April 17: Believing His Salvation.
HIS NECESSITY.
"Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?"--Luke 24:26
We don't always need what we think we do, and we often do need what we think we don't. I have watched children try to talk their parents into buying toys and candy. You have probably heard a child say: "Daddy, I need this!" Of course, we smile at such a statement, but I wonder how often we sound exactly like that to God. I believe that when David penned Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want," It wasn't that he didn't want or wish for anything, but that he had come to believe that God would provide whatever he actually needed.
In Luke 24:19-24, two disciples on their way to Emmaus explain to Jesus why their hopes and wishes had been shattered. Let me point out to you four obstacles that left them confused about their previous expectations. These are also obstacles in our minds. (1) Limited perception: they say that Jesus was a prophet, mighty in deed and word (verse 19). But Jesus was so much more than that! He was the Messiah! He was and is God! The Savior of the world! But they didn't perceive that. (2) Finality: the two disciples shared how Jesus had been sentenced to death and crucified (verse 20). Jesus had told them many times that the cross would not be the end, but it felt like the end to them. Their pain didn't allow them to remember the words of Jesus that He would rise again. (3) Regret: "But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel" (verse 21). Hoping? Sounds familiar? "I was hoping that..." Well, Jesus had redeemed the world! But their regrets didn't allow them to understand nor celebrate. (4) Unbelief. They had received a firsthand report from the women, who proclaimed that Jesus had resurrected and that the tomb was empty. But they didn't believe because they didn't see. These four obstacles had marred their perception. They thought they needed a military leader who would establish an earthly kingdom. Jesus responded with what they really needed: "Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things...?" (verse 26). Yes, it was! His sacrifice is what we really need!
My Response:__________________________________________________________
HIS NECESSITY.
"Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?"--Luke 24:26
We don't always need what we think we do, and we often do need what we think we don't. I have watched children try to talk their parents into buying toys and candy. You have probably heard a child say: "Daddy, I need this!" Of course, we smile at such a statement, but I wonder how often we sound exactly like that to God. I believe that when David penned Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want," It wasn't that he didn't want or wish for anything, but that he had come to believe that God would provide whatever he actually needed.
In Luke 24:19-24, two disciples on their way to Emmaus explain to Jesus why their hopes and wishes had been shattered. Let me point out to you four obstacles that left them confused about their previous expectations. These are also obstacles in our minds. (1) Limited perception: they say that Jesus was a prophet, mighty in deed and word (verse 19). But Jesus was so much more than that! He was the Messiah! He was and is God! The Savior of the world! But they didn't perceive that. (2) Finality: the two disciples shared how Jesus had been sentenced to death and crucified (verse 20). Jesus had told them many times that the cross would not be the end, but it felt like the end to them. Their pain didn't allow them to remember the words of Jesus that He would rise again. (3) Regret: "But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel" (verse 21). Hoping? Sounds familiar? "I was hoping that..." Well, Jesus had redeemed the world! But their regrets didn't allow them to understand nor celebrate. (4) Unbelief. They had received a firsthand report from the women, who proclaimed that Jesus had resurrected and that the tomb was empty. But they didn't believe because they didn't see. These four obstacles had marred their perception. They thought they needed a military leader who would establish an earthly kingdom. Jesus responded with what they really needed: "Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things...?" (verse 26). Yes, it was! His sacrifice is what we really need!
My Response:__________________________________________________________
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