Preparing the Way of the Lord!
Monday, December 20, 2004
My Prayer Today
Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You today and I worship You! I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus into the world to be my Savior. I want to treasure Jesus more than anything else in my life -- including my family. I love You and thank You for all that You have given me. I give to You my family and ask that You would help me to be able to minister to their needs as You have ministered to mine. Grant me the grace and mercy I need to be an effective witness for You. Thank You so much for giving me hope -- and may others be able to see that hope within me this week through my thoughts, actions, and attitudes. I ask this in Jesus' name. . . amen.
God’s Word Today
Matthew 11:1-6
1 "When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went off teaching and preaching in towns throughout the country. 2 John the Baptist, who was now in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, 3 'Are you really the Messiah we've been waiting for, or should we keep looking for someone else?' 4 Jesus told them, 'Go back to John and tell him about what you have heard and seen -- 5 the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. 6 And tell him: 'God blesses those who are not offended by me.'"
Reflecting on God's Word
According to verse 2, what was it that John did after he had heard all that Jesus was doing?
Why did John ask the question that he did?
Was John's faith faltering through his imprisonment? Why or why not?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
Why did Matthew include this question that John asked of Jesus during his imprisonment?
How did John "prepare the way of the Lord?"
How do we as Christians "prepare the way of the Lord" in His second coming?
Understanding God's Word
How is faith challenged when we go through difficulties?
Why didn't Jesus rescue John from prison?
Why was John questioning Jesus' role as Messiah, when He saw for himself the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus during His baptism?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
Has there ever been a time in your life where your faith was challenged? How?
Why does God challenge our faith?
What does Christmas and faith have to do with one another? Explain.
Thoughts...
For many people, Christmas is simply a holiday by which they spend time with family, get off work and school, and buy gifts for one another. Although there is nothing wrong with any of those things, if we fail to remember the true meaning of Christmas, we have missed the hope that is offered to us through Jesus' birth. Christmas is all about "faith." It is all about believing that the baby that was born in the manger two thousand years ago, came to die on a cross for our sins and was resurrected from the grave. Without faith, Christmas just becomes "sparkle season" or a time when "Santa Claus comes to town."
When we go through difficulties, as John the Baptist did in Matthew 11:1-6, we need to know that there is hope. We need to know that we do not suffer in vain, and that Jesus is truly the Messiah who takes away the sins of the world. When we go through great trials, it takes faith to believe that God is working for our best. God challenges our faith so that we will learn to trust in Him over every other thing in our lives -- including family. For many of us, difficulties in family become magnified and the stress level for us goes up. God wants to remind us this day that the gift He gave us in Jesus was the greatest gift ever given. If you are facing challenges this day and week, remember that God gave you the best gift ever -- His Son Jesus Christ. If everything in life were taken away from you, would you still worship Jesus? How much do you treasure the gift of Jesus over other things in your life -- including family? If you feel like John felt in that cold prison cell -- re-read Matthew 11:4-6 and know that the same "Good News" and power that Jesus' preached is still available to us today!