Family Devotionals

  • Jesus’ Later Ministry: Luke 10, 19

    Jesus spent His time on this earth to accomplish several purposes, all of which had their ultimate goal in the salvation of mankind. The plan of God culminated in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Only through this means could salvation from sin be offered to a lost world.

    In the process, Jesus worked on this earth to prepare the hearts of people to live in His kingdom (Matt. 5-7). He worked miracles in order to demonstrate that He was from God, and to bring people to faith in Him (Jn. 20:30-31). He taught with authority to show how His word transcends every other teaching. He worked closely with His own chosen disciples to prepare them for the task to which they were especially called. He demonstrated a love and patience that few would understand or appreciate.

    Jesus knew that His last days would be spent in and around Jerusalem. He spent more time there toward the end, fully prepared for what He knew He would have to go through. He took His opportunities to teach, but the religious leaders of the day were becoming more caustic toward Him.

    He reached a fairly high point in the eyes of the people. When entering Jerusalem on a colt, people were praising Him. But this would not last long. He wept over the city of Jerusalem because the people there would reject Him. He faced much confrontation: driving money changers off the temple grounds, facing questions by the leaders who wanted to trap Him in His words, and even having to rebuke His own disciples for the way they acted at times. How foolish it must have seemed to Jesus -- the Creator come in the flesh to save mankind from sin.

    We must learn to appreciate what the Lord did for us. It was not easy thing. But it was accomplished out of love.

    Discussion
    1. What kinds of events marked the later ministry of Jesus?

    2. Why were there so many confrontations? What sparked the controversy?

    3. At what point did Jesus appear to be popular? How did all of that change so quickly?

    4. What can we learn about the Lord during this time of His work?