Today’s scripture: Luke 6:12-19 (ESV-text and audio) (NRSV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me in this passage? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Steve Adams):
To think that the Son of God, a part of God, thought prayer was so important that He stayed up all night in order to do it! This fills me with awe and amazement, to know that prayer was this important to our Lord. The next day promised to be an important one, as he was to choose the twelve apostles, and then He was to heal many people.
What about the decision to include Judas among the twelve? Can you imagine what that must have been like? As we recently saw in Julie Benson’s devotional, Luke 5:22 says Jesus knew (at least at that time) what people were thinking. I think He may well have known what was deep in their hearts too.
So, perhaps He prayed words similar to these: “I just don’t feel right about picking Judas. I have the sense that he’s going to turn on me, and disastrous things will happen.” How heart-wrenching to hear guidance that could have sounded something like this: “He’s the one I want you to choose, son. Yes, I know this is hard, but it’s the right thing to do.” Now, it’s beginning to become clear why Jesus never went to sleep on this night. How difficult it must have been to choose someone you know will betray you!
And how does this apply to us? I think it illustrates how important it is for us to pray in order to receive God’s wisdom so that we can be a part of God’s plan. If Jesus hadn’t chosen Judas, then He wouldn’t have availed Himself to God’s plan.
But it’s very difficult for us to make the time to pray, isn’t it? But it’s so vital.
The reason it’s so important is that we all have “blind spots.” You know, like when you’re driving, and you can’t see a certain area behind you when you need to change lanes — especially problematic in rush hour traffic! That’s why we have rear-view mirrors — but, even with them, we still have blind spots.
Thought for the day: Lord, help me make time to pray so that I can have the wisdom and energy to live out the plan you have for me.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.