Today’s Reading: Matthew 4:12-17, Mark 1:14-15, Luke 4:14-15, John 4:43-54

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. – Luke 4:14-15

After Jesus heard that Herod had thrown John the Baptist in prison, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. But before leaving for Galilee, Jesus performed many miraculous signs in Jerusalem (John 3:23). John does not give us details regarding those miracles but he does give us the results — many began to trust in him.

Many of the Galileans had seen Jesus in Jerusalem, so news of his arrival spread quickly across the region. Jesus began to preach the same message of repentance that John the Baptist had been preaching in Judea. This fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy: “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined” (Matthew 4:15-16).

John goes on to tell us in detail about the second miracle Jesus performed in Galilee after leaving Jerusalem.

As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die…

Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home.

While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well. He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied, “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” Then the father realized that was the very time Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” And he and his entire household believed in Jesus. This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did in Galilee after coming from Judea. – John 4:46-54

GOD’S TIMING IS A BEAUTIFUL THING!

It is often in the timing of an event or miracle in our lives where our faith is strengthened the most. The miracle itself is incredible, but it is the timing of God’s movement that confirms that it is God Himself at work.

I see two elements of timing in this account of John’s: 1.) Jesus arrived in Galilee just as the government official’s son became very sick, and 2.) the boy was healed at the very time when Jesus had said the words, “Your son will live.”

For most of my life, I have heard the saints in the church say, “God is always on time. He’s never late and He’s never early.” I have found that to be true in my own life, but I must admit it is not always easy to patiently wait for God’s timing. It is in these moments of waiting that our faith grows.

IT IS IN THE WAITING THAT GOD HAS OUR ATTENTION AND IT IS IN HIS PERFECT TIMING THAT WE LEARN TO TRUST IN HIM.

On August 29, 2019, I wrote: “I am learning right now how to trust in God in new ways. He is stretching me and I know I am only at the beginning of all He is about to teach me. I am not sure what is ahead but I am sure that I can trust Him. His timing is perfect and so I plan to give Him my attention as I wait on Him.”

When I consider all that has happened in my life and across the world in the last 16 months, I am amazed at how often God prepares us for the unknown. And so I choose to thank God for all He has taught me in 2020, and I choose to look with confidence into the next year trusting that’s God’s timing will once again be perfect — no matter what is ahead.

Today’s Reading: John 3:18-36

“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” – John 3:18-21

WE HAVE A CHOICE: BELIEVE & WALK IN THE LIGHT OR CHOOSE UNBELIEF AND STAY IN THE DARK.

Day or night, light or dark, belief or unbelief. When we truly believe, we step into the light with a willingness to let our sins be exposed. Jesus meets us there, not to judge our sins but to save us from our sins and offer us eternal life – SPIRITUAL REBIRTH.

“…The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. And anyone who BELIEVES in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” – John 3:35-36

John the Baptist believed in Jesus and with that came an understanding of what it meant to be born again or born of the Spirit. John knew that the miraculous signs were more than just evidence that God was with Jesus – He knew that God had sent Jesus.

These are the words of John the Baptist regarding Jesus. His disciples had come to him concerned that everybody was going to Jesus to be baptized instead of coming to John and his disciples. John, who believed that Jesus was the Messiah, spoke with confidence of God’s plan.

“It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few BELIEVE what he tells them! Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit…” – John 3:29-34

Still today we live in a society where few truly believe in God. We have a choice – to believe and allow God to transform our lives through spiritual rebirth OR to not believe and continue to focus on earthly things. When we have doubts, we can either focus on the struggle or focus on Jesus in the midst of the struggle. He holds the answers and can help us get through our struggle to believe; He can give us the faith we need.

GOD ALLOWS THIS STRUGGLE TO BELIEVE IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN OUR FAITH.

The movie God’s Not Dead challenges people to either confirm that they BELIEVE in God or admit they have given up on the struggle and chosen unbelief. Debates on whether there really is a God can be heard across social media, college class discussions and coffee shop conversations. If someone told you to come to the front of the room and convince those around you of God’s existence, could you? Better yet, would you?

