Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Acts 17:11 WEB
Revealing himself as the Messiah, Jesus said in John 5:39, “You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me. WEB” In Acts chapter seventeen verse eleven, Luke wrote of a group of new Christans he labeled as “more noble.” He attributed their nobility to one simple habit. They examined the scriptures daily. In doing so, they were able to discern from the scriptures for themselves the truth of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
In sharing the gospel story of Christ, the apostles referenced biblical prophecy and the Psalms to demonstrate that Jesus was the Messiah. For example, Luke wrote of Jesus fulfilling a psalm of David in Acts 2:34-36 which reads, “For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’ WEB” Many Old Testament scriptures anticipate the life, sacrificial death, resurrection and subsequent ascension of Christ.
Jesus Fulfilled the Will of God
Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 5:17, “Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. WEB” Jesus fulfilled the will of God in righteousness. In perfect obedience, Jesus lived a sinless life. In submission to the wisdom of our loving Creator, Jesus ultimately went to the cross to pay for our sins. When Jesus said in John 19:30, “it is finished,” he acknowledged his accomplishment of fulfilling the law while paying the price for our sins.
Jesus addressed the significance of his life aligning with the scriptures with his disciples just before his ascension into heaven. In Luke 24:44, “He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms concerning me must be fulfilled.’ WEB” After convincingly fulfilling the scriptures and rising from the grave in divine glory, Jesus ascended into heaven leaving his disciples to share the Good News of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ with the world.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the truth recorded in the scriptures. Thank you for sharing your love with the world. Guide me by the power of your Holy Spirit. Help me to serve your purpose. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: The Priest’s Office
