Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for January 31

WHO STOPS FOR SOMEONE IN NEED?

From: January 31, 2024

‘And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?”’ (Matthew 20:32 ESV).

Jesus was on his way up to Jerusalem for the Passover, headed for his preordained appointment with the cross. With all the weight of what lay before him, he still stopped to heal two blind men sitting by the Jericho roadside. Who stops at a time like this? Jesus does.

Are you willing to stop when you see a need? Or does your busy schedule overrule your willingness to pause and help? Or perhaps you fear not being able to meet the need or doubt the reality of the need?

There are always voices crying out with need. When should we stop? The best voice to listen to is the Spirit’s. Ask yourself, “Is the Spirit of Jesus leading me to stop?” Of course, we have to pause at least long enough to ask the question. The Lord might not always lead us to stop and help, but he will probably move us to stop more than we’re apt to do on our own.

I’m glad the Lord Jesus stopped for us.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the love You have shown us through Jesus. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit and give us a willingness to stop and help those whom You have put before us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

CHRIST, OUR PASSOVER LAMB

From: January 31, 2023

“Each Passover lamb must be eaten in one house. Do not carry any of its meat outside, and do not break any of its bones” (Exodus 12:46 NLT).

Among the many instructions God gave Moses concerning the Passover Lamb was that it must be a male without blemish and that they were not to “break one of its bones” in sacrificing it. God was preparing the Israelites not only for their deliverance from slavery in Egypt, but ultimately for redemption from their slavery to sin. For by establishing the Passover as an annual memorial, He was preparing them to recognize the true Lamb of God when He came.

Jesus is the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb. He was the male without blemish, the sinless Son of God. And although it was Roman practice to break the legs of those they crucified, which they did to the two criminals on either side of Jesus, not one of His bones was broken.

As John reflected in his gospel, “For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken’” (John 19:36).

PRAYER: Dear Father, we are in awe of the inexpressible gift that You have given us in Jesus. So great a salvation is beyond words. We repent and believe. We trust Your Word, both written and incarnate. Strengthen us to proclaim Your gospel and Your praises to the nations. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Each Passover lamb must be eaten in one house. Do not carry any of its meat outside, and do not break any of its bones” (Exodus 12:46 NLT).

From: January 31, 2022

JESUS, OUR PASSOVER LAMB

Among the many instructions God gave Moses concerning the Passover Lamb was that it must be a male without blemish and that they were not to “break any of its bones” in sacrificing it. God was preparing the Israelites not only for their deliverance from slavery in Egypt, but ultimately for redemption from their slavery to sin. For by establishing the Passover as an annual memorial, He was preparing them to recognize the true Lamb of God when He came.

Jesus is the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb. He was the male without blemish, the sinless Son of God. And although it was Roman practice to break the legs of those they crucified, which they did to the two criminals on either side of Jesus, not one of His bones was broken. As John reflected in his gospel, “For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken’” (John 19:36).

Let us join with the declaration of John the Baptist, who said as he saw Jesus approaching, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we thank You for Jesus, our Passover lamb. Through Him we have received forgiveness and righteousness, so that we have become children of God. Christ fulfilled every prophecy and type in the Scriptures and now He sits at Your right hand as our Advocate. Thank You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“…nor shall you break one of its bones” (Exodus 12:46 NKJV).

From: January 31, 2020

CHRIST’S CRUCIFIXION FULFILLED THE SCRIPTURES

Among the many instructions God gave Moses concerning the Passover Lamb was that it must be a male without blemish and that they were not to “break one of its bones” in sacrificing it. God was preparing the Israelites not only for their deliverance from slavery in Egypt, but ultimately for redemption from their slavery to sin. For by establishing the Passover as an annual memorial, He was preparing them to recognize the true Lamb of God when He came. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb. He was the male without blemish, the sinless Son of God. And although it was Roman practice to break the legs of those they crucified, which they did to the two criminals on either side of Jesus, not one of His bones was broken. As John reflected in his gospel, “For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken’” (John 19:36).

PRAYER: Dear Father, we are in awe of the inexpressible gift that You have given us in Jesus. So great a salvation is beyond words. We repent and believe. We trust Your Word, both written and incarnate. Strengthen us to proclaim Your gospel and Your praises to the nations. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Each Passover lamb must be eaten in one house. Do not carry any of its meat outside, and do not break any of its bones.” (Exodus 12:46 NLT).

From: January 31, 2019

JESUS, OUR PASSOVER LAMB

Among the many instructions God gave Moses concerning the Passover Lamb was that it must be a male without blemish and that they were not to “break one of its bones” in sacrificing it. God was preparing the Israelites not only for their deliverance from slavery in Egypt, but ultimately for redemption from their slavery to sin. For by establishing the Passover as an annual memorial, He was preparing them to recognize the true Lamb of God when He came. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb. He was the male without blemish, the sinless Son of God. And although it was Roman practice to break the legs of those they crucified, which they did to the two criminals on either side of Jesus, not one of His bones was broken. As John reflected in his gospel, “For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken’” (John 19:36).

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we thank You for Jesus, our Passover lamb. Through Him we have received forgiveness and righteousness, so that we have become children of God. Christ fulfilled every prophecy and type in the Scriptures and now He sits at Your right hand as our Advocate. Thank You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

‘When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?”’ (Matthew 20:32 NLT).

From: February 1, 2018

PRAY SPECIFIC PRAYERS

When Jesus hears, he stops. He makes time for those who cry out to Him. And even though He already knows what we need, He asks us to tell Him.

“What do you want me to do for you?” He asks.

Why does He ask this? I’m not sure, but I think it must be, so that in naming the thing, we are expressing our faith that He can do it. And we are showing our dependence on Him as a child with a parent. So, get specific with Him in your prayers. He wants to know exactly what you need from Him.

‘And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.’ (Matthew 21:19 NKJV).

From: January 31, 2017

Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?

The morning after Jesus had overturned the tables of the money changers in the Temple, reminding them that God’s house was to be a house of prayer, he was hungry and saw a fig tree along the way. Yet, even though it was green with leaves, it had no fruit. So, Jesus cursed the tree because of its lack of fruit. Was this the action of impatience or frustration because of His hunger? No. The fig tree is a symbol of fruitless Israel. They had the Law and the Prophets and the beautiful Temple with all of its sacrifices, yet they had filled the outer court, which was meant for the Gentiles’ prayer, with booths for commerce. And more than that, they had rejected the very Messiah for Whom all of these were given. Their leaves were green, but they did not bear fruit. By the end of the week, they would crucify Jesus. And before that generation passed, the Temple would be destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.

But Jesus was raised and the gospel has gone out to the nations. And one day, the fig tree, which is Israel, will recognize Christ as Lord and be withered no more.

‘And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?”’ (Matthew 20:32 ESV)

From: January 31, 2016

Jesus stopped. That’s the first thing. He was willing to stop. He was on his way up to Jerusalem for the Passover, headed for his preordained appointment with the cross, and he stopped to heal two blind men sitting by the Jericho roadside. Who stops at a time like this? Jesus.
Then, who asks two obviously blind men what they want? Anyone can see that they are blind. Plus, Jesus knows their thoughts. So, why ask what they want? I think it’s because Jesus is calling them to faith. Asking them to specifically name their need to him, he is also causing them to express their faith in him. Hearing their faith, Jesus touched them and healed them.
I’m glad that Jesus stops for those in need.

“…nor shall you break one of its bones” (Exodus 12:46 NKJV)

From: January 31, 2015

Among the many instructions God gave Moses concerning the Passover Lamb was that it must be a male without blemish and that they were not to “break one of its bones” in sacrificing it. God was preparing the Israelites not only for their deliverance from slavery in Egypt, but ultimately for redemption from their slavery to sin. For by establishing the Passover as an annual memorial, He was preparing them to recognize the true Lamb of God when He came. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb. He was the male without blemish, the sinless Son of God. And although it was Roman practice to break the legs of those they crucified, which they did to the two criminals on either side of Jesus, not one of His bones was broken. As John reflected in his gospel, “For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken’” (John 19:36).

“It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families” (Exodus 12:27)

From: January 31, 2014

God instructed the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and to put its blood over their door frames, so that the angel of death would “pass over” them. This became an annual festival of remembrance that was fulfilled in Christ, who became our Passover Lamb. Those who have received Him have His blood spread over their heart’s door, so that they have been forgiven of sin and will never die.