Now you’re Cooking with Gas

A Series on the Milestones in Jesus’ Life

Mark 1:1-11

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%201%3A1-11&version=NIV;NLT

 

When I was in high school and was working on my math homework, sometimes I would get stuck and I would ask my Dad for help. What I really wanted though, was for him to just tell me the right answer. That would make it much faster and easier. But he never did.

 

He would make me work through the problem by asking me questions that made me think. Ugh! Then, at some point, a light would come on; and suddenly, I would get it.

 

Usually at that time Dad would say, “Now you’re cooking with gas”. I didn’t know exactly what that meant, or where the saying came from; but I knew it was his way of saying, “Good job, Joe Boy. I’m proud of you”. When he said that, I felt like I could conquer the world; or at least the world of math.

 

John had a mission that was inspired by the prophet Isaiah. “He was a voice shouting in the wilderness.” John was preparing the way for the Messiah by calling people to confess; to repent; to turn away from their sins; and to be baptized. Then one day, Jesus came to be baptized.

 

⁹ At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. ¹¹ And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”     NIV

 

John had prepared the way for Jesus. In the process, John had become very popular; but now it was time for the focus to shift to Jesus. His baptism was the passing of the mantle of ministry. It was a milestone in Jesus’ life.

 

With his Heavenly Father’s affirmation, Jesus was sent into a life of ministry. It was to be a life of trials, troubles and temptations. Yet, he went into it knowing that his Father, his Dad, loved him and would always be with him constantly at work through him and in him.

 

You probably haven’t heard an audible voice telling you, “You are my son, my daughter, whom I love.” Yet, this same affirmation; this same love; this same promise is there for you and me today. How should we respond?

 

Good Job Joe Boy

Matthew 3:13-17

 

The last football game that my Dad ever saw me play I wanted to make him proud. It was my senior year of high school, but my parents were moving to Kentucky while I stayed in Michigan. This was it; my final chance to win his approval; to make him proud. My last chance to hear him say, “Good job Joe Boy”.

 

With those four words he could have sent me on my way ready to tear down walls. After all, this was going to be a big change for me. I wouldn’t be living with my parents anymore. The people who had raised me, provided for me and made my life secure were moving, leaving me behind. Fear, insecurity and the anxiety of the unknown all waited for me like a dark closet in my bedroom.

 

Imagine how Jesus might have felt as he approached his cousin John about baptizing him. He was about to set out on his earthly ministry. We don’t know how much of the specifics Jesus knew of what awaited him, but for sure he had at least an inclination that a painful, sacrificial death would end his life. That by itself, would be more than enough for fear, insecurity and anxiety to stop him in his tracks.

 

^16-17 “The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and

he saw God’s Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.”                       MSG

 

With these words, God affirmed His son. He gave Jesus the strength and courage to go forward. He gave him the love and affirmation to face an unknown future that promised to hold both miraculous events and painful ones. He lifted Jesus up to prepare him for three years of high intensity spiritual battles.

 

I never heard my Dad say those words to me: “Good job Joe Boy”. But every time that I read God’s word, He says them to me. Every year when I celebrate the birth of His son, He says them to me. Every Easter when I remember the risen Christ, He says them to me. Every worship song that I sing, He says them to me.

 

He says the same message to you. “You are my Son, my daughter, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

 

 

 

By saying this, He gives you the courage and strength to face your fears, insecurities and anxiety of an unknown future.

 

 

Letting Go

Deuteronomy 6:1-9

 

 

There is a TV commercial about a daughter heading off to college that makes me cry every time I watch it. Maybe because it reminds me of our only child, a daughter, who we sent off to college. As parents, we spend all of our time preparing our children to leave. Then when it happens they’re ready, but we’re not. It’s hard to let them go.

 

The children of Israel took forty years in the wilderness to prepare for freedom. Their Father provided for them with manna and quail. He taught them life lessons. He disciplined them. He loved them. And when the time came, Moses gave them His final instructions.

 

These verses in Deuteronomy are at the heart of those instructions. Before and after them, Moses has reminded them about their history and God’s faithfulness. He has reminded them of the promises of God, and His faithfulness in keeping them. He has reminded them about God’s laws, commands and decrees, and God’s faithfulness.

 

Here is a link for the commercial. http://www.values.com/inspirational-stories-tv-spots/120-college Take 30 seconds to watch it.

 

Moses is like the Father in the commercial who has done everything he can to prepare his daughter for college so all he can think to do is remind her to buckle her seat belt, drive carefully and call when she gets there. Then he says what is most important as he lets her go, “I love you”.

 

Isn’t that how our Heavenly Father treats us? He prepares us, disciplines us, teaches us and loves us. He is constantly drawing us to Him. He is always with us and faithful to His Word and promises - regardless of whether we are or not. Then he says, “I love you”, and gives us the freedom to follow Him or not. 

 

When I went to college my Dad told me that he expected one letter a week from me. Today, kids would look at you like you have three eyes if you said that. But back then, I did what he asked. For my Dad, it all boiled down to one letter a week. For our Heavenly Father it boils down to, “Love me with all your heart and soul and strength”. If nothing else, do this. Then He lets us go.

 

(This devotional is devoted to my daughter Tara, my Grandchildren, my Dad and my Heavenly Father who has loved me, drawn me to Him and always been there for me, even when I haven’t noticed.)