October 5

Luke 8:1-3; Mark 3:20-30; Matthew 12:22-45; Mark 3:31-35; Matthew 12:46-50; Luke 8:19-21; Mark 4:1-9; Matthew 13:1-9; Luke 8:4-8; Mark 4:10-20

C.S. Lewis famously argued that Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord. There is no room for the position that Jesus was simply a great moral teacher or revered religious man. He says people need to take the position he was intentionally deceptive, misguided, or he was who he claimed to be. Sadly, we encounter many people who decide Jesus is less than Lord. This is also evident in Jesus' early ministry. Jesus' family and the Pharisees think Jesus is less than the Messiah. His family considered him to be out of his mind. They believed him to be misguided in the claims he was making. They basically thought he was a lunatic. Imagine how hard it must have been for Jesus to not have the support of his own family! The Pharisees take their rejection to another level by claiming he was demonic. They cannot deny he cast out demons but, in their hardness of heart, assigned his power to Satan.

We are still early in the public ministry of Jesus and the opposition was intense. Yet through it all Jesus remained steadfast to his mission. No matter how people responded, he persevered in obedience to the will of the Father. Regardless of how people respond to us, we are to remain committed to Jesus and acknowledge his lordship over every aspect of our lives.

Father God, help me to remain devoted to you in all things. Help me to make Christ lord over my life and share him with others. Amen. 

How should a commitment to Christ as Lord impact your life today?