[Jesus continued,]
—Luke 6:26 NLT
For whom and for what do you live? Jesus warned us to avoid living for the approval of the crowd. [1] He demonstrated the importance of this principle in his own life. [2] Sometimes, the people in the crowd wanted to make him king. [3] Sometimes, they wildly accepted him: During his Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem, the crowd cried out, "Hail to the King of Israel!" to praise him. [4] Yet, just a week later, the fickle crowd turned away from him and screamed, "Crucify him!" [5] Even when he was being praised, Jesus didn't submit himself to the will of the crowd. He doesn't want us to do it either. When we live for the approval of the crowd, we give away the rule of our hearts to the will of the masses. We lose the direction in our lives in the process. We replace the approval of God with the call of the crowd, like the false prophets who led God's people, and themselves, into destruction.
[1] John 12:42-43; Matthew 6:33.
[2] John 5:16, 41, 44.
[3] John 6:14-15.
[4] John 12:12-13.
[5] Luke 23:20-21.
Give me the courage, dear God, to live for you regardless of what those around me think of me. Make me a person of integrity, holy character, and graciousness. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2023 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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"What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds, for their ancestors also praised false prophets."
—Luke 6:26 NLT
Key Thought
For whom and for what do you live? Jesus warned us to avoid living for the approval of the crowd. [1] He demonstrated the importance of this principle in his own life. [2] Sometimes, the people in the crowd wanted to make him king. [3] Sometimes, they wildly accepted him: During his Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem, the crowd cried out, "Hail to the King of Israel!" to praise him. [4] Yet, just a week later, the fickle crowd turned away from him and screamed, "Crucify him!" [5] Even when he was being praised, Jesus didn't submit himself to the will of the crowd. He doesn't want us to do it either. When we live for the approval of the crowd, we give away the rule of our hearts to the will of the masses. We lose the direction in our lives in the process. We replace the approval of God with the call of the crowd, like the false prophets who led God's people, and themselves, into destruction.
[1] John 12:42-43; Matthew 6:33.
[2] John 5:16, 41, 44.
[3] John 6:14-15.
[4] John 12:12-13.
[5] Luke 23:20-21.
Today's Prayer
Give me the courage, dear God, to live for you regardless of what those around me think of me. Make me a person of integrity, holy character, and graciousness. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2023 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Continue reading...