John's Ministry in the Wilderness

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

October 17, 2012    John's Ministry in the Wilderness 

 Page 41-42   Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:2-8; Luke 3:1-18

John the Baptist’s preaching reveals the dual mission of the Messiah. The Messiah will judge the oppressors and set free the oppressed. The coming of God’s Kingdom will bring God’s justice into the world through the lives of the followers of the Messiah. To prepare the way, John preaches the need for both confession and repentance.

Except for Communion Sundays, many churches no longer include prayers of confession in their worship liturgies. On Communion Sundays, there is a congregational prayer of confession and maybe a time for personal prayers of confession. How deep is your confession? When I recently visited a church on their Communion Sunday, the time allotted for personal prayers of confession was less than ten seconds. It was just a brief pause that was barely sufficient for a shallow confession that only listed a few sins. However, even if we have a deep, meaningful prayer of confession, in our reading today John the Baptist reminds us that God calls us to repentance, not just confession.

Repentance does not mean feeling guilt for sin. Repentance is a basic reorientation of your life. You turn from one way of thinking about yourself, others, the world and God, and turn to another vision. Repentance is admitting that what you have been basing your life on is a lie, on a flawed view of what is true and of lasting value. Repentance is coming to the place where you believe God in Christ Jesus is telling you the truth about yourself, others and what has lasting value in life.

Today, I invite you to join me in asking the Holy Spirit to reveal where in our lives we need to repent. Where do we need to change our way of thinking about ourselves, others, the world and the Kingdom of God?

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

What word or phrase in today’s reading attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are available by email. Contact me at Amkrom812@gmail.com to be added to the email list.

This BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

October 18, 2012    My Baptism in the Jordan  

 Page 45        Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22, 4:1a