Something Different Luke 2:41- 4:13 Some things catch our attention They are interesting Colorful Creative Different Like a spoon…

Jesus and John were also interestingly different They caught the attention of the people

The people had seen a child before But not like Jesus The people had seen a preacher before But not like John The people knew about kings But not one like Jesus

Jesus was with his parents in Jerusalem As they left they assumed the child was with them But Jesus stayed behind at the temple He was not just in the temple He was discussing God with the priests

Luke 2 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

This child was different He knew his place in life His calling His origins The reason for his life

John the son Zechariah was also different He did not preach obedience to the law He preached about a change of heart and mind

Luke 3 repentance forgiveness 2 …the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance… 10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. 11 John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.”

12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. 14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

This preacher was also different in that he was clear of several things That he was not the that important The messiah, the important one, was coming His baptism would change everything

16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.

Jesus was a different type of king He was willing to get his hands dirty He was among the people He could stand up to evil He could win

Luke 4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.

Jesus was tempted Satan offered him the “world” Jesus addressed and fought every temptation

13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Jesus could stand up to evil Face it head on He could win Most importantly, Jesus could win for us

Putting it all together Spirituality speaking there is nothing new in life But the way Jesus came, lived and worked was different He came with a plan and was willing to follow the plan to save us

Putting it all together Preachers are nothing new What made John great was that he knew he was not great Seek out preachers and teacher who love the lord and his people more than themselves

Putting it all together Salvation is not a new idea either But often our saviors are so imperfect they cannot really save Jesus begins his ministry by demonstrating he can defeat evil

This Christmas season is not new We know what to expect The Gospel writer reminds us… Jesus came to save us Jesus sends loving preachers and teachers Jesus still wins over evil And being part of God’s family makes us part of a winning team That is the Good News!