When you find the missing puzzle (The long awaited MESSIAH - Luke 4:16-19)

​Imagine the excitement when you find the last and the main piece of a puzzle and the whole picture makes absolute sense. That is exactly what happens. JESUS is now actively ministering in the public and HE returns to HIS hometown Nazareth. We mostly come back home from a long work to relax and chill right? But we see JESUS here actively working to proclaim the good news. The text says that it was HIS “custom” to enter the synagogue on the sabbath, which meant JESUS actively took part in services and fellowships. JESUS read a prophecy from the book of Isaiah which ultimately pointed to HIM. Now the puzzle fits exactly together.JESUS was the ONE all the people were expecting. HE is here to proclaim the good news which could set the sinners free and ultimately restore humans to who they were created to be: free of sin and like GOD HIMSELF. All these did not come free of cost but by the BLOOD of JESUS CHRIST who came down to pay our ransom. The good news is still available for those who believe that JESUS died and rose again to set them free, to open their spiritually blind eyes, to heal all their brokenness and restore them to HIMSELF. This is such good news!! How are you responding on finding the missing piece of the puzzle that can set you free!!

JESUS’ walk toward redeemption (Luke 4:14-15)

​The Second Adam, now walks out of the wilderness still filled with the SPIRIT. The first humans lost their personal relationship with GOD when they walked out of the garden and sin multiplied while Second Adam walks out being filled with the SPIRIT and teaching others in the synagogues which ultimately led to the glory of GOD. News about CHRIST has now travelled to the people in the surrounding regions inviting them to fix their eyes on this wonderful SAVIOR and their ears to HIS WORDS who would ultimately redeem the fallen race of Adam.

The Second Adam overcomes (Luke 3:23-4:15)

​Genealogies? They sound boring don’t they? But actually it doesn’t when you look into the names deeply and the history associated with them. Now Matthew also gives us the genealogy of JESUS, but they seem different. They aren’t actually different. To know more about it, feel free to check out this link: https://youtu.be/99BENEZOZb0?si=gbkkR8dgnXX1IKzU . While Matthew traces it from Abraham to JESUS, Luke does it backward and extends it from JESUS to Adam. If you looks closely at the people and their history, these were flawed people like Adam, Abraham, David and Judah, outsiders such as Boaz and people of illegal birth such as Perez. Though these people were flawed, they eagerly looked forward to a REDEEMER who would save them finally from this great curse of sin. Luke walks us through this till Adam to show us that the MESSIAH is not only for the Jews but HE has been sent to the whole world. Adam here is known as the son of GOD cuz he was made in the image of GOD. But after sin entered the the image of GOD was distorted in human beings.Following the genealogy, we see how the second Adam, JESUS now representing the human race lives out a perfect life in order to fulfil all righteousness. HE is now tempted in the wilderness the same way Adam and Eve were tempted, the first temptation is of the temptation to eat, the second is of the temptation to be like GOD obeying satan and the third is unbelief in what GOD has said and trying to test and see if what GOD said was true. Notice that in Genesis the serpent uses the term “did GOD really say” and here with JESUS, he again quotes the GOD’s WORD. Adam and Eve had everything in the garden more than that they had GOD HIMSELF walking with them whereas JESUS did not have anything in the wilderness but only GOD by HIS side to show us that only GOD can truly satisfy us and nothing else would be worth it. JESUS continues HIS ministry preaching the glorious news that HE alone can save!!

The Servant King (Luke 3:15-21)

​The Jewish people were in eager expectation to know if John was the MESSIAH they long waited for. John could have quickly grabbed the title, but no! By GOD’s grace HE quickly resisted the temptation and was faithful to tell them how their MESSIAH would be like. This long awaited MESSIAH would be mightier than John, that John would not be able to come and untie HIS sandals which was the lowliest task that the servants in their culture did. He also told them that the MESSIAH would baptise them with the SPIRIT, which would cleanse those who believe in HIM of their sin and grant them new life in CHRIST, while the baptism of fire meant judgement for those who did not believe in the MESSIAH. The MESSIAH comes with a winnowing fork to save those who belong to HIM and drive off those who don’t believe in HIM. John’s baptism cleansed people outwardly and showed them that they need to repent, leaving their sinful life, but they couldn’t leave the life on their own, they needed someone mightier than John to save them from sinful life and give them a new life. JESUS is that mighty PERSON that the people needed. Though HE was mighty, JESUS humbled HIMSELF by taking the form of a human being, identifying HIMSELF with the humans through baptism symbolising that HE would take up their sins on the cross instead of them and resurrect to save them. We see the TRINITY in action here, we see how GOD was well pleased with HIS SON in what HE was doing to save us.

