Category: Digging Deeper

 

“Jesus was known as the son of Joseph… Kenan was the son of Enosh. Enosh was the son of Seth. Seth was the son of Adam. Adam was the son of God.”

Luke 3:23, 28 (NLT)

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JESUS CAME FOR FLAWED PEOPLE

Luke’s genealogy is more than a list of names. It tells a story. It is a story of broken people, unlikely ancestors, and sovereign grace. Unlike Matthew, who traces Jesus’ line to Abraham, highlighting Jesus’ Jewish roots, Luke takes us all the way to Adam. Why? Because Luke wants us to see that Jesus came for everyone: Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, outsider and insider. What do all these people in the lineage of Jesus have in common? They are all flawed. They are all sinners in need of rescue. Jesus came for flawed people. After all, that is the only kind there are.

Don’t you just love a good bargain? Most of us do. Whether it is a garage sale, a secondhand store, or the clearance rack at the mall, we all like a good deal. What we do not often like is getting home and realizing that our good deal was not that good after all. It is an especially bad deal if we did not notice the “as is” tag.

Most of us are leery of “as is” items. Some stores call them slightly irregular. Sometimes they are called seconds. But whatever you call them, it is simply another way of saying, “These are damaged goods.” Most stores give you fair warning. This item is sold “as is.” You are going to find a flaw, a stain that will not come out, a hole, a zipper that will not zip, or a seam that is not straight. There will be a problem. This item is not normal. There is a fundamental rule on this rack: no returns, no refunds, and no exchanges.

The good news is that Jesus knew what He was purchasing when He redeemed us on the cross. He knew our condition, and He knew that He would never want to exchange us. Once we are His, we are His forever.

Read Luke 3:23–38. Pick one name that stands out. Look up their story. How does their life reveal God’s grace?

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

 

“Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry. Jesus was known as the son of Joseph.”

Luke 3:23 (NLT)

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JESUS UNDERSTANDS OUR HUMANITY

Yesterday, we said that at Jesus’ baptism, He was declared to be fully God, God’s eternal Son. In the very next verse (v. 23), Luke wants us to also see that Jesus is fully human. Jesus stepped out of heaven and entered real life with real struggles. He knew exhaustion, hunger, grief, and temptation, yet He lived without sin. His humanity was not a limitation. It was a bridge. He became like us so He could reach us. He walked among us to lead us back to God.

Luke emphasizes both Jesus’ humanity and divinity. The people knew Him as Joseph’s son, a carpenter from Nazareth, but heaven knew Him as the Son of God. The beauty of the gospel is that Jesus was both. He fully understands what it means to be human, yet He alone had the power to redeem.

His life shows us how to live. His strength in the face of temptation gives us hope. His compassion in weakness offers comfort. Jesus did not just come to save us. He came to walk with us.

During a marathon, a runner collapsed just short of the finish line. Rather than cross without him, another runner turned back, lifted him onto his shoulder, and walked the final stretch together. When asked why, he said, “Because he could not finish alone, and I could not leave him behind.” That is what Jesus does for us. He does not leave us in our weakness. He enters it with us.

How does knowing Jesus understands your struggles personally help you face them today? Where do you need to rely on Him more?

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

 

“And the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, ‘You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.'”

Luke 3:22 (NLT)

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JESUS IS FULLY GOD

This moment in Jesus’ baptism is a powerful glimpse into the Trinity. The Father speaks, the Son prays, and the Spirit descends. Heaven itself opens to affirm who Jesus is. In this moment, He did not become God’s Son at His baptism. He always was. But this moment made it visible and undeniable to the people watching and to us today.

The Father’s words were full of meaning to those listening who were very familiar with the promises of the Old Testament. When He says, “You are my dearly loved Son,” He is quoting Psalm 2:7, a messianic psalm describing Christ’s coronation as the eternal King. When He says, “You bring me great joy,” He is referring to Isaiah 42:1, which says, “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me.” Jesus is both the Servant who would suffer and the King who would reign. In a single scene, God affirms Jesus’ love, authority, and mission.

During a youth basketball game, a player made a great move and scored. Amid the noise, one voice rose above the crowd. “That’s my boy!” his dad shouted with pride. The son beamed. In that moment, everyone knew he was loved and seen. That is what the Father did for Jesus. He publicly declared, “This is My Son.” It was affirmation, love, and commissioning all at once.

The amazing truth is that God feels the same way toward His children who have been adopted into His family by grace through faith in Jesus. Have you received God’s affirmation in your own heart? When you consider your identity, do you believe you are dearly loved and sent by God?

 

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

 

“One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized.”

