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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion Sunday, August 3, 2003 "It All Depends on Altitude" |
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Frontline Devotion for Sunday, August 3, 2003 by Fritz Foltz
Jesus is very demanding. He calls, "Follow me" and then makes clear if we thought Elijah was tough, he is tougher. Elijah allows his disciple to return home to take his leave of his parents and even throw a party for his friends. Jesus leaves no time for good byes, not even for the funeral of parents. We are to leave the dead bury the dead.
If we thought John the Baptist was tough, Jesus is tougher. John said if we have two coats we should give one to the poor. Jesus says if we meet someone without a coat we should give her the only one we have.
If we ask how much of the law are we supposed to fulfill, he answers, "All of it, including the dots over every "i". If we ask if we must really forgive others seven times, he replies, "Seventy times seven."
Jesus tells the rich man if his wealth gets in the way of his discipleship, he should give it all away, warns if a part of our body causes us to sin, we should cut it off. And even when we think we are doing well, Jesus refuses to praise us, because after all we are only doing what is expected.
One of my former parishioners understood this well. After her husband had a tremendous stroke that left him unable to do anything, the doctors told her to place him in a home and forget him. She felt her Christian faith and wedding promises made this impossible. Over the subsequent years she has been recognized nationally for accomplishing what everyone thought was impossible. Her husband enjoys life even though confined to a wheelchair. She says it all depends on altitude, altitude not attitude. She says we have to rise above the situation so we can see what is really happening, what is really important, and then proceed with understanding. We have to rise above the ordinary bravado which comes when things go our ways and the ordinary whining when things go against us to see all through the eyes of Christ. We have to rise above pleasure and hurt, success and failure, good and bad, happiness and sorrow, conservative and liberal. Her perspective on the text is that Christ simply calls to recognize what is really important and live as if it is.
Let us pray: Share your Holy Spirit with us, Lord, that we might always have the courage and wisdom to follow you. In doing what is really important in this life. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry. Pastor Dave welcomes and appreciates feedback. pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org.