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January 18 Daily Devotional

A First Book of Daily Readings

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (selected by Frank Cumbers)

The Authority of Jesus Christ

The Gospels were written with a definite and deliberate objective in view. They were not just written as records or as mere collections of facts. No.... They all present the Lord Jesus Christ as the Lord, as this final Authority.

The message of John the Baptist was essentially the same. There he stands by himself after preaching and baptizing the people at the Jordan; ... they say, "Surely this must be the Christ. We have never heard preaching like this before.... This must be the Messiah that we have been expecting." But John turns upon them ... and says, "I am not the Christ" (Luke 3:16f). "I am the forerunner, the herald. He is the authority. He is yet to come." How careful these Gospels are to put that claim repeatedly forward!

Then there is something else.... It is their report of what happened at the baptism of our Lord. There He submits to baptism by John.... But ... the Holy Spirit descends upon Him as a dove. Still more important is that Voice.... "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).... At the Mount of Transfiguration similar language is used, but there is a most significant and important addition...; "... hear ye him" (Matthew 17:5).... "This is the one to listen to. You are waiting for a word. You are waiting for an answer to your questions. You are seeking a solution to your problems. You have been consulting the philosophers; you have been listening; and you have been asking, 'Where can we have final authority?' Here is the answer from Heaven, from God: 'Hear Him.' " Again, you see, marking Him out, holding Him before us as the last Word, the ultimate Authority, the One to whom we are to submit, to whom we are to listen.

Authority, pp. 16-17



“Text reproduced from ‘A First Book of Daily Readings’ by Martyn Lloyd-Jones, published by Epworth Press 1970 & 1977 © Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes. Used with permission.”

Comments on D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, A First Book of Daily Readings

"These gems of evangelical truth, biblically based, help the reader to understand this world in the light of the Word." —Church Herald

"Christ-honoring, thought-provoking discussions" —Presbyterian Journal

"Few daily devotional books offer as much substantial insight as this one." —Christian Bookseller

"...will help to either open or close your day." —Evangelize

 

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