Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this week is John 1:29-42

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter ).
John 1:29-42

John the Baptist has pointed people to Jesus, and now Andrew and others are coming to Him to learn what He teaches. Jesus calls us all, but it is up to us to obey that call and do our best to ensure others hear it as well. Jesus gives us His outstretched hand in invitation, we must choose to take it.

Andrew models this for us, going with Jesus but then returning to bring his brother Simon (Peter) to meet Jesus as well. This example fills the commands we have received to love God, love neighbor and make disciples. Jesus has much more to teach those who follow Him, but this is how a relationship with Him begins.

How are we accepting the invitation Jesus sends and the call He places on our lives? He has much for us to do, not because He needs our help but that we might be part of His wonderful ministry to all people. Jesus has a task for every one of us, right here, right now.

Wise and wonderful God, we are grateful that You call us into Your plan, that You involve us in what You are doing in the world. Help us to be strong and productive as we answer Your call. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 1:29-42.

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter ).
John 1:40-42

Andrew tells his brother “we have found the Messiah” and a new chapter in the story begins. Andrew believes what he has heard and seen of Jesus and brings his brother Simon to meet Him. They will form the core of the band of followers we call His disciples.

Jesus sees something in Simon immediately and tells him “you will be called Cephas” meaning Peter, which also can be translated as “rock”. Jesus is telling him that things will change and that he will change during their time together. No one is left unchanged by an encounter with Christ.

Jesus sees something in you as well, and we can’t help but be changed. It is our choice to accept the gift that change brings to our lives and the difference our gifts can make in the lives of others. When we take on that responsibility, we become His disciples as well, entrusted with the kingdom work He has for us.

Gracious God, we are humbled by Your gifts to us and the call that places on our lives. Help us to be faithful in our love to You and others as we go in Your service to all people. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 1:29-42.

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon.
John 1:35-39

People were drawn to Jesus, not only through the words of John the Baptist but by feeling a pull, a movement of the spirit within them that led them to follow Him. Two of John’s disciples asked Jesus where He was staying and He replied “Come and see” (verse 39). Jesus invited them to continue to be a part of God’s work. The first step was learning from John, now that Jesus had begun His ministry, they would learn much more.

We needn’t feel sad for John, that his disciples left to follow Jesus. John himself said “the one who comes after me is greater”, indicating that it is right to follow Jesus. John tells people that they will “graduate” from his teachings and begin their new studies under the Master.

Are you ready for new studies? Even if you have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior He still has much to teach us. Let us open our minds and our hearts to His word that we may be closer to Him and even more useful to His kingdom.

Gracious God, help us to better hear and apply the lessons you send. Help us to see the things you have gifted us to do and go into the world to accomplish them in Your name. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 1:29-42.

Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
John 1:32-34

John the Baptist becomes the first since Jesus birth to proclaim Him as God’s Chosen One. All through his ministry, John has said one who is greater than he is coming, and now God gives him the opportunity to see Jesus and let the people know He has come. However, even though he has seen the Lord, John won’t get the chance to see what happens next.

That’s the way ministry works, we rarely get to see the full effect ourselves. Paul writes “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:7). John did what God had called him to do – point people toward the Messiah, drawing their attention to Him that they might hear His saving message.

We need to be aware that what God calls us to do is important to His kingdom, but we may not see the whole of it. As a friend puts it “we don’t know where the edges are”. Our work is only one piece of the whole that is God’s creation. Do your part and do not worry about the other parts, remembering that God gives the growth.

Loving Lord, we are always concerned about “the big picture”. Help us to see how we all fit together, but keep us focused on what You have called us to do individually. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 1:29-42.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
John 1:29-31

John had a special calling from God, a very important role to play. His ministry of baptism in the desert by the Jordan River called the people of Israel to recognize their sin and repent. While this was essential to God’s plan, it was key to preparing the way of the Lord, making the people ready to receive Jesus.

John recognized Jesus as the Messiah, and what He’d had come to do, telling us that Jesus was “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”. John called people to repent of their sins, but Jesus came to wipe our sin away, the only way that we can be forgiven. Jesus came to be the sacrifice that destroys our guilt forever.

What must we do to receive the forgiveness the Lamb offers? We must follow the path John showed us, repenting of our former sinful ways, and receiving Christ’s blessing. We are called to live new lives in Him, loving God, loving neighbor and making disciples of all the world. This is the gift God gives us that we may be reconciled to Him.

Loving Lord, we are so thankful for the gift of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Thanks You for loving us so much! Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 1:29-42.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”  “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter ).
John 1:29-42

God chose to create everything there is, including us. He chose to create us intending that we would choose to be in relationship with Him. When humans chose their own way instead, the relationship was strained by sin, not broken but no longer the same. Only through God’s grace and merciful forgiveness can the relationship be restored.

