Daily Devotional

Matthew 8:5-13

5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.6 "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly."

7 Jesus said to him, "Shall I come and heal him?"

8 The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that moment.

No matter what shoes you wear you are a child of God. The shoes you wear may say something about what you do, but it’s what is in your heart that matters the most. The trust and faith you have in Jesus -- who is always faithful, all the way to the end – that’s what matters.

The Roman centurion understood authority, he knew Jesus had authority over everything and his faith was rewarded when he called on Jesus to heal his servant; who was also a servant of Jesus! His healing spoke loudly and clearly showed Jesus had all the authority in heaven and on earth.

These stories in the Bible remind us of what is truly important, and who we are called to be. We are to love the Lord our God with all our heart and all our soul and all our mind.  And then we are to love our neighbor as our self.  

• Are you submitting to Jesus’ authority? Are you following the commands? Do you have the trust and faith that if you trust and obey you will find joy?
• Re-read the whole story of the Roman centurion today and consider how to apply what you have learned this week about your own walk with Jesus.

Matthew 8:5-13

5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.6 "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly."

7 Jesus said to him, "Shall I come and heal him?"

8 The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that moment

The Roman centurion demonstrated his faith in Jesus Christ. He obviously believed Jesus to be a man of authority and was willing to submit to Jesus’ authority. There are many verses in the Bible that speak of  trust and faith and obeying God’s commands.

Many years ago as a child, in a small church north of Lexington, I heard the words of the old hymn sung,  “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way…to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”  Google the lyrics and read through them when you have some time! They talk about times of need we go through in life, and how joy comes when we lean on the Lord and trust Him.

Talk about trust!  When the centurion told Jesus he knew his servant would be healed, if Jesus just spoke the words…. And them for him to hear Jesus say, “Go, It will be done just as you believed it would.”  It’s all about trust and having faith. The centurion didn’t have to be in his servant’s presence to witness Jesus healing him. Nor did he believe Jesus had to be with the servant to heal him. The centurion sensed that Jesus had the authority over all things and that with just thoughts from afar things could change.

• How does your faith line up with that of the centurion?
• Do you need to “see” to believe?

Matthew 8:5-13

5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.6 "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly."

7 Jesus said to him, "Shall I come and heal him?"

8 The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that moment.

The Roman centurion submitted to authority and others submitted to him. In Matthew, he says, “For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go, ‘and he goes, and that one, ‘Come, ‘and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’and he does it.” The centurion knew what it meant to submit.   Jesus was also a man of authority.  He told His disciples in Mt. 28:17, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Not some; all. 

Did the Centurion understand Jesus’ authority?  Perhaps Jesus saw him following God’s command to “Love God with all his heart, soul and mind, and love his neighbor as himself (Matthew 22:37-39). 

Jesus must have been impressed with the centurion’s faith and trust.  He then told those following Him,  “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”

Did His followers then examine themselves and their level of faith? Did they question if their faith was as strong as this Roman centurion’s?

• Have you ever known someone that seemed to have faith that was indescribable?
• Are you living out Jesus’ commandment to love God with all your heart, soul and mind?
• Do you love our neighbor as much as you love yourself?

Matthew 8:5-13

5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.6 "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly."

7 Jesus said to him, "Shall I come and heal him?"

8 The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that moment.

Why would the centurion ask Jesus for help? Didn’t he know those above him might not approve? What about his leader? Maybe his leader would feel he should have been consulted?  Why would the centurion seek out Jesus instead? Maybe it was because the centurion had heard of all the things Jesus was doing as he went from place to place. Maybe it was because the centurion saw how passionate people were about following this man called Jesus. Maybe, just maybe, it was because the centurion saw how Jesus loved everyone.

In Verse 6, he says, “Lord, my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” What do these words tell us? First, the centurion had compassion.  He used words like “terrible suffering.” The centurion had feelings. He knew what his servant was feeling. The centurion wanted to help his servant. What about Jesus? What do you think immediately hit his mind? Maybe he wondered, “What’s going on? Why does this “Roman” centurion share anything with me?”  Whatever he thought, he saw immediately the centurion had placed his full trust in him.

In Verse 7, Jesus agrees to go and heal him. Jesus was always walking the extra mile so to speak. He didn’t ask the centurion to go get the man. He didn’t look at the centurion and say, “Maybe next time,” or “I don’t have time today.” Jesus said, “I will go.”

