As we’ve seen,
much of Luke’s gospel can be organized into two categories: why we should
submit ourselves to Jesus and what following Him looks like. This passage
follows suit. We are to trust Jesus because He has divine approval. God
commands us to listen to Jesus (v 28-36). To love God means obeying His
commands (1 John 5:3). Therefore, we cannot love God if we’re not actively
listening to Jesus! Listening to Jesus means becoming the kind of person He
asks us to be. Luckily, Jesus wants us to succeed. He repeatedly tells us what
He requires of His disciples. We are to trust Him and not rely on our own power
in ministry (v 37-45). We are to lay aside all desires for power and authority,
and instead become humble servants of all (v 46-48). We are to love children (v
48). We are to recognize that all followers of Jesus are able to minister, not
merely those employed by a church (v 49-50). We are to love others and offer
them Jesus’ salvation, even when they reject us (v 54-56). Above all, we are to
reset our priorities. Things that
were once crucially important to us must now become “rubbish” to us
(Philippians 3:8). Our utmost priority must be knowing and following Jesus (v
57-62).
Journaling and Prayer
1. Are
there any areas of your life where you are relying on yourself instead of on
God? Confess this to God. Ask God how you can change this. Ask Him to empower
you to live in reliance on Him. (You can also ask for the desire to rely on
Him!)
2. Review
Luke 9:23-24 (yesterday’s memory verses). Did you intentionally set your eyes
on Jesus today?
3. Pray
for the volunteers at Southland. Ask God to show them the importance of their
work. Ask God to increase their love for people and their ability to fulfill
the tasks set before them. Pray that God would call many more people who love
Him to serve in the church.
