Good Morning! My name is Matt and I was asked to give you a devotional thought from the book of Luke 21-23.
KEY VERSE: Luke 22:52-53 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour-when darkness reigns.
KEY PASSAGE: Luke 22:47-53
REFLECTION:
Having just celebrated Easter I was reminded of the great price Jesus paid to guarantee my salvation. As written in My Utmost for His Highest, “Christ’s resurrection destiny – His foreordained purpose – was to bring ‘many sons to glory.’ The fulfilling of His destiny gives Him the right to make us sons and daughters of God.” Furthermore, “And what His resurrection means for us is that we are raised to His risen life, not to our old life.” (My Utmost for His Highest, April 8, 2012). In the passage above it is clear that, although Jesus knew the suffering He would endure while on the cross, He did not try to run and hide from His “foreordained purpose.” Although He had the power of God on His side, He willingly surrendered to the chief priests and officers of the temple guard for me and you.
Even though Christ died for our sins, He did not remain in the tomb. Jesus rose from the dead and as is quoted above: “And what His resurrection means for us is that we are raised to His risen life, not to our old life”. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ makes it possible for all of us, even though we are sinners, to put our sins behind us and spend eternity in Heaven with him.
APPLICATION:
Although we celebrate Easter only once a year, as Christians every day is Easter for us. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ saved us all from an eternity in Hell and gives us the promise of everlasting life. What a mighty God we serve.Thank you for being a part of the 100-Day Challenge. Thanks for reading, and you have a blessed day!
In Christ,
Matt
Name: Matt
Favorite Bible Character: Job
Family: Wife Jennifer; Kids Madison, Morgan, and Marleigh
Favorite book in the Bible: Proverbs
Area of ministry at VBC: Security Team