Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
Matthew 10:32-33
32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.
32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.
Commentary:
10:32–33 everyone who acknowledges me before men. A Christian can easily avoid persecution by denying that he or she is Jesus’ disciple. But the true disciple does not fear death (v. 28) and will publicly acknowledge and confess Jesus. whoever denies me. The eternal consequences for those who deny Christ, in fact, will be far worse than the persecution that they sought to avoid.
Questions:
- Before the mob stones Stephen, God gives him a glimpse into the heavens. He sees Jesus, "standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” This vision further enrages the mob, pushing them over the edge... and they kill him. In your own life, have you ever been rejected for something God has shown you, convicted you of, or called you to? Have you faced any level of persecution for your faith?
- Over and over in Scripture, Jesus is described as now being SEATED at the Father's right hand. But now he is standing. Why is this significant? Jesus is standing up as the judge and receiver of Stephen’s testimony. He stands to receive Stephen as the first martyr of the faith, to say, "Welcome home!" Jesus is fulfilling the promise he made in Matthew 10 shown above. The same is true for us! If we acknowledge (stand up for) him, he will acknowledge (stand up for) us! Can it be said of your life that you stand up for Jesus? Not just around church friends, but all day every day... at school, work, parties, etc.?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would be willing to suffer for Jesus.
- That you would stand up for your Savior.
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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