OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: Luke 6 (Focus vs. 37–42)
MEMORY VERSE
“The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.” Luke 6:40
BACKGROUND
In a viral video, a three-year-old white belt karate student imitated her instructor. With passion and conviction, the little girl said the student creed with her leader.
Then, with poise and attentiveness, the little ball of cuteness and energy imitated everything her teacher said and did—at least she did a pretty good job!
Jesus once said, “The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher” (Luke 6:40).
He told His disciples that to imitate Him included being generous, loving, nonjudgmental (vv. 37–38), and discerning about whom they followed: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?” (v. 39).
His disciples needed to discern that this standard disqualified the Pharisees who were blind guides—leading people to disaster (Matthew 15:14). And they needed to grasp the importance of following their Teacher. Thus, the aim of Christ’s disciples was to become like Jesus Himself.
So, it was important for them to pay careful attention to Christ’s instruction about generosity and love and apply it.
As believers striving to imitate Jesus today, let’s give our lives over to our Master Teacher so we can become like Him in knowledge, wisdom, and behavior. He alone can help us reflect His generous, loving ways.
By: Marvin Williams
INSIGHT
How often we use the words judge not in judgment of others whom we perceive to be judging still others. But Jesus’ words “do not judge” (Luke 6:37) don’t mean that we abandon all discernment in favor of approving every behavior.
Rather, His edict is given in the context of love and forgiveness—first God’s love for us and the forgiveness He lavishly gives, and then our love and forgiveness extended even to our enemies.
In verses 35–36, Jesus spoke about the need to “love [our] enemies” and to “be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Prior to that He said to “do good to those who hate you” (v. 27).
If we desire mercy from our Father, we’re to be generous in our forgiveness and restoration of others, just as God is with us.
Learn more about the practice of forgiveness.
By: Tim Gustafson
APPLICATION
What parts of Jesus’ life are you seeking to imitate these days? When is it most difficult for you to imitate Christ, the Master Teacher?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“…It’s to the degree of the knowledge (measure) of Christ in a disciple that we can measure his/her spiritual growth.” Christian Michael
“Make me like a little child, Simple, teachable, and mild; Seeing only in Thy light; Walking only in Thy might” John Berridge
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“…the aim of Christ’s disciples (must be) to become like Jesus Himself.
PRAYER
“Jesus, my Great Teacher, help my discipline and attentiveness to be worthy of You!
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“GENTLE JESUS MEEK AND MILD…”
Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,
Look upon a little child;
Pity my simplicity,
Suffer me to come to Thee.
Lamb of God, I look to Thee;
Thou shalt my example be:
Thou art gentle, meek and mild;
Thou wast once a little child.
Fain I would be as Thou art;
Give me Thine obedient heart:
Thou art pitiful and kind;
Let me have Thy loving mind.
Loving Jesus, gentle Lamb,
In Thy gracious hands I am;
Make me, Saviour, what Thou art,
Live Thyself within my heart.
Amen.
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE DAILY IN 2023
EXODUS 29-30
MATTHEW 21:23-46