Luke 5

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After some of the disciples had spent all night fishing with disappointing results, it was quite shocking to let down their nets at Christ's command and then find that “they enclosed a large number of fish.”

How many did they catch? Luke does not include that detail, but we know that it was enough to put two boats in danger of sinking as they tried to take in the enormous haul.

Imagine if they had caught millions of people rather than hundreds of sea creatures! Jesus told them that was exactly where His great plan was headed: “From now on you will be catching men.”

When God came to earth, human beings with the most obvious and appalling diseases were healed. The largely hidden problem of moral culpability was also entirely lifted from the souls of those who received this good announcement of Jesus with faith: “Your sins are forgiven you!”

For some, this declaration was offensive. They could not believe that this Teacher and Healer spoke appropriately. He was a man, so how could He bring true deliverance from sin as if God was declaring good news in front of their eyes?

The truth was too much for so many to fathom: Immanuel Jesus was able to relieve deep, unseen wounds.

How did the Messiah settle the controversy? He spoke these powerful words: “Rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And that's just what the (former) paralytic did!

The “Bridegroom” from heaven came to earth, and not everyone was celebrating. They said, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, but yours eat and drink.”

Something new was happening. God had arrived in person, and it was all so unsettling!

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Lord, Your Son came to preach and teach, but there was divine power in everything that He did. He could bring fish into the nets of His disciples, cleanse the leper, make the paralytic walk, and even forgive sins. He leads millions to trust in Him, and confounds those who try to stop Him. This great Teacher is our Redeemer and Messiah. Many men resist Him, but we know that He has healed and restored us. We have seen extraordinary things through the simple preaching of the Scriptures. Though we were once outside Your assembly, we have been drawn near by Your mercy. We receive the good word of absolution and celebrate the presence of our Savior as we gather together for worship. Jesus is the fulfillment of all biblical prophecy and the Giver of every new gift. Blessed be Your name, O God! We give You thanks for using us in the building up of Your Kingdom.

Luke 4

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Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit” and immediately went forth into spiritual battle against the powers of darkness. We can learn much from His words spoken in response to the temptations of the devil.

Quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3, 6:13, and 6:16, the Messiah said: “Man shall not live by bread alone,” and “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve,” and finally “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” Our Redeemer's choice of scriptural passages gives a mortal wound to the root of Satan's evil design. God's Word was more important to the Messiah than even His own bodily hunger. He was not impressed with any authority that contradicted His Father's commandment. Our Savior was not enticed into a posture of unbelief, but trusted Jehovah through even the most extreme troubles.

An “opportune time” would eventually come for the public defeat of the devil. First on the cross (Colossians 2:15), and finally in the second coming of Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:10), all the armies of rebellion denying the Almighty will be utterly destroyed (Revelation 20:10-15).

As Jesus returned to Galilee, He faced the surprising hatred of His own neighbors. The people of Nazareth initially “spoke well of Him,” but soon the inquiry was heard, “Is not this Joseph's son?” The “hometown” crowd eventually became violent when their unbelief was exposed. They “were filled with wrath” and sought to “throw Him down the cliff” on which the city was built.

Even in the healings of Jesus the armies of evil were arrayed against Him. They sought to destroy His ministry by revealing His identity before the appointed moment. He had another agenda: “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Father, there is much danger all around us. The devil is seeking souls to devour. We will not worship him nor put You to the test. Be with us in power, for we are weak and in need. We can only live by faith in Jesus who was victorious over death. He proclaimed good news to the poor and delivered us from the clutches of destruction. Though many treated Your Son with disrespect in the days of His earthly ministry, He is alive forever, and has demonstrated His great love to us. We were far off from Your promises and from Your people, but we have been brought near through the blood of the Lamb. You have cast out of us the overwhelming weight of wickedness, and we have been renewed by Your grace. Show us the pathway of service. Make us agents of Your eternal Kingdom. Teach us how to have merciful hearts, words of life, and hands that help and heal.

Luke 3

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“The Word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness” according to the Lord's good plan to unveil the good news of redemption to Israel. The final Old Testament prophet “went into all the region around the Jordan,” bringing an uncompromising message of repentance to many who were eager to hear him.

