Have you met someone who seems skeptical about your faith in Jesus? What emotions do you feel when someone questions your faith?

In John 1 we find a dialogue between a believer and a skeptic. Jesus began his ministry in Galilee and gave Philip the command to “follow me” (John 1:43). Philip was so excited to see Jesus he tracked down his friend Nathanael to share the news. Philip told Nathanael that the Messiah that Moses and the prophets wrote about was finally in Jerusalem.

Nathanael responded to Philip’s excitement with a phrase that has become popular over the years: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). This statement either shows us that Nazareth did not have the best reputation in Galilee or Nathanael was unsure that the Messiah would come from such a place. Whatever the reason, Nathanael seemed unimpressed and unconvinced that the Messiah had come.

What was Philip’s response to a statement of unbelief? Did Philip run to defend Jesus? Did Philip argue with Nathanael in an attempt to prove him wrong? No. Instead of arguing, Philip offered Nathanael a simple invitation, “come and see” (John 1:46). Nathanael agreed to meet Jesus and quickly found out that Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus told Nathanael that he was a true Israelites and where he was located before Philip talked with him (John 1:46,48) Nathanael was amazed and responded by saying, “How do you know me?” (John 1:47).

Come and See

It is important for us to remember that when we enter into a conversation with someone who is skeptical about Jesus we should offer an invitation for that person to experience Jesus first hand.

How can they experience Jesus? Invite them to pray to God for a few days, to read their Bible, meet you weekly for spiritual conversations, or to attend church with you.

The point isn’t a win an argument to prove that Jesus is real, our aim should be to help people see that Jesus knows them, loves them, and is inviting them to follow Him.

• Arguments drive people away from Jesus.
• Invitations draw people closer to Jesus.
• Arguments rarely change someone’s mind.
• Invitations can change someone’s soul.

Nothing is as powerful in a person’s life as meeting with Jesus. Extending an invitation for someone to meet Jesus could change their eternity.

Live It:

• Who is skeptical about Jesus? Who needs to meet Jesus?
• How can you invite that person to “come and see” Jesus this week?
• Are you praying for that person?

Christ Chronological: John 1:35-51

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John the Baptist had two elements to his preaching: repent and the kingdom of heaven was near. Because the kingdom of heaven was near people needed to repent. John committed his life to preparing the way for Jesus to come as the Messiah. People traveled from nearby regions to be baptized by John to prepare their hearts for the coming Messiah. 

Not all people were eager to repent. The religious leaders did not see a need for repentance. 

John told the religious leaders to, “produce fruit consistent with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8) These religious leaders reduced religion down to a list of regulations and rules and failed to cultivate the relationship needed with God. Everything was about keeping the standard of holiness instead of submitting to the lordship of God. Salvation was based off of their works not based on their faith. John points out their flaw and exhorts them to “produce fruit consistent with repentance.”

What is fruit that is consistent with repentance? Spiritual fruit is cultivated when we spend time with God. Psalm 1:2-3 says that a wise man is one who meditates on the word day and night. Through mediation on the word they will become like a fruitful tree planted by water. Galatians 5:22-23 says that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. The only way to produce fruit is to spend time with the Holy Spirit. Repentance is more than feeling remorse of sorrow for one’s sin – it is the act of recognizing that sin is again God and turning away from that sin to take hold of Jesus. Repenting leads us to plant our lives in the fertile soil of Jesus’ grace and redemption. Spiritual fruit cannot be manufactured it can only be cultivated. 

The spiritual leaders of the day spent time going through the motions to manufacture holiness and missed Jesus. John saw through their hypocrisy and knew that if they were truly spending time with God then the Spirit would produce spiritual fruit. 

Live It: 

• Do you see a need for repentance in your life? Is there an area that you need to turn away from? 
• Are you trying to manufacture spiritual growth instead of cooperating with the Holy Spirit? 
• Is there a spiritual discipline you need to implement this week to set your focus on Jesus? 

Christ Chronological: Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:2-8; Luke 3:1-18; John 1:19-28 

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Jesus experienced threats and opposition during his entire earthly life. Herod lost his mind and temper when the wise men did not return and report where Jesus was. His rage drove him to make the decision to kill every boy in Bethlehem who was under the age of two. 

What led King Herod to massacring babies and toddlers? 

Was it his pride?

Was it his jealousy?

Was it his insecurities?

Herod felt threatened that another ruler would take his place as the leader. He was unwilling to acknowledge that Jesus was the King nor would he submit to Jesus’ lordship. 

