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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion March 7, 2005 The Church Council President is a Serial Murderer |
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FRONTLINE DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2005 by Fritz Foltz
Matthew
23: 23-28
Everywhere I go I hear Lutherans expressing embarrassment that the accused BTK
serial murderer is a Lutheran Church Council President. It is bad enough he is a
Christian. He was also recognized by some of us as a leader.
Obviously the man was able to live two lives. And that is exactly what Jesus
attacks in our lesson. He calls some religious officials white washed tombs,
claiming they appear to be spiritual on the outside but are corrupt on the
inside. At other places he claims ordinary lay people do a better job living the
faith than their leaders.
Those observations, especially the bit about the white washed tombs, have always
haunted me. One understanding of leadership is that the leader is not any
different than others. She is simply to fulfill her office efficiently and
effectively. What happens in her personal life is beside the point. Another
understanding assumes the leader is to be exemplary in both public and private
life. The Bible clearly champions the latter theory, at least for
Christian offices. When I Timothy and Titus list requirements for bishops and
deacons most of the items on the list are about ethical behavior and taking care
of ones own family. The leader is to an example in what she says and does.
As embarrassed as we are with the accused BTK serial killer, we want to make
sure we do not live two separate lives, one on Sunday and the other the rest of
the week. We should take care that we are not like actors who leave their roles
on the stage. We are not to wave good-bye to Jesus as we leave the Church each
week, promising to visit with him again next week. Christian leaders are
expected to live the faith they profess and serve the God they worship wherever
they find themselves everyday day of the week.
Jesus offers two guidelines that help make this possible: 1. Only ask others to
do what you are willing to do yourself. Make sure when you tell others
what they should be doing, you tell yourself as well. Practice what you teach.
2.Focus on the big not the little elements of the faith. Don’t get obsessed
with the little things so you never have time to get around to the big ones, For
instance, Jesus observes some religious leaders are meticulous about tithing
–so much that they tithe every last possession including small herbs. Yet he
laments they neglect justice, mercy, and faithfulness to the people entrusted to
them.
Let us pray: I confess, Father, that I judge others harder than I judge myself.
Forgive me and help me as I strive for integrity. Grant me a clean heart that my
appearance does not hide a poor soul. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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