[Jesus said,] "I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!" When they heard this, all the people — even the tax collectors — agreed that God's way was right, for they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God's plan for them, for they had refused John's baptism.
—Luke 7:28-30 NLT
Key Thought
"Some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last" (Luke 13:30 NRSV). Luke helps us see the great reversals that God's justice brings. Those who had all the advantages of being religious insiders often rejected Jesus because he called them to repent. Those who were outsiders, who knew they were sinners, and who were looking for a way out of their sinful bondage, repented and let Jesus completely reorient their lives. Even today, many of us who have had all the advantages of being raised around faith can find it hard not to tone down Jesus' call to change our lives and follow him as Lord. Let's use the failure of those who rejected Jesus as our warning! We are all saved by grace and are called to follow Jesus with our all!
Today's Prayer
Abba Father, please help me never let my familiarity with faith blind me to true and whole-hearted belief in Jesus and service in his Kingdom. I don't want anything to dilute my devotion to your Son as my Lord or to turn my heart away from his sacrifice, so please give me the discernment I need when Satan tries to use my weaknesses to blind me to your truth. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2019 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—Luke 7:28-30 NLT
Key Thought
"Some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last" (Luke 13:30 NRSV). Luke helps us see the great reversals that God's justice brings. Those who had all the advantages of being religious insiders often rejected Jesus because he called them to repent. Those who were outsiders, who knew they were sinners, and who were looking for a way out of their sinful bondage, repented and let Jesus completely reorient their lives. Even today, many of us who have had all the advantages of being raised around faith can find it hard not to tone down Jesus' call to change our lives and follow him as Lord. Let's use the failure of those who rejected Jesus as our warning! We are all saved by grace and are called to follow Jesus with our all!
Today's Prayer
Abba Father, please help me never let my familiarity with faith blind me to true and whole-hearted belief in Jesus and service in his Kingdom. I don't want anything to dilute my devotion to your Son as my Lord or to turn my heart away from his sacrifice, so please give me the discernment I need when Satan tries to use my weaknesses to blind me to your truth. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2019 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Continue reading...
