Stress Test Devotional April 20
April 20, 2024
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?
