Reading for today
Old Testament: Deuteronomy 19, 20, 21
New Testament: Luke 14
Thoughts from today’s reading
Deuteronomy 21:15-17. We see here the law of inheritance for the firstborn. The firstborn was to inherit the double portion of all the father had. The property would be divided into 3 parts and the the first child would take two-thirds and one-third would be shared among all the other sons. The firstborn was meant to carry on the legacy of the Father.
When Elisha asked Elijah for the double portion, this is what he was asking for. He was like the firstborn of the prophets among all the sons of the prophets.
Jesus is the firstborn of the Father and we are in Him so have the rights of the firstborn too. In Revelations 12 we see that the dragon took a third of the stars (angels) from heaven which means two-thirds remained with Heaven. This again represents the double portion remaining with Christ who carries the legacy of the Father.
Luke 14:15-24. In this parable of the great supper, we find the people here giving excuses for not attending the supper. The excuses being given here are very similar to those mentioned in Deuteronomy 20:1-7 which were reasons why a soldier could opt not to go to war.
God’s invitation to us is not a call to war but one of peace and reconciliation to God. We should not be content to opt out of His call for comfort with worldly things.
Luke 14:25-33. The cost of being a disciple is one that we should be willing to pay. The reality is we will never measure up to the standard that God requires, but can only accept what he has made available to us in Christ. Our ten thousand can never match the twenty thousand Christ brings. We have to move from the side of one-third (ten thousand, the world and the devil) to the side of two-thirds (twenty thousand, Heaven and Christ).
Prayer
1. Heavenly Father, I give you thanks for the portion of the firstborn through Christ. Thank you that it is a portion of victory over all the power of the enemy. Thank you that it is a portion of exploits like Elisha showed. Thank you that it is a portion of the legacy of the Father. I pray to use this portion to bring many sons to your glory in Jesus name.
2. Lord, I daily take up my cross to follow you denying self, the world and the devil. As I yield to you, let the power of Christ be seen in me. May I live this life of a disciple until you call me home or return to the earth, this I pray in Jesus name. Amen.