Baptism of the Lord: Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Genesis 3: 1-24

This is a text that we know well, and an event that as affected us more than any other (save the cross) in history. The fall of Adam and Eve. As I read this text several things popped out to me today, but one thing in particular stuck with me.  Notice that to Eve (and Adam) the fruit looked pleasing to the eye. So much sin looks pleasing to the eye.  Sin always looks good.  Sin always looks like it might be fun. That is why it is called temptation.  No one is tempted to do something good. We are tempted to do things that are not good for us, but we think may be "worth" it.  We are tempted to eat chocolate and cheeseburgers.  We are not tempted to eat our vegetables.

In spite of how good it may look, temptation leads to sin and sin leads to death.  Yet, to Eve it looked good. That is why as Christian we are commanded to walk by faith and not by sight.  Because to our sight, sin may look good, but, if we are walking by God's spirit, then we will be able to see correctly. Sin may look good, but in the end it will destroy us. Be careful today that you walk by faith and be aware of those things like that look pleasing to your eyes, but will lead to your destruction.

New Testament Lesson

Hebrews 2: 1-10

There's an old saying, "Ignorance is bliss."  If you don't know, it doesn't matter as much to you.  Today, in Hebrews it talks about that there was judgment in the past for those that ignored the word from angels, and then how much more judgment we will face if we ignore this great salvation from God.  Those of us that know better should do better. Those of us that know the truth of God should live the truth of God. For we know what to do, we know how to live, we know the right decisions to make, we know the path that leads to heaven. And we should walk it. There is no excuse and judgment will come for those that hear the Word of the Lord and then ignore it.  For God, through Jesus, has given us this great gift of salvation, and we should not take it for granted.  We should not, must not ignore the commands of God.  I don't know if ignorance is bliss, but I do know that ignoring God is not. Listen to God today, through the Word, through prayer, and through brothers and sisters in Christ. Listen for His command, His grace, and then, may that grace empower us to be obedient to the word he has given.

Gospel Lesson

John 1: 19-28

In John the Baptist, we see and image of one that is sent on a mission, and he is focused on that mission alone.  They come and ask him who he is, and speaks about his mission; his focus on Jesus and preparing the way.  Noting could keep him from doing what God had placed him on the earth to do.  Nothing could keep him from his mission.

God has given each of us a mission and a purpose.  We are not here by accident.  You are not reading this by accident. I am not typing this by accident. We all have a purpose in our lives; we all have a mission. Are faithful to it?  See the devil and the forces of evil will do everything in their power to keep is from what God has put us here to do. They will use everything in their power to keep us from our purpose.  Do not let them. For it's in God you find meaning, it's in Jesus Christ you find you mission in life.  Are you seeking it today?  In the Hebrews passage it reminds us that if we know the Word of the Lord, should not ignore it; we must act upon it.  Do you know your mission?  Do you know your purpose? Has the Lord laid something upon your heart today?  Then do it.  Do not delay.  Let nothing keep you from what the Lord had placed you here to do.  John was faithful to who God had called him to be.  Are we faithful to who God has called each of us to be?  It is in that faithfulness we find our purpose, our mission, our life.