Philippians 3:12-14 “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” 
 
MANY people love this passage, and I hope you do, too. Why? First, the apostle Paul, who is writing this from his prison house in Rome, puts his past in the past. Second, it’s good to see Paul’s passionate desire to follow his Lord as far as he can, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Jesus clearly calls his disciples to such a "pressing on" following. Note how Jesus’ simple three-word command, “Come, follow me.” (Matthew 4:19) engages you to decide: “Am I with Jesus or not? Do I stay back or go forward?” Imagine Peter, Andrew, James and John standing at their boats looking back to what they had done all their lives and planned to do for the rest of their lives. Suddenly, they were confronted with a new future into an unknown journey with an unknown rabbi. Yet, compelled by the Christ they followed. In faith they pressed on. They put their past in the past to press forward with the Lord of Heaven and earth.
   Paul and those first disciples fully came face-to-face with Jesus to know he is the Son of Yahweh, the Provider, the Great I Am – eternal, self-existent God! They followed him to the edge of faith – and then they pressed on to follow Him further! Truly they knew Jesus is “the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies. (John 11:25) And they could surely answer, “Yes!” to his question, “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26)
   To these men the past became obsolete as Jesus pointed them and all creation to the future.
   Do you wonder, “What’s next?” Are you perhaps overcome with negative news? Might you have some personal challenges that seem unending? I encourage you to look to Jesus and look ahead.
   Be reminded of Abraham called out his home to a faraway country, Moses directed to free his people from mighty Egypt and David before Goliath and Mary bearing the Messiah. God filled these people with faith. None were perfect. They made mistakes. But – to paraphrase verse 13 - they forgot those things which were behind them and followed God to glory.
   This, too, is our call. Press on with Jesus. Press on in joy. The Lord has said to you, “Follow me.”   
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for calling me to follow Jesus forward. In the Spirit’s power, I pray for faith and joy in you. Amen.

Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.”
 
YOU may be wondering about Jesus’ joy. This doesn’t seem to be an emotion we connect with Jesus, is it? After all, the gospels focus on Jesus’ ministry to teach, preach and rebuke as he offers miraculous healings, exorcisms and feedings. Jesus confronted much turmoil as God’s own people repeatedly aligned Jesus with Satan and often picked up stones to kill him.
   Those who did seek his teachings often seemed to do so for self-gain. Many Jews eagerly approached Jesus to be physically healed while ignoring his power to heal them eternally. Only a few people seemed to get close to understanding Jesus’ true identity.
   His life was prophesied to be that way. Isaiah 53 is 12 verses summarizing the physical and spiritual horrors Jesus would endure. Take five minutes and read it. You will see such words as Verse 2: “He has no form or comeliness.” Verse 3” “He was despised, and we did not esteem him.” Verse 5: “But He was wounded for our transgressions…by His stripes we are healed.” And verse 6: “the Lord has laid on Him the sin of us all."
   Furthermore, we have seen how Jesus said discipleship means suffering, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34)
   Truly, this cross business is a life-and-death commitment! Living under the cross requires an active faith underscored with grit, determination and perseverance. Where is joy in that kind of life? How could the chastised, sorrowful Savior, about to be pierced by the cross, be filled with joy?  
   The answer comes in the entire account of Jesus sending the 72 (Luke 10:1-21). Joy filled Jesus that day because the short-term mission gave him the opportunity to witness the Spirit fulfill the Son’s own ministry mission statement. You remember Jesus’ mission statement? We’ve mentioned it several times in our Luke study. Here it is again: Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
   We have seen the ways and the results of the Holy Spirit empowering Jesus to minister. Now see how Jesus sent the 72 on their Spirit-empowered mission to remove sickens and demons – to proclaim freedom for the captives and the Lord’s favor upon his people. They did the same work Jesus did!
   Thus, Jesus is the joyful Lord. The disciples – not even his closest 12 – had listened, learned and acted in faith. The Father has affirmed Jesus’ power will be transferred to those chosen to minister the gospel. The work will continue. The Lord’s favor will save more people.
   In joy, knowing his work will continue, Jesus could have said, “Now I can go home.”
 
