December 5, 2022
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in our Advent readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 5 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Beginning of Jesus’ Public Life
Read Sections 2.1 through 2.4 (pages 17-21)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
When John baptizes Jesus, in this translation it says, “Let it be this way for now.” That really had me thinking about how baptism changed after Jesus died and rose again. John baptizes with water, Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit.
To have the boldness of John! To speak of God with the passion and conviction he did. To live a life simply with what we need not an excess of what we want and to give glory to God in ALL we do!
To have the strength of Jesus when tempted! To stay calm and to trust God to provide a way. To not crumble under the pressure of what we desire and to not be puffed up and prideful when we are able to do the right thing in a difficult situation.
These sections of reading were so meaningful for me this morning to know this is the life God wants for each of us. To be bold in our testimony and to have the confidence and strength to stand with Him in every situation knowing that HE provides all we need emotionally, physically, and spiritually to live a life that brings glory to Him. All we need to do is surrender to His will for our lives and we find that freedom!
Just completed days 3-5. I love how this book brings this wondrous event to life for me. It is such an easy read. I love it.
John the Baptist was preparing the way for Jesus, some people thought he was the Messiah but John explained there is someone greater coming who will Baptize you with the Holy Spirit, I like how John explained how Christ would separate the good from the bad, trying to encourage people to believe.
John the Baptist prepares the way. So who prepares the way today.?? I suppose John was living in the wilderness to not be distracted by the world to give total attention to God. He knew his role. I’m not worthy to untie his sandals. John baptized with water. Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit. Msny were baptized as a child. Meant nothing. But when God baptizes. The dove comes upon you. As when Jesus was baptized. To leave us an example. The trinity is there. Gods voice. Jesus and the dove. No surprise that satans attacks come when we are at our weakest. What an example on how to defeat temptations. By using the truth we have studied. Nothing as important as being able to bring scripture to defeat our worldly desires and temptations. God is the creator of the world. Satan had lied His native tongue to think he could give kingdoms to Jesus. The only thing he controls is those that open a door for him. And what God allows him to do. Worship the lord your God And serve him only. With gladness!!
The Life of Jesus
2.1 – 2.4
Here
John the Baptist is such a compelling figure in Scripture. He was a man of great conviction and commitment and had the privilege of preparing the way for Jesus. It is interesting to consider what interaction the 2 had as cousins when they were younger, or what adults said about them based on the events that occurred particularly around their births. But how easy it would have been for John to make it about himself, to broker on his popularity and use his influence on people to better himself. But it was all about righteousness for John. It was all about leading people to God and preparing them for Jesus. He knew his place in God’s plan and he accepted it. He is a good model for us to follow. It also struck me how the Spirt must have worked through him for people to be drawn to him so much and have their lives transformed.
And as good as this portion shines well on John, Jesus faces fasting and the trickery of the devil and passes with flying colors….using the word of God to deflect the lies of satan….and He has just begun….
Johns preached that when people repented of their sins and testified that they wanted to change by being baptized, their sins would be forgiven. This conflicted with the Jewish leaders practice of sacrifice to take away sins. John told them they needed to change their hearts, claiming to be children of Abraham was not sufficient enough to receive God’s grace and mercy. We need to do the same, change our hearts and show it by the way we live. Jesus responds to Satan’s temptations by using the Word. This is something we should do when Satan tempts us or tells us we are unworthy of the grace and mercy of God. John also responds with the Word to the people who question him when he says “I am the voice of someone shouting in the desert: Make a straight road ready for the Lord.” He knew exactly who he was, the one who would come before the Lord to prepare a way for him, and he was not even good enough to be the slave who unties his sandals.