5 Day Devotionals
Real Life with Jesus – Week 3
Day 1: Recognizing Jesus' Authority
Scripture: Luke 20:1-8
Reflection:
The religious leaders asked Jesus, "By what authority are you doing these things?" It's a question that echoes through the centuries to our own hearts today. We live in a world that constantly questions authority—at work, at home, in government, and yes, even in our spiritual lives.
But here's the deeper question we're all really asking: Who owns my life?
Jesus didn't fit into the religious leaders' box. He didn't have their credentials or their pedigree. Yet He spoke with an authority that couldn't be denied. The issue wasn't that they lacked information about who Jesus was—they feared where obedience might lead.
As Timothy Keller puts it, "If Jesus is really Lord, then we don't get to keep him as just a consultant. He becomes the authority in every area of our life."
Application:
Today, ask yourself: In what areas of my life am I treating Jesus as a consultant rather than as Lord? Where am I avoiding His authority because I fear what obedience might require?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I confess that sometimes I want You on my terms—as an advisor I can consult when convenient. Forgive me for the areas where I've resisted Your authority. Help me recognize that You are Lord of all, and give me courage to submit every part of my life to You. Amen.
Day 2: Responding to God's Patience
Scripture: Luke 20:9-16
Reflection:
In Jesus' parable, the vineyard owner sent servant after servant to collect what was rightfully his. Each one was beaten and rejected. Finally, he sent his beloved son, thinking surely they would respect him. But the tenants killed the heir, hoping to claim the inheritance for themselves.
This wasn't just a story—it was Israel's history. Prophet after prophet had been rejected. And Jesus was predicting His own death at the hands of the very leaders standing before Him.
God's patience is remarkable. He kept sending messengers. He gave chance after chance. But patience has a purpose—it's meant to lead us to repentance, not to enable our rebellion.
The rejected stone would become the cornerstone. Everyone would have to deal with Jesus—either broken by Him in judgment or broken before Him in repentance. Neutrality isn't an option.
Application:
God's patience with you is not permission to delay. Where has He been speaking to you repeatedly about something in your life? What change has He been calling you to make? Don't mistake His patience for approval of your delay.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your incredible patience with me. I recognize that You've been speaking to me about [specific area]. Help me not to harden my heart or delay my obedience. Break me in repentance before You rather than in judgment. I choose to respond to Your grace today. Amen.
Day 3: Refusing False Allegiances
Scripture: Luke 20:20-26
Reflection:
The religious leaders thought they had Jesus trapped. "Should we pay taxes to Caesar or not?" If He said yes, He'd lose the people. If He said no, He'd be guilty of treason.
But Jesus saw through their craftiness. "Show me a coin," He said. "Whose image is on it?" Caesar's, they replied. "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
Jesus wasn't picking a fight with Rome, nor was He elevating Caesar. He was choosing the higher ground—God's side. Earthly authority has its limits. God's authority has none.
Caesar may have your taxes, but he shouldn't have your worship, your heart, or your soul. Real life with Jesus refuses the false choice between God and government, God and culture, God and comfort.
Application:
What false allegiances are competing for your heart? Is it political ideology? Financial security? Social acceptance? Career success? These things may have a legitimate place in your life, but they must never have the place that belongs to God alone.
Prayer:
Lord, I confess that sometimes I've given my heart to things that should only have a small part of my life. Show me where I've made false allegiances—where I've let something other than You claim my deepest loyalty. Help me to render to You what is Yours: all of me. Amen.
Day 4: Bearing God's Image
Scripture: Genesis 1:27; Luke 20:25
Reflection:
"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
That coin bore Caesar's image, so it belonged to Caesar. But you—you bear God's image. You were created in His likeness. So you belong to God.
This changes everything. Your life belongs to God. Your body belongs to God. Your obedience belongs to God. Your worship belongs to God. Your future belongs to Him.
Real life with Jesus isn't about partial surrender. It's about total allegiance. "Seek first his kingdom," Jesus said. God wants all of you—not just Sunday morning, not just when it's convenient, not just the parts you're comfortable giving.
Wherever you are right now—in your living room, in your kitchen, still in your pajamas—God wants you. All of you.
Application:
Look in a mirror today. Remind yourself: "I bear God's image. I belong to Him." Then ask: What part of my life am I still trying to keep for myself? What am I holding back from God's ownership?
Prayer:
Creator God, thank You for making me in Your image. I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and I belong to You. I surrender to You my [specific areas you've been holding back]. Take all of me—my time, my resources, my relationships, my dreams, my fears. I am Yours completely. Amen.
Day 5: Building on the Cornerstone
Scripture: Psalm 118:22; 1 Peter 2:4-8
Reflection:
"The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone."
In ancient construction, the cornerstone determined everything—the alignment, the stability, the direction of the entire building. Reject the cornerstone, and the building fails.
Jesus is that cornerstone. The religious leaders rejected Him, but God made Him the foundation of everything. And now each of us faces the same choice they did: Will your life be built on Him, or will you stumble over Him?
C.S. Lewis said it powerfully: "You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon, or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God." You will make a decision. Neutrality and ignorance are not options.
The rejected stone has become the cornerstone of our faith, our church, our hearts and souls. The only question left is: What will you do with Jesus?
Application:
Today is a good day—maybe snowed in, maybe facing uncertainty, maybe in a season of change—to bow your head and say: "God, I surrender all today and every day. I give You my life and make You my all."
If you've never made that decision, today is the day. If you made it long ago but have been living with divided loyalties, today is the day to recommit. Build your life on the Cornerstone.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are the Cornerstone, the foundation of my life. I choose to build everything on You—not on my own wisdom, not on the world's values, not on what feels safe or comfortable. I fall at Your feet and call You Lord and God. You have ultimate authority over my life. I am Yours, completely and forever. Amen.
Closing Thought:
Who's really in charge of your life? It's the question that matters most. Not who influences you, not who you admire, but who has your deepest allegiance. Real life with and in Jesus means submitting to His authority, responding to His grace, and giving God what already belongs to Him—you, every single part of you. The choice is yours, and yours alone. Choose Jesus today.