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Bonnells Bay Salvation Army, Cnr Station St & Marconi Road (158 Station St), Bonnells Bay (2026)

06/07/2026

Judas...

Read: Luke 22:1-7

Listen: New Wine-Hillsong
https://youtu.be/1ozGKlOzEVc
Judas Iscariot….history’s best known traitor.
This passage shows the moment that will change everything-for Jesus, for Gods plan, for the world and definitely for the man himself.
Judas was one of the twelve disciples. He was especially chosen by Jesus. He has travelled with this small group,witnessed the miracles, heard the words, watched how Jesus is, what he does.
He is commissioned and equiped to teach and to work miracles. He is sent out on missionary trips with a partner. Judas is put in charge of the finances of the small group:

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”
Judas was taking money from the communal purse for quite a time.

The Sanhedrin is a council made up of elders, priests, chief priests and teachers of the law. During this period the internal governing of Palestine was mostly in the hands of this group. They ruled under the authority of Roman appointed kings or governors.

These are the Jewish leaders that have been following, watching, waiting to trap Jesus and his disciples. This is the group who have decided that Jesus must be stopped. They are having a meeting at the palace of the High Priest Caiaphas. This is where Judas now travels. He meets with them and offers to give them what they want-an opportunity to get at Jesus at a time and place that is away from the crowds & the potential for trouble. They are delighted to offer him money in exchange for this information. 30 pieces of silver-the price of a slave. It is not a large amount.

Scripture does not tell us exactly what is going on here for Judas. The love of money and greed are an apparent weakness. It is also implied that the incident with Mary and the expensive perfume were a catalyst.
The sting of Jesus’ rebuke may have invited pride and anger.
Disappointment and disillusionment. Jesus continues to talk about his death-the perfume as a burial anointing. We have seen that the disciples and the many followers had in mind a very different plan for their Messiah. Judas may have had ambition being in charge of a much larger purse in the new kingdom. We know that there have been disputes about who would be greatest in this kingdom. Judas would not have been immune to these thoughts and ambitions.
We also see that Satan-the great deceiver and tempter is fully involved these goings on.

We know that this betrayal did not come as a surprise to Jesus.
We know that what Satan hoped would thwart Gods plan was always an integral part of the plan. God was and is in control.

It makes me pause that a man can be so close to Jesus and so involved with his ministry but has places in his heart that remain untouched. I believe that Jesus gave him many warnings and many opportunities to turn back. Keeping an eye on our heart and attitude is so important today as it always has been. Little temptations, little attitudes, little grievances can lead to bigger and bigger issues if left unchecked.
As we continue to move through this last week of Jesus, may we allow God to soften our hearts as prepare to remember, to reflect.

Related readings
Matthew 10:1-4
John 11:45-57
Luke 16:20
John 6:60-70
John 12:1-11
Zechariah 11:10-13

Related Readings

Matthew 26:1-16
Mark 14:10-11
John 6:60-70
John 13:10

18/06/2026

Watch

Listen: Hosanna - from the Old City Jerusalem
https://youtu.be/83COydTuhRc
Read: Luke 21

After watching the widow at the offerings, Jesus and his disciples leave the temple for what will be the last time. He has spent the past few days teaching the people and dealing with his enemies from early in the mornings, and has spent the nights with his disciples on the Mount of Olives where they are safe outside the city.

The Mount of Olives gives a good view of the temple over the Kidron Valley. It was apparently especially lovely at sunset. The golden roof over the white marble paints a beautiful picture. We have seen the size and scope of this second temple previously .

I like to imagine Jesus and the disciples sitting at the end of a big few days enjoying the afternoon light on the Mount. The disciples are pondering some of the things Jesus has said about the great city and it’s temple- how it will be completely demolished, how he has grieved and wept over it. Looking across at the might and splendor, how hard to comprehend these things. Perhaps it is beginning to dawn on them that this week might not pan out as they have assumed with the coming of the Kingdom and the overthrowing of the Romans.

Mark tells us that Peter, James, John and Andrew came to ask Jesus when and how would we know?

