Author: David Short

Luke 3:21-22

When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

Encouraging Words

Throughout history, many have been asked that if Jesus was sinless, then why was He baptized? Here are some notes out of the Orthodox Study Bible that offer a very good answer to this question.

“Jesus Himself does not need baptism. In being baptized, our Lord accomplished several things: (1) He affirmed John’s ministry; (2) He was revealed by the Father and the Holy Spirit to be the Christ, God’s beloved Son; (3) He identified with His people by descending into the waters with them; (4) He prefigured His own death, giving baptism its ultimate meaning; (5) He entered the waters, sanctifying the water itself; (6) He fulfilled the many types given in the Old Testament, as when Moses led the people from bondage through the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and when the ark of the covenant was carried into the Jordan so the people could enter the Promised Land (Joshua 3; 4); and (7) He opened heaven to a world separated from God through sin.”

Jesus was baptized for us, His people, His children. He gave His all for us by becoming one of us so that we might become one with Him and His Father. Glory be to God!

2 Chronicles 33:12-13

Now when he was in affliction, he sought the face of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him. And the Lord received his entreaty, heard his cry, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.

Personal Challenge

Isn’t this how our lives so often play out. We know that our Lord desires that we do something his way and that we do it now. But in our defiance, we choose to to what we want to do and then do it with reckless abandon. Then come the consequences from our choice. Emphasis placed on,” our choice.” That was what Manasseh did. He was the king of Judah and God tried to show him how to lead his people through the guidance of prophets. However, Manasseh chose to lead the people his own way and led them away from God. The consequences were that that he was captured by the king of Assyria and taken away to Babylon. While in captivity, he came to his senses his senses and cried out to God. Did God ignore him? No! Did God say, “Look, you got yourself into this mess, get yourself out.”? No! God heard his petition because they were sincere as his humbled himself before God. God rescued him and restored him to his original state. This is what happens to us all too often. How much better would our lives be if we just listened to God to begin with. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy.

Luke 2:52

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Encouraging Words

We must never forget that Jesus is fully human, as well as fully God. As a human. He was born an infant that still needed to be nursed and have his diaper changed. He grew (increased) through the toddler years as well as going through being an awkward teenager. He lived a normal human life for the period of history that He was born into, except that He never sinned. Even though He was fully God, He had to make the choices throughout His life to say “No!” to the temptations that came His way. He did all this so that we. His followers, would be redeemed from the sins of our lives and not taste death. He put death to death. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

2 Chronicles 32:7-8

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid of the king of Assyria, nor before all the nation with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him are arms of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to save us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Encouraging Words

God uses people to do His work. He needs people like Hezekiah stand up on His behalf and encourage those in their presence to trust in the living God. Those of us who are willing to proclaim the truth of God and stand firm on His promises are blessed to see Him continue to exercise His providence over his creation. So as Hezekiah proclaimed to his people, as Mose, Joshua, and so many other patriarchs of old did, “Be strong and courageous,” in the midst of your battles as you journey through life. For if you put your trust in our Almighty God, He will prevail. Glory be to God!

Luke 1:50

And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.

Encouraging Word

God’s mercy is poured out upon those who trust in, and depend on, Him. The word fear is used to describe an awe and respect for Goal, a dependency upon Him. It is not the kind of fear where we are afraid that He will punish us any moment. God is pure love. God is pure mercy. We can hold on to him knowing that He, and He alone, will pour out his love and mercy on us. Glory be to God!

2 Chronicles 30:18-20

Most of the people from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun had not cleansed themselves, but they ate the Passover contrary to what was written.

But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the good Lord provide atonement for everyone who prepares his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, even though he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.” And the Lord listened to Hezekiah and healed the people.

Encouraging Words

Before Christ, the new Covenant, the Jewish people followed the law that God gave to Moses. This law had some very rigorous rules for cleansing before the celebration of Passover. In this passage we find Hezekiah interceding for a group of people who were not able to do this cleansing but had a heart for God and desired to participate in the Passover. God heard Hezekiah’s petitions and provided healing. Jesus fulfilled these laws and has called everyone to join Him at His table. We must be careful to not allow our commitment to fasting during this time of Lent to come between us and our brothers and sisters. We are not to lord it over others because we think we are more pious and doing the fast better than them. We are not to be putting others down because we judge them and accuse them of not fasting properly or enough. As my dear friend, Archpriest Fr. Ted often taught, “I am to not look at my brothers plate.” Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy on us all!

Luke 1:37

For with God nothing will be impossible.

Encouraging Words

Once again, we have someone asking God how it can be that this impending event is going to happen. This time it is Elizabeth, the elderly aunt of Mary, asking God how she could be pregnant. She was well beyond the age of childbearing. And she gets this answer from the angel. Nothing is impossible with God. Glory be to God!

2 Chronicles 16:9

For the eyes of the Lord look over the whole earth and strengthen every heart that is loyal to Him. In this you did foolishly, and from now on you shall have wars.

Personal Challenge

This verse refers to King Asa and a bad decision that he made. Earlier in Chronicles, he was asked to join another king to go into a battle that was against all odds. He sought the counsel of God and was blessed in his endeavors. This time, when he was asked to join in another battle, he chose to not seek God’s advise and made his own decision. The results were not good. God wants us to be seeking Him out at all times so that He can lead us effectively through life’s labyrinth, because He knows and sees all. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Love, have mercy !

Mark 14:72

A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.

Personal Challenge

Earlier in the ministry of Jesus, Peter had proclaimed that he would never forsake Jesus, that he would die for Him. Now, when the going gets tough, Peter denies Jesus, not once, but three times. Is it no wonder that he wept when he was called out for this? The personal challenge for me here is, do I weep when I have committed sin in my life? Am I grieved to the point of tears when I abandon my fist love and put myself, my desires, my passions, before Jesus, God, and others? Am I truly penitent when I ask for forgiveness? Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!