John 13:19

March 25, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place, you may believe that I am he” (John‬ ‭13‬:‭19‬).

Jesus appears to be establishing reminders that will be pivotal for the disciples in the future. Sometimes we call this prophecy, which is foretelling future events. The event foretold here – Judas’s betrayal of Judas – will begin to take place in the next moments, but will become clear in a few hours.

I think Jesus’ foretelling the future is important for a few reasons. First, it demonstrates his clear knowledge of the future. While foretelling the future alone does not prove his deity, it is surely part of the whole argument for his deity.

Second, foretelling the future demonstrates that Jesus wasn’t unaware of or tricked into this betrayal or his impending death. He willingly walked to Calvary for me!

Third, foretelling Judas’s betrayal demonstrates Jesus’s kindness toward Judas. While he knew what Judas was doing, he still gave Judas an honored seat at the meal. I suspect that had I been in that position, I would have put Judas far away from me.

Fourth, foretelling the future for the disciples is a measure of grace because his words will help them believe afterward. He did the same regarding his death and resurrection in Mark 8, 9, and 10.

Jesus will use this phrase twice more in John:

“And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.” (‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭29‬)

“But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told them to you. “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.” (John‬ ‭16‬:‭4‬)

This pattern demonstrates Jesus’ commitment to his disciples and us! Why us? Because these words are preserved for us, along with many more, and are helpful for us to believe.

Thank you, Father, for the love and grace of Christ demonstrated in foretelling the future. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Gospels, Grace, Jesus Said, John, New Testament, Prophecy

Luke 23:39-43

March 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” (Luke 23:39-43)

This scene is instructive about how people receive or reject Christ, and how Christ receives or rejects people.

First, we have three people. Jesus and two criminals. While we should not assume they were identical, we can conclude the two men’s offenses were similar in severity since they were receiving the same punishment.

Second, we should notice the different interactions with Jesus. The first, with no appreciation of Jesus, he demands that Jesus act on his behalf. The second, fully acknowledging his guilt and expressing appreciation for Jesus, humbly requested that Jesus remember him.

These two demonstrate the strangeness of this world. Two people in similar circumstances may respond very differently.

The second criminal does the footwork for us. Let’s notice what he says.

  1. He rebuked criminal 1, reminding him that all three were in the same situation.
  2. He acknowledged that the two criminals’ punishment is just.
  3. He recognized that Jesus was innocent.
  4. He humbly requested that Jesus remember him in his kingdom.

These steps resulted in his salvation: Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” The absence of response to the first criminal’s demands suggests to me that he was not redeemed because he did not demonstrate humility or repentance.

Two people. Two responses. Two outcomes.

Father, please help me be humble before your son. Help me have a repentant heart. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Gospels, humility, Jesus Said, Life in Christ, Luke, New Testament

Luke 10:18-20

February 26, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.””

The first thing I see here is a claim to be God. How so? When Jesus says he saw Satan fall, he is claiming to have been in existence before Genesis 1:1.* Using similar language in John 1:1 (“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”), John describes Jesus as having existed “in the beginning” just like God did in Genesis 1:1.

After that declaration, Jesus assured the disciples that he had authority over the power of Satan and that he had given that authority to them.

This gift of power over the enemy seems significant and something to rejoice over. However, Jesus was concerned that they might focus on that gift (or power). Thus, he warned them not to rejoice in that authority/power. Rather, they should rejoice in the most fundamental thing, which is that their names are written in heaven. That “free gift” (Rom 6:23) is the foundation for every good thing that Christ gives his children. It seems that Jesus wants them to focus on the most basic thing.

This is a good reminder to me to keep things simple. I’m reminded of the Lord’s warning in Jeremiah 9:23-24:

23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

If I focus on the Lord and his kindness to write my name in heaven, there is less opportunity for me to focus on myself.

Father, help me to cast my eyes and heart upon you today, and thus think less about myself and more about you today. Amen.

*Note: This assumes that Satan fell before the history recorded in the Bible. For my point, though, it matters not if Satan fell before creation or only before the fall (Gen 3). If Jesus saw it happen, he was there.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Gospels, humility, Jesus Said, Luke, New Testament

Luke 9:23-25

February 25, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?’” (Luke 9:23-25)

These verses demonstrate the upside-down nature of following Jesus. Jesus opens with the conjunction if, showing the conditional nature of what he is about to say. 

IF you want to follow me, THEN you must deny yourself. That’s a demanding condition because I don’t like to deny myself. I like what I like, and I want what I want. BUT Jesus says I have to deny myself to follow him. He is not just another add-on in my life. 

Next, he says, if I focus on my own life, I will lose it. That is so counterintuitive! Saving my life will cause me to lose it? But by surrendering my life, I will actually gain life? I think what he means here is if we forget about ourselves and pursue him, we will find true life because he is LIFE (Jn 14:6). 

He continues with a question: What have you gained if by focusing on yourself, you gain the whole world? The point? Whatever it is, it is a loss compared to what you will gain IF you follow me.

This requires faith. When I pursue the world, I can see the results in wealth and power. When I pursue Jesus, my soul grows, and my reward in glory grows. If I deny myself, the outcome is joy. If I focus on this world, the outcome will be miserable in comparison. 

Father, please help me to deny myself and follow Jesus with abandon. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Gospels, Jesus Said, Luke, New Testament

Luke 8:21

February 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“But he answered them, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it’” (Luke 8:21).

Notice the emphasis that Jesus places on hearing and doing the word of God. He is not satisfied with those who specialize in knowing the word of God, but don’t do it.

I have been guilty of reading God’s word for the sake of knowledge, hoping to use it to fix other people. For many years, I gave little to no consideration to how the word of God applied to me or that I should actually be doing it.

Jesus has a close familial category for those who hear and do his word. He is not saying that his biological family is unimportant, but is emphasizing the closeness he has with those who hear and do his word.

Father, please help me be more thoughtful about how I can do your word. Help me faithfully apply to myself what I learn from your word. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, discipleship, Gospels, Luke
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