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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion March 16, 2005 FOLLOWER |
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Frontline Devotion for Wednesday, March 16, 2005 By Penny
Risen
Matthew
7: 28-29
“When He finished
saying these things, the crowds were amazed
at His teaching,
for He taught them as one having authority and
not as their
scribes …
(also translated
as) When Jesus concluded His address,
the crowd burst
into applause. They’d never heard
teaching like this.
It was apparent that He was living everything
He was saying --
quite a contrast to their religion teachers!
This was the best
teaching they had ever heard.“
Who were the crowds with Jesus, hearing Him preach, marveling at His words:
We know the names of the disciples, the Teacher’s 12-member “dream team,”
but what about the others?
As He conducted His ministry, the Bible tells us, Jesus also was served and
supported by a group of about seventy men and women including Mary Magdalene,
and aided by friends such as Mary, Martha and before his death, Lazarus. (See
Book of Luke.) They weren’t only loyal followers, but also served as His
“advance team” and went into villages before Him to proclaim the Good News.
It wasn’t easy duty, to pick up and move with Jesus, but many did. Many were
called but few were chosen to be in the Savior’s inner circle, and those who
witnessed in the crowds also were important to this holy mission.
Imagine the scene along the shore in Galilee, when Jesus first talked to some
fishermen and asked them to change their lives forever.
“Sure, I’ll go!” said Peter to Christ.
“I’ll go too Master,” called Peter’s younger cousin, the one who perhaps
wasn’t so great at hauling in the day’s catch but great at untangling
fishnets.
The often-gruff Peter wasn’t too pleased at his cousin tagging along, but he
agreed because this teenager (who we’ll call Yossi) was family and Peter’s
responsibility. Yossi’s part in Jesus’ story went unrecorded but he was
there in the crowd, listening to Jesus and marveling at His love and strength.
Maybe this young man of faith was there with Jesus to hold His cloak when He
knelt to heal a man possessed by demons. Maybe Yossi was there to give Peter a
swift slug in the arm, when his older cousin asked yet another puzzling question
that challenged Jesus. Maybe the teenager helped collect all those baskets of
loaves and fish after Jesus’ miracle to feed 5,000. Maybe he befriended Judas.
And maybe Yossi stood frightened in the dark next to Peter, when the older man
repeatedly denied knowing the captive Jesus – the night before His
Crucifixion.
During Lent, try to imagine ourselves as Yossi, as someone walking with Jesus:
As He preaches to common folk; enters triumphantly into Jerusalem; endures the
whips of His captors and the shouts of mobs as He carries the cross to Calvary.
Listen to this man Jesus, who was sent for all to be Our Savior as His Father
directed. We’re all a bit like Yossi: Someone who thinks that he or she could
never measure up to all Jesus asks of us. Not a major player or endowed with
healing gifts by Jesus. But a simple follower who listens and serves and loves
Jesus. We too have important supporting roles as witnesses and believers.
Look for Yossi in crowds at Pentecost, to receive the Spirit and take on the
call.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, I’m proud to be Your follower and to call You
my Savior. Please open my mind and heart during Lent to listen and learn. 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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