John just didn’t preach the good news to a selected audience, he preached it to everyone including kings (in spite of the dangers he could face) as we see in Herod’s case. He preached with exhortations, because if you actually want the good news you need to know the bad news as well that you are sinner damned to hell. Though Herod had the opportunity to hear the good news he ended up rejecting which is absolutely bad news for him because the MESSIAH comes with winnowing fork to gather HIS who openly accept that they are sinners and need a SAVIOR and burn in unquenchable fire those who don’t see the need for HIM cause of pride and satisfaction in sin.

Self reflection:

1. What do you think of the mighty KING JESUS identifying HIMSELF with sinners?

2. Is pride preventing you from accepting the good news?

3. Do you point others to JESUS when they think highly of you because of what GOD has done in you?

Sons of Abraham (Luke 3:7-14)

​Multitudes of people heard John’s message. How amazing is the grace of GOD that HIS WORD should reach the heart of sinners. But this message also comes with a warning, he tells them that they should not just repent to escape from judgement but live out the life of repentance. John calls these people offspring of vipers!! What a shocker! But that is the truth, after human race fell into sin we have all become like the serpent in the garden lying, cheating and deceiving others selfishly. We have these characterises inborn in us and no matter how hard we try, we can never change this character in us. The multitudes thought since they were the offspring of Abraham, GOD would spare them. But the actual truth? They were the offspring of the vipers. John continues to say that your actions would reflect whose offspring they were. Though these people were physical descendants of Abraham, they were not spiritually and GOD looks at our heart.How can these offspring of vipers turn into Abraham’s offspring? In v.8 John says that GOD is able to turn stones into Abraham’s children. GOD alone can change our heart of stone into a heart that beats for HIM. The multitudes, tax collectors and soldiers asked him what they could do to bear fruits to prove that they were children of Abraham, John told them about righteous deeds and ultimately pointed them to GOD who alone can change the heart of stone and make us righteous like HIMSELF!!

Self reflection:

1. Does hard truth from GOD lead you towards repentance?

2. How thankful are you for the hard truths?

An extraordinary RULER (Luke 3;1-6)

​Luke moves from the rule of Caesar Augustus to the rule of Tiberius Ceasar (Augustus’ son in law and step son) indicating that much time has passed by. Including Tiberius the other rulers mentioned in this passage such as Pontius Pilate, Herod Antipas, Philip,and Lysanias were known to rule people with cruelty. The High priests were also corrupt as well. Again, we see that the WORD of GOD coming down to someone who isn’t rich and popular but to John who we last read about in Luke 1:80 living in the desert, being strengthned in the SPIRIT. When HE receives the WORD of GOD, he makes his first public appearance to share the good news. HE tells them that a new RULER is gonna be in town!! Back in those days when a ruler enters a town or a city the roads are generally paved for his smooth journey. But, John here isn’t calling to the people to pave actual road, he is calling them to pave the crooked roads of their hearts filled with sin. He is calling them to a baptism of repentance so their hearts would be ready for their KING. John is not preaching something new here, but that which the prophet Isaiah said is being fulfilled now. This KING is not like the usual ones who use people for their gain. This KING has come to give HIMSELF to the people. And this time the WORD of GOD isn’t gonna come to just a few, but all flesh would see GOD’s salvation as the WORD becomes FLESH for them. What an amazing KING HE IS!!

Self reflection:

1.Why is quiet times in the wilderness being strengthened in the SPIRIT important before a public appearance?

2. All of us are like the rulers mentioned in the first few verses. How is the arrival of the one true KING make you feel?

