Author: Scott Lane

Re:Verse passage – Luke 7:18-35 (day five)  

This week we see the honesty and the vulnerability of the scriptures. The heroes mentioned in the Bible have flaws and weaknesses. John the Baptist is no exception. He is portrayed as he really is. Fiery. Finite. Faith-filled. Fallible.

So how do you go from being full of conviction to being consumed by questions?  Maybe it’s the wrong question. A better question might be, “What do you do when you question (even doubt) the goodness and character of God?”  (The doubts and questions will probably come to all of us in some form or fashion.)  John the Baptist gives us a good example to follow. He engages Jesus. He seeks and searches for Jesus. Doesn’t internalize. Doesn’t start debates with others. He reaches out in honesty and humility to the Christ. And Jesus in return, is just as tender with John as he is with the blind and the lepers. Jesus then teaches John (and us) to recall and consider what Jesus has done (is doing), and to reflect on our own experiences and encounters with Jesus rather than our current circumstances. Celebrate and take notice of the things Jesus has done in us and around us. To remember. To rejoice in what we’ve already seen and experienced. To make and then revisit our own “ebenezers”
Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I’ve come. (The Ebenezer is a reminder of a time and place we have felt and witnessed God’s love and grace.)

Re:Verse passage – Luke 4:14-30 (day five)

“And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.”

I am again struck by the habits and rhythms of Jesus (and his family) to worship and grow spiritually. It’s no accident that they were instituted for these very purposes. As we begin 2026, what rhythms and habits will you resolve to routinely and repeatedly practice (for yourself and family) to grow and deepen your/their faith?

Let me suggest six:
• I will read weekly. (Re:Verse Scriptures)
• I will gather regularly. (Bible Study & Worship)
• I will give generously.
• I will pray faithfully.
• I will serve enthusiastically.
• I will live missionally.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 2:4-7; 3:23, 31-34, 38 (day five)

“Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,”

By traveling to Bethlehem and giving birth there (probably a week-long journey), Joseph and Mary fulfilled a prophecy from hundreds of years earlier. “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, [Too] little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.” Micah 5:2.
Yesterday concluded our celebration of  Advent (waiting for the birth of the Christ). The town whose name means “the house of bread” was fittingly where the Bread of Life was born.

If you read Micah 5:2, we now realize we are waiting (second Advent) for the Christ to come again and rule over all creation.
“so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭9‬:‭28‬

Re:Verse passage – Luke 2:21-38 (day five)

The Luke narrative gives us a few glimpses into the context and culture of Jesus’ earthly family. What we learn and see early on (particularly in our Re:Verse text this week) is that even though poor (sacrifice of turtledoves or pigeons), Mary and Joseph were righteous and faithful. No excuses. They did what the law instructed. There’s a lesson here for parents, future parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Our regular rhythms and practices express our faith maybe more than any speech or sermon ever could. Reading/Studying the Scriptures. Worshipping. Serving others. Intentional Community.

My son learned this lesson from my dad (grandparent). Just days after mom died he asked Marshall to go to church with him (Bible Study and Worship). When Marshall questioned “why,” so close to this traumatic event (thinking maybe one Sunday off would be a good idea), my dad adamantly responded, “We go to church because that’s who we are and that’s what we do.” Sometimes lessons like these are caught more than taught. Marshall still tells this story.

This Advent Season, may we be mindful to teach and model regular rhythms and habits. Others are watching and learning (especially children and grandchildren) and will learn what matters most to us.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:57-80 (day five)

How do you pray for your children and grandchildren?  More importantly, what do you pray for your children and grandchildren?

I want to borrow the words of J.C. Ryle as he comments on Luke’s Gospel-

This is the portion that we ought to seek for our children. It is the best portion, the happiest portion, the only portion that can never be lost, and will endure beyond the grave. It is good to have over them “the hand“ of teachers and instructors; but it is better to still have “the hand of the Lord.” We may be thankful if they obtain the patronage of the great and the rich. But we ought to care far more for their obtaining the favour of God. The Hand of the Lord is a thousand times better than the hand of Herod. The one is weak, foolish, and uncertain; caressing today, and be heading tomorrow. The other is almighty, all-wise, and unchangeable. Where it holds it holds forevermore. Let us bless God that the Lord never changes. What he was in John the Baptist’s days, he is now. What he did for the son of Zacharias, he can do for our boys and girls. But he waits to be entreated. If we would have the hand of the Lord with our children, we must diligently seek it.

Let’s pray (beginning today) frequently and fervently, with great hope and joy, for God’s hand (and all that it means) to be on our children and grandchildren!

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:26-38 (day five).

When you look out across the room of gathered worshippers at FBCSA, do you notice the diversity?  Backgrounds. Gifts. Experiences. Education. And yes, age. It’s one of the characteristics of our church I love most – the generations coming together to worship, serve, learn, and share. Did you take note of this same thing happening in Luke 1? One couple nearer the end of their lives being used by God, while at the same time, another couple nearer the beginning of their lives also being used by God. So, maybe one of the insights we might consider this week is that no matter what (gifts, education, experiences, training, background, and yes even age), each one of us can be (prepared and expecting) used by God for His kingdom purposes. Isn’t that exciting? On Sunday, look around the room and be reminded that each one/everyone there (regardless of age and generation), have the capability and opportunity to serve, share, lead, minister, and join God in the work of growing His Kingdom.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:5-17 (day five)

“Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division,”

I spent over twenty five years serving churches in youth ministry. One of my favorite sayings to those students was, “be in your place (on Sundays).”  What I had hoped the students would discover was that God (who  is at work and present with us at all times) is particularly visible, particularly verbal, and particularly nearer to us as we practice godly rhythms and disciplines. Private and corporate worship. Regular scripture reading and study. Praying. Serving. Christian community. We often see and sense the Lord clearer as we faithfully follow Christ in these ways. That’s what happened to Zachariah. Obedient. Righteous. Walking with the Lord in and through His commandments. Where are your “places” this advent season?  Will you faithfully follow Christ through godly rhythms and disciplines?  May He be particularly verbal and near to you!!