Monday, December 22, 2025
Scripture Readings
- Primary Reading: Luke 17-19
- Secondary Reading: Psalms 147
Key Verse
Luke 18:28 — “Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.”
Devotional Thought
Jesus is on the road to Jerusalem, and Luke gathers the journey into a single long procession of the lost being found. Ten lepers cry out from a distance and are cleansed as they go—yet only one, a Samaritan, turns back to give glory to God, and he is the stranger. A blind beggar by Jericho refuses to be silenced and cries, “Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me,” and receives his sight. Zacchaeus, the little rich tax collector, climbs a sycamore tree and hears the Lord say, “To day I must abide at thy house”—and salvation comes to that house. Over and over, the ones who seem farthest off are the ones who draw near, while the respectable stand at a distance, trusting in themselves.
Between these accounts Jesus teaches His disciples about prayer and humility. The widow keeps coming to the unjust judge until he avenges her; the publican smites his breast and whispers, “God be merciful to me a sinner,” and goes home justified rather than the Pharisee who thanked God he was not like other men. And when the rich ruler turns away sorrowful, unwilling to sell what he has, Jesus says the impossible thing: a camel through a needle’s eye. Yet He adds, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” Then, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the multitude cries, “Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord”—and Jesus weeps over the city that did not know the things belonging to its peace.
In these final days before Christmas, we are the lepers, the blind, the small man in the tree. Our hope does not rest in our own strength—”He delighteth not in the strength of the horse,” the psalmist says—but in the Lord who heals the broken in heart, binds up their wounds, tells the number of the stars, and calls each one by name. He came to seek and to save that which was lost, and He is still passing by.
Reflection
- The nine lepers were cleansed, but only the Samaritan returned to give thanks. What mercies has God given you this season that you have received without turning back to glorify Him?
- Zacchaeus climbed a tree because he could not see over the crowd, and Jesus called him by name. Where are you hiding, and do you believe the Lord sees and calls you there?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Thou who art passing by, have mercy on us. We are the lepers standing afar off, the blind crying in the crowd, the small ones up a tree—and Thou dost see us still. Heal our broken hearts and bind up our wounds; lift up the meek and cast down our pride. Teach us to pray and not to faint, to come humbly as the publican, and to give thanks as the one who returned. Seek and save us, Lord, for we were lost. Make us faithful with what Thou hast entrusted, and let our voices join the multitude: Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord. Amen.
Psalm Verse
Psalms 147:1 — “Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.”