LIFE VERSE: PRAY FOR ME! Matthew 13:54-55.

Posted bySteven WalesPosted inCalling/Mission/PurposeTags:, , , ,

I love when Jesus walks into his hometown synagogue in Nazareth and reads from the scroll of Isaiah. It was not unusual for local men to read a passage. But the local boy did more than just read something aloud:

“… And unrolling the scroll, He found the place where it was written:

‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’

He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He said, ‘Today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’

They were all speaking well of Him and were amazed by the gracious words that came from His mouth. Yet they asked, ‘Is this not Joseph’s son? (Luke 4:17-22). They were astonished, and asked where He got such wisdom. ‘Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?’ (Matt. 13:54-55).

Do you remember His response to their doubts? He said, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own hometown, among his relatives, and in his own family” Matt. 13:57. Sometimes those closest to us doubt us the most. That’s normal. Hang in there!

But what I love is that Jesus knew EXACTLY who He was and what His mission was. God had given Him a “life verse” that defined His ministry.

Read the passage from Isaiah again. Don’t those words of prophecy, already ancient when Jesus read them, perfectly describe Jesus and the three years of ministry that would follow?

Ask God to give you a life verse that defines your ministry and mission. And will you do me a favor—ask God to grant ME such a verse! It’s time to sharpen my focus by knowing exactly what He made me to do. Thank you!

ΑΩ

*If you know me, then you know the picture above is from my favorite film version of Jesus, the performance of Bruce Marchiano in the GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW (1993). I am also a fan of the portrayals of Jim Cavaziel and Jonathan Roumie.

Published by Steven Wales

Dad's Daily Devotional began as text messages to my family. I wanted my teenagers to know their father was reading the Bible. But they were at school by then. Initially, I sent them a favorite verse or an insight based on what I read each day. That grew into drafting a devotional readng which I would send them via text. I work as an attorney and an adjunct professor, and recently wrote a book called HOW TO MAKE A'S.

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