February 3 - A Voice in the Desert

Read: Isaiah 40 & Mark 1:1-8

A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3 ESV)

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight." (Matthew 3:1-3 ESV)

An angel promised the birth of John to his elderly parents, but several hundred years earlier the prophet Isaiah wrote of John's coming. John the Baptizer was a transitional figure in the history of God's journey with his people. It had been over 400 years since the Old Testament prophet Micah recorded his final words. The Jews had seen a dramatic change in the political landscape of their world, having been subjugated by the Romans.

John the Baptizer began his public ministry in the midst of a time of heightened political tension, religious stagnation, and economic struggle. Both figuratively and literally John arose as a voice coming from the desert. God's people needed a voice of courage and correction, and John was just that. He came out of obscurity to proclaim the people's need for repentance for their sins, and they responded in thousands. John was an incredible man, Jesus even called him the greatest man to ever live, but he was just a precursor to the greatness of Jesus Christ.

There are lost people in all of our lives. There are people who desperately need, to not only hear, but be shown through intentional-loving-demonstration, the unfettered and unconditional love of God. In what ways can you be a voice in the desert? Maybe it's by calling a friend or family member to repentance through loving correction. Maybe it's by helping a neighbor across the street. Maybe it's simply by being the best employee you know how to be. We all have a voice. We all have people we can reach out. Isn't it time we let God use our voice to reach His people?

February 2 - An Obvious Place

Read: Luke 2:41-50

And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:49 ESV)

Every year to celebrate the Passover Jesus travelled with his family to Jerusalem, a journey of roughly 140 miles over rough and rugged terrain. When he was twelve he went missing for a couple of days which of course upset Mary and Joseph quite a lot. Any good parent has a strong reaction to the news that their child is missing. They returned and were looking for him. Only to discover him listening and teaching in the Temple.

Have you ever lost something really important only to turn around and find it in the most obvious of places? In this story we begin to see the future of Jesus who is all about His Father's business. We also get to witness his understanding of his unique identity as both God and man. Jesus showed his divine nature in his actions at the Temple, but he also showed his human nature in his submission to Mary and Joseph.

Sometimes we spend a lot of time looking for things, whether answers or objects, and they are in the most obvious of places. Many people spend insane amounts of time, effort, and resources to achieve a peace that is offered in the most obvious of places, Jesus.

February 1 - Grow

Read: Luke 2:39-40

And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40 ESV)

When Herod the Great died Joseph returned to Nazareth with his young family. It was in Nazareth that the young boy Jesus grew into the mighty God-man we read of in the Gospels. Jesus became strong as he grew. He was filled with wisdom. But it was a process as relates to his human nature.

Growing is an essential part of all life. We start small and young and progress in age, size, and capability, or at least we should. Growing up on a farm I got to be pretty familiar with growing things. Whether it was an animal or plant, the phrase if its not growing its dying held pretty true. We should have a desire to continually grow in our relationship with God.

When we begin our personal journey with God we are like children. We may have great passion, enthusiasm, and faith, but we often lack the kind of maturity that fills us with strength and wisdom. Spending time with the Father gives us both strength and wisdom. Not so we can better manage things on our own, but so that we will trust God even more.

Jesus enjoyed the favor of God because of his growth. Yes, he was the Son of God, but he was also a man. And as he grew from boy to man he followed the Law of God, sought after the heart of God, and it produced in his human nature the strength, wisdom, and favor of God.

January 31 - Out of Egypt

Read: Hosea 11 & Matthew 2:13-25

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. (Hosea 11:1 ESV)

In 700 B.C. the prophet Hosea wrote that Jesus' family would flee to Egypt as refugees. It was a courageous and faithful act on the part of Jesus' adopted father Joseph that saved the young Messiah's life. But to further fulfill prophecy, and ultimately the mission of God for mankind, Jesus had to leave Egypt.

I really believe that along the way God sometimes directs us to places that are more like pit stops than they are destinations. We can, and should, do whatever good we can at these stops, but ultimately they are small parts of our journey. Whatever reason God has for sending us to those places, it is usually more about protecting us, helping us learn and grow, or helping someone there, than anything else. Sometimes you have to flee to your own personal Egypt to become who you are supposed to be, but you almost always have to leave it behind to step into your destiny.

