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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion March 9, 2007 Where's the Wine? |
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Frontline Devotion for Friday, March 9, 2007 by Mike Martine Mark 6: 30-56
Some commentators look at the feeding of the 5000 and declare that this, in fact, was the first Eucharist. The first service of Holy Communion.
But where’s the wine?
The point is simple. The wine is not necessary. God is present in the meal. In the meat of the fish and crust of the loaves. God uses food to bring the people together; uniting a diverse crowd that otherwise would not share a feast. God opens eyes and hearts to the realization that, no matter what we thought before, we always belong at the same table.
Is it more complicated than that? Yes and no. But the point is, this is more than a magic act.
There’s a story about a church group that drove by a chain gang of prisoners digging a ditch in extreme heat. The pastor took the van they were riding in, stopped at a store, and bought bags of Oreos and gallons of milk. They then returned to the prisoners, got permission from the guards to come forward, and offered the laborers a rare and wonderful treat: cookies and milk.
As the prisoners ate, the pastor said to one of the guards. “God is here.”
“I don’t think so,” said the guard.
“Oh, believe me, he is,” said the pastor.
As you go through your day, consider: Where and how might you share “communion” with others in your daily life? Later in the passage, how does Jesus “commune” with the disciples in the story of the boat and the raging sea? Does he “commune” the same way with us? Does this give us ideas of how to “commune” with others?
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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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