Acts 2:37-42 - The Promise of Jesus

Scripture: Acts 2:37-42

Summary: The people that had heard Peter preaching were cut to the heart and asked the apostles what they should do. Peter told them that they should repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that their sins would be forgiven and they would receive the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you.

Thoughts: "The promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." The promise that Jesus brings us, through his life, teachings, death, and resurrection, is for all of us. It is for you. It's not just for those who deserve it. Because in reality, who among us can claim to deserve the promise that Jesus gives us? What a wonderful thing to contemplate as we prepare for the season of Advent. That the promise of Jesus is for me. And for you. And for that surly cashier at the grocery store. And for the guy that weaves in and out of lanes on the freeway, almost running me down. As Thanksgiving comes near, let us remember what we have to be thankful for: that Jesus Christ gives new life to us; to all of us. What do you have to be thankful for?

Prayer: Lord, open my heart so that I can see those around me as children of God, as the receivers of the promise of Jesus Christ. Amen.

1 Peter 1:3 - the Son of God

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3

Summary: God has given us new birth through Jesus Christ.

Thoughts: I think that verse 3 summarizes the New Testament when it says "By his (God's) mercy he has gien us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." Let's unpack this a little. Everything that we have is available to us because of God's mercy. Like God's grace, God's mercy is unending.  We have been given a "new birth" or another chance by God.  But we were given that chance through what Jesus Christ did for us. By being obedient to death, Christ gave us new life. Just as he was resurrected from the dead, so we will be. Jesus came to earth in human form so that we would be able to see God in him. His entire life was about showing us who God is, through his words and his actions. And when he died on the cross and God raised him up again, we saw that nothing was greater than God, including death.  I think in this Advent season it is timely to think, not just about the birth of Jesus, but also about his life and death and resurrection. The birth of Jesus, the son of God, is important, but the rest of his life is an important part of the story, as well.

Prayer: Have mercy on us, living God. During this Advent season help us to remember Your Son, who came to earth so that we might know You better. Amen.

Mark 1:1-8 - God's preposterous promise

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Summary: John the Baptist is baptizing people for repentence of their sins. He proclaims that another is coming who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

Thoughts: It's the beginning of advent, the season that we use to prepare for the coming of Christ. I want to share what Reuben Job has to say: "I can believe, rejoice, and wait trustingly and expectantly for the unfolding of God's promise given so many ways and most clearly in the Advent story. Thanks be to God!" Advent can be so many things for us. It can be the time we use to decorate the house, buy presents, send cards, and go to parties. Or it can be the time we use to prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of the Christ, the coming of God in human flesh.

Prayer: God, I know I can't totally avoid all of the Christmas hype and busyness, but help me to spend time this season focusing on Jesus Christ and what his coming means to my life. Help me to spend some time pondering this miracle. Thanks be to God! Amen.