Thursday Devo
Scripture:
Luke 23:47-49
47 When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” 48 And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. 49 But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.
47 When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” 48 And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. 49 But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.
Commentary:
23:47 A centurion is a Roman officer in charge of a hundred men. What he saw includes: Jesus’ behavior toward his enemies (v. 34), the words spoken to the repentant criminal (v. 43), the supernatural darkness (v. 44), Jesus’ prayer to God (v. 46), and his giving up his life (v. 46). Certainly this man was innocent. Although this is not as theologically profound as Matt. 27:54 and Mark 15:39, for Luke this confession is important and serves as the culminating expression of Jesus’ innocence (see Luke 23:41).
23:48 beating their breasts. Symbolic of grief and repentance (cf. 18:13).
23:49 all his acquaintances. Jesus’ relatives, friends, and disciples. The women (cf. 8:1–3) are singled out because of their role in the resurrection account (23:55–56; 24:1–12; cf. John 19:25–27).
23:48 beating their breasts. Symbolic of grief and repentance (cf. 18:13).
23:49 all his acquaintances. Jesus’ relatives, friends, and disciples. The women (cf. 8:1–3) are singled out because of their role in the resurrection account (23:55–56; 24:1–12; cf. John 19:25–27).
Questions:
- Sunday's message should be a sobering reminder to all of us. Yes, we know the Gospel. But we can easily forget the brutality and significance in our day to day lives. The CREATED killed the CREATOR, but the CREATOR rescues the CREATED. The JUST one died UNJUSTLY for the UNJUST in order to make them JUST. Spend some time thinking about how grateful and humbled you are for God's inconceivable grace and love. What do you need to do in return?
- Hopefully you're beginning to see how vitally important it is for every Christian to always keep in their minds and hearts the all that Jesus did for us. The gospel is what will keep us grounded and centered and focused on the right things. But also, as stated in the previous question, it keeps our hearts' posture in check. The automatic response MUST be humility and gratitude. And a Christian that is living a humbled and grateful life is a Christian that is useful to the Kingdom and that can have real influence with other people. This is the Christian that can truly model to others what Jesus is all about. Would you say you are humble and grateful? Would other people say that you are? What would God say?
Pray:
- That you would never forget what Jesus did.
- That you would stay humble and grateful.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
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