From that time on, Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Observation
Jesus moves to Capernaum. He begins to preach the message of repentance, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
One day, as He is walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus calls two fishermen, Simon Peter and Andrew. He tells them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.”
Jesus travels through Galilee preaching the Good News and healing every sickness. Large crowds gather everywhere He goes as the news spreads across the region.
Application
The message of Jesus is “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
God is present reigning over His people wherever they submit to His reign.
We no longer need a hierarchy of priests and endless sacrifices, because the ultimate price for sin has been paid by God Himself.
The kingdom of God is here, and that means every person has to make a choice. Will I follow my own path or will I place my life in the hands of Jesus? Will I make my own meaning out of my life? Or will I let the God who created me bring meaning to me?
To repent means to change our thinking. It means to see that the things that I once thought were important are not at all valuable, while the things I once despised are the most valuable of all.
It is a complete change of direction- no longer me and my wants, but only serving the Lord.
Prayer
Help me Lord to cast off sin and every attachment that stops me from worshipping and obeying you. Amen.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Observation
The Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness. There He fasts for forty days and nights.
The devil comes and tempts Jesus three times- to make bread out of stones, to throw Himself off a high place so that angels rescue Him, and to worship satan in return for the glory of the kingdoms of the earth.
Each time, Jesus rebukes satan by quoting Scripture.
Finally, the devil goes away, and angels come and care for Jesus.
Application
The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. Actually the Greek word means to be thrown out. This is a forceful leading of the Spirit.
Jesus was taken out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit for a confrontation with the evil one.
It is said that God does not tempt us to do evil things. However, it is also true that God allows us to be put into places where we are confronted by evil – both the evil in our own hearts and that in the hearts of others.
We don’t know the depths of sin that we can fall into until we face temptation.
Every one of us is able, under the right circumstances, to commit actions that we thought were beneath us.
Satan’s role is to remind us of how corrupt our hearts are without Christ, and to lead us to depend on Him even more.
Prayer
Lord I know temptation is real. Please give me the grace to stand firm in you. Amen.
But Jesus said, “It must be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.”
Observation
Jesus goes from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptised by John the Baptist. John tries to talk Him out of it, but Jesus replies, “We must carry out all that God requires.”
As Jesus comes up out of the water, the heavens open, and the Spirit of God comes on Jesus in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven says, “This is my dearly loved Son who brings me great joy.”
Application
Obedience to God is not a matter of choice or convenience.
Jesus says, “We must carry out all that God requires.” For Jesus the great test was to accept the suffering of the cross.
We see our lives as a series of choices from what to wear to what to eat, whom to marry, and so on. In this series of choices, we see obedience to God as an option.
For a person committed to walking in the way of Jesus, there is no choice to be made.
Obedience is obedience at every point. We cannot be 80% obedient. We cannot pick and choose how we will serve God and in what parts of our lives we will be surrendered. We have to carry out all that God requires, and not just the bits we enjoy.
Surrender to Christ means to give up the right to choose- perhaps even our choice of clothes.
As soldiers in an army obey their orders without question, so too christians must learn to obey God’s orders without hesitation.
Prayer
Lord Jesus please teach me what it means to be obedient to you in all thing, so that I can carry out all that God requires. Amen
“Repent of your sin and turn to God, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Observation
John the Baptist begins preaching in the wilderness. He preaches that people should repent and turn to God.
He is the one who was sent by God to prepare the way of the Lord. He calls the Pharisees and Sadducees vipers for their hypocrisy. He warns that the axe of God’s judgement is about to fall upon them.
John baptises with water, but someone is coming who will be far greater and who will baptise in fire and the Holy Spirit.
Application
The gospel of God’s kingdom is the same through the ages. The message in fact predates Jesus and goes back through the prophets to to Moses and right to the beginning of humanity.
The message is simple- we must repent. To repent means literally to change your mind. We must see our sin for the abomination that it is. We might have once thought that we were OK with God, but now we must recognise that He not impressed with anything that we say or do. A new heart is required, and that comes as a gift from God.
