Today’s Reading: John 5

It was not about the PHYSICAL, but about the SPIRITUAL.
It was not about the WHEN, but about the WHO.
It was not about the TIMING, but about the SOURCE.

Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people – blind, lame, or paralyzed – lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for 38 years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”

“I can’t sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”

Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat and walk!”

Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, so the Jewish leaders objected. – John 5:1-10a

There were crowds of sick people all around, yet Jesus approached one man. He knew this man; he knew his situation and his need — not only for PHYSICAL healing but for SPIRITUAL healing. Jesus’ desire was for this man’s life to change. For 38 years he had been sick but Jesus had more than just physical healing in mind to change this man’s situation. Jesus wanted to give this man eternal life!

This was a miracle of life that Jesus was offering. The physical touch was for the purpose of this man believing in Jesus and choosing obedience. Jesus told this man to do two things: “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” and “Stop sinning”. The first required a MOMENT of faith and obedience. He had to believe in Jesus enough to stand up. The second required a LIFE of faith and obedience, a healing of the heart that would change the way this man lived — holy and set apart for the One who had healed him.

The Jewish leaders tried to make this miracle about timing, but Jesus corrected them. He let them know that this was not about WHEN but about WHO – not about the physical healing but about spiritual healing. While the Jewish leaders focused on the TIMING of the miracle, Jesus tried to point out to them the SOURCE of the miracle. Jesus had come to bring life and they were missing out on this miracle that was available for them because they were too caught up in the legalism of when the miracle had taken place.

WHAT HAS US SO DISTRACTED THAT WE ARE MISSING OUT ON THE MIRACLE OF LIFE?

It was not about HEALING, but about CHANGE.
It was not about the BODY, but about the HEART.
It was not just about a MOMENT, but about a LIFE.

“For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants…I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death to life. And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice — the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live. The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son.” – John 5:21, 24-26

The miracle of life is what Jesus was offering at the pool of Bethesda and it is what He is still offering us today. This miracle comes from the love of a God who would send His one and only Son to die for our sins so that we might believe and experience eternal life. This miracle of life is available to all of us but it requires more than just a MOMENT of faith and obedience; it requires a LIFE of surrender and submission. The purpose of all of these miracles performed by Jesus was to prove that He was sent by God so that we might truly believe and experience eternal life.

“John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message. But I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me. And the Father who sent me has testified about me himself. You have never heard his voice or seen him face to face, and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me—the one he sent to you.” – John 5:35-38

When we come to believe in who Jesus was while he was on earth and in whom he continues to be today, our hearts begin to change. God’s message is not only heard but it settles into our hearts, and we are never the same. Studying the scriptures for the sake of knowledge has value, but salvation requires an acceptance of what Jesus offers. When we respond in faith to Jesus’ teachings and his miracles, when we accept his call to holiness and lean into his gift of righteousness, God’s love moves within us and we are forever changed.

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.

“Your approval means nothing to me, because I know you don’t have God’s love within you. For I have come to you in my Father’s name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them. No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God.” – John 5:39-44

Lord, give us eyes to see what today is about; give us an understanding that looks beyond the temporary issues of today to see the eternal value of your purpose for our lives. Give us the patience to focus on the source of the love within us, instead of on the timing of answered prayers. May our minds focus today on the spiritual instead of the physical. Thank you for being a Father who is always working on our behalf. Amen.

But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” – John 5:17

Today’s Reading: Mark 2:23-3:6; Luke 6:1-11

THE PHARISEES HAD A QUESTION FOR JESUS.

QUESTION: “Why are you breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?” – Luke 6:2

The Pharisees watched Jesus closely, especially on the Sabbath. They wanted to catch him breaking the Jewish traditions and laws so as to have grounds to accuse him and shut down his ministry. They had his disciples under close surveillance.

The question they asked Jesus also exaggerated the truth; it made it sound like the disciples were harvesting the fields on the Sabbath. The truth was that they simply broke off some heads of grain, rubbed off the husks with their hands, and then ate the grain. In other words, they fixed themselves a quick snack as they walked by the grainfields.

ANSWER: “The Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath.” – Luke 6:5

JESUS HAD A QUESTION FOR THE PHARISEES.

