Digging Deeper: Proclaim the Year of the Lord’s Favor

Avatar photo Phil Meade on January 30, 2026

 

19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

Luke 4:19a (ESV)


PROCLAIM THE YEAR OF THE LORD’S FAVOR

 

In the eighth century BC, the Assyrians invaded the northern kingdom of Israel—consisting of ten of the original twelve tribes—and took most of the inhabitants into exile. Prior to this period, the Jews observed a Sabbath Year every seventh year. During this year, no work was done in the fields; land that had been sold or leased was returned to its original owner; debt obligations were released; and Hebrew slaves were freed (see Deut. 15). The Jubilee Year occurred after seven cycles of seven years, or in the fiftieth year. The laws regulating the Jubilee Year were similar to those of the Sabbath Year (see Lev. 25). The Jubilee Year has not been observed since the Assyrian exile.

When Jesus proclaims “the year of the Lord’s favor”—translated as “the acceptable year of the Lord” in some versions—many scholars believe he is referring to the Jubilee Year. As John Gill notes, “The time which he willed and fixed for the redemption of his people, and in which he showed his goodwill and pleasure unto sinful men, in the gift of his Son to them, and for them.”

20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:20–21, ESV).

Jesus finishes his reading of Isaiah and sits down to begin his teaching. He now has the full attention of the crowd, and he stuns them by declaring himself to be the Messiah—the fulfillment of Isaiah 61. He proclaims a Jubilee Year that has not been observed in over seven hundred years. What Jesus comes to accomplish during his “Spiritual Jubilee Year”—his earthly ministry—mirrors what was required during the Jubilee Year:

  1. A Year of Rest: The fields are left idle to replenish and refresh. Jesus offers rest to the weary; the Spirit of Jesus restores and reenergizes.

  2. Land Restored to Its Original Owner: Jesus restores us to our original owner. Created in God’s image, our relationship with the Father is restored through the sacrifice of his Son.

  3. Debts Forgiven: The eternal debt we owe for the guilt of our sin is forgiven through Jesus’ work on the cross.

  4. Slaves Freed: Hebrew slaves were released; Jesus comes to liberate us from slavery and bondage to sin.

Finally, it is important to remember the cost of this “Spiritual Jubilee Year.” Jesus leaves heaven to become fully human and fully God—allowing him to “sympathize with our weaknesses” (Heb. 4:15)—and to become the perfect sacrificial Lamb required by God. This was entirely God’s plan, not one of human design. What Jesus offers is free and cannot be earned by our efforts. Just as the Jewish people needed faith to believe that God would provide for them during the year of rest, all that is required of us is to trust in God’s provision through the work of his Son. The Spirit empowered Jesus for his earthly ministry, and that same Spirit is available to empower you.


Digging Deeper (er):

Mark 1:15; 2 Cor 6:2 Heb 12:28

Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 6. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

 

Digging Deeper: Liberate the Captive and the Oppressed

Avatar photo Phil Meade on January 29, 2026

 

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives . . . to set at liberty those who are oppressed.

Luke 4:18b (ESV)


BIND UP THE BROKENHEARTED, RECOVER SIGHT TO THE BLIND

 

What holds you captive? Is it a job? A relationship? A hobby? An addiction? Financial success? Other than addiction, striving to succeed in these pursuits is not inherently harmful. However, when taken to extremes, any activity can lead to sinful behavior, and you may become a “slave” to it. Are you spending too much time at work at the expense of your health, emotional well-being, or family stability? Are you involved in a relationship that is not beneficial to either party—much less honoring to God? Do you spend an inordinate amount of time engaged in activities that do not bring you—and the people around you—closer to God? Are you willing to push the envelope and live on the margins to get ahead financially? Living this way will eventually lead to captivity, leaving you unable to break free.

Fortunately, Jesus promises to set the captive free. No chain that we forge in life is too strong for Jesus to break through the power of the cross. Our responsibility is to confess the sin that has kept us captive, lay it at the foot of the cross, and repent—that is, to turn and walk the other way. John reminds us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Notice that John says all unrighteousness will be cleansed. This means that the guilt and shame that have kept us captive to sin are washed away by the blood of Christ (Heb. 10:22). No greater elation can be experienced than that of a slave set free or a prisoner released from captivity.

