Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119:97-104
Wisdom for the Day: Job 39:16-30
Scripture Reading: Luke 9:51-56
Let us notice in these verses the steady determination with which our Lord Jesus Christ regarded His own crucifixion and death. We read that, "When the time approached for Him to be taken up to Heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem." He knew full well what was before Him. The betrayal, the unjust trial, the mockery, the scourging, the crown of thorns, the spitting, the nails, the spear, the agony on the cross — all, all were doubtless spread before His mind's eye, like a picture.
But He never flinched for a moment from the work that He had undertaken. His heart was set on paying the price of our redemption, and going even to the prison of the grave, as our surety. He was full of tender love towards sinners. It was the desire of His whole soul, to procure salvation for them. And so, "for the joy set before Him — He endured the cross, despising the shame." (Hebrews 12:2)
Forever let us bless God that we have such a ready and willing Savior. Forever let us remember that as He was ready to suffer so He is always ready to save. The man who comes to Christ by faith, should never doubt Christ's willingness to receive Him. The mere fact that the Son of God willingly came into the world to die, and willingly suffer should silence such doubts entirely. All the unwillingness is on the part of man, not of Christ. It consists in the ignorance, and pride, and unbelief, and half-heartedness of the sinner himself. But there is nothing lacking in Christ.
Let us strive and pray that the same mind may be in us, which was in our blessed Master. Like Him, let us be willing to go anywhere, do anything, suffer anything when the path of duty is clear, and the voice of God calls. Let us set our faces resolutely to our work when our work is plainly marked out.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, please help me to submit to your will just like Jesus.
Action Plan: How wiling are you to follow the will of God? Take time to evaluate if you are truly willing to tell God, "Not my will, but thine be done."
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.
