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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion March 24, 2005 Maundy Thursday 2005 |
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Frontline Devotion for Thursday, March 24, 2005 By Pastor
Dave Sonnenberg
On this night, Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples. On
this night, they would have rehearsed and shared an ancient story of God’s
saving acts- namely, how God had brought out Israel from their bondage in Egypt.
It is a marvelous story of how God brought freedom and liberation.
On this night, Jesus added a new twist to the story as he took bread and wine
thus saying, “this is my body and blood.” He challenged us to receive
that with openness. In only a few brief lines, it is very hard to dig into
the significance of this event. Perhaps the image that has captured me
this year is the image of Jesus “pouring out his life for us.”
“This is my blood which is poured out for you” is how many translate the
story this night. I gave a sermon recently where I talked about the
difference between spilling and pouring. Spilling is something that we do
accidentally. We spill a drink at the dinner table or we spill paint on
the floor by accident. On the other hand, pouring implies intentionality.
Pouring is an intentional act; one intentionally tips what is inside so that it
comes out.
Today is a day to remember that the events that start on this Holy Day were not
an accident. Jesus intentionally poured out his life for each of us.
He poured out his life so that we might be touched, that we might “receive”,
and that we might be transformed to be his people in the world. He poured
out his life also so we would share our lives with others- inviting them in to
hear the saving message as well.
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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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