March 7 - Fishermen

Read: Matthew 4:18-22 & Mark 1:16-20

And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19 ESV)

I am a pretty poor fisherman. My dad tried really hard to teach me, but it just never took. I am pitifully unskilled at it. Others in my family are pretty good at it. My mom, brother, wife, and dad are all better at it than I am.

There are a lot of reasons why I am not a good at fishing, but the biggest one comes back to me not being very teachable concerning the subject. Fishing is one of those kinds of things that you can gain some proficiency at on your own, but if you want to be truly skilled you have to learn from a master. You have to learn the tricks for the different kinds of fish, the way to use different bait, how you change techniques depending on water depth and flow. Fishing is a complicated and yet simple activity.

Sharing the story of Jesus is much the same. Jesus told his disciples that by following him he would "make them become fishers of men." The gospel is easy to share, and at the same time it can seem complicated. It can seem overwhelming. It's a beautiful paradox.

Jesus developed his followers. He took a handful of men and women and entrusted Christianity to them. Every Christian on the planet can trace their faith back to one of those original twelve followers. In 2000 years the model for reaching people is still the same. His will is shape people over time into people who can reach out and lead and shape other people. So, how are you letting him shape you?

February 25 - Famous

Read: Matthew 4:23-25; Mark 1:35-39; Luke 4:42-44

So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. (Matthew 4:24 ESV)

If you could pray for someone with pretty much any ailment in existence and they were miraculously healed do you think it would make you famous? Never mind your particular personal stance on the possibility of miracles. If you could instantly heal people you would get attention of all kinds. You would be famous.

Jesus had begun to travel quite a bit in his ministry. He was basing his work out of Capernaum, but was spending a lot of time in the overall geographical region of Galilee. He healed a lot of people, and huge crowds began to follow him.

What merits fame? Sometimes it seems like people become famous over the most frivolously silly things. When is the last time you remember someone becoming famous for the good they were doing?

Jesus worked with his fame. A couple of his miracles actually involved feeding the humongous crowds that had begun to follow him. He used his platform to great affect. He used his influence. Each of us have our own sphere of influence. We have our own platform. We may not be famous or have large crowds following us, but we still must daily choose how to use that influence to shape the world around us.

February 22 - Jesus Preached

Read: Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:14-15

And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. (Luke 4:15 ESV)

I can't speak for you, but most of the time when I think about the life and ministry of Jesus I wind up dwelling on his miracles. There were so many, and they are awesome stories of the restorative nature of his redemptive love for mankind. If I'm not meditating on or studying about one of his many miracles I am usually thinking about the final moments of his ministry that led up to his torture and murder, or of course the act of his execution itself. Then there is always that intriguing time after his resurrection where he lived among his followers before eventually ascending into Heaven.

To be honest, I find myself spending the least amount of time dwelling on what may have very well been the aspect of Christ's ministry that occupied the largest amount of his time. Jesus was first and foremost a traveling preacher. In today's lingo, he was essentially a missionary. All of the awesome stories we read about his life and works exist within the context of a man who regularly traveled across very rugged terrain to share the redemption story of the Kingdom of Heaven.

He went from town to town speaking in their synagogues. If there wasn't a nearby synagogue he looked for something else to speak from like a hill, or boat. Luke's gospel captures this wonderfully. Luke the physician recorded more of Jesus' words than any other gospel.

We live in an age when words seem to carry little weight sometimes. Actions are held to a higher level of credibility. Indeed Jesus' incredible acts of mercy were miraculous displays of kindness. However, they were made even more impactful by the accompaniment of his message. He preached that God's Kingdom had returned to man through mercy, grace, and repentance. He spoke and he acted on it. He didn't do either alone. He preached repentance and then became the sacrifice to pave the way.

February 10 - Well Pleased

Read: Mark 1:9-11 & John 1:32-34

And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." (Mark 1:11 ESV)

Growing up one of my favorite feelings was always that experience of knowing that my parents were pleased with me for something. Sometimes it accompanied a task or an accomplishment, but often it was just there. It was a sense of cherished love and value that came simply as a result of being their child.

I really believe we can experience that same kind of affection from God. Yes, it comes in ways that are similar to those of my own childhood experience. Sometimes God is pleased with us and our actions, but usually the feeling of acceptance, love, and appointment is derived simply from belonging to Him.

Both parenthood and childhood are pleasurable experiences when enjoyed through a righteous and wholesome relationship. God is the Father. All who come back into the Father's family can and will experience the Father's good pleasure. I hope that the thought of God being pleased with you, His child, will put a smile in your heart and joy in your steps today.

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?