February 9, 2026

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ ” (Matthew 4.17)

“Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit. He went teaching in synagogues along the way. Everyone praised Him. News about Him spread through the whole countryside. He even went so far as Nazareth, where He had been brought up.” (Luke 4.14-16a)

“After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.” (Mark 1.14)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

What had happened at Jesus’ baptism set the course for the rest of His life. I mean that both literally and figuratively. When we hear the words of Jesus before He was baptized affirming the purpose and need for it, we hear Matthew’s own acceptance of the call as well. Jesus said to His cousin John, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” (Matthew 3.15) These words are not presented in the other gospels. What we are told in the other gospel references is “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” What was the good pleasure of God? It is nothing less than the acceptance of the call of righteousness over one’s life. True righteousness is “moral integrity and alignment with God’s will.” We might say it is “moral integrity with alignment to God’s will.” Regardless, it is always bound to God’s will. Jesus taught this as a top priority in prayer. Jesus never asked for anything that was out of alignment with God’s will. Yes, He got close in the Garden of Gethsemane on the eve of His crucifixion where He said, “God, if it be possible (meaning “a question of will”), let this cup pass from Me; yet not My will but Yours be done.” Even then, Jesus knew the battle between flesh and spirit always came down to a matter of aligning with God’s will. Jesus would do nothing that would impugn God’s name (…to take it in vain), would create a false image of God by presenting Himself as God (…have no graven images or icons) or even seeking equality with God (…there is but one God and Him only shall you serve.) The path of righteousness is the narrow road and gate which leads to Heaven, the throne of God and eternal life. All of that meant and means, His decision to preach and teach was bound by the very Word of God intended for the reconciliation, redemption and restoration of God’s people to be the people of God.

It also means that it should be our decision as well. Are we living, working and even resting on the very premise of righteousness? Is it what binds our thoughts and actions to being in the world but of the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven? Oh, I know I fall woefully short on many occasions. I offer this reflection as a reflection of myself in the mirror of Christ. I know it is a dim mirror, as the Apostle Paul would present it, which one day will become very clear. Are my intentions clearly aligned with God’s will as one of the people of God? Or am I satisfied with being one of God’s people who on earth do dwell? The day came when the truth of God’s Word had to be made fully visible and completely clear. John called for an accountability of everyone to hold themselves to the standard of “the Law.” By so doing, everyone would be known as a sinner and fully indebted to God for His mercy and grace to fall upon them. When it was shown to be an unacceptable Word evidenced by his arrest and beheading without the Temple leadership lifting a finger, the time had come when the message of forgiveness and accountability had to take on a new testimony. This was the testimony of Jesus. He ministry lived out what the life of righteousness was all about. He was just preaching and teaching. Jesus was living out the fulfillment of all righteousness. He humbled Himself in baptism for the remission of sins. He accepted the cleansing tide of the Jordan’s waters to anoint Him as one of the people of God. He separated Himself out by not succumbing to temptation. He made it known that He was not the one on trial but Satan himself. That same sentiment would be evidenced again in the Temple before the Chief High Priest who had Him arrested during Passover. It was seen again when Jesus stood before Pilate and declared, “This world is not My home. My kingdom is not of this world.” He put the Temple leadership as well the leadership of the Roman Empire on notice. Ultimately, His obedience to God’s will to love God’s people so much that He would lay down His life for them all and accept the penalty of death for their sins that they might taste such spiritual freedom and renewal and thus open the door for them to be the people of God was confirmed with His resurrection. Are we willing to make the same and similar statements with our words, our actions and our lives? Are we true witnesses of righteousness? If so, they why aren’t we on the streets, highways and back alleys proclaiming the love of God which leads to salvation which is the joy of the Lord?

TODAY’S PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.