Archives for December 2022

Dec. 18-25: The Miracle Birth — God’s Promise Becomes Reality

December 16, 2022 by Ian Greig Leave a Comment

A Herefordshire village under snow with Christmas tree in foreground — Snow brings a Christmas look to a Herefordshire, UK, village

This is The Living Word for Sunday, December 18, and Sunday December 25, 2022

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Isaiah 7:10-16, Isaiah 9:2-7 — God’s sign of a light in the darkness

Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-14 — God’s Son enters our human world

Romans 1:1-7, Titus 2:11-14 — Salvation is offered by God’s grace

• See also this week’s linked article which forms the basis of this week’s podcast.

• Watch this week’s video (to follow) on https://thelivingword.substack.com

Isaiah 7:10-16, Isaiah 9:2-7 — God’s sign of a light in the darkness

The virgin who conceives and gives birth to “God with us” foretold

Isa. 7:10-11 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”

“Ahaz” — a notoriously faithless king who saw much of Judah taken prisoner by Assyria and the northern kingdom of Israel, but not before Isaiah had urged him to put his trust in Yahweh.

12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”

“I will not ask” — feigning humility, Ahaz, does not want to turn to God.

13-14 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

“A sign” — as often occurs in OT prophecy, there is more than one fulfilment in view.

15-16 “He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.”

The sign for Ahaz to trust the Lord was a ‘type’ for the Virgin Mary in Isaiah’s betrothal, Isaiah 8:1-4. The Christian church has seen this prophecy reach further to Christ’s incarnation and birth as Immanuel, God with us.

Isaiah 9:2-7

2-3 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before You as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

“Deep darkness” — from refusing to trust God and spiritual confusion, to receiving light in God’s grace.

• For further study see Isaiah 8:22, 42:6, 49:6; Matt. 4:15-16, Luke 2:32.

4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

“As in… Midian’s defeat” — freedom comes by trusting God, like Gideon’s tiny army, Judges 6-7.

6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

“Greatness” — the one born to reign for ever is given four titles emphasising His kingdom purpose, power, compassion and protection. “Everlasting Father” is about His guiding care, not the error of viewing the Son and the Father as the same (modalism).

Reflection

SUMMARY AND APPLICATION Isaiah sets out with clarity what God is going to do — through an unmarried woman, birth of a royal Son related to King David, anointed to rule with justice and righteousness.

QUESTION Why do we (and King Ahaz) find it difficult to trust God?

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Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-14 — God’s Son enters our human world

Angelic messengers appear to Joseph — and to shepherds in Bethlehem

Matt. 1:18-19 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

“Pledged to be married” — betrothal required legal divorce to end it and Joseph, a righteous man, wanted to spare Mary the shame if possible.

“Her husband” — or husband-to-be. Similarly in v.24 Matthew describes Mary as “his wife”.

20-21 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

“Joseph son of David” — the angel prepares him to understand that the miraculous conception would be a son who would grow to fulfil the role of Messiah.

22-23 All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

“Fulfil” — one of 12 times Matthew shows the OT being worked out in Jesus’ life.

• For further study see, Matt. 2:15, 23; 3:15; 4:14; 5:17; 8:17; 12:17; 13:14, 35; 21:4; 27:9.

24-25 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.

“Until she gave birth” — the virgin birth is strongly inferred here; in Luke 1:34-35 it is stated clearly.

Luke 2:1-14

1-3 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to their own town to register.

“In those days” — for mainly Greek-culture readers, Luke anchors the events of the birth in world events.

4-5 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

“Register with Mary” — who was of taxable age and who may also have been of the house of David. Their three-day journey took them to where Micah 5:2 had predicted the Messiah would be born.

6-7 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

“No guest room” — in a home; the small village of Bethlehem would not have had an inn.

8-9 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

“Shepherds living out” — in good grazing land where sheep were kept for sacrifice in nearby Jerusalem. No conclusion can be drawn for the time of year. Christmas was first celebrated in Rome in AD 354 and December 25 later became popular, to fit a Roman festival.

10-12 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Good news — Jesus is the person of the Good News which Isaiah had spoken about, Isaiah 52:7; 61:1.

