22010.034 Jesus Is Calling You

“After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at the tax booth. ‘Follow me,’ Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, followed him, leaving everything behind.” —Luke 5:27–28

Jesus’ encounter with Levi occurs soon after Jesus healed a paralytic. Everyone was in awe. Overwhelmed by what they had just witnessed, the crowds were at a fevered pitch. Jesus, on the other hand, looks forward and sets His sights on His next miracle. This miracle will culminate in the confirmation of His authority to cleanse and forgive sins as He selects an unlikely candidate to be His disciple. Jesus was always about His Father’s business—never leaning on His own reputation or his past encounters and interactions.

“We must perform the deeds of the one who sent me as long as it is daytime. Night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” —John 9:4–5

“So he told them, ’My Father is working until now, and I too am working.’” —John 5:17

Scripture tells us that Jesus “saw” a tax collector. This is an interesting word in the Greek—theaomai—meaning “to wonder; to behold, view attentively; to contemplate.” It is regard for something marked by a sense of wonderment; a contemplative and ponderous gaze which carefully and deliberately observes an object in order to perceive it correctly and in detail. It involves more than merely seeing, it is noticing, recognizing, and taking note of something with reflection and acute interest.

Tax collectors were not held in very high regard within the Jewish community, to say the least. Often times they were alienated from the religious community. They gathered money from their brothers, the Jews, to give to the Romans, who were, of course, Gentiles. They were seen as those who betrayed their nation for material gain, often collecting more than necessary to go into their own pockets. In the book of Luke we are told:

“Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ He told them, ‘Collect no more than you are required to.’” —Luke 3:12–13

Seeing Matthew (Levi), Jesus beckons him to come, “Follow me,” he says. This call was different from the occasional and temporary following of Jesus by the crowds. The individual calling to follow Jesus involves abiding fellowship with Him, not only for the sake of learning as a student from his teacher, but also for the sake of the salvation known or looked for, which presented itself in this fellowship.

The first step involved in following Jesus is a trusting in Him. This trust results in following His leading, and living life according to His example. Jesus stressed self-denial and fellowship with himself in the cross. Following Jesus denotes a fellowship of faith as well as a fellowship of life, sharing in His sufferings not only inwardly, but outwardly if necessary (The Hebrew Greek Key Word Study Bible–Lexical Aids).

Responding to Jesus’ call, Levi gets up, leaves everything, and follows Him. This sounds so short and sweet, but it was no small matter. This was repentance lived out. Levi does a complete 180, leaving behind his old ways and trusting in the One who makes all things new.

Become More

“He is made supreme when we are so satisfied in Him that we can ‘let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also’ and suffer for the sake of love. His beauty shines most brightly when treasured above health and wealth and life itself.” —John Piper

Further Reflections

“So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come!” —2 Corinthians 5:17

“Follow me.” —Jesus (Luke 5:27)

22010.033 Finding Security and Comfort

“Now people were even bringing their babies to him for him to touch. But when the disciples saw it, they began to scold those who brought them. But Jesus called for the children, saying, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.’” —Luke 18:15–17

I love the receptivity of Jesus—none are too young to be brought to the lap of our Savior! When I read this passage, I am reminded of the words of Moses:

“Of Benjamin he said: ‘The beloved of the LORD will live safely by him; he protects him all the time, and the Lord places him on his chest.’” —Deuteronomy 33:12

One gracious touch from Jesus will make us joyful and whole as He graciously opens His arms and bids us to come and rest between His shoulders. I am reminded of the apostles after Jesus’ death. Filled with the Holy Spirit, people were clamoring to be even in their shadows …how much more so the lap of our Lord Jesus! When we seek the Master, we find security and comfort.

