"Jesus Loves Losers" April 3 Readings: Joshua 11-12, Luke 6:1–26, Psalm 42:1–3, Proverbs 10:9-10

  

Reading the Bible in 2025

Each day this year, we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety. 

NOTE: If you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!

Bible Readings: Joshua 11-12, Luke 6:1–26, Psalm 42:1–3, Proverbs 10:9-10

    Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version 

Daily Devotional: Jesus Loves Losers

Jesus clearly did not follow the first rule of leadership - gather competent, intelligent, and visionary people around you to be key leaders in your organization. In Luke 6:12-16, Jesus chose his Twelve - the men who would be the key leaders of the church he came to establish. 

Among the Twelve, there were no rich, powerful men. There was one tax collector, but no one liked them. There were no academics, none of the intelligentsia. There were fishermen. Stinky, grungy fishermen. There was none of the nobility, the upper crust. These were Galilean peasants, a political rabble-rouser or two, and absolutely no one who was powerful, talented, or capable. By every human measure, Jesus made a huge mistake when he chose the Twelve. No one could build something significant with this collection of losers and misfits. 

That says a lot about the Kingdom of God. The work of the Kingdom is not about the ability of those who serve the King, but the ability of the King himself. Jesus did not choose his key leaders based on what they could do for him but based on what he planned to do through them. 

The Twelve demonstrated throughout the earthly ministry of Jesus that they did not have what it took to be great Kingdom leaders. At every turn, they misunderstood Jesus, failing to grasp his purposes, the principles of servant leadership, or his relentless march to the Cross. 

It was not until 50 days later, when they were praying in the Upper Room, that the Spirit filled them and transformed them. These talent-limited social rejects turned the world upside down in the name of the Savior who chose them. Throughout it all, it was clear that the reason for their success had nothing to do with their leadership abilities or talents. It was all about Jesus and the fullness of the Spirit. 

This is good news for us. God chooses ordinary, normal folks to do his extraordinary work. He does through us what we could never do in and of ourselves. In fact, it is when we realize our own incapacity that we can begin to walk in the power of God. 

It was no accident that God chose average (perhaps below-average?) people to be the pillars of his church. They would depend on him and give him glory. We must do the same. We need not be rich, beautiful, talented, or creative to serve the Lord. We just need to be obedient. Faithful. Willing. Submissive. Devoted. Regardless of who we are, what we have, or what we can do, we can be significant servants of Jesus Christ when we realize it is not about us and it is all about him! What he has! What he can do! Who he is!

Father, I have nothing to offer you except my body as a living sacrifice. It is you strength I need, not my own. It is your ability, not mine that matters. Use me, Lord. 

Consider God's Word:

Which of these four passages spoke most clearly to you today? 

Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages? 

Is there something in your life that needs to change?

Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to? 

Do not think of your abilities, but of the worth and ability of the God you serve.
Will you put yourself in his hands and serve him faithfully?