13-14 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favour rests.”

“Peace… favour” — the angels’ choice of titles, Christ, Saviour, Lord, point to that peace coming from recognising Jesus as the Christ or Messiah, receiving from Him as Saviour what cannot be earned, and submitting to Him as Lord.

Reflection

SUMMARY AND APPLICATION The extraordinary circumstances of the birth of the Saviour of the world are detailed in these two gospel accounts which bring their own perspectives. Both Mary and Joseph had to believe God for what could appear shameful, and trust what they had been told in angelic visitations. The shepherds had to trust God, and act on their unique call to be the first witnesses.

QUESTION Why did God choose the people He did, to be part of this greatest of all revelations?

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Romans 1:1-7, Titus 2:11-14 — Our faith in God’s grace saves us

Jesus has secured for us a privilege which is humanly impossible to attain

Romans 1:1-2 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God — the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures…

“Servant… Apostle” — Paul introduces himself as a willing bond-servant to Jesus and one who (with the Twelve) has seen Him, Acts 9, and been commissioned by Him to go out on His behalf.

3-5 …regarding His Son, who as to His earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for His name’s sake.

“Regarding His Son” — Paul headlines the good news, how Jesus came as a human by natural descent, was part of the Jewish royal line, died and was raised from the dead — then to be the means of grace for us to turn to Him in faith and receive new life. This will be expanded throughout the letter.

“Obedience that comes from faith” — faith comes first, prompting the change of heart decision to believe and trust the Lord, evidenced in a change of values and behaviour.

6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

Those Gentiles… called to belong” — Paul, a Jew, was called to preach especially to non-Jews. In multi-racial Rome he needed to emphasise that Gentiles fully belonged, and were loved by God, v.7

7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be His holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:11-14

11-12 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age…

“The grace of God has appeared” — Jesus has come, not to set the bar for what we must do, but as the living representation of what God has done for us. Not all will be saved, but anyone can turn to Jesus and choose to receive the salvation He offers.

“Teaches us” — the ongoing grace of God is experienced by the Spirit of God who instructs, coaches, and encourages, enabling us to live above ourselves.

13 …while we wait for the blessed hope — the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ…

“Wait for the blessed hope” — a clear focus on Christ’s return is holy living, 1 John 3:2-3.

14 … who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.

“Redeem us… and… purify” — the Lord wants us free of the baggage of life’s sin to partner with Him in His mission.

Reflection

SUMMARY AND APPLICATION Up to now, all the characters in this story have been Jews. Now the story is retold — to non-Jews, with an emphasis on God’s offer of salvation to all people. Now it is more than believing who Jesus Christ is. It is being aware of the spiritual flow of His grace, belonging to Jesus and showing it by lives being changed from the inside.

QUESTION What is our sense of belonging to Christ, and being a people of His very own? Does this make us guard our privilege, or prompt us to share it?

PRAYER Father God, we are deeply thankful for the undeserved favour of being able to know Jesus and belong to Him — a thanks redoubled at this time of year. We pray for a move of Your Spirit that will take families and whole communities from a Christmas card romantic faith, to a realisation that Jesus is present, personal and welcoming to all who turn to Him. May faith rise around us as You enable us to play our part in sharing the Good News. Amen.

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Dec. 11: Stages of revival in the promised coming of the kingdom

December 10, 2022 by Ian Greig Leave a Comment

(Looking down over cliff) Winter waves create a boiling surf around Hartland Point, W. Devon, UK — Winter waves create a boiling surf around Hartland Point, W. Devon, UK

Theme: Stages of revival in the promised coming of the kingdom

Psalm 146:5-10

Isaiah 35:1-10 — Revival is like the bloom of the watered desert

Matthew 11:2-11— Jesus praises His forerunner, the great prophet John

James 5:7-10 — Be patient and know the Lord’s coming is near

• See also this week’s linked article and the basis of this week’s podcast, Holy Dissatisfaction Gets Us Reaching for God’s Freedom

• Watch this week’s video (or listen to the podcast)

Psalm 146:5-10

5 Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.