John insisted on more than a simple confession of sin from those who wanted to be baptized. A verbal admission of guilt coupled with a return to old patterns of transgression is not a worthy plan for anyone. God was ready to judge Israel. “The axe” was already at “the root of the trees,” and the people needed to change their ways. “Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Many of those who heard John wondered whether he “might be the Christ.” The spokesman for the Almighty knew that there was a far greater Man coming after him. One day a descendant of David would judge the earth, gathering “the wheat into His barn, but the chaff” would face “unquenchable fire.”

While such a proclamation might seem unusually harsh to those who imagine a god without wrath, Luke called John's message “good news.” Herod the “tetrarch of Galilee” would not turn from his own sin and even “locked up John in prison,” but Yahweh spoke the truth from heaven about Jesus: “You are My beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.”

The first man, Adam, was rightly called “the son of God.” Jesus came as a second Adam, not only to remove from us the guilt of our trespasses, but also to make us children of God who would one day hear the Word of the Lord and “bear fruits in keeping with repentance.” Adam plunged all his progeny into death and despair, but Jesus identified with us in our desperate need and saved us.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Sovereign Lord, we need You. Our record of sin is offensive to You. We seek the gift of holiness. Show us Your salvation. Cause us to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Make us trust in Christ alone and not in any lesser association. Teach us to share our food with the hungry and to rid ourselves of every abusive or oppressive impulse. Your Son has come, and He has baptized the church with the Holy Spirit. He will return again in judgment. We must be found in Him on that day. Wicked rulers will use their power to pursue their own desires, but they will be disappointed. Many would try to silence the Word that is spoken by Your servants. They will not be able to win in the end. Their kingdoms will be swept away, but Jesus lives forever and ever. He is the second Adam, the promised seed of Abraham, and our eternal hope. Have mercy on us, and grant to us great consolations in the glory of the One who is Your only-begotten.

Luke 2

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Mary “gave birth to her firstborn son” in Bethlehem because of the providence of Almighty God. Joseph and his “betrothed” were in “the city of David” because a census was being taken, and the customs of the day required that each man be counted in the place of his clan's origin. Joseph and the mother of Jesus were both of the “lineage of David,” the great king of Israel. Their little boy was the long-awaited Son of David, the Messiah.

Angels brought the news first to shepherds: The baby was “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” As Mary and Joseph set about doing what the Old Testament ceremonial Law required after the birth of a male child, more prophetic words came from holy people in the temple who were used by God to teach us about Jesus. He was “salvation” incarnate and “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.”

Life continued in relative obscurity for this special family for some time. As observant Jews, Mary and Joseph “went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of Passover.” When Jesus was twelve years old, He stayed behind in the temple after His relatives had set out for home. Mary and Joseph eventually found Him in the company of “the teachers” there, “listening to them and asking them questions.” The authorities were amazed “at His understanding and His answers.” His parents were “astonished” by what they saw when they found Him. His reply to His mother's inquiry teaches us much: “Did you not know that I must be in My Father's house?”

Jesus returned home to Nazareth with His parents and “was submissive to them,” and Mary “treasured up all these things in her heart.” Her Son, in His human nature, “increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.” His entire life would be lived in fulfillment of the whole Law of God and with perfect devotion to His Father in heaven. How else could He have saved us from our sins?

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Our Father, at just the right time You sent forth Your Son. This best child of Bethlehem is our King. Entirely divine and fully man, He is Christ the Lord. Born in a lowly manger, He came for Your glory and for our salvation. Thank You for Your mercy to us through Him. We treasure the truth of the Messiah in our hearts. Teach us to obey Him with our lives. We are so easily distracted by lesser things. Keep our eyes upon our Redeemer. Help us to see the meaning and importance of our moment in history as we work for the progress of Your kingdom wherever we are. Shine Your heavenly light throughout the earth, that many will come to love the gospel of our Savior's life, death, and resurrection. We praise You, O God, for You have given us the One who is our redemption and our strong deliverer. He always kept Your commandments, for He alone has loved You with all of His being. He is our only hope.

Luke 1

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Luke's two-volume history of the life of Jesus and of the early decades of the church began with an inscription to “Theophilus,” which means “lover of God.” His purpose was that the reader might “have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” Luke's “orderly account” was based on reports from “eyewitnesses” and “ministers of the Word.”

