February 2 Real Identity

Luke 11:27-28 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” 28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
 
THE Jews were God’s chosen people to bear the Messiah. Lineage was critical to the Jews, so they could be sure the Messiah came from Abraham’s lineage through David as the prophets foretold. Jesus’ response to the woman’s blessing is to teach the Jews there is one great blessing above all: believe God’s Word.
    This, of course, became and is an essential teaching in Jesus’ church. The first converted Jews often rejected Gentiles joining the church. The Jews saw themselves as the only children of Abraham. Consequently, the Messiah from the Jews was only for the Jews. But the apostles taught the New Testament truth. Each person who believed God’s Word – that Jesus Christ is Lord of all who call on his name to be saved – is a child of Abraham. See Paul’s words in Galatians 3:28-29 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
    This can seem so elementary to us. Surely people are saved only through faith in Jesus. No one is saved because of their ethnicity or church affiliation. But sadly, there is much belief in many churches that say, “Our very specific way of belief is the only way to Heaven.” These are erroneous faith in works, not a true faith in Jesus’ lordship.
    Yes, there is a true faith we must have. We have seen how we are either without or with Jesus. That’s why we must listen to Jesus’ words, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Hear and obey also this word of God from the Son of God: John 3:18 “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.”
    Confess, “Jesus is my Lord and Savior.” In this confession, the Holy God is our Father in Heaven. His name is hallowed on our lips. We seek his will and pray for his kingdom come in power. Await his glory forever. Proclaim, “Amen. Jesus saves.”
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that you lavish your love on people of the entire earth to be children of the Living God. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.