Prayer: Father in Heaven, rest your favor upon my friends and relatives who have not met you. Stir your power within their souls unto eternal life. In Jesu’s’ name I pray, amen.

Luke 10:19-20 “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in Heaven.”
 
JESUS moves from the short-term mission of the 72 into the long-term –  into eternity. He had gifted these missionaries with great healing powers for their work. No disease or demon could withstand their faithful work. Neither would poisonous snakes and deadly scorpions stop them.
   Some will take this Scripture to believe anyone who truly believes and follows Jesus is so empowered. And, indeed, some have been given such gifts, even to be immune to poisonous snakes. (See Paul’s encounter in Acts 28:4-5.) But we must know that this is a very specific power for a very specific time with an exact purpose.
   That’s why Jesus points to eternity. Yes, it is a wondrous thing to have such gifts for God’s Kingdom ministry. But these special marvels are not the most wonderful thing. The gifts the Spirit offers to us is to help others see Jesus’ power to heal, forgive and save. As Jesus ministered in the Spirit’s power, the Holy Spirit gives to gospel missionaries –  that’s you – such powers as teaching, praying, loving, communing, organizing, evangelizing and learning, so people may one day “rejoice that your names are written in Heaven.”
   Oh how great it is to experience the joy of someone’s healing. Many victorious moments in ministry are certainly cause for celebration. A true and deep rejoicing, though, comes from our hearts when we know the Christ has come to point us from our temporary lives into eternity.   
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for the joy of your salvation. I pray joy blankets my heart, mind and soul as I consider your eternal gift to me. In your name I rejoice. Amen.

Luke 10:17-18 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven.” 
 
LET’S pause for a moment to recall Jesus’ instructions to the 72. Do you remember how the word “urgent” weaved its way through Jesus’ directives? Jesus was very precise. He was distinctly purposeful with the 72 new missionaries: Be urgent to keep going, take very little, accept hospitality, reject opposition, heal diseases, exorcise demons and speak the gospel. We can look at Jesus’ instructions and perhaps question, “Isn’t he a bit too focused on the details?” Yes, surely ministry is about having fun, isn’t it?
   Yes, sometimes good fun is good. Sometimes business must be done. We may ask God regarding the Bible? “Why don’t you, Lord, give us some slack? Aren’t you too focused on the details of our faith, lives, thoughts and actions? We need a little freedom here, Lord.”
   Really? Think about what happened when Adam and Eve looked for some room to do their own thing. Consider what happens when your friends or you have looked for some freedom from God’s directives. What happened?
   Jesus’ precise instructions were give to accomplish a precise mission. We see this as the 72 returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”  Joy comes when Christ reigns. Christ reigns when his Word is foremost in our lives. The Son directed them; the Spirit empowered them. Satan’s forces “fell like lightning from Heaven”.
   Some say Jesus spiritually saw Satan’s demons fall as lightning from those they possessed. Those words can also mean Jesus was pointing to the eternal past when Satan was expelled from Heaven. Or Jesus could be prophesying the time Satan would fall eternally into the pit of his destruction. Revelation 20:9-10 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
   Victory over evil comes in God’s precise words. Victory over evil is joy to all who are on mission with God. Follow God’s Word. Live in joy. The victory belongs to the Lord. 1 John 5:4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 
    
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for Jesus’ great victory over Satan. I pray I follow your precise Word on mission with you. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Luke 10:13-16 “Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. 16 “He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
 