The next part of the story shows full trust! The centurion was ready with an answer. He told Jesus he didn’t even deserve for Jesus to come to his home.  He told Jesus he knew that if Jesus but spoke the words, his servant would be healed.  WOW! What faith, what trust. The centurion had such faith he knew just the speaking of the words from Jesus would heal his servant.

• Do you have faith like this?
• Do you trust Jesus to take care of your needs?

Matthew 8:5-13

5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.6 "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly."

7 Jesus said to him, "Shall I come and heal him?"

8 The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that moment.

A Roman centurion Soldier understood authority, chain of command and how to follow. He trained to be the best he could be so that, when needed, he was available to defend the Roman Empire. For the next few days we will get to know this person and come to understand he wore sandals that were a bit different than a normal sandal of the day.  His shoes were like a sandal but laced high on the shin and made of tough leather. For one Roman centurion soldier, as tough as his shoe leather was….His heart was as gentle and loving as they come.

Matthew 8 shares the story of a Roman centurion soldier in a panic. That’s probably not what you think of when you think of a soldier. This soldier was in a town called Capernaum and he needed help. He turned to a highly unlikely source for help for a Roman centurion soldier.

Let’s look at the meaning of the word authority.  It includes (a) the right to command; (2) holding power and (3) power given to somebody.  We must all submit to authority. Romans 13:1 (NIV) says: “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.”  That authority is sometimes hard to accept but that’s what it says.  Another verse in Romans also speaks to authority.  Romans 8:28 (NIV) says, “And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. “ We may not see it immediately in those with authority but, God’s plan is at work and eventually it will be made known.

Trust is what we must have. Again, trust in those with authority may sometimes be difficult but trust in God…..never difficult! He is faithful.

• What was the Roman Centurion’s need….why was he in a panic?
• Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation?
• Who do you place your trust in?

John 8:10-11

10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

11 "No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

We don’t have to be in a relationship with Jesus to know we’re messed up, to know we have junk in our lives that needs to change.  However, when we are in relationship with Jesus and we spend time with him, He will make it pretty clear that there is a need for change in our lives.  As our relationship with Christ deepens the need for change is often accompanied by a desire to change out of a yearning to be more like Christ. 

However, any time we make a commitment to change something in our lives; hurdles begin to appear: voices in the back of our minds or words coming from our ‘friends’ -- all casting judgment and shame in our direction.  Sometimes it’s an invite to a party where the stronghold of drugs and alcohol will be thrust in our face.  Other times it might be lunch with a friend of the opposite sex who wants to “care” for you during a stressful time in your marriage.

John 8:10-11 becomes most powerful when we are in the midst of attack; whatever it looks like for each of us as individuals.  These words remind us that Jesus is with us, raised up next to us and we have the power to claim the truth of Romans 8:1, 'There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’!  You are no longer held in bondage to the ways of your old self- you are free indeed, claim that freedom, receive that freedom and do as Jesus says, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” 

• Soak in the promise of Romans 8:1 and the reminder that Christ is with us when we are being accused by man or the evil one.   
• What areas of your life have become places of condemnation and accusation?
• How can God’s promise of approval and freedom encourage you in leaving the sin in your life?
• Take the time to claim out loud God’s promise of freedom from condemnation.

John 8:7-9

7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.

Imagine yourself standing with Jesus in a crowded park in the center of town.  A mass of people surrounding the two of you, some minding their own business but the majority fixated on the two of you.  Slowly imagine them disappearing one by one, walking away, getting on about their day.

When we are in intimate relationship with Jesus, he has a way of making the hordes of people that surround us slowly disappear until we are left with just him.  The people in our life who were critical and judgmental, the voice in the back of our minds saying we would never measure up all slowly fade.  No matter what else happens in our lives, at the end of the day Jesus has a way of removing all those people and all that stuff until we are left alone standing before Him. 

For some this is a scary thought.  If you picture God as a tyrant who simply keeps score of our lives, noting the wrongs and rights then of course you won’t want to be alone with Jesus.  But if you get to know the Jesus of the Bible you welcome this time.  The Jesus we see in scripture lived a life full of grace and love.  With Jesus there was always accountability but it was always wrapped in love it was and still is a function of grace. 

Jesus longs to be alone with us, away from the sin of our lives in simple relationship.  Whatever choices we have made, whatever choices others have made that have impacted your life, they do not lessen Jesus’ desire to chase you down and spend time with you.  Yes, there is always accountability for our choices but Jesus approaches with “truth and grace”.

• When you imagine standing alone with Jesus what feelings come up?  Fear? Joy?  Dread? Comfort?
• If you were standing face to face with Jesus what would you say to him? 
• How has his pursuit of you deepened your understanding of love, wrapped in truth and grace?

