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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion March 7, 2007 Authorized |
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Frontline Devotion for Wednesday, March 7, 2007 by Penny Risen
Mark 6: 1-13
We see them everywhere: People wearing uniforms and nametags, folks with plastic ID photos and credentials hanging from lanyards around their necks. Students, professors, managers, employees and service associates of all sorts, journalists and VIPS all sport these badges which mean: “I’m important, I have authority, I’m all access.”
In the 21st century world, the identity badge denotes the wearer as specially authorized to go places and do things --- and we are not if we aren’t card carriers. But the two stories in Mark’s passage tell us much about who has authority and how wrong people can be in making assumptions about power, strength and access.
Jesus returns to Nazareth and is treated politely enough, but His true authority goes unrecognized. He heals, He lays on hands, He causes a buzz among the townspeople, but they are blind to His true nature. They assume that He’s the same old Jesus, the son of the carpenter Joseph --- not the called Son of God who is there to be sacrificed for mankind. “A prophet has little honor in his hometown,” Jesus shrugs. These people refuse to open their hearts to His personal power and mission, because they already are prejudiced. After all, isn’t He just another rabbi from the neighborhood?
When Jesus calls the Twelve to Him, He aims to defeat this negative approach and prejudice. You are called to this mission and I authorize you to serve all people, Jesus says. Show them mercy and love, preach to them regardless of their status or hometown, and travel among them without pretense. Heal with the power of God as His servants and His disciples, because your strength lies inside you as believers, regardless of your outward, simple appearance. You are all access because you are God’s servants and no one can stop the force of grace and salvation, Jesus maintains.
Mark tells us: “They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different.” We as believers don’t need badges or a special cache for our job as servants of God. We are authorized and expected to carry mercy and love to others, and bring the Good News simply in how we act toward our neighbors, treating them as brothers and sisters. We don’t need special equipment: We are the equipment, Jesus tells us.
Prayer for the day: Dear Lord, thank you for letting me be part of Your team and to serve my brothers and sisters. Your mercy is for all, and I’m proud to be authorized as Your child and as a saved sinner to spread that message. 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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