Today’s Community Scripture – 4/1/2025

Then Jesus took the Twelve off to the side and said, “Listen carefully. We’re on our way up to Jerusalem. Everything written in the Prophets about the Son of Man will take place. He will be handed over to the Romans, jeered at, made sport of, and spit on. Then, after giving him the third degree, they will kill him. In three days he will rise, alive.” But they didn’t get it, could make neither heads nor tails of what he was talking about. He came to the outskirts of Jericho. A blind man was sitting beside the road asking for handouts. When he heard the rustle of the crowd, he asked what was going on. They told him, “Jesus the Nazarene is going by.” He yelled, “Jesus! Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!” Those ahead of Jesus told the man to shut up, but he only yelled all the louder, “Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered him to be brought over. When he had come near, Jesus asked, “What do you want from me?” He said, “Master, I want to see again.” Jesus said, “Go ahead—see again! Your faith has saved and healed you!” The healing was instant: He looked up, seeing—and then followed Jesus, glorifying God. Everyone in the street joined in, shouting praise to God.

Luke 18:31–43 (MSG)

Key Verses – Then Jesus took the Twelve off to the side and said, “Listen carefully. We’re on our way up to Jerusalem. Everything written in the Prophets about the Son of Man will take place. He will be handed over to the Romans, jeered at, made sport of, and spit on. Then, after giving him the third degree, they will kill him. In three days he will rise, alive.” Luke 18:31–33 (MSG)

– Reflection:

Could You Have Followed Jesus?

This passage in Luke is very, well, I’m not sure of the words I want to use for this. Let me explain. Jesus takes his group of followers aside, tells them where they are going, what is going to happen to him, and that he will rise again. While there, he heals a blind man right after explaining what was going to happen. This makes me think that there had to be another force that wouldn’t allow them to see who Jesus really was. I mean, to witness all of those things up to that point and not want to give your life for him at any moment makes me wonder what else was following them around besides just being human beings. As I read it today, I consider how I would like to think I would respond. Ask yourselves that question: how would you have reacted seeing all that this man was doing in real-time?

– Where do we go from here?

If we saw all of those miracles performed right before us, do you think we would be so cynical? Could we honor God’s Son as he needs, helping him with his work instead of questioning him? Or would you be one of those who wanted what he had for yourselves, to puff up your chests for your own gain? I would like to know your responses, guys. Reply to the post with your comments to see how many who read this post would act like the twelve he chose. Remember, there is free will involved, and you are still a human being with worldly wants.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for being an example for us to follow, for providing us with a blueprint for how to navigate our daily lives and interact with the world. It is an honor for me to create these posts for those who read them and for those who will in the future. Thank you for the path you have laid before each of us to honor GOD. Amen.