What Jesus Did! 'Careless and Care-less Joy' — Luke 6:25

Saturday, April 1, 2023

[Jesus continued,]
"What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now, for a time of awful hunger awaits you.
What sorrow awaits you who laugh now, for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow."
— Luke 6:25 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus sought contact with sinners. [1] He entered into a relationship with them to love, redeem, and then welcome them into God's family. Jesus knew how to enjoy a party! Remember the banquet that Matthew threw to introduce his sinful friends to Jesus? [2] Jesus talked about God's joyous party for returning sinners. [3] However, Jesus would have no part in careless joy. Careless joy is that self-satisfied, look-what-I've-done, arrogant joy that could care less if anyone else is unhappy or mistreated. This shallow joy cannot survive the hardships of life and the permanence of death. It is a vain attempt to escape from the hollowness of life without the Savior. Sorrow, awful hunger, and mourning await those who live such a life.

[1] Luke 19:10; Matthew 9:13.
[2] Matthew 9:9-13.
[3] See the parables in Luke 15.

Today's Prayer

God of mercy and justice, I am concerned about the many people who fill their days with careless joy trying to drive out the emptiness in their hearts. Use me to help them find the wellspring of eternal joy supplied by your grace and the presence of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 6:25 NLT — "What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now, for a time of awful hunger awaits you. What sorrow awaits you who laugh now, for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, April 1, 2023

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Spirit-led Communication' (Acts 15:22-29)
"[At the end of the meeting about whether Gentile Christians had to follow Jewish customs,] the apostles and elders together with the whole church in...."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Let the Heavens Be Glad!' (Ps. 96:11-13)
"Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!...."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Vital!'
"Dear Member of My Body, At the beginning of the 12th chapter of 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul is about to address the chaos that had resulted from...."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Only the Holy Spirit Gives Birth to Spiritual Life'
"[Jesus continued,] "Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.""

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!