|
|
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion Monday, March 15, 2004 Abandoned |
A daily |
FRONTLINE DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2004, by Fritz Foltz
Bible text:
Mark 14: 26-51
We all know the great pain of being abandoned. It is one of the first fears of
children, to be left alone. Sadly, many of us know what it is to be left alone
by those we love in our adult lives. We have been abandoned by friends and even
spouses or parents.
Jesus is abandoned by one of the most trusted officers of his group, Judas, the
treasurer, who makes a deal for money. To rub it in, he greets Jesus with
respect and betrays him with a kiss.
Jesus is abandoned by his best friend, Peter, who claims he does not even know
him in order to save his own skin. To rub it in, he uses profanity while doing
it.
Jesus is abandoned by every last one of his followers. To rub it in, they are so
frantic to run away, one actually runs out of the clothing a soldier grabs and
flees naked over the hill.
Beyond this, Jesus’ must have suffered thinking his whole ministry had been in
vain. At the first sign of trouble his disciples abandoned all he taught them.
He taught them to face danger fortified by prayer that assures them God will
always be there seeing them through. Now the disciples return to the world’s
ways. They cope with danger by sleeping, escaping risk by ignoring it, waiting
for it to go away.
He taught them to live in peace with all people, to return good for evil, to
turn the other cheek. Now the disciples return to violence, drawing the sword
and injuring another person.
He taught them to live as family. Now they return to saving their own skins and
run as fast as they can away from him and his ways. They abandon all he taught
them.
Certainly the greatest pain came when he felt God had also abandoned him. At
Gethsemane he was overcome with conflict, asking God to offer a way out of the
suffering. But convinced it was God’s will for him to be obedient to his
principles, he promised to do it, confident that even though everybody else
abandons him, God would always be with him. But on the Cross he must have been
stung with the natural self-doubt that says, “if everyone else abandons you, God
must have done the same”. He shrieks, “My God, my God, Why have you abandoned
me?”
During Lent we examine ourselves against this Gospel. We confess too often we
live as if Christ has never been a part of our lives. We too have abandoned him
when we sleep instead of praying, when we use violence instead of returning good
for evil, when we run away from a friend in need, or our spouse, or our
children. When we abandon even the least among us, we have abandoned Jesus.
Like the apostles, our spirit is willing but our flesh is weak. We do not do
what want to do, but do exactly what we do not want to do. We live as sheep
without a shepherd, wandering aimlessly through the field of life.
It is important as we confess that we remember Easter follows Good Friday. At
the Last Supper Jesus’ small band promised “All for one and one for all”. To a
person they pledged they would follow Jesus even if it meant their deaths. And
then they immediately abandoned him. On Easter he returned and again set them
down at table, where he proclaimed once again “I shall never abandon you. “One
for all, and all for one”.
We continue to share that meal each Sunday And each time we gather we promise,
“One for all and all for one. In spite of our self-doubt God never abandons us,
and we must never abandon each other”.
Some worry as the Church discusses human sexuality, and especially as it relates
to homosexuality, we shall abandon one another. Christians have too often quit
when they cannot have their own way. As we gather around the table each Sunday
we must remember it is all about being faithful to one another. It is about
never abandoning one another.
Let us pray: Loving Father, Bind us together as one. Grant us the Spirit of your
Son and teach us to love. Block our way when we run. Throw your arms around us
and keep us in the place of safety, in your presence. We pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
 |
All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
Visit the |