The Word became flesh to dwell among those in the land of the dying, issuing a call to be born again into the land of the living. With Him who died and rose again and conquered death, believers are raised to new life, and have a sure hope of eternal life beyond the grave. Jesus raising the dead man to life by the mere command of His Word is a small foretaste of this greater reality.

Jesus calls His disciples to a radically different way of thinking leading to a radically different way of living. Focus on God's promises and eternity rather than the circumstances of this world. Don't just love the lovable, but love your enemies. Deal with your own sins -the log in your eye- before you judge the sins of your brother. All these conflict with our natural desires, but are possible aided by the life transforming work of the Spirit.

Jesus told the Pharisees that He had come to call sinners to repentance. In Luke 6 He calls disciples to follow Him, and teaches them how to follow Him.

Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. This requires you to admit your sin, your need for His saving work. Other siren calls compete. Though seductive they are destructive. Find joy that always satisfies, and wisdom whose depths cannot be fathomed, only in Jesus Christ and His salvation.

A paralyzed man is lowered through a roof to be healed by Jesus. What he gets is forgiveness of his sins. Are you more concerned that your sins are forgiven or for material blessing-

In Capernaum, the people are amazed at the authority of Jesus' words to teach, to cast out demons, to heal. The Word possesses authority, and that authority has a purpose- to preach the good news of the kingdom of God. May that be our goal as well.

In just a few verses, Jesus goes from being glorified to being herded toward a cliff to be killed. Why- When the Word comes it reveals truth, often painful, that its hearers don't like, reject, and rebel against. Praise God for those who hear, and believe-

Jesus is tempted by the crafty half-truths of Satan, and resists by the Word of God. Given the example of our Lord, how sad it is that believers and the Church fall prey so easily to those same temptations. Our hope remains in the Word and His obedience for us.

Two announcements are made about the Word that has come- He is a man greater than John- He is God's beloved Son. Both are said in the context of a message of repentance as the way to prepare for the coming of the Word. Do you live a life of daily repentance- Are you ready for the coming of the Word-

Why do we worship God- Why do we worship the WAY we worship- Psalm 32 is a great answer to both questions.