Luke 3:21 (NLT)

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JESUS UNDERSTOOD THE MISSION

Jesus did not need baptism for repentance, as the others John baptized did. He had no sin to confess. John was hesitant to baptize Him, but Jesus insisted and stepped into the water anyway. Why? Because He came to identify with us in our humanity and to live the human experience. Symbolically, He stepped into the water to preview the mission He came to fulfill: to die, be buried, and rise again.

His baptism was a living parable. It showed that He would one day go down into death on our behalf and rise to bring us new life. It was a moment of divine clarity and a clear understanding of His mission. His baptism marked the beginning of a public journey that would culminate in the cross and resurrection.

We often think of baptism as symbolizing our commitment to God. But here, it is Jesus’ commitment to us. He was showing that He would go where we could not, do what we could not, and make a way back to God.

Imagine a lifeguard who sees someone drowning. He does not shout instructions from the shore. He dives in. That is what Jesus did. He did not shout at us from heaven. He did not stay distant from our sin and suffering. He came down into the water with us, not to be cleansed Himself, but to begin the rescue.

Here is another way to look at it. During the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, Dr. Kent Brantly volunteered to treat patients even though it put him at risk. Eventually, he contracted the virus himself. When asked why he went, he said, “God called me to go. I was not called to comfort but to obedience.” Jesus did something even greater. He did not just risk His life. He gave it out of obedience to the mission of His Father.

Have you stepped into the waters to be baptized to show that you have turned from sin and turned to Christ in repentance and surrender? If not, register for our next baptism in The Springs at NorthStar. You can find all the information about how to register and what to expect by following this link: https://northstarchurch.org/baptism.

 

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

 

“Everyone was expecting the Messiah… John answered… ‘Someone is coming who is greater than I
am.’”

Luke 3:15-16 (NLT)

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JESUS IS THE ANSWER

 

There is pressure at the beginning of a new year to be more—to fix more, carry more, solve more. Last year reminded me how freeing it is to remember who I am not.

John redirects attention to Jesus. Preparation requires humility—knowing our role and releasing what belongs to God.

Jesus is not just the beginning of the story. He is the answer.

Consider: What expectations might you lay down so Jesus can take His rightful place this year?

 

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Minda Seagraves has been married to her best friend, Russell, for 17 years and is mom to Carson and Maddie. She is also a full-time missionary with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serving as a chaplain to local female high school teams and supports 380 staff across four states in the U.S. and 20 countries in East Africa as the Regional Director of Talent Advancement with FCA. Minda and her family live in Acworth and have been attending NorthStar Church since 2020.

 

 

“The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level…”

Luke 3:4-6 (NLT)

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PREPARE THE WAY INTERNALLY

 

Last year reminded me that capacity is not constant. Some days hold more strength than others. Plans shift. Expectations adjust.

God prepares hearts, not schedules. Valleys and mountains represent both despair and pride—places that make encountering Jesus harder.

God is not rushing us. He is readying us.

Consider: Where might God be inviting patience instead of pressure right now?

 

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Minda Seagraves has been married to her best friend, Russell, for 17 years and is mom to Carson and Maddie. She is also a full-time missionary with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serving as a chaplain to local female high school teams and supports 380 staff across four states in the U.S. and 20 countries in East Africa as the Regional Director of Talent Advancement with FCA. Minda and her family live in Acworth and have been attending NorthStar Church since 2020.

 

 

“Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised…”

Luke 3:9 (NLT)

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JESUS IS THE JUDGE

 

Judgment can feel like a harsh word, especially when life already feels fragile. Last year helped me see that God’s judgment is not about condemnation—it is about clarity.

Trees are judged by fruit, not intention or appearance. Scripture tells us that judgment has been entrusted to Jesus, not as cruelty, but as righteousness.

In God’s hands, judgment becomes an act of mercy.

Consider: What might God be pruning—not to punish, but to bring life?

 

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Minda Seagraves has been married to her best friend, Russell, for 17 years and is mom to Carson and Maddie. She is also a full-time missionary with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serving as a chaplain to local female high school teams and supports 380 staff across four states in the U.S. and 20 countries in East Africa as the Regional Director of Talent Advancement with FCA. Minda and her family live in Acworth and have been attending NorthStar Church since 2020.

 

 

“…preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

Luke 3:3 (NLT)

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JESUS IS THE FORGIVER

 

Last year reshaped how I think about repentance. I no longer associate it primarily with shame or self-correction, but with alignment. Repentance has looked less like trying harder and more like releasing what no longer brings life.

John’s message is clear: repentance prepares the way for forgiveness. It is not repentance that saves, but repentance that opens us to receive grace. Forgiveness is not earned by heritage, effort, or religious familiarity.

Jesus forgives completely, but He invites honesty first.

Consider: What might God be inviting you to turn toward as this new year begins?

