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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion March 28, 2007 Structure |
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Frontline Devotion for Wednesday, March 28, 2007 by Penny Risen
With Jesus insisting that seemingly sturdy buildings like the imposing Temple in Jerusalem will soon fall to rubble, His disciples are worried. When this happens, Master, what will become of our faith and our future? they ask. They don’t yet know Jesus will soon leave them to secure His true mission, to fulfill centuries of prophesy as well as keep God’s promise to send a Redeemer.
Jesus’ mission has nothing to do with present-day churches or temples built of stone. But instead, He says, His church will be built on a structure of love, mercy, forgiveness and hope - and its future will be in their hands as capable disciples. Jesus gives a long list of disasters and tragedies which would come to pass, but reassures His followers they will keep their heads and not panic. Jesus has taught them well as they traveled and preached together throughout Judea. They have learned about fellowship, brotherhood, trust, charity, miracles, and supporting each other. So with God’s help and guidance, this is the structure that they can rely on in days to come.
When authorities challenge their preaching of the Good News to gather new believers to Christ, the men should not fear, Jesus says. “You are placed there as sentinels to truth. The Message has to be preached all across the world.” And when their time comes to defend their faith: ” Say what’s on your heart --- the Holy Spirit will make His witness in and through you.”
Now that this Lenten journey has taken us through much of Mark’s Gospel, many remarkable chapters lie ahead of us in the New Testament about the growth of this faith that refused to be silenced. We can travel into the book of Acts or any of the letters of the apostles to hear about their church without walls. Witness and lessons are many: How the disciple’s brave and far-reaching attitude spread what Jesus taught them; how they preached in the countryside, in villages, beside wells, along the road, in foreign lands and while in prison; why they chose to take the Good News to the Gentiles and other peoples; and how they persisted while they faced threats, persecution and death.
The Holy Spirit provides structure to believers as we witness for Christ today. We don’t always need to be in church or a mighty temple to be our Lord’s emissaries. Instead, we can rely on other believers, in prayer, fellowship, trust … all the things Jesus taught His disciples to sustain them during their days together and beyond.
Prayer for the day: Dear Lord, thank you for the fellowship of believers. We are the church together, wherever we are. And with Your strength and guidance, we don’t need church walls around us to tell our story of faith. 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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