Jesus knew their thoughts. He said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” So the man came forward. Then Jesus said to his critics, “I have a question for you. Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” He looked around at them one by one and then said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! – Luke 6:8-10

Wouldn’t you have loved to have been there in that moment as Jesus took the time to make eye contact with each and every one of his accusers? Jesus knew their thoughts and he knew their motives. He knew that what he was about to do was going to make them very angry — angry enough to make them start plotting against him.

Jesus looks at the heart of each and every one of us — individually. He knows when we use the Sabbath as an excuse to make the day about ourselves when His intention has always been that the Sabbath would be about Him. The Sabbath is not a day for us to focus on our own needs for rest, but to slow down the busyness of our lives and focus our attention fully on Jesus.

“I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.” – Matthew 12:7b & Hosea 6:6

When we are fully focused on Him and we feel His eye on us, God may move on our hearts to show mercy to someone or to do something for Him. Our response should be one of obedience. The Sabbath is a great day to worship God and a great day to hear from Him. Isn’t it also a great day to respond in obedience, no matter what He is asking us to do? Isn’t it appropriate to serve others by serving at the church?

And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.” – Matthew 12:11-12

Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.” – Mark 2:27

JESUS BECAME ANGRY WITH THE ATTITUDES OF THE PHARISEES.

Mark describes Jesus as experiencing both anger at the Pharisees’ manipulation and sadness at the hardness of their hearts. Knowing how they were about to respond, he told the man to hold out his deformed hand and he healed it. He restored that which was broken and healed that which was wounded.

At this, the enemies of Jesus were wild with rage and began to discuss what to do with him. – Luke 6:11

THE PHARISEES BECAME ANGRY WITH THE WORDS OF JESUS.

Knowing his actions would incite the anger of those who plotted against him, Jesus made the decision to heal the man with the deformed hand. In four simple words, the power of Jesus was displayed and the anger of his enemies was unleashed — HOLD OUT YOUR HAND. Jesus’ ministry was not for the sake of popularity but for the sake of redemption. He said what he needed to say and did what he needed to do, even when it resulted in criticism and hatred.

Let’s reach out and allow God to use our hands however and whenever He asks. Let’s care more about ministering to the needs of others than we care about ourselves. Let’s respond to Jesus by holding out our hands, empty of our own agenda and available to be used by Him today.

Lord, I sit here this morning with a full heart and empty hands. I give you this day and commit to being available to be used by you in the lives of those around me. Give me the strength to be obedient and the humility to be submissive to what you want to do through me today. Lord, I hold out my hand and ask for your healing impact on my heart, mind, body and soul so that I can be a vessel of your mercy and grace to those I come in contact with today. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39

QUESTION: One day some people said to Jesus, “John the Baptist’s disciples fast and pray regularly, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. Why are your disciples always eating and drinking?” – Luke 5:33

This was a question asked by those who had been taught to make a regular habit of fasting, as the Pharisees did. They noticed that Jesus’ disciples were not fasting, and they went straight to Jesus for an explanation. What a great place to take our questions — straight to the One who has the answers!

It seems like a common tendency in the church for us to look around at other believers and take notice of how they are living out their faith. We question their choices and sometimes doubt our own habits of discipleship. We wonder who is right and who is wrong, or we arrogantly assume we are the one who needs to impose our own thoughts on those around us, even if we do not have scriptural context to do so. When we consider the motives behind our concerns, we often find jealousy leading the way.

We also have a tendency to compare ourselves with others and worry about how we measure up with someone else, or how another believer measures up with us. God has made each one of us unique, and He has a plan for our lives that is different from anyone else’s. It is NOT God’s plan for us to criticize our brothers and sisters in Christ, but to lift them up in prayer and support their obedience to God. Perhaps the Lord is freeing us from our need to have an opinion about everything.

Jesus’ response to John’s disciple spoke to the heart of this question. The great teacher did something so many educators are known for doing — he answered his question with another question.

ANSWER: Jesus responded, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

Then Jesus gave them this illustration: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn’t even match the old garment.

