Listen

The Lord said to me: What they’ve said is right. I’ll raise up a prophet for them from among their fellow Israelites—one just like you. I’ll put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. I myself will hold accountable anyone who doesn’t listen to my words, which that prophet will speak in my name. However, any prophet who arrogantly speaks a word in my name that I haven’t commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods—that prophet must die.

Deuteronomy 18:17-20

Think

God promised that a prophet like Moses would be sent to Israel. God warned that false prophets would arise as well. We have reasons to believe that Jesus is the prophet like Moses. We have seen his compassion at work in helping the needy. We have heard his wonderful teachings about God’s kingdom of love, a “kingdom” even for those the world rejects. So, how do we identify false prophets? Unlike Jesus, they do not practice compassion for those who suffer. They do not teach of God’s love for the whole world. It’s almost that simple. Yes, Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a prophet like Moses, but he was more than that as well. “As the Law was given through Moses, so grace and truth was given through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. God the only Son, who is at the Father’s side, has made God known” (John 1:17-18). Jesus shows us God’s grace and truth in action. We’re called to follow his example.

LaMon Brown

Question to Ponder: Why is it important to listen to Jesus?

Pray

Thank you, God, for the gift of Jesus Christ.

May I always follow him.

Amen.

Go

I live today in the love and truth of my Lord, Jesus Christ.