2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Numbers 28:16-29:40 ESV, Luke 3:23-38 ESV, Psalm 62:1-12 ESV, Proverbs 11:18-19 ESV
Daily Verse: “Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,” (Luke 3:23 ESV)
IESOUS (2424): “The name of our Lord.”[I]
God’s Son.
Before Jesus began His earthly ministry, He spent three decades in preparation. A couple of days ago, I wrote about Jesus at 12 years old, conversing with the temple teachers. Not until then did I think about their conversation. Scripture said Jesus listened and asked questions (Luke 2:46 ESV).
At twelve, I accepted Christ into my life as Lord and Savior. Raised in a Christian home, I have never known life without Jesus. But during my 20’s, I questioned my beliefs. If God’s word said to do it, I definitely didn’t. Through those years of defiance, I caused myself tremendous pain. Finally, I realized pain’s presence in life comes whether I follow God or not. But with God, I have relief from it. I can unburden my heartache to Him, and He always uses it for good.
Jesus heals.
My anger at God began when He called my dad to heaven. At sixteen, I battled with the pain, trying to understand why a loving God would take my world away from me; I decided God didn’t love me, nor me Him. Turning my back on all I’d known led me down a dark path of self-inflicted pain. Abusing alcohol numbed the pain; God’s grace protected me. When I finally turned back to God, His open arms readily embraced me. Healing began for my broken heart.
Pain exists in this world; everyone experiences it. But Jesus takes our pain upon Himself, giving us new life in Him. Wherever life’s path takes us, we can trust God will use it for good.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 ESV)
Jesus’s preparation for His ministry took decades; ours does as well. Whatever life circumstances might present, God will use it in your life, not only for good but preparation as well.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 120) Thomas Nelson
