Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for April 2

THE COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS

From: April 2, 2024

‘And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”’ (Luke 9:58 ESV).

Luke listed three people that expressed a desire to follow Jesus, yet all three turned aside when they considered the cost.

The Lord challenged the material motivations of the first follower by pointing out that foxes and birds have places to live, but He had “nowhere to lay His head.” Following Jesus is not a means for worldly gain, but a call to deny oneself in this kingdom in pursuit of the eternal one.

The second potential follower expressed his desire to follow Jesus later, after a delay to do his duty for his father’s burial. Jesus’ reply seems harsh: “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” But the duty to bury his father could take a year or longer as he followed the tradition of putting the bones into an ossuary. The cost of following Jesus must take priority over other duties and it must be taken with a sense of urgency.

The third one who expressed desire to follow Jesus, asked to return home first to say goodbye to his family. Jesus warned that those who look back are not fit to follow. Following requires focus on Jesus, not the past. It also requires giving Jesus first priority over all others.

Through the years, I’ve noticed these same three reasons that people give for turning back from following Jesus. Whether they feel called to serve in the local church, to missions, or to church planting, the three concerns of 1) a desire for material things, 2) competing duties/priorities, or 3) family concerns, often cause people to give up on Christ’s call to ministry.

There is a cost to following Jesus in ministry. Lord, give us the faith to follow and the perseverance to finish the race for You. For there is a crown awaiting those who finish well.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we have decided to follow Your Son, Jesus. Deliver us from temptation to turn aside for earthly concerns. Strengthen us to persevere in doing the work of proclaiming the gospel to the nations. In Jesus’ name, amen.

CHRIST BECAME A CURSE FOR US

From: April 2, 2023

“If someone has committed a crime worthy of death and is executed and hung on a tree, the body must not remain hanging from the tree overnight. You must bury the body that same day, for anyone who is hung is cursed in the sight of God” (Deuteronomy 21:22-23 NLT).

The Mosaic law said that a criminal hung on a tree is under God’s curse. And for that reason they should not be left hanging on the tree overnight, but buried that same day, so that the land is not defiled. How ironic that the Jewish leaders would break the law by executing an innocent man, yet insist on keeping the law concerning his removal and burial. For that is what they did on the day they crucified Jesus on a Roman cross.

This law explains the motivation behind the Jews’ insistence that Pilate remove the bodies of Jesus and the two thieves from their crosses before sunset. They actually had an even more important reason. For at sunset that day, the Passover Sabbath began and it was a High Sabbath. For the Passover Sabbath fell on the weekly sabbath that year, making it a High Sabbath.

It is significant that the law says that anyone who is executed on a tree is “cursed.” This emphasizes the degree to which Christ took on our sin and death, that he became “a curse” for us. So, the apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Gal. 3:13).

I am especially glad on this day that Jesus has removed the curse of sin and death from those who believe in Him. So that the resurrected Lord stands with us saying, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).

PRAYER: Dear Father, we are in awe of Your love that You would send Your only begotten Son to die for our sins, taking on the curse of sin that we might be forgiven and set free. Thank You. Now we count our old self crucified with Christ, so that we are risen to newness of life with Christ. Strengthen us to walk by His Spirit today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51 NLT).

From: April 2, 2022

JESUS SET HIS FACE FOR THE FINISH

Jesus was determined to go to Jerusalem. As he traveled from Galilee, he sought to take the direct route through Samaria, but they would not receive him. Their rejection was a foreshadowing of the rejection he would face in Jerusalem. Yet, he was resolute, literally he “set his face” to go there.

It was time. The reason for his coming was at hand. The betrayal, the rejection, the cross, the death and the burial… all these stood between him and his ascension back to the Father. So he set his face to endure all these, looking past them to the time when he would be taken up, having completed his mission. Like a mother giving birth, who sets her face to endure the labor, Jesus set his face to endure the cross in order to experience the joy that was set before him (Heb. 12:2). Looking past the dark shadow of the cross, Jesus set his face to the bright glory that awaited him with the Father.

Those who follow Jesus have a similar way of facing life, setting their face on being with Him, they order their lives accordingly.

PRAYER: Dear Father, make us resolute to finish well for You. May we set our faces on the face of Your Son who died for us. Strengthen us to follow Jesus in all things. In His name we pray, amen.

“If anyone is found guilty of an offense deserving the death penalty and is executed, and you hang his body on a tree, you are not to leave his corpse on the tree overnight but are to bury him that day, for anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse” (Deuteronomy 21:22-23 HCSB).

From: April 2, 2021

CHRIST WAS ACCURSED FOR US

The Mosaic law said that a criminal “hung on a tree is under God’s curse.” And for that reason they should not be left hanging on the tree overnight, but buried that same day, so that the land is not defiled. How ironic that the Jewish leaders would break the law by executing an innocent man, yet insist on keeping the law concerning his removal and burial. For that is what they did on the day they crucified Jesus on a Roman cross.

This law explains the motivation behind the Jews’ insistence that Pilate remove the bodies of Jesus and the two thieves from their crosses before sunset. They actually had an even more important reason. For at sunset that day, the Passover Sabbath began and it was a High Sabbath. For the Passover Sabbath fell on the weekly sabbath that year, making it a High Sabbath.

It is significant that the law says that anyone who is executed on a tree is “accursed.” This emphasizes the degree to which Christ took on our sin and death, that he became “a curse” for us. So, the apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Gal. 3:13).

I am especially glad on this day that Jesus has removed the curse of sin and death from those who believe in Him. So that the resurrected Lord stands with us even in the cemetery saying, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).

PRAYER: Dear Father, we are in awe of Your love that You would send Your only begotten Son to die for our sins, taking on the curse of sin that we might be forgiven and set free. Thank You. Now we count our old self crucified with Christ, so that we are risen to newness of life with Christ. Strengthen us to walk by His Spirit today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them” (Luke 9:56 NKJV).