The second step is to turn to God. We no longer run our own lives as if we are our own king. We recognise that God is King. He is the one who created us and gave us life. Therefore we are to be under His reign.
To become a follower of Jesus involves a total change in our life direction and our lifestyle. It means giving up on the things which displease God and living His way instead. When we do this, we stop being God’s enemies and we become His friends.
Prayer
Lord, what an awesome privilege it is to be called your friend. Please help me to live for you in every part of my life. Amen.
Here is my commentary on Ephesians 4:7 . I am publishing these once or twice a week, but you can read all of the available articles at our web-site, http://www.new-life.org.au
Ephesians 4:7
“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”
This verse could be more accurately translated: “but grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”
By its definition, grace is a gift from God. So this gift was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Paul wants to emphasise here that what you have from God is freely given by Him.
Paul has already written at length about grace in this letter to the Ephesians .
In chapter 1, he talked about the blessings that we received through Christ, having been chosen before we knew him. We have forgiveness and redemption “ according to the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.” (1:7).
In chapter two, Paul describes how we were lifted up from the darkness of this age and we are now seated with Christ. “ For it is by grace you have been saved through faith.” (2:8)
In chapter 3, Paul talks about the work of grace in his own life, and the mystery revealed to him. He concludes that chapter with a prayer for the Ephesians that they would receive a greater revelation of the extent of God’s love.
Grace can be defined as God’s love in action. it is freely given to us, and to all people. The heart of the idea is that it comes to us as a gift and not always a something that we seek.
Common grace is the grace that God gives to all people. Jesus said that God sends the rain to the righteous and the unrighteous alike. In other words, favour and prosperity given are to all people regardless of their salvation or otherwise.
Prevenient grace is the grace that draws us towards God before we are saved. It is God’s gift that makes us open to the gospel message before we come to know Jesus.
Saving grace is a gift that applies the power of the cross to my specific need. it comes as conviction of sin and understanding that God loves me so much that He sent His Son to die for me. My sin- addled brain and corrupted heart could never have made that connection, unless the Holy Spirit made it very simple. I could never appropriate the message without the gift of faith.
Sanctifying grace is the ability which the Holy Spirit imparts to us that enables us to cast off our old sinful nature and put on Christ’s nature. Over time, our sins are put to death, and holiness grows in us.
Finally, there is enabling grace. This grace empowers us to work in co-operation with the Holy Spirit to fulfil His calling on our lives. it is grace to love others, whether saved or not yet saved, to receive gifts of the Holy Spirit for ministry, to do ordinary things in ways that are beyond our natural ability.
When Paul says that each one of us has received grace, he is not just limiting this to salvation. It is true that unless we received saving grace we could never have been saved.
Paul is saying here that all of us have sanctifying grace and enabling grace. We have all been given the necessary grace to become all that God has called us to be.
We all have a measure of grace because we all have a measure, so to speak, of the Holy Spirit. if you are a follower of Jesus, you have received the Holy Spirit and you have received grace – indeed grace upon grace.
Each one of us has received grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. What is that measure? The measure is “more than enough.”
Paul is telling us that each of us have grace given by someone who lavishes it on us, who piles up the superlatives and pours it out to us. Can we measure it? No, it is too big.
If I were to compare the grace on my life with the grace on your life (assuming that such a thing were possible), I might find you have received five times more grace than me. But I have received more than enough grace for my need, so I don’t need the same amount you do. There is no need to feel jealous of other believers; nor any need to feel superior because we have more grace .
We all have a measure of grace and the measure of grace is more than we need. This means that we can all pray bold and effective prayers. We can all share the gospel with our friends. We can all exercise spiritual gifts. We can all be ministers of grace .
The reason that God gives us “ more then enough” grace is that there is always plenty to share with our brothers and sisters, and also with those who do not know Jesus yet.
If grace were money, we might imagine that when we get saved we received a billion dollars. So after you buy a new house and a new car, what are you going to do? The only useful thing to do is share it with other people. We might buy them nice things to show the love of God in practical ways. We might pay for somebody’s medical procedure. Even as you give it away you can’t keep up ahead of the supply.
