Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Luke 6 and Psalm 22

Jesus’ ministry had really just begun, but already He was drawing massive crowds as word of His miracles spread. Luke reports that “the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all” (v.19).

I’m sure there were those who eagerly expected that Jesus would teach them how to replicate this power in their own lives. Certainly in our day and age many would have been preoccupied with looking for the secrets to His supernatural ministry. But instead of sharing these secrets, Jesus chose to teach them the more important matter of how to replicate His character in their lives.

Jesus taught them (and us) to abandon the pursuit of popularity with people and instead to pursue the pleasure of God, no matter what the cost (v.20-26). He taught the virtue and blessing of reflecting the generosity, grace and mercy of God towards the undeserving, no matter how tough it becomes (v.27-42). Most foundationally, He taught the importance and priority of getting our inner life right with God long before we ever strive to do anything outwardly for Him and His Kingdom (v.43-45).

Jesus seems abundantly clear that we are to focus our attention first on the quality of our heart-relationship with God, and then on the faithful, outward expression of that relationship through the godliness of our characters and lifestyles. If God chooses to use us in some supernatural way, that will be wonderful; but that is something that will flow after the fact of our pursuit of God Himself and of a God-pleasing life.

Life application: Look for opportunities to express the character of God through your everyday interactions with people today. Trust the Holy Spirit to lead you and empower you to do so.