STP Devotional for the Week of 9/30/24
Has someone ever told you something and you thought, “I’ll believe that when I see it?” What does it mean that you will “believe only if you see it?”
Luke tells of a time when two of Jesus’ disciples were walking along a road to the town of Emmaus. As they walked, they talked about all that had gone on with Jesus dying on the cross, and it made them sad. Along the way, Jesus caught up to them and asked them what they were talking about. This question surprised them because they assumed EVERYone knew what had happened to Jesus. The disciples went on to tell Him all about His own death, how an angel had appeared to the women at the tomb. Jesus just shook His head and began to reveal the truth that He is God’s true prophet who came to fulfill the promises the prophets of the Old Testament had predicted would come to pass.
So what is a prophet? A spokesman for God chosen by God. Throughout the Bible, God used ordinary men and women to bring His message to His people.
“For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:21
In the Old Testament, you can read about a bunch of prophets you might recognize..Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, and a lot of others. In Deuteronomy, God speaks to Moses of a prophet that will come later.
“I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. Deuteronomy 18:18
Who do you think God is referring to in that passage? If you said, “Jesus,” you’re right! He is the fulfillment of all the promises of God including Jesus being the ultimate spokesman or prophet for God.
We NEED Jesus as our prophet because of our fallen state of sinfulness. God sent prophets in the OT because people needed to hear from God and how to atone for their sins. In Christ, we have access directly to God because Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins once and for all. To show us His love, God put His very own words into Jesus’ mouth. Listen to Him speak…
“Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.” John 17:7-8
Let’s get back to the disciples and Jesus on the road to Emmaus. These poor guys must have been discouraged that the One they had hoped would save them from the Romans was dead. Jesus gently rebuked them…
“And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:25-26
It wasn’t until Jesus sat down to eat with them that their eyes were opened to the truth of who Jesus is! He is God’s True Prophet! That’s something solid we can build our faith on. Even though the two disciples didn’t recognize Jesus, that doesn’t change the fact that He was right there with them. Are there times in your life where you don’t feel like Jesus is there? Remember, God’s True Prophet promises to never leave you or forsake you. Even if you don’t feel His nearness, He’s there for you. Pray and ask Jesus, the Prophet, to reveal Himself to you. He is faithful to do it!
Comments