Luke- Week 4- Day 4

On December 24, 2020December 28, 2020 By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, (29) Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: (30) For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, (31) Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; (32) A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Luke 2:28-32

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Luke 2:38

Explanation:

Aspect #4- We should imitate their worship.

Notice what it says about Simeon’s response to seeing Jesus. He took Jesus up in His arms, and as he held him, he “blessed God”. What an incredible thing to be said about you! I want to be a blessing to God. I know there have been times where I have been a burden to Him.

He asks God to be able to “depart in peace”, an expression describing the way a believer passes away. It is not a “ceasing to be”. It is a departure to another place. He believed God’s Spirit that told Him he would be able to see the Messiah before he died. This expression is saying that He believes this child, Jesus, to be the promised Messiah. This is confirmed by what He says about Jesus.

Notice also that He calls Jesus “thy salvation”. He says that Jesus was “prepared before the face of all people”. The word for people here is a word for a kind of people. The idea is that Jesus is salvation for Simeon’s people, the nation of Israel, but also for the Gentiles. Verse 32 confirms this idea. He is saying that Jesus, the Messiah, is the prepared salvation for every nation, tribe, tongue, and ethnicity. Jesus isn’t just salvation for Israel, though He certainly is that. He is salvation for the whole earth!

Anna had a similar response in verse 38. “And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord”

Luke’s inclusion of their response is instructive for us. It is confirming the identity of Jesus and giving us insight into His true mission. Yet, for these people, in this moment, it was an expression of praise and worship. It was for them a resolution to the consolation and redemption of Israel for which they had been waiting. They were anticipating God’s work and His salvation, and now they had seen it in the person of Jesus. This led them to worship!

Application:

Our worship should have an anticipatory flavor. Paul said that when we observe the Lord’s Supper that we remember his death “until he comes”.

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
1 Corinthians 11:26

It is an obedient expression of worship in anticipation of Christ’s imminent return.

And Christ will return.

And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. (7) Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
Revelation 22:6-7

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (13) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Revelation 22:12-13

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 22:20

Response:

Are you worshipping in a way that anticipates Christ’s return?

Luke- Week 3- Day 2- God announced the Savior.

On December 15, 2020December 28, 2020 By Ben JenningsIn Devotional2 Comments

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (9) And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. (10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (12) And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. (13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, (14) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:8-14

Explanation:

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”

In this passage we are introduced to some shepherds. Shepherds in that day were not looked upon as noble. The profession was done by the unskilled and uneducated. These would be among the lowliest of those in society. It wasn’t forbidden to be a shepherd but doing what they were asked to do often made them ceremonially unclean and disobedient to certain parts of the law. These shepherds were in the field keeping watch over the sheep. They would often sleep outdoors overnight while each took their turn to keep watch. Many of the sheep that they were watching were likely to be used for sacrifice.

“(9) And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,”

Having read this passage so many times and having seen so many depictions at Christmas of what this could have been like, I automatically think of the angel as up in the sky at a distance from the angels. Yet, it says here that the angel “came upon them”. He could have been very near to them. The proximity makes it clear that his sudden appearance made them scared. All of a sudden, a supernatural being was before them. The angel that appeared before this point was the angel Gabriel. This very well could have been Gabriel again, through the scripture does not say.

“and the glory of the Lord shone round about them”

As you study this expression “the glory of the Lord” in scripture, it is often associated with light. Here it says that the “glory of the Lord shone”. This is no small thing. God’s glory is the radiation of who He is. There are moments in the scripture where God’s presence and God’s glory were so powerful that it killed those who were exposed. God told Moses that he could not see Him in His full glory, but only let him see the aftereffects of His glory. When Moses came off of the mountain from that experience the scripture says that people could tell by his countenance.

“and they were sore afraid.”

This was a natural response in such a situation. I understand their response. Yet there was no need to be afraid. God was not coming in this moment to judge but was sending the angel with good news. We know this because of what they angel said to them.