6 He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them — He remains faithful forever.

7-8 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.

9 The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked.

10 The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord.

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Isaiah 35:1-10 — Revival is like the bloom of the watered desert

A highway of holiness over the rough places will lead seekers to the Lord

1-2 The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendour of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendour of our God.

“Desert and… parched land” – in earlier chapters of Isaiah, God has spoken of judgment for the nations, including fertile Edom becoming a desert, Isaiah 34:1-17. This includes Judah and Israel for their own rejection of God. This picture of the Messiah’s reign is a complete reversal – the whole world as a garden.

3-4 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution He will come to save you.”

“Your God will come” – the essence of the good news is God coming to save His people.

“Vengeance… divine retribution” – words that seem to conflict with a God whose overriding characteristic is mercy. In the preceding chapter, Isaiah 34:8, this was about God’s justice in the context of Edom which had oppressed Israel at every opportunity. This is robust assurance to the faithful that their day will come.

• For further study, see Isaiah 40:9; 52:7; 62:11, rev. 22:12, 20.

5-6 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

“Eyes… opened… lame leap… mute shout for joy” – unmistakeable signs of the Messiah’s appearance. Jesus quoted this passage when John’s disciples asked if He was the Expected One, Matt. 11:4-5 below.

7 The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

“Thirsty ground” – the Arabah (Wadi Arava, south of the Dead Sea) is a difficult, rocky, arid terrain with little rainfall – but there rivers do exist deep in the rock and there are ‘dry’ rivers like the Nahan Paran which can flood widely. God’s blessing in such a dry place is rain coming and rivers appearing.

8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.

“A highway” – Isaiah saw a built-up level road across the wadis and rock outcrops, the Holy Way leading pilgrims to Zion. It represents a reversal of Isaiah 33:8, 34:10 when none could pass through.

9-10 No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

“Those the Lord has rescued” – the redeemed. The immediate picture is a safe and joyful homecoming from exiled captivity. Isaiah is also seeing beyond, to the sorrow-free time of final gathering of God’s people into God’s kingdom on earth.

• For further study, see Isaiah 25:7, 51:11; Hebrews 12:22-24; Rev. 21:4.

Reflection

SUMMARY In contrast to earlier prophecies of judgment for disobedience, Isaiah shows that God has a parallel plan for a revival of His presence, a mission of salvation. The picture is like the sudden change in the desert following seasonal rain, the burning sand and inhospitable terrain greening over with growth, and hidden rivers appearing. Dormant spiritual life will be revealed in revival.

APPLICATION Desert conditions, applied to people’s spirituality, is an absence of revelation, spiritual life and organic reproduction. A lack of revelation of God is caused by a lack of faith in God — and vice versa, compounding the difficulty. People of faith who are led to find ‘the way of holiness’ through the difficult, arid terrain and to dig for hidden water, will find their faithful efforts unrewarded.

QUESTION At a time of declining church attendance and changing faith patterns, how should we be praying — and acting?

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Matthew 11:2-11— Jesus praises His forerunner, the great prophet John

Yet Jesus says the humblest born-again believer ranks higher than him

2-3 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask Him, “Are you the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

“John… in prison” – John the Baptist was imprisoned by the local Galilean ruler Herod Antipas for challenging the immoral relationship Herod had0 entered into with his half-brother’s wife, Herodias. John and his followers were confused – this captive was not set free, the “baptism of fire” had not yet occurred, Isaiah 61:1; Matt. 3:11-12. Hence the question.

4-5 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.

“Report… what you…see” – Jesus’ priority with the needy of society and miracles that have been foretold are clear indications of his identity as the Christ, or Messiah. His quotation of Isaiah 35:5-6 and 61:1 would be clear to John, without Jesus prematurely declaring who He was to others.

6 “Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of Me.”

“Stumble on account of Me” – John and his disciples were shaken in their faith by expecting a more majestic kind of Messiah, and a more instant outworking of John’s prophetic words.

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?

“A reed swayed” — a comparison with austere, unbending John, who cared little for public opinion; alternatively, with the politician Herod whose emblem for his coinage was a reed, like the 5m-high ones that grew on the banks of the Jordan.

