January 11
Matthew 8:18-34
We reveal how valuable something is by what we are willing to relinquish for it. Jesus has multiple people who claim to want to follow him, but he warns them about what that will cost them. If they follow Jesus, they are going to have to give up the comfort of a permanent residence and are even going to have to give up their families. Are they willing to sacrifice these things for something even greater, a relationship with Jesus? We do not know the response of these people; therefore, we do not know what they deemed to be of ultimate value. One group who we do know what they valued were the villagers in the region of the Gadarenes. When confronted with the power and greatness of Jesus, they begged him to leave. They believed their economic security to be more important than Jesus. How sad.
Ultimately, everyone must make a choice of what is truly great―Jesus or our own desires? Will we do what we want, or will we submit to the will of God? Jesus proved his greatness multiple times in his ministry, in doing things like calming a storm and casting out demons, but not everyone responded to his greatness and glory with submission. The only proper response to the king of the universe is to surrender, to submit, and to make him Lord over every part of our lives. May that be our response today.
Father God, help me to submit my life before you. Help me to seek you and trust you with all my life. Amen.
How can you remind yourself of Jesus’ power and greatness today?
We reveal how valuable something is by what we are willing to relinquish for it. Jesus has multiple people who claim to want to follow him, but he warns them about what that will cost them. If they follow Jesus, they are going to have to give up the comfort of a permanent residence and are even going to have to give up their families. Are they willing to sacrifice these things for something even greater, a relationship with Jesus? We do not know the response of these people; therefore, we do not know what they deemed to be of ultimate value. One group who we do know what they valued were the villagers in the region of the Gadarenes. When confronted with the power and greatness of Jesus, they begged him to leave. They believed their economic security to be more important than Jesus. How sad.
Ultimately, everyone must make a choice of what is truly great―Jesus or our own desires? Will we do what we want, or will we submit to the will of God? Jesus proved his greatness multiple times in his ministry, in doing things like calming a storm and casting out demons, but not everyone responded to his greatness and glory with submission. The only proper response to the king of the universe is to surrender, to submit, and to make him Lord over every part of our lives. May that be our response today.
Father God, help me to submit my life before you. Help me to seek you and trust you with all my life. Amen.
How can you remind yourself of Jesus’ power and greatness today?
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