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins. But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. ‘The old is just fine,’ they say.” – Luke 5:34-39

Sometimes the old is not compatible with the new. If I buy the newest available software and then try to load it on a computer I have had for five years, the two might not be compatible. If a church hangs onto old traditions in a changing culture, they may find their numbers declining. When God is calling us to bring others into a growing relationship with Christ, the last thing we want to do is ask them to fit into a mold that is not scripturally essential to the forgiveness of sins.

SOMETIMES WE HOLD SO TIGHTLY TO THE NON-ESSENTIALS OF YESTERDAY THAT WE MISS OUT ON THE NEW THING THAT GOD IS DOING TODAY.

Are we ready for the new thing God wants to do in our lives? Are we light enough on our feet to change our direction if God says to go a different way? When we daily spend time in the Word, are we seeking a new revelation from the Spirit, open to having the Lord expose our own sin or wrongful thinking? Are we hanging on tightly to an old mindset that is inconsistent with scripture? Are we too comfortable with the familiar, or are we eager for God to give us a fresh perspective that is consistent with the truth found in scripture?

Lord, open our hearts so that we are always ready to love and support our fellow believers. Open our minds so that we are always a student of the Spirit living within us. Open our schedules to spend time studying your Word with fresh eyes and clear thoughts so that we can hear from you today. Help us to cling to the truth in your word rather than religious ideas or cultural trends. We ask you to forgive us for entertaining judgmental opinions about others. Renew our calling and refresh our enthusiasm to bring others into a growing relationship with Christ. Amen.

This is what the Lord says—
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters,
who drew out the chariots and horses,
the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland…” – Isaiah 43:16-19

Today’s Reading: Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32

Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him.

Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.) But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum? – Mark 2:13-16

Jesus endured many questions during his ministry. He was challenged on why he did one thing and why he failed to do another. He was questioned regarding the places he went and the people he spent time with. He was questioned by the religious leaders, by his disciples and even by his own family.

We continue to question Jesus today on things we do not fully understand, or things we understand but dislike or even disagree with. God is Almighty and we say we trust Him, yet we find ourselves challenging him. We like to think of ourselves as nothing like the teachers of the law and the Pharisees; yet, if we were honest, we would see that we have moments that are more similar than we wish to admit.

I invite you to join me as we spend the next few days looking at three questions asked of Jesus during his earthly ministry. Let’s start with this question:

QUESTION: “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?” – Luke 5:30b

This was the question asked of Jesus when he attended a banquet that Matthew (Levi) held in his home. The guest list included Matthew’s coworkers and colleagues — tax collectors and other guests. Jesus was the guest of honor, yet Matthew was the one honored to have Jesus spend time in his home.

Scripture says the Pharisees and teachers of the law complained BITTERLY that Jesus was spending time with people who were considered unrighteous. In the ancient world, meals were rituals of social status, and Jesus’ act of dining with Matthew and his friends was interpreted as Jesus socially accepting them, regardless of their lifestyle and lack of integrity.

ANSWER: Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do. I have come not to call those who THINK they are righteous, but those who KNOW they are sinners and need to repent.” – Luke 5:31-32

Investing in sinners by spending time with them and inviting them into our fellowship is not accepting their sin, as some would accuse. Jesus calls us to reach out to anyone who needs him and love them as they come to recognize their sin. They are on a journey of grace, and there will be a moment when they understand their need to repent and ask for forgiveness. What a beautiful privilege to be with them when they are willing to admit that they have sinned and come to a point of change.

Jesus did not say to Matthew and his friends that what they were doing was good and that they should keep doing whatever they desired to do. No, they were cheating their fellow Jews by unnecessarily putting financial burdens on others while padding their own pockets. In the same way, we are not called to condone sin nor have we been given permission to change what the Bible defines as sin.

Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love. – 2 John 1:3

To love them in spite of their sin is grace; to speak truth into their life is love. It was Jesus’ desire to free them of their sins, to release them from their current lifestyle. He did not love them enough to leave them in the mess they had made; he loved them enough to save them from it. He gave us a great example of how grace and truth work together in order to help others find freedom from sin.