Jesus didn't spend an incredibly long time in Egypt. Joseph only kept him there until the danger had passed and it was time to return to Nazareth. It would still be many years before Jesus would begin his public ministry. Sometimes God takes us from one season of preparation to another. These seasons look different, are often at different locations, and come with a plethora of diverse learning experiences. Don't be in a hurry to speed through these times. God can still use us in times of growth and learning. He will call us out of it when we're ready for the fullness of His plan.

January 30 - Into Egypt

Read: Matthew 2: 13-18

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." (Matthew 2:13 ESV)

Herod did not respond well upon learning that the wise men had tricked him. When the secret identity of the would-be king eluded him he turned up the crazy and went into full tyrant mode slaughtering an entire generation of boys. It was a horrendously evil act born of desperation, insecurity, and selfishness. Thankfully Jesus escaped unscathed because of his adopted father Joseph.

Joseph was such a courageous man. He risked incredible personal danger and disaster to protect his wife and adopted son. He obeyed commands that he didn't even fully comprehend in order to keep Mary and Jesus from harm. There is a lot to learn from the continued faithful response of a man we actually do not know a great deal about.

First of all he listened when God spoke. Whatever the means of communication used to reach Joseph, he paid attention. Some of us just have to much noise in our lives. It makes it hard to hear when God speaks. Secondly, Joseph obeyed God. Not only was he willing to listen, but he was willing to respond with faithful courage and obedience. I know sometimes I feel like God is trying to tell me something but I'm just too scared to do anything about it.

Think about it. Joseph was courageous. He not only listened to God, but he obeyed. And in his obedience he rescued Jesus from an insane tyrannical puppet king by taking him into Egypt.

January 29 - Where is the King?

Read: Matthew 2:1-12

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: "And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel." (Matthew 2:3-6 ESV)

Herod was a puppet king put in place by the Romans to govern the Jews. His dynasty was known for incredible greed and cruelty fueled by a borderline insane paranoia. The foundation stones of the Herodian Temple were actually all found to be stamped with his giant royal seal. He covered everything in plated gold. He liked himself.

So when the wise men blew through town in their wealthy caravan from another land Herod took note of their message. A king had been born. Herod had competition, at least in his mind. Where is this king? He assembled all of the sophisticated know-it-alls and overly educated folks and inquired, Where is the Christ to be born?

Herod was living amongst God's people. He was in a place of power, leadership, and stewardship. Herod had no idea where the king was.

I wonder if we sometimes find ourselves in a similar place? Many of us live among God's people. We worship with God's people, work with God's people, and fellowship with God's people, but we still have trouble knowing where the King is. Maybe the rough stuff in life gets in the way. Maybe we are our own adversity. Still, the King, Jesus, is available to us. He offers life if we will take it. He offers sonship and adoption if we will take. He offers to be Lord, Steward, Captain, Provider, and Father. All we need to do is look for our King.

January 28 - Wise Men

Read: Matthew 2:1-12

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." (Matthew 2:1, 2 ESV)

The story of the wise men is nearly always told in conjunction with the birth of Christ. Why? Because Jesus really is the King of Kings. He is Messiah to all peoples. he is such a king that even non Jewish wise men (magi the Greeks called them) travelled many months and miles to demonstrate their love for a God they probably only comprehended as an exalted earthly ruler.

We don't know how many there were, though tradition often alludes to there being three. We only know that they travelled very far, across rugged dangerous terrain, at great personal expense to shower a very young Jesus with luxurious gifts and praise. Imagine their surprise at discovering the prophesied king was the child of a lowly carpenter and his poor peasant wife.

Jesus really is the King of all. King of all people. King over all harm. King over any adversity. King of the universe, of all time, and your heart. He is the King? The only thing to be determined is whether or not you will recognize his kingship and join in with the wise men and many more across history to worship the King.

January 27 - Waiting for Jesus

Read: Luke 2:25-38

"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." (Luke 2:29-32 ESV)

Simeon had been waiting a very long time to see Jesus. He had believed for years that he would live to see the days of the Messiah, and then one day out of the blue Mary and Joseph showed up with the baby Jesus. The old believer got so excited, he scooped his infant Lord up and under the power of the Holy Spirit began to worship him.

Can you imagine waiting for something for so long? Have you ever got impatient waiting for something that wasn't even that important? We all have. Simeon had waiting so long to see God's promise fulfilled in his lifetime. He kept waiting. He kept believing. And one day he got to experience Jesus.

