Mattew 12:15-21 God's Chosen Servant

Jesus is God’s chosen servant that Isaiah prophesied about (Is.42). The identity of this servant is at times the nation of Israel and at other times the Messiah sent to them. Many see the dual allusion as God’s way of stating his unfulfilled purposes with Israel as a nation requiring the Messiah as the ultimate Israel for its accomplishment. This chosen servant is described as the beloved of God as in Jesus’ baptism (Mat.3:13-17). He is the one upon whom the Spirit of God rests (Luke 4:18) to proclaim justice to the whole world, not just the Jew. This servant will not fight or use violence to get his way. On the contrary, he will suffer violence. People will not pay attention to him. But he will pay attention to the abused and be compassionate towards them. His ultimate purpose is to establish God’s justice upon the earth for all people. He is our only hope.

Jesus is the only hope of humanity to fulfill God’s purposes and plans. The one who was denied justice came to establish God’s justice upon the earth. The one who suffered violence came to establish peace on earth. The one who was bruised until disfigured came to bring healing for our lives. There is within me a sense of justice that wants to right wrongs right away. But the kingdom of God calls me to trust in God’s timing and leave ultimate justice to be executed by his hand. There is no amount of fury and anger that can make things better. And taking justice in my own hands is not going to improve upon things. God does not want any vigilantes in his kingdom! Jesus is our only hope.

In Jesus we have example. This side of heaven, we must not think that violence will establish God’s kingdom any faster. We must be peacemakers and proclaim justice with humility. While the world may not pay attention to us, we must pay attention to the abused and neglected as we are moved by compassion. The call for compassion is not limited to people who look like us, but the whole world. Let’s embrace all people. Let us be reminded that as we labor, we await the full establishment of God’s kingdom upon the earth. There is no one who can do that but our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is our hope!

Father, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Grant me patience to see your justice fully established upon the earth. While I wait, teach me to forgive and live in peace in the midst of a violent world filled with injustice.

Acts 7:54-60 The Stoning of Stephen

If Stephen's sacrificial service at the tables, Scripture knowledge, ministry with signs and wonders, and preaching are not impressing enough, let's take a look at how he handles his final moments of life on this earth before he falls asleep. His message caused a mass rage that moved the whole council to walk him out the door and outside the city to stone him. This reaction should not surprise me because Jesus told us that the world would hate us. More and more brothers and sisters in the faith are losing their lives in countries around the world for the message they preach. The Gospel message is certainly not a people pleaser. Why do I think that I have to please people with the Gospel to be able to win them over for the kingdom? Am I willing to preach the truth at the cost of my own life?

Stephen is able to remain calm in his final hour because of the power of the Holy Spirit upon him. The Holy Spirit enabled him at that moment to see the glory of God. Everything I do should be motivated by a heartfelt desire to see God glorified - ...whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1Cor.10:31). I am not in the kingdom and do not work in the kingdom to satisfy my personal needs of security and significance. Just like Stephen, if my life on this earth is necessary to pave the way for the advancement of God's glory, so be it! My security and significance are in Christ and I will enjoy their fullness in his presence, not on earth.

The Holy Spirit also enabled Stephen to see Jesus standing at the right hand of God. If I am to give my all for the kingdom, I must not only be motivated properly, by God's glory, but I must fix my eyes on Jesus - Jesus only. His life is my model; his body is my bread; his blood is my drink; his Word is my daily sustenance. Jesus lived his life for the glory of the Father. Jesus is standing because he is still active; he is not done; the best is yet to come. He is at the right hand of God because he is an essential figure in God's reign and dominion. Jesus should be my all every day of my life.

Stephen was able to emulate Christ's behavior in his final moments because the Holy Spirit enabled him to see God's glory and Jesus standing at his right hand. Stephen is able to have mercy and compassion upon his executioners, just like Christ while he was on the cross. Christianity is not to be cool, calm, and collected in my own power, but in God's power. The Holy Spirit lives the life of Jesus in me and through me. I pray that my motive and goal will be the same as Stephen's: God's glory and God's Son Jesus. Stephen even emulates Jesus with his final words in giving his spirit.

Father, fill me with your Spirit to follow you with all my heart. May I be motivated by your glory, not my security and significance. May I see your Son Jesus as the goal of my faith and life. Empower me to live a Christ-like life even unto death. Amen.

