From: April 6, 2025
“So that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation” (Luke 11:50–51 ESV).
Jesus told the religious leaders of His day that their generation would be held responsible for all the prophets God had sent them since creation. Why would this generation bear such a weight?
Jesus summarized the list of prophets killed by beginning with Abel, whose murder was recorded in the first book, Genesis, and ending with the murder of Zechariah, whose stoning was recorded in 2 Chronicles, the last book according to the order of the Hebrew Bible. The first murder victim, Abel, was killed by his brother because he had “by faith offered a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain” (Heb. 11:4). Abel brought the firstborn of his flock as a sacrifice of blood, which prophetically pointed to its fulfillment in Christ. The last prophet recorded as being murdered in the Hebrew Bible was Zechariah, the son of the high priest, Jehoiada. King Joash conspired to have him stoned to death in the Temple courts because he had prophesied against him for forsaking the daily sacrifices and turning to idolatry (2 Chron. 24:15-22).
God had delayed His judgment against the Jews, so that the coming of the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, might be given to them and through them to the whole world. But this generation would reject and murder the very One to whom all the prophets had pointed. And upon them God’s accumulated wrath would be spent. Indeed, this generation saw the fall of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD, so that those that remained were dispersed among the nations.
This passage challenges us to take seriously the truth we’ve been given. We live in a time when the fullness of God’s revelation is available—we know the gospel, we know Jesus, and we’ve seen the faithfulness of God through Scripture. So how are we responding? God is still speaking through His Word and Spirit today. May we be found faithful. Not just hearing, but believing and obeying. This generation has a great responsibility too. Let us be salt and light to our generation.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Your mercy in sending Your Son and those who have carried the gospel to us. We don’t want to take lightly what others died to proclaim. Help us to live in obedience to Your Word and full devotion to Jesus. Keep our hearts soft and open. Use us in this generation to speak Your truth with love and courage. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: April 6, 2024
“He made streams come out of the rock and caused waters to flow down like rivers” (Psalm 78:16 ESV).
According to the inscription, Psalm 78 was written by the Levite priest, prophet, poet and singer, Asaph, who was appointed chief of the worship leaders by King David (1 Chron. 16:5). In Psalm 78, the Lord inspired Asaph to write an account of the lessons of the past, so that future generations might not forget what God had done for the people of Israel. The psalm focused on the way God led Israel out of Egypt and provided for them through the wilderness years.
In Asaph’s recounting of God’s miraculous provision, he paid particular attention to the rock from which God brought forth water in the dessert This was the “rock at Horeb” which God told Moses to strike with his staff, so that water would come forth (Ex. 17:6). This water flowed in such great quantity that it flowed like a river!
Inspired of the Spirit, the apostle Paul wrote of this rock saying, “For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ” (1 Cor. 10:6). Consider the ways in which this “Rock” points to Christ:
1) It was singular, “the rock at Horeb.” Christ is singular and unique. There is no other like Him.
2) It was struck. As Moses struck the rock, so Christ was stricken for our sins. “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted” (Isa. 53:4).
3) From it flowed a river of water. The apostle John wrote that he saw a sudden flow of “blood and water” pour forth from Jesus’ side when pierced by the Roman soldier.
4) Those who drank from it, lived. Jesus told the woman at the well that if she asked Him, then He would give her “living water” that welled “up to eternal life” (John 4:14). Those who drink from the Rock that is Christ, will live forever.
Have you drank from the Rock that is Christ?
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank you for your provision through Christ. May we always remember to drink from him for life and sustenance. And may we always offer his living water to those who are thirsty. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: April 6, 2023
“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders” (Psalm 78:4 NLT).
The psalmist instructed the people of God not to hide the testimony of faith that had been handed down to them by their forefathers. Instead, they must tell the next generation all that God had done for them.
The truth is, we are always only one generation away from losing our spiritual heritage. It only takes one generation failing to pass the baton of faith to the next for the race to be lost. Therefore, let us endeavor to firmly hand off the testimony of faith to the next generation. Tell your children and your children’s children what God has done for you!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for those generations who have gone before us that told us about You and declared their testimony of faith to us. We have believed. Yet, strengthen us to pass on this testimony to the next generation that they may know the joy of being right with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: April 6, 2015
Moses reminded the Israelites as they stood on the border of the Promised Land of the importance of choice. Would they choose life or death? The Lord had given Moses instructions and he had faithfully delivered them to his people. What would they choose? Today, what will you choose: life or death? For life is in Christ Jesus for all those who have chosen to trust in His Name.