Key Thought

Today's Prayer

Father, please give your servants of the Word all the courage, boldness, integrity, and passion they need to serve you effectively with integrity, righteousness, mercy, and grace. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Go away from here and hide! Herod wants to kill you!" Jesus said to them, "Go tell that fox (Herod), 'Today and tomorrow I am forcing demons out of people and finishing my work of healing. Then, the next day, the work will be finished.' After that, I must go, because all prophets should die in Jerusalem. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets. You kill with rocks those men that God has sent you. Many, many times I wanted to help your people. I wanted to gather your people together like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you did not let me. Now your home will be left completely empty. I tell you, you will not see me again until that time when you will say, 'Welcome! God bless the One that comes in the name of the Lord (God).' "

Related Scripture Readings

In a large house there are things made of gold and silver. But also there are things made of wood and clay. Some things are used for special purposes. Other things are made for dirty jobs. The Lord wants to use you for special purposes. So make yourself clean from all those evil things. Then you will be holy, and the Master can use you. You will be ready to do any good work.

Then some of the people that lived in Jerusalem said, "This is the man they are trying to kill. But he is teaching where everyone can see and hear him. And no person is trying to stop him from teaching. Maybe the leaders have decided that he really is the Christ. But we know where this man's home is. And when the real Christ comes, no person will know where he comes from." Jesus was still teaching in the temple area. Jesus said, "Yes, you know me and you know where I am from. But I have not come by my own authority. I was sent by the One (God) who is true. You don't know him. But I know him and I am from him. He sent me." When Jesus said this, the people tried to get him. But no person was able to touch Jesus. It was not yet the right time {for Jesus to be killed}. But many of the people believed in Jesus. The people said, "We are waiting for the Christ to come. When the Christ comes, will he do more miracles than this man (Jesus) has done? No! {So this man must be the Christ.}"

Jesus said, "My food is to do what the One (God) who sent me wants me to do. My food is to finish the work that he gave me to do.