FBC Daily Devotions

Look over your notes from the past week. What one or two things did God impress upon you this week?

Read Mark 3:20-22. (See also John 10:20-21)

The crowds gathered so densely that the disciples and Jesus were unable to even eat. Why did they gather? They gathered because Jesus was the Healer (3:10). They gathered to just touch Him if they could only get close enough. And how did some respond? “He is out of his mind!” (3:21) “He is possessed by Beelzebub (the prince of demons)!” (3:22)

Now why on earth would they say such things about someone who healed the masses? Why rain on their parade?

Throughout Israel’s history, prophets were called madmen by those who did not like his words (see Elisha, 2 Kings 9:11; Jeremiah, Jer. 29:26). Bad news was often met with disbelief. That was true of God’s enemies, and that was true of those who saw Jesus’ words as bad news. The Pharisees felt threatened. Giving them the benefit of the doubt and saying they only wanted to protect the nation from a false Messiah takes off some of the edge, but even then, they were completely closed to the possibility that Jesus was really the Messiah. Everything Jesus did and said supported that claim (see John 10:24-26). And because Jesus was so believable and so persuasive, because He threatened their authority, they had to go to extreme measures to discredit Him. They regarded His words and actions as those of a madman. They attributed His power to evil forces. People go to extreme measures to reject bad news.

But before we bury the Pharisees in criticism, we ought to consider the radical nature of Jesus’ words ourselves. Jesus asks much of us at times. Sometimes our reaction can be, “You want me to do what?! Are you crazy?!” Jesus says much about us as well, such as He loves me. For some that is hard to believe. In those times, one has to be careful not to attribute bad or hard news as too crazy to be of Jesus.

To consider: Is God asking you to believe something for your life? Is He asking you to do something that seems a little crazy, a little radical? Avoid protecting your self-interests by regarding His words as those of a madman.

Read John 3:1-2.

Rabbi – probably a title of respect for Jesus as a scholar or teacher, Jesus was seen as one who taught with authority and was respected as such. Unlike the Pharisees, who were not open to the possibility of Jesus being the Messiah, Nicodemus is a Pharisee who saw more. He recognized the veracity of Jesus’ words by the miraculous signs He performed. Jesus was a true Rabbi in his eyes. Even more impressive is Jesus referring to Nicodemus as “Israel’s teacher” in 3:10. How much greater was Jesus in the eyes of a high standing teacher!

While Jesus was certainly more than a teacher, He was a teacher nonetheless. There have been many great teachers throughout history, but none greater than Jesus. We have many good teachers among us today, but none greater than Jesus. We have much to learn about God and life from Rabbi Jesus.

To consider: Sometimes it is easier to go to a class and learn from teachers. This is not only good, but biblical. That said, we have the greatest teaching from the greatest teacher at our fingertips. There is no schedule, there are no time limits. His words rest before us in the Scriptures. Take time today to learn from the Scriptures on your own by simply reading it. Go ahead… open it up and read a chapter – I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Read Luke 2:36-38.

The Son of God – it is a title reserved only for Jesus. While there are references to “sons of God” in both the Old and New Testaments, only Jesus is referred to as the Son of God. He alone is given the position of authority and sonship with the Father. Being God’s only begotten son (John 3:16), Jesus alone possesses the divine attributes and authority of the Father. As stated in the Nicene Creed: 

He is God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father.

But did you know that there was someone else in the first century who was called “‘Divine,’ ‘Son of God,’ ‘God,’ and ‘God from God,’ whose titles were ‘Lord,’ ‘Redeemer,’ ‘Liberator,’ and ‘Saviour of the World?'” “(M)ost Christians probably think that those titles were originally created and uniquely applied to Christ. But before Jesus ever existed, all those terms belonged to Caesar Augustus.” [1]

By referring to Jesus in these terms, the early followers of Christ made Jesus “Lord of lords” and “King of kings”. Their loyalty would be to the one true King, Jesus Christ. Man may have earthly power and authority, but they do not share in the power that is His alone. He is unique. There is no other like Him. There is none that can compare to Him. And He is worthy of our devotion.

To consider: Do you worship Jesus as the one and only Son of God – God from God, Light from Light? Spend some time right now in the presence of Jesus, in reverence and in awe of Him. He is not a mere man with earthly titles, but He is God’s only Son, “the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light…” (1Tim. 6:16)

I have received several requests to have the daily devotions sent to them by email. Well, that day is finally here. Up on the top right side of the page is a “SUBSCRIBE” link that will register your email address to receive the devotionals every morning. After confirming your registration by email, you should then receive your first devotional the following day. So grab a cup of coffee or tea or whatever is to your liking, get your Bible and notebook, and spend a little time with God.

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