How Is Your Heart?
LENT DEVOTIONAL 2026 | DAY 12
Luke 6:17–49 (NIV)
By Lim Bi Xiu, Pastoral Team Member, Children’s Ministry
READ:
Luke 6:17–49 (NIV)
In this passage, Jesus was speaking to a great multitude of people who had come from near and far to hear him and be healed. Power came out from Jesus, healing them all, but he was more concerned with the state of their hearts. He went on to teach some of the hardest lessons to apply in life. They are so profound that we can meditate and chew on each of these lessons for days.
I have drawn three lessons to reflect on and apply:
1) Jesus pronounced woes on those who are ‘rich, full, laughing, and whom people speak well of’, saying they have received their measure on earth. While the beatitudes encourage anyone who is suffering, especially because of their faith in God, the woes are certainly troubling. Those who are in worldly comfort now, who are satiated in earthly treasures, are warned that they might not enjoy these for eternity. Truth be told, many of us in Singapore have more than we really need, are eating well, and have more things than we can ever use. God is constantly poking at my heart, especially after hearing from a missionary friend in Japan that some young Japanese working-class individuals work up to 7 days a week, yet cannot even buy a full meal after paying rent. One lady is eating just one onigiri a day, and bread on weekends. There is so much more I can give to the work that our missionaries are doing, and to our fellow believers suffering from natural disasters and national conflicts. May I not become too comfortable with things of the world and always be on the lookout to help those in need.
2) Jesus calls us to love our enemies, and bless those who curse us. It is so difficult to forgive someone who has really hurt me, let alone love someone who continues to treat me as an ‘enemy’. There are people whose lives I have poured time and heart into, only to have them ghost me suddenly, and turn their backs on me. Yet Jesus’ words are clear: I should release them to God, expect nothing in return and pray for them.
3) “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” I have always prayed that these are words I hope not to hear from God at the end of my life. It hit me that perhaps God has told me this on many occasions in the past and I was not even aware of it. Such religious hypocrisy can so easily creep into our lives. I am so wretched, Lord, please keep me near to you and feed on your Word daily.
[ Reflection Questions ]
1. Which beatitude(s) and woe(s) pronounced by Jesus speak to you? Why?
2. Is there someone you are called to forgive and love? How would you begin to do that?
3. What are some things in your life that are not pleasing to God? What steps can you take to surrender them to Him?