Jesus replies with his most prophetic discourse. As with the great prophets of the Old Testament, this prophecy speaks to more than one event or time period at the same time.
This is a Jewish prophet speaking to his Jewish followers about the future state of the Jewish nation. At the same time as it speaks into the end of the Jewish state as they know it (the end of the age if you will), the message merges in and out of wider future judgements and the future coming of Jesus-Messiah and Saviour of the entire world.

In the immediate future was the siege of Jerusalem and the utter destruction -even to the foundations- of the temple in 70AD by the Roman armies. The destruction of the temple was actually against the wishes of the Caesar of the time. He wanted to preserve the temple and the Holy Sanctuary but in the heat of the battle it was set alight and razed to the ground. Survivors scattered ending the Jewish state, the temple worship and the reign of the Sanhedrin and priests.

Jesus was preparing his disciples, and through them disciples to come, for the hardships and difficulties to come.
At the time of Jesus, Jerusalem was relatively peaceful however after the crucifixion and in the lead up to these events, many wars broke out in the region. We will see as we read through the Book of Acts that these men will face much danger, persecution, opposition just as Jesus is telling them they will.

Jesus does not answer the main point of their question-when will this all happen. He does tell them to take heed of the signs-
‘forewarned is forearmed’.
He takes them to the practical-this they have heard before. This they will teach in their future ministries.
This is what all believers ever since have held onto as we live in hope -
Be alert.
Be watchful.
Don’t be deceived.
Pray.

Like these great disciples of old,
We don’t know when, we don’t know exactly how but we know that our salvation will come, that heaven and earth may pass away but the words of Jesus will last forever. That we will not perish but in standing firm we shall win our souls. That persecution is an opportunity to share our faith.

These disciples will need every one of these words, every encouragement and comfort , every promise, every strength during the days to follow & for the mission they are about to set out on.

Matthew 24-25
Mark 13
Luke12:35-48
Luke 17:26-37

16/06/2026

Son of David

Listen: Send the Fire - Salvation Army Hymn
https://youtu.be/6kNXZzPX1rwOne for the Faithful!!!

Read: Luke 20:39-21:4

The priests, the scribes or teachers of the law, Pharisees, Sadducees -all have had a go at tricking Jesus.
Asking questions designed to trap him, to get him into trouble with one or other group. Each time they have had the question turned and the heat put back on them. They have found themselves trapped and unable to answer, amazed into silence, humiliated before the crowds in the temple.
They do not dare to ask anymore questions.

Jesus presents a question of his own.
It is easier to get a handle on this encounter in the gospel of Matthew where we have the beginning of the discussion recorded:
“What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”
The reply “the son of David”

Jesus quotes psalm 110 which is a well known and widely acknowledged messianic psalm. This psalm is written by David and describes a scene where God the eternal father welcomes the Messiah to sit at his right hand and share his power and authority.
David describes this messiah as his Lord.
The only way a messiah can be ‘Lord’ and ‘son’ of David is if he is divine and human-
Son of God. Son of Man.

Jesus is claiming Messiah.

He has allowed the crowds to proclaim him so as he entered Jerusalem days before as well as many on the journey as they call out ‘Son of David’.
In this passage he is also claiming Divinity. It is this claim rather than Messiah that will see him arrested and executed.
The rulers and leaders are scared to take him in front of the crowds. Jesus is bringing the situation to a head- and yet again his accusers have no answer- the only way to answer the question (taken from their own writings) is to admit that this man, that the object of their hatred, is the awaited Messiah and the Son of God-something they will never do!

Having silenced his detractors, Jesus turns his attention to his disciples,
Warning them again away from the pitfalls of leadership that has been the model for so long. Outward appearance for outward praise & benefit-all the while inwardly morally bankrupt & using the power of position to advance themselves at the expense of the vulnerable. This, he says, will be severely punished.
God sees and judges the heart-men see and often judge the appearance.

Here we have a widow. Outwardly poor but rich in generosity. Jesus will not judge quantity but is interested in quality. The sacrifice of this woman meets with his praise-and is recorded that all generations will know of her.

This is his message to the leaders of the future. Look to the heart.
The message to his future disciples?
Be generous.

Related Readings
2 Samuel 7 (esp 13-14)
Isaiah 9:-17
Isaiah 11:1-5
Jeremiah 23:1-8
Psalm 110
2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Image: Howard Lyon - Fine Art & Illustration.

