Friday, December 19, 2025
Scripture Readings
- Primary Reading: Luke 9-11
- Secondary Reading: Psalms 146
Key Verse
Luke 10:18 — “And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”
Devotional Thought
Jesus sends out His twelve apostles with nothing but His authority—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, not even a second coat. They go through the towns preaching the kingdom and healing the sick, and Herod the tetrarch hears of it and is perplexed, wondering if John the Baptist has risen from the dead. When the apostles return, Jesus withdraws with them to a desert place near Bethsaida, but the crowds follow. Rather than send them away, He receives them, speaks of the kingdom, and heals those who need healing. When the day wears on and the disciples urge Him to dismiss the multitude, He says, “Give ye them to eat.” With five loaves and two fishes, He feeds five thousand men, and twelve baskets of fragments remain.
Later, alone with His disciples in prayer, Jesus asks, “Whom say ye that I am?” Peter answers, “The Christ of God.” Then Jesus speaks plainly of His coming suffering, death, and resurrection, and calls His followers to deny themselves and take up their cross daily. On a mountain, He is transfigured before Peter, John, and James; Moses and Elias appear in glory, and the Father’s voice declares, “This is my beloved Son: hear him.” Coming down, He heals a demon-possessed boy whom the disciples could not cure. He teaches that the least among them is greatest, and He sets His face steadfastly toward Jerusalem.
In Luke 10, Jesus appoints seventy more and sends them out two by two, as lambs among wolves, telling them the harvest is great but the laborers few. They return with joy because even the devils are subject to them in His name. He rejoices that the Father has revealed these things to babes. A lawyer asks, “Who is my neighbour?” and Jesus tells of a Samaritan who showed mercy when priest and Levite passed by. At Bethany, Martha is cumbered with much serving while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, and He says Mary has chosen the good part. Then a disciple asks, “Lord, teach us to pray,” and Jesus gives the words we still pray: “Our Father which art in heaven.”
This is the season of Advent, when we remember that God did not send a distant message but came near in a Child. The psalmist warns, “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.” Yet here is the Son of Man in whom help is found—He feeds the hungry, opens blind eyes, raises those bowed down, and preserves the stranger. The God who made heaven and earth has drawn near, and He reigns forever.
Reflection
- Jesus told the seventy to rejoice not that spirits were subject to them, but that their names were written in heaven. Where in your life are you tempted to find your joy in visible results rather than in the quiet assurance that you belong to Christ?
- Martha was careful and troubled about many things, while Mary chose the one needful thing. In this busy season, what would it look like for you to sit at Jesus’ feet before you rise to serve?
Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. We come as those who have nothing to bring but need—no bread of our own, no strength to offer. Feed us with the Bread of Life, and open our eyes to see the One who is the Christ of God. Teach us to take up our cross daily and follow Thee, trusting not in princes nor in the sons of men, but in the Lord our God, who made heaven and earth and keepeth truth forever. Give us this day our daily bread, forgive our sins, and lead us not into temptation. Let us rejoice that our names are written in heaven, and give us hearts to show mercy as the Samaritan did. In the name of Thy beloved Son, hear us. Amen.
Psalm Verse
Psalms 146:1 — “Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.”