GRACE WITHOUT TRUTH IS NOT LOVE, WHILE TRUTH SPOKEN IN LOVE IS A GREAT WAY TO TELL SOMEONE ABOUT THE GRACE OF OUR GOD.

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32

Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
“No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” – John 8:10-11

Lord, we thank you for the example you set for us while here on the earth. We pray for you to fill us with your love so that we see those around us as you see them. May our heart reflect what you desire for those we come in contact with today. Forgive us for our judgmental attitudes and cleanse us of our arrogant responses towards others. May your truth stand clear in our minds and be represented with grace through our words. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Mark 1:35-2:12; Luke 5:12-26

Several years ago, I had the privilege of sitting and visiting with Pam Tebow, mother of former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow. As we waited for her turn to speak at our fundraising banquet, we got to know each other, and I enjoyed her sweet spirit and genuine heart. We spoke of some of the big public moments in Tim’s life, but she also shared some of their private moments as a family. By the time Pam rose to go to the stage, I no longer saw her as a public figure about to speak to a room of 800 people; I now saw her as another mom who loves her family and daily allows God to use her however He desires.

WITH OR WITHOUT AN AUDIENCE

As we read through the gospels, we see that Jesus’ ministry had both its public and private moments. In many of those private moments, Jesus instructed the person he healed not to reveal his identity to others. There was a bigger plan at work and wisdom in what Jesus was asking his followers to do, even though they did not always listen to him. Let’s look at the difference between these two kinds of moments in the ministry of the Messiah.

In the first chapter of Mark, we read of a private moment when a man with leprosy fell on his knees before Jesus and was healed. There were probably very few people listening in on their conversation, or very few left within hearing distance once they realized the man had a highly contagious disease.

Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you.” – Mark 1:41-44a

But because the man left and told everyone who had healed him, large crowds began to follow Jesus. He struggled to enter into a town publicly because of the attention he would immediately receive. When Jesus arrived in Capernaum, news spread of the house where he was staying and it was soon packed with visitors. As Jesus was preaching to the standing room only crowd, four men dug a hole in the roof and began to lower a paralyzed man down in front of Jesus. Jesus not only met his physical needs, he also met his spiritual needs, which caused the religious leaders in attendance to grumble.

Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” – Mark 2:8-12

There may be moments in our lives when many people are aware of something we have accomplished or a way in which we have served God. We may get a pat on the back or the applause of an audience, and in all of that we hope and pray that God is glorified. But there will also be moments in our lives when God asks us to do something for Him, something we will never get earthly recognition for. We obediently follow Jesus REGARDLESS OF THE PRESENCE OF AN AUDIENCE. There is no need for public fanfare or media attention; we are simply daily responding to God’s lead.

WITH OR WITHOUT AN AUDIENCE

That night at the banquet, I was introduced and those in attendance welcomed me warmly. At that moment, everyone in the room knew who I was and the position I held in the ministry. In the same room there was a retired couple sitting at their assigned table. Every week she would come in and volunteer, working with the young mothers who were learning how to parent. Her husband would come with her each week and volunteer by cleaning the pregnancy center. Neither of them got specific public recognition that night, but I was given the honor of privately thanking them for all they do for Living Alternatives.

My obedience to what God has asked me to do with my time is no greater than the faithful service of this couple. I guarantee you they were not concerned that they did not get a standing ovation; that is not why they do what they do. They are humble servants of their Savior, and it is His approval that they are living for.

WITH OR WITHOUT AN AUDIENCE

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:1-6

May our testimony today be the same — willing hearts, WITH OR WITHOUT AN AUDIENCE, whether or not our reward is on earth or in Heaven. May our testimony be as strong in today’s private moments as it is in the public moments when others are watching. May we be consistent in all that we say and do, seeking the approval of God and not man. And may God receive the glory for anything He chooses to accomplish through us today.

Today’s Reading: Mark 1:16-34; Luke 4:31-5:11

THEN ANDREW BROUGHT SIMON TO MEET JESUS.

Consider the weight of these seven words. Andrew did not soak up all the Jesus he could get and then just hope from a distance that his brother would someday have the opportunity to meet this incredible man. He brought Simon to meet Jesus; he introduced his brother to the one who would forever change his life!

