Day 14 - Living in Kingdom Purpose and Power | Our King and the Kingdom of God 21-Day Devotional
Today's lesson was written by Min. Bertha Fields from New Covenant Church
Scripture Reading: Luke 4:42, Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; 43-but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”
In this passage of Scripture Jesus was involved in His ministry in the region of Galilee. It is stated here, and in several other Scriptures, that Jesus was involved in His usual practice of praying early in the morning, alone in the presence of Father God. In these times and seasons of prayer, He experienced the presence, power, and provision of the Father.
In John 5:19-21 Jesus states, ”Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.”
After times alone with the Father, Jesus would return to His followers and the other people among the large crowds that followed Him. There He would preach the realities of the Kingdom of God, heavenly truths unlike anything the people had ever heard, and He would demonstrate Kingdom power in the healing and restoration for the body, soul, and spirit for the people who gathered to hear Him.
The Gospel writer Matthew stated in 4:23-25, “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of diseases among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Great multitudes followed Him— from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
The large crowds of people in Galilee tried to keep Jesus from leaving their presence. He offered this response to the crowd, “I must preach the kingdom of God” to other people in other various places. This indicated that Jesus was determined and fully committed to proclaim and extend the ministry of the Kingdom of God and to finish His assignment. Jesus was clear concerning His purpose and He continued to submit Himself to obey the will of Father God.
Praise the Lord God Almighty that Jesus could proclaim from the cross of Calvary “It is finished!” (John 19:30) All who decide to, can choose Him, and rest in His finished work.
REFLECTION QUESTION:
At this point in life, about what matters do you think you are being prompted by the Lord in order to be clear about your purpose(s) as you go forward?
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