Strong, Wise, with Grace

Luke 2:40, 46-47 
40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.

Jesus the man grew as we do.  As the Son of God, however, He showed God's goodness and wisdom as no mere boy ever could.  At twelve Jesus reasoned with learned professors and asked them pointed questions out of His infinite wisdom and knowledge.  No wonder all listening to Him were astonished - what man could know such depth and breadth unless He was God Himself...

Pray Without Ceasing

Luke 2:37-38   
37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

When one follows God as if He is all there is worth living for, then you are like this widow who spent every waking moment praying and seeking to please Him.  You also would let your thankfulness overflow into telling all around you where their redemption from sin, death, and hell comes from - the one who delivers, Jesus ("salvation/deliverance is from the Lord").  Let us never depart from Him who lives in these bodies, these temples where He now lives, but live for Him night and day. 

Heart Thoughts Revealed

Luke 2:30-35 
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” 33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Simeon waited a lifetime to see Jesus, the one to save us as a light to the world and to show God deserves all honor and worship and praise.  The thoughts and motives of the inner man are revealed by His word and work among us; how can we wait any longer when the word is in our mouths and hands before us, no longer hidden?  He also said this good news would divide families by those opposed to and for it.  This is what we bear news of, this certain hope.

Shepherds See Jesus

Luke 2:15-18 
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

When Jesus was born, the shepherds outside the town ran to see what God told He was doing. They then went and told many others what they had seen and how God told them by he angels.  Do we feel that same awe in seeing Jesus revealed to us, and the salvation and new life that followed seeing and knowing Him?  This extends beyond Christmas to every day after as well.

Light in the Darkness

Luke 1:74-79   
74 To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. 76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, 77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; 79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

John prepared the way for God's chosen one that we might be set free from sin and its taskmaster death.  He pointed to deliverance, salvation, by taking away our sin in God's great yet tender mercy as He came to visit us in the flesh.  He pointed us to God's light and life in Jesus Christ, bringing peace with God through Him.  This great gracious gift is remembered at Christmas, but lives on until His return - and into forever.

Truth for Mercy and Strength

Luke 1:50-53 
50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.

God shows infinite mercy in Jesus Christ to us.  He has all power, wisdom, and mercy - He puts the proud down who imagine they can do anything without Him or in their own imagined power and wisdom.  He rules absolutely, yet shows unmerited mercy and goodness to we who deserve only what sin brings in rebellion to Him.  He satiates our hunger and gives good gifts forever to those who love, fear, and follow Him with absolute trust in His work through His Son for us.

Holy One Born of the Spirit

Luke 1:31-37 
31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.  37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Jesus (God is salvation) was conceived by God in a woman to be also a man - without touching her.  This is God's way of becoming like us to suffer in our place and die for our sins.  There was no other way to keep His justice and our punishment but by taking that sentence of death on Himself.  He reigns as Lord over all people and lands, ruling forever, and reminds us in so doing that absolutely nothing is impossible for Him.  This is why we celebrate Christmas - God's gracious gift of deliverance from our death sentence and gift of forever with Him, reconciled in Jesus Christ, God in our midst.

Don't Doubt God!

Luke 1:18-20 
18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

John's father did not believe the heavenly messenger in front of him, doubting God's word and work, and so had his ability to talk taken away until he saw John with his eyes.  God's work is absolutely done in His time, not ours, and we only need to take Him at His word as a little child with absolute trust (belief, faith).

Call to Repent

Luke 1:13-17 
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Before Jesus was born, John the Baptist was given life; not the son of God, but filled with God's Spirit to make hearts ready for Jesus when He came. He would call all to turn (repent) to God, to give love from fathers to their children, and from disobedience (sin) to wisdom of God's justice lived out.  John prepared the way to repent and believe in Jesus Christ, God-in-our-midst...

Luke's Eyewitness Account

Luke 1:1-4 
1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

This is one reason that Mark spoke of the Lord's work being confirmed in the apostles, so that their confirming testimony validated the words and witness they gave to us.  So Luke wrote what Jesus said and did as a credible and chosen eyewitness.  We do well to heed God's words to us through these who penned the New Testament.  Then we can be certain what we are taught matches what God says.