Oppression can arise from both internal and external sources. Anywhere in the world where the practice of Christianity poses an existential threat is, by definition, external oppression. Internal oppression may stem from guilt, fear, pain, or hopelessness. The word oppressed that Jesus reads—translated as bruised in the KJV—comes from the Greek thrauō. This form of oppression conveys the feeling of being shattered into pieces, like broken pottery, under the crushing weight of evil and sin.

What circumstances in your life are making you feel oppressed? Are these pressures internal or external? Jesus promises all who are weighed down by heavy burdens:

28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28–30).

Remind yourself daily that Jesus took the weight of the sins of the world (1 John 2:2) upon his shoulders on the cross. Jesus died so that we might live in liberty. He stands with open arms to relieve you of your burden and invites you to take up his yoke, where you will find “rest for your souls.”


Digging Deeper (er):

Rom 6:20-21; Heb 10:22; 1 John 2:2

Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 6. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

 

Embrace Your Detour

Kevin Burrell on January 28, 2026

 

And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News about Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:2

 

EMBRACE YOUR DETOUR

Indiana University Head Football Coach Curt Cignetti broke into coaching in 1983, beginning his college career as a graduate assistant at the University of Pittsburgh. As a GA, his duties included long “grunt work” hours for minimal pay. Then, in 2011, Coach Cignetti landed his first head coaching job at the Division II level at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)—and 13 years later, he did it again at the Division I level with Indiana University in 2024.

Coach Cignetti was replanted from place to place over the past 43 years of his football coaching career, impacting the lives of countless coaches and athletes—many of them at Indiana University—where he won his first Division I Football National Championship as head coach last Monday night in Miami.

In a similar way, imagine the Apostle Paul, shackled in a Roman prison, his freedom stripped away and his missionary journeys halted. The man who once blazed trails across the ancient world—preaching the resurrection of Christ to kings and commoners alike—was now confined to a prison cell. It could have been the end of his story, a tragic fade into obscurity.

But Paul saw beyond the bars. He declared that his imprisonment wasn’t a setback, but a divine setup. Guards heard the Gospel, fellow believers were emboldened, and the message of Jesus spread like wildfire throughout the empire, impacting countless lives. What the enemy meant for silence, God orchestrated for amplification.

Now fast-forward to your life. Perhaps you’re staring at an unexpected pink slip from your employer or packing boxes for a move you never planned. Maybe a relationship has shattered, or a dream has derailed, leaving you uprooted and asking, “Why, God? What have I done wrong?”

Here’s the challenge: stop viewing these divine detours as punishment. God isn’t a cosmic disciplinarian wielding a whip; He’s the Master Storyteller, weaving your experiences into a tapestry that glorifies His name. He may replant you in a new city, a different workplace, or an unfamiliar role—not to sideline you, but to position you where the Good News can flourish through your living testimony.

Think about it. That new job might place you among colleagues desperate for hope, where your quiet faith becomes a beacon in their darkness. That relocation could land you in a community ripe for revival, where your story of God’s faithfulness ignites conversations about Christ. Paul didn’t choose his chains, but he surrendered to the One who did—and in that surrender, the Gospel advanced.

Here’s the encouragement: your life is no accident. God is writing your story with eternal ink, plot twists included. Every “detour” is a deliberate path to purpose. Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”

Listen closely—this is where it gets challenging: don’t steal God’s pen. Don’t grasp for control, scribbling your own endings, clinging to the familiar, resisting the replanting, or demanding explanations before you obey. “I’ll follow You, God—but only if it makes sense to me.” Paul didn’t do that. He trusted the Author, even in the dungeon. And so should you.

If you’re in a season of transition today, lean into it. Share your faith boldly in your new environment. Let your resilience preach louder than words. God isn’t done with you—in fact, He’s just turning the page, beginning a new chapter where His glory shines brighter through your yielded heart.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

 

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 45 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

Digging Deeper: Bind Up the Brokenhearted, Recover Sight to the Blind

Avatar photo Phil Meade on January 28, 2026

 

. . . he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted.

Isaiah 61:1a (ESV)


BIND UP THE BROKENHEARTED, RECOVER SIGHT TO THE BLIND

 

The prophecy of Isaiah 61 includes the phrase, “he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted” (Isa. 61:1a, ESV). With the exception of the KJV translation, this phrase is not included in Luke’s account of Jesus reading Isaiah to the crowd (Luke 4:18). I include it here as a reminder that many of the sins Jesus came to give his life for emanate from the heart.