Let’s be ready to share why we BELIEVE what we BELIEVE. If you struggled with doubts but came out strong in your faith as a result of the struggle, it is necessary to now equip yourself for the conversations God is going to place before you. If you are still in the midst of the struggle to BELIEVE, trust someone with those doubts and find someone to talk to. Focus on Jesus in the midst of the doubts and allow Him to reveal Himself to you. Let Him give you a rebirth or new life experience that will help you to experience His presence and give you faith that God is most definitely not dead.

Today’s Reading: John 3:1-17

Jesus often used something that could be easily understood to explain something harder to grasp. He did this when he was talking with Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. Nicodemus had seen and heard of the miraculous signs that Jesus was doing and he believed them to be evidence that God was with Jesus (John 3:2). He saw God as the source of what Jesus was accomplishing.

Jesus seemed to know that Nicodemus was struggling to understand. Without explaining why he had come to Jesus and why he had chosen after dark to do so, Jesus knew what Nicodemus was searching for and the decision he would have to make between darkness and light. Jesus went on to explain what needed to happen in order for Nicodemus to find what he was looking for – the Kingdom of God.

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

“What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”

Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

HUMAN UNDERSTANDING VS. SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT

Nicodemus could not understand because he was struggling to believe. Nicodemus was a very intelligent man but this was going to require more than just head knowledge, this was going to require a response of the heart. Jesus knew Nicodemus was going to have to choose between remaining in the dark or stepping into the light by believing not only that God was with Jesus, but that Jesus was sent by God.

“How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.

Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t BELIEVE our testimony. But if you don’t BELIEVE me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly BELIEVE if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who BELIEVES in him will have eternal life.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who BELIEVES in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” –John 3:9-17

If you want to experience the Kingdom of God, you are going to have to step out of the darkness and believe in who Jesus is. The price has already been paid – the Light of the World has already come to save us. We must choose to step into the light, allowing our sins to be exposed. When we come to Him believing, the Light of the World does not judge those sins but instead saves us from them.

I have friends who seek to understand the Bible and its spiritual truths, but they want to understand before they choose to believe. The problem is that understanding is not going to come as long as we choose to remain in the dark. It is in believing and stepping into the light, experiencing the re-birth of the Spirit, that spiritual truths begin to make sense.

Father God, I pray for those who are struggling to understand who you are because they resist believing that you are who you say you are. I pray that you will use me in their lives as a reflection of your love and a source of your light. May they come to a saving knowledge of you because they chose to step out of the darkness and follow the light made visible through our lives.

Today’s Reading: John 2:13 – 3:4

“All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
“What!” they exclaimed. “It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?” – John 2:19-20

This was the conversation that occurred between Jesus and the Jewish leaders when he chased the money-changers and vendors out of the Temple in Jerusalem. God’s people were traveling from all over the land to come and worship at the Temple. It was almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration and the Temple would have been crowded with people who were coming to celebrate how God had freed His people from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:1-13).

Booths had been set up throughout the Temple to exchange money and to sell animals to sacrifice. They were charging high rates and making a profit instead of creating space for God’s people to come and authentically worship Him. Passion for God’s house consumed Jesus and he took action to make a change.

“Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!” – John 2:16b

The Jewish leaders demanded an explanation from Jesus; they wanted him to perform a miraculous sign to prove his authority. When he offered them one, their unbelief caused them to miss out on an opportunity. They were focused on the physical place of worship and lost the opportunity to believe in the One they should be worshipping.

ALL THEY HAD TO DO WAS BELIEVE, BUT THEY CHOSE UNBELIEF INSTEAD.

There were many who chose to keep their eyes on Jesus that week and they witnessed many miraculous signs because of their willingness to believe. They put their trust in Jesus and began a new walk of faith. But Jesus did not put his trust in the crowds, nor should we put our trust in people. He understood the weaknesses of our human nature (2:24-25).

The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” – Jeremiah 17:9

Later, one of the Jewish leaders came after dark to speak with Jesus. Nicodemus had seen the miraculous signs Jesus was performing among the people and knew that Jesus was sent by God, but he still had questions.

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
“What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” – John 3:3-4

Jesus was speaking of spiritual rebirth but Nicodemus, like the other Jewish leaders, was stuck in the physical or literal explanation. He lacked an understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives and he lacked the faith he needed to take Jesus at his word.