How fast do we give up? How easy do we quit? In truth we often we give up too fast on the things that are the most important. Let's face it, we live in a microwaveable fast food world where convenience, amenities, and information are easily attained. Many of us are completely unfamiliar wi the kind of patient faithful waiting that Simeon demonstrated.

What if he had quit waiting? What if he had given up just a day too early? He would have missed Jesus. Don't stop believing for whatever it is God has put in your heart. Just wait. Be faithful. He is worth it.

January 26 - No More Temple

Read: Malachi 3:1-5, Luke 2:25-27

And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, (Luke 2:27 ESV)

In 400 B.C. Malachi prophesied that Jesus would enter the temple. Because the temple was destroyed in A.D. 70 and no longer exists it is a particularly important prophecy. In fact, this prophecy illuminates the historical window of time in which the Messiah must have came because it could not have been fulfilled after A.D. 70.

The Temple itself was the epicenter for Jewish worship for hundreds of years. Even today many modern Jews make a pilgrimage to a portion of ruins at the old Temple site known as the Wailing Wall. Among many who make the journey is the tragic misconception that being near the Wall allows them to be near to God.

In reality Jesus taught against this same idea in his day. Of course he realized, and promoted the importance of the Temple, even getting righteously angry over its frequent and flagrant misuse. But we he taught that it was just a place to meet with God. He even called it a house for prayer, and by his death and resurrection actually replaced the Temple itself.

Today, we don't need a temple Jesus is our temple. We don't go to a temple. We go to Jesus. We don't adorn a building in lavish luxuries, we seek the simplicity of a poor Jewish preacher. We don't focus our efforts and attention on a singular place, but on a singular divine person. Jesus is our way to God.

January 25 - The Given Name

Read: Luke 2:21-24

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Luke 2:21 ESV)

Eight days after he was born Joseph and Mary took the baby Jesus to be circumcised. It was during this event when he was named.

Imagine bringing a child into the world without any power over his or her destiny, or even something as simple as their name. Yet, that is exactly what the young Jewish couple did. The son which they would provide for, shelter, educate, and love was more important than even they could comprehend. So important that God sent a holy messenger to hand deliver the news of his birth and even a detail like his name.

Names are important things. They were even more important in the days of Jesus. In those days names were given based on meaning. Maybe you like your name. Maybe not. Perhaps your parents spent a great deal of time contemplating your name including its meaning. Or perhaps not.

I believe that, like Jesus, God intends for each of us to find purpose and mission in relationship with Him. I believe that God has chosen for you a given name. Maybe not literary in the sense that you should go and change your name or ask people to start calling you something different entirely, but I think you were made for a higher purpose than your parents, teachers, family, coworkers, friends, or yourself can truly grasp. Spend time today asking Jesus about your true given name.

January 24 - With Haste

Read: Luke 2:8-20

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. (Luke 2:7, 16 ESV)

One night long ago some lowly shepherds were hanging out in the pasture doing whatever it is that shepherds do when an angel appeared. The angel shared the news of Jesus' birth, proclaiming the arrival of the Messiah, and a full blown angelic musical broke out. There is a great life principle to be found in how the shepherds responded. The bible says, "they went with haste."

Their response is something for us all to learn from. For hundreds of years the Jews had been waiting for the promised king. When the angel announced his arrival the shepherds believed it was true. They didn't dawdle or waste time. They went with haste. They responded to the Good News with an immediacy we should all aspire to.

How often do we feel like God has promised something to us only to react lethargically, with hesitation, or doubt when He delivers? The shepherds went with a haste born of their faith in the Father. They embraced God's plan and promise. They believed in Jesus, worshipped Jesus, and immediately began to share the Good News about the arrival of Jesus.

Believe God has a plan for your life. Share God's plan for your life. Run to God's plan for your life.

January 23 - A Place for Jesus

Read: Luke 2:1-19

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7 ESV)

Jesus is often heralded as the King of Kings. In fact, it is among the titles listed for him in the Bible. The manner of his birth however, was anything but kingly. He was born to poor peasant parents from a rural village with a humble heritage. He was birthed in what probably amounted to a small cave because there was no room left for hospitality among the people of Bethlehem.

It was standard practice among the Jews to offer great hospitality to travelers. If someone came to your home needing a place to stay, eat, or rest, it was normal to provide those amenities. The problem in the birth story of Christ is that there were so many people traveling to Bethlehem to take part in a census declared by the government.

