And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
–Acts 2:42 (ESV)
I hear the word “devotion” and I think of my love for God and my love for my family. I am “devoted” to them.
When I think about the Church and my involvement in being a part of something bigger and something that is eternal, I think about people following Jesus, and how we should all love Him, become like Him, and share Him with others.
As I observe the Church, I don’t know if I measure up to what Luke writes in describing the first 3,000 souls who were baptized in Jerusalem after Peter’s sermon. Peter had challenged those in Jerusalem, after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, with the words, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
Right after these 3,000 were baptized Luke records what they did. The very first thing is “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.”
Am I “devoted” to the teachings?
Devotion speaks to me of affection, love, commitment, and dedication. The early church in Jerusalem had this deep level of devotion toward learning from the apostles teaching.
I think that I need to access my own devotion toward the teachings. I need to be a person of the Book. I need to read, study, and internalize God’s Word. In response to how Jesus loves me, I want to pursue Him in every way.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word. I recommit to being devoted to the teachings. By doing so, I believe that I can also fellowship with, break bread with, and pray with like-minded followers of You.
