Key Passage
Jesus did these things to make happen what Isaiah the prophet said. Isaiah said, "Here is my servant; I (God) have chosen him. I love him, and I am pleased with him; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will judge the nations fairly."
— Matthew 12:17-18 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
Jesus is clearly living out of a sense of mission or calling. He is doing the Father's will. Powerfully at his baptism and at his transfiguration, Jesus is declared by God to be his Son, whom he loves. Once again we are reminded that Jesus is chosen by God to be his servant (son) whom he loves and who brings him pleasure. In addition, his ministry is carried out by the power of the Holy Spirit and its purpose is to share God's love, mercy and justice—specifically what Jesus has been doing. In much the same way, we are called, chosen, and empowered by God through his Holy Spirit. He lives in us and our goal is to bring God pleasure and to do his will. We are God's children and Jesus' disciples. So the real question is whether or not we're trying to live by the power of his Spirit and having as our goal in life pleasing him and sharing his grace with others!
Prayer
Abba Father, please help me to find your will for my life so that I may serve you with undiluted devotion and bring you pleasure. Please forgive me when I get caught up in things that are not healthy for me spiritually and not helpful for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Please bless me with the wisdom to know what is best to do to honor you today and each day of the rest of my life. In Jesus' name, and because of his grace, I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River. Jesus came to John and wanted John to baptize him. But John tried to say that he was not good enough to baptize Jesus. John said, "Why do you come to me to be baptized? I should be baptized by you!" Jesus answered, "Let it be this way for now. We should do all things that are right." So John agreed to baptize Jesus. Jesus was baptized and he came up out of the water. The sky opened, and he saw God's Spirit coming down on him like a dove. And a voice spoke from heaven. The voice said, "This (Jesus) is my Son and I love him. I am very pleased with him."
— Matthew 3:13-17
Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John the brother of James and went up on a high mountain. They were all alone there. While these followers watched him, Jesus was changed. His face became bright like the sun. And his clothes became white as light. Then two men were there, talking with Jesus. The men were Moses and Elijah. Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you want, I will put three tents here—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While Peter was talking, a bright cloud came over them. A voice came from the cloud. The voice said, "This (Jesus) is my Son and I love him. I am very pleased with him. Obey him!"
— Matthew 17:1-5
The true children of God are those people that let God's Spirit lead them. The Spirit that we received is not a spirit that makes us slaves again and causes us to fear. The Spirit that we have makes us God's chosen children. And with that Spirit we say, "Abba, Father." And the Spirit himself joins with our spirits to say we are God's children.
— Romans 8:14-16
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
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Jesus did these things to make happen what Isaiah the prophet said. Isaiah said, "Here is my servant; I (God) have chosen him. I love him, and I am pleased with him; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will judge the nations fairly."
— Matthew 12:17-18 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
Jesus is clearly living out of a sense of mission or calling. He is doing the Father's will. Powerfully at his baptism and at his transfiguration, Jesus is declared by God to be his Son, whom he loves. Once again we are reminded that Jesus is chosen by God to be his servant (son) whom he loves and who brings him pleasure. In addition, his ministry is carried out by the power of the Holy Spirit and its purpose is to share God's love, mercy and justice—specifically what Jesus has been doing. In much the same way, we are called, chosen, and empowered by God through his Holy Spirit. He lives in us and our goal is to bring God pleasure and to do his will. We are God's children and Jesus' disciples. So the real question is whether or not we're trying to live by the power of his Spirit and having as our goal in life pleasing him and sharing his grace with others!
Prayer
Abba Father, please help me to find your will for my life so that I may serve you with undiluted devotion and bring you pleasure. Please forgive me when I get caught up in things that are not healthy for me spiritually and not helpful for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Please bless me with the wisdom to know what is best to do to honor you today and each day of the rest of my life. In Jesus' name, and because of his grace, I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River. Jesus came to John and wanted John to baptize him. But John tried to say that he was not good enough to baptize Jesus. John said, "Why do you come to me to be baptized? I should be baptized by you!" Jesus answered, "Let it be this way for now. We should do all things that are right." So John agreed to baptize Jesus. Jesus was baptized and he came up out of the water. The sky opened, and he saw God's Spirit coming down on him like a dove. And a voice spoke from heaven. The voice said, "This (Jesus) is my Son and I love him. I am very pleased with him."
— Matthew 3:13-17
Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John the brother of James and went up on a high mountain. They were all alone there. While these followers watched him, Jesus was changed. His face became bright like the sun. And his clothes became white as light. Then two men were there, talking with Jesus. The men were Moses and Elijah. Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you want, I will put three tents here—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While Peter was talking, a bright cloud came over them. A voice came from the cloud. The voice said, "This (Jesus) is my Son and I love him. I am very pleased with him. Obey him!"
— Matthew 17:1-5
The true children of God are those people that let God's Spirit lead them. The Spirit that we received is not a spirit that makes us slaves again and causes us to fear. The Spirit that we have makes us God's chosen children. And with that Spirit we say, "Abba, Father." And the Spirit himself joins with our spirits to say we are God's children.
— Romans 8:14-16
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
