Theme for this month: Jesus in the Four Gospels
Theme for this week: “Jesus in the Gospel of Luke”
December 20, 2021 (Monday)
When I saw “Advent” on the calendar, I realized that it includes the four weeks before Christmas, so I decided to write about the four gospels and the view of Christ in each. I began with the Gospel of Mark, because it was written first and is the shortest. Matthew and Luke based their gospels on Mark’s gospel and some other sources. But I chose to write about the Gospel of John before writing about the Gospel of Luke because so much of the Gospel of Luke provides material for Christmas, which is just days away. The Gospel of Luke is one of my favorite books in the Bible because it is easy to read and contains delightful stories about Jesus.
The blog for today is entitled, “Jesus the Savior: The Way Prepared.” All the material for the blog comes from the Gospel of Luke.
The Gospel of Luke begins with information about John the Baptist as the forerunner of Jesus. The prophet predicted that John would prepare the way for the Messiah. Luke informs us about John’s birth. He begins by identifying the father of John as Zechariah, a priest. He and his wife, Elizabeth, were childless. As he was performing his duties in the Temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him, promising that a child would be born into their family, his name would be John, and he would prepare the way for the Messiah. When he was born, family members wanted to name him after his father, but Zechariah and Elizabeth insisted that his name was John. Afterwards Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph, and when He and John were adults and the time was right, John prepared the way for Jesus by preaching repentance and promising a Messiah. Jesus arrived and was baptized by John. He then was tempted by the Devil for forty days in the wilderness, and afterwards began preaching about the kingdom of God. In the meantime, John was arrested and beheaded. But John had already prepared his followers for the coming of the Savior and had promised to fade from the scene.
John prepared the way. Then Jesus came, and for three and one-half years preached and performed miracles until being arrested, crucified and buried. He then rose from the dead. More details in the next blog.
When Jesus came, God had prepared the way.
As you think back over your life, can you see the hand of the Lord at work? Do you understand that God had made ready the time and place for your profession of faith in Jesus as your Savior and Lord? That was the beginning of your Christian life. He has continued to bless you and use you as you join with Him in letting the world know about the love of God for all people.
Please, Lord, continue to have your own way in my life.
HAVE THINE OWN WAY, LORD
Words: Adelaide A. Pollard
Music: George C. Stebbins
1907
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.