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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion February 23, 2005 LISTENING |
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Frontline Devotion for Wednesday, February 23, 2005 By
Penny Risen
Matthew
23: 37-39
“These are fighting words, He’s really tearing into them!” the disciples
must have whispered to each other as they stood listening to Jesus shout at the
Pharisees and Temple elders.
“Woe to you with your false piety … you hypocrites, snakes, vipers, murderers, blind fools!”
As their Teacher’s voice rose, His followers could feel the room heat up and the adrenaline level rise. Jesus’ face reddened in anger as He yelled at the stunned scribes, His arms raised and robe flying.
Ripping into these leaders takes courage and passion, the disciples nodded. “Are we willing to defend our faith and fight for our beliefs with such fury, even when Jesus is not with us?” they must have asked themselves.
Taking up much of Matthew 23, this scene from the temple in Jerusalem shows us a man filled with anger and remorse for what has become of worship and its leadership. We listen as Jesus holds nothing back in His challenges against the Pharisees --- ironically the same people who will be called on to judge Him in just a few days before His Crucifixion.
Imagine being in the same space on that dramatic day: Hearing Jesus shouting and raging, His loud, harsh voice echoing through the temple. How can this be the same man who gently drew children to Him, who preached in simple parables, who healed with a touch, who showed His great patience and compassion day in, day out? This verbal confrontation is amazing in its strength, but also arresting in its intensity.
Suddenly at Verse 37, we can hear Jesus pause and collect His thoughts. He
calmly and tenderly reveals His sadness at having to scold and blame.
He tells all gathered, now in a quiet voice:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone
those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your
children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings,
but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate.
For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is
He who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”
Jesus gathering us under His wings, protecting and comforting: This sheltering image is probably the one we’re more comfortable with. But Our Savior must show us many sides – especially the one where He becomes a sacrifice for our sins; the one where He does battle for us against the Devil and worldly wickedness; His suffering on Calvary, and His triumph from the tomb.
During Lent, we need to ponder all these images of the man Jesus and Our Savior --- doing what His Father has directed. We can learn not just from what He says but also from what He does: Listening both to His rage against the Pharisees, and to His silence before those accusers who seek His death.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, I want to listen closely to Your Message but sometimes I put up barriers in my busy day. Thank you for Your sacrifice for my sin, and Your comforting Word when I need it the most. 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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