Acts 1:1 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach (NKJV)
Our reference scripture highlights an important principle about the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. His ministry was effective while on earth because He was not a hypocrite. Unlike the Pharisees (Matthew 23), He put the principles of God’s word into practice and taught them. This way, His words were not empty sayings but came with authority.
Today’s devotional highlights a few bible principles that can help you live and minister the way Jesus did while on earth.
Like Ezra, Jesus must have made a decision to seek God’s law and practice it before teaching others. Ezra 7:10 – For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel. (NKJV)
From His ministry, it was clear that from a young age, Jesus spent a lot of time studying the scriptures with the determination to obey. At age twelve, he was in the temple and made teachers of His day amazed at His insight and understanding (Luke 1:46-47; Psalm 119:99-100) Psalm 119:99-100: I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts. (NKJV)
It was also clear from other instances in His ministry that He studied the scriptures deeply. (Isaiah 61:1-2 cc Luke 4:18-19: Matthew 12:39-42, etc).
In addition to His determination to study and obey God’s word, Jesus learnt to do God’s word through the things He suffered. His perfect submission to God’s will brought Him into hard situations that were able to mold Him and grow His character into becoming the author of our salvation.
Hebrews 5:7-9: who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, (NKJV)
Because He surrendered to God and did not avoid situations that were made to mold Him, He was not only someone who knew the scriptures, but His life was clear evidence of the principles of scripture. This way, He was not only someone who “talked the talk”, He was equipped to “walk the walk” and become the effective minister God wanted Him to be.
PRAYER: Thank you Lord Jesus for your example of dedication, obedience and submission to the Father’s perfect will. Please give me the grace to be more like you in submission to the Father. Help me to desire Your word more than anything else and obey it. In Jesus name. Amen.