“Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, ‘Behold the Lamb of God!’” John 1:35-36
John directed his own disciples to Jesus, their Savior! So also, faithful pastors and churches do not seek to keep disciples for themselves but point them to Jesus, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
God, grant that we, too, direct people to look in faith to Jesus, the Lamb of God who atoned for the sins of all and is the only Savior of fallen mankind. Amen.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15-16
Jesus warns His disciples to beware of false prophets — those who appear to be part of God’s flock but who are inwardly ravenous wolves, misleading, scattering, and destroying God’s flock with their lies and false teaching. Jesus said we would recognize them by their fruits. If their teaching or manner of living is contrary to the Bible, which is God’s Word, we should not expect to receive of them good and enduring fruit — true doctrine or a right application of God’s truth.
Give me the wisdom to recognize and avoid false prophets, O Lord, and preserve me in the true and saving faith unto life everlasting. Amen.
“Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.’” Psalm 2:1-3
Should we be surprised when our nation and rulers seek to cast off God and His promised Messiah so that they might live as they please and not be reminded of their utter sinfulness or of God’s impending judgment upon them? God’s Word says it will happen, but such attempts to escape Christ’s judgment are futile.
O gracious God, keep me in the true and saving faith in Christ Jesus and grant that I do not again rebel against You. Amen.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
There is only one way to heaven, and that is to repent of our sinful and rebellious ways and trust in Jesus and His cross for pardon and forgiveness; all other ways lead to eternal death and destruction. Sadly, most try to enter God’s kingdom in other ways – by church membership, following certain man-made rites and traditions, doing charitable works, etc. – but the end is condemnation because only in Christ and His cross is there forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
Grant that I repent of my evil ways, O Lord, and look to You for mercy for the sake of Your blood, shed on the cross to atone for my sins and the sins of the world. Amen.
“And John bore witness, saying, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.’” John 1:32-34
When Jesus was baptized, John saw the Holy Spirit descend from heaven like a dove and remain on Jesus. And God had told John, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” John baptized with water and pointed people to Messiah Jesus, the Son of God. When we, according to Jesus’ word and command (Matt. 28:19), are baptized with water, Christ Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and washes away our sins in His shed blood (cf. Acts 2:38-39).
Dear Lord Jesus, Son of God, we thank You for washing away our sins in Your shed blood and raising us from spiritual darkness and death to new life in You through the gracious working of the Holy Spirit in our baptism. Amen.
