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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion January 19, 2005 CROSS PURPOSES |
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Frontline Devotion for Wednesday, January 19, 2005 By
Penny Risen
Matthew
16: 21-28
If you hang around with musicians --- folks passionate and often downright goofy
about their art --- you’ll likely end up befriending people you wouldn’t
ordinarily think of as friend material. Case in point: Pam and Cory, two college
buddies.
PAM: Blonde, a $1,000 smile, a talented violinist with an average voice. Funny
and outgoing, she confided that she was disappointed when people wouldn’t take
her seriously because of her looks. “My cross to bear,” she laughed.
CORY: Tall, angular, a bit scruffy, a gifted singer, jazz pianist and composer.
He acknowledged his shyness, but was glad his music acted like a magnet and
helped him overcome his awkwardness with others.
Once Pam discovered Cory singing at a piano in the student union, there was no
separating these two. When the pair made music, people stopped and listened and
begged for more. But, unfortunately, some people stared too. Like Pam, Cory had
his “cross to bear.” He’d been blind since birth.
Despite their wonderful musical match, people couldn’t figure out why Pam and
Cory clicked. The buddies felt lucky just to make music together, no matter how
they looked as a couple to others. Their purpose was clear: Pam was ready to get
past Cory’s handicap, and Cory was willing to let Pam go flat sometimes on the
high notes. Happily, they slowly got over the mismatch label.
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me,
let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For
whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life
for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains
the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give
in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory
of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according
to his works.’ ” Matthew 16: 24-27
Jesus tried to warn His disciples that His mission on Earth was about to be fulfilled: To suffer, die and be raised on the third day. He was rapidly moving toward God’s purpose in Jerusalem, but so were they in the wider world --- to continue His work of teaching, healing and ministering to lost souls. This duty to Him took the disciples beyond caring about only themselves, and toward a deeper concern for others and their spiritual welfare.
As the modern expression goes, each man and woman who chose Jesus as Savior had to quickly “get over themselves” and choose self sacrifice.
Each believer had a cross to bear: Taking on the new and daring ministry of Jesus Christ with all the joys and sorrows it involved. Each had to work with or against his own human traits and flaws, his biases, his handicaps and imperfections, shortcomings and all the little things that made him unique. Questioning and probing, Jesus often challenged those who declared themselves ready to follow Him. Some were, some weren’t.
Like His exchange with Peter in the New Testament, Jesus asks if we are ready to let Him take control, to take up His cross, to “get over ourselves” for a higher purpose everyday. After all, His own sacrifice has already sealed the deal.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, I know I’m guilty of thinking of myself before others. I doubt and question, when I should believe and accept. With Your grace, help me to take up the cause of others in need as their advocate and to put them first. Amen.
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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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