THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:5-20
“To make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17)
Before the birth of the messiah baby, another baby is born.
This aged couple, like Abraham and Sarah, is part of God’s salvation plan.
Their child will be filled with the Spirit even before he is born – a special child!
And yet, he will know that he is secondary, less than the messiah.
This baby would later say: “Jesus must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30)
And Jesus would later say: “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John.”
“Yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11)
John is one of the greatest, and yet he is just average among all Jesus followers.
John prepares people for Jesus, and through Jesus all are restored to greatness.
Like John, we are also part of God’s rescue plan to help people find Jesus.
We show them by our own lives what it means to repent and believe and follow Jesus.
We are also filled with the Spirit of Jesus to help us do our work.
This little baby is a big part of God’s plan… and so are you, so am I!
We are to devote our lives, like this baby, to pointing people to Jesus!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I am not just a nobody. I have Your Spirit, I am a part of God’s salvation plan. I am Your missionary, pointing people to You. Make Your Name greater through me!
“…your prayer has been heard.” vs 13
It was a long wait for God’s “right time” to answer this prayer – as I pray for some that I know are lost and for God to show me whom I could point to Jesus, this verse encouraged me to persist in praying – it’s so easy to get discouraged thinking nothing will ever change.
“to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children…” vs 17
That this would be mentioned as one of the “John will go to….” reminds me how important it is to start at home. How could I be more intentional yet stay in step with the Spirit’s work so I allow God to do the work?
Zech and Elizabeth were bought righteous in the sight of God. They observed His Ways. They were living for Jesus. Followers. And yet. . .
they were childless. God did not answer their prayers.
And when God does answer, there was disbelief. Living God’s way and yet not totally in tune.
As God uses His people then He continues to use people today. God using me for His purpose. Am I like Zech wanting living proof? Or do I live for Jesus each day anew trusting that He will guide and direct my walking?
1
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.