“Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” John 1:45

Do you remember the billboard and bumper sticker campaign launched back in 1976 by Campus Crusade for Christ (now CRU)? The billboards and bumper stickers simply said, “I Found It!” and the intent was that when people inquired as to what it was which had been found, the response would be Jesus and the salvation He won for all by His holy life and innocent sufferings and death on the cross, giving opportunity to share the Bible’s message with those who had never heard.

Some rightly argued that it would be better to say, “He found me,” since it is only by the gracious working of God’s Holy Spirit that anyone can come to know and trust in Jesus as Savior. But semantic arguments aside, Christians are called to tell others the Bible’s message and to introduce lost souls to Jesus that they too might come to know and trust in Him as their crucified and risen Savior.

After Jesus called Phillip to follow him, Phillip was not content to keep his faith in Jesus as the Messiah and Savior to himself. He found Nathanael and told him that he, along with Peter and Andrew, had found the one of whom Moses wrote in the Torah (the law) and of whom the prophets also did write. Moses spoke of a special prophet to come who, like Moses, would mediate a new covenant (Deuteronomy 18:15ff.), and the prophets spoke repeatedly of the person and work of the coming Messiah and Savior. He would be the Seed of the Woman, the Son of God, Jehovah God in the flesh and He would make atonement for and redeem His people from their sins (Genesis 3:15; Psalm 2; Psalm 110; 130:7-8; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; 53:5-6; Jeremiah 23:5-6; etc.).

When Phillip identified the one they had found as “Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph,” Nathanael rightly questioned Phillip: “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (v. 46). Nathanael, no doubt, knew that the Messiah was to come from Bethlehem of Judea, as Micah had prophesied (Micah 5:2). What he didn’t yet know was that Jesus’ ancestors came from Bethlehem and Jesus was born there. Nor did he yet understand Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the Messiah: “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground …” (Isaiah 53:2).

How did Phillip overcome Nathanael’s objections? “Philip saith unto him, Come and see” (v. 46). And, oftentimes, that is the best answer. Even if we cannot answer every objection to the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done for us, we can still invite people to come and see.

And Jesus proved to Nathanael that He was and is indeed the Son of God and the Messiah and King of God’s people by His intimate knowledge of Nathanael before Nathanael even met Jesus face to face. Jesus knew Nathanael as an Israelite in whom was no guile or deceit (v. 47), meaning Nathanael was not self-deceived but acknowledged the truth of his own sinfulness and looked for the coming Savior. Jesus knows everything about you and me, too!

And, when Nathanael questioned Jesus as to how He knew him, Jesus responded, “Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee” (v. 48). Nathanael then confessed: “Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel” (v. 49). After meeting and talking with Jesus, Nathanael, who doubted Phillip’s word at first, now believed.

And, of course, those who come to know and trust in Jesus because He reveals our sinfulness and Himself as God’s Son and our Savior, will continue to see more and more proofs concerning Jesus, who He is and what He has done for us lost sinners. As Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man” (v. 51). We will see our crucified, risen and ascended Savior coming again in glory and with His heavenly hosts to establish His everlasting kingdom.

Indeed, by the grace of God, I have found Him and have come to know and believe that Jesus is the eternal Son of God and my Savior from sin and eternal punishment. I pray that you will find Him too! Come and see!

Dearest Lord Jesus, thank you for revealing Yourself to me as my Lord and Savior and grant that I might call upon others, too, to come to You and see. Amen.

[Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.]

“And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.” Mark 1:9

Since John the Baptist came preaching a “baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Mark 1:4) and Jesus was holy and without sin (cf. Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22), we might wonder why Jesus came to John to be baptized in the Jordan.

Indeed, John asked the same question of Jesus. Matthew 3:13-15 says: “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.” It was, as Jesus said, necessary to fulfill all righteousness and complete the work Jesus came into this world to do.

Jesus came into this world to fulfill all righteousness in our stead that He might also take our place under the curse of God’s law and make full atonement for our sins. The Bible tells us that “when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:4-5). And, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Galatians 3:13).

Perhaps even more significant is the fact that Christ Jesus, God’s Son and our Savior, was establishing a new covenant — a covenant of grace in which our sins are cleansed and forgiven for the sake of Jesus’ blood shed upon the cross for the sins of all.

The Bible tells us in Hebrews 9:11-15: “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” Cf. Jeremiah 31-31-34.

And, since baptism is called “the circumcision made without hands” (Colossians 2:11) and the way in which we are joined to Christ in His death and resurrection and made recipients of the blessings of this new covenant established by Christ’s blood (cf. Colossians 2:11-15; Romans 6:1-14), it is only fitting that Christ Himself be baptized in order to establish this new covenant and make it possible for us to be joined to him through our baptism (cf. Galatians 3:26-27; Hebrews 10:19ff.).

Indeed, it is because Christ was baptized and then took our place under the law to fulfill it for us and to suffer our just punishment (cf. Isaiah 53:6) that we are baptized into Christ that our sins might be washed away and we might be counted righteous and holy in God’s eyes through faith in Jesus’ name. Because Christ, the mediator of the new covenant by His atoning sacrifice on the cross, was baptized, we who are baptized into His name receive the gracious blessings of the covenant — namely, forgiveness for all our sins and a place in His eternal kingdom!