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come and follow me and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. – Mark 1:16-18

God had a plan for the lives of these two brothers — a plan bigger than they had ever imagined. I would guess that, even in that moment, Andrew and Simon Peter did not fully comprehend the extent to which Jesus was going to penetrate their lives.

After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” everyone begged. Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them. – Luke 4:38-39

John the Baptist introduced Andrew to Jesus and then Andrew introduced Simon, now known as Peter, to Jesus. Not only did Jesus impact the lives of these two fishermen, He reached out beyond Peter to his family. This woman who was sick in bed was now on her feet serving Jesus. All who witnessed this miracle became aware of the power of the Son of God. The number of people whose lives were touched by Jesus was multiplying.

As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed everyone. Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at his command, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak. – Luke 4:40-41

THE TOUCH OF JESUS’ HAND HEALED EVERYONE.

Because Simon Peter said yes to Jesus’ invitation to follow him, his family had the opportunity to experience the healing power of the Messiah. Not only his family but his entire community! By following Jesus, Peter had shortened the distance between those he came in contact with every day and the Savior of the world. They now had the opportunity to be touched by Jesus because of Peter’s faithful obedience.

One day the crowds were pressing in so close to hear Jesus that he stepped into one of Simon Peter’s empty fishing boats to preach. When he was finished, he told Simon to take the boat into deeper waters and let down the nets to catch some fish. They had not caught anything that night, but they did as Jesus commanded and caught so many fish that their nets began to tear! Another of Simon’s boats came out to help and soon both boats were on the verge of sinking from all the fish (Luke 5:1-7).

Now Simon’s relationship with Jesus was not only affecting his family and community, Simon had brought Jesus to work with him! Now all of his coworkers and colleagues were given the opportunity to see a miracle and to reap the benefit of this huge catch of fish. How do we know his coworkers and colleagues gained from this large catch? Because Simon was officially no longer a fisher of fish; the catch was theirs to keep. He was now Peter, a fisher of men!

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me – I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” As soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. – Luke 5:8-11

OUR SUBMISSION IMPACTS THE LIVES OF THOSE AROUND US.

Our response to our encounter with Jesus will determine whether or not those around us get an opportunity to have their own encounter with Jesus. When we fall on our knees, admit that we are a sinner, and obediently follow Jesus – doing whatever He tells us to do simply because He said so – our submission impacts the lives of those around us. We can keep all this Jesus to ourselves or we can take Jesus into our family relationships, our community and our workplace.

Lord, help us to conquer our fears and uncertainties. Help us know that you are with us and that you want to make an impact on those around us. May our submission allow us to be your hands and feet to everyone we come in contact with today. Give us a new identity in you so that we stop seeing ourselves as “Simon” and begin seeing ourselves as “Peter”— a follower of Christ and a fisher of men. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 4:12-25; Psalm 23

With John no longer available to preach the message of repentance to a lost and dying world, Jesus picked up where John had left off with the same message — “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17). The impact of Jesus’ presence and his message of repentance was significant. As the prophet Isaiah had said hundreds of years before:

“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

There is significance in where Jesus chose to begin his ministry. He went first to Nazareth, his hometown, and then he traveled to Capernaum and became a light for those who had been sitting in darkness for so long — the Gentiles. His message of repentance and hope was not just for the Jewish people, but also for the Gentiles. Throughout his ministry, Jesus would continue to show that he had come to save ALL people from their sins, both Jews and Gentiles. His gift of salvation was for everyone, for me and for you.

WHERE DEATH CASTS ITS SHADOW, A LIGHT HAS SHINED.

Have you ever experienced the shadow of death? Have you been close to death but survived to tell the story? Have you sat by a loved one and watched them slowly slip from this world into the next? Have you experienced the darkness of death’s shadow?

Just asking this question brings my thoughts back to our last day with my father. The memories of those last hours are still vivid, taking me back to the room where we gathered together in anticipation of his last breath. As we sat in the shadow of death, we spoke of the hope of eternal life. We grieved our loss while celebrating that my father would no longer be confined to a body devastated by Parkinson’s. The light of Jesus filled our hearts as we sang around his bed, releasing our patriarch into the hands of God.

