Daily Devotional For Sunday, July 26, 2026

Good morning Southside. Today is Sunday and it is my favorite day of the week because it is the day God’s people collectively go worship Him together. After all God the Father has done for us through His Son, Jesus, who went to the cross for us, we certainly can go to worship for Him. Our daily devotional reading for today comes from this link: Isaiah 53. This is one of the most wonderful and miraculous passages in the Old Testament. It is about the horrors of crucifixion that Jesus would have to endure. 700 years before Jesus came, God inspired the prophet Isaiah to foretell what Jesus would endure and experience.

This passage reminds us that it takes faith to believe in Jesus as the Messiah now (John 1:1, 14; Col. 2:9; 1 Tim. 3:16; Phil. 2:6-7). and even 700 years ago in a prophecy about Him. Even in Jesus’ day, the religious leaders and the people did not believe He was God’s Messiah. They chose to see what they only wanted to see – a son of Mary and Joseph, a brother to siblings, and a carpenter by trade. See this link for verses showing how Jesus’ own family doubted who He was: Matt. 13:55; Luke 4:22; John 6:42.

While it is easy for us to condemn these people on this side of salvation, if we had lived back then, we too probably would have believed the same thing. In our lifetime, we have had people who claimed to be some kind of Messiah and even formed cults such as David Koresh of the Branch Davidians, Jim Jones of the Peoples Temple, Sun Myung Moon, Adolf Hitler, David Icke, and Ezra Miller. All of these had what is called “a Messiah Complex.” Some want to include Steve Furtick of Elevation Church in Charlotte NC, the largest church in Charlotte. In a sermon, which you can find his comment, “I am God Almighty,” on this Youtube link: I Am God Almighty. 

Some feel Furtick got tongue-tied in his passionate rant. Others claim just the opposite because since this hit the Internet, Furtick finally did correct what he said  later after much criticism through a retraction in a later sermon. The delay to immediately correct his statement has caused some to say, “It says a lot.”  For anyone to believe that Jesus Christ was God in human flesh, to believe that Jesus Christ is “the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life” (John 14:6), takes enormous faith today. For anyone, even Christians, to continue to claim “there is no other name under heaven by which people can be saved” (Acts 4:12), requires persistent faith in our godless world. 

So, how do we believe Jesus is who He claimed to be? It takes God the Father putting that faith in us. By our very nature, we are godless, we are sinners, we are prideful, we are arrogant, and we are rebellious. Old Testament scholar Raymond Ortlund, writes this: “

“Do not think that if you had been an eyewitness of Jesus, you would have admired Him. Not even His miracles made the impact they should have (John 12:37-38). His own family misjudged Him (Mark 3:21; John 7:5). When He traveled with His disciples, it wasn’t like the movies. Jesus didn’t have a holy glow about Him. The woman at the well had no idea whom she was talking to (John 4:25-26). Even John the Baptist became uncertain about Him (Luke 7:18-23; John 1:29-34). Our Lord just wasn’t special in ways that count with us. In fact, He became hideous in His sufferings, so that people shunned Him: “… as one from whom men hide their faces”  (Isa. 53:3) –(Source: Raymond Ortlund, Preach The Word, “Isaiah: God Saves Sinners,” p. 356).

The truth is if you were raised in an Arab nation, you would probably be a Muslim and put your faith in Mohammed. If you were raised in an Asian nation, you would probably be a Hindu or believe in Confucius. The truth that God allowed any of us to be born in America is an act of His grace not because we are privileged, but because to those “whom much is given, much is expected” (Luke 12:48b). We in America have been entrusted by Jesus Christ to share the Gospel and to make disciples. 

One of the proofs you are saved is that you do this. Jesus said these words about this in John 14:15, “If you love Me, obey My commandments” (NLT). Which commandment? – Matthew 28:19-20. In these verses, the only verb and command in the Greek New Testament is – “make disciples.” English translations give the impression that make disciples, teach, observe (or obey), baptize are all verbs. 

“Teach, observe, and baptize” are what we call participles in Greek grammar. A particle is the merging or combination of a verb and an adjective, or a verbal adjective. If you remember your grammar, an adjective modifies a noun or pronoun. In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus said, “As My disciples, I command you to go and make disciples, teaching them to observe (or obey) everything I have commanded you.” For us to do this proves we love the Lord (John 14:15) and have faith in His commands and purposes for our lives (Heb. 11:6; 2 Cor. 5:7).

Reflection Assignment: If you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior of the world and God in human flesh, why? Is it because that is how you were raised or have you personally undertaken to study all the pros and cons? It is because of what Jesus has done for you or because of what He has done for others?

Scripture To Meditate On: Colossians 2:9, “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body” (NLT).

Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, please forgive me when I take my salvation and Your sacrifice for granted. Help me to live in the consistent awareness that I am always in Your presence and others are looking at me for proof that You are Who You claimed to be. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly