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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion February 16, 2009 Jesus Meets a Killer on the Road |
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Frontline Devotion for Monday, February 16, 2009 by Fritz Foltz
Acts 9: 1-9 Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' He asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' The reply came, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.' The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Paul is out to purify God's People, even if it means killing them all. Then Jesus meets him on the road. Suddenly he realizes he can not see. We know he never could really see. After 3 days (we've heard that before), he is resurrected from the dead.
I immediately think of Jesus meeting the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus. He walks with them as a stranger, he opens their hearts to the scriptures, he shares their meal, and suddenly their eyes are opened. They see Jesus is still with them.
These 2 episodes are models for our callings. They can happen in many different ways. Jesus comes at an altar call or confirmation service, in our family or youth group, on holding our first born child or watching a sunset, after careful study or a friend's witness or a declaration of love.
The meeting can take place in many ways, but the experience is the same. Our eyes are open to see what we did not previously see. We repent or rethink our lives. We believe.
Nothing is ever the same again. Our meeting brings life where there was death.
Go out to meet someone. Be a "Little Christ" who changes lives.
Let us pray: Come, Lord Jesus, bring life where there is death. Raise us up. We pray in Jesus' name. 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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