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Luke meticulously lays the foundation that Jesus is God’s promised Messiah, pointing to an angelic revelation to both Mary and Zechariah, the heavenly hosts revealing to lowly shepherds that this “promised one” is born in a humble animal shed in Bethlehem, the startling affirmation of Simeon and Anna at the Temple, Jesus’ impressive visit with the scholars at the Temple when he was only 12 years old and Jesus’ baptism by the unorthodox prophet John.

Our text for today’s lesson focuses on what are called the Beatitudes of Jesus. Each beatitude begins with the translation of the Greek word makarioi for blessed. It has the meaning of “happiness” and describes what Jesus intends for those who become disciples of his word.

This is the year I’m going to get organized!

Of course, that’s what I said last year, too. It’s an annual ritual that’s a lot like Charlie Brown continually lining up to kick that football.

Written roughly 70 years after the crucifixion, John approaches the story of Jesus unlike Matthew, Mark or Luke. John does not deal with the genealogy, birth, baptism, temptation or ascension of Jesus. John does not report Jesus’ parables, but carefully follows a theme of Jesus’ “I Am” teachings and records more details of his death. John carefully puts together Jesus’ miracles, calling them “signs” and treating them as unique windows into the true nature of Jesus as Messiah for all the world.

Psalm 8 is one of the psalms characterized as Songs of Praise to the Creator. Even though the entire book of Psalms is often described as praise to God, this psalm speaks eloquently to the question, “What is Man?” or, as John Stott labels it, “What is a Human Being?”

We all know about beginnings: that first day in school, becoming old enough to join the youth group at church, going off to college, starting a new job or career, marriage. You may remember the exact moment you accepted Christ as Savior and the day you publicly declared your life commitment by baptism.

When I lived in the Philippines in the 1950’s, our gardener was named Jesus. Thinking this odd I did some casual research and found that it was common to name one’s children after biblical characters such as John, Mary, Joseph and even Jesus.

In the closing verse of last Sunday’s lesson, Paul affirmed that all of the gifts described in 1 Corinthians 12:4-10 are “the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each man just as he determines.”

Tucked away in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church are many questions about the beliefs that should guide them in their church life and personal behavior.

The Jews fervently believed God would bring them to the pinnacle of power and greatness in this world. They looked for a greater kingdom than their King David's through a miraculous intervention of God in history. After their long and varied history, including sinful rebellion, exile, wars and restoration, they anticipated the prophets’ declarations and God’s promises would come true.