Where death casts its shadow, a light shines. As a young man, my father had received the message of salvation and gave his life to the Lord. He walked away from his career in library science, put down all the work he had done on his dissertation, and began to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to others — “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon-possessed or epileptic or paralyzed – he healed them all. Large crowds followed him wherever he went – people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River. – Matthew 4:23-25

This is a great description of the kind of impact Jesus had on those who were living while he walked the earth. They had never heard anyone speak like he did or heal like he did. They would travel long distances to see this man from Nazareth who could free people of their demons and diseases. They would follow him wherever he went. Among those followers were Simon, Andrew, James, and John.

And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. — Matthew 4:18-22

Simon Peter and Andrew were casting their net into the sea. This was how they provided for themselves — by catching fish to sell or trade. They were working hard doing what they did every day. James and John were mending their nets. Their means for catching fish was broken and in need of repair. They were working hard doing what they had been raised to do. But this day was different. This day a man named Jesus invited them to put down their nets and follow him. Something about this man compelled them to walk away from everything they knew and begin a new journey of following Jesus.

Many of us have heard this story of following Jesus over and over again — so much so that the reality of the disciples’ decision is somehow lost on us. Do we fully understand what they were willing to walk away from in order to follow Jesus? Maybe they were content, successful, and pleased with their routine. What prompted them to let go of everything they knew to walk into the unknown.

So much of my life has been spent watching my father say yes to the next direction from God, and then joining my husband in responding to what God is calling us towards. Even now, we are settling into a new home and a new church for a new season of ministry. Each chapter has brought joy. God has been faithful, and God will continue to be faithful.

When Jesus calls us to follow Him, He requires us to step out of our comfort zone and believe that His ways are greater than our own. We daily choose to give our lives to whatever He has for us and we follow wherever He leads — eyes fixed on Jesus and ready to say yes to the next invitation. This is the kind of impact Jesus wants to have on each of us; this is the life of obedience that Jesus is calling us to.

My father experienced the light of Jesus when he recognized his need for a Savior. He testified of this light to others, bringing countless people to a place of repentance and hope. Even during his 15 year battle with a cruel and debilitating disease, he walked in the light.

WHERE DEATH CASTS A SHADOW, A LIGHT SHINES.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4

Lord, thank you for bringing your light into the darkness of this broken world. Thank you for your comfort when we find ourselves in the valley of the shadow of death. I pray for those who have just received a terminal diagnosis or who are still grieving the loss of their loved one, marriage, job, or identity. I pray you give hope to those who are walking that journey of loss even now, and replace their sorrow with a peace that can only come from you. May our prayer this morning be that we are willing to go wherever you lead, even when death has cast its shadow. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Luke 4:16-30; Psalm 118

When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.
Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. – Luke 4:13-15

Let’s not miss that Jesus’ trip back to Galilee came soon after the forty days he spent in the wilderness being tempted by the devil. Jesus returned home – not worn out and beat up by the devil’s attempts to destroy him but rather “filled by the Holy Spirit’s power.” I love this! God strengthens us through the power of the Holy Spirit as we go through difficult times. At the end of our struggle, our faith is often stronger than before the hard times arrived.

By this time, word had spread throughout the region about Jesus and everyone seemed pleased with what he was teaching in their synagogues. He was in his homeland, but now it was time to return to the village where he grew up – Nazareth. It was TIME TO GO HOME.

When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” – Luke 4:16-21

Luke tells us that the people were amazed by all that Jesus was saying, but they were also confused. This was Joseph’s son. How could Isaiah’s prophecy be fulfilled through someone they were so familiar with?

Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’ – meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his hometown. Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner – a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian.”

When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. – Luke 4:23-28

Jesus knew their hearts and their struggle to see him as anything but the son of a local carpenter. They had watched him grow up, watched him play in the streets with the other kids. They were excited that he had come home and amazed at what a good teacher of the Law he had become, but they did not see him as the promised Messiah or the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah.

