Caleb Drahosh \\ In the opening words of His Gospel, John takes us back to the very first words of Scripture. The One John writes about was present in the beginning. Jesus is the divine Word which is God's eternal, powerful, unstoppable, self-expression. This is the foundation of what we celebrate at Christmas.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Jesus tells a parable of a man who plants a vineyard and leased it to tenants to work. When he sent a servant to collect from his portion of what was produced, the tenants beat him and sent him away. The same thing happens a second time. And then the next servant they kill Finally, the owner sends his son; they kill him also. Jesus says that the owner will then come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. God mercifully delivers His Word to us. Will we receive it with increasing hostility or humility?

John Baumgartner \\ The authorities of Jerusalem--the chief priests, scribes, and elders--are afraid of the following that Jesus is gathering. They try to put a stop to it by questioning His authority. He turns the question back on them and shows that their authority is no real one at all. Jesus has true authority, authority to lay down His life and take it up again, and it makes Him fearless and free from manipulation. Trusting in His authority, we can follow Him in that fearless freedom laying down our lives as well.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Upon traveling from Bethany to Jerusalem, Jesus found a fig tree that gave the appearance of having fruit, but none was present. As a result, He cursed the fig tree. Arriving at the temple, He found all sorts of economic activity going on. He cleared the temple, teaching about the true purpose of the temple. The next day the disciples see the fig tree withered and ask Jesus about it. Hypocrisy gives the appearance of fruit, but none is truly present, which leads to ignoring the basic functions of faith.

Caleb Drahosh \\ For the Christians in Rome, this account of Jesus would have been a strange one. A Roman triumphal procession honored a general after a military victory with a grand parade. He would ride into Rome in a chariot, dressed in kingly purple, and crowned with a laurel. Afterwards, a sacrifice would be made to Jupiter. Jesus would ride into Jerusalem, in view of future victory, where He Himself was the sacrifice. The greatest triumph was marked with the utmost humility.

Caleb Drahosh \\ While traveling Jesus is accompanied by His disciples and a great crowd. A blind beggar, Bartimaeus, calls out to Him. The man persists despite opposition; Jesus calls out for Bartimaeus to come to him. Jesus asks Bartimaeus what he wants and Bartimaeus replies that he would like to see. Jesus responds that his faith has made him well. Bartimaeus sought Jesus, recognized Him as the Messiah, came when Jesus called, received God's grace, and devoted his life to Jesus. Come to Christ and let Him serve you.

John Baumgartner \\ Jesus is the conquering warrior. He came to win glory and greatness for Himself and His own people. James and John were right that Jesus would be enthroned in glory and right to seek to be with Him in it, but they did not yet understand that Jesus' glory is His cross. It is not wrong to seek glory and a crown. If we don't believe we will sit with Christ in His glory and receive a crown from Him, we dishonor Him. He gives us His glory and crown through nail pierced hands.

Caleb Drahosh \\ A rich man came to Jesus asking about eternal life. The man said that he had kept the law. But Jesus sees through the man's statement and gets to the heart of the matter: the man was worshiping his own wealth. The law exposes sin in our life, but the rich man saw his own conformity to it as superficial, not spiritual. He needed a savior, but went away sorrowful to the god of wealth. Jesus instructs His disciples that entering the kingdom of God comes with much difficulty.

Caleb Drahosh \\ In Paul's final greeting to the Romans, we learn that the letter was recorded by Tertius. Gaius hosted Paul, likely in Corinth. We learn of Erastus, the city treasurer, and Quartus as well. These men were of varying statuses, but all served Christ where they were stationed. Pen and ink, civic service, and hospitality are some of the simple, yet profound, tools used in the upbuilding of the church and the advancement of Christ's Kingdom on earth.

John Baumgartner \\ The disciples have spent all this time with Jesus and still don’t get it. The kingdom of God is not what they think it is and is not coming the way they think it will. They rebuke those who are bringing children to Jesus. Jesus corrects them. The kingdom of God belongs to such as these children, and none can enter the kingdom unless they receive it like a little child.