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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion February 21, 2005 For what are you willing to die? |
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FRONTLINE DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2005 by Fritz
Foltz
Matthew
26: 1-5
On Presidents’ Day I think of Abraham Lincoln. It’s a natural, because I
live in Gettysburg, the site of the famous Address. I see Lincoln as a man who
agonized to do the right, even if it meant suffering. And, of course, in the end
he gave his life. Down through history we have a series of people who stood for
the right and paid with their lives. Most of the old saints in the Catholic
Church died for their beliefs, which makes us ask, “ For what would I give my
life?”
Today’s lesson reports the plot by chief priests and elders to arrest Jesus in
secret and kill him. I get a little upset when I hear people speak of Jesus’
death being necessary because of God’s plan, as if God caused the death. You
don’t hear the priests and elders saying they are going to kill Jesus, because
it is God’s plan. They want to get rid of Jesus, because he is proclaiming a
message that challenges their power and what they imagine is the need of the
people they serve.
That proclamation is simply that God is Father of all and each of us are sisters
and brothers. Powerful authorities retain their power by splitting the world
into “wes” and theys”, “friends” and “enemies”, “good people”
and bad people”. Anyone who really reaches over the divisions to embrace those
who are supposedly the enemy become dangerous and threaten the status quo. They
challenge what we regard as our security.
Just last weekend I heard someone cite Karl Marx, claiming life after death has
been used to drug the common people so they do not rebel against the present
cruel world. I suppose it does operate that way for some. But when proclaimed
properly, life after death is the source of courage for those who might have to
give their lives to make a better world.
Jesus stood for the truth that builds a better world for all people. He
courageously preached and taught that truth. And a sinful world killed him as a
criminal and enemy of the people. If we are to follow him, taking up our own
crosses, we might be called to speak the truth even it means our lives. So once
again, “For what are you willing to die?”
Let us pray: Father, we give thanks for the courage of Jesus. We confess we
often desire to get rid of people like him around us. Forgive us and bring us to
the place where we share their spirit and speak the truth in love, no matter
what. We pray in Jesus’ name. 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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