ESOCS Devotional 29 January 2022
TEXT: LUKE 9:28-45
MEMORY VERSE: “And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.” Luke 9:42 KJV
10 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.”
26 “Men and brethren, sons of the [a]family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the [b]word of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. 28 And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. 29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead. 31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.’ 34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to [c]corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure [d]mercies of David.’
35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm:
‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’
36 “For David, after he had served [e]his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and [f]saw corruption; 37 but He whom God raised up [g]saw no corruption. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: 41 ‘Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”
In our making process, it is believed that a time will come when it is expected of us to become replicas of what we are built after. Going through our vocations, be it academics, ministry, marriage, carrier etc. without a clear picture of what you want to be like, will only lead you to shadow boxing or ever learning and never coming to the fullness of knowledge.
From verse 31 of our text, we see that Jesus had an encounter with Moses and Elijah, and the context of that encounter, we are told, was that they discussed about the departure of Jesus from this world, meaning that Jesus’ ministry on earth was at its last phase; yet, in verse 40 they had no knowledge of the miracles they saw their master perform for about three years.
One of the causative factors to painful moments between masters and their subordinates like Jesus had is that most times when we learn, we do not have a picture of what we want to become in our mind. We just build and grow haphazardly. This is a very relevant message to someone who wants to grow above limitation and mediocrity. You were not designed to learn forever. No doubt, we learn everyday but there is a precise curriculum to every stage of our lives, such that when we exhaust that curriculum, we are certified as masters in that field of endeavour. This principle is valid both for the spiritual and our secular life.
Here’s how Jesus responded to his disciples after the report He received about them: “How long must I be with you and put up with you”? The field is ready for harvest, the mountains are set to be conquered, the nations are for your taking, the exploits and excellence that you desire in your field are for you only if you strive to become the best of you.
“Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people” (Prov. 22:29 NLT). The word in consideration is competent. Become so valuable that you are irreplaceable. If your job requires higher certification, go for it, rise to the top, stop being a student for ages who will never grow to become a teacher, stop being small.
You can rise to the level where Jesus is confident about you such that He will say because my son is in this sector or discipline, He can proffer solutions to that sector, his society, and to the world at large.
- Be the best in whatever you do, giving it all to God’s glory.
- Dear Lord, I thank you for the content you have placed in me. Holy Spirit, help me to maximize my full potentials, in Jesus name.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 50:1-11; Amos 7:1-9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
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ESOCS Devotional 29 January 2022
