December 13, 2022 – Devotions to Prepare Us For Christ’s Coming

“Now a discussion about purification arose between John’s disciples and a Jew.  They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him.”   John answered, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.   You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.’  He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled.   He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:25-30

John says, “He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease.”   John has the right perspective in his relationship with Jesus Christ – Jesus must be bigger than he. There are many today who, I believe, try to assert themselves as being bigger than Jesus Christ. John Lennon once stated that the Beatles were bigger than Jesus Christ. The gospel of John states that John came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe in him.  This light is the true light that enlightens everyone, and allows us to have a clearer understanding of our relationship with G-d. Or at least this light should enlighten us to the love of G-d as we prepare for Jesus to return.

But for many individuals, this is a message that falls flat at their feet because they are unwilling to be in the right relationship with Jesus – or are preparing in other ways for other things. In this Advent season, let us remember our true place as we prepare for a fuller relationship with Jesus Christ.

Let us pray: Dear G-d, if John could learn to allow Jesus to increase in his life, help me to follow the same path – where Jesus gets bigger and my ego gets smaller as I follow his path of love and forgiveness. Amen.

Pastor Dave

December 12, 2022 – Devotions to Prepare Us For Christ’s Coming

“Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”  He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.” Mark 8:27-30

In our lesson above Peter has a break-through. Jesus has been frustrated with his disciples and their lack of understanding (see 8:17 – 18). All along they appear to be confused and confounded by what they experience with Jesus. Finally, when Jesus asks the question “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responds with these words: “You are the Messiah.”  Will this understanding hold up over time?  Will it truly prepare the disciples to understand everything that Jesus will tell them and teach them?

It appears, even at the end of the Gospel of Mark, that the disciples are in doubt and experience a lack of understanding. But, as we will see in the book of Acts, they eventually “get it”.  But for now, Peter’s declaration foreshadows the upcoming Transfiguration where they will truly experience the glory of G-d manifest in the person of Jesus Christ. 

Even though we have seasons like Advent to help us prepare, can we truly prepare or will we be confounded like the disciples? What gives us hope is that the disciples do come to know who Jesus is – and it leads them on a fateful journey of pain and discovery – and eternal life.

Let us pray: Dear G-d, we may not be able to prepare fully for your coming, but your cross means you will never give up on us as we prepare. Amen.

Pastor Dave