"On the judgment day, you people that live now will be compared with the Queen of the South, and she will be a witness to show that you are wrong (guilty). Why? Because she traveled from far, far away to listen to Solomon's wise teaching. And I tell you that someone greater than Solomon is right here, {but you won't listen to me}! On the judgment day, you people that live now will also be compared with the people from Nineveh, and they will be witnesses to show that you are wrong (guilty). Why? Because when Jonah preached to those people, they changed their hearts and lives. And you are listening to someone greater than Jonah, {but you refuse to change}!"
— Luke 11:31-32 NLT
Key Thought
There were far greater leaps of faith made in the past to believe in God's messengers than Jesus was asking people to take in his day. The Queen of Sheba traveled a long way to learn from Solomon. The people of Nineveh repented at the preaching of a hated enemy who proclaimed a foreign God to them. Jesus was far greater than they were and yet sadly his own people often refused to believe. Their refusal, however, will not go unnoticed in heaven. There are huge stakes in our faith, or refusal of faith, in Jesus. He comes and claims to be "greater than ..." and asks us to believe. No fence straddling allowed. No lukewarm position included. No middle ground. The call is to believe, because regardless of our choice, Jesus is greater than ....
Today's Prayer
Thank you, dear heavenly Father, for calling me to get off the fence and place my weight down fully on my faith in Jesus. I know that so much of my life—my values, my hope, my character, my morals, my code of life, my closest friendships, etc., are all dependent on this one crucial choice. So, dear Father, I proclaim to you and all who know me that I believe that Jesus Christ is your Son and my Lord and Savior. I believe I will stand in your presence and honor him for his sacrifice. I believe that because of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection that I stand before you forgiven and cleansed, one of your holy children. I believe, dear Father, and so I thank you for my faith and the one in whom it is invested and in whose name I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
- John 1:9-12
- John 20:30-31
- Galatians 3:26-29
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.
Comments