Preparing the Way of the Lord!
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
My Prayer Today
Dear God, I thank You that You changed my life. You brought me out of sin and put my feet upon the rock of Jesus Christ! Thank You for the grace, power, and hope that I have in You. I ask that You would help me as I prepare for Christmas to truly find the joy of knowing Jesus. Help me to truly know the importance of His coming into this world. I ask for Your power so that You would help me to be able to overcome the things I struggle with. Help me to know the victory through what Jesus has done for me. 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 verses 4-5, what was Jesus' response to John's question?
Why did Jesus give this particular response?
What did Jesus want John the Baptist to understand about Him through this response?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
How would the response Jesus gave prove to John that He was the Messiah (see Isaiah 35:3-7)?
Is it possible to "heal the blind, the lame, and the leper" without the power of God? What is the implication of this in our understanding of who Jesus is?
What did Jesus mean by the statement "Good News?"
Understanding God's Word
How long had Israel been "waiting" for the promised Messiah?
Why was John the Baptist necessary prior to Jesus coming?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
What is one way where you have witnessed the power of Jesus in your own life?
What is one way where you need God's power to work in your life right now?
Have you asked God for His power for that situation? If not, why not ask God now?
Thoughts...
If we are going to take seriously this Christmas, who Jesus really was and is, we must ask the same question John asked: "Jesus, are you really the Messiah?" The response that Jesus gave to John in Matthew 11:4 is that -- ". . . the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. . ." One might wonder why this would "prove" that Jesus was the Messiah, but Jesus' response was a direct fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah. In fact, every Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah was fulfilled in Jesus Christ! To John the Baptist, Jesus' response would have been confirmation that He indeed was the Messiah because of John's understanding of prophecy.
The point that Jesus was saying to John, and to us today, is that He has the power to change lives! He has the power to redeem what was lost, restore what was broken, and revive what was lifeless. He has the power to change us. Jesus has come to us to bring salvation to the world for those who believe! Jesus was telling John, and He is telling us today -- don't be discouraged, I have come to bring hope to the world. I have the power to change lives -- I am the Messiah! Take time today as you get ready for Christmas, to ask God to give you His grace and power so that You will find joy in celebrating Jesus' birth. Christmas began in the heart of God, but it is only complete when it reaches our heart.