When we think of a broken heart, what often comes to mind is the end of a romantic relationship. Whether you are the initiator of the breakup or the recipient, pain occurs on some level. Our hearts can also be broken by hurtful actions committed against us or by harsh words spoken to us. Whatever the cause, we have all experienced that feeling of a broken heart that seems as though it will never mend. Jesus came to “bind up the brokenhearted,” but not in the sense we might first assume.

King David reminds us, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Ps. 34:18). “Brokenhearted,” in the biblical context, does not primarily refer to pain inflicted by others’ sin against us, but rather to the sorrow that comes from our own sin. John Gill notes that our “hearts are broken and made contrite by the word of God, under the influence of the Spirit of God, and with a sense of sin; and are wounded with it, and are humbled for it.” Jesus called those who mourn “blessed” (Matt. 5:4). Jesus comes to bind up the broken heart—but in this context, he seeks the heart of those who truly mourn over their sinful condition. Once we humbly confess our sins to him, the stripes that he endured heal our wounds (1 Pet. 2:24, KJV).

“. . . and recovering of sight to the blind” (Luke 4:18b, ESV).
“. . . and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isa. 61:1b).

Before salvation, we are all blind to our true condition. Sin blinds us and twists the truth. It is as though we are imprisoned, shut away in darkness. Jesus is telling his audience that he comes to free the prisoner from darkness and to restore sight to the blind. Jesus later tells Saul—soon to become Paul—on the road to Damascus that Paul is sent “to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God” (Acts 26:18a).

Have you ever been in total darkness? I am not referring to when-the-power-goes-out darkness; I am talking about deep-in-a-cave darkness. You literally cannot see your hand in front of your face. That is how blind we become to our sinful nature. Fortunately, God—through his Son, Jesus—promises to “lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground” (Isa. 42:16). Jesus not only comes to heal physical blindness, but—more importantly—to open our eyes to the light that only he can provide.


Digging Deeper (er):

Psalm 147:3; John 8:12; 2 Cor 4:6

Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 5. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

 

Digging Deeper: Bring Good News to the Poor in Spirit

Avatar photo Phil Meade on January 27, 2026

 

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written . . . 20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 

Luke 4:16-17, 20-21 (ESV)


BRING GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR IN SPIRIT

 

As we saw yesterday, Jesus begins his earthly ministry in greater Galilee. We now find him returning to his hometown of Nazareth and attending the Sabbath service in the synagogue (4:16). The service customarily begins with worship—prayer and praise—followed by members of the congregation standing to read from the Law and the Prophets. Jesus stands to read from the prophet Isaiah (4:16b–17a) and then sits down (4:20a). The president of the synagogue then invites any distinguished visitor to speak, with discussion to follow. Jesus—seated, as was customary for rabbis and teachers—begins to speak (4:21).

Jesus’ reputation from his early ministry in Galilee precedes him. All eyes are fixed on him (4:20b), and he begins his teaching by boldly proclaiming that he is the fulfillment of the Isaiah prophecy he has just read (4:21). I can only imagine the reaction of the crowd when they hear this astonishing proclamation. Let us now dig deeper into how Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 61.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor” (Isa. 61:1a).

The Hebrew word for Messiah is Moshiach, which means “anointed one.” Jesus announces that he is that “Anointed One,” the anticipated fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. In the Christian era, Messiah refers more to a Savior or Redeemer. The Jews of Jesus’ day, however, were looking for a king who would overthrow the oppressive Roman occupation, bring peace throughout the world, and return all Jewish exiles to the Holy Land. Jesus completely upends this perception of his messianic calling. He comes to redeem and save the lost—whether Jew or Gentile—and to “bring good news to the poor” (61:1a).

The Greek word for poor is ptōchos. This does not refer to someone merely struggling to make ends meet, but to someone who is utterly impoverished, begging in full dependence for everything. The sin of pride is the antithesis of spiritual bankruptcy (ptōchos). Pride says, “I am independent, rich in all things, and have no need or want.” Spiritual bankruptcy says, “I am totally dependent, have nothing to offer, and struggle to survive.” James reminds us, “‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6).