What am I struggling to believe at this time in my life? Is there a truth that God wants me to learn from 2020 that I am resisting? Is there an area of my life that Jesus is trying to clear with this pandemic? Has my worship become for my own benefit instead of for God’s glory?

Lord Jesus, I give you permission to get my attention. Clear away the excess in my life and bring my focus back to you. Consume me with a passion for my Father’s house. I believe that you are who you say you are and that you will do what you say you will do. I do not want to miss a moment with you because of my lack of faith so I choose to take you at your word and respond in obedience to your call. Amen.

Today’s Reading: John 2:1-12

John records seven miracles in his account of Jesus’ life referring to them as “dunamis”, which is an event or sign that has a deeper meaning. The first of these miracles is when Jesus TURNED the water into wine. But even more than that was the TRANSFORMATION that took place in the lives of those in attendance that day.

Jesus attended a wedding celebration in Cana with his mother and his disciples. When Mary told Jesus the wine supply ran out, his response was, “My time has not yet come.” Mary turned to the servants and told them to do whatever Jesus told them to do.

Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions. – John 2:6-8

This group of servants whom society devalued had a front row seat to the Messiah’s first miracle. John does not clearly state the impact this had on the servants but I imagine their lives were never the same. I imagine the fear they had when handing the master of ceremonies a glass of water quickly turned to faith.

When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” – John 2:9-10

JESUS TRANSFORMED A WEDDING DISASTER INTO A BEAUTIFULLY ORCHESTRATED MIRACLE.

Jesus took six stone water jars, each holding 20 to 30 gallons of water, and turned them into 180 gallons of fine-tasting wine. He took a simple, everyday beverage (water) and transformed it into a quality, highly-valued drink (wine). But this miracle of transformation was not about the water turning into wine; the true transformation was in the disciples. Curiosity had made them followers; this miracle made them believers. They witnessed the power of Jesus and their lives were never the same.

JESUS TRANSFORMED THE LIVES OF THE DISCIPLES, JUST AS HE TRANSFORMS OUR LIVES.

He takes our simplicity and is able to make us into highly effective tools for Him to use to change the world. He takes our impure, imperfect lives and purifies us, giving us a new quality and new value. We are never the same. The enemy wants to convince us that we have not changed. The world wants to continue to define us by what we used to be. God sees us as the beautiful creation that He is changing and perfecting and filling with His Spirit.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being TRANSFORMED into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. – 2 Corinthians 13:17-18

I am so thankful that God is working in my life. I am thankful that He loves me enough not to leave me like I am, but to change me, to redefine me and to transform me. I do not have to stir up my own enthusiasm or strength to follow Him. He places in me the desire to serve Him and the power to pursue holiness. This is nothing short of a miracle in my life.

Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that I have been REDEFINED by Jesus and that my life has been TRANSFORMED by Him. Thank you for seeing me for what I could become instead of what I am. Thank you for taking my impure, imperfect life and purifying me – giving me a new quality and a new value in you. When the enemy tries to convince me of who I am, remind me of whose I am. Remind me that I am your creation, your masterpiece and a work in progress. Amen.

Today’s Reading: John 1:43-51

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come follow me.” Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown. – John 1:43-44

According to my study bible, Philip was Greek. This shows a mix of cultures between the disciples but also shows that Jesus’ ministry was not going to be only to the Jews. The fact that Philip was Greek became a doorway for other Greeks to approach Jesus.

Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.” – John 12:20-21

Each of Jesus’ disciples was created uniquely to draw others to Jesus, just as we are. There was something about Philip that gave others the opportunity to encounter Christ, just as there is something about you that God desires to use to draw others to Himself. The first person to find Jesus through Philip was a young man named Nathanael:

Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth!”
“Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. – John 1:45-46

Nazareth was a small town, not famous enough to be considered a possibility for greatness. There was a natural tendency for people to define others by where they have come from, the color of their skin, their family background, etc. Sounds like society today, doesn’t it? Nazareth was not well thought of and yet God chose it as the birthplace of His Son. How wonderful that God sees value in even the small or imperfect places or people!

