Daily Reading: Luke 11
Scripture Focus: As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:27-28)
Devotional Thought: We know very little about Jesus’ childhood and adolescence, but we are told that he “grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Jesus lived a very normal life as a carpenter in his hometown of Nazareth. From conception through crucifixion, Jesus was fully human, but when he began his public ministry perhaps it was time to remind those closest to him that he was the only begotten Son of God. We can sense his frustration and sadness when he preached in Nazareth, where people could not see past his humanity to glimpse his deity. Jesus said of this experience, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household” (Mark 6:4). This gives us perspective on Jesus’ statement in Luke 11 – Knowing Jesus humanly must take second place to knowing Jesus spiritually.
As God’s adopted sons and daughters, we have a spiritual kinship with his Son with which no human relationship could ever hope to compete. We have great anticipation for the consummation of our faith when Jesus returns for his bride, the Church. “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away… Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children” (Rev. 21:3-4,7).
Jenny
Prayer: Thank you, O Jesus, that you came to live on earth in human form. But you are more than human. You are divine! I believe in you as the crucified and risen Son of God who takes away the sin of the world. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 1 I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; 2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. 3 On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased. 4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth, 5 and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD. 6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. 8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. (Psalms 138:1-8)
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