“Now many miraculous signs and wonders came about among the people through the hands of the apostles. By common consent they were all meeting together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high honor. More and more believers in the Lord were added to their number, crowds of both men and women. Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets, and put them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow would fall on some of them. A crowd of people from the towns around Jerusalem also came together, bringing the sick and those troubled by unclean spirits. They were all being healed.” —Acts 5:12–16

It is no strange thing to meet with discouragement and hindrance. However, when we seek the Master, we find security and comfort. In our verses for today, the disciples were rebuking those who were bringing their babies to Jesus. Interestingly, many of those Jesus interacted with were shunned by the disciples. He wanted his disciples to understand that the little children were as welcome as anybody. How precious of Him to be so encouraging to those bringing these young ones. I think his behavior serves as a mandate for us as parents to disciple and bring up our children in the way of the Lord.

In Proverbs we read:

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” —Proverbs 22:6

“Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” —Proverbs 16:3

The word “train” used in Proverbs 22 is the Hebrew word hanak meaning “to teach, dedicate, consecrate, and inaugurate” (Hebrew Greek Key Word Study Bible Old Testament Lexical Aids). It is used only five times in the Old Testament. The four other times refer to dedicating something to God. The point is very clear; we are to be dedicating our children to the Lord. I do not mean just in a church dedication service, but in a day-by-day dedication to training them in the way of the Lord. We do such a great job in training them in all sorts of extracurricular activities yet often drop the ball regarding their training in way of the Lord. We are to commit the raising of our children to the Lord so that our plans will succeed.

The word “succeed” in Proverbs 16 means “to be firm, be established, be steadfast, be faithful, be sure, be reliable, be fixed, be certain; to be ready, be prepared; to be determined; signifies the deep satisfaction and sense of well-being which comes from the certainty that one’s heart steadfastly trusts in the Lord, who directs man’s paths” (Hebrew Greek Key Word Study Bible Old Testament Lexical Aids). I certainly want that said of my children and grandchildren! This is something that is in line with God’s will and that we should certainly put forth our efforts both in prayer and in work to attain. It will not just happen—raising children in the way of the Lord requires a disciplined process, an intentional plan of teaching God’s way through living. Our life experiences are great classrooms for passing on God’s truth through our application of it. One gracious touch from Jesus will make us joyful and whole.

Jesus tells us that each one of us must receive the kingdom of God as a little child if we desire entrance into it. What does that look like? It is faith that totally trusts in God and His love for us, even though we may see only dimly the movement of His hand. It is approaching God with humility and sincerity; with expectation and excitement.

Become More

Each one of us must come to Jesus as a child, realizing that we are not sufficient in and of ourselves, but are totally dependent upon the One who loves us and gave himself up for us.

Further Reflections

“God’s kingdom is not gained by human achievement or merit; it must be received as God’s gift through simple trust by those who acknowledge their inability to gain it any other way.” —Bible Knowledge Commentary

22010.032 The Humility of Jesus

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John to be baptized by him in the Jordan River. But John tried to prevent him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?’ So Jesus replied to him, ‘Let it happen now, for it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John yielded to him. After Jesus was baptized, just as he was coming up out of the water, the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my one dear Son; in him I take great delight.’” —Matthew 3:13–17

The time had arrived for the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry, and as our example he does it with humility. He begins by being baptized. John the Baptist—being filled with the Spirit—protests, knowing that the Messiah is the flawless One and Only. John knows there is no need for Jesus’ repentance. He has nothing to repent from. Yet Jesus abases himself as an act of association with all of the sinful people whom He came to save, setting an example of humility. Surely He knew that he deserved highest honors.

Jesus’ actions and John’s protest are much like a time later in His ministry when He wraps a towel around himself and washes His disciple’s feet, this time to the protest of Peter:

“Because Jesus knew that the Father had handed all things over to him, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, he got up from the meal, removed his outer clothes, took a towel and tied it around himself. He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel he had wrapped around himself. Then he came to Simon Peter. Peter said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet’ Jesus replied, ‘You do not understand what I am doing now, but you will understand after these things.’ Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet!’ Jesus replied, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!’” —John 13:3–9

Jesus’ gracious lowering of himself in these two situations is so surprising, so deep, and so mysterious, it takes both John the Baptist and Peter totally off guard. At the time of Jesus’ baptism, John’s ministry was at its height. He had obtained a great name and was respected, yet he remained humble in the presence of the Master. It is always important for us to remember that if God chooses to use us and others begin to take note and applaud—it is Jesus in us that they are applauding, not us. We often take ourselves much too seriously, improperly elevating ourselves. It is easier to be humble when we remember that we are saved by grace alone, that we are dearly loved and belong to God, that we have life only to please Him. Jesus surely did not give much weight to man’s opinion. He was fully aware of what was in a man.

