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour.”

53 Then the father realized that this was the very hour in which Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” And he and all his household believed.

54 This was now the second sign that Jesus performed after coming from Judea into Galilee.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Queenie Favelle

This passage challenges us to trust God even when we do not yet see the fruits of our prayers.

The royal official was desperate. His son was dying, and he thought that Jesus had to travel and go to his son in order to heal him. But as we saw last time, Jesus simply said to him, “Go – your son will live” (v 50), and the man believed him. John told us, “The man took Jesus at his word” – that is, Jesus’ word was enough for him. So he was able to leave Jesus and return home, despite not yet seeing for himself that his son was healed.

Notice the order: he believed first, before he had any signs that his son was healed. I think often trusting in Jesus is very much like that. Even though we do not know how our prayers will be answered, we take God at his word, trust him, and persevere. Ultimately, we have God's biggest sign, which is Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead, through which he conquered death once and for all. This ought to lead us to repentance and trust, even when we don’t yet see God’s answer to our prayers.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Queenie is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

Hebrews 9:27-28

Hebrews 9:27-28 - Daily Devotion - 25 December 2025

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

27 Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

Today we’re taking a break from our devotions in John’s Gospel for a special Christmas devotion. And if you’re reading this on Christmas Day, then: Merry Christmas!

In Christian tradition, Christmas isn’t just about remembering that the Son of God came into our world as a baby. It’s about remembering that we are living in the time between the first and second comings of Jesus. That’s why this season is known as Advent. The word “advent” means “coming” or “arriving”; and at Christmas, we not only look back to Jesus’ first coming, we also look forward with hope to the day when he will come back again in glory to raise his people to everlasting life in God’s new creation.

This year in the leadup to Christmas, I’ve been reflecting on the angel’s announcement in Luke 2:11-12:

“Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

What joyful news – a baby who will be the Saviour! But Hebrews 9:28 tells us two extra details. First, the “saving” part isn’t quite done yet. In one sense, if you have turned to Jesus as your Lord, then you have already received the gift of salvation. But in its full sense, salvation is what Jesus will bring when he appears a second time. That is why we “eagerly await him” – because we have not yet taken hold of our inheritance of resurrection life in God’s kingdom.

But Hebrews 9:28 also spells out the grim truth about Jesus’ first coming, which the angel’s announcement didn’t reveal: The purpose of his first coming was for him “to bear sin.”

That got me thinking about Jesus the “baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” There are several reasons why God didn’t fully reveal the details of his plan until the moment Jesus died on the cross. But if he had got the angels to include that bit, I wonder … would the burden have been too much for Mary and Joseph to bear? When you look at a little baby, all pudgy folds and soft skin, it’s so clear that human flesh is … well, weak, vulnerable and ever so easy to pierce.

God knew the cost. The Father knew in sending the Son. The Son, in his eternal unity of will with the Father, knew the agony he would bear. And yet he came as a baby, to bear our sin through his flesh on the cross – all so that he will be able to return in glory and victory “to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him,” as Hebrews 9:25 says.

“This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10)

Spend some time thanking God today for his indescribable love poured out in Jesus’ first coming, and ask him to help you each day to eagerly await our final salvation at Jesus’ second coming.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our senior minister.

John 4:43-50

John 4:43-50 - Daily Devotion - 24 December 2025

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

43 After two days, Jesus left for Galilee. 44 Now He Himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown. 45 Yet when He arrived, the Galileans welcomed Him. They had seen all the great things He had done in Jerusalem at the feast, for they had gone there as well.

46 So once again He came to Cana in Galilee, where He had turned the water into wine. And there was a royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Him to come down and heal his son, who was about to die.

48 Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.”

49 “Sir,” the official said, “come down before my child dies.”

50 “Go,” said Jesus. “Your son will live.”

The man took Jesus at His word and departed.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Scott Favelle

Words or Wonders – what is more important? Of course I love the word of God and love to delve into it, but there are times when I think how amazing it would be to be the people in these accounts and actually witness the things Jesus did! His miracles, His signs – how much stronger would my faith be, how much more tangible would the gospel feel rather than “simply words on a page”? But today’s passage seems to be a strong challenge against such thinking.

In our reading today, we hear about the Galileans who all too recently had taken offence at Jesus and his amazing teaching (see Mark 6:1-6 for the background). But now they welcome Jesus. Why? Because they sat with his teaching and thought and reflected on it some more? No, not at all! It was because they saw him doing signs and wonders. That is why Jesus gives a scathing rebuke: “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.” Their desire for spectacle over substance showed the fickle and unreliable nature of their faith.

