- araratchurch
- Dec 31, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 3
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.“
John 1:6 NKJV
Soon after Peter had declared—by the Spirit—that Jesus was, indeed, the Christ, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain. On that mountain, they saw Jesus transfigured before their very eyes. As well, they heard a Voice speaking from heaven, confirming that Jesus was indeed, the beloved Son of God!
The realization of Who Jesus truly was, led the disciples to ask a question concerning a messianic prophecy that they thought had not yet been fulfilled.
“And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.“
Matthew 17:10-13 NKJV
The prophecy being questioned by the disciples, was from Malachi:
“Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” Says the Lord of hosts.“
Malachi 3:1 NKJV
So, we see that Jesus confirmed that John was operating in the spirit of Elijah. That is to say, John the Baptizer was not Elijah, but operated in his anointing.
Indeed, John himself, affirmed that he was the prophesied, “voice crying in the wilderness.”
”Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”“
John 1:22-23 NKJV
Recently, as we celebrated the birth of Jesus, we heard the story of Mary visiting her relative, Elizabeth, who had miraculously conceived a child in her old age. And, that child became a zealous baptizer, urging people to repent, preparing the way for the ministry of Jesus.
You see, the Lord not only sent his beloved Son, but also sent the one who would prepare His way, just as had been prophesied.
Remember, everyone who will yield their lives to the purposes of God, will find that they, too, can be woven into the wonderful tapestry of God’s will.
Will you allow the Lord to use your life to complete His glorious work of art?
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Dec 30, 2025
- 2 min read
“And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.“
John 1:5 NKJV
Just hours before His crucifixion, Jesus told His disciples something He knew they would desperately need to know during what would soon take place:
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NKJV
You see, in the next excruciating hours and days, it would look as though Jesus had been stopped in His tracks from doing what He was sent to do. Yes, it would look as though the evil ruler of this world had won after all!
But, there was something about Jesus that would make the notion of evil winning over him impossible. You see, in this same discourse, Jesus told His disciples this:
“I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.“
John 14:30 NKJV
Now, what does it mean that Satan had nothing in Him?
You see, Jesus, though all God, was also all Man. And—as the writer of Hebrew instructs—He was tempted in all things as we are:
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.“
Hebrews 4:15 NKJV
But note, though Jesus was subjected to every temptation, He did not sin!
Yes, this holy child born in Bethlehem, remained obedient to the will of the Father, even unto death. The enemy had no accusation against him that could stick.
Praise the Lord, the perfect Lamb of God, the Light that shined in darkness, could not be overcome, thwarted, or even slowed down, by the darkness!
Amazing news for us: He Who overcame everything thrown at Him by the world, the flesh and the devil, shares His victory with those who call upon His name! This means that, because of Jesus, darkness is not the boss of you anymore!
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Dec 29, 2025
- 1 min read
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.“
John 1:4 NKJV
Mankind was fallen, and couldn’t get up. The spark of eternal life had been forfeited in the midst of a garden paradise, as the word of a rebellious serpent was heeded. Now, all attempts at providing a light in the midst of such utter darkness brought only a flickering hope of the Light Who was to come.
Then, amidst the likely screams of a blessed virgin, followed by the cry of a newborn baby boy, the greatest Gift punctured into time. With this, the spark of life that would bring light into the darkness, emerged, hidden in the body of a tiny baby Boy.
”Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”“
John 8:12 NKJV
Yes, Jesus came to make an entrance for us into eternal life, and with that life, light.
“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.“
I John 5:11-12 NKJV
Friend, Jesus came and secured for us what we could not even begin to regain for ourselves. He is the Light of Life! Those who have Him, need never again walk in darkness! Those who believe in Him, need never die.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!