‘John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”‘ (Luke 3:16 ESV).
John the Baptist was the forerunner of Christ and the herald who prepared the way for the coming King. When the crowds questioned whether he might be the long awaited Christ, he explained that his baptism was one of water, while the One who would come after him was far greater. For His baptism would be with the Holy Spirit and fire. John declared himself unworthy even to perform the lowest task of a servant, untying the sandals of this One to come.
When Jesus came to John to be baptized, John exclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God” (John 1:29; 34). When John’s disciples came to him later, concerned that many were leaving him to follow Jesus, John replied, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). John understood his purpose. It was to be the preparer of the way, the herald for King Jesus.
John’s life and ministry pointed others to Jesus, not to himself. He understood his life’s purpose. Are we using our words, actions, and attitudes to exalt Jesus? Do we live as if He is truly our Lord and King?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit today. Set our hearts aflame for proclaiming Your Son, Jesus in all that we say and do. We want to be like John, saying “I must decrease and He must increase.” Less of me and more of Jesus! In His name we pray, amen.
“Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:1-2 ESV).
This is a prayer of David crying out to God for His heavenly perspective and protection. “Lead me to the high rock.” He cried. He wanted to see what was coming in the distance. He wanted his feet, which were sinking in mud, to be on something firm. He wanted his overwhelmed heart and mind raised above the daily distractions to see things from the Lord’s heavenly heights. He called on the Lord to be his refuge and strong tower.
We can pray like David today. For the Lord is our Rock.
PRAYER: Dear Father, raise our hearts to a place of shelter from life’s storms. For we are overwhelmed. Protect us from that which would overwhelm or destroy us. Lead us to look to the true Rock. For there is only One who is “the” Rock and that is Jesus the Christ (1 Cor. 10:4). Help us to always look to Jesus. For it’s in His name that we pray, amen.
“It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness” (Luke 3:1-2 NLT).
Do you skip over names and places in your Bible reading? If so, you’re missing one of the richest parts of the Bible, namely, its historical and geographical rootedness. In these two verses, we see Luke’s careful research and historical accuracy on display. Wherever skeptics have cast doubt at the Bible’s historicity, it has stood the test of comparison to extra-biblical sources and to archaeological discoveries. The gospel of Luke is a historical masterpiece of its time.
Here’s an assignment for today: Look up all of the names, titles and places found in these two verses. Let your own research give color and shape to the time and setting of John the Baptist’s appearance on the scene. As you do this, ask the Lord to speak to you in your study and deepen your faith and understanding. The Word of God is true and powerful!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we have a tendency to skip over anything that requires effort to understand. Yet, Your Word includes details that certify its authenticity and we don’t want to miss these details that strengthen our faith. Help us to “study to show ourselves approved” unto You as we study Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Consider the boundless love and unconquerable joy of God the Father for His Son, Jesus. Notice how the curtains of heaven were parted as the Father’s voice declared His divine approval at Christ’s baptism. Such love and joy is the eternal state of the Godhead. It was this love that moved God to give His Son for us (John 3:16). It was this joy that moved the Son to “endure the cross” (Heb. 12:2) that He might obtain our salvation.
Now, Christ invites us to enter into the fellowship that He has with the Father, to know the divine love and great joy they share. Listen to how Jesus prayed concerning us: “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. …May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me” (John 17:21-23).
Now consider the new reality of those who have believed in Jesus and been adopted into God’s family as His children. They have not only passed from death to life. They have entered into the fellowship of love and joy that is theirs in Christ Jesus.
Put your name in the blank below to understand what Christ has made possible for God the Father to now say to us: “__________, you are my dearly loved child, and you bring me great joy.”
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are Your children. We have received Your Son, therefore we have been adopted into Your family. Fill us afresh today with Your Spirit that we might experience Your great love and joy. Strengthen us to walk in love and joy today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Do you skip over names and places in your Bible reading? If so, you’re missing one of the richest parts of the Bible, namely, its historical and geographical rootedness. In these two verses, we see Luke’s careful research and historical accuracy on display. Wherever skeptics have cast doubt at the Bible’s historicity, it has stood the test of comparison to extra-biblical sources and to archaeological discoveries. The gospel of Luke is a historical masterpiece of its time.
