PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 13:13-25
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“I am not the one you are looking for.” (Acts 13:25)
Paul echoes John the Baptist, stressing that he is not the Messiah (John 1:20).
He is preaching Jesus, he is not preaching himself.
This is something that we all need to remember.
Our job is to speak well about Jesus, to brag about him.
As I relate to people, I find I genuinely want to help them.
I struggle with their struggle, I hurt for their hurt.
I see their God-given potential, and hate how Satan is holding them down.
My heart is to help them, fix them, make life better for them.
But this is what a saviour does, and I am not their Saviour.
Not only is Jesus more worthy than us, he is more able.
John stresses that Jesus baptizes with the Spirit of God.
This is what he can do, and we cannot; he can change us on the inside.
This is the kind of Saviour we need, “the one we are looking for!”
I need to get out of the way, so Jesus can take center stage!
PRAYER
Lord, as I think of specific people I struggle to help, I realize I am trying too hard to be their Saviour. I am not the one people need, you are!
“After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.” Paul and his companions (including Luke the writer) were invited to say a word of exhortation – that is after the readings from the law and the prophets were read. It reminds me of Jesus sitting down after he had read from Isaiah and sat down to exhort the people. There was a tradition of reading from the scriptures – something we must not neglect. If reading is a possibility or if not listening as for many illiterate people – then the scriptures should regularly be read – but it is also important to meditate and reflect on what is read – that is what Paul and his companions were invited to do. Lord help me too to share and be invited to share of your grace in my life. Thank you for the opportunities – thank you for your word and the ability to be able to read it. Lord, I do delight in reading you word – especially when your Spirit uses it to speak to me
The story is once being told. However, the story is not about the person telling it, it is all about the Saviour, the Saviour I/we need to truly live. Life without Him is not living. Life with Him is true life, living for Jesus. We all need this Saviour.
His forever, only His;
Who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss
Christ can fill the loving heart!
Heav’n and earth may fade and flee,
Firstborn light in gloom decline,
But while God and I shall be,
I am His, and He is mine;
But while God and I shall be,
I am His, and He is mine.