One Verse at a Time

This episode looks at Luke 3:4, “As it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one shouting in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight.” Luke presents John as the Isaianic prophet who will prepare the way for God—Jesus! This preparation involves repentance, so may we imitate this preparation in our own lives.

This episode looks at Luke 3:3, “He went into all the region around the Jordan River, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” John preaches repentance, and though his baptism was not intended to start a new faith, the symbolism remains poignant for us today.

This episode looks at Luke 3:2, “during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.” Irregardless of whom God chooses to speak through, we rejoice when the word of God is proclaimed—whether by the established leaders or not.

This episode looks at Luke 3:1, “In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene.” Many ruler are mentioned here in order to set up a drastic contrast with the way of John in the wilderness and Christ in the rest of the book. May we follow their example rather than the pagan kings’.

This episode looks at Psalm 15:5, “He does not charge interest when he lends his money. He does not take bribes to testify against the innocent. The one who lives like this will never be shaken.” David continues on the theme of righteousness and blamelessness as the kind of person who can dwell with God. Then, he concludes on a note of sweet comfort: if we live this way, we will never be shaken.

This episode looks at Psalm 15:4, “He despises a reprobate, but honors the LORD’s loyal followers. He makes firm commitments and does not renege on his promise.” Truth-telling extends into the area of showing honor and also into the area of promise-making and promise-keeping. We want to be people full of integrity and honesty, and we can only be so by the grace of God.

This episode looks at Psalm 15:3, “He does not slander, or do harm to others, or insult his neighbor.” In light of speaking truthfully (Ps. 15:2), we should not lie to harm or gain an advantage over others, we should aim to build up and not tear down with our words, and we should not listen to anything and everything about our neighbors, instead seeking out the truth behind every accusation. God help us.

This episode looks at Psalm 15:2, “Whoever lives a blameless life, does what is right, and speaks honestly.” None of us can do this, but through faith in the Righteous One, Jesus, we can actually dwell in God’s presence. Praise God! And as he transforms us, in some small measure we walk in righteousness. May God work this in us, especially in the area of truth-telling.

This episode looks at Psalm 15:1, “LORD, who may be a guest in your home? Who may live on your holy hill?” David wants to live with God, but he also knows that God is wholly other, completely holy, and so we need an answer to the question of who could possibly live with God in his holiness.

This episode looks at Psalm 14:7, “I wish the deliverance of Israel would come from Zion! When the LORD restores the well-being of his people, may Jacob rejoice, may Israel be happy!” David was looking forward to Christ. We look back, rejoicing, and ask for further grace for the trials we face today.