Category: Gospels
“If You are the Son of God,”
Scripture reading for March 9th: Luke 4
“Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert, where for forty days He was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them He was hungry. The devil said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Man does not live on bread alone.'” (Luke 4:1-4) Jesus had heard the Father declare that He was His Son, whom He loved. (Luke 3:22) Now His faith in His Father was tested by the Spirit leading Him. Forty days without food brought an extreme hunger and the devil tried to entice Jesus to use His power for personal fulfillment. Jesus turned to God’s Word (Deuteronomy 8:3) and blocked this temptation!
Next, the devil took Jesus to a high place and offered Him all the kingdoms of this world if He would worship him. Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 6:13, “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” The devil is a liar and usurper of God’s rightful place and has offered material gain and power to Adam and his descendants. Jesus refused his offer as we must as well!
The last temptation of Jesus during this forty days involved jumping off the temple and saving Himself. The devil wanted Jesus to do something spectacular that would use His power to impress people. Jesus would have none of it, and quoted Deuteronomy 6:16, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”
Jesus was the Son of God and lived by God’s Word here on earth. He perfectly obeyed the Father and followed the Spirit in doing God’s will. With the Holy Spirit, we can boldly live by God’s word!
Boring genealogy?
Scripture reading for March 6th: Luke 3
When most people read the Bible, they are confused by the lists of names, many that are unfamiliar and hard to pronounce. These lists are often skipped to get to the ‘good stuff’! But our Father cares about names and keeps records. Individuals are important and God knows each person by name! God also honors His Word given to past individuals. He never lies, but is a God of truth!
“Now Jesus Himself was about thirty years old when He began His ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, . . .The son of David, the son of Jesse, . . . the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,. . . the son of Shem, the son of Noah, . . . the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.” (Luke 3:23, 31-32, 34, 38) Luke explained that it appeared that Jesus was the son of Joseph. This is what some people thought, however, Jesus had been conceived by miraculous means and was really the Son of God! (Luke 1:31-32) (Luke 3:22) Joseph, however, was a descendant of David and that would make Jesus legally eligible to take the throne of David! Jesus was also in the line of Abraham, and heir of the promises that through his Seed, all nations would be blessed! (Genesis 12:3) Jesus was also a son of Noah and his righteous son Shem. In fact, Luke traced the righteous line all the way back to Adam and the promised “Seed of Woman” who would crush the head of the Serpent! (Genesis 3:15)
Genealogies are never boring in God’s Word! They tell a story of God’s plans and His faithfulness to keep His Word. Through faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, we are in His story too!
Simeon’s prophesy!
Scripture reading for March 5th: Luke 2
The baby Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day according to the Law. After the time of Mary’s purification, Joseph and Mary took Him to the temple to dedicate Him to the Lord as the law commanded for the first-born son. (Exodus 13:2, 12) Everything was done according to the Law of the Lord because Jesus would need to fulfill all the Law in order to fulfill His mission to save mankind.
When they arrived at the temple, a man called Simeon was waiting at the temple. He had been praying and watching for the coming Messiah for many years. The Holy Spirit moved upon him to speak a word of prophesy over Jesus and Mary. “Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:28-32)
This amazing prophesy confirmed to Joseph and Mary the meaning of the name “Jesus”! (“The Lord Saves”) Jesus would save all people, Jew and Gentile, from their sins and bring glory to His people Israel. Jesus was the ‘consolation of Israel’! God revealed this truth to a praying prophet and confirmed His Word to His servants.
Simeon’s final word concerned Mary. “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts if many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2:33-35) Simeon spoke of the conflict surrounding the child and how that would affect Mary. Those words surely came to pass!
The “Son of God!”
Scripture reading for March 4th: Luke 1
Luke was a traveling companion of the Apostle Paul and of Greek origin. He was a physician and a man who was well-studied and articulate. God chose to use him to write an orderly account of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of His Son. Luke’s Gospel places an emphasis on the humanity of Jesus, the Son of God. Luke also wrote the Book of Acts which chronicles the early church and the spread of the Gospel throughout the known world.
Luke began his account with the story of two miraculous births to two different women. The first birth was that of John the Baptist. He was born to a godly couple, Zechariah and Elizabeth, who had been barren. Zechariah was a priest in Israel and was serving in the temple when an angel appeared to him telling him that his prayers for a son would be answered. Zechariah asked the angel how he could be sure of that, given he and his wife’s age. The angel identified himself as Gabriel, who stood in God’s presence. Zechariah would be mute until the birth of the child for his unbelief!
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Gabriel the angel, made another appearance. This time to a young virgin named ‘Mary’ who was betrothed to Joseph. “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, His kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:30-33) Mary accepted God’s favor and conceived the Son of God!
Jesus is alive!
Scripture reading for March 3rd: Mark 16
When the women came to the tomb on the first day of the week, they expected to anoint the body of Jesus with spices. They found the tomb open and saw a young man dressed in white robes sitting where the body had been laid. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go and tell the disciples and Peter. “He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.'” (Mark 16:6-7) The women did as they were told, but the disciples did not believe them. Jesus appeared to two others as well, but the rest again refused to believe.
It may seem surprising that those who had been with Jesus had a hard time with the resurrection. Jesus had plainly told His disciples what would happen. (Mark 10:33-34) But they had also witnessed the crucifixion and were humans of Adam’s line themselves. Jesus met them where they were, and rebuked them for their unbelief as He had done on other occasions. He then sent them out to share the good news with the whole world!
The resurrection of Jesus Christ marked a turning point in the history of mankind. In Adam, all men and women were born in sin and had the curse of death. There was nothing that they could do to save themselves. But God sent His Son, born of a woman, to come and live among men. He demonstrated the love and mercy of God by forgiving sins and healing sickness and disease. But the greatest miracle, was His defeat of the curse of sin and the resulting penalty of death on the cross and resurrection from the dead!