“REJECTED” is a negative name for a gospel teaching isn’t it? I struggled with this but feel it is a good summary of these very strong words Jesus spoke to the Jews.
   The three towns of Korazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum are on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Most of Jesus’ 12 disciples came from there. Even more, Jesus seemed to adopt Capernaum as his hometown while he ministered. It was here he offered his first known miracle of the water into wind (John 2). Most of his healings and teachings were done in these three towns. Why the, does he condemn them?
   He is speaking to the ways they continue to reject his teachings. Even though miraculous wonders were done in these towns, many rejected the Son of God. He gives more grace to the foreign cities of Tyre and Sidon. They will fare better in the coming Kingdom of God as more receive the gospel. Indeed, the Jews were the first to persecute Jesus’ church. And the gospel was more readily received in these non-Jewish populations.
   Have you had the privilege to receive God’s teachings? Are you numbered as a member of Jesus’ church? Do you serve our Lord? Are you a witness to the transforming wonder of spiritual and physical healings?
   What then, is your response to the Christ? Do you receive the Word and believe in its power? Or might you filter it through, “That sounds good to me.” as you reject the uncomfortable, challenging teachings? If the latter comes near to describing your response to Holy Scripture, you might think you have said, “No.” to a teacher, pastor, friend or spouse. But you are truly saying, “No.” to the Lord of Hosts.
   Many people will reject true biblical teaching. God’s “do’s” and “don’t’s”, “judgments and salvation”, disturb our minds to say, “I won’t do that. I’m sure God understands.” Yes, you are right. God does understand you are rejecting him.
 
Prayer: Put my heart right with you, Lord. I pray I never do anything that says, “No.” to you for you have done all for me. Amen. 

Luke 10:8-9 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’”
 
HOW do you respond to someone who speaks with absolute authority? Surely, your response is based on your relationship with that person. If you do not know someone who says, “Do this precisely as I tell you.” it is likely you will need some proof that person knows exactly what you must do. If you know someone well and the person has proven his knowledge, you are more likely to follow his words exactly.
   Are you then willing to act exactly into Jesus’ words here? These are precise instructions, aren’t they? The three things he tells the 72 missionaries is 1) eat what is before you (Don’t let a meal, even in a non-Jewish house detract you from your work) 2) Heal the sick. 3) Proclaim the Kingdom of God is near.
   The first directive we can all do. But can we do the latter two? “Heal the sick.” is a faith instruction to proclaim to the short-term missionaries that they have been granted a great power. But did they know Jesus well enough to trust his “Do it this way.” talk? Do we?
   Were they also confident to say, “The kingdom of God is near you.” Were they aware the King of Kings had instructed them to such words? Were they understanding that Jesus meant the Kingdom power of eternal salvation was about to come fully onto the earth?
   When we look at the lessons from Jesus’ sending of the 72, we are continually confronted with two things: Be urgent and be of faith. Jesus’ instructions are filled with the theme of, “Do it now. Do it this way.” The 72 can fully trust him because he has been granted all authority from the Father to do the will of God on earth.
   I pray we are all urgent and faithful to know Jesus, so you will, “Do it now. Do it this way.”
 
Prayer: Holy God in Heaven, I pray I know you so well that I will act into the precise ways you teach me. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

 Luke 2:10-11 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
 
IS there a more wonderful message in the Bible and in the history of the world than these words? “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”  What a headline! What a story! The Messiah, who is God, has come to earth. And “he has been born to you”.
   What do we do with our lives when we understand this immortal truth? This is the truth that gives our lives meaning. “A Savior has been born to you” sets you free from sin’s death. You are assured of God’s love. You understand your life’s purpose. Hope for a grand and glorious future with the eternal God is made certain in your heart.
   Yes, the remarkable wonder is the event that completes God’s promise from ancient times: “I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God” (Exodus 6:7). Yes, God spoke these words to Jacob’s descendants to tell his people he would intimately come to them long before Jesus spoke in the first person “I who speak to you am he.” (John 4:26). Here is the personal God come in person to build a personal relationship with first the Jews and then the people of the entire world.
   Do you get that for your life? Do you feel the personal pleasure of this very persona truth in your life today? As you work, deal with the kids, struggle with circumstances, struggle with money issues and wonder about “tomorrow”, know this: The highest truth and meaning in your life is that “he has been born to you”.
   Miraculously, he is available to you night and day. He offers his peace when distress disturbs your soul. He offers his truth when you need to know what’s right. He gives you his strength when you know there is no way to get through another week. Submitting to the Savior, who “is Christ the Lord,” he watches over you for all eternity. He is your God is so many, many ways.
   Yes, Christ the Lord, the One who saves has come to you. I pray that for you it Is “good news of great joy!” Celebrate it. Accept it. Savor it. Let it surround you. Live in awe “a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”.  
  