If we rely on our own power there will miss worshipping Jesus. Many love talking about Jesus being their Savior but they don’t talk Him to be the Lord of their life. Jesus isn’t your Savior if you do not acknowledge Him as your Lord. When we realize that Jesus is our Lord it causes us to respond by laying down our life, power, and preferences and submit to His lordship. 

Letting go of our power and control is essential for us to follow Jesus. 

Live It: 

• Is Jesus Lord of your life? 
• How are you submitting yourself to His lordship? 

Christ Chronological: Matthew 2:13-23

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When the wise men arrived at Joseph and Mary’s house to see Jesus, they worshiped him. 

Context will help us see how significant this moment is in the early years of Jesus’ life. The wise men came from the east – probably from Persia – and would have been pagan astronomers. These wise men knew the sign of a royal birth for the Jewish people, which was probably learned through the Hebrews’ captivity in Babylon. These gentiles set out on a journey to worship the new king of the Jews. 

Upon their arrival in Jerusalem, there must have been some confusion when they discovered that no one was worshipping the new king. After a conversation with Herod, the wise men traveled to Bethlehem to find Jesus. 

Matthew tells us what happened when the wise men found Joseph and Mary’s house. 

“Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh” – Matthew 2:11

When we see Jesus at work in our lives the best response is to stop and worship. The Holy Spirit is moving around us today and we see God restore lives, heal addicts, renew hope, and forgive prodigals. 

The wise men weren’t Jewish, and yet they knew the signs of the coming Messiah and worshipped Him when they found Him. Today, as believers in and followers of Jesus, we ought to notice how God is at work around us … and that should cause us to stop and worship. 

Live It: 

• Do you notice God moving, healing, providing, or leading? 
• How often do you stop and worship in those moments?  

Christ Chronological: Matthew 2:1-12

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Jesus was taken to the temple to be circumcised eight days after his birth. Jesus’ birth came with confirmation from Simeon and Anna in the temple. Simeon’s prophetic praise (Luke 2:25-35) and Anna’s testimony point to Jesus as being the promised Messiah who will rescue the people of God.

We do not know much about Anna. We know that she was a prophetess from the tribe of Asher. Anna was married for seven years before her husband died. Luke records that Anna has been a widow for eighty-four years and served in the temple. 

While we do not know much about Anna we know that she was a woman of faith and devotion to God. Luke 2:37 says, “She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.” Anna was constantly around the temple. She either lived in a building attached to the temple or this was a way of stating that she spent considerable amount of time in the temple. Either way, this widow devoted her entire life to serving God. 

Reading Anna’s short biography has me reflecting on my own. What would be said about my faith? Am I fully devoted to the worship and work of God?

I pray that I would be able to answer these questions with a yes – not so that my name would be positively remembered throughout the generations but so that my limited time on earth would point to the Name that is above all other names – the name of Jesus. 

Live It: 

• If your name showed up in the Bible, what would your short bio include? Would your faith be recorded? 

• Are you fully devoted to the work and worship of Jesus? 

Christ Chronological: Luke 2:21-38

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The angels proclaimed the birth of Jesus by sharing this news with shepherds who were watching their flocks nearby. Below is the breakdown of the announcement from the angel. 

“I proclaim to you good news” 

The Greek word used here is euangelizō which is the word used for the gospel. When we refer to “the gospel” it communicated the good news that Jesus stepped into humanity to save us from our sins. The angel announces that the greatest news in the history of humanity had entered into the world – Jesus had arrived to save the world. Jesus’ arrival is “good news” because it brings forgiveness of sins and redemption through faith. Men and women can be restored to God through Jesus.

“of great joy”

A product of the gospel is great joy. Joy isn’t a reference to a feeling of happiness but a supernatural joy that is found when our hope is secure in Jesus. Joy isn’t dependent on your surroundings but on your hope. A loss of joy points to misplaced hope. When something that we have placed our hope in fails us we will lose hope. The gospel brings great joy because hope is secure in the finished work of Jesus. He will never fail us. He will uphold us with his mighty hand and loving grace. Jesus’ arrival brings us great joy. 

“that will be for all the people”

Jesus came to earth to restore “all the people” of the world. His grace and mercy are not exclusive to the Jewish people. All people, all races, all socio economic statuses, and all backgrounds can place their faith in Jesus. Jesus is the promise of life. All sins can be forgiven. All people can be redeemed. All who place their trust in Jesus know that there is great joy in the goodness of Jesus.  

Live It: 

• Are you joyous? 
• Have you placed your hope in something other than Jesus? 
• What promises of Jesus do you need to set your hope in today? 

Christ Chronological: Luke 2:8-20

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