Month: January 2022

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

The Lord promises us power to become sons of God. This is actually a conditional promise : if you receive Jesus and believe on His name, then you have the power to be sons of God.

The Word of God, the Son of God, the Light of God, has come into the world of people that He created. But the world did not receive Him. He came to His own people, the Jews, but they did not receive Him. However, their were some who did receive Him. They received Him into their heart hearts and lives, that is, they believed Him. To those believers He gave power to become sons of God.

All humans, born in sin, are born with the ability and inclination to reject God and the Son who came to save them. To the believers He gives “the capability to control” becoming sons of God. This capacity to receive and believe Jesus is given by God through the Word and the Spirit. And this we do every day when we “remember our baptism” in repentance and faith.

We have no doubt that the Spirit has brought us to faith through the Gospel. Therefore we have no doubt that we are sons (and daughters) of God. As children of God, we have constant access to the Father, we are always accepted and loved by Him, and we can rest secure in the knowledge that He will protect us and care for us all the days of our life. There is no better place to be than in the loving embrace of our Abba Father. We daily become sons of God, and we live another day in paradise, or better, Paradise lives in us.

Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures.

This promise was promised to, and done for, the disciples after Jesus appeared to them in bodily form after the resurrection. By extension the promise is also given to us. Jesus promises that He will open our understanding that we might understand the Bible. The Word of God may seem like a complicated, mysterious, and closed book to us at times, leaving us with more questions than answers. But the truth is that the Lord will open our minds to reveal what He wants us to know. Then He grants the faith to believe.

Psalm 119:18: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Jesus opened the eyes of the two disciples at Emmaus when He appeared to them in Luke 24:27: “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” This is the key: Jesus. All Scripture points to Christ. If we don’t see Jesus on every page, the Bible stays closed. Jesus said in John 5:39: “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.” Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to teach these things, in John 16:13: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth….he will glorify me.”

Every time we open the Bible or hear the preaching and teaching of the Word we may pray: “Open my understanding.” And He will.

Luke 14:15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

This promise of blessing is spoken to us by an unnamed disciple who, at table fellowship with Jesus, was impressed with Jesus’ words. What he says turns out to be a beautiful promise for us who believe in Jesus: you will be blessed when you are at table fellowship with Jesus in the kingdom of God.

This man got it; or actually, the Spirit revealed to him what was really going on right now, and what was still coming in the future. The “heavenly banquet” we enjoy now when taking Holy Communion on earth is a “foretaste of the feast to come.” We have table fellowship with Jesus here on earth every time we spend some time together. It is a real blessing, but it is almost like nothing compared to the “Marriage Feast of the Lamb in His Kingdom.” We wait eagerly for that day.

”Eating bread in the kingdom” is feasting on the Word of God in the presence of Jesus. Spiritual joy, strength, nourishment, sustenance, and peace comes over us when we fellowship with Jesus in the Bible. Nothing fills and satisfies like the “bread of heaven.” We may enjoy this blessing every day.

Luke 3:9 And now also the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

This is a promise of sanctification. God promises make us holy. Jesus is our sanctification. God declares us holy and grants us His righteousness when we believe in Jesus. The Holy Spirit then comes to live in the heart and begin the sanctifying process of making our life and behavior closer to the holiness we have been given. He promises to make us better people; as we also pray in the Lord’s Prayer.

However, the process to getting there is not pleasant. We don’t want the fruitless parts of our life to be cut down and burned. We don’t want the vine branches to be pruned, taken away, and burned. We don’t want the furnace heat to be turned up to refine us. We don’t want the discipline that is necessary to yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness. But God loves us so much He won’t just let us go on with fruitless and sinful living.

Therefore, the promise through John is that the axe is laid to the root of the trees. He is already taking aim at the spot that cutting down. Trust the promise: when “bad things happen” our God will work out all things together for good. Let Him.

Luke 3:5 Every valley shall be filled, every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth.

John the Baptizer came to “prepare the way” for the Christ to come into the hearts and lives of people through repentance and faith in the gospel. This is a momentous task, for the obstacles in the way of Christ’s coming to us are huge: valleys, mountains, crooked roads, and rough ways.

The promise is that the Lord will come into our lives quickly, smoothly, and without obstacles when the Holy Spirit grants a penitent heart through the preaching of the Law and creates faith in Jesus through the preaching of the Gospel. And this work He continues to do every day and every week so that Jesus will come, show up, and do something good for us.

One good thing Jesus does is give new life in place of the “old man,” even though we were comfortable living in sin. Another good thing Jesus brings is the forgiveness of sins in place if sin and guilt, even though we thought our good works were good enough. Another good thing Jesus grants is salvation from our spiritual enemies, even though we don’t see what these enemies are doing to destroy our soul. And He does much more.

Jesus will come into our hearts and fix it up when the stony, hard heart is softened and broken. This is God’s working. This is God’s promise.

Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

The word of God came to John the Baptizer when he came into the desert area around the Jordan River. He came preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. This is how John “prepared the way” for the public appearance and ministry of the Christ. The people responded to John’s preaching of the Law and call to repentance by receiving baptism and forgiveness. Then those who responded to John were ready to receive and believe the Kingdom Gospel that Jesus preached.

It is the Holy Spirit who, through the Word of God, brings sinners to genuine repentance and sincere faith in the gospel. Those who respond to the message receive Jesus as Savior and Lord, receive forgiveness of sins, and receive eternal life. This promise is included in the words “remission of sins.” In Baptism, in Absolution, in the Word, and in Communion the forgiveness of sins is freely and totally given by grace and received by faith. With sin cleansed, the life of God, the Spirit, comes into the heart to live and rule and bring about positive changes.

Remembering your Baptism daily drowns the old man, the sinful flesh, and the new man, the spirit, arises and comes forth. The remission of sins begins the daily process of living a better life, of making us better people. “Forgive us our trespasses.”

Luke 2:30, 31, 32 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles , and the glory of thy people Israel.

Simeon says that now he can die in peace, for now, in this baby, he has seen the Lord’s Messiah, which is “God’s Salvation.” That’s what the name “Jesus” means, as Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to be circumcised and named.

We also have this promise: we have seen God’s Salvation. Faith sees, believes, and receives Salvation through the hearing of Christ, whether through the preached Word, reading the Bible alone or in a group, private confession, public absolution, Baptism, or Holy Communion. In the Gospel we see the love, life, forgiveness, and salvation of God. Believing is seeing. “Blessed are those who not seen and yet have believed.”

This Salvation of God, Jesus, is a light to the Gentiles and the glory of the Jews. The whole purpose of creating a people out of the Jews was that God’s Salvation would enter human history through His Promise to Israel. Therefore, this baby is the “glory,” the purpose, of Israel. And He is a light to lighten the Gentiles. The purpose and promise is fulfilled in Jesus, for salvation came from the Jews for all people. We who believe have “seen the light.” Now we can depart; now we can live.

Luke 2:29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word.

Simeon was an old man hanging around the temple. The Holy Spirit had told him he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Then one day Jesus’ parents brought him to the temple for sacrifice. Simeon saw the baby, and immediately in his spirit he knew this child is the long-awaited Messiah.

Now he could peacefully die. As he took the baby in his arms he said, “Now I may depart in peace.” He could die in peace, for the Lord has fulfilled His promise of salvation and deliverance. This came about “according to God’s word.” The hope of Israel and the Savior of all people has actually come to us here and now.

The promise is also meant for us, for “we have see his salvation” when we came to faith in Christ. After we heard and believed the Gospel we can say with comfort and conviction: now I can depart in peace. I am ready to die peacefully for I know the Savior and I know where I am going after death. Of course, we won’t “depart” until it’s God’s time, but we can be peaceful and joyful all the time. Knowing what happens at the end of life impacts how we live in the present life.

Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward toward men.

The angel comes to the shepherds with a message of great joy. Then all the angels gather to praise God for bringing peace to the earth. What happened? God came from heaven to earth to be born as a human being in order to bring salvation and life to all people. One of the many results of this action on God’s part is that there is now peace on earth. In heaven God is glorified; on earth peace comes to rule over the lives of those who receive the Good News of Jesus.

Peace is promised “among those with whom He is pleased,” according to the most likely reading of the original text. What pleases God? The person who receives Jesus and believes the Gospel. For them there is peace on earth. Outside of Christ there is no peace, only continual strife, turmoil, and unease.

The rebellious, self-centered, sinner is at war with God. Jesus brings peace with God: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. [Romans 5:1].” Being at peace with God makes living on earth easier and trusting for the future more certain.

Second, we are at peace within ourselves. Inner struggles, emotional turmoils, and “fightings and fears within” are calmed and “peaced” with the coming of Jesus into our hearts. We cannot calm the “inner demons” by our selves, so we invite Jesus to come and grant inner peace.

Third, we enjoy the gift of peace with family, friends, and one another in relationships. Peace between sinners does not come easily, but with Jesus forgiveness and self-giving rules the day, and Jesus brings peaceful relationships.

Luke 2:10, 11 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

The angel appears to the shepherds on that first Christmas night and announces, “I bring you good news of great joy.” This is Good News for all people, including us. The promise of great joy is meant for us for all time, not just for one holiday season. The good news is that a Savior was born unto you. This is Christ the Lord, who lived for you and all people, died for you and for all, and rose from the dead to give you eternal life.

The Son of God has broken into the stream of historical life on earth to bring joy and gladness in place of sadness and misery, to shine a bright light to push away the darkness, and to give life in the midst of death. When the Bible says, “Rejoice in the Lord always,” it is both a command and a promise. We are commanded to rejoice always, whether we feel the emotion or not. The Gospel of Joy is deeper than the feelings in our soul. It is in the inner man. God’s life resides in the human spirit of believers. He is there, all the time, and He is full of Joy, all the time. We may draw on that wellspring of joy and life to spring up and flood out the negative emotions we may be experiencing at the moment. Remember: “unto you” God proclaims “good tidings of great joy.”