March 7: Prophetic Words with a Condition

At Christian Assembly during the Lent and Easter seasons, we are reading chronologically through the four Gospels with a desire to attain the LIFE that Jesus in John 10:10 promised to us: I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. With everyday’s reading we will seek to see what the Word has to say about the FULLER LIFE we can have in Christ.

Daily Reading: Friday, March 7

John the Baptist Sent by God

John 1:6-8

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

Mark 1:1-8, Matthew 3:1-12, Luke 3:1-20, John 1:15-28

John Baptizes Jesus

Mark 1:9-11, Matthew 3:13-17, Luke 3:21-22, John 1:29-34

Our reading today covers much of John the Baptist’s ministry as the forerunner of Christ. John is one of the most interesting characters of the New Testament, considering his eating habits (locust and wild honey), his dress (clothes of camel’s hair), and his home (the wilderness). But John was more than just a strange man with what we might consider strange habits. He was a remarkable preacher whose birth was miraculous and whose life and ministry was prophetically spoken of by the angel to Zachariah.

We read Wednesday what Gabriel spoke to Zachariah concerning his son’s life (Luke 1:14-17). We see the fulfillment – or at least the partial fulfillment – of some of those prophetic words in our reading today. Let’s take a look at the points of Gabriel’s words concerning John’s ministry.

1) He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. Luke 1:16

We see that very thing happening in Matthew 3:5-6, “People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” Mark 1:4-5 says essentially the same thing.

2) And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Luke 1:17

What is of interest to me is the phrase, “…in the spirit and power of Elijah…” These words and the ones to follow are a direct reference to the last words of the Old Testament – prophetic words in Malachi 4:5-6 concerning the return of Elijah before the day of the Lord. In Matthew 11 Jesus confirmed that John the Baptist was the fulfillment of these prophetic words of Malachi concerning the Elijah to come: “And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come” (verse 14).

In other words, there is a condition to the prophecy being fulfilled…if the people were willing to accept it. The same could be said concerning Jesus’ words in John 10:10, our focus verse for these 40 days. Jesus came that we might have a FULLER LIFE, but it could be said that we play a part in ensuring that full life is realized. Many don’t believe this. They would rather think that the life God has for them is one that is easily attained. Yes, regarding our salvation, that is true; but the FULLER LIFE that God has for us is one that requires some effort on our part. Just as the prophetic words over John the Baptist could only come true if the people accepted him and his ministry, God’s plans for us can only come to a realization once we join the effort.

These first few blogs have focused not so much on the FULLER LIFE but on our responsibility in this FULLER LIFE. We will get more specific over the next few weeks as to what this life can mean for us. For now though, I conclude this first portion of our blogs with the words Jesus used in the Matthew 11 passage already referenced: “Whoever has ears, let them hear” (verse 15).

March 6: A Look at Joseph

At Christian Assembly during the Lent and Easter seasons, we are reading chronologically through the four Gospels with a desire to attain the LIFE that Jesus in John 10:10 promised to us: I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. With everyday’s reading we will see what the Word has to say about the FULLER LIFE we can have in Christ.

Daily Reading: Thursday, March 6

The Birth of Jesus

Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-20

The Genealogy of Jesus

Matthew 1:1-17, Luke 3:23-38

Jesus Presented in the Temple

Luke 2:21-40

The Visit of the Magi

Matthew 2

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

Luke 2:41-52

We talk often of how special Mary must have been to be chosen by God to give birth to his own Son, but what of Joseph? What kind of man would God have entrusted with the protection and care of his Son? Luke 2:40 and 2:52 tell us that the child Jesus grew physically (“…became strong…” “…grew…in stature…”), mentally (“…filled with wisdom…” “…grew in wisdom…”), and spiritually (“…the grace of God was on him.” “…grew…in favor with God…”). His earthly father would have been extremely important in that maturation process.

To restate the question offered earlier, what kind of man was Joseph? The Scriptures offer us a few clues.

1) He obeyed the laws of the land.

The beginning verses of Luke 2 tell us that Joseph participated in the census that was required by Caesar Augustus. As a subject of the Roman Empire, he obeyed the decree and returned to his hometown of his ancestors, a pregnant Mary with him. Remember Jesus’ answer to the trick question from the Pharisees concerning the imperial tax? “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Where would he have learned that respect for human government and authority? From Joseph, it seems.

