Jesus, the God Who Loves & Rescues You! 5 Day Reading PlanSample

DAY 4

JESUS loves you and rescues you from empty religious practices to a fruitful relationship.

Pray

Dear Jesus, I praise you for all you have done and continue to do in my life. Thank you, Lord, for your provision and protection day after day. But even more, thank you for my relationship with you. Help me to appreciate these priceless blessings, and to tell others about your limitless love. Amen.

Read

Luke 13:10,17

One Sabbath Jesus was teaching in a synagogue. A woman there had an evil spirit that had kept her sick for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called out to her, “Woman, you are free from your sickness!” He placed his hands on her, and at once she straightened herself up and praised God.

The official of the synagogue was angry that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, so he spoke up and said to the people, “There are six days in which we should work; so come during those days and be healed, but not on the Sabbath!”

The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Any one of you would untie your ox or your donkey from the stall and take it out to give it water on the Sabbath. Now here is this descendant of Abraham whom Satan has kept in bonds for eighteen years; should she not be released on the Sabbath?” His answer made his enemies ashamed of themselves, while the people rejoiced over all the wonderful things that he did.

Mark 2:27, 28

And Jesus concluded, “The Sabbath was made for the good of human beings; they were not made for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

John 10:10b

I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness.

Reflect

Suffering may sometimes cause us to think that Jesus has forgotten about us. Nothing could be further from the truth. Just as Jesus is willing to spar with the leader of the synagogue in defense of healing a crippled woman on the Sabbath, he is also willing to come to your rescue. You are valuable, significant, and special. You are a beloved son or daughter. Just think, you’ve been uniquely designed by the Creator and you are loved by Jesus for who you truly are.

At times, observing religious tradition, like that of the synagogue official, can cause us to miss out on having the loving, fruitful relationship Jesus wants us to enjoy. So, Jesus reminds us, “You have been made clean already by the teaching I have given you. Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you” (John 15:3,4). Jesus has saved us for a higher purpose; we have been rescued from religion and we are free to engage in a relationship with him that encourages us to worship and honor God and enjoy life in all its fullness.

Respond

Spend time in God’s Word and memorize Jesus’s declaration, “I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness” (John 10:10). Take hold of that word. Can you visualize just how much Jesus loves you, how much he is willing to shatter superficial traditions to rescue you from whatever places limits on your life? You are loved! Do not forget that. Jesus has rescued you for a purpose. You have been called out of religion into a relationship with God’s own Son. Everything pales in the light of Jesus’s love. Find freedom in praising Jesus for his lavish love and his desire to always want the best for you.