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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion April 5, 2005 BENEDICTION |
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Frontline Devotion for Tuesday, April 5, 2005 By Penny
Risen
Matthew
18: 19-20
“Be good! Take care!”
“Send me a postcard!”
“Drive
carefully!”
“Turn on your cell phone!”
“Take an umbrella!”
“Peace!”
What parent, kin or friend hasn’t tossed this type of benediction toward someone about to leave? In countless ways, we offer kind words and advice or random blessings when parting from folks. And if we aren’t “huggers,” these work fine. Words comfort, tell a person we care about their well being and will think about them.
Throughout the Gospel, Jesus offers these wonderful, short benedictions at the end of events or after preaching. Weighed carefully, these priceless nuggets often hold the key to what long passages set out to convey. Peter and other disciples are quizzing their Master at Capernaum about a variety of issues, when Jesus sums up:
“For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them.” -- The Amplified Bible
“When two of you get together on anything at all on Earth and make a prayer of it, My Father in Heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of Me, you can be sure that I'll be there." -- The Message
God’s with us, in our midst. Whether reading an old translation of Matthew 18 or using one of the contemporary versions, this loving benediction assures us loud and clear: Not in a church? It’s OK, so pray together at the table for a family dinner. Not stopping after visiting a sick friend? Fine, pray in the hospital parking lot as you leave. Done with a meeting or rehearsal? Go ahead, join hands and wish each other a peaceful night. You can be sure that God is there, whether two or three say His Name aloud or pray it silently. He hears and rejoices that we care for Him and our fellow believers.
So when we part and say “God bless you,” Christ’s benediction and His promise to be in our midst are just as new today as they were 2000 years ago. Peace.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, I know You’re by my side whether I’m in prayer to You, am praising You in worship, or I’m in the company of a friend and glorying in a sunset made by Your hand. Thanks for being my Brother as well as my King. 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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