Turnaround – February 21, 2025

Read: Luke 6:17-26

Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.
Luke 6:20-23

Turnaround

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

My teacher used to do something when many of us were fighting to be first. We would line up at the door to go to lunch or recess and many of us would be pushing and elbowing to be the first one in line and out the door. She would see our fighting to be first and say, “Turn around!” We all had to turn around in line, and she would then walk to the back of the line and lead the class out the other door starting with the kid who was in the back. Then all of us who were pushing and shoving to be first ended up at the back of the line.

Jesus came into our world to turn everything around. We have ideas about what is good and what is bad. We believe it is bad to be sad or poor. It is bad to be insulted or excluded. On the other hand, it is good to be rich and well fed. It is good to laugh and have everyone speak well of you. Jesus turns our thinking around. What we think is good and bad in life is not always what Jesus says is good and bad.

Are you sad right now or feel like you don’t have enough? Jesus reminds you that he will turn all things around. Do you feel like you have everything you need? Jesus reminds you that nothing in this life is forever. He can turn it around in ways you may never have thought of.

Ultimately, God promises to turn everything around when he returns to take us to heaven. Though our sin gives us every reason to be sad and death makes us all poor, God promises a great turn around as he brings us to the joys of heaven. In this place we will never be hungry or hurting but will laugh and find all our comfort forever. It will be the greatest turnaround . . . ever!

Closing Prayer:

Savior of all, you promise to turn everything around. Especially when life is hard, remind us of your power to save and promise of a perfect life with you forever. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Find the opposite of these words. For example: poor/rich. Sad / _____. Bad / _____. Hungry / _____. Life / _____.
• How will life in heaven be the opposite of living today on earth?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• How did Jesus’ cross (Good Friday) and his empty tomb (Easter) demonstrate the greatest “turn around”?
• Discuss what makes you afraid of dying. How does focusing on life in heaven take away your fear?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Teens can be brutal when making fun of someone. When that happens, what takeaway from today’s devotion do you want to remember?
• Review the “opposites” from today’s Bible reading. Which one is hardest to believe? How will God make this turnaround happen in your life and forever in heaven?