Wednesday, July 8, 2026

PT-1 “The Popularity and Power of Jesus” (Luke 6:17-19)

 

EVENING SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7/8/2026 8:47 PM

My Worship Time                              Focus:  Intro to PT-1 “The Popularity and Power of Jesus”

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                                 Reference:  Luke 6:17-19

            Message of the verses: “Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place; and there was a large crowd of His disciples, and a great throng of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the costal region of Tyer and Sidon, who had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were begin cured.  And all the people were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all.”

            Today was a very long day for my wife, daughter, and me along with her sister who is visiting her, and her brother-in law.  My wife had a procedure to drain fluid from her body in order to cause her to breathe better, so that is the reason for only one SD for today.  I will now quote a portion of the introduction to these verses from John MacArthur’s commentary.

            “The Bible is a priceless gem with many facets.  Scripture is the law of the Lord, which is perfect, the testimony of the Lord, which is sure, the precepts of the Lord, which are right, the commandments of the Lord, which are pure, and the judgments of the Lord, which are true.  The Word of God restores the soul, gives wisdom, produces joy, is the source of spiritual truth, instructs in worship, and warns against sin (Ps. 19:7-11).”  (Ps. 19:7-11) “7 ¶  The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8  the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9  the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 10  More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11  Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” 

            “The Bible’s many-faceted divine truth reflects one unifying theme—the plan of redemption.  God has chosen for His own glory to elect and redeem a people to be the objects of His love, subjects of His eternal kingdom, and the everlasting worshipers who offer perfect praise, honor, and service to Him forever.  The Bible details that plan of redemption from its inception in eternity past to its consummation in eternity future.  From predestination to justification through sanctification to glorification the Bible is the story of the outworking of God’s gracious plan of salvation.

            “As that saving purpose unfolds through redemptive history, several recurring themes are revealed throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

            “First and foremost, Scripture is God’s self-revelation of His character and deeds.  He is the sovereign, creator, and ruler of the universe, who chose to make the human race and to reveal Himself to mankind.  The Old Testament records that God unveiled Himself through the created universe (Ps. 19:1; especially man, who was created in His image [Gen. 1:26-27; cf. Ps. 139: 13-14]), the work of angels (Heb. 2:2), signs, supernatural wonders (Deut. 6:22; Neh. 9:10), and visions (Gen. 15:1; 46:2; Isa. 1:1; Ezekiel 1:1; Hos. 12:10), as well as through the prophets (2 Kings 17:13; Jer. 7:25; Dan. 9:6; cf. Heb. 1:1).”  Now I will quote the verses mentioned above in the order they are found, beginning with Psalm 19:1.

(Ps. 19:1)

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”

(Gen. 1:26-27; cf. Ps. 139: 13-14)

“26 ¶  Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 27  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

“13  For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

(Heb. 2:2)

“2  For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,”

(Deut. 6:22; Neh. 9:10)

“22  And the LORD showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes.”

“10  and performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people of his land, for you knew that they acted arrogantly against our fathers. And you made a name for yourself, as it is to this day.”

(Gen. 15:1; 46:2; Isa. 1:1; Ezekiel 1:1; Hos. 12:10)

  1 ¶  After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’”

“2  And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, "Jacob, Jacob." And he said, "Here I am.’’

“1 ¶  The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.”

“1 ¶  In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the Chebar canal, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.”

“10  I spoke to the prophets; it was I who multiplied visions, and through the prophets gave parables.”

(2 Kings 17:13; Jer. 7:25; Dan. 9:6; cf. Heb. 1:1)

13  Yet the LORD warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, "Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets.’’

“25  From the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt to this day, I have persistently sent all my servants the prophets to them, day after day.”

“6  We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.”

“1 ¶  Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,”

            As I look at MacArthur’s commentary on his introduction to these verses I see many verse references, and I think it is important to look at all of them in his introduction in order to get a good idea of what this chapter in his commentary will give to us as we study it.

7/8/2026 9:37 PM

 

 

 

 

 

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