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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion Thursday, February 19, 2004 Courtesy Question |
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Frontline Devotion for Thursday,
February 19, 2004, by Anne B. Crawford
Bible text:
John
21:15-17
A few weeks ago I ran across a cartoon in the Sunday paper that made a strong
impression. The comic strip was “Sherman’s Lagoon” by Jim Toomey.
In it, a married couple (two sharks) is talking and the wife tells her husband,
“Sherman”, she’s going to the store and asks if he wants anything.
Sherman replies that the wife never gets him what he asks for. The wife
matter of factly says she knows and that it was just a “courtesy question.”
She goes on to define a courtesy question as an outward display of
thoughtfulness with absolutely no intention of following through and claims
that’s what a good marriage is all about.
Courtesy questions. How often do we treat questions about our own faith as
courtesy questions – to be outwardly thoughtful in our response but have no
actual intention of following through? Jesus never asked courtesy
questions about matters of faith. Consider his question – repeated three
times – to Peter at the end of the Gospel of John. “Do you love me?”
Jesus’ question was intensely personal and in many ways painful to Peter.
Jesus wasn’t looking for a courtesy response, he was looking into Peter’s
heart and asking him to step out in faith and feed His flock. Peter
answered in faith and backed up his words with plenty of follow-through.
So, the next time someone asks you “are you a Christian?” take some time to
consider your answer. Will you offer the courtesy affirmative response,
but then fail to follow-through in word and deed, or will you say yes, not just
with thoughtful words, but in actions and behaviors that clearly and
intentionally confirm who you and whose you are?
Precious Jesus, you ask us to be your followers, not as a courtesy question, but
with a commitment of heart, soul, and mind. Give us strength to live out
that commitment daily and be your disciples not just in name, but in all we are
and do. Amen
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