John 8:6-8

6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

I remember very clearly the day my husband confessed his addiction to pornography. It was a Monday night about three years ago. We were sitting at the dining room table after a meal right before I had to go to a meeting for work.  In that moment so many emotions welled up inside me:  anger obviously, hurt without doubt, the need to ‘fix’ him certainly, and fear beyond understanding.  I wondered if the emotional roller coaster I was on would ever stop.  Over the next few months, there were many times I thought to myself it wasn’t worth the work.  Honestly, there were times I thought he had hurt me so deeply and lied for so many years that he didn’t deserve forgiveness. 

In the midst of the hurt in our lives we are so susceptible to the attacks of the enemy.  The sins of those who have hurt us are put under a microscope by the evil one.  We see with different eyes when we have been hurt; eyes that easily pick out the flaws, shortcomings and sins of those in our midst.  It is in those times we must be acutely aware not only of the sin in our lives—but more importantly the grace and forgiveness we have received from Christ.  It is in that light we will be able to clearly make a choice to cast the first stone or walk away with a thankful heart knowing Christ died on the cross for that person and their sin just as much as he did for yours.

• How has God used your own awareness of your sin to help you grace to those around you?
• Spend some time in prayer and thanksgiving for the grace you have received from Christ’s death on the cross.  Ask God to reveal anyone in your life you may be withholding forgiveness from because you think they don’t deserve it.  Ask Him to cultivate a heart like His in you for that person and situation.

John 8:3-6

3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?"

6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

It’s often easier and more convenient for us to live religious lives than lives of grace and accountability.  Here we see the religious system of the day standing in direct opposition to Jesus.  Jesus’ desire was not to simply wade into the woman’s life, but instead to get neck deep in the messiness, while the scribes and Pharisees sought to consolidate their own power and trap Jesus at any cost.  They see Jesus as a threat and think they’ve found the perfect opportunity to trap him.  If Jesus upholds the Mosaic punishment, they can brush off His new teachings.  If Jesus says to let the woman go they can publicly accuse Jesus of going against YHWH.  Either way, Jesus’ ministry can be ended and the threat to their power eliminated.

In the midst of this cruel scene how does Jesus respond to this public challenge?  Does he present a religious argument based on the scriptures?  Does he turn it around and attack His accusers?  No, instead Jesus simply begins to play in the sand. 

For 2000 years people have guessed at what Jesus was writing in the sand.  What was being written is not the point.  For a moment all accusing stares and cruel whispers have been redirected.  The focal point has shifted.  The woman has, if only for a moment, been forgotten about and all eyes are on Jesus. What a microcosm of Jesus’ life purpose: for on the cross He took on all accusations and allowed them to be crucified.  We are not the focal point, Jesus is—he took on not only the accusations but the real sin in our life.  It was redirected to him for our sake so we can be welcomed into his presence through his loving grace.

• Consider a time when you were ‘caught red handed.’  Allow yourself to feel the stares and accusations with clarity.
• Now, imagine Jesus writing in the sand before your accusers.  Knowing Jesus came to bring truth and grace, what would Jesus write about you?  About the Pharisees and scribes who caught you?
• Spend some time in reflective prayer focused on the gift of grace and salvation of Jesus’ sacrifice.

John 8:1-11

1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?"

6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

11 "No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."           

There are certain times and places where it’s okay to wear your slippers – around your house, in a hotel room, if you are staying with friends and maybe out to get the mail or newspaper.  On the other hand we all can agree there are definitely places where slippers are 100% not acceptable –- that fancy restaurant you go to on special occasions, the grocery store and the mall all come to mind.  Slippers are intimate, they are personal and the people who see you in your slippers have a glimpse into a private piece of your life, a side that not everyone gets to see – a side reserved for those in closest relationship with you.

Now, imagine you are pulled out onto the streets in just your slippers or even worse, nothing at all: completely exposed – that private personal part of your life now on display for hordes of people to see.  That’s where we find ourselves when we read the account of the woman in John 8.  Jesus had returned to the temple to teach and found he was surrounded by crowds or what is described as swarms of people in the Message translation. 

Exposed, vulnerable and accused for all to see and judge – a woman caught in the act of adultery is brought out and made to stand in the middle of the court while the teachers of the law and the Pharisees make their case against her.  We can feel the eyes of the crowd leering, and can only imagine the judgments forming and the harsh words of the Pharisees as they made their case. 