From: April 2, 2020

WHAT SPIRIT OR ATTITUDE DO YOU HAVE TODAY?

Jesus set his face to go directly to Jerusalem, passing through Samaria on the way. Jews traveling to Jerusalem from Galilee, normally went around Samaria, but Jesus did not. He was urgently focused on achieving his mission in Jerusalem and took the direct route. Yet when messengers from Jesus entered a Samaritan village to prepare for him, they did not receive him. At this, James and John, whom Jesus had nicknamed, the Sons of Thunder, offered to command fire down from heaven like Elijah to consume the village.

But Jesus rebuked them, warning them that the spirit they were displaying was not from him. For his mission was to save, not to destroy.

As we approach Passion Week, let us remember Christ’s mission of salvation. As we follow Jesus, we will encounter those who will not receive him, but our attitude, our spirit, must not be to respond with anger or judgment. For that is not the Spirit of Christ. No, following Jesus and being filled with his Spirit, we must be ready to willingly lay down our lives for others. For we carry Christ’s gospel of salvation.

PRAYER: Dear Father, help us not to avoid difficult people or places as we ask them to receive Jesus. Give us Your Spirit to see people saved, not judged. While others avoid and seek to go around such people, strengthen us to follow Jesus as He goes toward them. Let this next week of Christ’s Passion remind us that we too have been sent on a mission to save and not destroy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

‘As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.”’ (Luke 9:57 NLT).

From: April 2, 2018

THE COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS IN MINISTRY

Luke listed three people that expressed a desire to follow Jesus, yet all three turned aside when they considered the cost.

The Lord challenged the material motivations of the first follower by pointing out that foxes and birds have places to live, but He had no “place to lay His head.” Following Jesus is not a means for worldly gain, but a call to deny oneself in this kingdom in pursuit of the eternal one.

The second potential follower expressed his desire to follow Jesus later, after a delay to do his duty for his father’s burial. Jesus’ reply seems harsh: “Let the dead bury the dead. Your duty is to go and preach.” But the duty to bury his father could take a year or longer as he followed the tradition of putting the bones into an ossuary. The cost of following Jesus must take priority over other duties and it must be taken with a sense of urgency.

The third one who expressed desire to follow Jesus, asked to return home first to say goodbye to his family. Jesus warned that those who look back are not fit to follow. Following requires focus on Jesus, not the past. It also requires giving Jesus first priority over all others.

Through the years, I’ve noticed these same three reasons that people turn back from following Jesus in ministry. Whether they feel called to serve in the local church, to missions, or to church planting, the three concerns of 1) a desire for material things, 2) competing duties/priorities, and 3) family concerns, often cause people to give up on their call to ministry.

There is a cost to following Jesus in ministry. Lord, give us the perseverance to finish the race following You. For there is a crown awaiting those who finish well.

“And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you” (Luke 10:6 NKJV).

From: April 2, 2017

When Jesus sent out the Seventy to preach, he gave them instructions concerning whom they should look for as they entered a new town. He called this person, a “son of peace.” Today, missionaries refer to this as the “Person of Peace Principle.”

Pastor and seminary professor, Dr. Tom Wolf, has described this principle. He says that the missionary entering a new country or town should prayerfully look for a person identified by three “R”s. These three “R”s are:

Receptivity (A person who is receptive to the gospel).
Reputation (A person well-known in the community).
Referral (A person who is ready to refer you to others).

When a person of peace is found, stay with them. Focus your ministry on them. God will use them to reach their community with the gospel.

“When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51 ESV)

From: April 2, 2016

Jesus was determined to go to Jerusalem. As he traveled from Galilee, he sought to take the direct route through Samaria, but they would not “receive” him. Their rejection was a foreshadowing of the rejection he would face in Jerusalem. Yet, he “set his face” to go there. It was time. The reason for his coming was at hand. The betrayal, the rejection, the cross, the death and the burial… all these stood between him and his ascension back to the Father. He “set his face” to endure all these, looking past them to the time when he would be “taken up,” having completed his mission. Like a mother giving birth, who sets her face to endure the labor, Jesus “set his face” to endure the cross in order to experience the joy that was set before him (Heb. 12:2). Looking past the dark shadow of the cross, Jesus “set his face” to the bright glory that awaited him with the Father. Those who follow Jesus have a similar way of facing life, setting their face on being with Him, they order their lives accordingly.

“If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God.” This Mosaic law along with the double importance that the Passover Sabbath began at sundown was the motivation behind the Jews’ insistence that Pilate remove the bodies of Jesus and the two thieves from their crosses before sunset. It is significant that the law says that anyone who is executed on a tree is “accursed.” This emphasizes the degree to which Christ took on our sin and death, that he became “a curse” for us. So, the apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Gal. 3:13)

From: April 2, 2015

I am especially glad on this day that Jesus has removed the curse of sin and death from those who believe in Him. So that the resurrected Lord stands with us even in the cemetery saying, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).

“If someone has committed a crime worthy of death and is executed and hung on a tree, the body must not remain hanging from the tree overnight. You must bury the body that same day, for anyone who is hung is cursed in the sight of God” (Deuteronomy 21:22-23 NLT)

From: April 2, 2014

This Mosaic law along with the double importance that the Passover Sabbath began at sundown was the motivation behind the Jews’ insistence that Pilate remove the bodies of Jesus and the two thieves from their crosses before sunset. Strange that they cared so much for this minor law, yet willingly broke the commandment not to murder. Also, it is significant that the law says that anyone who is executed on a tree is “cursed.” This emphasizes the degree to which Christ took on our sin and death that he became “accursed” for us. So, the apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Gal. 3:13).