8 “If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.

9 “Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

“Fine clothes… a prophet” – many who claimed to be prophets in the former kingdoms of Israel and Judah were simply courtiers supporting corrupt leadership. John intentionally positioned himself as one like Elijah – who was no establishment figure.

10 “This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send My messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

11 “Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

“Born of women” – normal human birth, contrasted (by implication) with new birth into the kingdom of heaven.

“Not… anyone greater than John” – John was the last of the OT prophets and also Christ’s forerunner, a unique role. Yet any born-again believer enters new life and becomes “greater” than John as part of the atoning work of Christ, something that John only saw in a shadowy way.

Reflection

SUMMARY John’s ministry in the desert, encouraging people to be baptised as a way of sealing their repentance from sin and their re-dedication to God, gathered him a group of followers. Scripture references to the Messiah’s majestic authority were confusing, both for John and his disciples, who found it difficult to separate spiritual authority from the more familiar authority of privileged birth or exalted position. Jesus pointed them to the signs, and to Isaiah’s prophetic words about the signs, while praising John as the greatest prophet — and more.

APPLICATION Revival can be confusing for us, too, for similar reasons. We are often over-influenced by title and rank, and we look for signs of God doing what we have seen (or heard about) before, while failing to recognise new moves that do not fit ‘our’ pattern.

QUESTION Think about some possible signs of God working in unlikely areas or ways, that we may have discounted before.

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James 5:7-10 — Be patient and know the Lord’s coming is near

Keep unity of mind and voice and avoid judging others in the waiting season

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.

“Autumn and spring rains” – in a dry climate, these are critical watering times, seen as signs of God’s faithfulness and blessing: autumn rain to germinate and establish, and spring rain to fill out the ear. The farmer saw the harvest coming in stages; so it is with the final harvest of the kingdom.

8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

“Be patient and stand firm” – early believers had to maintain faith while enduring cruel treatment, in the expectation of Christ’s imminent coming [parousia] when both oppressed and oppressors will receive their justice. Believers will be rewarded for their faithfulness, Proverbs 14:14, Matthew 5:12.

9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

“The Judge is… at the door” – the last days technically span any time period between Christ’s ascension and second coming and it is a time of enemy activity, exploiting tensions to incite believers to sin and open themselves up to the devil’s oppression. James warns against this temptation to sin.

10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

“As an example… take the prophets” – many prophets were persecuted for their obedience in challenging the prevailing opinions of those around them, like Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah – and John the Baptist, imprisoned by Herod Antipas and then executed on a whim.

• For further study, read Matthew 11:2, 14:8-12.

Reflection

SUMMARY James takes as his focus the last and final revival — awaiting Christ’s return, and how it demands from us patience and utter faithfulness to what has been promised. While the enemy will be at work, attempting to sow disquiet and judgmental attitudes, we have to guard our unity and readiness for Christ as those expecting Him any moment.

APPLICATION It can seem insincere to speak of something happening when there is a lack of ready evidence to support it. Our evidence base does exist — it is Jesus, who died, rose again to new life and reminded the disciples that everything already written about Him must still be fulfilled, before ascending to heaven. How do we maintain this position two thousand years later? If we know Jesus, we will know that there is no separation between Him and His word.

QUESTION What does living like those who know the Lord’s coming is near, look like?

PRAYER Father, at this time we look forward to celebrating Your Son’s coming, incarnate as man, into this world.

We look back, with praise and thanks, to what was a time of separation and change.

Help us to look forward to a time of even greater and more final change — when Jesus returns to rule and reign in all the world and its systems.

We know that at that time, all that does not already belong to You will be taken. And all that does belong, will be fully united and celebrated.

May Your Holy Spirit be especially active in us in this season, in our hearts and in our communities, shining His light on Jesus and leading us to bow the knee to Him in all of our ways and attitudes. Amen.

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There is a print edition available to download and photocopy on A4 paper to create an A5 folder:

TLW49A-Dec-11.final-Booklet Download

Dec. 4: John, last of the OT prophets, points to the kingdom

December 3, 2022 by Ian Greig Leave a Comment

Dawn light on a winter morning (Image: Ian Greig)

This is The Living Word Bible Study for groups and individuals based on the set Bible readings for Sunday, December 4, 2022, in the Revised Common lectionary.

