Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Today's Frontline Devotion
Thursday, August 14, 2003
"The Label That Transforms"
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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion Thursday, August 14, 2003 "The Label That Transforms" |
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Frontline Devotion for Thursday, August 14, 2003 By Pastor Dave Sonnenberg
He saw a tax collector named Matthew! That’s the part of the text that grabbed me today. Tax collectors in Jesus’ day did not have a good reputation. Many were considered cheaters, traitors, and people of very questionable integrity. The religious leaders in this story today are offended that Jesus even acknowledges Matthew- feeling that Jesus should steer clear of him. Others looked at Matthew and cast labels on him - “sinner” or cheater or in our language, “jerk”. Whatever we call him, Matthew was a man who many wanted to avoid.
The beauty of this story is that Jesus sees something in Matthew that others failed to see. He sees the belovedness in him. He sees and treats Matthew as a gift from God. When I dug into the meaning of the name Matthew- I discovered that it means “gift from God”.
Jesus sees things we often have trouble seeing. Where we often cast labels on others, Jesus is trying to remove them and add God given labels like “beloved”, “precious child”, “worker in the kingdom,” and “disciple”. In Matthew’s case, the label change was a transforming experience where Jesus walked with him and used him to extend his mission in the world. I’m sure that others had trouble accepting that change. Just like our day, I can guarantee that some looked at Matthew and said “people can’t change. They’ll always be the same.”
This day, I want you to remember that the world may label you with countless labels. You may keep busy labeling others and putting them in a box. But, the call of Jesus in every age is realize we are all “Matthew’s”- gifts from God. When we see that in ourselves, it will change how we treat others. When we learn to see that in others, we will learn to seek to understand and honor them.
Find someone this day - male or female and treat them as Jesus treated “Matthew”. Get rid of false labels and add one that really matters - “Gift from God”.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, this world is a “labeling place”. Remove the false labels in this life- whether they are labels others apply to us or the labels we apply on others. Instill in us our true identity, “precious gift from God.” Transform our lives so that we can live as inspired workers in this day and age. 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.