Delve into the Gospels

I want to rediscover Jesus.  The first step is to delve into the Gospels.  They are the most comprehensive record of who Jesus was when he walked the earth, what he did, how he lived, and what he taught.

Today, I read Matthew chapters 1 to 5.  The part that stuck out to me most was about John the Baptist.  From my reading, I discerned that John wasn’t just a normal guy.  That John was in the wilderness.  His clothes were of lion hair, his hair was a wild mess.  From the wilderness, he heard God’s voice… “Prepare the Way of the Lord.”  Hundreds upon hundreds of people flocked to John to confess their sins and be baptized in the word of the Lord.

Jesus, too, went to John to be baptized.  Although John expressed that he was not worthy to baptize Jesus, Jesus replied that it had been prophesied.  As Jesus ascended from the water, the heavens opened and God proclaimed that truly He was his son.  It is at this point, Jesus began to fulfill his mission as the Messiah.

The gospels give us an array of personalities, struggles, accomplishments and failures.  The secrets to the Gospels is to see myself  in every person in the story; to bring it into the present and into my daily life.

Oftentimes, I find myself in the “wilderness” separated from the world and from God.  Then I hear God’s voice to prepare the way…to lead others into a relationship with Jesus Christ even as I build my own relationship Jesus.

Jesus, reveal yourself to me as I begin to rediscover you through the Gospels.

Amen.