What Jesus Did! 'First!' — Luke 17:25

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Merry Christmas!

We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

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[After talking about his leaving the earth, Jesus continued,] "But first the Son of Man must suffer terribly and be rejected by this generation."
— Luke 17:25 NLT

Key Thought

Before Jesus can reign as King, he must first suffer and be rejected! Jesus' glory will come after the cross. Our deliverance comes only at the cost of Jesus' rejection. Our salvation depends upon Jesus' sacrificial suffering. We are saved, we are made a part of God's eternal Kingdom, and we are given glory at a terribly high price. Yet Jesus willingly paid that price for us to redeem us from sin and death! Jesus suffered first. Jesus was rejected first. Jesus died first. Jesus loved first. Only then does God come and ask us to bow before Jesus and confess him as Lord.

Today's Prayer

Jesus, thank you for going first. Thank you for not waiting until I honored you to sacrifice for me. I realize that my love for you, my submission to you, and my sacrifices for you come only after your ultimate sacrifice and after you have given me everything. Please accept my love, submission, and sacrifices even though they are but a poor reflection of what you have already done for me. In your name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Romans 5:6-11
  • John 1:9-13
  • 1 John 4:9-10

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 17:25 NLT — [After talking about his leaving the earth, Jesus continued,] "But first the Son of Man must suffer terribly and be rejected by this generation."

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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