The Disciples Reflect on Jesus’ Preaching

A Mathematical Statement

More than 300 messianic prophecies like this were made in the Old Testament and then fulfilled through Jesus' life, death and resurrection. The chances of one person fulfilling a mere eight of these prophecies are 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000. For one person to fulfil 48 of these prophecies, the number becomes staggering - 1 chance in 10 to the 157th power (1 with 157 zeros after it). Add to that the 250 other prophecies and it becomes impossible for any other person except Jesus ever to fit that particular sequence of time and events.

A Prayer

Our Gracious God,

We pray that you will help us to proclaim our Saviour Lord Jesus Christ so that everyone around us - the poor, the prisoners, the blind, the oppressed, the careless, the rich, the aggressive and the self exalted - will hear his call to repent, and trust and serve Christ in love. We pray that all will be established in the fellowship of the disciples while we await his return. Amen.

Thank you Lord for preparing us to declare your truth in these forty days with the Risen Lord. Pour your Spirit upon us; anoint us to speak the good news. May these forty days spent with you prepare us, the lost we love and your church, to extend your kingdom in this world. May we always put prayer and proclamation together. Amen.

An Observation

Gospel advance is constantly impeded through prayerlessness and lack of spiritual militancy on the part of God’s children. ‘Forward on your knees’ should be the watch cry of all believers.

– Wesley Duewel

Journal Exercise

Luke records how Jesus announced how he was the fulfilment of a 700-year-old prophecy. Express your awe in a prayer that gratefully acknowledges the Father’s long-term planning for his saving mission, and the Son’s determined fulfilment of it.

Write a prayer which gratefully acknowledges, and clearly outlines, your part in God’s on-going mission as a disciple of Jesus. Give God the glory as you pray this prayer.

A Quote

When God has something very great to accomplish for his church, it is his will that should precede it the extraordinary prayers of his people.

– Jonathan Edwards

A Challenging Prayer

Call upon God for such an outpouring of his Spirit that we might be assured of his love through his word, and have a prayerful and sacrificial compassion for the lost in all the world.