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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion February 13, 2008 INCLUDED |
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Frontline Devotion for Wednesday, February 13, 2008 by Penny Risen
John 3: 16-17
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever
believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save
the world through Him.”
Let’s reflect on two universal images and what they say about love: Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Last Supper” with Christ at the center, and Charles Schultz’s everyman Charlie Brown gazing into his empty mailbox. (Please see photo links at the bottom of this devotion.)
First Da Vinci and the Passover dinner with Jesus and the
12 disciples:
As John’s Gospel says, God does not offer His grace to just a privileged few. He
so loves the world the He gives His Son for “whoever believes.”
--- Not only for those who fit at the table.
--- Not only for observant Jews.
--- Not only for those few who traveled with and knew Jesus well.
--- Not only for those who were upstanding, well-regarded Judean citizens.
“To save the world through Him,” God loves
us so much He includes everyone in the offer of forgiveness, the fellowship of
believers, and the boundless protection against evil and condemnation. Da Vinci
depicts Christ in the painting with arms outstretched in sacrifice and to
include all in His blessing. “Love and forgiveness waits here,” Jesus Christ’s
gesture says to us.
--- Also for those outcasts who don’t rub elbows at the Sabbath table with the
chosen.
--- Also for Gentiles, Greeks, Romans, people of all faiths and nations.
--- Also for those who stayed home and didn’t choose to follow Christ out of
fear, illness, isolation, doubt or feelings of unworthiness and judgment.
--- Also for the poor, those with demons or disease, folks with no social
standing, and sinners of all sorts.
Now Schultz’s eager and often excluded cartoon boy:
Charlie Brown knows it stinks to be left out, to feel unloved and unappreciated. But he has hope. Eagerly he looks into his mailbox every Valentine’s Day. He waits faithfully for something, anything on paper to tell him he’s remembered, valued and loved. He wants to be included --- simply for being himself, good old Charlie Brown. He doesn’t give up, this often gloomy optimist. He constantly hopes someday he will be included.
Love can be warm and inclusive. Love also can be hopeful and promising. God provides love that is indeed for all. Not only for those who have every earthly thing they desire and someone to share it with. But also for those who lack the basics of life and look for forgiveness, grace and the embrace of shared fellowship.
Back to our images:
Some of us today may feel like we are disciples at the table sharing in the bread and wine. Some of us are like Charlie Brown at the mailbox waiting for encouraging words. But we all are equally loved by God.
Prayer for the day: Dear Lord, thank you for loving me in spite of my faults and sins. Help me to remember to include and care for all my brothers and sisters. Please forgive me when I selfishly exclude others from the fellowship and love they need and deserve. Amen.
See the links below to view Charlie Brown and “Last Supper”:
messenger.yahoo.com/singleimv.php?imv=peanuts
http://www.initaly.com/regions/artists/lsup.jpg
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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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