“(10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,”

Notice this pattern is the same pattern as before.

Appearance of the Angel
Fear from the recipient
Comfort- “fear not”
News- The Message from God
Sign- What they would see that proved the message

Here came the comfort from the angel. “Fear not”. Get up guys. Don’t worry. You do not need to be afraid. I’ve got good tidings of great joy! The word here for “good tidings” is the word “euggelizo”. It is the same word we use when we talk about evangelism or an evangelist. Evangelize means to tell the good news. These shepherds do not have to be afraid because God is sending them a message that is good news. It would produce great joy, and it was for them and it was beyond them.

“which shall be to all people.”

The word for “all people” here is a general word meaning everyone. The word is “laos” and it is where we get the word laity. The idea is that every kind of person is included in this message. Certainly, it would have included the children of Israel, but it did not stop there. This good news was for everyone.

“(11) For unto you is born this day”

What an interesting phrase. I have three children. They were certainly born unto their mother and me. They are our kids. We had them in a sense “for us”. We brought them into the world and our effort as parents is really for them. But to say that a baby is born “unto you” to a bunch of shepherds who are not related and do not know this child is quite a statement. The good tidings of great joy were for “all people”, yet it was also specifically “unto you”. It was for these lowly shepherds in a field outside of this little town of Bethlehem. How was this baby born “unto you”? Well, notice the three titles given to this child at the end of this verse.

(11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

3 Titles of Jesus

“A Saviour“- This is the most profound statement in the whole narrative. Jesus (Jehovah is salvation) is born to save. Forgiveness of our sins will be possible. Hell can be avoided. We can go to heaven, because God has come. He has been made flesh so that He can save us from our sins.

“which is Christ“- The word Christ is the Greek word for the anointed one. It was the title describing Jesus as the Messiah. He can be our Savior because He is the messiah, anointed of God to do what He has been sent to do.

“the Lord“- Even though He was a baby in this human form, He is the authority in the universe. He was before all things and by him all things consist. He is the Lord! He is in charge. He is still God!

“(12) And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

The pattern of the angelic message continues. He has appeared. They were afraid. He comforted them and gave them this incredible message. Now the angel gives them a sign that what He is saying about this baby is correct. They would know which baby was come as Savior, anointed one, and Lord, by seeing this baby “swaddled in a manger”. The fact that he was in a manger would have distinguished Jesus from any other child in town that night.

“(13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, “

What an incredible sight this must have been to behold. It must have been something to see just one angel, and to experience some level of the glory of God. That would have been by far the most interesting thing to have ever happened to this small band of shepherds. Next, they experienced a “multitude of the heavenly host”. The word here for “host” is derived from a word that translates as armies. Think less “choir” (because they are saying, not singing), and think more “army”. What is their expression of praise?

“and saying, (14) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

This is not an accidental, random expression of praise. This expresses the whole purpose for which God is doing his plan of redemption. He is doing it rightly for His own glory and His own praise. He is not sinfully arrogant or prideful. God deserves our utmost and highest praise. It is good for us to praise Him. Yet He is also doing this plan of redemption to bring about peace between Him and us. Peace and good will from God to us is only possible because there is a Savior. Our sins must be forgiven, because in our sin we are the enemies God. Our disobedience is a declaration of war against our maker. Yet God in His grace towards us initiated this plan of redemption.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (11) And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Romans 5:8-11

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (7) That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:3-7

Application:

The good news of great joy is for everyone, and it is specifically for you. God the Father loved us so much that He sent this Messiah, Savior and Lord to become flesh and dwell among us. He did this so that He would rightly get glory and so that we would have peace. The question for us is this, have we believed this good news? Are we being obedient to the Gospel?

Response:

What is your response to this incredible news?

Luke- Week 2- Day 1- God initiated the plan.

