Your Stubborn Savior – March 17, 2025

Read: Luke 13:31-35

‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day.
Luke 13:32-33

Your Stubborn Savior

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

What stops you from reaching your goals? There are so many answers to that! Maybe you don’t feel smart enough, don’t have enough money, or think others have better opportunities. It’s true—some things are out of our control. But I’m not just talking about school or sports goals. What about our faith? Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” We say God’s Word is important, but what keeps us from listening to it—or sharing it? We know God gives us everything we need so that we can be generous, but sometimes we still worry there won’t be enough to go around. What stops me from putting God’s Word first? Excuses stack up faster than laundry! “I’m too tired to go to church.” “I’m too busy to help others.” “I don’t want to share what I have.” What gets in the way? The answer is simple—me.

Look at Jesus’ love in the gospel! He stepped into a world full of excuse-makers like us. The Pharisees warned him that King Herod wanted to kill him. Did Jesus run away? Nope! Instead, his determined feet kept walking. People told him to stop preaching and go somewhere else, but Jesus’ stubborn voice wouldn’t stop sharing God’s love. Why? Because his greatest desire was to gather God’s children, like a mother hen protecting her chicks. Jesus’ love was so great, his mission so unstoppable, that he kept walking, kept preaching—until those same stubborn feet were nailed to a cross and that always-inviting voice fell silent in death. But he didn’t stay silent. On the third day, Jesus reached his ultimate goal—rising from the dead to bring us life!

When we remember Jesus’ unstoppable love, it changes us. The devil and our selfish hearts will try to distract us, but we keep listening to God’s Word because Jesus loves us enough to speak it. We give generously because Jesus gave up everything to save us. Jesus didn’t let anything stop him from rescuing you. Nothing could stand in his way—not fear, not excuses, not even death!

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you never let anything stop you from going to the cross and rising again to save us. Fill our hearts with your courage so we can follow you boldly. Help us push aside distractions and stay close to your Word. In your name, we pray. 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

• Jesus said he wanted to gather people like a mother hen gathers her chicks. Why does Jesus want to bring us close to him?
• Who warned Jesus that King Herod wanted to hurt him?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• How does Jesus feel when people don’t listen to him or follow him?
• What can you do when things try to take your attention away from God’s Word?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What does Jesus’ determination show us about who he is? What does it show us about his love for us?
• Jesus knew he had to die (crucifixion) before he could come back to life (resurrection). How does knowing we will live forever with Jesus help us when life is hard?