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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion January 7, 2005 Jesus Begins His Ministry |
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Frontline Devotion for Friday, January 7, 2005 By Mike
Martine
Matthew
4:12 –17
Most people who go into ministry do so with the benefit of seminary. After
seminary, most of us take some time off before diving into a call. Me? I went to
Disney World.
Jesus is afforded no such comfort. First, his “training,” if you can call it
that, concludes with fasting in the wilderness and then his temptation by the
devil. Then, this trial passed, he returns only to find his that predecessor
(cousin, friend) has been put into prison for preparing his way.
So, no time off, no rest. Jesus comes on the scene and finds the banner of the
gospel lying on the ground, left behind by John. Jesus must now raise the banner
anew and cry out, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
There are times when I understand how Jesus might have felt at this point.
Tired, alone, unsure of staying the path that John had prepared for him. I think
there are times when we all feel this way, when the call of the gospel seems too
much to bear.
But, in truth, I don’t think Jesus felt that way, because he knew, intimately,
that the presence of the spirit was with him, that he was not lifting up the
banner of the gospel alone. God was lifting the banner and carrying him forward
in mission.
We, of course, do not have the connection with God that Jesus had. But the
spirit that worked with him will, and does, work with us. God is with us when we
lift that banner and do God’s work. And if we let God help, we will also find
that God will renew our energies, lifting us up in the gospel like eagles on the
wind.
This morning, wake up and look before you. The banner of the gospel is there.
Lift it up, for you never carry it alone.
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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. |
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