Scripture

The Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Observation

People are filled with expectation about the Messiah and wonder if John is the one. John tells them the Messiah is yet to come. John baptises them with water but one is coming who will baptise the with fire and the Holy Spirit.

Because of his teaching and rebuking, Herod would later have John locked up.

Jesus comes to be baptised by John. The heavens open up and the Holy Spirit comes upon Him in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven affirms that Jesus is God’s Son.

Application

John’s ministry was all about Jesus. He was the one called to testify about the one to come and to build expectancy in people’s hearts.

We also share this calling. My life is not about my pleasure, my fame, my success. It’s all about testifying about Jesus, telling others about the glory of His grace.

Jesus brings us a baptism of fire and of Holy Spirit. We need to seek to receive this baptism, allowing the nature of God to surround us and fill us until we become just like Jesus.

Prayer

Lord baptise me in fire and Holy Spirit. Fill me with you so that I can demonstrate your grace in the world. Amen.

Scripture

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberias… the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

Observation

In the fifteenth year of Tiberias’ reign, John hears the word of God and begins preaching in the wilderness.

He goes throughout the region proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

This all happens in accordance with Isaiah’s prophecy:

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness

‘Prepare the way of the Lord’”

Application

John was a great man, a prophet of God. Jesus said he was the greatest among those born under the old covenant.

John was never greater than Jesus. He was the one who prepared the way of the Lord. John rolled out the red carpet for the one coming, the greater one.

As children of the new covenant, none of us is greater than Jesus, nor greater than anyone else.

All of our actions, words, relationships are to prepare the way for the one greater.

Prayer

Lord Jesus help me to understand that the purpose of my life, like John’s, is to honour you in all things. Amen.

Scripture

“Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Observation

Jesus teaches about His coming. There will be a lot of distress. The nations will be in turmoil and even the heavenly bodies will be disturbed. People will faint from fright. Then the Son of Man will come in a cloud with power and glory.

The fig tree shows the seasons, so when we see these things take place we will know that the kingdom of God is near.

We must be on guard, looking to Jesus rather than being weighed down by drunkenness and sin. We must be ready to escape opposition and ready to stand before the Son of Man.

Application

Jesus’ words about the end are always given in the context of being ready. We must be alert so that on the day we are called we will be ready to stand before Him.

Christians are not called to live good worldly lives. We are called to lives of obedience, often living radially differently to our neighbours.

Being alert means that I pay full attention to what Christ is doing and respond to Him at all times. That means taking no thought to my own plans and desires. Everything must be for Jesus,

Prayer

Lord, please transform me. Help me to see where my ambitions and plans hinder me from obeying your plans for me. Amen.

Scripture

Mary responded, “I’m the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Observation
The angel Gabriel appears to a virgin named Mary and says, “Greetings favoured woman! The Lord is with you!”

The angel then goes on to tell Mary that she will conceive and give birth to a son she will name Jesus. He will be the Son of the Most High and He will reign over Israel for ever.

Struggling to understand, Mary asks him how this can be. The angel tells her that the Holy Spirit will overshadow her and the baby will be called the Son of God.

Mary responds, “I am the Lord’s servant.”

Application
To a young girl in a tiny village these events must have seemed incredible, An angel brings a revelation of an impossible event with world-changing implications. And she is in the middle of it all.

It is Mary’s response that really sets her apart from most if us. “I am the Lord’s servant,” she says,

This is the attitude God is looking for in all of us. My life is all about serving the Lord, not about serving me.

God is looking for people with that kind of humility that enables them to be entrusted with great destiny.

Prayer
Lord, I am your servant. May I be found obedient to your plans for my life. Amen.