10/06/2026

Resurrection

Listen: How Great Thou Art- Lauren Daigle
https://youtu.be/8BL06fxHPVo
Read: Luke 20:27-40

Next up to the plate ….are the Sadducees!

The Sadducees, alongside the Pharisees and (another group known as the Essenes), make up the three biggest sects in Judaism at this time. They are groups that are held together by beliefs and philosophy rather than having an actual position. Having said that, many of the priests (including multiple of the High Priests) were from this sect. Typically from the upper classes of society and wealthy, this group held influence & power even though they are less in number than other sects.
I think we can say that the Big Guns are now being employed against Jesus!

The Sadducees courted the favour of their Roman rulers and the Herods. They adhere only to the Books of Moses-the first 5 books of the Bible-shunning the traditions so beloved of the Pharisees and even the writing of the prophets.
Their beliefs include denial of the supernatural including life after death, resurrection, angels or spirits. In particular, they did not subscribe to any sense of reward in the afterlife.

And so, they come to Jesus. They come with a story that starts with an ancient custom designed to perpetuate land holdings and keep the nation separate from surrounding nations. This custom is in the writings of Moses and is also found in many other nations of the time, including Egypt. You might recall it from the story of Ruth.

Today, however, this story is taken to ridiculous extreme for the purpose of undermining Jesus teachings.
Jesus answers from Moses. It is interesting that the entire gospel story can be found in these first 5 books.
When we read this story in The gospel of Matthew, we see that Jesus rebukes them for not knowing the scriptures or the power of God. He then goes on to enlighten them.
The crowds and teachers of the law that were present were amazed. No doubt among this group were members of rival sects pleased to see the Sadducees put in their place-and have their interpretation of scripture upheld. (Note that the rebuke of this intellectual error and misreading of scripture is so much milder than the scathing attacks on the cruel and loveless sins of the Pharisees).

In this teaching Jesus provides a rare glimpse into what the future may hold for those who are worthy of being raised from the dead.

Related readings
Acts 23:1-11
1 Corinthians 15
Deuteronomy 25:5-10
Exodus 3

08/06/2026

Gotcha!

Listen: Citizen of Heaven- Tauren Wells
https://youtu.be/11pLu0efdwU
Read: Luke 20: 20-26

Having come to a dead-end in their attempts against Jesus, the leaders change tack. They will outsource the arrest and punishment (ie: ex*****on) of this troublesome Galilean upstart to the Romans.

Instead of turning up in person(and potentially being humiliated again!), they will send others pretending to be true seekers.
Matthew and Mark tell us that some of these men were Pharisees and some were supporters of Herod. Ordinarily these two groups would be opposed to each other-especially on this issue. On the one hand the conservative Pharisees would vehemently oppose payment and submission to the Roman overlords. The Herodians were more likely to be in favour of promoting Rome.

The aim of todays Gotcha moment is to trick Jesus into trouble with the crowds and worshippers at the temple and on the streets of Jerusalem by supporting a despised tax paid to the Roman government or to goad him into deriding what is in fact a legal contribution to the government of the day. This would lead to arrest by the Romans and the problem is out of the hands of the temple leaders.

Jesus sees straight through the flattery to the truth of who these men are and their motives. I love that he does not engage with them as they deserve-he could have called them out, humiliated them. There will be no name calling, no smart comments, no outward show of anger. (Parliament question time anyone..?)
No. Jesus gives a non answer to the question-neutralizing the situation in the process.

Yes. Give to God and Yes give to Rome.

The image on the coin signifies the right of government. Gods image in us signifies his ownership of us. Is this the first instance of the separation of church and state..???

What would have been the future of the Israelite nation if it would have heeded this advise-if instead of trying to overthrow and rebel against the government of Rome it had given to Rome what it must and at the same time given to God what it should-seeing and embracing the Messiah in its midst. What might the outcome for them have been if they had listened to this Son of God come to be with them?

As it is, the spies sent to trap him walk away in amazed silence. I imagine Jesus, turning back to the crowds, and continuing to teach them while-ever they will listen.

As we are spending some time in the ancient city, I thought it might be interesting to have a look at this incredible model of Jerusalem in the time of Christ that is in a museum in Israel. It shows proportions and where things are in relation to each other which I found interesting.
Has anyone been to Israel and seen this model?

