Is This the Messiah?

IS THIS THE MESSIAH?

Friday, February 15, 2013

Read: Luke 3:15-18

TEXT: 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 to 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 rush 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?

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.

[This Lenten devotion is from Lutheran Hour Ministries, www.lhm.org. The series is titled "From the Cradle to the Empty Grave." You may read each one by going to the page link on the right-hand side of this page.]

Flee the Coming Wrath

FLEE THE COMING WRATH

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Read Luke 3:1-9

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

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 within our hearts. John has come to prepare the way for God’s mighty Son. He calls us to recognize our faults 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 who 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.

[This Lenten devotion is from Lutheran Hour Ministries, www.lhm.org. The series is titled "From the Cradle to the Empty Grave." You may read each one by going to the page link on the right-hand side of this page.]

A Sermon for Sunday

The Lord be with you

Well, worship at Lamb of God has been canceled for tomorrow because the roads will be so icy. Still, you can read or hear a good sermon, given by the Lutheran Hour. The sermon for tomorrow is “Do You Need a Miracle Today?” The link is: http://www.lutheranhour.org/sermon.asp.

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor

Devotion for Ash Wednesday (2/13/13)

WHERE CAN HE BE

Ash Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Read Luke 2:41-52

TEXT: The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it (see Luke 2:43).

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 through the market place, staring up at one of Herod the Great’s three spectacular towers, or would He be gazing at hiss 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 in 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.

[This Lenten devotion is from Lutheran Hour Ministries, www.lhm.org. The series is titled "From the Cradle to the Empty Grave." You may read each one by going to the page link on the right-hand side of this page.]