• See also this week’s article and this week’s video both entitled When Jesus Comes Near It Changes Everything

Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

Isaiah 11:1-10 – The coming Messiah will attract all the nations

Matthew 3:1-12 – The Lord and His new kingdom order is announced

Romans 15:4-13 – Equality is a kingdom value for us to live by

Theme: John, last of the OT prophets, points to the kingdom

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Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

1 Endow the king with Your justice, O God, the royal son with Your righteousness.

2-3 May He judge Your people in righteousness, Your afflicted ones with justice. May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness.

4-5 May He defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor. May He endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations.

6-7 May He be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. In His days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.

18-19 Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvellous deeds. Praise be to His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.

Isaiah 11:1-10 – The coming Messiah will attract all the nations

• The Lord’s anointed will return to a new conflict-free kind of world order

1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

“A shoot … from the stump” – in the context of Isaiah 9-10 a remnant will see their Messiah appearing like a shoot from David’s broken dynasty, burned out in a ‘forest fire’ of the Lord’s anger towards Judah and her oppressors .

2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD…

“The Spirit… will rest” – the Messiah will be characterised by the Holy Spirit’s empowering.

3 …and He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what He sees with His eyes, or decide by what He hears with His ears;

“Delight in the fear of the Lord” – reverent, and therefore wise, Proverbs 1:7.

4 …but with righteousness He will judge the needy, with justice He will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth; with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked.

“The rod of His mouth” – literally the sceptre of anointed words.

5 Righteousness will be His belt and faithfulness the sash around His waist.

“Righteousness… His belt” – prepared by righteousness and faithfulness and ready for action.

6-8 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.

“Wolf… leopard… lion… bear” – Isaiah’s imagery hints at predatory powers that would be transformed by the Messiah’s rule of peace.

9 They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

“Neither harm nor destroy” – nature itself redeemed, and violence displaced by “the knowledge of the LORD”.

• For further study: compare Habakkuk 2.

10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to Him, and His resting place will be glorious.

“Root of Jesse” – another messianic title, as v.1.

“The nations will rally to Him” –in this verse Paul, a Jew, saw the Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20 and his personal call to bring the Good News to non-Jewish people and quotes it, Romans 15:9-12 (below).

Reflection

SUMMARY Isaiah’s colourful, figurative language portrays the majesty of the Messiah of the Jews, born of David’s lineage. It looks forward to a time when knowing God in His glory and justice will be as widespread a connection as the oceans.

APPLICATION We know the Messiah foretold by Isaiah and others, as Jesus Christ. It is through believing and trusting in Him that the nations of the earth are coming to know God — a growing third of the world’s population. The new life of the kingdom of God, imparted by Jesus, is something we can experience in part now.

QUESTION Jesus was born as a descendant of Jesse — why is this significant?

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Matthew 3:1-12 – The Lord and His new kingdom order is announced

• John, a latter-day Elijah, calls for changed hearts at the Lord’s coming

1-2 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

“John the Baptist came” – John, born to older parents of priestly lineage, inhabited a 20-mile wild stretch near the Jordan River and Dead Sea.

3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ”

“He who was spoken of… a voice… calling… prepare” – Matthew’s story, as direct as John’s message, speaks of levelling a road for a king by removing obstacles – like proud and stubborn attitudes.

• For further study, read the background in Isaiah 40:1-11.

4-6 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the Jordan River.

“Camel’s hair and… a leather belt” – a return of Elijah’s ministry had been expected (v.3 above), and John shared this call and dressed like Elijah.

• For further study, read 2 Kings 1:8; Malachi 5:5-6.

7-8 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptising, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

“Vipers… warned… to flee” – as snakes escape a bush fire. Pharisees emphasised religious practice over the meaning and ethic of the law; Sadducees used religion for power and position, rejecting Scripture apart from Moses’ writings. John saw both groups as deadly snakes.