As Jesus begins his earthly ministry, we see the presence of the Trinity in a special display of glory. Heaven applauded and affirmed the work that was about to begin and to which Jesus enters into with firm resolution. Sin had shut up heaven and Christ’s work would now open it to all who would believe. The Holy Spirit had been present in the beginning of Creation and now we see here His presence at the beginning of this new world which Jesus has come to offer. Isaiah had prophesized:

“A shoot will grow out of Jesse’s root stock, a bud will sprout from his roots. The LORD’s Spirit will rest on him—a Spirit that gives extraordinary wisdom, a Spirit that provides the ability to execute plans, a Spirit that produces absolute loyalty to the LORD.” —Isaiah 11:1–2

“He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” —Colossians 1:13–14

God speaks His Words of confirmation and pleasure of His Son. Jesus reconciling the world to God is a joyful message indeed. The Spirit manifested itself in the likeness of a dove, but God the Father is manifested by a voice. How endearing and comforting that must have been to our Lord’s ears. God appeared to Jesus by reiterating His relationship, “This is my one dear Son”, and by affirming His mission, “in him I take great delight.”

Become More

“The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, the Helper, the Guide, the very presence of God living in you. The great promise of God in prayer is this: We ask God for the gift—He gives us the Giver. We ask God for the supply and He gives us the Source. We ask God for the money and He doesn’t give us cash; instead, so to speak, He gives us the bank … He delights in giving us himself. The resources of heaven are ready and waiting for the people of God who desire to make much of him in this world.” —David Platt

Go out in to the world today with the humility and purpose of Jesus Christ.

Further Reflections

“He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” —Colossians 1:13–14

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” —1 Peter 5:6

“It is only the fear of God that can deliver us from the fear of man.” —John Witherspoon

22010.030 You Shall See Greater Things!

“Jesus said to him, ‘Because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.’ He continued, ‘I tell all of you the solemn truth—you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.’” —John 1:50–51

Jesus’ words to Nathanael remind me of the Paul’s words to the Corinthians:

“But just as it is written, ‘Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love him.’ God has revealed these to us by the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.’” —1 Corinthians 2:9–10

Nathanael is surprised over Jesus’ knowledge of him, yet Jesus confirms to him that this is a mere drop in the bucket compared to what he is going to see. “You will see greater things than these” is the promise given by our Savior and one that, as believers, we can apply to our own lives as well. Jesus tells His disciples:

“Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me, but if you do not believe me, believe because of the miraculous deeds themselves. I tell you the solemn truth, the person who believes in me will perform the miraculous deeds that I am doing, and will perform greater deeds than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” —John 14:11–13

Every true believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit who equips and empowers us for the good works which God has ordained for us to do. To be a part of God’s work for the kingdom is the highest calling—it is our greatest purpose. God’s desire is to be glorified both in us and through us. He does this by changing us from the inside out through the surrender of our will to the power of His Holy Spirit—one surrender at a time. He never forces us to follow Him. However, we become more like Jesus by each surrender to the Holy Spirit’s prompting—we become less and He becomes greater.

Jesus’ next words to Nathanael commanded Nathanael’s attention: “I tell all of you the solemn truth.” Jesus wanted Nathanael to have no doubt in his mind as to the truth of what he was saying. Regarding heaven being open and angels ascending and descending upon Jesus was an indication that Jesus would now be man’s access to heaven. Jesus was referring here to Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28. The stairway on earth going to heaven, with the angels ascending and descending on it as heaven communicating with earth, would now be replaced by Jesus as the divine communication. The Son of man would now be God’s link with the earth.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” —Luke 19:10

“So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. For it is indeed fitting for us to have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.” —Hebrews 7:25–26

“But Jesus was silent. The high priest said to him, ‘I charge you under oath by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.’” —Matthew 26:63–64

Become More

God has more prepared for each one of than we can ever imagine. Start paying attention each day to all that He is doing in and through you.