Grace is like that. The more of ourselves we invest in others people, and the more we access the Holy Spirit to do this, and the more that we exercise faith, then we see the kingdom grow and grace multiply.
And each of us has received this more than enough grace.
Key points in this verse:
We have all received grace from God.
There are many kinds of grace, but just one giver of grace
God gives us grace according to the measure of Christ
God gives more than enough so we can share it with others
There he made his home in a town called Nazareth so that what had been spoken by the prophet might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazarene.”
Observation
An angel appears to Joseph in a dream, warning him to flee with the child to Egypt because Herod is about to try to kill Jesus. Joseph and Mary immediately leave Bethlehem and travel to Egypt where they stay until Herod dies.
Herod is furious when he discovers that the wise men have tricked him. He orders that all babies born in or around Bethlehem under the age of two years be killed.
Finally Herod dies, and the angel again appears to Joseph in a dream telling him it is safe to return to Israel. So they go and live in Nazareth.
Application
All though the story of the birth of Jesus, Matthew make sit clear that God is in control. Everything that happens is done in order to fulfil ancient prophecies, whether the people involved are aware of it or not.
The last thing Herod was thinking about when he ordered the killing of the babies was how to fulfil the prophecies. Yet he did just that.
Joseph was concerned with keeping his family safe, and so he listened to the angel in his dreams. In doing so, he fulfilled the prophecies.
There is a paradox at work in our lives. God allows us the freedom to choose our actions. Yet He uses the freely chosen actions to achieve His purposes.
We can be sure that, even when our lives are spinning out of control, God is there and He is bringing His purposes to pass.
Paul writes: “All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purposes.” (Romans 8:28)
Prayer
Thank you Lord for the assurance that you are working my life for my good. Amen.
On entering the home, they saw the child with his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chest, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Observation
After Jesus’ birth, the Magi come from the East. They ask the rulers where the King of the Jews is born. Herod is frightened when he hears this, and he finds out from the priests and scribes where the Messiah was to be born. They tell him that it was to be Bethlehem.
Herod calls for a meeting with the Magi. He tells them the baby should be born in Bethlehem. He tells them to seek diligently and report back to him when they find Him.
The Magi follow the star to the place where Jesus and His mother are. They worship him and Give Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Application
In the Christmas story we find three broad classes of people:
those who hear the Good News and recognise instantly that the baby is the Son of God
those who know with the intellect that the baby might be the Messiah, but are not that committed to seeking Him out
those who are driven by hatred or fear of the baby
We can know all the facts about Jesus as the priests and scribes did, and still not know Him. We can have an intellectual knowledge of the Bible and miss the heart of the author.
We can even hate and oppose God because we know that He wants a different focus in our life.
Or we can worship Him, recognising that in Christ everything finds its place.
Prayer
Lord Jesus I offer myself to you again. Use me as you choose and enable me to worship you in every situation. Amen.
As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child that is within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.”
Observation
Mary is engaged to be married to Joseph. While still a virgin, Mary becomes pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
Joseph has a dream in which an angel of the Lord tells him that May’s child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. This baby is to be named Jesus and will save people from their sins.
Joseph takes Mary as his wife, although they refrain from sexual intercourse until after the baby is born.
Application
I am often surprised when I read of a christian stating that they do not believe in the Virgin Birth of Christ. This is an essential part of our faith.
What is easier for God to do- to make the whole universe in its infinite complexity or implant a bit of DNA into a womb?
To disbelieve at this point is to unravel every point of doctrine.
The Virgin Birth is fundamental to faith because it goes to the identity of Christ. Sin has been handed down to us, almost as an inherited quality woven into our genetic makeup. Adam’s sin has been inherited by every human being since.
If Jesus is to be a perfect sinless sacrifice for the sins of the world, He had to be conceived in a way that did not involve human DNA.
The first Adam was a special creation by God. So too was Jesus, the second Adam.
Prayer
Thank you Lord for the mystery of the conception of Jesus. Help me to accept and believe this miracle. Amen.
This is the record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham.
