Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.” Matthew 11:25
A Hidden Glory
In his first letter to the Christians in the city of Corinth, the apostle Paul uses an interesting word to describe the “message of the cross.” He calls it “foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:18). The idea that a man killed on a cross could accomplish anything, much less the eternal salvation of the world, seems foolish to the people of this world.
So, when we proclaim the message of the cross, as Paul once did, it sometimes means being met with blank stares and cold hearts. In their unbelief, this world does not recognize the glory of the cross. To them, it is hidden.
But you might be surprised at who hides its glory. God does! Jesus said to his Father, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things …” And from whom has the Lord hidden the glory of the cross? “From the wise and learned.”
Does that mean Jesus has something against people with high IQs and post-graduate degrees? No, that’s certainly not his point. God is the giver of all gifts, including wisdom and knowledge. There is nothing wrong with being “wise and learned” unless you abuse these gifts by denying the hidden realities of the glorious cross.
Too often we do just that! We are tempted to take our eyes off Christ’s cross and to focus our attention on other things in this world that seem grander and more glorious, wiser and more learned. By nature, we claim to be wise, only to have God declare us the greatest of fools. Paul tells us the truth: even when God is being foolish, he “is wiser than human wisdom,” and even at his weakest, he “is stronger than human strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25).
So, Jesus says, stop being so “wise.” Instead, be like a little child. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3).
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me set aside my worldly wisdom and give me the faith of a child so that I can see the hidden glory, wisdom, and power of your foolish cross. Amen.
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:24-25
Freedom
The stories of prisoners of war who survived are fascinating. The accounts of the brutal and inhumane treatment by the enemy are horrific. The extreme emotions felt by the prisoners are breathtaking: the terror of being completely controlled by the enemy, the hopelessness of recognizing that escape is impossible, and the desperation of knowing that if not rescued or released, death is soon right around the corner.
Fortunately, stories of survivors don’t end there. They include rescue or release, and the emotions that go along with it. The relief, joy, and gratitude that are described by these former prisoners make their stories enjoyable.
The apostle Paul shared his prisoner-of-war story. It’s a story that is fascinating not just because it has a happy ending, but also because it is a story that each believer in Jesus shares.
We are all prisoners held by our sinful flesh. We know that the sins we commit deserve eternal death, and yet we keep sinning. That’s all that our sinful flesh can do. If our story ended there, we would be filled with fear, hopelessness, and eternal despair.
The story does not end there. We have a Savior who rescued us. Jesus freed us from the bonds of sin. Jesus took the condemnation to hell we deserved and set us free. “Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
Our prisoner of war story is certainly a heart-warming one. Our freedom has been guaranteed by Jesus. Praise to our Savior because of the freedom he has won for us!
Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for freeing me from my slavery to sin. Help me use my freedom to serve you and the people you bring into my life today. Amen.
[Jesus said] “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:37-39
Whom Do You Love?
These words of Jesus may be a bit difficult to comprehend, especially if you’ve ever held your own child in your arms. The love that parents have for their child is something that can hardly be described. It’s overwhelming. It’s profound. Many people experience their greatest joy in these moments.
As you consider the words of Jesus once again, ask yourself, “Is my love for my child, parent, sibling…greater than my love for Jesus?” If so, Jesus’ words cut deeply. In truth, we are breaking the very First Commandment, “You shall have no other gods,” if we are loving people more than we love Jesus. The results of this are eternally damning.
Let’s consider this from heaven’s eternal viewpoint. Everything we have is a gift from God–a gift that is best viewed “on loan.” Our parents are his. Our children are his. The material things we have are his, on loan to us for a time. If we love the gifts and not the giver of the gifts, we are idol worshippers.
Jesus had it all, and yet he gave it all up. He is the eternal Son of God who gave up the glory of heaven to come to this world, where he died destitute–all because he loved God above all else. He truly is the only one who has earned the title “worthy.” Yet, by grace alone, through faith alone, he forgives our sins and calls us worthy. He promises that whoever loves him and believes in him HAS eternal life.
What astonishing love Jesus has for us! What an amazing gift he has given to us! In love, he gives us eternal life—a gift that far surpasses all material gifts. May his love lead us to love him above all else—always.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, help me to love you more and more each day. Thank you for all the gifts you have given me. Amen.
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1 When Paul and Silas had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was his custom, Paul went to the Jews, and on three Sabbath days he led them in a discussion from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. He also said, “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” 4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great number of God-fearing Greeks and more than a few of the prominent women.
5 But the Jews [1] became jealous and gathered from the marketplace some wicked men, who formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house and searched for Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the mob. 6 When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men, who have stirred up trouble all over the world, have come here too, 7 and Jason has welcomed them as guests! They are all acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, Jesus!” 8 The crowd and the city officials were stirred up when they heard these things. 9 They took a security bond from Jason and the others and then let them go.
In Berea
10 That same night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians. They received the word very eagerly and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these things were so.
12 Many of them believed, along with more than a few prominent Greek women and men.
13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that the word of God was being proclaimed by Paul in Berea, they also went there to agitate and stir up the crowds. 14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul away to the seacoast, but Silas and Timothy stayed there. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him all the way to Athens. When they left, they received instructions for Silas and Timothy to join Paul as soon as possible.
Footnotes
Acts 17:5 Some witnesses to the text add who did not believe.
16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, a slave girl met us. She had a spirit that foretold the future, and she made a large profit for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 As she followed Paul and us, she kept crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you [1] the way to be saved.” 18 When she kept doing this for many days, Paul became so annoyed that he turned to the spirit and said, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out at that very moment.
19 When her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. 20 They had brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are throwing our city into a state of confusion. They are Jews, 21 and they are teaching customs that are not lawful for us to accept or practice, since we are Romans.”
22 When the crowd also joined in the attack against them, the magistrates tore off their clothes and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 23 After they had beaten them severely, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely. 24 Because he received such a command, the jailer threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
The Earthquake and the Jailer’s Conversion
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. Instantly all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 When the jailer woke up and saw that the prison doors were opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, because he thought that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted with a loud voice, “Don’t harm yourself, because we are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling in front of Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them outside and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus [2] and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his home. 33 At the same hour of the night, he took them and washed their wounds. Without delay, he and all his family were baptized. 34 Then he brought Paul and Silas into his house and set food before them. He rejoiced, because he and his whole household had come to believe in God.
Released From Prison
35 At daybreak the magistrates sent officers, saying, “Release those men!” 36 The jailer reported these words to Paul: “The magistrates have sent orders that you should be released. So come out now and go in peace.”
37 But Paul said to them, “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now they are releasing us secretly? Absolutely not! Let them come themselves and escort us out!”
38 The officers reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them. As they escorted them out, they requested that they leave the city. 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house. They saw the brothers, encouraged them, and then left.
6 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, because they were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they went as far as Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 A vision appeared to Paul during the night. A Macedonian man was standing there, urging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” 10 As soon as he had seen the vision, we [1] immediately made plans to proceed to Macedonia, because we concluded that God [2] had called us to preach the good news to them.
At Philippi
11 After we put out to sea from Troas, we sailed straight to Samothrace, and the next day to Neapolis. 12 From there we went to Philippi, which is a leading city in that part of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We stayed in this city for a number of days.
13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate alongside the river, where we thought there was a place of prayer. [3] We sat down and began to talk to the women who had gathered there. 14 A woman named Lydia, who worshipped God, was listening. She was a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira. The Lord opened her heart to pay close attention to what Paul was saying. 15 When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
Footnotes
Acts 16:10 Luke is included.
Acts 16:10 Some witnesses to the text read the Lord.
Acts 16:13 Some witnesses to the text read to the river, the customary place of prayer.
35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they, along with many others, kept on teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.
Paul and Barnabas Go Separate Ways
36 After a time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return and visit the [1] brothers [2] in every town where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, who is called Mark, along with them. 38 But Paul did not think it was a good idea to take him along, since he had deserted them in Pamphylia and did not continue to travel with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and set out, after being entrusted to the grace of the Lord [3] by the brothers. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Timothy Joins Paul and Silas
Acts 16
1 Paul arrived in Derbe and in Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, who was the son of a believing Jewish woman, but his father was a Greek. 2 The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, so he took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews who lived in those places, because they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they traveled through the towns, they delivered the resolutions decided by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to keep. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in number day by day.
Footnotes
Acts 15:36 A few witnesses to the text read our.
Acts 15:36 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female.
Note: We are aware of missing verses from today’s reading in the audio version. Please refer to the complete reading in the text version. We appreciate your understanding.
13 After they finished speaking, James responded, “Gentlemen, brothers, listen to me. 14 Simon has reported how God for the first time has visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:
16 After these things I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17 so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord— even all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord who does these things. [1]
18 “Long ago he made these things known. 19 So it is my judgment that we should not cause extra difficulty for those among the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write a letter telling them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient times Moses has had those who proclaim him in every city, since he is being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
22 Then the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, thought it would be best to choose men from their group to send to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, who were leading men among the brothers.
23 They wrote this letter for them to deliver:
From the apostles and the elders, your brothers,
To the Gentile brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:
Greetings.
24 We heard that there were some who came from us without our authorization and caused you distress by unsettling your minds with what they said. [2]25 So it seemed best to us, since we are of one mind, to choose some men to send to you, along with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will report these same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us to put no greater burden on you than these essentials: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you carefully avoid these things, you will do well.
Farewell.
30 After they were sent on their way, they went down to Antioch. They gathered the congregation together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and rejoiced over its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas, who were prophets themselves, also said much that encouraged and strengthened the brothers. 33 After they had spent some time there, they were sent off by the brothers with the greeting of peace to those who had sent them. [3]
Footnotes
Acts 15:17 Amos 9:11-12 quoted from the Septuagint
Acts 15:24 Some witnesses to the text add telling you to be circumcised and to keep the law.
Acts 15:33 Some witnesses to the text add verse 34: However, Silas decided to stay there.
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