When Jesus states, “Blessed are the poor (ptōchos) in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3), he is referring to someone who is spiritually destitute and helpless. Charles Spurgeon writes, “None ever considered the poor as Jesus did, but here he is speaking of a poverty of spirit, a lowliness of heart, an absence of self-esteem. Where that kind of spirit is found, it is sweet poverty.” Oh, may we—count me first in line—strive to put away our pride to attain that “sweet poverty”! That is the “good news!”


Digging Deeper (er):

Proverbs 22:4; James 2:5; Revelation 3:17

 

Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 5. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

 

Digging Deeper: The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me

Avatar photo Phil Meade on January 26, 2026

 

1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness . . . 14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

Luke 4:1, 14-15 (ESV)


THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME

 

We begin this week’s study at the onset of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Jesus is baptized in the River Jordan by John the Baptist, filled with the Holy Spirit, and driven by the Spirit into the wilderness (Luke 3:21–22; 4:1; see also Mark 1:9–13). In the wilderness, Jesus endures forty days of fasting and is subject to temptation by Satan (Luke 4:1–11). Note that Luke emphasizes that Jesus is “full of the Holy Spirit” as he begins his trial in the desert (4:1).

The Spirit of God dwells in the human body of Jesus, just as the Spirit indwells those who confess Jesus as Lord and Savior. After the Last Supper, Jesus tells his disciples, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever . . . You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:16–17b). Jesus then returns to Galilee fully “empowered” by the Holy Spirit to begin his earthly ministry. He teaches in the synagogues, and news of his works and glory spreads widely (4:14–15). You may be wondering what it means to be “empowered” by the Holy Spirit. Glad you asked . . .

Jesus promises his disciples that the Father would give them “another Helper, to be with you forever” (John 14:16b). That Helper is the Holy Spirit. At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit indwells every believer and empowers each of us in many ways. The Holy Spirit testifies that we are adopted children—and therefore heirs—in the family of God (Rom. 8:16). Paul reminds the church in Rome that “by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Rom. 15:13). When we struggle in prayer, “the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Rom. 8:26). Our minds are opened to spiritual truths—“interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual” (1 Cor. 2:13). Jesus also tells his disciples that, by the power of the Spirit, they will be his “witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

As believers, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13) and are fellow heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17) in the family of God. This adoption into the family of believers gives us eternal hope through the power of the Spirit. The Spirit empowers us to speak directly with God in prayer. We are also gifted by the Spirit—to one degree or another—to interpret the Scriptures. We use this gift not only to enlighten our fellow believers, but also to witness to those we encounter. Jesus begins his ministry “full of the Holy Spirit,” and we should have confidence in the power of that same Holy Spirit who indwells us.

The gifts of the Spirit vary widely among believers; however, the “fruit of the Spirit” should be universal among all believers. Being “in step” with the Spirit means displaying the many attributes listed in Galatians 5:22–23. As Max Lucado succinctly notes, “These are indicators on our spiritual dashboards. So whenever we sense them, we know we are walking in the Spirit. Whenever we lack them, we know we are out of step with the Spirit. Keep in step with the Spirit.”


Digging Deeper (er):

Ezekiel 36:26-27; Acts 10:38; 1 Corinthians 6:19

 

 

Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 5. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

 

Digging Deeper: Jesus Fasted – He Knows How You Feel

Avatar photo Lee Wilson on January 23, 2026

 

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you carefully;
11 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

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

Luke 4:1-13 (NLT)


HE KNOWS HOW YOU FEEL

 

It seems a bit perplexing to consider the temptations of Jesus. As believers, we affirm the divine nature of Christ, meaning He is not bound by the limitations of ordinary men.

So how can human temptations really work on Jesus? If He is God in the flesh, a mere human enticement would be no match for Him, right? Part of the significance lies in the fact that while He was fully God, He was also fully man.

He felt hungry, He felt tired, He felt happy, and He felt sad—all in the same way you and I experience those things. This is not to be scoffed at; it is a pivotal element of this passage.

We have all heard the refrain “I know how you feel” before. It is a common attempt to assuage an aching heart, but it can easily seem to drip with insincerity. In one of the Harry Potter movies, Harry is being comforted after losing his godfather. He had already lost both of his parents and a close friend. His professor attempts to comfort him by saying, “I know how you feel,” to which Harry replies sharply, “No, you don’t.”

