October 25 - Luke 7-9
It is so wonderful how God is working all things together to reveal Himself to us, if we will listen. This morning I read my devotion out of the "Experiencing God Day By Day" as I do each day. Henry Blackaby's point was that God reveals Himself to us through His actions as well as through His Word, Prayer, and the Church. Then, as I read these three chapters in Luke, I found many confirmations of this truth. I hope you can see this spiritual truth and apply it to your life, too.
How did the disciples come to realize that Jesus was the Christ? His words were important, but I think His actions were what convinced them. They saw Jesus raise people from the dead. (7:15; 8:55) Who has the power over life and death except God? When John's disciples came to ask if He was really the Messiah, Jesus told them to tell John what they had seen Him doing and what they had heard Him saying. (7:22) Jesus fed over 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish. (9:17) Jesus was transfigured before their faces, and they saw Moses and Elijah. (9:29,30) What a powerful witness of Himself to them. They did not always understand His teaching about His death and resurrection, but they could see His actions and know that he was God. We can do the same thing today as we see God at work around us. Just think about all of the things you have seen God do.
The same truth applies to believers. It is not enough for us to just say we believe in our hearts. Jesus is looking for actions that verify belief. The woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears was confirming what was in her heart. (7:36-48) The parable of the sower and the soils was pointing believers to understand the importance of bearing fruit. (8:11-15) Jesus sent out the twelve to preach and to heal. Their actions showed people they were doing God's will. They were not ashamed of Jesus before men. (9:1-6) Jesus told the "would be" disciples that action was required, not just intention to do something in the future. (9:23-26) Truly, our actions are important to the Lord Jesus.
I also thought it was interesting that Jesus' actions did not always bring people to believe in Him. (8:36,37) However, even an unbeliever like Herod could see something different in Jesus because of His actions. (9:7-9) I believe this shows another reason our actions are important. Do people see Jesus working in us? If it is not just words they hear, but actions they see, then, there is a much greater chance they will believe. That is why Jesus said to hear and to do His word. (8:21) How important are actions!
Tomorrow, I intend to read Luke 10-12.
How did the disciples come to realize that Jesus was the Christ? His words were important, but I think His actions were what convinced them. They saw Jesus raise people from the dead. (7:15; 8:55) Who has the power over life and death except God? When John's disciples came to ask if He was really the Messiah, Jesus told them to tell John what they had seen Him doing and what they had heard Him saying. (7:22) Jesus fed over 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish. (9:17) Jesus was transfigured before their faces, and they saw Moses and Elijah. (9:29,30) What a powerful witness of Himself to them. They did not always understand His teaching about His death and resurrection, but they could see His actions and know that he was God. We can do the same thing today as we see God at work around us. Just think about all of the things you have seen God do.
The same truth applies to believers. It is not enough for us to just say we believe in our hearts. Jesus is looking for actions that verify belief. The woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears was confirming what was in her heart. (7:36-48) The parable of the sower and the soils was pointing believers to understand the importance of bearing fruit. (8:11-15) Jesus sent out the twelve to preach and to heal. Their actions showed people they were doing God's will. They were not ashamed of Jesus before men. (9:1-6) Jesus told the "would be" disciples that action was required, not just intention to do something in the future. (9:23-26) Truly, our actions are important to the Lord Jesus.
I also thought it was interesting that Jesus' actions did not always bring people to believe in Him. (8:36,37) However, even an unbeliever like Herod could see something different in Jesus because of His actions. (9:7-9) I believe this shows another reason our actions are important. Do people see Jesus working in us? If it is not just words they hear, but actions they see, then, there is a much greater chance they will believe. That is why Jesus said to hear and to do His word. (8:21) How important are actions!
Tomorrow, I intend to read Luke 10-12.