Watch:
https://youtu.be/KixMcMJ7jf0
Related Readings:
Romans 13:1-7
1 Peter 2:13-14
Jeremiah 27
Jeremiah 29:1-7

02/06/2026

Cornerstone

Listen: Cornerstone- Hillsong
https://youtu.be/SiFBzVDVgf4
Read: Luke 20:1-19

Welcome to the courts of the mighty Temple in Jerusalem. Come on in and watch with me the dance as Jesus & the temple authorities shuffle, twirl & 2-Step their way though a series of conversations and ‘Gotcha’ moments.

During this period under Roman rule the internal government of Palestine was mostly in the hands of the Sanhedrin. This group consists of elders in Israel - usually wealthy & powerful families, chief priests-probably made up of past and present high priests, and teachers of the law or scribes-interpreters & teachers of the Law. These are the men of power in the capital. They are very sure of their authority and their credentials -their right to power.

A posse is dispatched to confront Jesus as he spends his last days in the temple-teaching the people and sharing the Good News while he he is still with them. His priority is the people and the message-not argument or confrontation.
However when it comes he is prepared.
His entrance into Jerusalem a day or so earlier would have caught the attention of the authorities, the exuberant reactions of the crowds bringing a potential to threat their authority and exciting feelings of jealousy among them. This was followed by his somewhat unorthodox entry into the temple, the healings, the teachings and the reactions of the crowds.

“Who do you think you are?”

The dilemma of this Gotcha question is that however he answers he could be in trouble. If he says that he has no authority he would be in trouble with Jewish people for invading their temple & acting like a prophet. If he said that his authority comes from God he would attract unwanted attention from the Romans-always on the lookout during Passover festival for trouble.

Jesus turns it around on his would be accusers. Firstly he answers with a question about John the Baptist which puts the religious leaders into a predicament.

Turning to the people he tells a parable-directed straight at the leaders.

The picture of the vineyard is well known in the scriptures.
Jesus ends with a prophetic warning. He looks straight at them and quotes Psalm 118. This is a well known messianic psalm. The crowds had quoted it days before as he entered on the donkey. The Stone is a common symbol in the Old Testament scriptures of the promised Messiah. The leaders know that they are the builders that stumble in the story with dire consequences.

They are silenced for now. They walk away-afraid of the crowd but ever more determined to arrest and kill this upstart from Galilee.

Related Readings:
John 11:45-57
Isaiah 5:1-7
Ps 80:8-19
Nehemiah 9 (esp vs 24-26),
Jeremiah 7:24-26
Ps 118

Image: Vineyards with a View of Auvers
Vincent Van Gogh

31/05/2026

My Fathers House.

Listen: House of the Lord-Phil Wickham

https://youtu.be/h8uKldEUrPE
Read: Luke 19:45-48

The first place Jesus heads for after his Kingly Messianic entry into Jerusalem is the Temple. No more hiding in the shadows. It would seem from reading the same story in Mark that Jesus went to the temple late in the afternoon, had a look around and then left to stay in nearby Bethany with his disciples before heading back the next morning.

This temple that Jesus knew was actually the Second Temple & was built high up on Mount Moriah.

The first temple was designed and planned by King David and built by his son King Solomon, about 1005 years before. It took seven years to build. This magnificent temple was destroyed by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar, 584 years before Christ.

After the Babylonian captivity the temple was rebuilt by Zerubbabel, but with vastly inferior and diminished splendor. The old people who remembered the first temple wept when they compared it with the glory of the former temple.

This was called the "second" temple. This temple was often defiled in the wars before the time of Christ. It had become decayed and impaired so Herod the Great set about repairing it in the hope of garnering favour with the people (owing to the fact that He was a cruel and very unpopular leader).
He renovated it piece by piece until by the time of Jesus it had more or less become a new temple, greater than the former. It was still called the "second" temple-also known as Herods Temple.
Additions & improvements continued to be made until 64 a.d.

This simulation gives us an idea of the incredible size, scope and grandeur of the temple in our stories.

Watch:
https://youtu.be/QQQyNVw8Pf4
Jesus had visited Jerusalem and the temple right at the beginning of his public ministry 3 years earlier-just after his baptism in the Jordan outside of Jericho. We read about this in John 2.
Both of these visits to the temple inspire passion in him.
His pleas to “Stop turning my fathers house into a marketplace” have apparently fallen short.