• Take some time to reflect on the scene that is being painted.  Spend some time in prayer and ask God to show you where you are or have been, in this scene, in your own life. 
• Have you found yourself in the crowd leering at the person being accused and forming judgment, have you been an accuser or even the accused?
• What is the Holy Spirit teaching you about slipper situations you have been a part of in your life?
• How can you extend love and compassion to people ‘caught in the act’ of their sin?

Mark 1: 4-6

 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.6 John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey

Imagine going to hear a preacher who preaches out in the woods, wears flip flops and clothes made out of animal hides, and eats bugs and honey.  Pretty unlikely candidate for a preacher, huh?  I think God has a sense of humor.  He specializes in using unlikely candidates to get his work done.  He chose Abraham and Sarah who were well beyond child bearing years to birth a nation.  He chose Joseph who had been sold into slavery and put in jail by the king to be his instrument to save his people.  He chose David, a young shepherd boy, to write most of the Psalms and be a mighty king.  The Bible is full of people who seemed very unlikely candidates but God used them in a mighty way.

God keeps score in a very different way than man does.  You may feel like you are an unlikely candidate to be used by God, but God can use anyone who is fully surrendered to him.  Abraham was obedient to the point of being willing to sacrifice his own son because that’s what God told him to do.  Daniel was faithful to God even though his faithfulness could have cost him his life.  What matters to God is our availability, not our ability.  God does not call the equipped, rather he equips the called.  If God calls you to a task, he will be faithful to prepare you for the task. 

The key is our willingness to trust him.  Abraham trusted God.  When Isaac asked where the sacrifice was, Abraham said, “God will provide a lamb.”  Daniel stood up to the king and said he would not obey an order that would cause him to sin against God.  He said, “My God will save me, but even if he does not, I will not bow down to your idol.”

God has a plan for you.  It may be one person who needs to know the love and compassion of a God they have forgotten.  It may be a family member who has strayed from the faith and needs to see the love of God “with skin on.”  No matter the task, be obedient, respond to God’s call. Be his most recent unlikely candidate who will make a difference in someone else’s life.  God’s plans are so much greater than ours. If we will trust him and make ourselves available, he will do things far greater than we could imagine: things only He can do.  Wouldn’t you love to be a part of something that causes people to say, “Wow, only God could have done that!”  That is what God wants to do every day through us.  We only have to make ourselves available and obey when he calls.  Put on your flip flops, if you’re ready.  But you probably won’t have to wear camel hair or eat locusts.

• Is there something you are holding back from because you don’t think you are the right person for the job?
• What is God doing around you, that he wants you to participate in?  God has utmost confidence in you. He is your loving Father and wants you to succeed.  Make yourself available to him and trust that he knows what he is doing.

Luke 3:7-9

7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."

In this passage, John warns the Pharisees that repentance is only proven by the way we live.  While most of us do not have the rich Jewish heritage the Pharisees were bragging about, how many of us have felt that God must include us because we come from a good Christian family?  It has been said “God has no Grandchildren.”  Each of us must make a decision of our own to follow or not follow Jesus.  We can’t assume we are “in” because our parents were believers.

We must also remember God calls us to bear fruit with our lives.  It’s not enough to just make a decision to follow Jesus.  John called the Pharisees a “brood of snakes” because they assumed that they were ok because they were descendants of Abraham.  We’re in danger of the same accusation when we assume anything less than a total commitment to Jesus is good enough.  We can’t assume we are ok because we attend church every Sunday, or are in a particular Bible Study.  We can attend Bible studies every day of the week and church on Sunday but it won’t mean anything unless our lives are living proof of a change that has taken place in our hearts.  Remember we don’t have to seek God’s approval.  We can’t earn approval from God by doing good things.  He already approves of us and loves us.  All he wants is for us to love him back and show it by the way we live.

• Have you realized God loves you just the way you are?
• Are you seeking to earn his approval by doing things you think he wants you to do?
• Commit today to let God love you, let him fill you with his love and power and live the Christian life through you.

Mark 1: 7-8 

7 And this was his message: "After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you witht water, but he will baptize you witht the Holy Spirit."

Flip flops are cheap; maybe that’s why I like them so much.  John wore flip flops that communicated humility.  He probably didn’t have fancy $60 ones with special straps and soles -- more likely the $5 ones that anyone could afford.

John was fully aware of his place in the world.  He knew his job was to prepare the way for Jesus (one much greater than him).   He felt he wasn’t even worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals.  That attitude allowed God to use John in a great way.