2) He followed the Law of Moses.

Matthew 1:19 specifically states that Joseph was faithful to the Law. We see examples of this in our daily reading: 1) Jesus was circumcised when he was eight days old, 2) Jesus was presented at the Temple as a baby, 3) Joseph traveled every year with his family to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Festival. All of this was required by the Law, and Joseph made sure that he, his wife, and his children did all that they were required to do.

3) He listened to the voice of God.

An angel appeared to him in a dream and told him to take Mary as his wife because her pregnancy was of God – Joseph did so. Three other times an angel spoke to Joseph in dreams and he followed the instructions given to him in his sleep. All three of those words from the Lord were for his and his adopted Son’s protection.

4) He worked hard.

We hear no more from Joseph after Jesus is accidentally left at the Temple as a twelve-year-old boy, and most scholars assume he must have died before the grown Jesus began his public ministry. But Joseph’s reputation seems to have outlived him. In Matthew 13:55 Jesus is identified as “the carpenter’s son”. No doubt, Joseph was successful at his profession and had obviously made a name for himself.

Joseph was entrusted with one of the most important tasks in all of human history: the responsibility of rearing the very Son of God. He was a man worthy of the job. He obeyed man’s law and God’s Law; he listened to the voice of the Lord; he worked hard.

If we desire a FULLER LIFE – if we want the Lord to trust us with greater blessings – we can learn a few things from Joseph. Be obedient to His Word and voice. Be in right standing with others, especially those who rule. Be willing to take what God gives you and WORK IT!

March 5: Are You Ready to Receive the Fuller Life?

At Christian Assembly during the Lent and Easter seasons, we are reading chronologically through the four Gospels with a desire to attain the LIFE that Jesus promised to us: I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10b) With everyday’s reading we will seek to see what the Word has to say about the FULLER LIFE we can have in Christ.

Daily Reading: Wednesday, March 5

John 1:1-5

In the Beginning

Luke 1

The Birth of John Foretold

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

Mary Visits Elizabeth

The Birth of John

John 1:9-14

The Word Became Flesh

Our chronological reading of the Gospels begins literally at the beginning.  The Apostle John starts his Gospel by establishing Jesus’ presence at Creation, explaining his work in Creation, and confirming his place with God and as God.  Although John 1 would be a wonderful place to begin our 40-day blog, what is of interest to me today is the foretelling of the births of John the Baptist and Jesus, both accounts found in Luke 1.

As we begin this 40-day spiritual emphasis during this Lent season, there are two main points I’d like to emphasize based on the Luke 1 reading:

1) God has ordained this time for us.

The angel Gabriel appeared to the priest Zachariah while he was in the Holy Place of the Temple fulfilling the priestly responsibility of burning incense.  This was the most sacred of duties for the priests, and a priest more than likely only had one opportunity in his entire life to execute such an important task.  Luke 1:9 tells us that Zachariah was chosen “by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood.”  But he was definitely not chosen by chance, for God most assuredly ensured that Zachariah would be chosen that day so that his holy messenger would have the priest’s complete attention in this Holy Place of God’s Temple.

The same is true for us today during this 40-day spiritual emphasis.  God has brought each and every one of us to this place so that we can receive from him the plan that he has for our lives.  It is not by chance that we are now seeking a FULLER LIFE in Jesus.  God has certainly ordained this time.

The second point of emphasis is actually a question:

2) Are You Ready to Receive the Fuller Life?

Zachariah wasn’t; Mary was.  Look at his response to the angel’s promise that he would have a son: “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”  Considering Gabriel’s reaction, we can say with certainty that his question was due to his lack of faith, even though the angel tells us in verse 13 that this was the very thing for which Zachariah had been praying!  Now consider Mary’s response to that same angel’s message that she would have a son:   "I am the Lord's servant.  May your word to me be fulfilled."  She was ready to receive what God had planned for her.

The priest responded to God's promise with uncertainty; the young girl accepted fully what God had for her.   What about you?  Are you ready to receive what he has for you?  Are you ready for the FULLER LIFE that Jesus promised to you in John 10:10?