Read Luke 3:1-20
The time frame between Christmas and New Year for most people is about holidaying and relaxing and turning off from a busy year. Many people go away and enjoy a break from the routines of life. But as we work our way up to the new year let’s take time to keep reading the Gospel of Luke to see what our focus should be. Should it be holidaying and turning off or should it be growing in Christ Jesus?
When Jesus was about 30 years old a somewhat wild man, reminiscent of the great prophet Elijah, came out of the desert wearing camel-hair clothes and eating wild honey and locusts. People flocked into the desert to hear him, thinking he was the Messiah, the Christ who was to come. But John rebuked them sharply and denied being the Christ. In no uncertain terms he called them to repent and to follow the one who would come after him. This one, John said, is greater than him and would not baptise with water but with the Spirit and fire.
Jesus’ birth into the world opened the door for the coming of the Spirit into the world. Jesus was born, lived a sinless life and died on the cross under the curse of God. After He was resurrected to eternal life Jesus ascended to the right hand of God the Father and from there He sends the Holy Spirit to all who believe in Him. John the Baptist prefigures this when he talks about Jesus baptising with the Holy Spirit.
But John also tells us that Jesus will baptise with fire (vs 16) and that He will clear the winnowing floor. The chaff will be burned up with unquencable fire (vs 17). Both roads are clearly presented to us. We can either repent and believe in Jesus. God’s Word promises us that if we do, we WILL be baptised by the Holy Spirit and we will be saved from eternal condemnation. Or we can continue on our own merry way, doing our own thing. The Bible assures us that if we choose this path then judgement awaits us. There is nothing to expect except unquenchable fire.
This Christmas-New Year break will you gear up for a year of hard work, of making more money, of getting a better house or car etc? Or will you vow to follow Jesus with your heart, soul, mind and strength? Christmas is more than just another excuse to party hard and to get drunk. It’s about God’s salvation coming to us and our commitment to follow Jesus. That’s why we need Christ in Christmas.
Prayer:
Pray that everyone in your congregation would grow closer to Christ and willingly, even joyously, submit to His Lordship.
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