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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion March 5, 2006 What If God Were One of Us? |
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Frontline Devotion for Sunday, March 5, 2006 by Anne B. Crawford
A popular song just a few years ago, sung by Alanis Morisette, asked “What if God were one of us, just a slob like one of us?” I don’t hold to the “slob” part, but we learn from an early age in Sunday school that God – in Jesus – was one of us, both fully human and fully divine. Why is that so important? Because it was crucial to God’s plan to save us. Jesus’ full humanity gives us commonality with God. It is Jesus’ perfect obedience to God, through testing, temptation, and death on the cross for our sins, that saves us eternally for God.
But we don’t have Jesus’ perfection or perfect response in our daily lives when we experience trials and temptations. It is all too easy for us to feel overwhelmed and alone – as though no one else has ever experienced what we are experiencing or felt as we are feeling. But God knows – He has been tempted and put to the test through Jesus, and has emerged as victor over sin and death.
We lost a dear member of our congregation this week – a strong woman of faith, who I count as a friend. In the days to come there will be grieving over her death as well as celebrating a life well-lived. There is also, however, the testing of faith that her death may present to some, including me. Inevitable questions about suffering and death and God’s plan for us. For me, I will cling to Jesus’ humanity, his being ‘one of us,’ to draw comfort in knowing that he understands our grief and grieves with us. And I will also lay claim to his God-hood and death for our salvation, to know that my friend has passed through the ultimate trial and is now home with Jesus.
There is no trial or temptation, including death, which God has not experienced and overcome on our behalf. As we journey through Lent, I challenge you (and myself) to lay claim to God’s promise of salvation and to lay your trials and temptations at Jesus’ feet. Let His strength strengthen you and let His forgiveness carry you through whatever trials and temptations trouble you.
PRAYER
God of majesty and humanity, you know what it is to be one of us. You have suffered and been tempted just as we have. Lift us up when trials and temptations would push us down into despair. Comfort us in sorrow and be with all who mourn the loss of loved ones to provide assurance of your ultimate victory over death. 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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