Jesus laid out his calling for everyone. He was anointed by the Spirit to bring good news to the poor. He was sent to proclaim that captives would be released, the blind would see and those who were oppressed would be set free! The time of the Lord’s favor had come, but Nazareth was not going to experience all that God had for them because they would not accept all of who Jesus was.

I know several people who grew up in the church but who still struggle to fully believe in Jesus. My heart aches for them to have faith – to fully accept Jesus for who He is! They spent so much time in the presence of the church without taking the time to truly seek God. When eyes are focused on religion, we miss out on seeing God Himself revealed.

The village of Nazareth missed out because they wanted to define Jesus one way instead of listening to what he was trying to teach them. How much do we miss out on when we decide to define Jesus from our own perspective and make him who we want him to be? This is who Jesus wants to be in our lives today if we will just stop trying to contain him in a box and truly allow Him to be Lord:

He wants to bring good news to strengthen our faith.
He wants to set us free from the bondage of sin.
He wants to open the eyes of our heart so that we can truly see Him.
He wants us to stop deciding we already understand him.
He wants us to daily open up to what He wants to reveal to us today.

The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing,
and it is wonderful to see.
This is the day the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Please, Lord, please save us.
Please, Lord, please give us success.
Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God, shining upon us.
Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar.
You are my God, and I will praise you!
You are my God, and I will exalt you!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever. – Psalm 118:22-29

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

Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” – Mark 1:14-15

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.

John is the only disciple who told the story of what happened as Jesus travelled from Jerusalem to Galilee. Instead of choosing to walk around Samaria, as many Jews chose to do, Jesus made the intentional decision to walk through Samaria. He positioned himself in the life of a woman from Samaria by resting at a well while his disciples went into a nearby village for food. The timing was not random but perfectly choreographed by Jesus to intervene in the life of this woman with a dark past but a bright future.

On December 8th, we studied the evangelistic conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman who came to the well where Jesus was resting. Not only was her life touched by the living water Jesus offered her that day, her whole village was impacted.

Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.” – John 4:39-42

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

Excitement was growing across Galilee as people heard about Jesus’ teaching. Word was spreading about the miracles that Jesus had performed in Jerusalem, which caused a father to journey to where Jesus was on behalf of his son, who was very sick. Let’s consider this morning the second miracle that Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee.

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. The suggestion of coincidence is weak while the evidence of God’s supernatural action on our behalf is obvious.

I see two elements of timing in this account written by John. The first is that Jesus arrived in Galilee just as the government official’s son became very sick. Secondly, 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.

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. – Psalm 27:14

I am learning each day how to trust in God in new ways. In every season of my life, God stretches me. I am confident that I am only at the beginning of all He is about to teach me. I am not sure exactly what is ahead for me this year, but I am sure that I can trust Him. His timing is always perfect and so I plan to give Him my attention as I wait patiently for Him.

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. – 2 Peter 3:8

In what ways has God shown up for you throughout your life? Can you look back and see the evidence of God’s movement on your behalf at exactly the right time? While you wait patiently for the Lord to answer your prayers, hold tight to the memories of God’s faithfulness throughout your life. Press on in confidence that God is never late and He is never early.

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. – Galatians 6:9

Today’s Reading: John 3:18-36; 1 Peter 1:3-9

“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 to 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 many struggle to believe in God. We have a choice to make – to believe and allow God to transform our lives through spiritual rebirth OR to not believe and put our confidence in 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.

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?

Pop culture and politics want us to believe that we are in the minority when we put our trust in an unseen God, but a 2022 Gallup poll shows that 81% of Americans believe in God. The media wants to shame us for our Christian beliefs and the entertainment community chooses to mock us, but when an NFL player collapses to the ground during a game, both players and fans respond quickly by going to prayer. When wildfires are destroying homes across southern California, social media posts cry out for people to pray. When former presidents and national leaders gather for President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, they stand together and recite the Lord’s Prayer. When faced with death or disaster, this country shows evidence that its motto still rings true today — In God We Trust.

LET’S BE READY TO SHARE WHY WE BELIEVE WHAT WE BELIEVE.

If you have struggled with doubts but came out strong in your faith as a result of the struggle, it is important to 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 feel His presence and know with confidence that our God is alive and well!

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. – 1 Peter 1:3-9