“And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.” – Luke 19:3-4

Zacchaeus was eager to see Jesus. VERY eager! Despite his prominent standing in the community as a chief tax collector, he happily abandoned his dignity and climbed a tree like a young child. Just to catch a glimpse of Jesus! And Jesus blessed him for it.

This Advent season, how eager are you to see Jesus? How excited are you to draw near to Him in quiet prayer and meditation? To worship Him in public and private? To read and hear His words? To proclaim the good news of His birth? Are you “Zacchaeus eager”? If not, why not? What would you need to change to recapture childlike excitement about Christmas and the coming of Jesus?

Think about that carefully. Then do it! Don’t hold back, climb a tree! #FollowJesus

“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 18:13-14

Jesus and the Apostles repeatedly remind and challenge us not to think too highly of our virtue. We didn’t save ourselves. We can’t save ourselves. God didn’t save us because He knew how great we’d be, He saved us because of how great Jesus is! We must not forget these things and begin thinking our spiritual progress makes us something bigger or better than what we are. It is more than enough to be a precious and much-loved child of God saved as a gift of His grace through faith in His Son.

When we’re tempted to pat ourselves on the back because of positive changes in our lives, let us remember to praise God for them. When we’re tempted to look down on others who haven’t made the same progress we have, let us instead pray for them while thanking God for His glorious work in our lives. Any time we’re tempted to exalt ourselves, let us instead make much of God, for He has made much of us!

This isn’t about trashing yourself or constantly beating yourself up over past mistakes that God has forgiven. This isn’t about false modesty or humility. This is about letting your heart continually be captured by the holiness and grace of Jesus that blesses you each and every day. Never forget it! May God continue to exalt you as you walk humbly before Him! #FollowJesus

“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’” – Luke 17:5

An interesting request that’s always a good idea! Have you asked Jesus to increase your faith lately? If not, why not do so right now? Go ahead…

It probably isn’t a coincidence that this request came after Jesus explained how we must be willing to forgive other believers who sin against us, once those individuals say they’ve repented. That certainly takes faith! Faith to forgive people the same way Jesus forgives you. Faith to open yourself to further hurt if that person hasn’t really repented. Faith to forgive when you’ve heard it all before. Faith to take off the protective armor of cynicism and mistrust you may have put on to protect your heart.

Indeed, if you’re going to forgive people the way Jesus forgives you (over and over again), you probably do need Him to increase your faith, just like the apostles did! So, if you didn’t do it earlier, now’s a good time to ask Jesus to increase your faith this Advent season. Go ahead…. #FollowJesus

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” – 1 John 1:5

This is the season when days get short and nights get long. Even during the day, light can be lacking in the winter season, especially as you go further north. And so, we light the candles of Advent, reminding ourselves of this unchanging and beautiful truth. God is light. His light is pure and perfect. It has no hint of the darkness of sin. God’s light never flickers or dims. Unlike a candle, His light can’t be blown out, either by accident or on purpose.

Better still, this perfect, eternal light entered our world to light the darkness. Jesus, the Son of God, came to be the light of the world! To bring us out of the darkness of fear, sin, despair, and death into God’s perfect light of love, grace, and truth. Whatever darkness you may find yourself in, know that it isn’t from God. In Him, there is no darkness at all. None! Whatever darkness you may find yourself in, God is the solution to that darkness. Let Jesus, the light of the world bring you out of that darkness, because “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7). #FollowJesus

“But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.” – 2 Peter 3:7

There isn’t much to say beyond what Peter says. It’s a blunt but accurate promise / warning. Fiery judgment, destruction, and the renewal of creation lies sometime in the future. Possibly very soon…

As the Advent season begins, we not only celebrate the first coming of Jesus into the world, we are invited to eagerly anticipate His second coming. When Jesus returns, He will usher in judgment. Blessing and reward await those saved from their sins by grace through faith in Him. Devastation and eternal separation from Him await everyone else. Don’t casually let anyone be “everyone else”!

Advent should certainly be joyful but also serious and urgent. This is a wonderful season to share the truth and love of Jesus Christ with others, in word and in deed, because there another advent is coming, and we don’t know when that will be. Always live prepared. Come, Lord Jesus! #FollowJesus