The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse reading–Luke 4:1-13 (day one) 

“He was tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”–Hebrews 4:15.

As a man, our Lord endured all the pressures, disappointments and hardships that characterize the human condition.  Are you tired?  So was He.  Unfairly accused?  Misunderstood?  Him too.

As a human, Christ was also tempted.  Offered false information.  Encouraged toward disobedient choices with disastrous outcomes.

Very subtle.  Nothing cruel or outwardly immoral is suggested.  Small concessions.  Nudged toward a life that is “a reasonable version of God’s will”.

Notice the Savior’s use of Scripture.  Three temptations.  Three thoughtful moments to consider God’s written word.

Here is humanity as it was designed to be!  Here is the perfect man!  In fellowship with God.  Confidence in God’s word.  Obedient heart.

Merry Christmas, everyone!  “For those whom God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His dear Son, so that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.”–Romans 8:29

Re:Verse reading–Luke 3:1-20  (day seven)

Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ (Luke 3:15)

John the Baptist’s ministry was filled with a unique authority.  He called people a brood of vipers, he told people they were about to be thrown into an unquenchable fire, and he told people, even the politicians, what to do.  He spoke boldly, and people just kept coming, uninvited, they surrounded him pleading for baptism.

John the Baptist’s work was so uniquely holy and powerful that people even started to wonder if he was God.  He was so close to God that people were confused where John the Baptist ended and where God began.

I wonder what that kind of faith and calling would look like today.  Is it possible for us to draw near enough to God by Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit that God unequivocally shines through us?  And just as importantly, can our church be such a place that San Antonians catch a glimpse of heaven every time they walk into our doors?  I pray that many will be confused, not knowing where we end and God begins.

Re:Verse reading–Luke 3:1-20  (day five) What is an indicator of a repentant and forgiven heart?  What evidence is there for a soul and life that claims to follow Christ and His Word?  It has been the same throughout scripture.  FRUIT.  Look at John the Baptist’s words, “Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance“.   In the Old Testament, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.”  Jesus’ teaches later, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit”.

John the Baptist gives a good description (evidence) of what fruit looks like: love and kindness (vs. 11),  honesty and integrity (vs. 13),  respect/regard for authority, and contentment (vs. 14).  Can we point to fruit in our lives of repentance and forgiveness?

Re:Verse reading–Luke 3:1-20  (day four)

V. 8 – “Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance,”

No one wants to be called ‘judgmental’.  In today’s politically correct environment, that would be disaster.  Was John judging others?  He was teaching that the actions of our life should be in line with the words of our mouth.  Our lives should give evidence of the character and principles of God, if we claim a relationship with Him.  God’s Word judges us.  If the fruits of our lives do not agree with His Word, we are judged.  As believers we must learn to recognize ‘fruits that are in keeping with repentance’.

Most of all, we need to examine our lives, to make sure we are producing the right fruit.  Can people see in us the character of Christ?  As the different people came to John for baptism, they asked how this relationship of repentance looked like in their lives.  It’s a good question for each of us to ask…what does a relationship with Christ look like in my life?

Re:Verse reading–Luke 3:1-20  (day three) 

“But one more powerful than I will come.” When the people asked John what they should do to escape destruction by the wrath of God, he did not wax systematically theological. He simply gave them a picture of what the world looks like when it’s set right: Live generously, conduct business honestly, treat people with integrity, work hard without complaining. No one was excluded—not the military, not the government, not the average joe. That is exactly the kind of world his hearers were longing for. Once that picture is in the air, the next question is, “How do we get that kind of world?” And that’s when all eyes turn to Christ. Evangelism efforts could learn from this pattern: Set the vision before people, then introduce them to the only one who can lead them there.

Re:Verse reading–Luke 3:1-20  (day two) 

John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. vs. 16

Most of us have been to concerts that feature a group that plays prior to the main act. This opener or warm-up group is typically a young, relatively unknown, band that is trying to establish a following. Generally they will tour with an established artist in the genre they are trying to build a following with.

John was so much more than an opening act for Jesus. His message was new and ancient. His was a lone voice crying to the world about the coming promise. Unlike a band trying to be the next great thing, John was getting the world ready for the Messiah. His best efforts would never accomplish what Jesus would, and he was desperate to prepare people to meet this savior.

It is not likely that we will be called in to the wilderness to eat locusts, but we do have the commission to tell others about Jesus. Let’s do it with abandon, just like John.

Re:Verse reading–Luke 3:1-20  (day one)

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord’ “–v 3

For Luke, John the Baptist is an essential part of the Christmas story.  He will “make ready a people prepared for the Lord” said the angel. (Luke 1:17) Whether a man receives the gift of Christ often depends on his inner readiness.

Do we value preparation in the same way?  Do we dedicate time, attention to the necessary steps that plow up the soil of our hearts for the promised seed?

We certainly practice this wisdom in the material realm!  Think of the preparations we make! We decorate trees .  We purchase and wrap gifts.  We plan meals.  No one expects Christmas to just “happen”.  We get ready for it!

Seven days to go! Is your heart soft?  Eyes open to sin?  Soul sensitive to repentance?  Before we can hear Jesus, we must listen to John.

Are you ready for Christmas?

 

Re:Verse reading–Luke 2:39-52  (day seven)

When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him.  Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.  (Luke 2:45-46)

It took Mary and Joseph three days to find Jesus.  I imagine that was the most nerve-racking three days of their lives.  We do not know what happened those 72 hours.  Some of it was traveling, maybe a day, then 2 days of searching.  Where did they look?  Where did they think Jesus might show up after so much time away?  Why did it take 3 days to finally get to the temple, both the place Jesus noted as logical and the place they had just been?

Let’s disregard why it took so long for Mary and Joseph to get there, and see where Jesus settled when he was separated from his family:  the temple.  The place of worship and sacrifice that pointed people directly to God.  The temple is exactly where he should have been.

If those closest to you went looking for you how long would it take them to come to church?  Would anyone in your life think to look in a place of worship?  Do they know your faith well enough or think of you as faithful enough that you might be found in church?  I pray for that Daniel-like faithfulness to be found in us.

 

Re:Verse reading–Luke 2:39-52  (day six)

But His mother treasured all these things in her heart. Luke 2:51

We have read these words before. It leaves us with the impression that Luke is documenting testimony from Mary herself, as if during his research he had sat down with Mary to hear her side of things. It is likely the case. More important still, it unveils a very common journey. There were likely many moments in Jesus young life where she increasingly had to come to grips with who Jesus was-the Son of God. The scene at the Temple had to be the most profound. Before that moment she likely glimpsed others in His life that gave her pause, but at the Temple she heard words from His own mouth, “Didn’t you know I had to be in MY Father’s house?”

Jesus was at the age where he now was openly reminding his parents who in fact He is; a not so subtle reminder of His calling. Mary had to come to grips with that truth.

This was not just Mary’s journey, but is ours as well. We come to repentance and faith by realizing who He is and the work He has done; our view of him only increases from there. Our spiritual journey is much like how John the Baptist described his, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)