Good news would pierce our hearts (Luke 2:33-52)

​While Mary and Joseph were marvelling at what was said of the CHILD, Simon goes on to say that the way this CHILD lives would be amazing for some and not for some as HE is appointed for the rising and falling of many in   (1Peter 2:6). HE will also be opposed and spoken against. It is true that those who oppose the ONE TRUE GOD will definitely fall, but Simon said that Mary’s heart will also be pierced. Wasn’t she blessed and favoured by GOD? She indeed was, but she lived in a world of sin as we do now and this world hates our SAVIOR and those who follow HIM would be hated as well. The world’s hate crucified the SAVIOR and Mary would not have been able to bear it, but she was not without hope because she was blessed with a SAVIOR who would resurrect and give her many lives. Those who suffer with CHRIST have eternal hope unlike those who suffer eternally by standing against HIM.

After, Mary and Joseph heard this prophecy they came across Anna. What an encouragement her life would have been to young Mary after hearing the prophecy that her heart would be pierced. Anna, who have been widowed for a long time wasn’t sitting groaning about what GOD didn’t do for her. Instead by GOD’s grace she devoted her life enjoying GOD and worshipping HIM. She never left the temple. She knew and understood that true joy and satisfaction only came from GOD alone. And when saw the CHILD she couldn’t help but give thanks to her GOD and told everyone about this good news. Mary after seeing Anna would have been rest assured that GOD alone was WHO she needed and pointed Mary back to her blessed Savior by telling everyone the good news.

Note that Luke always points Mary as JESUS’ biological mother and Joseph his adoptive father (v.33). Both were faithful to the LORD as they fulfilled all that the law required of the CHILD. They also took part in their holy festivals with JESUS every year to Jerusalem. JESUS, who was now 12 years old grew strong in the SPIRIT and wisdom stayed behind in Jerusalem when HIS parents left. While HIS parents panicked the little BOY didn’t. HIS intention wasn’t to disobey HIS parents or to be mischievous. HE wanted to be at HIS FATHER’S HOUSE. A child must have plenty of things to do but JESUS chose to seek HIS FATHER right from an early age. Though HIS parents couldn’t understand what was going on, Mary kept pondering these things in her heart, seeking GOD for wisdom to understand. While Mary was spiritually growing, the boy JESUS was still subject to them though they were weak in understanding as HE increased and grew in stature and wisdom.

Self reflection:

1.In what ways has the good news pierced you?

2. Where do you find your hope and joy from? Is anyone encouraged by seeing you enjoy GOD and worshipping HIM?

3. Do you have the habit of pondering seeking to understand GOD?

4. Are you obedient to your parents in  the LORD?

Fully GOD and Fully man (Luke 2:22-32)

​JESUS fulfills all that was required by the law in v.22-24. Though Mary and Joseph were HIS earthly parents they did not consider themselves superior but faithfully did what the LORD required of them. We could also see that they were poor, according to Lev 12:6-8, but they were generous with the little they had. Also, these poor hands held a rich KING.JESUS was born in a poor family to show us that money cannot satisfy a man in any way and HE was the most joyful person in the world cuz GOD was all that HE needed! Notice how Luke provides the details of the law for his dear friend Theophilus in the brackets. In the same scene, we see a man named Simeon, full of the HOLY SPIRIT entering into the temple. The scripture says he was “looking” for the consolation of Israel. His eyes were fixed on what GOD would do to redeem Israel. And just as GOD promised before his death his eyes meet, his hand received and his heart and mouth praised GOD for the SAVIOUR who will give HIS people the peace the world cannot give, save them from their sins, give them eternal life for the Jews and the Gentiles alike! This passage shows us that JESUS  was fully human fulfilling the law and fully GOD who is our only way to salvation

Self reflection:

1. Why is it important for JESUS to fulfill all that was the laws?

2. Your death might be today or any day, have you met your SAVIOUR and do you have that amazing peace ?

3. What are you “looking” for?

4. Is GOD’s favour upon you making you more like HIM?

Publicizing and pondering (Luke 2: 15-21)

​The GOD assigned, joyful duty for the angels is over and now it’s the shepherd’s turn to witness and proclaim this good news of great joy. The word “now” in v.15 implies that they didn’t wait to witness the good news and took off immediately to Bethlehem, they rightfully believed that the LORD has made this known to them. What joy it is when the LORD makes HIMSELF known to us!! They found the SAVIOUR exactly as the angels said and did not doubt it for a moment. They couldn’t contain this joy that they publicised it widely causing wonder among the people. The humble came to witness a mighty SAVIOR. While the shepherds were widely publicizing it, Mary quietly pondered in her heart the things that the LORD was doing, we do not see her being prideful of giving birth to the SAVIOR, but in awe quietly meditating the deeds of the LORD. Similarly, when the shepherds returned they were not boasting that they got to witness it but were glorying and praising GOD for everything that they had heard and seen. This special CHILD who is named JESUS takes part in the covenant which was given to Abraham, fulfilling the all requirements of the law including circumcision as a human, which others were not able to keep. 