“The greatness of a man’s power is the measure of his surrender.” —William Booth

“When we can do nothing, Jesus can do all things; let us enlist His powerful aid upon our side, and all will be well.” —Charles Spurgeon

Further Reflections

“Whatever revelations Christ is pleased to make of himself here in this world, he has still greater things than these to make known to them.” —Matthew Henry

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how unfathomable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has first given to God, that God needs to repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever! Amen.” —Romans 11:33–36

22010.027 The Power of Our Words

Nathanael replied, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip replied, “Come and see.”
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and exclaimed, “Look, a true Israelite in whom there is no deceit!”
Nathanael asked him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus replied, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel!” —John 1:46–49

Words filled with skepticism, criticism, and sarcasm flow so easily out of mouths. Careless, critical, caustic words bring death to the hearer, destroying hopes and dreams and relationships in the wake of their destructive path. Words that bring life, which edify, encourage, and exhort, should mark every believer’s mouth. Proverbs tells us:

“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” —Proverbs 16:24

James says that we are incapable of training that little two-inch sword which rests behind our incisors, and that our words are simply a manifestation of what lies within our hearts:

“But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” —James 3:8

This means that we do not begin with our mouths when dealing with this problem. We must go to the source; we must begin with the heart. Jesus tells us in Scripture:

“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for his mouth speaks from what fills his heart.” —Luke 6:45

Our words matter to God! I wonder if, after being confronted with the truth, Nathanael wished he had not uttered those words of skepticism. You can almost feel his sarcastic, biting, fault finding, and know-it-all attitude just by reading his doubting words. Yet Jesus, who is aware of the unseen life, knows Nathanael’s heart, and delivers a commendation to him that is just so Jesus! Fleshing out Romans before our eyes, He gently leads Nathanael to the truth, providing for us a wonderful example of how we are to respond to negative verbiage in our own lives:

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” —Romans 12:21

Jesus commends Nathanael not to simply flatter him with empty words, but perhaps to focus on his strengths, highlighting and encouraging the good rather than hitting him over the head with a two-by-four regarding his flaws. Jesus knew Nathanael to be a modest man who sincerely professed the faith of Israel and put into practice what he professed. Jesus’ words surprise Nathanael and perhaps take him a bit off guard. A loving response often does that to people. We are so accustomed to receiving complaints and criticism that when we come face to face with true love it can be a bit disarming. What a tremendous example Jesus sets for us regarding the critical caustics in our own lives. The response Jesus received from Nathanael confirmed how firmly now he believed the truth in his heart as he freely confessed Christ’s prophetic office as Rabbi and His divine nature and mission by calling Him the Son of God and the King of Israel.

Become More

Each one of us must guard our words by guarding our hearts. Those words can speak life or death to our hearers.

“I tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every worthless word they speak. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” —Matthew 12:36–37

Ask your heavenly Father to fill your heart with his love and grace so that your words may edify others.

Further Reflections

“Some people seem to have such a passion for righteousness that they have no room left for compassion for those who have failed.” —Charles Allen

“Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, and learning.” —Frederick Faber

22010.026 Share Your Good News

“Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two disciples who heard what John said and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, ‘We have found the Messiah!’ (which is translated Christ). Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon, the son of John. You will be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter). 
“On the next day Jesus wanted to set out for Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ (Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter.) Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law, and the prophets also wrote about—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’” —John 1:40–45

Ever had some really good news that you were busting at the seams to share? The arrival of a new baby, the marriage of a child, a job promotion, an unexpected call or visit by someone you love—you name the good news—whatever it may be—and chances are you will want to share it.

