What Jesus Did! 'Rejected God's Plan' — Luke 7:28-30

Monday, May 1, 2023

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[Jesus continued,] "I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!"

When they heard this, all the people — even the tax collectors — agreed that God's way was right, for they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God's plan for them, for they had refused John's baptism.

— Luke 7:28-30 NLT

Key Thought

"Some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."  [1] Luke helps us see the great reversals that God's justice brings. Those who had all the advantages of being religious insiders and leaders often rejected Jesus because he called them to repent. Those who were outsiders, who knew they were sinners and who were looking for a way out of their sinful bondage, repented and let Jesus completely reorient their lives. Even today, many of us who have had all the advantages of being raised around faith can find it hard not to tone down Jesus' call to change our lives and follow him as Lord. Let's use the failure of those who rejected Jesus as our warning! We are all saved by grace and are called to follow Jesus with our all!

[1] Luke 13:30 NRSV.

Today's Prayer

Abba Father, please help me never let my familiarity with faith blind me to true and whole-hearted belief in Jesus and service in his Kingdom. I don't want anything to dilute my devotion to your Son as my Lord or to turn my heart away from his sacrifice, so please give me the discernment I need when Satan tries to use my weaknesses to blind me to your truth. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 5:39-44
  • Colossians 1:19-21
  • John 12:42-43

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 7:28-30 NLT — "I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!"

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.

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