In instances like this, it can almost make things worse to try to relate to someone experiencing something you have never had to endure. We don’t want a disingenuous attempt at relatability—we want the real thing.

We want to find someone who has been through it before to tell us, “It’s okay. I made it through, so you can too.” When we lost our infant daughter, I clung to the words of parents who had been through similar loss, hoping we could find eventual peace.

When Jesus comes to earth as a human being, it is so He can look us in the eye and say, “I know how you feel,” and mean the full weight of that statement. He hadn’t eaten in forty days, was sleeping in a rocky and unforgiving desert, and stood face to face with evil incarnate.

The full intensity of His temptations, according to theologian R. C. Sproul, is said to have been greater than what any moral human could endure—and yet, He did. Now, when you find yourself worn down by the grind of life, stressed out and tired in your own personal desert, you can cling to the hope found in His resolve.

We serve a God who has been through every hurt, pain, and stress we have ever felt—even unto death. And He overcame it all. Praise God for this truth.

Though we may walk through the wilderness from time to time, if we keep His Word in our hearts and minds, He will help us overcome it all—even death.

 

Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

Digging Deeper: Jesus Fasted – Should We?

Avatar photo Lee Wilson on January 22, 2026

 

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you carefully;
11 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

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

Luke 4:1-13 (NLT)


JESUS FASTED – SHOULD WE?

 

When Jesus was baptized and subsequently led into the wilderness by the Spirit, He fasted for forty days and forty nights. Depriving the human body of food for that period of time would obviously require restfulness and plenty of hydration, and under no circumstances would it have been easy.

So why did He do it? Jesus, we believe, is fully God but also fully human. He was most definitely hungry and tired by this point and no doubt felt exhaustion. His ability to relate to us and our human needs is certainly relevant when we think about why He endured temptation and fasting—but might there be a deeper meaning?

The first temptation of man took place in Eden. Adam and Eve, unlike Jesus, had full bellies and lived in a world free of sin. Animals were subservient to them, and every need was provided amid a lush and green garden. In this place of abundance, they chose sin.

Jesus, on the other hand, was in the midst of a harsh wilderness, surrounded by “wild animals” (Mark 1:13) that would pose a great risk to a solitary human. The Judean wilderness is more aptly described as a rocky desert with a harsh, arid climate. Its inhabitants include the Arabian leopard, caracals, and scorpions like the aptly named “deathstalker.” The canyons and peaks might make for pretty pictures, but it is no place for a man to live.

It was in this harsh terrain, juxtaposed with the lush Garden of Eden, that Jesus was led by the Spirit to go. His humanity was hungry, tired, and withered. And there, He came face to face with the Devil, to whom “all authority” in this world had been given (Luke 4:6).

In the middle of desolation, we find a clear picture of holiness. In a place where carnal temptations would be at their greatest, Jesus perseveres by the power of the Spirit and keeps Scripture on His tongue to send the Devil away unsuccessful. Where Adam failed, Jesus redeemed.

We find ourselves living in a sinful world every day, lush with temptations and trials. We are still under the curse of original sin, and thus we need the faithful hand of God to help us through. Fasting and prayer are one way we can seek God’s guidance, especially when facing trials.

In fact, Jesus speaks as though He expects us to fast (Matthew 6:16–18). So how might we approach it? Pastor John Piper describes fasting as “a temporary renunciation of something that is in itself good, like food, in order to intensify our expression of need for something greater—namely, God and His work in our lives.”

We are not commanded to fast; it is not an explicit mandate. But if Jesus is our perfect example to follow, then I think it is prudent for us to examine its place in our lives. It may not even be a food fast—maybe it’s technology or coffee, or maybe it’s abstaining from watching the Braves (easy to do in 2025, so maybe that doesn’t count).

Whatever it may be, I pray that you find a way to connect with Jesus a little more deeply by doing so. I pray you find your “temporary renunciation” so that you can “intensify your expression of need for something greater.”

 

Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

Reservations at the King’s Table

Kevin Burrell on January 21, 2026

 

Saul’s son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when the report came that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child’s caregiver heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled.

