Daily Reading: Luke 20
Scripture Focus: Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him. (Luke 20.38)
Devotional Thought: Jesus had returned to Jerusalem, the spiritual center of the nation, for the last time. Many were threatened by him, holding tightly to their cherished traditions and prominent positions. Some there did not hope in the resurrection. Jesus did not back down but preached the truth about the resurrection. He said that his Father was “not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him" (Luke 20.38).
Many of those in Jerusalem were spiritual leaders and ministers. Yet, they struggled to find life. Their spiritual lives had been stifled by many things. The ruling political class was oppressive and cruel. The religious elites were hypocritical and self-serving. Life was hard and burdensome. Sinfulness and sickness were smothering holiness and hope. But, Jesus spoke life into their bleak and dreary world: You are not dead! You are alive to God!
What good news today. All live to him! What things keep you from living an abundant life? Jesus has come forth from the grave and proclaims victory over everything that may rob you of fullness. Sin has been defeated at the cross. Death has been swallowed up in victory. By his stripes we are healed. Through him, we who were once far away have been brought near to God. All this is ours through Jesus Christ.
Twenty centuries ago, Jesus came to a world suffocating in death, darkness and despair. Life and light and hope were birthed in a stable and laid in a manger. Let him be born in your heart anew today. Live in him!
Prayer: "We believe in God the Father. We believe in Jesus Christ. We believe in the Holy Spirit. And He's given us new life. We believe in the crucifixion. We believe that He conquered death. We believe in the resurrection. And He's comin' back again. We believe." Amen. "(Newsboys)
Psalm of the Day: 7 Answer me quickly, O LORD! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. 8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. 9 Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to you for refuge! 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! 11 For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! 12 And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant. (Psalms 143:7-12)
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