The royal official is a stark contrast to the rest of the Galileans. He comes to Jesus and begs him to come down and save the life of his sick son. But Jesus simply replies, “Go – your son will live”. So what does the man do? Does he demand that Jesus come with him or do something impressive? No, he simply takes Jesus at his word and leaves. (We will find out tomorrow if this was the right call, so stay tuned.)

So I go back to my first question: Words or Wonders, what is more important? It seems intuitive that if we saw the wonders Christ performed, our faith would be stronger. But that isn’t the reality. Instead, a faith that relies on wonders as its foundation is fickle and weak, because when the miracles stop, so will our belief. Instead, we should ground our faith on the words of Jesus and of God, just as the royal official did: “The man took Jesus at his word” (v 50). Why? Because the Word of God is secure and never changing. As Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” – so believe what he says.

As we celebrate Christmas, let’s reflect on the trustworthiness of God’s word and his promises. Yes, Christmas is the story of a miraculous virgin birth and the miracle of God becoming man, but even more importantly, it is the beginning of the fulfilment of every one of God’s promises, culminating at the Cross of Christ.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

John 4:27-42

John 4:27-42 - Daily Devotion - 23 December 2025

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

27 Just then His disciples returned and were surprised that He was speaking with a woman. But no one asked Him, “What do You want from her?” or “Why are You talking with her?”

28 Then the woman left her water jar, went back into the town, and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” 30 So they left the town and made their way toward Jesus.

31 Meanwhile the disciples urged Him, “Rabbi, eat something.”

32 But He told them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”

33 So the disciples asked one another, “Could someone have brought Him food?”

34 Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months until the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe †  for harvest.

36 Already the reaper draws his wages and gathers a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together. 37 For in this case the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the hard work, and now you have taken up their labor.”

39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to Him, they asked Him to stay with them, and He stayed two days.

41 And many more believed because of His message. 42 They said to the woman, “We now believe not only because of your words; we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man truly is the Savior of the world.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Ashel Singh

In this passage, we see something powerful happen in a small Samaritan town. It begins with one woman. She doesn’t have a theology degree or a polished testimony. She simply tells people what happened to her: “He told me everything I ever did.” And that was enough for many to believe.

At first, the Samaritans believe because of her words. Her story opened the door. Her honesty sparked curiosity. This reminds us that God uses ordinary people to draw others to himself.

As the story continues, the people then ask Jesus to stay with them, and he does. Over the next two days, they listen to him, watch him, and experience him personally. They say: “We now believe not only because of your words; we have heard for ourselves.” They experience true faith in a depth which is much more serious than before.

Many of us come to faith because of someone else — a parent, a friend, or a leader. Jesus doesn’t want to remain someone we only know through others. He invites us to spend time with him, to listen to his voice, and to encounter him personally.

And notice how they finish: “We know that this man truly is the Saviour of the world.” Not just my Saviour, but the Saviour for everyone. He calls us to have a personal relationship with him, always leading to a bigger vision of who Jesus is.

Today, I wonder if it’s helpful to reflect on this: Do I rely on someone else’s direction towards faith in Jesus, or do I have my own personal relationship with him?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ashel is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.

John 4:16-26

John 4:16-26 - Daily Devotion - 22 December 2025

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

16 Jesus told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”

17 “I have no husband,” the woman replied.

Jesus said to her, “You are correct to say that you have no husband. 18 In fact, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. You have spoken truthfully.”

19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I see that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where one must worship is in Jerusalem.”

21 “Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”

25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.”

26 Jesus answered, “I who speak to you am He.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Mary Hong

Yesterday we heard about the moment when Jesus met this Samaritan woman at the well. He offered her “living water” (v10), but she didn’t understand – she thought he was talking about literal water that would permanently take away her physical thirst.

Today, Jesus changes the direction of the conversation. He asks her, with graciousness and sensitivity, about her husband (v16-18). However, she still is not convinced about who she is speaking to. She thinks Jesus is merely a prophet (v19) and that the Messiah is yet to come (v25).

At that point, Jesus gives her clarity as he proclaims: "I who speak to you am he." (v26)

What strikes me most is the fact that Jesus already knew this woman before He started speaking with her. Even though he was only passing through the town of Samaria on his way to Galilee, Jesus was familiar with her story (v16-18). He had supernatural knowledge of the shameful details of her personal life, yet he was interested in her and cared about her.

That got me thinking about what it must have been like to be that woman at the well. She probably wasn't well regarded by her own people, yet she had learned and knew about the Messiah and was waiting for His arrival – but she didn’t realise He had already come! It must have been an astounding moment when she realised and believed that she was speaking to the Messiah Himself. Later in the chapter, we will hear about how she goes home and excitedly tells all her friends about Jesus the Saviour.

It’s so amazing that this meeting and interaction with Jesus soon becomes her personal testimony.

