What Jesus Did! 'Something New, Something Fresh, Someone Amazing' — Luke 5:33-35

Saturday, March 14, 2015

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They said to Jesus, "John's followers often fast and pray, the same as the followers of the Pharisees. But your followers eat and drink all the time." Jesus said to them, {"When there is a wedding}, you cannot make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is still with them. But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them. Then his friends will fast."
— Luke 5:33-35 NLT
Illustration of Luke 5:33-35 NLT — "John's followers often fast and pray, the same as the followers of the Pharisees. But your followers eat and drink all the time."

Key Thought

Jesus is basically telling folks that his presence means that it won't be "business as usual." Jesus' presence changes everything! This reality and the people's decision about that reality become the basis for everything else that follows. Jesus is something new, something fresh, and most importantly, he is someone amazing. God has come to visit his people in Jesus. Things are not the same. The dawn of a new era has come and it is an era of joy, salvation, and celebration. Yes, when he goes away, there will be moments of sorrow, of repentance, and of prayer that call for fasting. But when he is present, there is no time for business as usual! The same will be true when he comes again! The challenge for us is to live with the joy of his first coming and to live in anticipation of the second coming, as we live in the time in between.

Today's Prayer

Thank you, dear Heavenly Father, for changing everything by sending Jesus. I know that there are times of sorrow and of hardship in this world. Yet, dear Father, I also know they are not permanent. By sending Jesus, you showed me your heart's desire for me. So, dear Father, help me live with the joy and the courage that faith inspires until the day my faith becomes sight. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 2:30-31
  • Luke 7:11-17
  • Revelation 21:1-5

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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