TUESDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2023
TEXT:
Luke 9:51-62
51:
As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set
out for Jerusalem.
52:
And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get
things ready for him;
53:
but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem.
54:
When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us
to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?”
55:
But Jesus turned and rebuked them.
56:
Then he and his disciples went to another village.
57:
As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you
wherever you go.”
58:
Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no
place to lay his head.”
59:
He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and
bury my father.”
60:
Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim
the kingdom of God.”
61:
Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say
goodbye to my family.”
62:
Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for
service in the kingdom of God.”
(New
International Version Holy Bible)
TOPIC:
LOVING THE ENEMY: DEDICATION TO THE KINGDOM MANDATE
The
age - long animosity between the Jews and the Samaritans reared its ugly head
here as the latter wouldn't welcome Jesus passing through their village to
Jerusalem. Jesus' disciples were enraged by this and called for immediate
judgement:
"Lord,
will you allow that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them,
even as Elias did?" (vs 54,55).
Some
believers today are like James and John who wanted instant judgement on their
enemies. Loving your enemies is being like Christ.
Jesus
called for total dedication to the Kingdom mandate. Hence His challenge for
'whole hearted followers' - believers who will be ready for a life of hardship
and not materialism in serving the Lord. Dedication to the Kingdom mandate
calls for a life of total sacrifice.
QUESTION:
Do you wish death unto your enemies?
PRAYER:
Help me, Oh Lord, to love others as Jesus loved and still loves His enemies and
be dedicated to the Kingdom mandate as long as I live, in Jesus name. Amen.
Remain
Blessed
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