BEHOLD YOUR KING!

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THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY

Read: Luke 19:28-40

            …the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: “‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!“  (Luke 19:37-38 NKJV)

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            After leaving Zacchaeus’ home in Jericho, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, where a colt was already prepared for Jesus to make His entry. Jesus knew the donkey would be there, because His father had prophesied “Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9b NKJV) The praise of the crowd echoed the words of the angels at His birth – all planned since the beginning of time.

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            Lord, I want to praise You for all Your mighty works. You are the King of Kings who will one day return to Jerusalem again. You have ordained that the mouths of babes would praise You. I pray for the “babes” in my household that their lives will be lived in praise of the King and that one day we will all stand together and see You face to face.

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            And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”   Luke 19:39-40 NKJV

 

THE PRODIGAL SON

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JESUS SEEKS THE LOST

Read: Luke 15

            I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.  Luke 15:7 NKJV

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            It was an affront to the religious leaders when Jesus spent time with “tax collectors and sinners.” The parables in this passage were a message to these Pharisees and teachers of the law. He told the story of three lost things: a lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost son.

            Those Pharisees who complained were like the older brother of the prodigal son who said, “…All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders…But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!‘ (15:29-30 NIV)

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            Our role here on earth as Christians is not to congratulate ourselves on how good we have been. Our lives should so shine as to draw lost people to our Lord Jesus Christ.  Lord, make our home a lighthouse so that those who are lost on the sea of life will find their way to shore.  Give us a heart to love and disciple those who were lost and are found.

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            “…we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”  Luke 15:32 NKJV

FOLLOW ME

FISHERS OF MEN

Read Luke 5:1–11

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”… Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” Luke 5:8–10 NIV

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Simon Peter had seen Jesus heal his wife’s mother. He had watched as demons came out of people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” (Luke 4:41) Then one day, Jesus went fishing and they caught so many fish that the two boats began to sink from the weight. This was the miracle which convinced Peter that Jesus was no ordinary man – He was the Son of God. From then on, Peter, James and John left their fishing business and followed Jesus.

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Dear Father, You said, “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8-9) You knew what Peter needed to bring him to faith, and You knew what I needed. Lord, give me the words to share with others in a way that is meaningful to them. Speak to the hearts of our children to inspire them in a walk of faith throughout their lives. Make us “fishers of men.”

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He and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners… So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. Luke 5:9–11 NIV