Today's reading: Luke 3:1-22

'"Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham."' - Luke 3:8 ESV

John the Baptist definitely didn't hold back when it came to his message to the crowds who started flocking to him for baptism at the Jordan. It takes a bold individual to call a group of people snakes. Oddly enough, the crowd seems to be pretty responsive and ready for John's message. Not only that, they want some clarification.

It is almost as though they're saying, "Ok, so what does bearing fruit in repentance look like in my specific context?"

John's answers are probably not ones we would have responded with:

1) The crowd: Give away your extra clothes and food.

2) The tax collectors: Collect no more than you're supposed to.

3) The soldiers: Don't use extortion for gain. Be content with your salary.

Very simply, we see that John's immediate response to their request for clarification was rooted in generosity and integrity. When we think about our own lives and times when we've struggled with sin, we may be able to identify with this.

John doesn't tell the Roman employees to quit their jobs for the ungodly Empire. Instead, he calls them to higher accountability within the Beast.

May we all look for ways to increase our levels of generosity and integrity this week!

Today's reading: Luke 2:36-52

'And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him...And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.' - Luke 2:40,52 ESV

It is wild to think about Jesus making his way through normal human development. Did Mary keep a growth chart of her firstborn as he grew from 3'11" to 4'5" and so on?

These two verses so us that Jesus wasn't growing physically. He was actually developing in every sense of the word. Twice Luke tells us that wisdom and favor were at work within his life. What was it about these two words that made them worth repeating?

The word Luke used for wisdom is "sophia," and it is a "knowledge which makes possible skillful activity or performance." (Louw-Nida) In Proverbs 3:19, we see that "By wisdom, the LORD founded the earth." Wisdom is what made Jesus so capable, and James tells us it only comes from above (James 3:17).

The word used for favor is "charis," and is used 154 times in the New Testament. It also appears as "grace" or "gift." It wasn't just with His Father that Jesus had favor, He also had it with those in came into contact with as He grew and developed into the man who would die for our sins.

The application is obvious for us today. We would do well to drop to our knees right now and beg God for wisdom and favor. There is no way we'll be able to accomplish all God intends for us to do without these two. If Jesus needed them as He developed, so will we as we grow in the grace (charis) and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

Today's reading: Luke 2:1-35

'Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.' - Luke 2:25

Jesus has now been born, which was announced by the house musicians of heaven (angels) to the lowly shepherds. Jesus' parents were God-fearing people, which is evidenced by them having him circumcised (on the 8th day), going through the time of purification, and then coming into the temple to offer the sacrifice for their firstborn son.

After this, they encounter two elderly people who were extremely faithful to God, and this was shown by their sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. When we increase in age and don't stop spending time listening to (and speaking with) God, there is nothing sweeter.

Our younger generation of Christians today desperately needs the older. Now, it isn't about doing things the same way as we did 50 years ago as a church. It is more about helping us to become who Jesus wants us to be. It is about a broader perspective. It is to start seeing that our faith in Jesus isn't something that will go out of style. It will always be relevant to each generation that is open to seeking God.

If we are refusing the mentorship of older Christians, we are lowering the ceiling on our potential.

Today's reading: Luke 1:57-80

'And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people."' - Luke 1:67-68 ESV

Can you imagine not being able to speak for nine months, especially while your wife was pregnant? This was Zechariah's experience. I wonder what would have been the first thing to come out of one of our mouths after this time? For Zechariah, the Holy Spirit had been filling him to the brim with a rich prophecy about his son and the greater work that God was up to that would go beyond John.

I mean, this guy was already prophesying that visitation and redemption and salvation had already taken place. He claimed that the entirety of time had led up to this one moment, and he was so glad that his family could play a small part.

Jesus would later confirm the claims of this proud Papa when he said, "...among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist." (Matthew 11:11)

Do you pray for your lineage like this? Do you pray that your descendants will carry on a strong faith in Jesus? A faith that will move the impregnable mountains of time and space in our culture?

Our Christian life isn't just about us finishing well. It is also about ensuring that future generations will bring light to those sitting in darkness so that Jesus' name will continue to be called on long after we are gone.

Today's reading: Luke 1:26-56

'But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.' - Luke 1:29

I believe it is no mistake that Gabriel is the angel that delivers all of these early messages about Jesus' birth. His name means, "God is my strength." For this teenage girl, legally engaged to Joseph, she was going to need all of the strength God could give to make it through the next nine months of unprecedented gestation.

Have you ever had God ask you to do something after a time in prayer or a time in his word and then sat there for a moment to consider how in the world it was actually going to play out? Yeah, Mary is experiencing that to the utmost. She's taking what Gabriel has said and trying to fit it into the underdeveloped frontal lobe of her brain (which will develop at 25ish). Even for those of us who are over 25, this is too much to process.

It is best for us not to shirk any prompting the Holy Spirit places in us. Look for ways this week to be obedient to what God has asked you to do, and keep verse 37 in mind as you do:

"For nothing will be impossible with God."

Today's reading: Luke 1:1-25

'And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child...' - Luke 1:6-7 ESV

Delay is something that is almost always followed by disappointment. When things move slow, we can also feel forgotten.

Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous, holding meticulously to the 613 commandments found in Torah (Genesis-Deuteronomy). Though not perfect, they stood out among a fraudulent generation of religious leaders (which we will see as we progress through Luke).

