- Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. Luke 12:51 – How do we reconcile this verse with verses like we see of the announcement of Jesus’ birth where Jesus is the Prince of Peace? Let’s understand that peace is still the outcome of Jesus. Ultimately the greatest need of peace we need, which is peace between a sinner and a holy God, that is found in Jesus and that peace Jesus gives. Yet the peace Jesus is speaking about in our Luke passage connects with the peace to be found within our relationship with others in this world. Essentially Jesus is telling those listening to Him that because of Him there are now two types of people in this world, those who follow Him and those who don’t. Because of Jesus then there is now going to be division between the people of those two groups, and sadly that division may come in the most intimate of relationships. For a father may follow Jesus and a daughter may not, and the result is division in that relationship. Two best friends can have division created in their relationship when one of them finds Jesus and begins following Him. Know this division isn’t Jesus’ desire, but it is a reality Jesus understands and wanted His disciples to prepare for. For when Jesus truly is our focus and life, there is naturally going to be a separation between us and those who want nothing to do with Jesus. There will be division between us who obey God’s word and those who don’t. Peace can only be found in such a relationship when both are believing the same things about Jesus, hence why Jesus identified Himself as a bringer of division. His existence forces us all to make a choice in how we believe and relate with Him. Choose to seek peace with those who reject Jesus by sharing Jesus with them as you can, but settle as well that peace may not be found in every relationship. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3541
- And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Luke 12:25-26 – It’s a good question isn’t it. If our worrying can’t even add a single moment more to our situation why do we fall so easily into worry so often? We worry about everything. Yet worrying about money won’t get you anymore money, worrying about a future relationship won’t bring that person any closer, and worrying about your life isn’t going to change anything either. Worry will only get you where you don’t want to be, let’s choose to trust that God is able to handle and change all the things we can’t. Trust He knows what He’s doing and has a plan. Today, try your best to stop worrying and just trust God. It may just be the best decision you make today. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 617
- Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! Luke 12:37-38 – The message is pretty clear here from Jesus on how He wants to find His servants when He returns…ready. Ready and waiting for Him. No, not standing staring into the clouds. Nor is Jesus wanting His followers to be found existing in sin when He returns because they believe they have all the time in the world. The truth is no one but the Father knows when Jesus will return. So when should we begin getting ready for Jesus’ return and actively carrying out His mission? Yesterday! Or simply we should have already started, for Jesus could return at any time. How then are you serving the Lord today and how are you carrying out the great commission? Would Jesus find you ready for Him? My heart for my own walk is that if the Lord was to return today He would find me as a servant who is awake. Not one who turned to sinfulness and selfishness, but one who waited patiently for Him and never let up on the work even though His return was later than I thought. I pray this is your heart as well and I pray the Lord will find us ready when He returns. Until that wonderful day though, let’s be sharing His gospel message to whoever, whenever, however we can! I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2329