The gospel began with Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. This elderly priest was married to a barren woman, Elizabeth. While he was doing his priestly office in the temple in Jerusalem, an “angel of the Lord” announced to him the surprising news that he and Elizabeth would have a child. John would be a prophet “filled with the Holy Spirit” who would “go before” the coming Messiah, and would “make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

The author continued with another angelic encounter, this time involving a Hebrew maiden named Mary. She would give birth to the “Son of the Most High.” The miraculous conception of Jesus would come to pass by the “Holy Spirit.” Mary humbly submitted to the plan of the Almighty.

In the midst of a subsequent visit to the mother of John, Mary would deliver a striking prophetic oracle about the great Lord she referred to as “God my Savior.” She spoke of her own place in the drama of redemption as a blessing from “He who is mighty” who had done “great things” for her. The Holy One of Israel would fulfill His ancient promises to His people through Jesus.

John would be a “prophet,” but Jesus was at the very center of Jehovah's powerful work of “salvation” as the perfect agent of “the tender mercy of our God.” He would be the “sunrise” of the Father, visiting us “from on high.” The Son of God soon began to change the course of innumerable lives, for He would “guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Glorious God, we thank You for the good news of Your Son, Jesus Christ. You are a God of order, and You have set out for us the story of the Messiah in a way that is clear and wonderful. At just the right time You sent angels and prophets, raised up nations, and brought about events, that we might be prepared for the coming of our Redeemer. You gave John the Baptist to an elderly couple who had never been able to have a baby. Even greater than this miracle, a Hebrew virgin conceived a child who would be Your own Son. Thank You for the blessing of the gift of our Savior. Nothing is impossible with You, O Lord. We are Your servants. Let it be to us according to Your holy Word. May we be filled with the Spirit and speak rightly of heavenly truths throughout our days on earth. Look upon our humble estate and do great things for Your people according to Your strength and Your covenant faithfulness. You bring the high low, and the low You make high by Your grace. You have fulfilled the ancient promise to Abraham through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. We hear the oracles that You have spoken and we wonder about all the marvelous blessings You have for us. We will be saved from our enemies through Your amazing mercy. May we serve You in holiness and righteousness all of our days. Forgive our sins and grant us light, that we might walk in the way of peace.

Mark 16

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“Very early on the first day of the week” some women who had witnessed the death and burial of our Lord traveled to His tomb carrying “spices” in order to “anoint Him” according to the custom of their culture. Their first surprise was that the “very large” stone covering the entrance had been “rolled back.” They then found a “young man” calmly sitting inside the tomb who was “dressed in white.” He had a message from heaven for these frightened mourners: “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen.”

Though Christ had told His disciples He would rise again from the dead on the third day, His prediction was very difficult to understand and believe. The angel drew their attention to the evidence before their eyes, and gave them an instruction concerning what they should do. “Go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.”

The Word that the Messiah had spoken to them prior to the cross was entirely reliable. The facts of His resurrection were now clear, but their weak hearts were overwhelmed.

So what did the women do? “They went out and fled” because “trembling and astonishment had seized them.” The earliest and best manuscripts we have suggest that Mark's gospel ended with these words: “They were afraid.”

An angel was able to announce the truth with perfect assurance, but unsettled human beings could not take it in. Mark ended his fast-moving book with a note of human frailty. His strange conclusion highlights all the more the glory of God. Our Father gave us the Only Begotten who died and rose again for our salvation. The Holy Spirit would soon change a very nervous church into a bold assembly of evangelists who were willing to give everything they had for their Savior.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Father God, Your Son Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath, is alive! The stone was rolled back, the body was gone from the tomb, and the Messiah was not there. He had risen, as an angel gave perfect testimony. Though His disciples were alarmed and afraid, our hope is not in the courage or wisdom of men, but in our Redeemer. He has granted to us a new life of gospel joy, and we will thank You for Your grace toward us throughout all eternity.

Mark 15

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“Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.” Our Lord did not defend Himself against the accusations of His adversaries, nor did He do anything calculated to win His release. Therefore, “Pilate was amazed.” The Roman governor would have been very happy to release Him, but the crowd had an unusual request regarding the Man who had no sin: “Crucify Him.” Pilate finally went along with their demand.

