Welcome to the 18th Edition of our devotionals. You will encounter Jesus Christ afresh today in the name of Jesus Christ. The topics we discussed in this edition are very impactful and will bless people and all the readers.
Do not hesitate to read all the topics for complete blessings and impartations. It is useful for individuals and families. You can still send the links to our devotionals to your loved ones. Receive the blessings as you read and meditate on them. Read more similar posts on our devotional page of the site.
Topic 1: Jesus and His Friends
Read Proverbs 17.
We usually maintain friendships, especially with people who are good and nice to us. A true friend is always there for you in good and bad times. Such a friend is found in Jesus Christ. He is a friend indeed. According to Proverbs 17 verse 17a, “A friend loves at all times.”
John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. We shall be discussing how Jesus’ friends honoured Him and told others about His faithfulness and goodness in this article. Jesus never despised His friends and showed them the way of love.
Meditation
You are welcome to the second month of the year. This month’s emphasis is the show of love by our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ to His friends. John 15:14 says, “You are my friends if you do whatever I command you.”
Thus, as friends of Jesus, we are to do only what He commands us to do; we should consciously allow the Holy Spirit to help us, by making the cross the primary object of our faith.
Prayer
Father, give me the grace to maintain friendship with You and with people in the name of Jesus Christ.
Topic 2: Jesus Christ was honoured by his friends
Read Luke 19:28-40
Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem with His disciples, and as they approached Bethphage and Bethany, at the hill called the Mount of Olives (Bethphage means “House of Figs”), Jesus sent two of His disciples (names not disclosed) into the community,
He told them that they would find a female donkey securely tied with a colt on whose back no man had ever sat. They get untied and bring the animals to Him. Jesus told them that if anyone questions them saying, “Why are you untying the colt?
Meditation 1
“They are to say, “The Lord needs it. “Immediately, they will be permitted to take them. Jesus’ action would lead to the fulfilment of what was spoken through the prophet, “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
We can see the king coming with righteous and victorious in lowly riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”(Zechariah 9:9) Then the disciples did as they were instructed (Obedience played a role here). The disciples came to Jesus with the colt, adorned with outer garments and put Jesus on the colt.
As Jesus rode through the city, a large crowd followed Him; some people spread their garments on the road, while others spread leaves, most of which were palm branches; hence the expression “Palm Sunday. “All these were done for Jesus to ride on while the crowd sang, danced, hailed, and praised Him as King, signifying victory over their oppression.
The disciples and Jesus’ friends kept on saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!”(Luke 19:38). When we praise God, He will be happy with us and bless us the more. God will also honour us and take care of all our needs.
Meditation 2
Do you love and give honour to whom honour is due? Are you one of those who look down on people in authority and dishonour them? Jesus deserves our praises at all times. He came to lay down His life so that we can be free from sin and the guilt of sin.
He sets us free from the power of Satan and his ghost. (Lead the class to praise God for a few minutes. Let the children appreciate Him for the salvation of their souls, provision, and protection from evil in this world, and eternal life.)
Just like the disciples and friends of Jesus honoured and praised Him in today’s text, God wants you and I to honour and glorify Jesus Christ in our daily lives. We should tell of His praise and works to others. Let people know that Jesus is the reason for your existence and joy.
Learn to always sing His praise because He deserves it. Cultivate the habit of praising God, and in return, you will receive more blessings.
Prayer
Lord, give me Your honour and let me love my neighbours in the name of Jesus Christ.
Topic 3: Jesus’ friends preached the good news.
Read Luke 10:1-11,16-20.
Though Jesus’ public ministry was coming to an end, there were still many unreached people and places the good news of Jesus had not reached. Even though the twelve disciples took the Gospel to God’s people-the Jews-He commanded the seventy-two others to go and preach the good news in every town and place where He was about to go.
He told them to pray that the Lord would send out more labourers to minister to people. As lovers of Jesus, they went out two by two, prayerfully trusting that the Lord would protect them and provide for them.
Meditation 1
As they went out to preach the good news, they obeyed the following instructions Jesus gave them.
- Do not carry a purse, a bag, or a sandal.
- Do not greet anyone along the road.
- You must say in any house you enter, “Peace to this house.”
- Do not move from house to house.
- When you enter a house and are accepted, eat and drink whatever they provide for you.
- Heal the sick.
- But if you are not accepted, shake off the dust of the town from your feet.
Jesus told them that anyone who listens to them listens to Him, but he who does not rejects even Him. The friends of Jesus came back glorifying God for doing His will and conquering Satan.
They said they saw the demons submit to them in the name of the Lord. Jesus replied and confirmed what happened as they preached; He said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
Meditation 2
Jesus reminded them of the power He had given authority to trample upon snakes and scorpions and to overcome the power of the enemy; nothing will harm them. He further encouraged them to rejoice more because their names are written in heaven.
Jesus is sending us out as His disciples among the people we meet daily. We are part of the mission to share the good news of God’s kingdom with others. As faithful servants, resolve to always share the good news with people you meet daily.
When Jesus Christ was about to depart from the earth, He sent out the seventy-two disciples to go to every town and place they knew and preach the good news to them. The intention was for everyone to be saved. Jesus is also calling on you today to go and preach the gospel to those who are yet to accept Him as their Savior and Lord.
Prayer
God, give me the grace to reach out and preach Your gospel in the name of Jesus Christ.
Topic 4: Jesus Christ taught his friends about love.
Read John 15:9-17.
Jesus continued His teachings, emphasizing the need to love. He told His disciples that He (Jesus) has loved them, as His Father has loved Him. He also related love to obedience. He pointed out in John 15:10 that obedience and love are connected.
Because Jesus loves us, He gave His life for us. He also encouraged us in His teachings that we are His friends, if only we would obey His commands.
Meditation 1
Jesus calls us His friends and not servants; servants are messengers or agents who only do what their masters command them to do, even when they do not understand it. Jesus sees us as friends and takes us in confidence only when we obey His commands.
Meditation 2
All that He learned from His Father is made known to us. He has chosen us; we did not choose Him. He wants us to bear good fruits that will last. When we do all that, all our requests will be granted. All these will happen when we love one another, according to His command.
God is love. Jesus wants us to love, as He has loved us by laying His life for us. He even called us His friends and not servants. He revealed to us everything he received from the Father. If Jesus Christ loves us, we must love one another.
God wants us to love unconditionally. You can love others when you have received the love of Christ into your life. Therefore, love others as Christ loves you.
Prayer
Oh Lord, plant the seed of love in me in the name of Jesus Christ.
