Pastor Joynt's Devotionals

Real, Day 17

LUKE 7:26-27 | What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

Our world is afraid of conviction and prone to terminal openness. Flexibility is favored over judgement, even careful and considerate judgement. Yet all conviction is not dogmatism, and all judgement is not judgementalism.

Jesus admires John’s conviction and identifies him as a true prophet, the first in over 400 years. John’s authority rested on his capacity to express God’s will and word and the extent that he did so, he spoke truth, unadorned and unqualified. But as we shall see next week, conviction and humility can go together, as can courage and submission. John’s most authentic role was to point to Jesus and away from himself.

Do you see dangers in terminal openness?

Whose conviction do you admire?

Real, Day 16

LUKE 7:25 | What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces.

John was a sequoia and not a reed! He didn’t bend at all, and he was open about his convictions. In the age of social media, condemnation, and snap judgement, it is not easy to resist social pressure and maintain unpopular convictions. But in an increasingly secular society, Christians must be trees and not reeds.

Jesus here refers to Herod in his fine palace, with his expensive wardrobe; Herod, who has imprisoned John the wilderness dweller in his untailored clothing. Herod was beholden to public opinion and reactive to it—hence his treatment of his critics like John, whom he’d imprisoned. John had no status or position to defend, just convictions to be true to.

Herod was far more powerful than John, but also for less independent, for he was so sensitive to public perception.

How sensitive are you to your public image?

How independent are you in your thinking and believing?