Self reflection

1. What are you currently doing? Publiczing quitely or pondering in your heart?

2. Is GOD’s work in your life making you humble?

We need not be afraid because of the Good news (Luke 2:8-14)

​Luke starts chapter 2 pointing us to the greatest official of that time and GOD focusing on the humble whom he has chosen. The good news was now shared to the humble shepherds. I liked how the role of the shepherds was described, they were keeping watch in the night. Watching in the night is really a difficult thing to do right? But during their mundane, routine job something unusual happens, an angel appears, the shepherds are scared. When fallen human beings witness something holy our natural response is to be afraid cuz we are unholy. But the angel tells them not to be afraid, because the promised SAVIOUR who will save them from unholiness is born so that we could be made holy. The multitude of angels could only rejoice witnessing what GOD is doing in the history of mankind. The shepherds did not just receive the good news but was directed towards the SAVIOUR. GOD’s favour towards the humble continues till today.

Self reflection:

1. How can you not be afraid because of the good news?

Rejoicing comes through believeing the good news (Luke 1:39-45)

​After listening to the good news, Mary runs in haste to visit her dear relative Elizabeth. But she is not so hasty in a bad way cuz she takes time to greet her cousin and instead of popping with her questions. When she greets there are 2 responses, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaps and she is filled with the HOLY SPIRIT. Usually when 2 worldly  women meet there is some sort of jealousy and tension between them even though it is not very evident outside. But here we see Elizabeth, a woman full of the HOLY SPIRIT, rejoicing for her sister for what GOD had done in her, and not jealous that she didn’t get to carry the SAVOUR. How beautiful is the work of the SPIRIT!! Note that Elizabeth was the first human to whom the good news was taken to after Gabriel conveyed it to Mary. A woman who was disfavoured by the society, is favoured by GOD HIMSELF, and out of joy, Elizabeth and her baby could only exclaim the goodness of GOD. Elizabeth states that Mary is blessed because she believed what the LORD has spoken of her, while on the other hand her husband was disciplined for his unbelief. Also, when Elizabeth exclaimed “Why am I so favoured that the mother of my LORD should come to me”, she clearly states that is was not the presence of Mary itself but in whom she carried bought Elizabeth and the baby joy. Like Mary, us believers have the in dwelling presence of GOD in our lives because of what JESUS has done for us on the cross and the grave, so that we could be a people who bring good news into the lives of others!!

Only GOD can bring something holy from a human (Luke 1:34-38)

​Verse 34 begins with Mary’s question, which shows us she was just an ordinary human being like the rest of us and not an all knowing powerful deity as some claim her to be. Her question was a question of possibility. How could this be? But with GOD there was no place for these questions. In the next verse, Gabriel explains how this baby would be conceived, and we could see the beauty of the TRIUNE GOD in bringing this CHILD into the world. The CHILD to be born was no ordinary ONE. Gabriel calls the CHILD “the HOLY ONE” and “ the SON of GOD”.  As psalm 51:5 states a human can only be conceived in sin, and no child could be born without a union between a man and a woman. So the answer to Mary’s question was GOD, cuz HE alone could do the impossible. Gabriel doesn’t just explain but also gives a sign to Mary, which was Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Another shocker for Mary!! I really liked the words “called” and “spoken” in v 36 and 37, though the people called Elizabeth barren, what was spoken by the LORD came to pass. How amazing is that!! After, listening to everything, Mary in awe humbly surrenders herself to the mighty GOD.

Self reflection:

1. Has anything holy has come from you expect that it was given to you by GOD? If you think it has come out only from yourself, think of its intentions.