The King of the Jews!
Scripture reading for March 2nd: Mark 15
After an early-morning mock trial by the Jewish Sanhedrin, the Jewish leaders handed Jesus over to Pilate for the Roman trial. Pilate asked Jesus, “Are You the king of the Jews?” “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.” (Mark 15:2) The Jewish leaders made many other charges, but Jesus remained silent. Pilate was amazed that He did not speak out in defense, but admitted that He was king of the Jews!
It was Pilate’s custom to release a prisoner condemned to death to the crowd that had gathered. He wanted to release Jesus and thought that the crowd would oblige him. However, the chief priests stirred the crowd to ask for Barabbas, a man imprisoned with murderers. After flogging, Jesus was handed over to be crucified.
The Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus also mocked Him by putting a purple robe on Him and a crown of thorns. “And they began to call out to Him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” (Mark 15:18) In doing this, they placed on Jesus the symbol of the curse of sin and death brought on by Adam’s disobedience. Jesus would bear the penalty of this curse as He hung on the cross for the sins of Adam’s offspring. In His sinless body, He was made sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God. (2nd Corinthians 5:21)
Jesus was placed on the cross about nine in the morning. A written charge was nailed to the cross: “The King of the Jews.” (Mark 15:25) At noon, darkness came over the land for three hours. He cried out in a loud voice, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34) “With a loud cry, Jesus breathed His last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” (Mark 15:37-38)
“Could you not keep watch one hour?”
Scripture reading for February 27th: Mark 14
Following the Last Supper, Jesus and the remaining eleven disciples went out to the Mount of Olives. They went to spend the night with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. The name of this garden indicated it was an ‘olive press’ where oil was squeezed from the olives grown there. It would be the place where Jesus sweat great drops of blood as He wrestled with fulfilling the will of God.
Prior to coming there, Jesus had prophesied, “You will all fall away, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” (Mark 14:27-28) Peter had protested that he would remain faithful, no matter what the others might do. Jesus told him plainly that he, too, would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed.
Jesus asked His disciples to sit with Him while He prayed. He took Peter, James and John and made a special request of them. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” He said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” (Mark 14:34) Jesus prayed, “Abba, Father,” He said, “everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.” (Mark 14:36) When Jesus returned to where they were, He found these close followers sleeping. He particularly spoke to Peter, “Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (Mark 14:37-38)
Prayer is a wrestling match with our flesh. One of our greatest needs is to watch and pray each day. Jesus is coming again! Depend on the Holy Spirit to help you to pray!
The coming of the Son of Man!
Scripture reading for February 26th: Mark 13
As Jesus and His disciples were leaving the temple for the last time, the disciples were admiring the beautiful buildings. Jesus remarked that, “Not one stone will be left upon another, every one will be thrown down.” (Mark 13:2) This shocked the disciples and they asked Jesus when this would happen and what would be the signs that this prophesy would be fulfilled. Jesus proceeded to warn them about their need to be watchful and the signs to come!
“Watch out that no one deceives you.” (Mark 13:5) Jesus warned them that deception would come and many would fall for the false instead of waiting for Him. Many would claim to come as the Christ. Wars and earthquakes, conflict with nations, and famines would precede the coming as the ‘beginning of birth pains.’ (Mark 13:8)
“Brother will betray brother to death and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of Me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Mark 13:12-13) Times would become perilous for disciples of Jesus. Persecution and hatred would be normal for His followers before the end and His return. Jesus warned them in advance!
“But in those days, following that distress, ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And He will send His angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.” (Mark 13:24-27) We who believe in Jesus Christ long for that Day!
The most important commandment!
Scripture reading for February 25th: Mark 12
As the earthly ministry of Jesus came to a conclusion, He was questioned by the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Their goal was to trap him and Jesus knew it. (Mark 12:15) These religious leaders were hypocrites! They claimed to love God and love their neighbor, but they were seeking to kill Jesus. He was the Son of God and their neighbor! Jesus answered their questions and amazed them at His simple wisdom and ability to answer.
One of the teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31) Jesus answered this teacher with simple truth and the man agreed! Jesus told him that he was not far from the kingdom of God.
This man was close, but still could not get into the kingdom by keeping this great commandment. Only Jesus Christ, the Son of God, perfectly loved God. He demonstrated this love by keeping all the commandments. He, alone, has loved God with all His heart, soul, mind and strength. He, alone has loved His neighbor as Himself! In faith in Jesus Christ we are given the righteousness that we need to enter the kingdom of God. (2nd Corinthians 5:21) Strive to love God and obey Him but believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and given the keys to God’s kingdom!
“Have faith in God!”
Scripture reading for February 24th: Mark 11
Jesus entered Jerusalem on Passover week to the cries of “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:9) He went to the temple and looked around, taking note of the activities there. Since it was late, He went to Bethany to the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha. As they walked back into Jerusalem the next day, Jesus saw a fig tree and went to see if it had any fruit on it. He saw it had nothing but leaves, because it was not yet the season for figs. “He said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” (Mark 11:14)
Jesus went back to temple and cleaned house! He drove out the money changers and those who were buying and selling there. “And as He taught them, He said, “Is it not written: “‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'”? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.'” (Mark 11:17) The purpose of the temple was to invite all nations to come to God and find Him as their source of comfort, healing, and hope. The religious leaders had made it into a market, hindering the multitudes from finding God.
On the way back into town after another night in Bethany, the disciples saw the fig tree was withered from the roots. “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Faith in God brings supernatural results!