Scots International Church Rotterdam

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Scots International Church Rotterdam

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We are an English language Protestant Church in the Presbyterian tradition.

Based in the heart of the city, we aim to serve the needs of the people of many nationalities and different denominational backgrounds living in Rotterdam and the surrounding area. The congregation was originally formed in 1643 from the large Scottish community of merchants, seamen and soldiers then living in Rotterdam hence the name. The church has maintained its connection with the Church of Scotland, but the congregation is truly international in its make-up.

25/10/2026

Thought for the day
Sunday 25 October
Matthew 22:43–46 (abridged)

“‘How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him “Lord”?’”

Jesus challenges the Pharisees to look more closely at their understanding of the Messiah. If David calls the Messiah “Lord”, how can the Messiah be merely David's son? The question leaves them unable to answer. Matthew brings these exchanges to a close with Jesus not only answering his opponents’ questions, but challenging them to consider who he really is.

Reflection
What difference does it make to our faith that Jesus is not simply a teacher, but Lord?

Graham Austin

24/10/2026

Thought for the day
Saturday 24 October
Matthew 22: 41-42
’41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 ‘What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?’ ‘The son of David,’ they replied.’

Having answered the questions put to him, Jesus now asks one of his own. The Pharisees give the expected answer: the Messiah is the son of David. But Jesus is about to take their answer further. Who is the Messiah, and do they understand the full significance of his identity?

Reflection
Jesus once asked the disciples, ‘Who do people say I am?’ What would be your answer?

Graham Austin

23/10/2026

Thought for the day
Friday 23 October
Matthew 22:40
‘All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’

Jesus is not dismissing the rest of the Law. Rather, he shows how its commandments belong together, grounded in love for God and love for our neighbour. These two commandments provide a way of understanding the whole of God's instruction. Love is not a substitute for obedience; it shapes what faithful obedience looks like.

Reflection
‘After all, if you don’t love God, you won’t be much inclined to keep any commandment.’ (Scott Hoezee)

Graham Austin

22/10/2026

Thought for the day
Thursday 22 October
Matthew 22:39-40
‘39 And the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’

Jesus joins love for God with love for our neighbour. The two commandments are distinct, but they cannot be separated. Faith is not simply about our relationship with God; it also shapes how we treat those around us. Love for God must find expression in the way we love other people.

Reflection
What does it mean to love our neighbours as ourselves?

Graham Austin

21/10/2026

Thought for the day
Wednesday 21 October
Matthew 22:37-38 (again)
‘37 Jesus replied: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.’

Jesus speaks of loving God with all our heart, soul and mind. As Leon Morris observes, these words together express wholehearted love, involving all that we have and all that we are. This is not simply a matter of outward religious observance or occasional devotion. It concerns our deepest loyalties and the direction of our lives.

Reflection
‘The three nouns together indicate the essential nature of man, his ultimate, fundamental loyalty, not just a superficial allegiance.’ (R.T. France)

Graham Austin

20/10/2026

Thought for the day
Tuesday 20 October
Matthew 22:37-38
‘37 Jesus replied: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.’

Jesus answers by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5, part of the Shema, a central declaration of Jewish faith beginning with the words, “Hear, O Israel.” These words were familiar to Jesus’ listeners and remain central to Jewish prayer. Love for God is not an optional extra in the life of faith. It lies at its heart.

Reflection
What words of scripture are ingrained in your heart, and why?

Graham Austin

19/10/2026

Thought for the day
Monday 19 October
Matthew 22:34-36
‘34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”’

This is the third question put to Jesus in this chapter. The first concerned paying taxes to Rome; the second concerned marriage after the resurrection. Now an expert in the Law asks which commandment is greatest. Matthew tells us that he is testing Jesus, though we are not told precisely what answer he hoped to provoke.

Reflection
“When it comes to God’s Word, we’re not supposed to play favourites. God’s Word is God’s Word. Period!” (Scott Hoezee)

Graham Austin

18/10/2026

Thought for the day
Sunday 18 October
Matthew 22:22
“When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.”

The questioners came hoping to trap Jesus, but instead they are amazed by his answer. Yet there is no indication that they change their minds or follow him. Being impressed by Jesus is not the same as responding to him. His teaching still challenges us: what difference does it make to our lives?

Reflection
How does Jesus’ teaching move us beyond admiration to a response of faith?

Graham Austin

17/10/2026

Thought for the day
Saturday 17 October
Matthew 22:21 (again)
“‘Caesar’s,’ they replied. Then he said to them, ‘So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’”

It is tempting to concentrate on the first half of Jesus’ answer, with its reference to taxes and political authority. But what does it mean to give to God what belongs to God? Our abilities, possessions and opportunities are gifts to be used in response to the God to whom we belong.

Reflection
What part of your life is hardest to place in God’s hands?

Graham Austin

16/10/2026

Thought for the day
Friday 16 October
Matthew 22:21
“‘Caesar’s,’ they replied. Then he said to them, ‘So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’”

Jesus’ answer is both simple and unsettling. Caesar has a claim to certain things, but so does God. Jesus does not offer an easy escape from the question of how his followers should live under political authority. Instead, he directs attention to the greater question of what belongs to God. The coin bears Caesar’s image, but we are made in God’s image.

Reflection
What might it mean to live as someone who bears God’s image?

Graham Austin

Adres

Schiedamsevest 121
Rotterdam
3012BH

Website

http://www.scotsintchurch.com/

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