2 Samuel 4:4

 

RESERVATIONS AT THE KING’S TABLE

There are moments in life when we feel the weight of our own brokenness. Have you ever been there? I certainly have. We carry wounds from our past, failures that haunt us, and weaknesses that make us feel “spiritually crippled.” Like Mephibosheth hiding in an empty, barren place, we often retreat to our cave of shame—convinced that God could never want someone like us, or even use someone like us, because of our past failures and mistakes.

In a similar way, that is the story of Mephibosheth. He was the son of Jonathan and the grandson of King Saul. When he was a small child, news came that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. His caregiver tried to flee with him, but in the rush she dropped him, and he became “permanently crippled in both feet” (2 Samuel 4:4).

Many years later, when David became king, he remembered his covenant with his best friend, Jonathan. He sought out and found Mephibosheth living in obscurity and fear, expecting hostility because he was a descendant of the former king.

Instead, David brought Mephibosheth into his household and gave him a permanent place at the king’s table—treating him like one of his own sons (2 Samuel 9).

Listen closely: Mephibosheth’s story is more than a historical account—it’s a living picture of the gospel. It’s your story. It’s my story. Just as Mephibosheth was dropped, wounded, and left unable to help himself, all of humanity has been left wounded, scared, and crippled by sin. You carry spiritual brokenness you did not choose, and you may often hide in fear, shame, or a sense of unworthiness.

Yet just as King David sought out Mephibosheth—not because he had anything to offer, not because he had earned favor, but simply because of a covenant of love—

In the same way, God seeks you. Not because you are strong, but because He is faithful. Not because you are worthy, but because of the covenant sealed by the blood of Jesus.

Listen—God is not waiting for you to be perfect before welcoming you to His banquet table. He is not waiting for you to have your life all cleaned up. Your scars, weaknesses, and failures don’t push Him away; they simply magnify the beauty of His grace and mercy.

Come to Jesus just as you are. He loves you unconditionally—and He has a chair reserved just for you at the King’s table.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

 

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 44 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

Digging Deeper: The Lord’s Prayer

Avatar photo Lee Wilson on January 21, 2026

 

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you carefully;
11 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

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

Luke 4:1-13 (NLT)


THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

I don’t know if science still agrees that breakfast is the most important meal of the day—but it is definitely my favorite. I love a good cup of dark roast coffee, some scrambled eggs, and bacon. And what about pastries? Donuts? Waffles, pancakes—French toast??

I think it is clear: breakfast can offer plenty of temptations to us.

When Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness, He relied on Scripture and obedience to overcome it. It is crucial, therefore, that we spend time in the Scriptures and in prayer—but what should that look like?

Everyone’s routines are different, but I try to spend time in Scripture and prayer every day before work. Sometimes that is at home, but many times it is listening to Scripture on my short drive to work and praying before I clock in for the day.

Jesus speaks directly to how we should pray in both Matthew (6:9–13) and Luke (11:2–4) in what is known as the Lord’s Prayer:

And He said to them, “When you pray, say:
‘Father, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”

As we have focused on temptation this week, I thought it would be interesting to focus on that last line. What did He mean by “lead us not into temptation”? God does not lead us into sin—we know that (James 1:13)—so how should we interpret this?

Pastor and theologian Charles Spurgeon said this on the subject:

“The reason for presenting that petition must be because we are so weak and frail. We ask that we may not be burdened, for our back is not strong; and we plead that we may not have sin put before us in any of its enticing forms, for oftentimes the flesh borrows strength from the world, and even from the devil, and these allied powers will be too much for us unless the omnipotence of God shall be exerted on our behalf to hold us up lest we fall.”

We are to be so desperate to avoid temptation because of its frightening power over our weakened human condition. What a humbling thought. Jesus is instructing us, for our own good, to ask God not to allow any temptations to befall us that we can’t handle.

Spurgeon goes on to add hope to the equation, saying the Lord will supply us with the wherewithal to endure what He does allow to come our way:

“God’s way of escape from trial is not for His people to avoid it, so as not to pass through it, but such an escape as leads them through the trouble and out at the other end; not an escape from the Red Sea, but an escape through the Red Sea from a still greater trial. If you, beloved, are exposed to trial or temptation, you are to be made able to bear it.”

Our enemy knows our weaknesses, and he also knows that our strength does not come from within, but rather from our faith in the Lord. So I pray today that no undue trials be laid before you, and that you be given the strength to overcome any that do.

 

Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.