 

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Minda Seagraves has been married to her best friend, Russell, for 17 years and is mom to Carson and Maddie. She is also a full-time missionary with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serving as a chaplain to local female high school teams and supports 380 staff across four states in the U.S. and 20 countries in East Africa as the Regional Director of Talent Advancement with FCA. Minda and her family live in Acworth and have been attending NorthStar Church since 2020.

 

 

“At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness…”

Luke 3:2-3 (NLT)

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GOD SPEAKS IN THE WILDERNESS

 

Last year taught me how much clarity can come from quieter spaces. When life slows—whether by choice or circumstance—we often notice things we’ve been too busy to hear. Wilderness seasons strip away noise, schedules, and the illusion of control. They are rarely comfortable, but they are often clarifying.

Luke intentionally names powerful political and religious leaders, only to tell us that God’s word bypassed all of them and came instead to John in the wilderness. Preparation for Jesus did not begin in palaces or temples, but in obscurity. God’s voice is not impressed by influence; it is drawn to availability.

The wilderness is not a punishment. It is a place of preparation.

Consider: Where has life slowed enough for you to listen—and what might God be speaking there?

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Minda Seagraves has been married to her best friend, Russell, for 17 years and is mom to Carson and Maddie. She is also a full-time missionary with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serving as a chaplain to local female high school teams and supports 380 staff across four states in the U.S. and 20 countries in East Africa as the Regional Director of Talent Advancement with FCA. Minda and her family live in Acworth and have been attending NorthStar Church since 2020.

 

 

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. 

Luke 2:52 (ESV)

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DON’T WASTE THE WAITING

 

The light peeked in through the window screens, and I barely moved. I could feel every inch of the OSB board just below the thin mattress. It gave an unyielding pressure, sending a dull throb crawling up my back. I shifted, then shifted again, but there was no position where the ache didn’t bloom and spread. It didn’t matter that the bell was ringing—I both wanted to lie in that bed longer and not be in it at the same time.

Then I heard a deep voice beside me. A hand rested on my shoulder as I lay on my side. But the voice wasn’t a counselor’s. It was familiar.

“Hey, Dad. It’s time. Morning Watch is about to start.”

I sat up, but not fully. I exited diagonally, my sandy feet hitting the floor. With bits of grit clinging to my skin, my adult brain finally understood the importance of the nightly broom sweepings.

As we walked down the dirt hill, I overheard two boys—both far younger than my sons—talking to each other.

“I heard there’s a giant turtle that lives at the bottom of the lake.”
“The lower one?”
“No, the upper one with the dock. And it once ate a kid’s toe.”

I almost blurted out, finger—almost. But I stayed silent.

The chaplain was Matt, and he nearly collided with my oldest son as we approached the makeshift amphitheater by the lake.

“Tripp, you have those forms turned in?”

Tripp shook his head no.

Matt smiled. Crow’s-feet lined the corners of his eyes—the kind I tend to notice on people who have been walking with the Lord for a long time.

“You’ll be good with the kids.”

Matt moved to the center as we settled into our seats. The roar of Morning Watch dropped an octave, layered with the weight of grown voices—fathers seated shoulder to shoulder with their sons on the benches, all facing forward. Matt said nothing at first, letting the silence stretch. His gaze drifted upward, breath slow and deliberate, as though he were counting the trees one by one.

“This place… is special, for God is here.”

There are two theories of time. One is like a book, where the past is as real as the present and the future—kind of like how a book has all its pages coexisting at the same time. The other is that only the present exists. The past is truly gone; the future is merely potential. I’m inclined to think the latter is true. If so, the stories I’ve shared here—those moments, the way the trees leaned, the way the campers and counselors looked, and even some of the people themselves—all of that is gone. All that is left are memories.

In one sense, the moments—from searching for Cary to attending father-son weekend at the same camp—seemed to stretch on forever. In another, they passed in the blink of an eye. 2026 is out there, waiting—full of potential for you to build God’s kingdom: to witness, to encourage, to serve. Don’t waste it. I once heard Tim Tebow say something along the lines of, “I don’t want to enter heaven well rested.”

Remember what we’ve learned this week. Jesus truly grew—in wisdom, stature, and favor. He is worthy of worship, receiving what belongs to God alone. Love for God is shown through obedience, by aligning our will with His. God’s commands are not burdensome, but flow from perfect love and wisdom. And because our time is brief, don’t waste the waiting—seek Jesus, worship Him, and pour your life out on what lasts.

 

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Curt Bowen is a husband, father, and group leader who loves engaging in apologetics, theology, and good BBQ. A thrill-seeker at heart, he enjoys roller coasters and has an appreciation for snakes—just not the conversational type.