Lord's Day Devotion - "I'm A Sinner" (Luke 7:29 & 30 ESV)

 I find these verses such sad commentary ...

"When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him"            (Luke 7:29 & 30 ESV).

The first part is great.  It's the second part about the Pharisees and lawyers that is sad.  The very ones who should be setting examples due to their religious leadership roles and the knowledge of God's Laws, steadfastly refused John's baptism.  I suppose they thought they had impeccable portfolios of behavior according to "God's Law" and therefore exempt.  They surely don't need to repent of any sins nor receive baptism!

This attitude continued and even became more ingrained when relating to Jesus.  The holier-than-thou stance blinded them to who Jesus truly was.

How blessed though the people were who had repented and were baptised.  I like the phrase like even, 

"the tax collectors too!"

These were a despised group who were notorious for dubious dealings whilst collecting taxes for the Romans.  These tax collectors being their own kinsfolk and thus looked upon with even greater despicableness and contempt due to their extorting money out of their own poeple.

But even the tax collectors acknowledged their own wrong.  This is such stark contrast to the religious leaders bearing.  

This puts one in mind of Jesus' parable of the two men who went to pray.  The first extolled himself proudly with a litany of all his accomplishements and self-righteousness.  The second pray-er could barely lift his head and admitted, "I'm a sinner," but just the same asking God for mercy (see Luke 18:9-14).

May we not be characterized by pride but be truly humble before the Lord, seeking His grace and mercy every day.  This is greater wisdom.

We see Jesus who humbled Himself and even "fulfilled all righteousness" by being baptized by John the Baptizer Himself.  He is the only one who never had had to do this.  In Him was NO sin (see 1 John 3:5).  Therefore there was nothing for Him to repent of (see Philippians 2:4-11).

He could then be our spotless Lamb of God who sacrificed Himself for us (see 1 Peter 1:19).  Let us followers of Jesus Christ ponder on these things as we partake of the broken bread and drink from the cup of wine in remembrance of His death and resurrection, this Lord's Day.

In Him we have redemption and the chance to repent and be saved receiving His forgiveness and salvation.  This in turn leading to our baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Thank You Jesus for blessing us with Your salvation and making us Your disciples.  May we be humble followers all our days.  Amen.

                                                    ~ ERC  August 2025 ~

Based on Luke 7:29 & 30 ESV.

Sing, Lamb of God, along with The Maranatha Singers.