Application
Matthew lists the ancestors of Jesus, back through Joseph to Abraham. There are three groups of fourteen, which makes seven times six, the numbers of perfection (or God) and of man. Already he is pointing us to Jesus as Son of God and Son of Man.
Jesus is a true descendant of Abraham. He is a true Jew. He cannot be dismissed from respect because of His ancestry. He truly belongs to the children of Israel.
Jesus is also a descendant of David to whom God promised, “One of your descendants will be on the throne of Israel for ever.”
The Gospel of Matthew was written for Jewish people to accept that Jesus is the Messiah.
What is in the genealogy for us today?
God planned Jesus’ birth right from the beginning of time.
Although Jesus was sent to the Jews, He is God’s Saviour for all people.
Both Abraham and David sinned quite spectacularly, but Jesus was without sin.
Despite their sin, Abraham and David were men of faith and were significant in carrying forward the family line of the Messiah
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for the promises, prophecies and pre-planning we see in Scripture. You truly are an awesome God! Amen.
Here is my commentary on Ephesians 4:6 . I am publishing these once or twice a week, but you can read all of the available articles at our web-site, http://www.new-life.org.au
Ephesians 4:6
“… one God and Father of all, who is over all, through all, and in all.”
Paul has been listing the things Christians share- one Lord, one faith, one Spirit, one baptism. Now we come to the climax, the one God and Father.
Christians, like Jews, affirm that there is one God. Unlike the pagans who had gods for different cities and localities, trades and professions, christians say there is one God.
Whereas religious ties divide other groups, christians are united by worshipping the one God.
God has revealed himself as a Trinity, that is as three persons in one God. This isn’t to be interpreted as three gods or as three separate modes which God switches between. Part of the mystery of God is that God is both one and three. The unity of God is real, as is the threefold personality.
When we say that God is Father, we may think of several things.
Firstly he is the creator. He brought the whole of creation into existence for His good pleasure. Nothing was made except through the agency of God. He made all things and He made them good .
In this sense, God is Father even of those parts of creation that rebel against Him. He is Father to sinful people in the sense that He created them.
Secondly, God is Father in the sense that he brings new life to those who desire it. He is like a father of children who have gone off the rails and seeks to be reconciled with them. God the Father sent God the Son into the earth in order to reconcile many sons to himself .
Thirdly, to say God is Father is to say He is relational, and that He loves His creation. He is not a distant, impersonal god or force, but a real person who can and does relate to His creation .
Fourthly, God is a Father who works to bring His sons and daughters to maturity. He wants to impart His character to us so that we can become like him in nature. In Ephesians 4:13, Paul says that God gives His gifts to the Body, “ until we reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
God is over all, through all, and in all. This is language that needs to be thought about carefully .
We need to say first of all that this is not a form of pantheism. God is not identical to the creation. He is not the spirit of the trees and the mountains. God is separate from the creation.
When we say God is everywhere, we do not mean to imply that He is disguised as the animals and the wind. He is present to every part of creation, but separate from it.
It appears that some of the Greek manuscripts try to soften some of the universality of this verse. Some add the word “you”, others added the similar word “us”. God is over all of us, through all of us, and in all of us. As Christians, this would be acceptable, but it is not what Paul wrote.
God is over all people. He is the supreme ruler, whether we believe this or not. He is over all things, directing human and other events to his final purposes.
At the end of time, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10). God is Lord of all right now whether or not this is recognised by all people.
God is “through all.” This seems to mean that God uses all events, all people, all of creation to His glory and to our good. Nothing happens that he is not already aware of before hand .
To say that God is through all means that I can be confident that God is with me in every situation.
Finally God is “in all”. every person carries the image of God, the stamp of God’s ownership. Every person we see is someone whom God loves and created for His glory. If we see the image of God in all people, then we can love them as we love God.
God is also in all things because everything carries his image. While we must not worship the creation, every part of it is infused with God’s beauty and God’s glory. Therefore, every encounter that I have in this creation should draw me to a place of worship .
Key points in this verse:
Our worship of one God should bind Christians together
God has revealed himself as a trinity Kama a perfect community of love
God is Father of all creation, but has a special Father relationship with those who are born again
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