Special thanks to Jill Hamming from PEI who is writing the devotionals on the readings from Luke (with help from L.E.Porter’s commentary on Luke).
SCRIPTURE: Luke 16:16-18
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION
- I never thought before today about how the teaching changed with John the Baptist. Before him we read that people heard about the laws of Moses and the prophets. Now they heard of the Good News about the Kingdom of God. Before they were told that some day a Messiah would come. Now the people heard the Messiah was coming soon. Their hearts were being prepared.
- Devout Jews would have been longing for this time. Other Jews would have seen it as not so important, something in the future but not really real. Some Jews totally responded to John the Baptist and later accepted Jesus as their Saviour. Others did not care. And there were some who did not like the way that Jesus came to them. They expected a more king –like appearance or a warrior to rescue them from the Romans. They did not accept Jesus either.
- What about today? What about when Jesus returns? Are we ready? Do we long for Him to come back. Or is it just some distant future event that is not real to us? Do we see Jesus acting in our lives now? –in the world around us? Do we expect Him to? How do we respond when He does? What about the revival in Florida? Is that really of him? Do we care? Does it look like what we expect Jesus to do?
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, I know I am not always looking for signs of You. I am not always longing for you to return… sometimes I do… Holy Spirit, please teach me about this, open my eyes to how You are working around me. Help me long for Jesus’ return. Thank-you, Amen