Thus, Jesus commanded and the disciples preached repentance and baptism in Jesus’ name for the remission of sins (cf. Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38-39). And all who trusted in Christ and were baptized into His name — the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost — were saved.

Why was Jesus baptized? He was baptized that you, through your baptism, might be joined to Him and receive the blessings promised and guaranteed in the new covenant He established with His own blood! The sinless Son of God was baptized that sinners like you and me might receive the mercy and forgiveness He won for all by His atoning sacrifice on the cross! Jesus was baptized that all who believe and are baptized might be saved (Cf. Mark 16:15-16)!

We give You thanks and praise, dear Jesus, that You were baptized and established a new covenant whereby we, through our baptism, might be joined to You and receive the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting You won for all by Your holy life and innocent sufferings and death for the sins of the world. Amen.

[Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.]

“For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; to them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-22

How do we reach the lost that they might hear the Gospel and come to know and trust in Christ Jesus as their Savior? Look at how the apostle Paul approached that task.

To the Jews he became as a Jew, to those under the law as under the law, to those without the law as without the law but not without law toward God, to the weak he became as weak. And why? That he might “by all means save some.”

In other words, the apostle, even though he was free from the requirements of Old Testament law subjected himself to that law (observing the Sabbath and feast days and submitting to dietary laws) when trying to reach the Jews for Christ. When he was seeking to reach those not under the law, he didn’t burden them by trying to bring them under the law and Paul himself lived among them as without the ceremonial law’s prescriptions. When he sought to reach the weak – those who believed it sinful to eat certain foods and the like – he lived as though he himself were weak that he might preach to them Christ and free their consciences from such weaknesses. The apostle behaved himself in such a way so that he could by any means morally acceptable reach the lost for Christ.

And how does this apply to us today? Should we expect our hearers to become like us and observe our traditions and our customs? Or, should we come to them where they are at – becoming like them in so far as we can without sin – that they might hear us and hear the message of God’s Word calling them to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus?

We need to keep in mind and practice the methodology of St. Paul, who was called of Christ to take the Gospel to the world: “I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”

“And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His mother, Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:34-35

Once again we have heard the account of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. We have heard the good news that He is the LORD God born into this world a true man that He might be our Savior from sin and everlasting punishment. We know and have heard of His holy life in our stead, and of His innocent sufferings and death for our sins. But how do we respond to Jesus?

There are many who feel that they can remain indifferent to Jesus and His coming into this world, but this is far from the truth! Whenever anyone hears of Jesus and His coming into this world to be our Savior, this message has an effect. Either one is moved toward repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior, or he becomes more and more hardened in his sin and unbelief.

How do you respond to Jesus? This is a question of great importance for each of us to consider; for, as Simeon told Mary, Jesus’ mother, Jesus was destined for the “fall and rising again” of many in Israel, and He was “a sign” which would “be spoken against” (Luke 2:34-35). Jesus Himself said that He would cause division on the earth, even within families (cf. Luke 12:51-53). Among His own people there was great division. Some, like Simeon and Anna, being raised up from spiritual death, believed that Jesus was the promised Christ and trusted in Him for salvation (Luke 2:25-38). But others fell and rejected Jesus, hated Him, and even crucified Him, causing Simeon’s words to Mary (v. 35) to come true. Cf. Isaiah 8:14-15; 28:16; 53:3ff.; 1 Peter 2:6-8.

How do you respond to Jesus? He cannot be ignored! He came into this world for you and His Word has been preached to you! Are you, by the grace of God, moved to humbly acknowledge and confess your sins to the Lord and to trust in Jesus’ holy life and innocent sufferings and death for your pardon and forgiveness? Or do you turn away from Jesus and continue on in your sin and unbelief? The Bible tells us: “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

O Dearest Jesus, grant that we not turn from You or hide from You and continue on in our sinful ways; but move us to acknowledge You as our God and Savior, to have godly sorrow over our sins, and to sincerely repent, that we may trust in You and Your cross for our salvation. Amen.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible

“Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Psalm 90:1-2 (Read Psalm 90)

One certainty as we enter into each new year of life is God Himself. He has been man’s dwelling place in all generations. He has created us, given us life and holds our life in His hand. “In him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth … And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:1, 2). “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1-4).

The Triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – has always been and always will be! You and I have been created by God, and we still depend upon Him for our every breath! Cf. Daniel 5:23.

Our lives are short, averaging only 70 to 80 years. We are like grass which grows up and flourishes in the morning but is cut down and withers by evening. Our lives pass like a watch in the night. Because of our sins, which are ever before the LORD, we feel the heat of His wrath and wither and die.

Knowing this, we ought to “number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (v. 12). We ought to read and study His Word that we might learn the truth about ourselves and the life we live here in this world. And, we ought to repent of our rebellious and sinful ways and turn unto the LORD God and receive the compassion and mercy which He offers and gives for the sake of the innocent sufferings and death of His own Son, Jesus Christ, in our stead!

Then, when we trust in God to mercifully forgive us for Jesus’ sake, we can “rejoice and be glad all our days” (v. 14). We can live our short lives here in faith because we have been redeemed by God’s own dear Son and have everlasting joy awaiting us in heaven when this life is done!

O everlasting God, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Let us see the brevity of this life and its cause, our own sinfulness; and let us return unto You for mercy and forgiveness for the sake of Christ Jesus, the Son, and His innocent sufferings and death in our stead. Amen.

[Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible]