Tag Archives: devotions

Bible Gleanings, devotions

The Water-Walker | Bible Gleanings | April 5-6, 2025

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The golden sun hid behind the hills as dusk descended upon an incredible day of miracles. The disciples were still short of breath after the feeding of the five thousand, exhausted from the massive crowds they helped feed, and from their hearts racing with wonder. Hopes were high. The crowds were ecstatic. Jesus and His disciples were gaining unstoppable momentum.

Then Jesus gave them a perplexing command, undoubtedly producing glances of bewilderment: “Get into the boat and go on without Me. I’ll meet you on the other side” (cf. Mark 6:45-46). Jesus had sent them to preach, heal, and cast demons, but He had never sent them away. Strange as it was, they obeyed because they trusted Him, and then they rowed away after one final look at Him. And unbeknownst to them, a storm was brewing nearby—and they were headed right for it.

The wind whistled. The waves of the deep arose, slamming against their vessel. And it was too late to turn back—they were four miles away from the shore where they last saw their Lord (John 6:19). But to their surprise, they saw Him again—smack-dab in the middle of this tempest—and not rowing after them in a boat, but walking on the raging sea. Terrified, they mistook Him for a ghost, which only amplified their paralyzing fear. And then they heard a voice that calmed their anxious hearts while the storm raged on: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Matt. 14:27b).

That the Creator could walk effortlessly on the water which He fashioned is astounding, but not astonishing. What is staggering is that Jesus sent the disciples to the sea knowing that they would be met by a violent storm. And He did so in order for them to experience His unmatched power and the peace of His presence in the midst of turmoil. Without the life-threatening storm, they would have never known the fear-dissolving authority of His word nor the sustaining comfort of His nearness. Jesus was all they needed, but they only learned that lesson when Jesus was all they had.

The Lord still allows storms to come our way and sometimes sends us directly to them for the same reason: to show us that He is enough. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “I have learned to kiss the wave that slams me against the Rock of Ages.” Thankfully, Jesus is never miles away during life’s tempests—He is in the boat with us. Even more, He walks on the waves which threaten to overwhelm us, bringing with Him the grace and mercy we require to endure. Let the Lord’s reassuring promise of His presence bring you calm in the midst of chaos: “It is I; do not be afraid” (John 6:20b).

This column is from 40 Days with Jesus, my 40-day devotional on Christ’s life, teachings, and miracles, available for purchase on Amazon:

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.

Bible Gleanings, devotions

The Giver of Life | Bible Gleanings | March 29-30, 2025

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It is every parent’s worst nightmare. Their beloved daughter passed away after fighting a fatal illness. Worse, their hopes were previously raised by the possibility of her recovery, but it was too late. The prospect of a miracle had vanished. Unless, of course, the Resurrection and the Life Himself is standing nearby (John 11:25).

Jairus’ daughter died just as Christ was on His way to raise her to life (Luke 8:49). But, rather than consoling the family and continuing on His journey, He gathered the grieving family for a miracle they would never forget. Taking her lifeless little hand in His life-giving hand, He whispered, “Little girl, I say to you, arise” (Mark 5:41b). Immediately, a surge of death-overcoming resurrection power jolted her back to life, and she walked around the very bed she died upon! This little girl, who had quite a story to tell her friends, had encountered the Lord of life, joining the ranks of Lazarus and the widow woman’s son, both of whom were miraculously resurrected after being declared dead (cf. Luke 7:11-17; John 11:1-44).

Experiencing death is the worst of all human experiences—not even children are exempt from it. But the good news is that death is not exempt from the life-giving power of Christ. There is nothing a sinner can do to overcome death, but there is nothing that death can do to overcome the Savior. Death may eventually conquer every man, but it cannot conquer the God-Man and those who believe in Him: “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him” (Rom. 6:5, 8-9).

This is why believers in Christ may exclaim with the apostle Paul, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:54b-57).

This column is from 40 Days with Jesus, my 40-day devotional on Christ’s life, teachings, and miracles, available for purchase on Amazon:

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.

Bible Gleanings, devotions

The Power of Peacemaking | Bible Gleanings | March 22-23, 2025

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He ordered his troops to draw their swords and prepare for a massacre. They were four-hundred strong, and the world was about to witness unprecedented bloodshed. However, thanks to the delicate intervention of one wise woman, not a single casualty ensued. As king David prepared to slaughter an irrational Nabal and all his men, an amiable and perceptive woman named Abigail brought gifts to David and negotiated skillfully (1 Sam. 25:2-38). Immediately, David and his men put away their swords—never even meeting Nabal face-to-face—and Abigail saved countless lives through one risky act of peacemaking.

And this is precisely what Jesus instructs His followers to do in the seventh beatitude of the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9). Simply put, a peacemaker is one who makes peace with others. Peacemakers do their best to live in harmony with those around them: “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Rom. 12:18). Peacemakers don’t stir the pot or go to every fight they are invited to; instead, they bury the hatchet and build bridges. As Paul urged, “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Rom. 14:19).

Peacemaking also entails striving to bring peace between people who are at odds with one another. Instead of starting or stoking fires, peacemakers focus on extinguishing them. Like Moses, they try to resolve conflicts between people who are better off working together (Ex. 2:13-14). They put their best foot forward to mend fences, like Jonathan who sought to reconcile David and Saul (1 Sam. 19:1-7). Peacemakers work to assist others in making amends, such as Paul, who carefully and gently endeavored to establish peace between Euodia and Syntyche, and Philemon and Onesimus (Phil. 4:2-3; Philem. 8-10).

And the most principal prerequisite for peacemaking is being at peace with God. Enemies of the Lord cannot make peace because they are at odds with Him (Rom. 5:10). Only those who are God’s friends through faith in Christ’s saving work may enjoy this peace: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). And this peace provides believers with a significant incentive to make peace with others. For, if God sacrificed much by sending His beloved Son to Golgotha to reconcile sinful man to Himself, how much more should saved sinners sacrifice comparatively little—like an awkward conversation or time spent in prayer—to restore relationships and live at peace with others? This is why peacemaking proves that one is a child of God: “for [peacemakers] shall be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9b).

This column is from 40 Days with Jesus, my 40-day devotional on Christ’s life, teachings, and miracles, available for purchase on Amazon:

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Grace for the Guilty | Bible Gleanings | March 1-2, 2025

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The women who discovered the empty tomb were frozen by fear, but it was time to get moving. This was not the time for fascination, but rather, for proclamation. The angel commanded them to hightail it and spread the good news to the brokenhearted disciples (Matthew 28:7). The eternally significant message of Jesus’ resurrection would not reach the others by their staring into the tomb, but through their sharing that it was empty. “Go,” declared the angel, “tell them all the good news. And make sure you track down Peter. Whatever you do, don’t forget to tell Peter” (cf. Mark 16:7).

Peter. His name was as good as mud. He caved underneath the weight of fear and denied his Lord not once, but three times (Mark 14:66-72). The most outspoken disciple failed to speak up for Jesus. He messed up big time, and weeping bitterly in the shadows, he disappeared from the scene. “It’s all over now,” he must have thought. “I can never be saved. Jesus will never forgive me. I’m done for.”

But the angel’s message was clear: Peter’s story was not over. The risen and victorious Lord was calling him back by name. Even after such a humiliating failure, Jesus did not write Peter off. He wanted him to know that He was alive, and eagerly awaited their reunion. Only a few hours prior, Jesus had bought Peter with a price, paid for his sin of betrayal with His life, and now testified through His resurrection that God had accepted the atoning work of His beloved Son.

Perhaps there are times when you feel like Peter: “Well, that’s it then. I am too sinful to be forgiven. I’ve messed up too much.” But Jesus’ message of grace is for you, too. If you had accompanied those women 2,000 years ago, the angel would say to you: “Jesus hasn’t written you off. He still loves you. He wants you to be forgiven.” And Peter would be the first sinner to tell you that you cannot out-sin the grace of the Lord Jesus. As a matter of fact, He died and was raised for you, knowing that you have blown it: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).

This devotional column is from my newest book, 40 Days with Jesus, which is a forty-day daily devotional focusing on the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus. This book is available in hardcover and paperback on Amazon:

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.

Bible Gleanings, devotions

It Is Finished | Bible Gleanings | February 22-23, 2025

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Everything suddenly grew eerily quiet and frightfully dark. The mocking voices of the multitudes hushed and darkness enveloped the land for three hours. The Son of God was nailed to a crucifix, suspended between life and death, bearing the full weight of God’s wrath against sinners. Then came the ninth hour—Jesus’ last hour of life on earth. He lifted His bloody head, and after drawing a deep breath, His voice shattered the silence as He cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30).

It was not a howl of defeat, but a cry of victory. Jesus had completed His ultimate mission: to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). And God, fully satisfied with His saving work, tore the veil of the Temple in two, signifying the end of separation between a holy God and sinful man (Luke 23:45). The earth shook, the rocks shattered, and the tombs opened, as creation itself testified to the eternal weight of Christ’s cry from the cross (Matt. 27:51-52). The redemption of sinners was complete.

And no one can add to Christ’s work by their obedience, nor subtract from it by their disobedience—it is finished. The most righteous saint cannot improve on what Christ has done, and the most vile sinner cannot take away from what Christ has done—it is finished. Sin can no longer condemn those for whom Christ died, neither can Satan accuse them any longer—it is finished. The sting of death has been nullified because death died through the death of Christ—it is finished. For those who believe in the finished work of Christ, there is no more sin debt to pay, no more death to fear, no more wrath to face, and no more separation from God to suffer from—it is finished.

The devotional column above is from my newest book, 40 Days with Jesus, which is a forty-day daily devotional focusing on the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus. This book is available in hardcover and paperback on Amazon:

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.

Bible Gleanings, devotions

You Are Barabbas | Bible Gleanings | February 8-9, 2025

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The mob multiplied into a multitude, and their enraged voices grew hoarse from shouting. They demanded that justice be served to this alleged blasphemer and revolutionary. Nothing less than the maximum penalty under the law would satisfy them. However, the governor failed to find sufficient evidence to exact such a swift and severe punishment. Therefore, he turned justice over to the mob and, bringing out an actual convicted felon, he gave them a choice: punish one man and let the other go.

“Whom do you want me to release for you,” asked the governor, Pilate. “Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matt. 27:17). These two prisoners stood before him. One had a bruised and battered face from the prior night’s abuse, while the other smiled with a menacing grin of rebellion. One was wrongly accused of blasphemy and spoke not a word in His defense, while the other was justly found guilty of murder and leading violent uprisings. One Man remained strangely calm, while the other shifted around impatiently, hoping to be released.

The choice was in the hands of the crowd: either release an innocent Christ and re-chain a murderous Barabbas, or release Barabbas and put Jesus to death. Suddenly, a single voice rang out, joined by hundreds of others: “Not this man, but Barabbas!” (John 18:40b). Pilate tried one last time to persuade them otherwise, rightly asking, “Why? What evil has he done?” (Mark 15:14a). But the crowd erupted like waves crashing on the shore: “But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified” (Mark 15:14b-15).

Thus, Christ’s punishment ensured Barabbas’ freedom. The unfair treatment of the Lord Jesus may produce heartache and perhaps even anger, but it should result most of all in humbling self-abasement, considering that we are Barabbas. Who we are in this story is clear. Sinners are guilty and the Son is righteous. Sinners deserve to die and Christ deserved to live.

And yet, because of the great love with which Christ loved us, He traded places with Barabbases like us. The guiltless Christ took on our guilt. The spotless Lamb of God became marred by the filth of our sin. The righteous Jesus became unrighteous in our place. It was just as the prophet Isaiah predicted: “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5).

The devotional column above is from my newest book, 40 Days with Jesus, which is a forty-day daily devotional focusing on the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus. This book is available in hardcover and paperback on Amazon:

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Forgetfulness of Faithfulness | Bible Gleanings | January 11-12, 2025

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The last thing you want to forget on a long road trip are snacks. Thankfully for modern travelers, there is a FiveStar or Casey’s off every exit, stocked with enough candy to make Willy Wonka’s teeth ache, and enough greasy food to rival a McDonald’s fryer. For ancient travelers, however, heading out with an empty knapsack wasn’t just inconvenient—it could quickly turn deadly. And the disciples made this mistake when they set sail on the sea (Matt. 16:5, 7-8). They searched for a loaf of bread while they rowed, and when none was found, they panicked and, “they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread” (Mark 8:16).

One could sympathize with their fretting if they were traveling solo, but they weren’t alone. Jesus was on board with them, and He had recently fed over 10,000 people with—you guessed it—bread (cf. Matt. 14:13-21; 15:29-39). The disciples had something better than Panera Bread or Texas Roadhouse—the greatest bread Multiplier who ever lived was right beside them! Why, therefore, were they concerned about their next meal? According to Jesus, the reason for their fear was multifaceted: their memories were short, their faith was faint, and their eyes were closed.

Jesus explained their unfounded worry with a series of questions: “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” (Mark 8:17b-19a).

We may never find ourselves breadless in a boat, but there is no shortage of situations that blind us from seeing our blessings. The disciples weren’t the only ones forgetful of Christ’s miraculous workings of the past. Sometimes, we are forgetful of yesterday’s provision and yesteryear’s mighty wonders, and our present problems often seem bigger than the Lord’s power and providence. Oftentimes, the sight of our needs eclipses our sight of the Need-Meeter, who is always right beside us. Just like the disciples, we often have short memories and small faith.

Fortunately, Jesus is patient with forgetful and faithless disciples like us. However, when we fret about having no bread, we need to inquire of our souls: “Do you not see or remember?” Allow His past provision to fuel your faith in the present. Keep your eyes of faith open to see His constant providential workings in your life. Look back at Christ’s faithfulness in the past and look around at His faithful provision in the present.

The devotional column above is from my newest book, 40 Days with Jesus, which is a forty-day daily devotional focusing on the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus. This book is available in hardcover on Amazon:

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.

Bible Gleanings, devotions

The Personal Jesus | Bible Gleanings | January 4-5, 2025

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He had to get away from it all. Despite the endless films and paintings depicting Jesus as welcoming throngs and hordes with open arms, there were many times when Jesus pulled back (Mark 3:9; 7:24; Luke 5:15-16; John 6:15). However, such retreating certainly appears to be counterproductive to the development of an earthly ministry, don’t you think? After all, if you want to build a support base, wouldn’t you want to gain a larger following and increase the size and scope of your ministry?

Needless to say, establishing a large following and building a big ministry is not why Jesus came into the world—He came for needy sinners. And His continual withdrawal from the crowds doesn’t mean He outright despised them—rather, it demonstrates His preference to minister to people one-on-one. Jesus sought to know people on a name-and-need basis—He didn’t care about filling stadiums or boasting of great numbers. Jesus always prioritized intimate interactions over large-scale miracles, superficial popularity, or mass appeal. His mission was to seek and save the lost through personal encounters.

Jesus deliberately traveled through Samaria in order to minister to the Samaritan Woman and bring her the good news of salvation (John 4:1-26). Rather than making him a spectacle, Christ took the deaf man by the hand and led him away from the crowds—and He restored his speech and hearing in private (Mark 7:31-37). Jesus healed the blind man from Bethsaida away from prying eyes by leading him outside of the town (Mark 8:22-26). Amidst a multitude of invalids at Bethesda’s pool, Christ set His sights on only one man who had been crippled for thirty-eight years, and He healed him (John 5:1-15). And Jesus singled out little Zaccheus, who climbed a sycamore tree to view Him because of the crowd size—and Jesus focused on him instead of the masses (Luke 19:1-10).

Any of the individuals whom Christ healed and ministered to would tell you that you are more than just a name and face to Jesus. He loves you and cares about you as an individual. If He didn’t, He wouldn’t be keeping up with the number of hairs on your head (Matt. 10:30). Moreover, if God keeps track of the death of sparrows, then He certainly keeps track of the needs of His saints (Luke 12:6-7). The Lord even cares for you as though you were His only child: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me” (Isaiah 49:15-16).

