January 27th, Tuesday: Luke chaps. 3-4

Luke 3

We'll be reading about prophecy.

God's message did not come to any of the great leaders of that day.

It came to John the Baptist, the last and the greatest of God's prophets.

John's ministry was foretold by the prophet Isaiah.

John was a prophet who was the subject of prophecy.

We'll also read about ministry.

John was privileged to prepare the nation for the Messiah, and then present Him to them.

John preached against sin and told the people to repent.

He gave specific instructions to his converts on how to put their faith into practice.

He was inspecting fruit, getting to the root of sin, and warning about wrath to come.

Would you accept that kind of ministry?

We'll be reading about mystery.

Son of God is baptised.

The Spirit lights upon Him like a dove.

And the Father speaks His approval from heaven.

Never forget that all of the Holy Trinity is involved in your salvation.

And we'll read about history.

The genealogy is that of Mary, whose father was Eli.

Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus, though that's what the people assume.

The genealogy of Joseph was found in Matthew chapter 1.

It was unusual to pay attention to the genealogy of a woman, which shows Dr. Luke's concern for neglected people.

Gentile history and Jewish history are in the hands of Almighty God, fulfilling His purposes.

Luke 4

We'll be reading about the Conqueror.

You can be filled with the Spirit, and obedient to God's will, and still experience temptations and trials.

Because He faced the Enemy and conquered, Jesus can identify with you and your temptations and can help you win the victory.

It's not a sin to be tempted - Jesus was tempted.

But it is a sin to yield.

Satan's promises, 'All will be yours.'

But in Jesus Christ, you already have all things.

And Satan can give you nothing.

And that is exactly what he always gives.

Nothing.

We'll read about the preacher.

The Spirit not only gives us victory, but He leads us and empowers us for service.

The text for our Lord's message was Isaiah 61:1-2.

it describes what Jesus came to do, and what He is still doing in lives today.

The people in the synagogue wanted a comforting sermon, not a convicting sermon.

When Jesus mentions God's grace to the Gentiles, the people became angry and threw Him out.

They forfeited His blessings because they rejected His word.

We'll read about the Healer.

You know, Jesus fulfilled His commission by bringing healing and deliverance to the poor and needy by the authority of His Word.

Had He not overcomed the devil privately, well Jesus could not have defeated him publicly.

The same is true in our lives.

While the preaching of His Word is His major ministry, Jesus had compassion on the sick, and He healed them.

We may not have the power to heal, but He does.

And we can comfort and assist those who are needy.

And we can do it all in Jesus' name.

You know, Jesus' response to submission is not enough to 'believe in God'.

People say 'Oh yes, I believe in the Lord.'

Well that's not really the question.

The real question is – Who is Jesus Christ to you?

Is He your Lord?

Do you bow to Him?

Do you submit your will, the totality of your life to the Lordship of Christ?

That's the real question.