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus. I rejoice that you are my Savior, born to save my soul! Amen.  

 

Luke 2: 6-7 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
 
“THERE was no room for them in the inn.” That’s always bugged me. How could anyone turn a very pregnant woman from an inn and, instead, show her a stable to spend the night? What kind of culture was this to keep a pregnant woman from a nice bed? Somebody should have said, “Here. You can have my room. I’ll gladly give it up for you.” But no one did.
   There was no room for Mary, Joseph and no room for Jesus. That’s always bothered me, too. What kind of culture is the world to reject its Creator? How can we shut Jesus out, turn him away from our cold heart? He has so much warmth, love and peace to give. His ears listen; his hands heal. Even more his mouth speaks forgiveness and grace. His feet walk among the physically and spiritually poor. Mercifully, his eyes look into your eyes to invite, “Come, follow me.”
   But there’s hesitation. We love what Jesus offers. Even so, we’re not sure what or when we want to give back to him. We may even be prone to reply, “No room, Jesus. My schedule is full. I’m not ready, yet. Check down the street.”
   On that night in Bethlehem Jesus came knocking at the world’s door, and only a few poor shepherds came to see. But the gracious, wonderful thing is, he’s still knocking. Jesus hasn’t quit. Through the Holy Spirit the risen Lord still acts to open countless souls to his saving blood. In the power of God, our Lord Jesus is knocking on your life to say, “Let’s go show the world my love and peace. Let’s listen to people’s needs. The culture of the entire world needs healing, forgiveness and grace. We can walk among the nations to offer eternal wealth to the physically and spiritually poor.”
   Do you hear Jesus knocking? How will you respond? Will you lock the door more tightly? Or will you step out to join him as you declare, “Here, I have plenty of room in my life for you.”
 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I offer you more room in my life today. In your name I trust, amen.  

Luke 2:4-5 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
 
JOSEPH and Mary are on an 80-mile walk from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea. The journey would take about 5 to 8 days, depending as you can imagine, on weather, congestion on the roadway and how everyone was feeling. These steps to Bethlehem are the next steps of God’s magnificent plan to save the world. 
   Consider here the centuries of promises and prophecies that had come to the Jews. The spoken and written word of God had been revealed from Abraham to Isaac to Joseph to Moses to Samuel to David to Isaiah to Daniel to Joseph and Mary. Wait, can we say “Joseph and Mary”, in the same breath with the mighty, godly heroes of Israel’s history? They seem to be uneducated, impoverished misfits, scared and just following the crowd.
   But they aren’t misfits. Joseph and Mary are surely as much a part of God’s plan of salvation as the mighty and famous. God puts people of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds and futures on a journey with him to bring salvation to the world. God takes “misfits” and fits them perfectly into his plan.
   That’s why he’s called you. Yes, you. You really are not a misfit. You may think you are, but you’re not. When you say, “Yes, Lord. I will follow you.” you have spoken a life-changing commitment. No longer is your life your own to do as you please. In God’s grace, Jesus’ death and the Spirit-giving life, the Lord has begun in you a journey that goes step-by-step to perfectly walk with your personal, loving God.  He takes you to the places he has prepared to reveal his word and to enlarge his kingdom. Such places could be as Joseph and Mary –  a crowded town, a stinky stable, a sheep pasture, a rocky road, a mountain top, a fertile plain or a cross. Yes, there is that promise from Jesus that you will fit into the Kingdom of God when you “take up your cross”. (Mark 8:34) Joseph’s and Mary’s cross included a pre-marital pregnancy, a hard journey, a primitive birth place for their son, a flight to Egypt to protect him and a daily responsibility to look after the Son of God. In the Spirit’s power, they fit well into their mission, and so will you.
   God’s salvation makes you his. I pray you enjoy the wonder of your journey with him all the way to heaven.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the ways you fit me into your salvation plan for the world. Amen.