On December 7, 2020December 8, 2020 By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

(26) And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, (27) To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
Luke 1:26-27

Explanation:

As we continue in our study of the Gospel of Luke, we move into a second narrative in the first chapter. Much like the first, it is an accounting of the angel Gabriel announcing a birth. The author is not without a theological perspective. He is giving a true accounting of the actual events of Jesus life, but He is doing so because the message of the redemption of mankind through the person of Jesus Christ is of paramount importance.

In this story we see some truths about redemption that apply to our lives today as well. The first truth is that God initiated the plan of salvation. Certainly, these verses are not the only places where we see this truth, but we can see it clearly here in verses 26 and 27.

The words “the sixth month” give us a clue as to the timing of this second announcement. It is in the six month of the pregnancy of Elizabeth. Luke gives us specifics here. Notice what Luke says happened. The angel Gabriel was sent from God. The angel is not sharing his own plan or his own message. The angel was commissioned with the message of God to a specific area, city, and woman.

Two details point to the fact that God is initiating and owning this plan of redemption.

First, God chose a woman who was engaged to be married to Joseph, a man “of the house of David”. The Old Testament made it clear that when the Messiah comes, he would be in David’s line. We will talk more about that later in the passage.

Second, God chose a woman who was a virgin. She was unmarried and had not ever “known a man”. God chose this to be an identification of the Messiah when he came as well. The most specific prophecy about this is found in Isaiah 7:14.

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14

The name “Immanuel” literally means “with us (is) God”. Hundreds of years before this moment, God foretold that a virgin would conceive and bring forth a son. Now He is sending the angel Gabriel, initiating this part of the plan of redemption, because He is the One who owns this plan.

Application:

God’s love for us is an initiating love. 1 John tells us about this truth when it says:

We love him, because he first loved us.
1 John 4:19

God entered our history through prophecy, and by giving us revealed signs, so that His plan of redemption would not only happen but be identifiable and revealed to the world. We have the opportunity for redemption because He put this plan into motion. This demands our obedience, gratefulness, and worship!

Response:

Take a few moments to thank God for initiating His plan of redemption for you!

Isaiah- Week 9- Day 4

On October 29, 2020October 23, 2020 By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
Isaiah 46:12-13

Explanation:
Now God calls on his audience, his people to “Hearken.” It is as if he is saying, “listen up” or “pay attention.” It is not as if what he has already been saying isn’t important already. Now by calling their attention we realize the importance and value to which He is ascribing what He is about to say.
He calls these people that he is referring to “stout-hearted” as it is translated here. Some translate it as stubborn-hearted. Others as “mighty in heart.” No matter how it is translated, they are referred to as people who are “far from righteousness.” This is the problem for those who need salvation. We are unrighteous. The Bible refers to this problem in Isaiah 64:6:

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Isaiah 64:6

How can someone who is already unrighteous get righteousness? The only way is to give an “alien righteousness” as it has been referred to, and to credit that alien righteousness to those who are unrighteous. This is what God says He will do! “I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry.” To bring the unrighteous righteousness is to bring them salvation. How will he do this? He says, “I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.”

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Romans 11:25-27

We know that God will do this in the person of Jesus Christ. He was crucified in Zion. He became sin, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” One day Israel will also see their salvation realized when this same Jesus rules and reigns in Jerusalem.

God should be prioritized in worship because He is the only One who can save. Idols can not save. Idols have no power of plan for salvation!

Application:
The application here is very straightforward. Do you know for sure that you are saved? This passage is speaking of salvation for Israel. The truth is that through Israel God planned to bring salvation to the whole world. If you do not know that your sin has been forgiven, and that you have been made righteous, we want you to know that not only is this your greatest need, it is also available. God loves you so much that He sent Christ to live a perfect life, and then to die as your substitute on the cross. Romans 10:9-13 says this:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:9-13

For those who know Christ as Savior, are you prioritizing Him in your life. He has saved you. The reasonable response of our lives is worship and obedience.

Response:
• Are you saved? If you are not today is the day of salvation. Contact me below!
• If you are saved, are you prioritizing God in your life? Leave the idols behind and prioritize God!