Preached Everywhere

Mark 16:19-20   
19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

When Jesus left for heaven after coming back from death and instructing His followers further, He told them as apostles they would be able to do some of the same miraculous things to prove, to confirm that they were with him and spoke on His authority. It was not about the signs, but who these pointed to.  As we see in Acts, without these proofs the gospel would be uncertain and he epistles written not accepted by these men.  So Jesus was seen in them and the prophetic word more certain by His word has come to us now.
(2 Peter 1:19) And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;

Saved or Condemned?

Mark 16:14-16   
14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

When someone sees Jesus, do we believe?  The disciples thought it too fantastic that Jesus could be alive when they saw Him die - yet others saw and told them they did.  So by trust and acceptance of Jesus Christ the good news we speak of on Christmas comes into life.  Not believing actively by receiving keeps us condemned already in our sin, but taking Him and His witnesses at His word is deliverance by forgiveness and reconciling forgiveness from the cross and resurrection of God's Son for us...

Hear and Testify

Mark 16:12-13   
12 After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.

What form in outward appearance Jesus took after coming alive from death is not clear, but two people walking along talked to Him for a while before realizing who Jesus was.  When they told others, they did not believe someone could die and live again (though they saw Lazarus come back to life).  Elsewhere we see Jesus telling these how all the Old Testament pointed to all this and Him.  Do we then fully trust Him to give us life after death, having done it Himself first? 

Tell that He is Risen!

Mark 16:6-11   
6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” ... 10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

Peter who doubted was brought up separately by name to tell that Jesus was risen from death to life.  He had denied the Lord, but loved Him much as well, so was personally to be reassured.  Jesus was coming to meet them!  But they did not believe the news in their grief and loss.  Not yet.  Not until they saw Him with their own eyes.  Ah, but we now see Him with eyes of trust in His word - with eyes of faith as God opens them to be able to see.

Sealed in the Tomb

Mark 15:46 - 16:1   
46 Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid. 1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.

When Jesus died on the cross, He was loved enough to be finely prepared for burial in honor.  The women who had followed Him made note of where the grave was so they could come back to further honor with spices to anoint the Anointed One even after death - such was their love for the one who taught, healed, loved, and walked among them.  Do we give all to anoint Him in willing love and honor?

Asked for Jesus' Body

Mark 15:43-45   
43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. 45 So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.

It was a great risk with such a high position to lose all by identifying with Christ by asking for His body to bury.  Yet the honor was greater for Joseph than possible backlash.  Also Pilate was amazed that the Son of God would already be dead; he probably thought Jesus would hang there forever.  But Jesus died and came back from death to make honoring Him possible and infinitely worthwhile. 

Women Disciples

Mark 15:40-41   
40 There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, 41 who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

We often think of the twelve men who followed Jesus, His disciples and apostles, but here is a reminder that many women also were His followers.  They not only ministered to Jesus, they were His disciples also. The same is true today - this is a reminder that we are all one in Christ. 

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

The Son Forsaken for Us

Mark 15:34-39   
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” ... 38 Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!”

God forsook us, judged and condemned by our disobedient sin, but then was forsaken for us Himself as the Son of God and Man.  The veil in the temple separating God's presence from man was then torn down, allowing us access directly to God through Him.  Do we then in awe see Him and confess who He is and what He has done? 

The Crucified Reviled

Mark 15:29-32   
29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.

While the people mocked Jesus and taunted Him, nailing false accusations and stabbing with insults and disbelief, He allowed the nails to keep Him on the cross to finish the work.  He chose to die in our place as a living sacrifice, willingly taking our sin's sentence as a completely innocent man.  He would not descend from the cross as asked, but arose from death later so we can believe. And have hope forever.

The ones most in need of saving are us - we all fall short of God's glory, condemned sinners in desperate need of Jesus as Savior.  None other.  No other way to reconciliation with God our only Father.  That should be our prime goal, to point all to Him before they die and face eternity in torment.  Grace and mercy need to be our 'save the planet' mantra.

United and Divided

Mark 15:24-25   
24 And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take. 25 Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him.