All of these events were a fulfillment of Old Testament prophesies. The great Healer was now “despised and rejected by men” (Isaiah 53:3). Soon He could rightly say in His heart, “They have pierced My hands and feet” (Psalm 22:16). Despite the fact that so many publicly “derided” Him at His weakest moment, He would speak no angry replies. When three hours of unusual darkness suddenly lifted, He simply cried out the words of Psalm 22:1, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” and “breathed His last.” The remainder of the psalm would explain not only Christ's suffering, but also His eternal victory.

Who could understand this sad moment? A Gentile centurion caught a glimpse of the truth: “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” One member of the Jewish ruling council asked Pilate for the “corpse” and buried Him in his own tomb (Isaiah 53:9).

Jesus, the Hope of God's chosen people, was dead. How could it be right for an innocent Man to suffer like the worst criminal? We know what only the Scriptures revealed. “He was wounded for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5). His death and burial could not possibly be the end of His story. Because of His perfect life and His atoning sacrifice, “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord” (Psalm 22:27). Regarding Jesus, we join the faithful throughout the ages and rejoice in the conclusion to David's ancient song of agony and triumph: “He has done it” (Psalm 22:31).

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Glorious God, Your Son suffered indignities for our sake. An angry mob would choose Barabbas to be set free, rather than have our Savior released from unjust bondage. The crowd yelled out, “Crucify Him!” How could this be? Envious leaders had delivered Him up to the Gentiles. People created in Your image scourged Him and led Him away. They mocked Him and spit on Him. May we be rightly moved at these horrific events. We follow this true King of the Jews, though we too may face the attacks of brutal men. Many reviled our Redeemer and taunted Him, urging Him to turn from His mission and save Himself. Yet our strong Lord was faithful, even facing the divine abandonment that we deserved. Finally, our Friend breathed His last. Through the powerful death of our Passover Lamb, a way of access into Your holy presence has been made for us. Our prayer to You this day, offered as it is in Jesus’ Name, is possible only because of His cross. His body was laid in a tomb, but before long His grave would be empty as a testimony to the power of His indestructible life.

Mark 14

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The sufferings and death of Jesus coincided with the annual Passover festival. The sinless Lamb of God would quietly take the place prepared for Him at the center of a great divine drama, while “the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest Him by stealth and kill Him.”

One woman knew that He would soon die, and she became a model of costly devotion as she “anointed” His body “for burial.” Meanwhile, one of His disciples prepared “to betray Him.”

At this turning point between the Old Testament and the New, Jesus instituted the sacramental meal that would mark the centrality of His death in the worship of the church for centuries to come. The faithful would hear His words as they ate bread and drank the fruit of the vine. “This is My body,” and “This is My blood of the covenant which is poured out for many.”

In “a place called Gethsemane,” the Redeemer earnestly implored His Father to “remove” the “cup” of holy wrath that the Son of God would drink for His people. Though He asked His closest friends to “watch and pray,” it was very evident that their flesh was “weak,” for they would sleep through His hour of turmoil.

Soon Jesus' “betrayer” would turn Him over to His adversaries with the sign of a “kiss” and Mark would run away “naked.” The “chief priests and the whole Council” of religious authorities would condemn our Savior for His supposed “blasphemy,” soldiers would abuse His body, and the man who had so recently confessed Him as the Christ would “deny” Him “three times.” In the midst of all the horror of human sin, we still clearly hear the words of our Messiah when asked about whether He was “the Christ, the Son of the Blessed.” His answer: “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Lord God, the enemies of Your Son were eager to put Him to death. We thank You that You have taught us to love our Savior from the heart. We would pour out our lives in devotion to Him. Still, the Judas impulse of betrayal troubles Your children in every age, for the false friends of Jesus are not only outside the church. Betrayers are among the ministers and disciples of our King. Despite this treachery, our Shepherd gave His body and blood for His sheep. Forgive us, Father, for we think of ourselves more highly than we ought. Like Peter, we imagine that we have the strength to be faithful through any test. Jesus faced the agony of death as our Substitute. There was no other way. Your will was done in the salvation of sinners. Through the sign of a kiss, many would cause trouble in Your household even today. Others believe in the powers of the world, and would attempt to build Your kingdom with carnal weapons, rather than the sword of the Spirit. Many would bring false witness against Christ and His church. How can Your kingdom survive? Through the power that comes from above, You stand against evil and violence. Though brutal men would beat and mock Your Son, He wins His battle without responding to any of the lies of false witnesses. May we not deny You despite the intimidation of those who seem to have great authority. We mourn our unfaithfulness and again commit ourselves to follow in the way of the cross.