I am also reminded of my faith journey. For a long time, I doubted and didn't accept Jesus into my life as my Saviour. I recall having many excuses. In many ways, I too was limited in the belief system I had known. I recall asking the “doubt” questions, taking time to reflect – and then one day it happened: I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.

Friend, if you are still in doubt, is there a Saviour you are longing for? Are you still searching or waiting in hope? What is it that you need to find peace in your heart and believe in Him?

If you are someone who already believes in Jesus: Are there areas in your life where you are still waiting for hope? Is there anywhere in your life you are still hoping to find peace to settle your heart?

Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well is a reminder of the reason He came into world. He came to the waiting, longing hearts, to a world in need of hope. As we gather to celebrate His birth this week, may we make room to reflect and remember: That hope has come.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

John 4:1-15

John 4:1-15 - Daily Devotion - 20 December 2025

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

1 When Jesus realized that the Pharisees were aware He †  was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although it was not Jesus who baptized, but His disciples), 3 He left Judea and returned to Galilee.

4 Now He had to pass through Samaria. 5 So He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Since Jacob’s well was there, Jesus, weary from His journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9 “You are a Jew,” said the woman. “How can You ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 

10 Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

11 “Sir,” the woman replied, “You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where then will You get this living water? 12 Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock?”

13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14 But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”

15 The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water so that I will not get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

Growing up, I don’t ever really recall a time when I carried a drink bottle around. I don’t even think I really owned one. These days, I see them everywhere – my wife, my kids, and pretty much every kid at school has one. And with good reason too – water is vital. When we have water with us, it helps satisfy thirst, which is our body’s signal to tell us that it needs water to not die. Why do we get thirsty? Well, sometimes it’s because it’s a hot day and we can get dehydrated. Sometimes it's because we have just done exercise. Or sometimes, we might be sick and increasing our fluid intake helps our bodies to recover.

In today’s passage, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well: “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.” What Jesus is getting at here is that there is something that we as human beings need even more than water, something like water but somehow better. There is also something in us that produces thirst – not a thirst that physical water can satisfy, a thirst for this living water that only Jesus can provide.

Just like everyone thirsts for physical water, I believe we all thirst for this living water. But sadly, we don’t always turn to Jesus for it. Too often, we try to satisfy this thirst with all kinds of other things, like social media, toys and gadgets, or in the Samaritan woman’s case, relationships (as we will see tomorrow). But none of those things really satisfy.

The Samaritan woman doesn’t understand any of this yet – though she is making a good start: she is asking Jesus for the water he can provide. For most people, it takes time to really understand what Jesus offers us. Because the “living water” he offers is eternal life – not just life that lasts forever, but a life of true fullness and joy, life to the full (John 10:10).

The question for us today is: are you thirsty? Have you come to Jesus to ask for a drink from the water that only He can provide? Listen to these words from Revelation 22:16-17:

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.

Come, brothers and sisters: thirst, and drink freely from the one who, out of his inexhaustible grace, offers eternal life.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

John 3:31-36

John 3:31-36 - Daily Devotion - 19 December 2025

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

31 The One who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. The One who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what He has seen and heard, yet no one accepts His testimony. 33 Whoever accepts His testimony has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

35 The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.” 

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

John 3:36 has been burned into my memory ever since I learned the gospel presentation “Two Ways to Live” many years ago. It’s in the last bit in the presentation, where you explain the two ways we each have to choose between – to submit to Jesus as our ruler and rely on his death and resurrection, or reject him and live our own way.

It’s a great verse for challenging people with the “pointy end” of the gospel. But today it struck me that the verses leading up to it explain why that’s the “pointy end” of the gospel. After all, it seems pretty extreme, doesn’t it? Why should your eternal fate rest on whether you believe in Jesus? Why are the consequences so absolute – eternal life, or staying under God’s wrath?

Well, for starters, it’s because Jesus is the one who came from God and who “speaks the words of God,” so if you don’t believe Jesus, you are calling God a liar (v 33-34).

But even more than that, it’s because the relationship between God the Father and his eternal Son is the heart of the universe. “The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands” (v 35). The entire universe is a love story about the Father’s love for the Son in the Spirit. That love is the reason and purpose for all reality.

So of course we can only find eternal life in the Son – it turns out that’s pretty obvious. But the far more wondrous thing is that when we believe in Jesus, God draws us into that love story. He gives us a share in the same Spirit whom he pours out eternally and “without limit” on his Son (v 35). When we embrace our true purpose – when we say, “I believe you and submit to you, Jesus” – we begin to be filled with that same never-critical, always-delighted love of the Father for his Son.

All praise be to him alone forever and ever! Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our senior minister.