Christmas with Compassion - Day 06
Day 06 - Monday, December 11
Read Luke 3:23-38
Highlight
We start this week by moving a little ahead in the gospel of Luke to review the genealogy of Jesus. Don’t worry, in the coming days we’ll return to the events leading up to Jesus’ birth. Here Luke pauses in chapter 3 to tell us the genealogy of Jesus in the middle of the story of his baptism by John. Why? We may be tempted to gloss over what may seem like trivial details to us, but Luke is highlighting something that would have been of primary importance to his Jewish audience. As Jesus is baptized the heavens are opened and a voice proclaims, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (v. 22). These words from the Lord are recalling Old Testament prophecies, specifically Psalm 2 & Isaiah 42. At the start of Jesus’ ministry God the Father is establishing His authority as the Messiah.
As we just reviewed last week, the people of Israel have been waiting and looking for the Messiah for hundreds of years. The hope of a Savior is the very essence of their faith. The story of Jesus frankly doesn’t matter unless he is, in fact, the Son of God. Luke is pausing here to recount the genealogy of Jesus to build his case for this groundbreaking reality. Jews of the day would have known exactly what Luke was claiming. He’s finally here. The one God told Adam would one day crush the serpent's head; the one who would restore the covenant of Abraham to bless all people; the one from the royal line of David; the hope of every Psalmist and fulfillment of every prophecy. Emmanual. The Prince of Peace. Shalom. He’s here.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Luke 3:23-38
Highlight
We start this week by moving a little ahead in the gospel of Luke to review the genealogy of Jesus. Don’t worry, in the coming days we’ll return to the events leading up to Jesus’ birth. Here Luke pauses in chapter 3 to tell us the genealogy of Jesus in the middle of the story of his baptism by John. Why? We may be tempted to gloss over what may seem like trivial details to us, but Luke is highlighting something that would have been of primary importance to his Jewish audience. As Jesus is baptized the heavens are opened and a voice proclaims, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (v. 22). These words from the Lord are recalling Old Testament prophecies, specifically Psalm 2 & Isaiah 42. At the start of Jesus’ ministry God the Father is establishing His authority as the Messiah.
As we just reviewed last week, the people of Israel have been waiting and looking for the Messiah for hundreds of years. The hope of a Savior is the very essence of their faith. The story of Jesus frankly doesn’t matter unless he is, in fact, the Son of God. Luke is pausing here to recount the genealogy of Jesus to build his case for this groundbreaking reality. Jews of the day would have known exactly what Luke was claiming. He’s finally here. The one God told Adam would one day crush the serpent's head; the one who would restore the covenant of Abraham to bless all people; the one from the royal line of David; the hope of every Psalmist and fulfillment of every prophecy. Emmanual. The Prince of Peace. Shalom. He’s here.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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