What Jesus Did! 'Careless and Care-less Joy' — Luke 6:25

Saturday, April 1, 2023

A Year with Jesus - Holy Week

Spend some time with Jesus this week preparing for Resurrection Sunday.

Read More
[Jesus continued,]
"What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now, for a time of awful hunger awaits you.
What sorrow awaits you who laugh now, for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow."
— Luke 6:25 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus sought contact with sinners. [1] He entered into a relationship with them to love, redeem, and then welcome them into God's family. Jesus knew how to enjoy a party! Remember the banquet that Matthew threw to introduce his sinful friends to Jesus? [2] Jesus talked about God's joyous party for returning sinners. [3] However, Jesus would have no part in careless joy. Careless joy is that self-satisfied, look-what-I've-done, arrogant joy that could care less if anyone else is unhappy or mistreated. This shallow joy cannot survive the hardships of life and the permanence of death. It is a vain attempt to escape from the hollowness of life without the Savior. Sorrow, awful hunger, and mourning await those who live such a life.

[1] Luke 19:10; Matthew 9:13.
[2] Matthew 9:9-13.
[3] See the parables in Luke 15.

Today's Prayer

God of mercy and justice, I am concerned about the many people who fill their days with careless joy trying to drive out the emptiness in their hearts. Use me to help them find the wellspring of eternal joy supplied by your grace and the presence of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 12:13-21
  • Luke 18:18-23
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, April 1, 2023

A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Beloved Disciple, What would it be worth to have someone precious to you raised from the dead? I don't ask this question to be morbid or..."
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
"Being at peace with yourself is a direct result of finding peace with God."
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
"Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry,...."
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
"For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 6:25 NLT — "What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now, for a time of awful hunger awaits you. 
What sorrow awaits you who laugh now, for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

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.