Christian Reflection and Prayer

Read Luke 3:15-18

 

As the people were in expectation, and all were
questioning in their hearts concerning John,
whether he might be the Christ (Luke 3:15).

 

If John were here today, he would have a lot to say
about our fear to confront those who live contrary
to God's Word. He was a bold and powerful
preacher; he was unafraid to stand up to the self-
absorbed religious leaders or expose the errors of
powerful political rulers.

 

It's not difficult for the crowds to see the power of
God at work in his ministry. So we should not be
surprised to hear them asking if John might be the
great prophet that Moses predicted long ago. Is
this the Messiah God had promised to send?

But John immediately set the crowds straight.
However powerful he might be as a prophet, he is
nothing compared to the One who is coming.
Compared to Him, John is like the lowest house
slave, unworthy even to stoop down and lay his
fingers upon the sandals of the great Messiah.

 

Even now, this mighty Son of God is living in
Galilee. Soon He will come to John to begin His
ministry, by which He will accomplish His great
rescue mission. John baptizes with water, but the
Christ will pour out the Holy Spirit and His
cleansing fire upon those who hear and believe.

What thoughts must have rushed through those
crowds, hearing the long-awaited Messiah is near?
What thoughts cross your mind when thinking of
Jesus, who not long ago was that tiny Baby laying
in Bethlehem's manger? How amazing is it that He
will soon stride forward in humility and poverty to
save the world?

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Almighty God, thank You for sending Your great
Son to save us from death and hell. Accept our
thanksgiving and praise for Jesus' sake. Amen.

 

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

FLEE THE COMING WRATH

And he (John) went into all the region around the Jordan,
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness
of sins (Luke 3:3)

 

Read Luke 3:1-9

 

Luke anchors John's ministry in human history by listing
the Roman emperor, the governor of Judea, and the ruler
of the northern province of Galilee where Jesus is living.
John preaches in the region near the Jordan River. Huge
crowds come out to him, but he is aware that some are
here for the wrong reasons. Some are merely curious;
others don't recognize any sins in themselves that need
to be washed away. John boldly challenges them: "You
brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath
to come?"

 

These strong words challenge us to look deep within our
hearts. John has come to prepare the way for God's
mighty Son. He calls us to recognize our faults and
failings and humble ourselves before our God. This
baptism is not an empty, meaningless ceremony. It is
God's solution to the deadly poison of our sin. Through
water and the Word God washes away our sins,
delivering us from death and hell, and saving us from
His destructive wrath.

 

On the Last Day, Jesus will return to earth to execute
God's judgment. He will cast into the eternal fires of
hell all that refuse to accept the forgiveness and
salvation He came to win for them. Today is the day for
you to escape God's wrath and find peace and eternal
salvation in Jesus your Savior.

 

THE PRAYER

 

Almighty God, You sent John to prepare the people of
Israel for the coming of Your Son Jesus. Through the
powerful words spoken by John, prepare me for Jesus'
second coming, that I may escape Your fiery wrath.
I pray this in Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

... the Boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His
parents did not know it (Luke 2:43b).

Read Luke 2:41-52

 

If you were a 12-year-old, left alone in a huge capital
city, where would you go?

 

Mary and Joseph spent three frantic days trying to
answer that question, as they searched for 12- year-
old Jesus. Would they find Him roaming though the
market place, staring up at one of Herod the Great's
three spectacular towers, or would He be gazing at
his opulent palace in the north end of town? Was He
watching the Roman soldiers practicing their military
formations and running their drills in the Antonia
Fortress? Would He be cheering along with the
chariot races in the Jerusalem hippodrome-that same
horse track featured in the movie Ben Hur?

 

The truth is none of these places held the biggest
attraction for Jesus. He was in the last place most of
us would ever expect a pre-teen to be. On the third
day they found Him in the temple courts, asking
questions of the religious leaders. His greatest thrill
was to be at His Father's house fulfilling His great
mission.

 

When His mother asked why He had treated them
that way, Jesus' answer confused both Mary and
Joseph, "Did you not know that I must be in My
Father's house?" Jesus had important work to do,
and He knew it. Everything was riding on it: His
great mission and our eternal future. To open
heaven to us He had to live a perfect life, with
absolute obedience and perfection. He had to learn,
understand and memorize God's Word; He had to
know it inside and out. He was a single-minded
Savior on a single-minded mission.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your single-minded
dedication to our salvation. Give me a similar hunger
for Your Word too. Amen.

 

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries