I Take Off the Mask

In life, we often face moments of rejection or opposition, especially when we’re pursuing what we believe is right. How do we respond in those moments? Do we react with anger, or do we stay focused on our mission with a spirit of grace? In Luke 9:51-56, Jesus provides a powerful example of how to navigate these challenges with unwavering resolve and compassion. This devotional explores how we can follow His example and stay true to God’s purpose, even when the road is tough. Scripture Reading: “It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem and sent messengers before his face. They went and entered into a village of the Samaritans, so as to prepare for him. They didn’t receive him, because he was traveling with his face set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from the sky and destroy them, just as Elijah did?...

Scripture: Luke 9:46-50 (WEBBE) “There arose an argument among them about who was the greatest of them. Jesus, perceiving the reasoning of their hearts, took a little child, and set him by his side, and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For whoever is least among you all, this one will be great.” John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Don’t forbid him, for he who is not against us is for us.” Reflection: In this passage, we encounter a moment of revelation about true greatness and inclusion in the Kingdom of God. The disciples are arguing about who among them is the greatest, a reflection of their struggle with pride and status. Jesus uses this moment to teach them—and us—a profound lesson about the nature of true greatness and the inclusivity of His mission. The Quest for Greatness: T...

Scripture: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 (WEBBE) “John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he wasn’t following us.” But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able soon after to speak evil of me. For whoever is not against us is on our side. For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward. “Whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, than having your two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, than having your two feet to be cast into h...

Scripture: Luke 9:43-45 (WEBBE) “They were all amazed at the greatness of God. But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, he said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: for the Son of Man will be delivered up into the hands of men.” But they didn’t understand this saying. It was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it. They were afraid to ask him about this saying.” Reflection: In this passage, we encounter a moment of profound amazement and confusion. The crowd is in awe of Jesus’ miraculous deeds, but Jesus uses this opportunity to reveal a crucial aspect of His mission: His impending suffering and betrayal. Marveling at God’s Works: The people are astonished by the greatness of God as demonstrated through Jesus’ miracles. Their amazement reflects the powerful impact of Jesus’ ministry and the divine authority He carries. However, their focus on the miracles highlights a common human tendency to be captivated by visible displays of ...

Scripture: Luke 9:18-22 (WEBBE) “It happened, as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him, and he asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist, but others say Elijah, and others that one of the old prophets has risen again.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” But he warned them, and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.” Reflection: In this passage, Jesus engages in a moment of profound revelation and reflection with His disciples. He begins by inquiring about public opinion regarding His identity, then shifts to a more personal and crucial question: “But who do you say that I am?” Peter’s response, “The Christ of God,” is a pivotal moment in the disciples’ understanding of Jesus’ true nature and mission. Public Perception v...

Scripture: Luke 9:7-9 (WEBBE) “Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. Herod said, “I beheaded John, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” He sought to see him.” Reflection: In this passage, we encounter Herod the tetrarch, who is deeply troubled and confused by the reports he hears about Jesus and His works. Herod’s perplexity reflects the broader uncertainty and speculation surrounding Jesus’ identity during His ministry. Confusion and Curiosity: Herod’s reaction to the reports of Jesus’ miracles and teachings reveals a mix of confusion and curiosity. The various theories circulating about Jesus—ranging from John the Baptist risen from the dead to Elijah or another prophet—demonstrate the prevailing uncertainty about who Jesus truly is. Herod’s personal experience with J...

Scripture: Luke 9:1-6 (WEBBE) “He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the Kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey—no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats apiece. Into whatever house you enter, stay there, and depart from there. As many as do not receive you, when you depart from that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.” They departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the Good News, and healing everywhere.” Reflection: In this passage, we see Jesus empowering His twelve disciples and sending them out on their first mission. He imparts to them both power and authority to combat evil and to bring healing, thus preparing them for the tasks ahead. This commissioning is a pivotal moment in their development as His followers and leaders. Empowerment for the Mission: Jesus grants the disciples...

Scripture: Luke 8:19-21 (WEBBE) “His mother and brothers came to him, and they could not come near him for the crowd. It was told him by some saying, “Your mother and your brothers stand outside, desiring to see you.” But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God, and do it.” Reflection: In this passage, we find Jesus redefining the concept of family in terms of spiritual relationships rather than physical ones. His biological family—His mother and brothers—come to see Him, but they are unable to approach Him due to the crowd. When informed of their presence, Jesus makes a profound statement about what it means to belong to His true family. Jesus’ response to the message, “My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God, and do it,” shifts the focus from biological ties to spiritual ones. He emphasizes that true kinship in the Kingdom of God is determined by one’s relationship with His word and the actions that follow. This teachi...

Scripture: Luke 8:16-18 (WEBBE) “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Be careful therefore how you hear: for whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever does not have, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has.” Reflection: In this passage, Jesus uses the metaphor of a lamp to illustrate important spiritual truths about revelation and understanding. The lamp represents the light of truth and knowledge that Jesus brings into the world. Jesus begins by stating that a lamp is not meant to be hidden or concealed. It is designed to be placed on a stand so that it can illuminate the entire room. This imagery emphasizes the purpose of light—to reveal what is hidden and to make things visible. Similarly, Jesus’ teachings are meant to reveal the t...

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37 (WEBBE) “They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He didn’t want anyone to know it. For he was teaching his disciples, and said to them, “The Son of Man is delivered up into the hands of men, and they will kill him. When he is killed, after three days he will rise again.” But they didn’t understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. He came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing among yourselves on the way?” But they were silent, for they had disputed one with another on the way about who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.” He took a little child, and set him in the middle of them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me. Whoever receives me receives not me, but him who sent me.” Reflection: In this passage from Mark, we see Jesus teaching Hi...

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13 (WEBBE) “As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, “Follow me!” He got up and followed him. It happened, that as he was reclining in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when Jesus heard it, he said, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Reflection: In this passage, we witness a powerful moment of calling, transformation, and teaching. Jesus encounters Matthew, a tax collector, and invites him to follow Him. Matthew, a man who was likely despised by his community due to his occupation, responds immediately, leaving his old life behin...

Scripture: Luke 8:1-3 (WEBBE) “Soon afterwards, he went on through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the Kingdom of God. With him were the twelve, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; and Susanna; and many others who served them from their possessions.” Reflection: In this passage, we find Jesus traveling through cities and villages, continuing His ministry of preaching and spreading the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying Him are the twelve disciples and a group of women who play a vital role in supporting His mission. The women mentioned in this passage—Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna—each have a unique story of transformation and service. Mary Magdalene, from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons, had experienced profound deliverance and healing. Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, was li...

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50 (WEBBE) “One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him. He went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat at the table. Behold, a woman in the city, who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. Standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wash his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he spoke within himself, saying, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner.” Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” He said, “Say on.” “A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they couldn’t pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?” Simon answered, “He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most.” H...

Scripture: Luke 7:31-35 (WEBBE) “The Lord said, “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, saying, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance; we sang a dirge, and you didn’t weep.’ For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Wisdom is justified by all her children.” Reflection: In this passage, Jesus addresses the attitudes and criticisms of the people of His generation, using a parable to illustrate their response to His message and to John the Baptist’s ministry. Jesus contrasts the behaviors and criticisms directed at both Himself and John the Baptist to highlight a deeper issue within the people’s hearts. He begins with a rhetorical question: “To what then ...

Scripture: Luke 9:23-26 (WEBBE) “He said to all, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self? For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed, when he comes in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.” Reflection: In this passage from Luke, Jesus provides a clear and challenging call to discipleship. He sets forth the essential requirements for anyone who desires to follow Him, emphasizing the commitment and sacrifice involved in being His disciple. Jesus begins with a powerful invitation: “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” This statement encapsulates the essence of discipleship. To “deny oneself...

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10 (WEBBE) “After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum. A certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and about to die. When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save his servant. When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for you to do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue.” Jesus went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. Therefore I didn’t even think myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under myself soldiers. I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard these things, he marvel...

Scripture: Mark 8:27-35 (WEBBE) “Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They told him, “John the Baptizer; and others say, Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” He warned them that they should tell no one about him. He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke to them openly. Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. But he, turning around, and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.” He called the multitude to himself with his disciples, and said to them, “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow m...

Scripture: John 3:13-17 (WEBBE) “No one has ascended into heaven, but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.” Reflection: In this passage from the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about the profound and transformative nature of His mission on earth. He draws a powerful parallel between His own future sacrifice and the story of Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness. Jesus begins by asserting His unique authority and divine nature: “No one has ascended into heaven, but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven.”...

Scripture: Luke 6:39-42 (WEBBE) “He spoke a parable to them. “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself don’t see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” Reflection: In this passage, Jesus uses vivid imagery to address a critical issue in human relationships: the tendency to judge others while ignoring our own faults. Through a series of striking metaphors, He calls attention to the importance of self-awareness and humility in our interactions with others. The first parable, “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both f...

Scripture: Luke 1:39-57 (WEBBE) “Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah, and entered into the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. It happened, when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, that the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She called out with a loud voice, and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!” Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, for he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed. For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name. His mercy is f...