REVALUED & RECOMMITTED

As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel – a man of complete integrity.”
“How do you know my name?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”
Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God – the King of Israel.”
Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.” – John 1:47-51

It was not just that Jesus knew where Nathanael was before he arrived, he knew who he was. It was as if Jesus was saying – Just as you know where I came from and want to judge me by my origin, I know where you came from. You are a descendant of Jacob, who was known to be scheming and deceitful, but you are a man of complete integrity. And, just as Jacob dreamed of a stairway reaching to heaven with angels of God going up and down the stairway (Gen. 28:12), you will see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.

Because they were given the opportunity to encounter Jesus, their lives were changed. Philip saw his value in the Son of God and Nathaniel saw the Son of God’s value. They could have been content with hearing his sermons and seeing his miracles, but they chose to have a personal relationship with Jesus and it changed the trajectory of their lives. Both of them RECOMMITTED their future and became full-time followers of Christ. And because of their response to the call of Jesus, the lives of others were impacted.

Lord, I pray that each of us is able to accept our value in who you say we are; I pray we are able to see our identity in you. May we never be satisfied with knowing Jesus from a distance, but always be pursuing a closer relationship with you. Thank you for renaming me your child, redefining me with your purpose, and revaluing me by your grace. I choose to daily recommit myself to you and faithfully remain a follower of Christ. Amen.

Today’s Reading: John 1:29-42

The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus. – John 1:35-37

In this passage, we see yet another way in which John the Baptist was able to prepare the way for the Lord. John’s investment in Andrew prepared him for the moment in which he had the opportunity to follow Jesus. He had a choice to make, but his heart was already in a place to leave everything behind and follow the Messiah. The seeds had been planted and his heart was eager to respond.

Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them.
They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
“Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day. – John 1:38-39

John’s disciples could have been satisfied with just listening to the teachings of Jesus and watching him perform miracles, but they chose more. They could have stayed comfortably with the teacher they knew and trusted, yet they took a step of faith and their world opened up to a whole new experience.

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. – John 1:40

Andrew’s faith was strengthened by John’s faith and, because of Andrew’s faith, his brother Simon Peter was given the opportunity to face the One who would see him for what he would become rather than for who he was.

Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John – but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”). – John 1:41-42

RENAMED & REDEFINED

Jesus did not just rename Simon, he redefined him. Jesus knew that Peter was not perfect and he knew that he would one day betray him, yet he also knew that Peter’s faith would grow strong enough to stay true when many others would choose to walk away from Jesus.

Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”…
At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” – John 6:60,66-69

Father God, THANK YOU FOR RENAMING ME as your child — for seeing me for who I could become rather than for who I am. Help me to see myself through your eyes. Heavenly Father, just as I came to faith through the faithfulness of others in my life, I pray that my walk with you will help others find you. I pray that every seed planted, every conversation had, every word written, will prepare someone for that moment when they have the chance to follow you. THANK YOU FOR REDEFINING ME, not according to all the mistakes I have made and will make, or where I come from or how I look, but by who you created me to be. You uniquely created me and now purposefully place me in the lives of others, and I desire to be used by you today in their lives. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13

As he continued with his attempts to control Jesus, Satan baited him to test God by jumping off the highest point of the Temple and then to ask God to rescue Him. Do something really reckless and then ask God for help. That is so unlike anything he would tempt us to do, or is it?

Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”

Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” – Matthew 4:5-7

Satan tempts us to do something we know we should not do by convincing us that it will be simple to ask God to forgive us after we have sinned – to rescue us from our consequences. If God is full of grace and all we have to do is ask for forgiveness, why not enjoy a time of sin or moment of weakness then simply ask God to forgive us afterwards? I believe we should take Jesus’ response seriously.

YOU MUST NOT TEST THE LORD YOUR GOD.

Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. I will give it all to you if you worship me.” – Luke 4:5-7

So often the devil tempts us with all this world has to offer. He makes the trade for earthly wealth and fame seem like a simple one, but it is always complicated to negotiate with the enemy. It seems harmless to get caught up in these temporary pleasures, but if we compromise and live a life for earthly gain, we need to recognize that we are submitting to the enemy’s temptations, and there are consequences that come with that submission.

“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus. – Matthew 4:10-11

Our response to Satan’s temptations can be just as powerful as Jesus’ response was. With strength and determination we can face temptations by declaring that we will worship God and serve only Him! So you are wasting your time, Satan.