9 “And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

“Abraham as our father” – arguing bitterly with Jesus that salvation was their birthright, John 8:39.

• How salvation comes through faith in Jesus: Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 3:7,9,29.

10 “The axe 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.

“The axe” – judgment poised, John 15:2.

11 “I baptise you with water for repentance. But after me comes One who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

“Baptise… with the Holy Spirit” – by contrast with water drenching for repentance, John reminds hearers about the spiritual saturation that God had promised: “I will place My Spirit within you,” Ezekiel 36:27, see also Jer. 31:31-34.

12 “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and He will clear His threshing floor, gathering His wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

“Burning the chaff” — a binary choice: accept the Messiah and be empowered to live well, or refuse (or procrastinate) and face the judgment.

Reflection

SUMMARY John was an abrasive character who looked, lived and sounded like his renowned predecessor, Elijah with an uncompromising message of urgency. He announced the world-changing event of Jesus coming, and our choice to change orientation and receive Him as our Lord and source of spiritual empowerment — or else continue in a lifeless religious tradition and suffer the consequences.

APPLICATION John stood at the crossroads between the old ‘doing’ religion and presumed entitlement of those descended from Abraham, and the ‘being’ faith of new life and spiritual impartation that came through a believing, trusting, personal relationship with Jesus, Son of God. He leaves no room for spiritual passivity or controlling attitudes that produce the wrong kind of fruit. The outcome of the final judgment will depend on whether or not we have chosen to trust Jesus for our salvation.

QUESTION Do we welcome or shy away from the word “repent”? How would we explain it?

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Romans 15:4-13 – Equality is a kingdom value for us to live by

• Diverse people sharing the same hope can now worship with one heart and voice

3-4 For even Christ did not please Himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on Me.” For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope.

“As it is written” – Paul quotes Psalm 69:9 as a prophetic word about Christ’s endurance of the slights and actions of wicked men, to introduce a lesson about living differently empowered by Word and Spirit.

5-6 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Same attitude of mind” – or “grant you to live in such harmony with each other”, ESV. An enabling (not commanding) of the Spirit who encourages and sustains. Knowing we are loved and affirmed by God gives us generous and harmonious attitudes to others.

7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

“Accept… as Christ accepted you” – continues the line of argument. Knowing who we are in Christ is a freedom which enables us to accept others.

8-9 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of Your name.”

“That the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy” – Jews, with their historical exclusivity, are having to learn to value non-Jewish believers as their equals in the Lord.

10 Again, it says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with His people.”

11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol Him.”

12 And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in Him the Gentiles will hope.”

“Again it says” – more that was written in the past to teach us (v.4). Paul links texts by a key word, “Gentiles” drawn from the three main sections of the OT, showing that God has always sought Gentile worshippers.

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” – more than general aspiration, Holy Spirit hope, the filling of all joy and peace by the God of hope, is a confidence and sense of security in God and His faithful character, which also empowers us to be peace and unity bringers.

Reflection

SUMMARY Word and Spirit living enables diverse people to enjoy a spiritual unity that surpasses human tolerance. Sharing the same confidence of being secure in God and loved by Him is the most powerful unifier. Spirit-filled believers should glorify God together with one mind and voice — because they are spiritually enabled to.

APPLICATION Unity of mind, spirit and expression is spiritually powerful, leaving the enemy little room for his spoiling actions. This is what creates a strong witness for Christ, attracts others and grows churches, as the story of Acts reveals. Northern Ireland, for many years divided by a civil war with roots in a religious divide, is now a place where where former Catholics and Protestants worship together in the flow of the Holy Spirit and are peacemakers of faith, having renounced their former religious judgments.

QUESTION Church should be socially levelling and mixed — it is what the gospel does. How free are we to share with others from different backgrounds but who share the same spiritual values?

PRAYER O God our Father, in these verses I hear the promise of a fair, peaceful world which knows Jesus. I also hear the call to turn and to change, and to see afresh with spiritual eyes what Your righteous rule looks like.

By Your Spirit, Lord, strengthen my resolve to turn from darkness and division, and choose the light of Your way, Jesus, living for You and Your kingdom. Amen.

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