January 8 | John 1:29-34

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DAILY READING

John 1:29-34

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REFLECTION

John the Baptist Announces Jesus

by Pr. Dave Mann

The Apostle John wrote the 4th gospel in which he shares aspects of the ministry of John the Baptist that are included in none of the other gospels.

John the Baptist announces the principal mission of Jesus — to become the sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. It must have been an astounding announcement as the crowd was gathered around John to confess their sins and receive assurance of forgiveness in baptism. But then, John directs their attention to an unknown man, Jesus of Nazareth. How were they to believe that this man was going to take away the sin of the world? Did John himself understand what this meant? Or did he simply proclaim what the Holy Spirit told him to say?

John the Baptist announces the preeminence of Jesus — A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me. Jesus was younger than his cousin by a few months. Therefore, in one way, he comes after John (Luke 1:36). But because Jesus was the 2nd person of the Trinity before his incarnation, he pre-existed John by all eternity. The Apostle John makes this same point of Jesus’ eternal pre-existence later in his gospel through the words of Jesus in comparison to the patriarch Abraham (John 8:56-58).

John announces that he has come to prepare the way for the Messiah, by declaring that the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel... I testify that this is God’s Chosen One. John is the re-appearance of Elijah who must come before the ministry of the promised Messiah. In the other gospels, John the Baptist is compared to the opening verses of Isaiah 40. In the 4th gospel, allusion is made to the promised coming of Elijah (Malachi 4:5). Later in his ministry, Jesus states clearly that John the Baptist is Elijah (Mark 9:11-13).

Also, in these few short verses, John the Baptist announces that Jesus will usher in the promised, powerful work of the Holy Spirit. “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” The people of Israel were looking for the Messiah to bring the experience of the in-filling of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-29). This happened on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and is promised to all believers in Jesus.

PRAYER

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for announcing through John the Baptist a fuller understanding of Jesus’ mission here on earth. I pray that you bring these aspects of Jesus' work to reality in my life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

January 7 | Mark 1:1-20

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DAILY READING

Mark 1:1-20

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REFLECTION

Preparing the Way

by Elaine Pierce

Happy New Year! Are you ready to begin studying the book of Mark? We will be going through this gospel, probably the first one written, from now through Easter. I encourage you to read through this short book (16 chapters) in one sitting, then come back each week and delve deeper into the themes and see what God has for us in 2024. He has much to teach us, as "all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16).

Mark's gospel centers on Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, but it starts with how John the Baptist prepares the way for him. I suspect John might not be warmly received in our 'modern' churches...he lived in the desert, ate locusts and wild honey, and he didn't exactly fit the profile of a successful rabbi. And yet he baptized Jesus, and he led countless Jews to faith (v. 4-5). I am reminded of I Samuel 16:7: "The Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."

Yes, John leads the way. He prepared hearts and minds for the Savior. Jesus began his earthly ministry after John baptized him, and he went to work forming his close-knit team of disciples, calling Simon, Andrew, James and John to follow him. Again, we see God at work in the lives of unlikely people: an itinerant rabbit who lived in the desert, humble fishermen, and yes, a carpenter's son.

Where is God calling you to serve in 2024? What is God preparing you to do? You may be new in your faith or you may have been a Christian for decades. Or you may still be exploring faith. Start where you are. Spend time with him, in scripture, in prayer, in worship. John said "The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (v.15).

PRAYER

Dear Lord, thank you for another year. 2024 is here, and with it are renewed opportunities to grow in our faith and serve you. Help us each day to spend time with you and to be open for ways to bring joy and blessings to others. Amen.

January 6 | Philippians 1:3-11

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DAILY READING

Philippians 1:3-11

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REFLECTION

Elusive Joy

by Mary Alice McGinnis

As you look back over 2023, what emotions well up? When you think about the year ahead, is joy the first thing you are expecting in 2024? How do you feel about joy? Does it come easily for you, or do you find it a bit elusive?

Why does joy seem so elusive?

I mean, isn’t it obvious? We have so much trouble, pain, and hardship all around us. Just when we think we are finally seeing a light at the end of a struggle, then BOOM, we get hit with another blow. It makes me feel like not allowing myself to even hope for joy.

The book of Philippians in the New Testament is sometimes called the book of joy. It was written by the apostle Paul while he was imprisoned in Caesarea for two long years. It seemed that his mission was cut short. He was bound in chains and his plans to spread the gospel thwarted. And yet somehow, he found JOY!

”I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy...”

I struggled with joy even when I was reading this passage today. My thoughts were drawn in the opposite direction, especially when I read the next part of the verse:

               “Because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now...”

Here is how the mental debate went. “But God! I have been betrayed by those whom I thought were my lifelong friends and partners. Those I once thought loved You have either walked away or were deceivers all along. How can I find joy?”

I read through the end of the Philippians chapter one and heard God’s gentle answer.

"Look again my child. Paul too had people who betrayed him. He too had those who only wanted to stir up trouble for him. Yet he held on to this one thing!"

“...being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

God nudged me to remember the myriad of people whom He has brought into my life who HAVE been a blessing to me and have walked beside me through the ups and downs. Some for a lifetime, some for only a season. 

Later in Philippians chapter 1, Paul says why he could hold on to joy:

“And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

Where is joy feeling elusive to you right now? Where is God gently calling you to look and see the ways He is and has been providing for you? Where is He nudging you to remember with JOY how He has begun a good work in you, and He WILL carry it on to completion?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, my heart has trouble embracing joy. I am so quick to allow the voice of my enemy to speak hopelessness and bitterness into my heart. You, Holy Spirit, live in me! You have begun a good work in my heart. I trust You to complete the work that you are doing. Jesus, I will hold on to YOU and the JOY that knows how the story ends. You will deliver us! Thank You for all those You have used in my life to bring me closer to You.