Jesus says that we are like the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its taste it becomes useless.

I like salt…it enhances my eating experience by adding flavor. Much like salt does for food, we are supposed to do for the world. We, as Christ-followers, are not merely supposed to just be in the world, but we are supposed to enhance life and make our homes, communities, and world better because of who we follow.

Jesus also says we are the light of the world…not to be hidden but to be used to shine light on good deeds and glorify God.

Much like the salt, if we are going to be Christ-followers, we can’t hide our light. So often we just try to fit in with the world and by doing so we are hiding the light. No, if we are going to be Christ-followers, it requires us to be a light in the midst of this dark and sinful world. Performing good deeds by loving one another and helping those in the dark see the glory of God.

Be salt today, make what’s around you better. Be light today…help the darkness see God’s glory. In doing this we will please our Father in Heaven.

Jesus begins His sermon on the mount. He begins by separating the characteristics of those who are blessed and what they will receive:

Blessed are…

• Poor in Spirit—-> Kingdom of Heaven
• Mourn—-> comfort
• Meek—-> inherit the earth
• Hunger and thirst for righteousness —-> filled
• Merciful —-> Shown mercy
• Pure in heart —-> see God
• Peacemakers —-> called children of God
• Persecuted because of righteousness—-> kingdom of Heaven

Jesus also adds that when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say evil things about you because of Him you will be blessed. Rejoice and be glad, because great is the reward in Heaven.

Jesus is preparing His disciples for the things to come. He is warning them that the path will not be easy but to keep their path straight.

Jesus never promises us an easy road when we follow Him. In fact, if we are truly following Him He basically guarantees we will face trials of all kinds. But if we remain obedient, our reward is Heaven…and He says that it far outweighs anything that this world can offer. Keep the faith…stay strong…He is worth it every time.

Jesus began His ministry by walking throughout Galilee. He would proclaim the good news of the kingdom in the synagogues, and then He would heal those who had illnesses, diseases, demon possession, or pain.

Jesus began His ministry by going to those who needed to hear. He didn’t build a building, create a great program, etc and expect the people to come to Him. Jesus went to them and earned their attention.

I think the church today has been operating all wrong. We focus on elaborate buildings, elaborate programs, and put on shows with the hope that the people will come check them out. Maybe the church should follow Jesus’ example…maybe the church should GO TO the people and earn their attention, their trust, and their respect.

It’s time to rethink the purpose and mission of “the church.” It’s so much more than what many give it credit for.

Jesus calls his first disciples, Peter and Andrew. He tells them that if they follow Him he will make them fishers of men. They dropped everything and followed him.

Jesus also called James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They also dropped everything to follow him.

What’s interesting to me is that Jesus doesn’t call them to follow him to reap his benefits or even to abstain eternal life…He said if they decide to follow him He will turn them into disciple makers. Seems to me that when we sign up to follow Jesus it’s more than just going to a building and calling ourself a “Christian.” If we are going to truly follow Jesus…we must become disciple makers.

When Jesus heard John had been put in prison, he left Nazareth and lived in Capernaum. This fulfilled the prophecy that Isaiah wrote about:

“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light had dawned.” (Isaiah 9:1-2)

Jesus began preaching a message that was short and to the point. “Repent, for the Kingdom of God has come near.”

Because of Jesus…the Kingdom of God reigns on earth. Because of Jesus, we have hope of being part of that Kingdom for all of eternity. We must repent of our ways and desires of the world and fix our eyes on the things above. We must turn from our wicked ways, because if we don’t, there will be no salvation for us.

Jesus was lead into the desert by the Spirit where He fasted for 40 days. After 40 days, Satan shows up to try to tempt Jesus.

The first temptation Satan uses is physical needs. He tries to get Jesus to turn stone into bread so He can eat. Jesus’ response was:

“It is written: Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Deuteronomy 8:3)

The second temptation Satan uses is power. He tries to get Jesus to show off His power when prompted. Jesus’ response was:

“It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” (Deuteronomy 6:16)

The third temptation Satan uses is materialism. He tries to seduce Jesus with all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus’ response was:

“Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” (Deuteronomy 6:13)

Then came what I believe to be one of the significant moments in this story…Then the devil left him.

Jesus resists the temptation’s that were thrown His way. The result…Satan left. James tells us to resist the devil and he will flee. What are you being tempted with? It’s been proven…when you resist temptation…the devil will leave.

Jesus comes to John seeking to be baptized by him. John, of course, doesn’t believe he should be the one baptizing him but that Jesus should be baptizing him.

Jesus explains that in order to fulfill all righteousness…everything right in the eyes of God…He must do it. So John consented.

The scene we see is the Godhead all present at the same time. God the Father speaks of this being His son and He is pleased. God the Son, who is Jesus being baptized by John. Lastly, God the Holy Spirit, who descended on Jesus like a dove.

What an awesome scene. This is like the official beginning to Jesus’ ministry on earth. This is redemption coming to fulfillment. What a powerful scene for you and I…to know all of this preparation was for us.

How does it make you feel to know this preparation was for you?

John the Baptist came preaching of repentance of sins…for turning away from God. By John doing this it fulfilled this prophecy:

“A voice of one calling: In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (Isaiah 40:3)

John was definitely from the wilderness…wearing clothes of camel’s hair, and eating locust and wild honey. People would come from all over the region to confess their sins and be baptized by John.

John sees the Pharisees walking his way and he calls them a brood of vipers (not a good thing). He warns that God is ready to take them down for their hypocrisy if they do not change their ways. He preaches repentance again.

John claims that his baptism is just water, but there is one who is following him that will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. He was preparing the way for Jesus.

John preaches of repentance. Jesus follows that up by preaching often about the same topic. Repentance is knowing you were wrong and turning from that wrong to do right. It’s not to be taken lightly. We must actually repent AND THEN TURN from it. So often we want the forgiveness but we aren’t truly willing to change. There’s no repentance in that.

What is it that you need to turn away from today?

After Herod died, an angel came to Joseph in a dream and told him to take his family back home. Joseph was obedient and did just that.

Once they got to Jude’s, however, they found that Archelus, Herod’s son, was ruling in his father’s place and Joseph was nervous. He was again warned in a dream, so Joseph took his family to Galilee where they planted roots in Nazareth. This fulfilled the prophecy that the Son of Man would be a Nazarene.

Joseph has taken his family all over. We can relate can’t we? Doesn’t life throw us all over the place? Plans get changed at the drop of a hat. The lesson we can learn here is that just like Joseph, if we remain obedient to God even through the changes, He will lead us through. Maybe you’re experiencing one of these unexpected life changes right now. I encourage you to hold on…God will see you through.

Joseph gets a visit from an angel for the second time. This time the angel warns of what King Herod is plotting and urges him to take his family to Egypt until it is safe again. So Joseph was obedient and took his family to Egypt until Herod died.

Isn’t it interesting that the place that once was where God had to rescue His people ended up being the place where Joseph was told to seek safety for his family?

The prophet Hosea spoke about this:

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.”

Herod’s response when he hears that he has been bested by the Magi is to kill every firstborn male The was age 2 or younger. Jeremiah prophesied about this as well:

“A Voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Again, what I find interesting is that something that used to be such an enemy to Israel like Egypt, could turn into a place of refuge for the Son of Man. Maybe there is someone who is holding onto a grudge, or maybe jealousy, and haven’t been able to let it go. Could it be possible that you’re now missing out on something great for your life because of your unwillingness to let go? What or who was once your enemy could become a great source of rescue.

Question: What or who have you not been able to forgive or let go of? Why? Could it be time to let go?