Tag: Jesus’ authority

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Luke Devotionals

Father, what belongs to you?

Surrender

“Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?”

“Caesar’s,” they said.

“Well then,” he told them, “give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Luke 20:24-25)

Father, what belongs to you? Just ten percent of my salary?

No, all I have, all I am, belongs to you.

You have engraved your image, your name on me. (Genesis 1:26-27; Revelation 3:12)

I am yours.

So let me never question your authority or the authority of your Son as the chief priests and scribes did. (Luke 20:2)

Instead, with a humble and grateful heart, may I always give you the fruit you seek from me, never sending you away empty-handed. (Luke 20:11)

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Matthew Devotionals

Following Jesus

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes. (Matthew 7:28-29)

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

Part of it is recognizing Jesus’ authority.

Jesus certainly has it.

He commanded the wind and waves, and they obeyed.

He commanded the demons, and they obeyed.

Yes, Jesus has authority. But the question is, do we recognize his authority in our lives?

The centurion certainly did.

As for the two men who wanted to follow Jesus, we don’t know if they did or not.

And as for the crowds mentioned in the above verse, some did come to recognize Jesus’ authority, and others outright rejected it.

But it’s possible to recognize Jesus’ authority and still not follow him.

The demons recognized his authority and hated him for it.

The people of the Gadarenes were frightened of him and asked him to leave.

What about us?

Jesus is asking us, “Do you recognize my authority in your life? And do you love and trust me enough to obey?”

Do you want to follow Jesus?

Do you love him and truly want to know him?

Then remember his words:

The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him. (John 14:21)

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Mark Devotionals

Responding to God’s Word

Mark

In a lot of ways, this passage is connected to what I talked about yesterday: our response to Jesus’ authority.

Today, the question is, “How do we respond to His word?” You see this in the parable of the soils, but also in these words:

Consider carefully what you hear…With the measure you use, it will be measured to you— and even more.

Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. (Mark 4:24-25)

In short, if you hear God’s word, and it bears fruit in your life, God will give you more and more wisdom and understanding.

But if you harden your heart to his word, if you abandon it when trials and hardship come, or if you let it get choked out by other things, you’ll lose the wisdom and understanding God had previously given you.

How about you? Does God’s word bear fruit in your life?

Categories
Mark Devotionals

Jesus’ authority

Mark

As I’ve been reading Mark this week, one word has come to mind: Authority. Namely, Jesus’ authority.

You see it first in his message.

The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news! (Mark 1:15)

You see it when he calls people to follow him, and they immediately drop everything to do so. (Mark 1:16-20, 2:14)

You see his authority and power over sickness and demons. (1:21-25, 32-34, 40-42, 3:10-12).

You see his authority to forgive sins against God. (2:10)

You see his authority to loosen the Sabbath regulations. (2:23-3:6)

But one thing you also see is people defying or questioning Jesus’ authority. (1:43-45; 2:24; 3:6; 3:22)..

I guess my question for myself and for you is this: What do we do with Jesus’ authority?

Are we like his disciples, accepting his authority in our lives, and following him?

Or do we question or even defy his authority?

In short, do our hearts belong to him?

Would Jesus say to us,

Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? (Luke 6:46)