2. Whose word has more power in your life? Man or GOD’s?

3. Do you find yourself surrendering in awe because of what GOD has done and will do?

GOD’s favour would always make us rejoice (Luke 1:26-33)

​The coolest good news that the world has ever heard is here!! When the fulfilment of this good news is announced for the very first time, Luke records how Gabriel delivers this news. The first word that Gabriel uses is “Rejoice”. We could clearly see the joy and excitement by which Gabriel delivers this news through that one word. And he continues with his message stating that Mary is highly favoured and blessed. Did she do something really special to deserve all this? No, she was just an ordinary woman like us. In v.28 the line between the words highly favoured and blessed is “The LORD is with you”, and that is what makes her favoured and blessed, nothing less and nothing more. Gabriel continues to comfort troubled Mary through the words of reassurance that since GOD has favoured her, out of HIS grace there is nothing that she needs to be scared of! Gabriel continues to tell Mary that she is gonna conceive and give birth to the SON of the MOST HIGH, JESUS, who will sit on David’s throne forever and will rule over the house of Jacob, a promise that was made in the very beginning when humans fell into sin is now beginning to fulfil. A King promised to save people from sin has to be born sinless and that is why the virgin birth is important, cuz babies born of human will are conceived in sin (Psalm 51:5). JESUS was conceived sinless in Mary’s womb by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. Also, note that Mary who is favoured by GOD would very soon be disfavoured by man for what she was gonna go through. But she need not be afraid for GOD has favoured, blessed and is with her.

Self reflection:

1. Does this good news keeps us rejoicing every day?

2. Are the disfavours of men making you angry that GOD has favoured you? If so, re read the passage to listen to the SPIRIT comfort you.

Children of a GOD wil always be thankful for the accomplishment of GOD’s will (Luke 1:18-25)

​The story gets more and more interesting, doesn’t it? The one thing that got my attention was how Luke parallels the two “I am” in v.18&19. This points us that wherever we might be, it is GOD’s WORD that will come to pass. Zacharias was old indeed but it did not get in the way of what GOD was accomplishing through him. Zacharias remaining mute is both a sign and a discipline for his unbelief. Now, many people will say that your faith will get in the way of GOD’s will, but here we see that Zacharias’ faith was disciplined yet GOD’s will was accomplished through him. Another word that caught my attention was that the people waited for Zacharias to come out. Hadn’t he been mute because of his unbelief would that have been an opportunity to share the good news with people outside? Though Zacharias was mute, GOD’s grace still enabled him to serve in the temple for the time allocated to him. We also see the reaction of Elizabeth here, she did not go outside and rub on everyone’s face about what GOD had done for her, instead she hid herself for 5 months giving thanks to GOD. How marvellous it is to see GOD working through the old and barren for HIS glory!!

Self reflection:

1. Is unbelief stopping you from sharing the good news with people waiting to hear it? If so, ask GOD to help your unbelief.

2. What is your intention behind thanking GOD for what HE has done?

A people preserved! (Luke 1:5-17)

​Hola friends! Let’s put off our Monday blues by tuning into GOD’s WORD.

Take time to pray and ask GOD to teach you, for trying to understand HIS WORD on our own would be foolishness!

Luke has really gone into all the details, hasn’t he? His gospel covers details which other gospels don’t . Notice how Luke indicates the timelines for his friend, he mentions the ruler of that time, Herod, the king of Judea. Herod was appointed by the Romans and was a descendant of Esau, the brother of Jacob (so technically he was not an Israelite). He was known to be cunning and cruel. But, Luke focuses on someone else here, a couple named Zacharias and Elizabeth. They were both from the priestly line, blameless in the sight of GOD. Wait! Does that mean they never sinned? No, they were justified by their faith in GOD just as Abraham was. Everything looked perfect for them except that they did not have a child. This was regarded as a divine disfavour by the people of that time. But still GOD’s grace was sufficient for them, GOD still gave them grace to continue to serve HIM even in the midst of pain as we see in v.8,9,10. Unexpectedly, good news is delivered to Zacharias, he is still in shock and finds it hard to believe. News, that his wife will soon bear him a son and he is to be named “John”, which means “favoured by Jehovah”. And the angel goes on to say that he will be filled with joy and gladness! What for? Personal win? To show everyone that GOD was favourable towards him? No, because GOD will fill this child with HIS spirit and this child will prepare the hearts of many to meet their Saviour. So, this was not just good news to Zacharias but also to the people praying outside! 

While the world focused on Herod and his massive projects, GOD focused on HIS people!

“GOD preserved for HIM a people to be prepared for HIM”

Self reflection:

1. How has GOD’s grace been sufficient for you in times of pain?

2. Has HIS good news filled you with joy and gladness?