These were united in crucifying the Lord of glory, and divided His earthly possessions instead of partaking of the heavenly.  The ones tasked with executing Jesus sat around gambling with the situation, trying to see what they could take from Jesus' possessions.  Then they nailed Him to a cross to watch a slow and painful death sentence passed.  One lesson here is not to profit by Jesus in gaining for ourselves, not killing Him in our religious quest for personal gain - instead seeking to be nailed to the cross ourselves each day in self denial as we live for His praise, honor, and glory.  Why gamble with so great a gift? 

Mocking Worship

Mark 15:17-20   
17 And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, 18 and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. 20 And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

Even the Romans mocked Jesus as King, dressing Him up as royalty and then abusing Him with the symbols of authority.  When they were done, they just calmly took off the things and led Jesus off to the slaughter as a man.  But as God and man, Jesus willingly went to sacrifice Himself - even for these mockers...and us.

Crucify the Innocent Lord

Mark 15:10-14   
10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. 12 Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” 13 So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!” 14 Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!”

The religious leaders were jealous of Jesus, for He took away their importance as the Messiah, the Christ anointed by God.  Their system gave them comfort and undue respect and privilege which they would kill to keep.  And so they stirred people up to do just that - offering up the Savior to the death penalty and allowing a murderer to go free to protect themselves.  "What evil has He done?" None. He died for ours.

Opened Not His Mouth

Mark 15:3-5   
3 And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. 4 Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” 5 But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.

Jesus fulfilled prophesy to not open His mouth to His accusers, but He also gave us an example of how to respond to accusers and harassment - not in arguing back, but standing firm in the truth. There are times to make a good defense of the gospel, just as there are times to not defend ourselves.  In gentleness we must respond, speaking truth in love, defending the faith and not our own behavior, honor, or glory.

Identify with Christ

Mark 14:67-72   
67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.  71 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!” 72 A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.

Do we ever pretend not to know Jesus, not to acknowledge Him when confronted or hearing of Him among those set against Him or in a dangerous situation?  Peter did, and wept bitterly when he realized it.  But God is forgiving and restores us when we turn back to Him.  We DO know Him, and so count it as a good thing when we suffer because we are associated with Him. 

Who is Deserving of Death?

Mark 14:55-64   
55 Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. ... 61 But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” 63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.

Jesus was blameless, perfect in every way as only God is; so they were unable to find legal evidence to convict Him to death.  They knew He was divine, but denied it - so they used religious means to convict Him with a death penalty.  The irony is that they (and all others, including us) were the guilty ones deserving death for sin against God.  So Jesus accepted the penalty for us all.  And died.  But He rose again...

Know Our Nakedness

Mark 14:51-52   
51 Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, 52 and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

This passage could be about Mark or another with a fine linen cloth or robe come to see Jesus, but whoever it was ran away when confronted as the disciples did when Jesus was arrested.  It makes me consider how we have nothing without Him as well.  Our riches and white clothing are in Christ as Revelation says below...

Revelation 3:17-18 17 Because you say, “I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

Are You Still Sleeping?

Mark 14:41-42, 49-50   
41 Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand." 49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then they all forsook Him and fled.

Jesus, completely righteous, was given over into the hands of sinners - betrayed.  But He only allowed that to occur on His timetable, not allowing it until it was the time God already said it would be.  Because He is completely sovereign over everyone and even history from the beginning of time to its end, it was so.  Do we then deny Him and run, or do we stand secure as ambassadors of certainty? 

As Weak, We Watch and Pray

Mark 14:37-40   
37 Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. 40 And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.

Do we know what to answer our Lord when we fall asleep at the spiritual wheel of life?  When we should be in prayer or other work of His, but somehow seem to have a difficult time keeping the eyes of our souls awake to the needs or when we are distracted or consumed with less important things which we should be trusting for as the lilies of the field?  What do we answer - is it repentance and obedience, or 'reasons'?

Not What I Will

Mark 14:34-36 
34 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.” 35 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”

When we face a trial or decision based on God's word and will for our lives, we pray.  As we pray, we must follow Jesus' example here to make the focus on what our Father has for us, not what is comfortable, convenient, or that we think should be right.  Knowing all is in His sovereign hands, we ask for His will in place of our beliefs and desires.  We follow.  That is what disciples do.