- In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. Luke 13:28-29 – Let’s just say these words would have shaken up the faithful Jews in His midst. For a faithful Jew, looking forward to being with the patriarchs of the faith and the prophets was a rich blessing to dwell on as their future. Also for a faithful Jew Heaven would be a place finally separated from this Gentile world and only the people of God, the Jews, would be there. Yet see what Jesus is teaching here. For those who don’t repent and follow Him, they will be cast away into Hell, a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. They will see the patriarchs and prophets some how from afar, but they themselves will be cast out and never able to reach them. To top it off, the Gentiles, the people from east/west/north/south, the people that were considered fuel for the fires of Hell by many Jews in that day, they’d be enjoying Heaven with the Lord. Hear then the message Jesus wanted the Jews of His day to hear; it is only through a relationship with Jesus that one may enter Heaven. You can do loads of good deeds and you can hear loads of good sermons, but if you’ve never chosen to repent of your sin and follow Jesus then your future is Hell, not Heaven. You will stand at the door and knock, but no one will open the door of Heaven to you. Today though is not too late, choose to follow Jesus and enjoy the hope of Heaven that choice provides you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3542
- No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Luke 13:5 – It’s so easy for us to judge and condemn those whose sin is plain to see, especially those who have labels plastered on them like criminal, offender, or bully. We must remember though like Jesus spoke in this verse, we too have to repent and turn from our sins just like we are telling others to do. We aren’t above anyone, we just sin differently than they do. Remember all sin leads us to eternal separation from God so today if you haven’t accepted His forgiveness, know it’s available to you and you need it. And if you have accepted His forgiveness and love, be sure you’re sharing it with all types of sinners, even those who sin differently than you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 618
- Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ Luke 13:26-37 – Hearing this said from the mouth of our Lord should provoke any and all to look deeply within themselves and ask if they have ever truly chosen to follow Jesus. What we see being told to us through this chapter is that any who choose to repent of their sin and follow Jesus can. Yet many will wait too long and the door will be shut to them. What’s too long? Waiting till this earthly life is over to make your choice to repent and follow Jesus. Once death comes, the door is shut. If you have placed your faith in Jesus during your life time, you are welcomed into the house of the Lord. Yet if you chose to wait, banking of “later” to repent and follow Jesus, and your death comes sooner than later, the door is shut. You can bang on the door, share how you came to church often and read your Bible a lot, but the words you’ll hear from the other side of the door are the words no one wants to hear from the Lord…I never knew you. Today then, do you have a relationship with Jesus? If you are not a follower of Jesus, make the choice today to turn away from your sin and turn to Jesus. Later may not be an option for you and my heart longs for the promise of Heaven in your story. If you have any questions on how to follow Jesus, reach out. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2330
Daily DEVO 