Here’s an assignment for today: Look up all of the names, titles and places found in these two verses. Let your own research give color and shape to the time and setting of John the Baptist’s appearance on the scene. As you do this, ask the Lord to speak to you in your study and deepen your faith and understanding. The Word of God is true and powerful!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we have a tendency to skip over anything that requires effort to understand. Yet, Your Word includes details that certify its authenticity and we don’t want to miss these details that strengthen our faith. Help us to “study to show ourselves approved” unto You as we study Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.
This is a prayer of David crying out to God for His heavenly perspective and protection. “Lead me to the high rock.” He cried. He wanted to see what was coming in the distance. He wanted his feet, which were sinking in mud, to be on something firm. He wanted his overwhelmed heart and mind raised above the daily distractions to see things from the Lord’s heavenly heights.
We can pray like David today.
PRAYER: Dear Father, raise our hearts to a place of shelter from life’s storms. For we are overwhelmed. Protect us from that which would overwhelm or destroy us. Lead us to look to the true Rock. For there is only One who is “the” Rock and that is Jesus the Christ (1 Cor. 10:4). Help us to always look to Jesus. For it’s in His name that we pray, amen.
The coming of John, son of Zechariah, had not only been announced by the angel Gabriel, it had been predicted by the prophet Isaiah. John the Baptist was the Messianic Forerunner, coming in the spirit of Elijah, he was the Preparer of the Way. Every king must have a herald to go before him announcing his arrival. John was Christ’s herald. His job was to prepare the soil of the people’s hearts for the Seed of God’s Word. His message was to proclaim, “People get ready! The King is coming!”
PRAYER: Lord, may our voices be known as John’s was, as those who proclaim the coming of the Lord Jesus. Help us to choose our words wisely. We confess our wasting of words on many worthless things. We ask you to strengthen our voices to speak words of life and hope in Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Consider the boundless love and unconquerable joy of God the Father for Jesus, HIs Son. See how the curtains of heaven were parted as the Father’s voice declared His divine approval at Christ’s baptism. Such love and joy is the eternal state of the Godhead. It was this love that moved God to give His Son for us (John 3:16). It was this joy that moved the Son to “endure the cross” (Heb. 12:2) that He might obtain our salvation.
Now, Christ invites us to enter into the fellowship that He has with the Father, to know the divine love and great joy they share. Listen to how Jesus prayed concerning us: “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. …May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me” (John 17:21-23).
Try putting your name in the blank below to experience what Christ has made possible for God the Father to now say to us:
“__________, you are my dearly loved child, and you bring me great joy.”
Do you skip over names and places in your Bible reading? If so, you’re missing one of the richest parts of the Bible, namely, its historical and geographical rootedness. In these two verses, we see Luke’s careful research and historical accuracy on display. Wherever skeptics have cast doubt at the Bible’s historicity, it has stood the test of comparison to extra-biblical sources and to archaeological discoveries. The gospel of Luke is a historical masterpiece of its time.
Here’s an assignment for today: Look up all of the names, titles and places found in these two verses. Let your own research give color and shape to the time and setting of John the Baptist’s appearance on the scene. As you do this, ask the Lord to speak to you in your study and deepen your faith and understanding. The Word of God is true and powerful!
The continuity of leadership is an often overlooked step by a senior leader. But Moses prayed that the Lord would not leave the Israelites without a shepherd after his passing. The Lord answered Moses’ prayer and instructed him to lay hands on “Joshua the son of Nun,” setting him apart and investing him with authority. God’s answer to Moses’ prayer that his people not be left “like sheep without a shepherd,” foreshadows its true fulfillment in Jesus (Hebrew: “Yeshua” or “Joshua”), the Son of God.