I wonder, if Jesus came to us today would we treat him this way? Would we be forced to hand him just the leftovers because we already divvied up the best parts for those we deemed more worthy, or important. Is there a place for Jesus in our lives?

January 22 - From of Old

Read: Micah 5 and Luke 2:1-7

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. (Micah 5:2 ESV)

The Old Testament prophet Micah prophesied that the Messiah would be born in the town of Bethlehem about 700 years before the birth of Jesus. Just one of many dozens of Old Testament prophecies concerning Jesus, Micah's words help to paint us a picture of an ancient plan put into motion by God.

Come forth for me. Jesus came to reestablish man's connection with God. He did it for God, by God, as God. Not because God needs us, but because He wants us. There is far more comfort in the reality of knowing that God actually wants us, rather than the idea that He might need us.

From of old. Jesus came from somewhere, somewhen, and someone. None of it was random, accidental, or incidental. It was purposed. It was purposeful. There was a plan. A plan that went into motion before its necessity ever became a reality.

From ancient days. Jesus is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the World. Before Adam fell, David committed adultery, or you did that thing you weren't supposed to, Jesus was set apart to be our way back to God. The Redemptive Plan was there and waiting for the time when it would be needed. We serve a savior that reaches across the ages and eons to fulfill the Father's heart for a wayward people.

January 21 - Way of Peace

Read: Luke 1:67-79 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:78, 79 ESV)

At the birth of John Zechariah lifted up a beautiful song of prophetic worship. This was not merely the jubilant singing of an elated new father, this was a demonstrative work of the Holy Spirit in the elderly priest's life. He boldly and worshipfully declared the calling John would fulfill as the forerunner to Jesus. Look at what this devout man declared about our savior.

Because of the tender mercy of our God... Jesus was sent because of God's mercy. The sunrise shall visit us from on high... Where Jesus goes there is warmth, light, and life, not because he showers us in material things but because he gives light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Only Jesus gives light and life to those lost to darkness. Only Jesus rescues from the clutches of death's shadowy embrace.

He came to guide our feet into the way of peace because without Jesus there is no peace. We may live lives free of obvious conflict, but without him there is no true peace to be had. There is no eternal overcoming of the great conflict of our soul. He brings resolution, restoration, and redemption.

January 20 - Real Names

Read: Luke 1:57-66

And they said to her, "None of your relatives is called by this name." (Luke 1:61 ESV)

When John the Baptizer was born he was a miracle baby. Born to an elderly couple well past natural child-bearing years, he was immediately special. He was born into the home of a righteous dedicated priestly family who loved and served God well. He was born into a family full of expectations.

It was common custom in those days to be named after someone in your family. Names were more than just labels, they were descriptions, identities, and titles. So when John was born his relatives expected him to be named for someone in the family as a sign of who he would be like. In other words, they fully expected him to be like one of them. God had something else in mind. Elizabeth and Zechariah were attuned to the special calling God has placed on the boy. They were open, and receptive, to letting God dictate John's future. Instead of slapping a family name full of expectation and history on him, they embraced the actuality of God's promised destiny for John.

Life with Jesus is the same. We abandon expectations, baggage, and our own sordid history to step into the eventuality of God's proven destiny for each of us. For the Apostle Paul and Peter that meant literally changing their names to match their new identities in Christ. For us, that means taking on the adoptive identity of the family of God. Refuse to be labelled by the tragedies, tribulations, or triumphs of your selfish past and forge ahead into a new name. No one else can be who God means for you to be.

January 19 - The Right Fear

Read: Proverbs 9:1-12 and Luke 1:46-56

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (Proverbs 9:10 ESV)

And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. (Luke 1:50 ESV)

At her incredibly young age I'm not sure that Mary completely understood the ramifications of God's plan for her life. I'm not sure she fully grasped the scope who Jesus would be, yet she fully embraced God's plan. The biblical author Luke records a word of praise she offered up to God prior to Jesus' birth. It is a beautiful song full of meaning. One of the key parts is Mary's acknowledgement of her fear of God.

Some fears are entirely irrational. They seem to come from nowhere for no reason, and produce nothing positive. They are inhibiting or deconstructive in nature. Not so with Mary, or anyone else who displays a healthy fear of God.

We usually classify fear as something that either paralyzes or goads us into action. We think of it as the condition or onset of being scared. But the kind of fear that the Bible classifies as healthy is altogether different. It is not synonymous with terror. It is more akin to reverence. Fear of The Lord does not mean to harbor an irrational terror before God. To have the fear of The Lord is to approach God through the grace of Jesus, with reverence. Reverence is a holy kind of fear. It is a rational reaction to the unfathomable majesty of God contrasted to our own meager being.