Acts 3:11-26 Peter Speaks in Solomon's Portico

People were astounded by the healing of the lame beggar and they gathered around Peter and John. Peter addressed the crowd to let them know that the miracle was not performed by their power or piety, but by Jesus Christ who resurrected from the dead. Peter accuses them of his death because they delivered him to Pilate and declares the miracle a work of his hand by faith in his name. Faith requires an object. It cannot be faith for the sake of believing something. For it to be genuine faith, it must be in Jesus. Jesus is the object of our faith, trust, and obedience.

Christianity boils down to who I believe Jesus to be. Is he the son of a carpenter and a good man? Is he a prophet with powers to heal? Is he a peaceful martyr willing to give his life to appease the political powers of the day? Is he a political figure who promised better days? Is he a prophet willing to denounce the Scribes and Pharisees? Is he a wise teacher who understands the Law like no one else? All these things may be true, but they don't make him the object of my faith. Peter calls him the Holy and Righteous One, the Author of Life, the resurrected and glorified Son of God. Do I believe this?

Peter explains that God foretold by the mouth of the prophets Christ's suffering and death. But the crowd's ignorance is no excuse - they stand guilty! He calls them to repentance so that they may receive forgiveness, refreshment, and the future restoration of all things. God is sovereign because he foretold what needed to take place, but human responsibility is not excused at all. Repentance is the remedy for such a rebellion. I can't forget that the reason Christ came into the world was to offer himself as a sacrifice for my sins. His death is upon me as much as it is upon the Romans and Jews of the day. God is sovereign, but I must repent!

Peter points out that this Jesus is the one Moses, and Samuel and all the prophets spoke about. He particularly reminds the people of the covenant God cut with Abraham with the promise: "In your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Jesus is that offspring and God began to bless the families of the earth by sending Jesus to the Jews first, and then the rest of the world. The blessing, Peter explains, is turning you from your wickedness. My wickedness is my desire to live my life my way turning my back on God and his ways. God calls me to repentance so that I may turn to him and live by his commands.

Father, enable me to make your Son the object of my faith. May I never hide behind your sovereignty as an excuse to evade my responsibility. Give me a repentant heart and a strong belief in your word spoken by the prophets.

Acts 1:1-5 The Promise of the Holy Spirit

Theophilus must've been a good friend of Luke and very interested in Jesus and his ministry. Luke's two volume work (the Gospel and Acts) seems to have been a response to Theophilus' questions about Jesus. I like Luke's diligence in researching answers for his friend. It speaks volumes of the importance to convey the message as clearly as possible to those who don't know. Am I diligent in researching answers for my friends about Jesus?

The central theme of Luke's writings is about what Jesus did and taught. The centrality of Christ in Luke's message to Theophilus is worthy of note. There are many things to talk about in life, but Jesus' ministry and teaching should be at the center of what I communicate to those seeking to know him. Jesus only! I should not water down the message of the Gospel with other matters of secondary importance. My message, like Luke's, should be Jesus.

Now, at the center of Jesus' teaching is the kingdom of God. Luke records that Jesus spent 4o days after the resurrection to talk about it. The greatest obstacle to the reality of the kingdom of God is Jesus' suffering. How can there be a kingdom when the so called King has been killed?

Jesus presented himself alive with many proofs. Jesus' appearance was not an isolated incident, but he appeared to the apostles and other disciples to calm their fears and eliminate their doubts. The message of God's kingdom has Jesus alive at its center as the King of kings. The reality of God's kingdom in my life depends on this issue. Do I believe that Jesus is alive? His life and ministry have no meaning to me unless he is truly alive today.

Finally, Luke highlights the Holy Spirit, the Father's promise. Jesus instructs them to wait until they receive the promise. The parallel made here is with baptism in water. Baptism is a public proclamation of faith that signifies the cleansing of a believer's sins. It is an essential step in the life of a believer. The promised baptism in the Spirit is also an essential part of a believer's life in the new covenant. All followers of Jesus will receive the promised Holy Spirit. I am grateful for the provision God has made for me to be dwelt, empowered, and guided by his Spirit in this world.

Father, may your Son Jesus Christ be the center of my own life. May I be willing to share his life, ministry, and resurrection with others. Thanks for the Holy Spirit who dwells in me and guides me in my faith journey day by day. Amen.