Looking Ahead: The King Who Heals and Saves
Month 6: Stories Jesus Told · Family Worship
Today's Scripture
Read together: Matthew 13:16-17 & Luke 7:22
16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. — Matthew 13:16-17
22 So He replied, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. — Luke 7:22
Memory Verse
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’”— Matthew 25:21 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Psalms 106-109
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 180 of 365 — halfway through the year, and halfway through the Psalms!)The Heart of It
We've spent a month sitting at Jesus' feet, listening to the stories He told. Today He says something that should make our hearts leap. "Blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it" (). For centuries, God's people had longed for the day the Messiah would come. We get to know Him. We know His stories, His heart, and His name. That is a gift kings and prophets only dreamed of, and now it belongs to our family.
And the same Jesus who told these stories did not stop at teaching. John the Baptist sent messengers to ask if He really was the Coming One. Jesus answered by pointing to what He was doing. "The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised and the poor have the gospel preached to them" (). Next month we leave the parables and walk into the miracles. We will watch this King put His words into power. He doesn't only describe a good-soil heart. He heals hearts. He doesn't only tell of a father running to a lost son. He goes to the cross to bring lost sons and daughters home. The Teacher of stories is the Savior of the world. And the best is still ahead.
Around the Table
Jesus tells wonderful stories AND He does wonderful things. He makes sick people well, and He helps people who can't walk! Next month we'll see Him do amazing things.
Let's do it: Stretch up high and cheer, "Jesus is the King who heals and saves!"
Jesus told John's friends to look at what He was doing. He was healing and helping, and that proved who He was. His words and His works always match.
Let's talk: Why does it matter that Jesus didn't just talk about love but actually did loving, powerful things?
Jesus said many prophets longed to see what the disciples saw. We hold the whole story they only caught a glimpse of. The Messiah has come.
Let's go deeper: If you really believe you have been given something kings longed for, how should that change how seriously you treat your time with God?
💬 Conversation Starter
What is one thing you are most excited to learn about Jesus next month? Here's a hint. We are going to watch Him do the impossible!
🛡️ Defending the Faith
When someone says, "Jesus' miracles were just made-up legends added later," we can answer kindly and confidently. Even non-Christian historians of that time noted that Jesus was known as a worker of astonishing deeds. And the Gospel accounts were written while eyewitnesses were still alive, people who could have spoken up if the stories were wrong. Jesus Himself pointed to His public miracles as proof (). He invited people to look into it, not just believe blindly ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
is a quiet privilege we can easily take for granted. Abraham, Moses, David, and Isaiah strained toward this across the centuries. Your children open it in a worn devotional at the kitchen table. Familiarity is the great thief of wonder. Kids can grow so used to "Jesus stuff" that the glory goes flat. So can dads. As you turn the corner from parables to miracles next month, your job is to keep the wonder fresh. Be genuinely amazed yourself that the King who spoke galaxies into being also touched lepers, wept at tombs, and went looking for one lost sheep. A father who is still astonished by Jesus raises children who expect to be. Don't let the second half of this year become routine. Guard your own awe first.
Draws on: D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John (on the privilege of seeing what the prophets longed to see).
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You that we get to know Jesus. Prophets and kings only longed for this. Keep our hearts amazed at Him. Show us again and again that He is the King who heals and saves. In Jesus' name, amen."
The Teacher of these stories is the Savior of the world. And I get to know Him.