We pause to reflect on the evil that is war and the meaningless waste of human life involved. It should challenge us to seek to live more peacefully with each other.

This week we heard testimonies from four different people about their faith journeys and what God has been doing in their lives.

As Jesus walked with two friends he explained to them all that scripture foretold about Him. When we feed on scripture, we slowly grow to see who Christ truly is, and how it is his love and presence which brings us true nurishment.

Despite the failings of the apostles, and Simon Peter in particularly, Jesus doesn't hold this against them, but rather meets them in forgiveness. He restores Peter, reaffirms and reframes his calling.

At some of the most important moments in Jesus' life we see him at dinner with his friends. Nowhere is this more obvious than at the Last Supper. Jesus offers us a model for what true loving friendship looks like.

Jesus was not always an easy dinner guest - on one occasion he outright criticises His host's choice of guests before telling a parable about how the Father invites all - rich or poor. Although many choose to reject God's invitation, those who do accept it an amazing banquet awaits.

In one of Jesus' most famous miracles he provides material food for thousands of people at once. Despite this, the real challenge for us is to recognise the spiritual food which Jesus provides to all who will accept it in faith.

Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus is not just a story about a funny little man who climbed a tree two thousand years ago. It is also a pattern for our response to Christ - driven by eagerness to simply be in Jesus' presence, Zacchaeus is challenged through an encounter with Him and radically re-orientates his life as a result.

Jesus shows how our failings and sin are redeemed and forgiven, as long as we honestly recognise them.

When Jesus calls a tax collector to be his disciple, we see two very different responses; joy and bitterness. It's challenging to reflect on where we sit in that narrative, do we see the acceptance and forgiveness of others as something to be celebrated, or as taking away from our own happiness?

In a culture obsessed with success and celebrity, Jesus challenges us to embrace humility. When we live for others we find a true beauty and meaning in our actions.

The call to discipleship is a call to serve others. Jesus shows us how those with authority are to live - they are to serve, care and show humility. To put others before ourselves often feels counterintuitive, but as we draw closer to Christ, the Spirit shapes and moulds us into His likeness.