This is exactly what we find in our verses for today. Both Andrew and Philip, having found Jesus, had to make it known! Andrew is convinced of the truth of Jesus, and those who are convinced cannot help but share especially with those nearest and dearest to them. Paul tells us:

“For the love of Christ controls us, since we have concluded this, that Christ died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised.” —2 Corinthians 5:14

“I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. Thus I am eager also to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, ‘The righteous by faith will live.’” —Romans 1:14–17

A heart filled with Jesus will spill out to others in both words and in deeds. So excited over his discovery of the Messiah, Andrew brings Simon to Jesus. Next, Philip is found by the Messiah and subsequently shares the good news with Nathanael, unable to keep quiet over this wonderful truth he has discovered. The One on whom we have so long been waiting and wishing—He has come, He has come, we have found Him! What an experience of pure joy!

Become More

The wonderful news of Jesus is exciting to share. Because we have freely received, we must also freely give.

Share your Good News!

“Nothing taken for granted; everything received with gratitude; everything passed on with grace.” —G. K. Chesterton

Further Reflections

“He is your friend who pushes you nearer to God.” —Abraham Kuyper

“One man with beliefs is equal to a thousand with only interests.” —John Stuart Mill

“There is no joy in the world like the joy of bringing one soul to Christ.” —William Barclay

22010.025 Look, the Lamb of God!

“Again the next day John was standing there with two of his disciples. Gazing at Jesus as he walked by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ When John’s two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 
“Jesus turned around and saw them following and said to them, ‘What do you want?’ So they said to him, ‘Rabbi (which is translated Teacher), where are you staying?’
“Jesus answered, ‘Come and you will see.’ So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day.” —John 1:35–39

Here we have John the Baptist standing among two of his own disciples as he takes note of Jesus passing by. John, with his intense, steadfast focus on Christ, announces to his hearers: “Look, the Lamb of God!” The wording here depicts the fullness of God’s perfect timing through the actions of John and Jesus—John standing as Jesus passes by.

I am reminded of the command given in Hebrews calling each one of us to this same steadfast focus on Christ:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up.” —Hebrews 12:1–3

Notice the two disciples turn from following John to following Jesus. How natural that must have seemed for them as John’s teaching to his disciples was the basis for their conduct. John’s mantra was, “He must become greater; I must become less.” His disciples were eager to follow Jesus.

Observe how Jesus takes notice of the two followers: “What do you want?” Jesus is always aware of a soul’s motion toward Him. He is constantly asking us to look into our own hearts. Jesus is always asking questions: What do you want? What is it that you desire—a Teacher, a Ruler, a Lord? What are your intentions—your motives—behind your movement to follow Him? These disciples coming to Jesus were desirous to be His students. The wording used here depicts their eagerness to be better acquainted with Him, believers, accepting His instruction, making that instruction their rule of conduct. He says to them: “Come”—inviting them to come without delay. And just as He opened blind Bartimaeus’ eyes, He opened their eyes to see. Jesus is always willing to open the of those who come diligently seeking Him. There is never a better time than now to come to Jesus.

Become More

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.” —Matthew 11:28–30

Come to Jesus and follow Him!

Further Reflections

Some come only to Christ to have all their problems fixed, desirous of a rose-colored life with no rain clouds in sight. Others may come to Him overwhelmed in the fervor of emotion, moved perhaps by songs or sermons or sayings. Yet others follow Him to go deeper. Since it is only through Him that we are justified before God, we must come to Him in humility with the realization of our need, seeking His favor and eternal life.

22010.024 This Is the Chosen One of God!

“Then John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending like a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. And I did not recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “The one on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining—this is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” I have both seen and testified that this man is the Chosen One of God.’” —John 1:32–34

Having been told what would happen, John the Baptist recognizes and takes note with reflection and acute interest the Holy Spirit descending from heaven and manifesting himself in the form of a dove and abiding on Jesus. So certain was he of what his ears had heard and now his eyes beheld that John the Baptist exclaimed with great assurance:

“I have both seen and testified that this man is the Chosen One of God.” —John 1:34

It must be overwhelming to experience what one has only been told and believed through faith and then subsequently be given the privilege to actually see it. At the end of the book of Job we find a similar situation where faith becomes sealed with sight:

“Then Job answered the Lord: ‘I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted; you asked, “Who is this who darkens counsel without knowledge?” But I have declared without understanding things too wonderful for me to know. You said, “Pay attention, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.” I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye has seen you. Therefore I despise myself, and I repent in dust and ashes!’” —Job 42:1–6

I am reminded of Peter’s response to Jesus’ question about who the disciples thought He was:

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

And then Jesus replied to Peter: 

“You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven!” —Matthew 16:16–17

Just as with John the Baptist and Job, it was the Father in heaven who revealed this truth to Peter. It mattered not to them that Jesus was not clad in external pomp and grandeur; they were not ashamed to confess freely that Jesus was God’s Son.