The devotional column above is from my newest book, 40 Days with Jesus, which is a forty-day daily devotional focusing on the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus. This book is available in hardcover on Amazon:

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.

Bible Gleanings, devotions

The Friend of Sinners | Bible Gleanings | December 28-29, 2024

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Blasphemer. Drunkard. Glutton. Servant of Satan. King of the Jews. The negative nicknames hurled at Jesus during His earthly ministry dripped with scorn. But one rose above the rest—a name intended as an insult, but embraced by the Savior who came for sinners: “a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” (Matt. 11:19b).

Jesus shared supper with social outcasts, misfits, and rejects on multiple occasions. Once, after answering the call to follow Jesus, Matthew (also called Levi) held a banquet for His Lord and invited all kinds of sinful folk (Luke 5:29). Reclining at the dinner table were gamblers, moneylenders, thieves, prostitutes, and the worst of them all: tax collectors. “Has He lost His mind?” the scribes and Pharisees must have wondered. After all, this was not the best approach for gaining street credibility for a newly-launched ministry. Dining with such detestable delinquents would actually destroy His ministry—that is, if His ministry was focused on numbers and fame instead of sinners who need grace and mercy.

Therefore, the religious leaders questioned, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” (Luke 5:30b). Ask and you shall receive, and they received quite an answer, as Jesus wisely responded, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32). In other words, Jesus was saying, “The kind of people you criticize and despise—I came for them. The people that make you shriek in your phony piety—I came for them. The people you believe the world would be a better place without—I came for them.” Jesus came to seek and save the sin-sick, not the self-righteous.

The lesson Jesus taught by eating with evil people is that all sinners are invited to His table. And if you consider yourself to be one, there is good news: Jesus welcomes you to His table of salvation, where you may feast on the blessings of redemption freely. He has saved a seat for every repentant sinner, especially “the poor, the crippled, the lame, [and] the blind” (Luke 14:13). The banquet of everlasting life is not for great saints—it is reserved for great sinners who recognize Christ as a great Savior. Jesus is a Friend and Savior to those who see themselves as God’s enemies in need of salvation, not those who falsely presume that they are on “good terms” with God and do not need saving.

The devotional column above is taken from my newest book, 40 Days with Jesus, which is a forty-day daily devotional focusing on the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus. This book is available in hardcover on Amazon:

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.

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Better Than Santa | Bible Gleanings for Advent | December 14-15, 2024

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Santa Claus is slightly judgmental. He only brings presents to good boys and girls. Those who misbehave are on the naughty list and will receive only coal in their stockings. As J. Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie wrote in Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town: “He’s making a list, he’s checking it twice, he’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice.” Only youngsters most deserving of gifts can expect to find presents underneath the tree.

Jesus is the polar opposite of Santa: He gives the greatest gift to those who are the least deserving. He came to grant salvation and eternal life to evil people, not good people. As He Himself said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). Furthermore, He came to erase your name from the “naughty list” and write it in His book, the “Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27). 

The fact that shepherds were the first to hear the good news of Jesus’ birth embodies Christ’s mission to save the undeserving (Luke 2:8-13). The glad tidings were announced by the exalted angels of heaven, not to kings or emperors, but to some of the most insignificant people in Judean society. Shepherds were thought to be insignificant and contemptible. Jews considered them to be unclean, deceitful, and uneducated. Nonetheless, they were the first to hear the wonderful news that the Savior had been born.

And the Gospels reinforce the idea that Jesus came for the low-ranking people of the world. The first disciples were fishermen. Jesus healed social outcasts: lepers, paralytics, and the demon-possessed. He ate with tax collectors and sinners. He cared for widows and the sexually immoral. There is no question about it—Jesus came to save the least qualified.

You do not have to be outstandingly competent to receive His gift of eternal life. The Lord Jesus will grant salvation to you, no matter who you are or what you have done. Eternal life can be yours even if you are sexually immoral, idolatrous, adulterous, greedy, or addicted (1 Cor. 6:9-11). Jesus is the significant Savior who came for insignificant people. That’s another reason why Jesus is better than Santa.

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.