Daily Devotion for March 31, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Luke 9:10-11.

Jesus had sent the apostles out by two’s, instructing them to heal people and to share the good news. In today’s passage, the apostles had returned and reported the results of their work. One can imagine how pleased Jesus must have been to learn that his apostles were now doing the work that he had done before them…perhaps they would indeed be able to carry on his ministry after his time on earth. He took just the apostles with him around the northern coast of the Sea of Galilee to the town of Bethsaida to rest and spend time away together. Upon seeing the crowds coming to follow after them, it would have been perfectly understandable if Jesus had sighed, rolled his eyes, and moved further away with his apostles. But instead, he welcomed the crowd and ministered to their needs.

One of the hardest things I have learned in ministry is to let my time and my plans be interrupted by those who need me. If we are to follow Christ’s example, we must open our arms and cheerfully welcome all who come to us and to our church, letting them see Christ in us. 

Personal Worship Option:

Are you serving as a greeter at worship and other gatherings? Some of us wear name tags and stand at entrances as “official” greeters. But all of us can reach out to the new persons among us, welcoming them and introducing them to others. Pray about doing that.