Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119:73-80
Wisdom of the Day: Job 38:1-20
Scripture Reading: Luke 9:37-45
We see an example of the spiritual ignorance which may be found even in the hearts of good men. We are told that our Lord said to His disciples, "The Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men." They had heard the same thing from His lips, little more than a week before. But the words seemed lost upon them. They could not realize the fact that their Master was to die. They could not realize the great truth that Christ was to be "cut off" before He was to reign, and that this cutting off was a literal death upon the cross. It is written, "They did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them so that they did not grasp it."
We often forget the enormous difference between the position we occupy who know the history of the crucifixion and the Scriptures which it fulfilled and the position of a believing Jew who lived before Christ died and the veil was rent in twain. Whatever we may think of it, the ignorance of the disciples should teach us two useful lessons which we shall all do well to learn.
For one thing, let us learn that men may understand spiritual things very feebly and yet be true children of God. The head may be very dull when the heart is right. Grace is far better than gifts. Faith is far better than knowledge. If a man has faith and grace enough to give up all for Christ's sake, and to take up the cross and follow Him, he shall be saved in spite of much ignorance. Christ shall own him at the last day.
Finally, let us learn to bear with ignorance in others and to deal patiently with beginners in religion. Let us not make men offenders for a word. Let us not set our brother down as having no grace because he does not exhibit clear knowledge. If Jesus could endure so much weakness in His disciples — then we may surely do likewise.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, help me to realize how ignorant I actually am and keep me humble.
Action Plan: Do you think you are smarter and better than others? What makes you think this? List three verses that teach humility and apply them as you live for the Lord today.
This devotional was taken from The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle published in 1858
and adapted by Pastor Tim Lewis of New England Shores Baptist Church.