Mark 13

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The temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed within a few short decades. The disciples wanted to learn “when” this would happen and what would be “the sign” that “all these things” were about to take place. Jesus knew that they were referring to “the end” of the this age of mortality.

In all the details that followed, He did not answer their precise question about timing. He did warn them that many disasters that others would regard as indications of the renewal of the world would only be the “beginning of the birth pains” of a new resurrection creation.

The Lord redirected the attention of His followers to other important matters:

1. The good news of the Messiah would be proclaimed “to all nations” before the perfected heavens and earth would come.

2. There would be an “abomination” against God and His people that would bring “desolation” upon Jerusalem, when someone claiming ultimate authority would stand “where he ought not to be.”

3. In the gospel age that we still live in now, the church would face great “tribulation” and many a false messiah would claim to be the pivotal figure of history, even performing deceptive “signs and wonders.”

4. The day would eventually arrive when He, the “Son of Man,” would unmistakably descend on the divine cloud “with great glory and honor.”

5. “Angels” would then gather God's “elect” from “the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.”

How should we live in light of those truths? “Stay awake.” Those who believe in Jesus should be careful not to drift away from the Lord, our identity, and our calling, “lest He come suddenly and find you asleep.”

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Our Father, we thank You that You have made us to be the temple of Your Holy Spirit. We long for the fulfillment of Your glorious decrees. We know that our redemption is drawing nearer every day. We commit our lives to the preaching of Your gospel to all nations. We ask that You would keep us from great apostasy and rebellion before the return of Jesus. We will be held together by You through this challenging era, for Your elect will not be led astray to eternal destruction. Your Son will surely come. We wait for Him as we hear Your Word. We will pay attention to the tasks ahead of us today with the certain hope of everlasting life.

Mark 12

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Israel was the Lord's “vineyard” (Isaiah 5:7), but as Jesus said, the “tenants” were determined to mistreat and kill the “heir” who was the “beloved Son” of the owner. Jesus quoted Psalm 118:22-23 to the scribes. They were “the builders” who rejected the “Cornerstone” of God's kingdom. The men who had so recently questioned Jesus' authority “perceived that He had told the parable against them.”

“Some of the Pharisees,” together with the well-placed “Herodians,” were eager to trap Jesus into speaking against the Romans. They asked His opinion concerning the taxes that were paid to the empire. Whose image was on the denarius? Caesar's? Then give him the coin,” but yield “to God the things that are God's.”

The resurrection-denying Sadducees tried to expose the Lord Jesus as an ignorant man. The brought an inquiry about seven brothers. Each had the same wife because of the successive deaths of all the siblings. “Whose wife will she be” in eternity? Jesus' response: They did not understand what heaven was like, and they did not comprehend the passages that proved that the God “of the living” had a continuing acquaintance with His elect who had long since died on earth.

The one true God exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Lord of Psalm 110 who is forever at the right hand of Jehovah. The scribes were far from Him. They had showy piety, but were known to “devour widow's houses.” Much safer to find humble examples of genuine holiness, like the poor woman who quietly gave her penny to God, which was “everything she had.” Just as Jesus became poor for us and then served us by His death, we are to bestow upon Him not only whatever riches we possess, but even our weakness and our wounds. He is able to take our emptiness and turn it into an offering of great value.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Great Teacher and Shepherd of our souls, show us again the truth of the Messiah. We want to hear Him and obey. Many religious men have sought only to trap Jesus and kill Him. Your enemies would use subordinate earthly rulers against the King of kings. Father, we believe in You and we cling to the hope of the resurrection. There we shall gaze upon our Savior. We long for that day when angels and redeemed saints will usher us into Your presence. Lord, grant us grace so that we will love You now the way that we will surely adore You then. When we are near Your Son and His church, we are not far from Your Kingdom. Bestow upon Your servants power in teaching the Scriptures to Your people. Open up to us the mysteries of the faith that have been revealed in Your Word. May we also see the perfect pattern of generous and happy living in the cross of Christ. Out of our poverty we will give to You all that we have.