Daily Devotion, July 19, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 4:16-20.

This scene was at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. According to Luke, it was just after his baptism and time of testing in the wilderness. It is easy to see how these verses from the prophet Isaiah was something of a theme passage for Jesus and his ministry. It well describes his mission. Time and time and again, he connected with the least, the last and the lost people he encountered every day. They were the ones most in need. They were the ones who wondered if there was any hope. They were the ones who wondered if anybody cared about them, including God. Jesus went about meeting their needs and teaching them about a God who loved them and cared for them.

As followers of Jesus, his mission is to be our mission. Our daily life and relationships are to mirror his. We are to connect with the poor and the prisoners. With both our words and actions, we are to let them know that God still loves them and cares for them. As you continue to read and study and learn about what Jesus did, ask yourself how much of it is becoming what you do.

Personal Worship Option:

How would you complete the opening to that Isaiah passage for yourself? “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to………..”