God has been reaching out to us in love from the very beginning, and even our sin doesn’t stop His constant effort to bring us back. In this week’s lesson we hear testimony from John the Baptist that Jesus is the one God chose to come among us to show His love in person. Jesus in turn chooses a group to be His disciples, to teach them how our choice to love God and each other can bring us back into a full relationship with God.

Think about what God has done and continues to do in your life. How can you better accept His love and share it with others? God’s call is not just for each of us to come back but to help others feel His love and return as well.

Gracious God, even when we stumble, You reach out to steady us and show us there is a way back to You. Help us to reach out to others and let them see Your love at work in our world. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 3:13-17.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:13-17

This passage tells us that Jesus obeyed God by going to be baptized in the Jordan River. It tells us that God was “well pleased” with Him because of His obedience. It isn’t recorded that anyone else was aware of the voice from heaven or the Spirit descending, but Jesus certainly noticed.

Have you ever done something good and no one else knew about it? Did it make you feel like you missed out because no one said “Good job!” or were you happy just knowing you had done the right thing? We are called to obey God and share His love, not to receive any praise from anyone but simply out of our love for Him.

Jesus didn’t go because He expected adulation, but to prove His obedience to God, and to show us that the way to salvation is through that obedience. He gave us the example of doing God’s will for the sake of our relationship with Him alone, not any recognition from the world. We are called to live for God’s approval, and what the world thinks of us will not matter in eternity.

Loving Lord, we put too much emphasis on being noticed in our world. Help us to see that Your attention and love for us is all that really matters. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 3:13-17.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:13-17

The Jews had practiced baptism before Jesus came into the world, but it was only for those who converted to Judaism. Not until John the Baptist began to preach repentance did the Jews go to be baptized themselves. Many thought that because they were the children of Abraham and God’s chosen people they had no need for repentance or baptism.

Some however began to see that for an honest relationship with God and His Messiah a change in their lives was necessary. Jesus came among us to be one of us and so He too went to the Jordan to be baptized by John. He did this with a right heart in order to show that the symbolic act of baptism carries a spiritual gift. Some call it “an outward sign of an inward change”.

We are called to remember our baptism and the covenant we make through our profession of faith. It shows our commitment to God and a promise to live out the lessons Jesus taught. God reaches out to us with forgiveness, and through baptism we accept His love and mercy to guide our lives.

Loving Lord, we often live as if our baptism never happened, not loving You or our neighbors. Lead us back to Your path and let Your light show us the right way of living in accordance with the promise we have made. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 3:13-17.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:13-17

Jesus came as a human not to seek anyone’s approval, but to do what God had called Him to do. We on the other hand like to be liked and will often say or do things merely to be accepted. In order to follow Jesus, we need to give up our concern about what the world thinks of us and listen more closely to God’s desire for our lives.

When Jesus came to John to be baptized, it wasn’t because He needed people’s approval or forgiveness for sin. He says “it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness” (verse 15). This was His only concern, to do what God had asked of Him. We hear in this reading that God was pleased with Him.

How can we please God? Jesus gave us the three points to remember in all His lessons – love God, love neighbor, make disciples. We must be in touch with God to hear His call on our lives and receive His loving approval when we do His will. If we aren’t in touch with God we miss both of these essentials.

People often say “I wish I could hear God as clearly as Jesus did”. My first question is “Are you listening closely?”. Listening to God is the most important thing we do. We can’t ask God to speak to us if we continue to blunder through our lives doing only what we want. I’ve also heard it said “If God really wanted me to do something, He’d grab my attention”. God isn’t a “grabber”, He reaches out in love to us and waits for us to take His hand. Spend time listening today and hear God’s invitation.

Patient God, we know You are there waiting for us. Your grace is given long before we ever respond. Help us to listen and be aware of the needs in Your world that we are called to meet. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 3:13-17.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:16-17

Jesus has come to John to show His dedication to God by being baptized. This could be another “angel visitation to the shepherds” moment. We hear that the spirit of God descended on Him and God spoke from heaven. The crowd would have been buzzing about what they saw and heard.

Matthew doesn’t tell us that, but surely he would have written about it if it happened. Verse 16 tells us Jesus saw the spirit of God and heard God’s voice – there’s no mention of anyone else being aware of it. Why wouldn’t God want everyone to know?

This was a private moment between Jesus and the Father. God wanted Jesus to know He was ready for His ministry on earth and that He needed to share God’s love with everyone. It was up to Jesus to show the world by His faith in God, His love to others and His actions that proved what He preached. God could give us all a miraculous sign at any time, but that is not how He chooses to reach us. We must hear His word, accept His love for ourselves and follow Jesus to bring the Good News to everyone.

Loving Lord, we are grateful for the gift of our Savior and the gentle way He taught us of Your love. Help us to be strong in our faith and go to bless others that all the world may know You. Amen.