God uses us through humility. When we approach ministry with pride, we will only be able to accomplish what we can do under our own power.  He can do great things through us when we finally realize we are only servants in the kingdom of God. Jesus wants to fill us completely with his love and power – but only an empty vessel can be filled.  The only way he can fill us completely is if we’re empty. Any hint of human pride will keep us from receiving all  that God wants to give us.

John refers to this “filling” when he says Jesus will baptize us with the Holy Spirit.  When we fully surrender our lives to him we can become completely immersed in the power of the Holy Spirit.  When people looked to John, he pointed them to Jesus.  When God starts using us, it is tempting to take the credit for what we have done.  If we remain humble and point people to Jesus he can continue to use us as a channel of ministry into other people’s lives.

• Are you willing to be used by God to share his love with others?  If so, are you willing to empty yourself, so he can fill you with his Spirit? 
• What needs to be emptied from your life so God can fill it?  Those things can be hard to give up.  Ask God to give you a willingness to surrender.

Mark 1:4-6 

4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.6 John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey

The beach and the swimming pool are two popular places to wear flip flops. Why?  Because they’re so easy to take off and put on -- especially when you’re getting in and out of the water.  John’s followers could have used some good flip flops – his ministry was all about leading people in and out of the water. He led people to the waters of baptism and he led people to repent of their sin.  Why did he focus on those two things so exclusively?

Repentance of sin is an acknowledgement we are heading in the wrong direction and of our desire to change directions and move toward God.  Any sin is an offense to God and we all need to repent.  If we decide not to sin but we don’t turn toward God, one sin will just be replaced by another one.  Although we will never become sinless, with God’s help we will sin less.  For God to do that, we must humbly turn to him, admit our mistakes and ask for his forgiveness and help.  Jesus was the only man who ever lived a sin free life.  We can only hope to conquer sin through him.

What does Baptism have to do with any of this?  Paul describes baptism as the burial of the sinner into the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:3-7). When you come out of the water you are alive in Christ (Romans 8:10 and Galatians 3:27). Peter uses baptism as part for the whole (2 Peter 3:9), where one action represents the whole process of becoming a Christian. In 1 Peter 3:21 he points to baptism as a "cleansing of a guilty conscience" a "washing away" through the resurrection of Christ.

What saves is the faithful obedience of individuals to the commands of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20). Baptism demonstrates the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and a willingness to make a commitment following everything He asks of us. 

As Jesus takes up residence in our lives, he gives new life, eternal life and victory over sin.  John was teaching that in order to have new life, there must be a change of heart.  We must be willing to turn from a life that is self centered and self serving to a life that wants what God wants.  We publicly declare that change of heart through baptism.  When we do that, our whole life changes, not just our attitudes.

• What attitudes in your life need to change for God to have complete control? 
• Are there sins in your life that keep you from turning completely to God?  Have you fully repented of those sins, or are you trying to continue your old way of life and follow God at the same time?  Repentance and baptism brings new life and freedom.  Accept it today.

Mark 1: 1-5 

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
"I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way"—

3 "a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
'Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.'"

4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

If I had to pick a pair of shoes for John the Baptist, it’d be flip flops. When I think of flip flops, I think of someone who is on-the-go, ready to do anything at any time.  I recently was traveling internationally and realized how much easier it is to travel through security with flip flops on because you can get in and out of them so quickly.

John the Baptist was chosen to prepare the way for Jesus to come. Scripture says he was a voice crying out in the wilderness.  At any moment, John was ready to shed his flip flops and go where God was calling him to go.  Ministry in the wilderness would not have been easy and he would definitely have to feel a call from God to do so.

How did John prepare the way for Jesus?  The passage says he preached repentance from sin, followed by baptism to show they had repented.  It also tells us many came out to hear him.  Makes me wonder -- who goes out into the wilderness to hear a guy who is dressed in camel hair, and eats locusts and honey, preach? They had to have been called as well.

How is God calling you to reach your family and friends? People are hungry for spirituality.  They pursue it in a lot of different forms.  We have the way to the one true God.  The best way to prepare the way for Jesus in the lives of our friends who don’t know him is to build authentic relationships with them, show that you care, be a friend and let them experience Jesus’ love and acceptance through you.  People will see Jesus if we get out of the way and let him have control in our lives.

• Are you ready to shed your flip flops and be obedient to what God has called you to do? 
• In what ways are you paving the way for Jesus to enter the lives of your friends and family members? 
• Make a vow today to let Jesus shine through you.  Be obedient to the things he has commanded.  Love God and Love People.  He’ll bring the results.