ESOCS Devotional 9 October 2022
TEXT: LUKE 13:1 – 17
MEMORY VERSE: “And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse Sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?” I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. “Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?” I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:2-5
0 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 lace ”
Herod had killed some Galileans. At Siloam, a tower had fallen and killed eighteen persons and in the Temple on a Sabbath day was a woman who was bent over and could not raise herself for eighteen years because of demonic affliction. Every day we hear news of sad events; the media daily flows with news of wars, bombings, kidnappings, arm robbery, rape, and all manner of disastrous events. In these events, several lives are lost, people are maimed and properties worth millions of dollars are lost. Life is not always smooth and easy. It is filled with ups and downs. It is the reality of our world. Sometimes people feel fortunate even with a sense of vindication that they are spared of these unfortunate events. Those that are unfortunate to be victims of sad events sometimes are regarded as reaping the reward of some evil act. Sometimes too, the people affected in a disastrous event do not see why of all people it should be them and often ask, “Why me?”
Christ, in reacting to the report of the killed Galileans and those on whom a wall fell on at Siloam, made it clear that that those who suffer are not necessarily more sinful than others neither are those who are spared more righteous. In life, disaster falls on one and another is spared, one succeeds in his endeavor and another fails in his. But Jesus points us to a direction where we can dwell in safety and in assurance. It is the direction of repentance. For in forsaking sin and reconciling with the Lord, man comes into a relationship with God where he is protected and his life and future is guaranteed. God keeps him from evil and blesses the works of his hand.
The summary of Jesus’ answer is that there is only one place where you can have assurance for life and be free from the chance game of earthly survival. It is an invitation for the sinner, for the wounded, the oppressed and all who are battered by the world to come to Him. Not just them but also for all those who have been spared. In Christ, there is an assurance. God will guide your ways and you will live in security.
CHALLENGES
- Why do you think disastrous events happen in the life of man?
- What is the role of sin in all these?
PRAYERS
- Heavenly Father, I pray that you grant me divine protection. Keep me safe from evil and from all that threaten the life of man. Help me to keep away from sin and grant me the grace to remain solidly in you. Amen
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ESOCS Devotional 9 October 2022