Jewish pilgrims travel from many places with all kinds of currency and an inability to bring the animals necessary for the temple sacrifices and offerings. These are conveniently sold in the outer courts of the temple. Money changers are also on hand to convert foreign currencies. It would seem that these transactions, with the associated noise, mess, chaos and unnecessarily high profit margins have overshadowed the sense of purpose which is to meet with God.

Here comes the Messiah…. “the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his temple”.

The narrative in Matthew and Mark tell of a more impassioned response-heading towards violent-overturning tables and chairs and driving out both sellers and buyers.
Matthew also tells us that the blind and the lame came to him and were healed and that even children in the temple were calling out praise.

Jesus spent everyday of this week leading up to his death in the courts of the temple-In his fathers house as he had declared when he was twelve years old attending temple for the Passover festival.
Now he spent his days teaching. Imagine knowing what a short amount of time is left-he gives it all to as many as will come and hear. The people hang off his every word. The head Priests, leaders and teachers want him dead!

Related Readings:
Matthew 21:12-17
Mark 11:15-18
John 2:13-22
Malachi 3:1-5
Isaiah 57:7
Jeremiah 7:1-11

27/05/2026

Palm Leaves

Listen: Hosanna-Saddleback Worship
https://youtu.be/5m-QB5hgMSE
Read: Luke 19:28-44

Here he comes…behold your King…riding on a donkey.
Not so many years before this Jesus had entered Bethlehem in the womb of his mother riding on a Donkey. That night, “Peace on Earth” was declared, and “Glory to God in the Highest!”
Now 33 or so years have passed and Jesus enters Jerusalem riding an unbroken donkey.
This day the crowds declare “Peace in Heaven and Glory to God in the Highest”.

The disciples collect the chosen animal-perhaps by divine ordination or perhaps by prearrangement with a secret disciple-incognito in dangerous times. They make a saddle for the Lord from their clothing. As he rides they meet up with the pilgrims and crowds that they have been travelling the long road with. They come to the road leading to the Mount of Olives. Up ahead the city,and then temple come into view.

The crowd erupts: praise, shouting & singing. Overflowing joy for all they have witnessed, all they have heard, all they hope for the future Kingdom. They lay out a Royal pathway of garments. They wave palm branches and honour Jesus as Messiah and King. These events read in the light of Passages such as Zechariah 9 see him coming to his royal, sacred city , as a Prince of Peace, not with chariot and horse, but meekly riding on a donkey‘s c**t.

It is unusual for to Jesus allow this kind of attention. He has been busy dampening expectations and keeping his true mission quiet. Now, however, in this last week of his life on earth and all too aware of the fickleness of many in this crowd, he encourages the parade. We have seen that his enemies in Jerusalem would like to wait until the Passover festivities,with its crowds & the heightened emotions, before they capture him. God has other plans and will make Jesus himself the Passover sacrifice-once and for all time.
No longer will he hide from his enemies.
No longer will be blend into the crowd. Jesus will bring this thing to a head.
What better way than to enter the city and the festival with a bang!

While his followers are rejoicing,
Jesus is weeping loudly over the beloved city which held so much promise but has fallen short time and again. He mourns the mistakes of the past, he mourns for what they are about to do- to reject the one sent for them. He looks into a terrible future where in AD70 the Romans would come and after a siege of 143 days, would kill 600,000, take thousands captive and destroy the temple and the city.

If only they had believed that God had visited them.

Related Readings:
Matthew 21:1-11
Mark 11:1-11
Zechariah 9:9
2 Kings 9:13
Ps 118:19-29

27/05/2026

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24/05/2026

Passion Week
Another overview video as we prepare to join with Jesus & his followers as we enter the gates of the great city for what will be the last week in the life on earth of Messiah Jesus.

Listen:
https://youtu.be/zRq-DF-4TRQ
Watch:

Watch: The Crucifixion of Jesus, Luke 19-23 - Luke-Acts Series Video

Related readings:
Psalm 110
Daniel 7:13-14

Image:
Stay with me
Mike Moyers

Bonnells Bay Salvation Army

06/07/2026

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