Lion + LambEsimerkki

Prayer: Jesus, help me to see You today as the most important part of my life.  I often become distracted by pressures or circumstances.  Prepare my heart so I may be a person ready for You.  

Preparing the Lion’s Path

Great events are preceded by a great announcement.  ESPN sends “College GameDay” to cover the upcoming football matchup.  Michael Buffer provides his iconic phrase before a great boxing match: “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!!!”  Kings of old would send forerunners to repair roads and prepare people for his arrival.  Jesus’ entrance into His public ministry was no less of an iconic announcement.  His cousin, John the Baptist, fully embraced his role as an ambassador for the king.  John spent his days in the wilderness eating wild food, wearing camel’s hair clothing, and proclaiming a message of repentance.  Repentance? Yes, the Greek word transliterated “metanoeō” carries the idea of changing one’s mind and action.  Repenting means we need to change our thoughts and our actions to align with Jesus.  

It can be easy to assume we are aligned with Jesus. However, when life is disrupted, finances get tight, or the future looks uncertain, we often become misaligned as we focus on the problems more than Jesus. How can our minds and hearts be prepared for Jesus to do His work? 

Look in the Word:

1. Look at Matthew 3:1-3.  How have you not prioritized Jesus in your life?
2. What specific changes in attitude and action would you make? Perhaps you can begin to pray more consistently or ask God’s forgiveness for not prioritizing Him. 
3. Look at Matthew 3:13-17.  What is said about Jesus from Heaven?  

What’s Next? 

1. Spend some time asking God to soften your heart and align you with what Jesus is doing.
2. Write out your concerns for the day and ask Jesus to give you wisdom on how to deal with them.
3. Thank Jesus for coming!