Scripture

“Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? Not at all! you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.”

Observation

Jesus is informed that some Galileans were murdered by Pilate in the Temple. He asks if they think these particular people were worse sinners than others. He tells them they too will perish unless they repent of their sins.

Similarly, the people who perished when a tower fell on them in Jerusalem were no worse sinners than anyone else.

Jesus then tells a parable about a man who planted a fig tree in his garden. He was disappointed by its lack of fruitfulness. Finally, he tells his gardener to cut the tree down. The gardener asks the owner to give the tree another chance; he will take special care and fertilise it, and it should do better the next year – if not, they can cut it down then.

Application

A common response to feeling convicted about sin is to compare ourselves to other people. We might think we are not as bad as that person. If someone is struck down by tragedy, we might wonder if they did something to deserve it.

Jesus rightly draws our attention to ourselves. We need to repent of our own sins and turn to God rather than wondering about the sins of others. Yes, other people do bad things too, but that does not make us righteous.

God is not slow to punish sinners. The parable of the barren fig tree shows that He is always wanting to give us another chance to repent.

But the time will come when the last chances run out, and we have to give an account to God for our sins.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for your loving kindness. You always show grace to those who turn to you. Thank you. Amen.

Scripture

He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.

Observation

Immediately after His baptism, the Holy Spirit direct Jesus into the wilderness where He is tempted for forty days.

At the end of this time, when Jesus is very hungry, the devil provokes Jesus to turn some stones into bread to prove His Sonship. Jesus rebukes satan with scripture.

Next, the devil takes Jesus up to a high place to reveal to Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. This will be given to Jesus if He worships Satan. Again Jesus rebukes him with scripture.

The devil takes Jesus to the highest place of the Temple and says He should jump off so tha the angels will come and rescue Him. Again Jesus rebukes satan with scripture.

Finally the devil leaves Jesus.

Application

I can’t imagine what forty days of temptation must have been like for Jesus, alone with satan in the wilderness. It must have been intense as satan tried to get Jesus to sin or even just deviate from the path that the Father had set for Him.

I have been through times of torrid temptation. It would seem to be so easy to walk away from God’s calling, but I recognised what was happening.

Less obvious, and so easier to miss, are the lesser temptations. Satan entices us to seek something, to compromise just a little, to lose control or to give in to our passions.

Jesus is our great High Priest. He has been tempted in every way, just like us, but he did not sin. He understands the pressures that satan and the world put on us. He has compassion and forgives us readily when we turn back to Him.

Prayer

Thank you Jesus for this assurance that you know what temptation is like and you understand my weakness. Please help me to stay strong in you. Amen.

Scripture

“You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

Observation

After the announcement by the angel that she will conceive a baby by the agency of the Holy Spirit, Marry goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth has had her own miracle, becoming pregnant with John the Baptist, despite being past child- bearing age.

At the sound of Mary’s voice, the baby in Elizabeth leaps for joy. Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and tells Mary that she and her baby are blessed because she believed that the Lord would do what He has said.

Application

Blessings come tot hose who believe that the Lord will do what He has said. This is called faith.

We do not all have angels coming to announce life- changing, even world- changing, miracles. We do have the promises of God recorded in the Bible.

Faith means that we believe what God has said, and we trust that it will be done.

The first requirement, then, is that we know what God’s word actually says. We need to read the Bible, obey the commands of the Lord, and trust Him to keep His promises.

When we can find a scripture that backs up our prayer request, then we can know that God will certainly answer our prayer. This gives us faith to pray more confidently, knowing that God keeps His promises.

Prayer

Lord, you are a promise keeping God. Have you not said it and therefore you will do it? Thank you for the confidence this gives us to approach your throne with the desires of our hearts. Amen.

Scripture

“All people will see the Salvation sent from God.”

Observation

The word of the Lord comes to John who was living in the wilderness. He starts travelling along the Jordan River preaching that people should be baptised for repentance and turn to God to be forgiven.

Isaiah had prophesied concerning John when he spoke of the voice shouting in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” Every Valley will be filled and the mountains pulled down. Then all people will see the salvation sent from God.

Application

It is really awesome that salvation is for all people.

You don’t have to be part of a particular ethnic group or nation. You can be a homeless person or a corporate CEO. Kings and queens, peasants and paupers, are all welcome in God’s Kingdom.

People of every race, generation, and tribe are all welcome. God’s love is shown to all people.

There is no entrance exam or need to perform certain good deeds.

All people will see God’s salvation and can enter in.

Christmas is about the birth of a a baby, but it is so much more. It is the birth of a Kingdom that is above every Kingdom, an opportunity for all people to be friends of God.

The way in is so easy. Simply turn away from sin, ask God to forgive you, and received His grace through Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Jesus Christ, thank you for setting me free from sin and for rescuing me from Hell. Amen.

Scripture

“Watch out! Don’t let your heart be dulled by carousing and drunkenness and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware.”

Observation

There will be strange signs in the heavens. On earth, the nations will be in turmoil. People will be terrified, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

Everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and glory.

We can tell the seasons by the trees and plants. We see the signs in the natural. When we see these things happen, we know the Kingdom of God is here. This generation will not pass until these things happen.

Watch out! Don’t live like the pagans do, consumed by partying and the worries of this life. We are to be prepared, ready for the coming of the Son of Man.

Application

There is some dispute about whether this passage refers to events in the future or in the past, such as the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. I think the most straightforward interpretation is that Jesus was warning his followers about the horrific events of 70 AD.

But the warnings apply to every Christian in every time period and every place.

Be ready for the coming of the Son of Man.

We are citizens of Heaven. We have a destiny in view that goes beyond this present life. As ambassadors of the Kingdom of God, our home is not in this world.

Therefore, we do not live as the people of the world do – consumed by entertainment, pleasure, and the endless anxieties that beset those who do not know that God is their Father.

We must live every day as if it were our last day, as if we could meet with Jesus tonight. We must always be ready to give an account of our lives.

This is not to say that we should live in misery and fear. It is not to say that we must never be happy or celebrate. We are the people, above all others, who are happy and joyful.

It is a matter of focus. Am I living for this life only, or do I set my heart on eternity?

Prayer

Lord, please help me to live everyday with the awareness of your presence. Amen.