Just as the prophet Isaiah had prophesized:

“He sprouted up like a twig before God, like a root out of parched soil; he had no stately form or majesty that might catch our attention, no special appearance that we should want to follow him. He was despised and rejected by people, one who experienced pain and was acquainted with illness; people hid their faces from him; he was despised, and we considered him insignificant. But he lifted up our illnesses, he carried our pain; even though we thought he was being punished, attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done. He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed.” —Isaiah 53:2–5

John the Baptist tells us that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. John’s cleansing with water was one thing, but the cleansing that would be produced by the Holy Spirit would be totally different. After His suffering and resurrection, Jesus gave convincing proof to His followers that He was indeed alive and commanded them to wait for the gift of the promised Holy Spirit. Just as John identified people with himself through the baptism of water, now Jesus would identify His followers through the Holy Spirit bestowing upon them His gifts and graces and comforts. This is a confirmation of John’s words “I baptize you with water … but the one coming after me is more powerful than I am … He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Matthew 3:11). 

Jesus confirms John’s message in the book of Acts:

“To the same apostles also, after his suffering, he presented himself alive with many convincing proofs. He was seen by them over a forty-day period and spoke about matters concerning the kingdom of God. While he was with them, he declared, ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait there for what my Father promised, which you heard about from me. For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” —Acts 1:3–5

The Chosen One of God came to give us new life and to empower us to fulfill God’s purposes in the world!

Become More

Jesus was not what the people expected—they were looking for pomp and splendor. Likewise, we are not to be not what the world expects. Each one of us is to be empowered by the Holy Spirit, showing the humility and love of Jesus through our words and deeds.

Further Reflections

“Would you follow Christ? Then follow him in self-denial, in humility, in patience, and in readiness for every good work. Follow him with a daily cross upon your back, and look to his cross to make your burden light. Follow him as your Guide and Guard, and learn to see with his eyes, and to trust in his arm for defense. Follow him as the Friend of sinners, who healeth the broken in heart, and giveth rest to the weary souls, and casteth out none that come into him. Follow him with faith, resting your whole acceptance with God, and your title to heaven, on his meritorious blood and righteousness. Lastly, follow him with much prayer. For, though he is full of compassion, he loves to be much entreated; and when he is determined to give a blessing, you must yet wrestle with him for it. Thus follow Jesus, and he will lead you to glory.” —K. H. Von Bogatzky

22010.023 Jesus Revealed

“This is the one about whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who is greater than I am, because he existed before me.’ I did not recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he could be revealed to Israel.” —John 1:30–31

John the Baptist had a message and that message was from God. He was privileged to reveal Jesus to God’s people. When God gives a man a message to proclaim, it burns within him until it is delivered. I am reminded of the prophet Jeremiah’s words regarding God’s word within him:

“Sometimes I think, ‘I will make no mention of his message. I will not speak as his messenger anymore.’ But then his message becomes like a fire locked up inside of me, burning in my heart and soul. I grow weary of trying to hold it in; I cannot contain it.” —Jeremiah 20:9

Later, God speaks through Jeremiah regarding the penetrating effectiveness of His word:

“Let the prophet who has had a dream go ahead and tell his dream. Let the person who has received my message report that message faithfully. What is like straw cannot compare to what is like grain! I, the LORD, affirm it. My message is like a fire that purges dross! It is like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces! I, the LORD, so affirm it!” —Jeremiah 23:28–29

Certainly, John the Baptist did not arrive on the scene to impress man. Dressed Bohemian style in camel hair and leather, dining on locust and wild honey, ministering in an obscure remote area, and proclaiming to the religious elite of the day an eye-opening, blistering message showed that he neither came to win a popularity contest nor tried to find favor with man. His approach was anything but “seeker friendly.” His straightforward message made people aware of their folly and then provided them with a remedy. He constantly pointed to Jesus. His passion was to awaken the dead and then offer them life.