Yet, the one thing they had prayed for over and over was not being answered. It had to do with their physical legacy. There would be no child to carry on their legacy of faith and devotion to Yahweh. This was everything to the Jewish people.

They had sung, yet not experienced, the following song their whole lives:

"So the next generation might know them— even the children not yet born— and they in turn will teach their own children." - Psalm 78:6 NLT

What is the first thing Gabriel says to Zechariah? "Do not be afraid...for your prayer has been heard." Of course, God had heard their prayers each and every time, but now the answer had come.

Have you been disappointed by a delay from God? Do you feel like God isn't listening to your prayers? You are in the company of the righteous like Zechariah and Elizabeth. What would they say to you today if they could? Maybe something like this:

"I know you want to quit, and you feel like God has forgotten you, but keep on praying. Don't be afraid. There is so much we don't understand, but God knows what he is doing."

Closing with a quote from Paul seems to be on point here:

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 ESV

Today’s reading: Mark 16:1-20

‘And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”’- Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This last part of Mark, as in other places in the New Testament, doesn’t appear in the earliest of the Greek manuscripts. The New Testament is comprised of over 5800 different Greek texts, and some of them are earlier copies than others. At any rate, as early Christians copied the gospel of Mark, they affirmed the fact that these verses should be added. One of the proofs for anything being included in the New Testament was its continued use by early Christians.

Plus, this particular passage fits quite nicely with the end of Matthew.

When Jesus asks us to go, it is going to require us to be uncomfortable. We will have to talk to people about our faith probably before we are comfortable doing so. This is how Christianity has persisted for nearly 2000 years.

It isn’t complicated, though some may make it that way. Can you tell someone that they need to believe in Jesus? Can you tell them why baptism is important? Can you lead them in a confession of Jesus? Can you lower them down into the water and bring them back up? If so, stop disqualifying yourself and start being obedient to the risen Jesus.

Ready? Set. Go.

Today’s reading: Mark 15:1-47

‘And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”’ - Mark‬ ‭15:37-39‬ ‭ESV‬‬

All of Jesus' life as a man, in the flesh, led up to this moment. He had not come to set up a physical throne on earth to displace Rome. Instead, he had come to face a torturous death at the hands of those same Romans. At first glance, it would seem that Jesus had lost, that he had been defeated. He would appear to be yet another causality in the long line of those who had tried to make a difference.

Yet this Roman centurion was having second thoughts. I'm sure the 3 hours of darkness was one of the first things to get his attention. This centurion would have been a commanding officer of 100 soldiers and seems to be the one in charge of Jesus' crucifixion. What he witnessed on this Good Friday led him to make a remarkable confession as Jesus being the Son of God.

This is the fourth blatant reference in Mark to Jesus being called God's son. The others: 1:1, 1:11, 9:7.

One of the things that this confession from the centurion should teach us is that a genuine, powerful encounter with Jesus can melt even the hardest of hearts. May we not give up on the most unlikely to believe. There is no one beyond the reach of our crucified (and glorified) Savior.

Today's reading: Mark 14:53-72

'But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”' - Mark 14:61-62

The Jewish hierarchy had a difficult time (surprise, surprise) convicting a man as innocent as Jesus. He still owns the only flawless resume to ever come across heaven's desk (see Hebrews 4:15). Because of this, they resort to speaking directly to him, in case they could catch him on something he said. Lucky for them, Jesus was done being indirect and evasive when it came to his identity. The time was now for him to die for the sin of all humanity. He had not come to earth to abide by the Jewish religious leaders' rules and comfort levels. He had come to usher in the very Kingdom of God.

In his answer, Jesus took two strong Messianic passages and skillfully stacked them for emphasis.

Psalm 110:1:

'The Lord says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"'

Daniel 7:24:

'Before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.'

With these verses, Jesus wasn't only admitting to being the long-expected Christ (the Messiah) of Israel for the nations. He was also letting them know that he was in charge. No matter how much they would try to manipulate the next 72 hours, he would continue to be the Son of God.

No one was (or ever will be) more intelligent and intentional than Jesus. Again, in him we can place our trust.

Today's reading: Matthew 14:22-52

'And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.' - Mark 14:22-24 ESV

Like baptism, taking communion has been misunderstood in a lot of ways. I think this is mainly due to some who make it into a magical or mystical experience, and then you have others who downplay it and thus reserve it for special occasions for fear of making it too routine.

Why can't we have a healthy view of what the Lord's Supper is all about?

Like many things in the New Testament, it is unbelievably simple. It is bread, and it is grape juice. I mean, it sounds like a kid's after-school snack. At the same time, it is mind-splittingly deep. When we take it, we are, by remembrance, transported back to the first time we said yes to Jesus, where his blood was applied to our sin and our shame (which was a response to our faith).

We are forgetful people. If things start to go well, we somehow convince ourselves that it was due to something fantastic we had done. This is why communion is so important. In the valley, on the mountain, and everywhere in between, we need to be reminded of who it was that saved us (Jesus), and we need to proclaim that to our entire church family.

I once heard this quote from songwriter Tim Hughes, and I love it:

"The world drinks to forget. We drink to remember."

I pray that passages like this motivate us to pause a little longer when we drink and eat of the Lord's supper. Savor that salvation that Jesus so graciously has given us.