Mary demonstrated this well. Jesus, the Son of God, demonstrated it as well. It means being able to go to God in fear without being afraid.

January 18 - Blessed by Believing

Read: Luke 1:39-45

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." (Luke 1:45 ESV)

Belief is powerful. It steers people to do amazing, wonderful, and sometimes terrible things. It shapes to core of what, how, and why we think the things we think. 20th century pastor, theologian, and author A.W. Tozer in his book Knowledge of the Holy wrote, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us."

Mary showed the quality of her belief. There was no mere lip service or emotional hype on her part. There was complete and utter devotion to her Lord and his call on her life to be the mother of Jesus. Her cousin Elizabeth proclaimed under the power of the Holy Spirit that she was blessed for it.

Blessing may not always look like you think it will. Honestly, it probably rarely will. God doesn't rain financial prosperity and material possessions on people simply because they choose to follow him. In fact, for many he probably works to help them see the reality of a blessing apart from those things. After all, as Christians we love and worship Jesus, a homeless traveling preacher.

As a further example of great faith look to the mother of our Lord. She believed and was blessed for it.

January 17 - Let it Be

Read: Luke 1:26-38

And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38 ESV)

Mary trusted God implicitly. The angel Gabriel delivered the news about God's plan and Mary embraced it. We never read about her doubts, if she had any, her fears, or her hesitations. She embraced the fullness of God's plan for her life. Using language that in the original Greek text implies slavery. In other words, she was declaring to the angel that she was submitting herself to the will of God for her life in every possible way.

That is a boldness and bravery that many of us would really struggle with. It is born out of Mary's intrinsic trust in God. She was mighty in her faith. Her hope rested in The Lord and he used her obedience to orchestrate the salvation of mankind.

What might your "let it be" look like? What do you need to approach the Father with and say those three words? Jesus himself prayed that prayer in the Garden the night of his arrest. And how can we take our actions and back up our words? Yes, we should go to God as Jesus and Mary did, saying "let it be," but shouldn't we also be demonstrating the same willingness to lay down our lives through our actions?

January 16 - Assumptions

Read: Matthew 1:18-25

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:20 ESV)

Joseph, was cast into a difficult role in life. He chose for himself a virtuous and righteous young woman to take as his bride, betrothed her, and in the intervening time between betrothal and marriage discovered that she was pregnant. He did what many of us would do in that scenario, he made some assumptions, and not wrongly so. In fact, he showed a lot of character and compassion in his reaction to those assumptions. However, God's plan was superior to Joseph's assumptions and he communicated the truth of the immaculate conception and the destiny of the child with the young carpenter in a dream.

What kind of assumptions do we make? Aren't assumptions really just another kind of pride? Aren't they based on the self-perception that we are right about an issue?

Even in his conception Christ challenged the understood assumptions of the natural order. He challenged Joseph, Mary, and their family. He challenged their communities and friends. And he has never stopped challenging the assumptions we all make on any given day.

January 15 - A Just Man

Read: Leviticus 20 & Deuteronomy 22

And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. (Matthew 1:19 ESV)

Little is known about Joseph, but formal education was rare in rural Jewish communities and most boys learned trades early in life. The Bible tells us that Joseph was a carpenter, which basically meant that he built things from wood and stone. Having been identified as a carpenter shows us that he most likely had already passed through the typical age for education and was probably beginning his career. If so, this would place him in his mid to latter teenage years, or possibly his early twenties.

Joseph was betrothed to Mary, so when she showed up pregnant this created a legal and social dilemma for the young carpenter, not to mention the emotional ramifications. Legally Joseph had the right to bring formal accusations against her that would result in her death by stoning. Instead Joseph chose to forgive her and quietly arrange for a divorce. He didn't want to marry her, probably because he was yet to believe her story, but he didn't wish for her to come to harm either.

Joseph was a just man. The man that raised Jesus is shown in this particular example to be a friend to those society is willing to reject and accuse. He had every legal right to punish Mary to the full extent of the law, but instead chose seek a quiet resolution rather than a dramatic and violent conclusion. Jesus is also just. He has every right to throw the entire weight of the Law at us, and instead he offers us his very life. Jesus was raised by a just man to become a just man.