GET OUT OF HERE!

When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came. – Luke 4:13

Satan will be back. He is a roaring lion, seeking whom he may destroy (1 Peter 5:8). But we can be prepared for this temptation by giving God our full attention, studying the word of God and building our faith so that we can respond with confidence and determination.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation is bigger than our God. No enemy is more powerful than our Savior. What a blessing it is to rest in the arms of our Father; what a privilege it is to trust in Him in every situation.

Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. – Philippians 1:28-29

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. – Hebrews 4:14-16

Today’s Reading: Matthew 4:1-11

The Lord has been working on me lately, pointing out how often I seek food for comfort and coffee for energy. I have felt him challenging me to start eating to live instead of living to eat. I have cut back on my caffeine intake and started saying no to the sweet temptations of this world. I am inspired by the way Jesus handled temptation and appreciate today’s reminder that it is God’s word that brings lasting satisfaction.

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. – Matthew 4:1

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted. God was not tempting Jesus but He was allowing Jesus to go through a time of temptation, just as He allows us to experience temptation.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. – James 1:13-14

By fasting through this time of temptation, Jesus was showing his intention to depend on God and God only for his strength. He was giving God his full attention, away from the distractions of his daily life and away from the satisfactions of the earth’s nourishments.

Jesus was able to say no to temptation because his focus was on God. Knowing Jesus would be hungry, Satan tried to play on this weakness in order to take advantage of his vulnerability, just as Satan tempts us where we are the most vulnerable or weak.

During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” – Matthew 4:3-4

Jesus’ response to each of the temptations was to quote Scripture, a great model for how we can handle temptation. So if God’s word sustains us through the difficult times, shouldn’t we spend time in His presence soaking in what He says? Shouldn’t we study the word and be prepared by knowing the Scripture in order to be equipped to use them when the moment of temptation arrives?

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” – Matthew 26:41

Father God, we ask that your Spirit would lead us through the times in our lives when we are tempted to find satisfaction in the things of this world. As we celebrate Christmas with the tradition of giving and receiving gifts, bring us back to the true meaning of your birth. Remind us that the things of this world can only sustain us for a short time. Help us to rest in the knowledge that your living water can quench our thirst so that we never go thirsty again. Give us eyes to see the areas of our life in which we are focused too much on the taste of earth’s pleasures. Fill us with the sweet aroma of your presence and satisfy us with the taste of your scriptures. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22

God had a magnificent plan for John the Baptist, yet John remained humble. He was given the role of preparing Israel for the coming of their Messiah, he was given the honor of seeing Jesus revealed as the Son of God, and he was given the privilege of introducing the Lamb of God to the very people whose sins Jesus would die for.

John could have thought too much of himself but he knew he was also one who needed a Savior, and that knowledge kept him humble. He could have said, “Jesus is my cousin! God has chosen this relative of mine to bring salvation!” But instead he left himself out of the introduction and simply said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

It seems to me that John told half the story of Jesus’ baptism and Matthew told the other half. Therefore, I am going to combine both passages so that we can get an idea of how this took place:

John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.” – John 1:26-27

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.’” – John 1:29-31

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.

After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” – Matthew 3:13-17

Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.’” – John 1:29-34

The study Bible I use points out that the language John the Baptist used when he referred to Jesus as “the Chosen One of God” and the language God used when He said “This is my dearly loved Son” is the same language used in Isaiah 42:1: “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations.”

Just as God had a plan for John the Baptist, who remained humble in carrying out God’s will for his life, we should also remain humble. What God calls us to do, the position He places us in and the things He calls us to, NONE OF IT IS ABOUT US. It’s about Him – the Chosen One of God, the Dearly Loved Son. It was for our sins that Jesus died, and so we come to Him as a humble servant, ready to be used however He desires — for His glory and not ours.

Thank you for dying for my sins.
Thank you for carrying my weaknesses and my sorrows,
for being pierced for my rebellion, crushed for my sins.
I am whole because you were beaten;
I am healed because you were whipped.
There have been so many times I have gone astray and left your path to follow my own, yet you willingly bore my sins and interceded for my rebellious heart. This morning I submit to your path and give you all the praise and glory for where this path takes me. Amen.