Daily Devotions
The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what He was talking about. Luke 18:34
Confusion reigns. So many words bombard us. So many conflicting facts are reported. So many contradictory ideas are expressed in politics and religion. So many life-styles surround us.
Are you confused also about your faith? Do you wonder why we have so many different world religions and denominations within Christianity? Do you struggle as to whom to believe? Do you have difficulty understanding God’s will for your life?
The disciples also got confused. Jesus had just told them that He was going to Jerusalem, where He would be arrested, beaten, and killed, and then would rise again. Luke tells us, “The disciples did not understand any of this.” Why the confusion? They had been walking with Jesus for an extended period. He had communicated quite clearly about Himself and His purpose for coming. But still they were confused. Why? As sinners, their minds were clouded. They could not grasp that Jesus must suffer and die to save them. Thank God that Jesus journeyed to the cross and saved them anyway! Then they began to understand the Scriptures correctly.
We often don’t understand either, despite the fact that as baptized Christians we hear His Word on a regular basis. We, too, are sinners with clouded minds, preoccupied with a selfish way of thinking. Thank God that Jesus still died for us! Now He opens also our minds to understand the Scriptures as we gather around Word and sacraments. The more we look to Jesus and absorb His Word, the more the confused, contradictory ideas of the world fade away and we clearly see our Savior. Confused no more!
PRAYER: Thank You, Lord God, for sending Your Son Jesus to die on the cross to save us and remove all our confusion and selfishness. Help us to clearly see our Savior. Amen.
(Devotions from “My Daily Devotion” by Dr. Stephen J. Carter, copyright 1988 CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time emailing of this link to a friend. For ordering information, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit www.cph.org.)