“But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘You offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruit that proves your repentance, and don’t think you can say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.” For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones! Even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.’” —Matthew 3:7–10

“The crowds were asking him, ‘What then should we do?’ John answered them, ‘The person who has two tunics must share with the person who has none, and the person who has food must do likewise.’
“Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ He told them, ‘Collect no more than you are required to.’
“Then some soldiers also asked him, ‘And as for us—what should we do?’ He told them, ‘Take money from no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your pay.’” —Luke 3:10–14

Yet, despite his difficult message, John the Baptist still had a large following. Matthew tells us crowds were arriving constantly to be baptized by him:

“Then people from Jerusalem, as well as all Judea and all the region around the Jordan, were going out to him, and he was baptizing them in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins.” —Matthew 3:5–6

The truth consistently preached and draws God’s people because it always accomplishes God’s purposes.

Become More

Each one of us is called to reveal Jesus. This does not mean only missionaries, preachers, and Sunday school teachers. All believers are called to reveal Jesus, whether it be in our homes, or in our workplaces, or among our friends, or even among our enemies. Wherever God places us, we are to show forth Jesus. We do this by dying to our own ambitions and allowing the Holy Spirit to manifest Jesus’ life through our lives. It is an emptying of self, a filling of Him, and a spilling out to those we daily encounter.

Further Reflections

“But now, put off all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices and have been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it. Here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and in all.” —Colossians 3:8–12

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” —Galatians 5:22–23

22010.020 Jesus Takes Away Our Sin

“On the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” —John 1:29

In love, God abolished the payment for sin and its wretched control over man through the blood of Jesus the Lamb of God. Through Jesus, God provided the way for the sinner to be spared for those who would believe in His Son. Jesus was sent by the Father that He might be the Savior of men. God made Jesus sin for us to save us and to once again restore our relationship with Him, allowing us access into His presence through prayer and unshackling our chains from the bondage of sin and its deadly effects. Paul puts it this way:

“And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people’s trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making his plea through us. We plead with you on Christ’s behalf, ‘Be reconciled to God!’ God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.” —2 Corinthians 5:18–21

John the Baptist calls us to look at Jesus, the precious Lamb who takes away the sin of this world, desiring for us to increase our hatred of sin and our love for our Lord Jesus. Notice that John uses the word “takes” instead of “taken.” This implies a continuous action; Jesus is continuously taking away sin as we turn to Him in repentance. 

John saw Jesus as the sacrificial lamb who takes away the sin of the world by taking that sin upon himself on the cross. Therefore, sin is no longer to be the habitual way of life for the believer in Christ. Continued sin is the product of ignorance and blindness towards God and all He has done for us. It clearly demonstrates our lack of love and appreciation for Him for even men do not think highly of a love that never shows itself in action.

“And you know that Jesus was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. Everyone who resides in him does not sin; everyone who sins has neither seen him nor known him.” —1 John 3:5–6

“Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness?” —2 Corinthians 6:14

“He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world.” —1 John 2:2

Become More

“For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him.” —John 3:16–17

Are you truly living your life in the freedom you have through the saving grace of Jesus?

Further Reflections

“Sin will yield to nothing less potent than the blood of Him whom God hath set forth as a propitiation.” —C. H. Spurgeon

“The genius of Christianity takes the words of Paul ‘who gave himself for our sins’ as true and efficacious. We are not to look upon our sins as insignificant trifles. On the other hand, we are not to regard them as so terrible that we must despair. Learn to believe that Christ was given not for picayune [petty] and imaginary transgressions, but for mountainous sins; not for one or two, but for all; not for sins that can be discarded, but for sins that are stubbornly ingrained.” —Martin Luther