Daily Devotions - Week 19
Zion Lutheran Church
Daily Devotions
May 12 - 18, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008—“Peace Be With You!”
On the night of his resurrection, Jesus comes to his fear-filled disciples, who are hiding behind locked doors, and speaks words of blessing and hope, saying, “Peace be with you!” But what does he mean by this? Read John 20:19-23. Is this benediction of peace the promise of an easy, strife-free life, or is it something more, something even better? What insights do you glean in Isaiah 26:3-4; Romans 15:13; Ephesians 2:14a; and Philippians 4:4-7? The peace Jesus offers is peace from God and peace with God through Jesus. Praise Jesus, our Prince of Peace.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008—Blessed to Be a Blessing!
In Genesis, God calls Abram (Abraham) and gives him great and precious promises; read 12:1-3, noting the concept of “blessed to be a blessing.” Now notice a similar promise and commission in John 20:19-23. Jesus reveals himself to the disciples, speaks words of benediction (blessing), breathes the Spirit over them, and tells them that as people respond (or don’t respond) to their proclamation of the Gospel, they can announce God’s forgiveness (or withhold it). Do Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 help you to better understand this ministry of reconciliation? Tell Jesus you want to be a blessing as you share the message of peace with God through Jesus.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008—“As the Father Has Sent Me, I Am Sending You.”
Over and over, Jesus tells his followers about their mission to the world. They weren’t just blessed to bask in being blessed; they were blessed for mission. Read Matthew 9:35-38; 28:18-20; Luke 24:45-49; John 20:21; and Acts 1:1-8. We too have a mission; we are to witness to Jesus’ atoning sacrifice and saving grace and tell others what Jesus has done for us. Pause a moment and ponder again the harvest image in Matthew 9. Our witness is like a seed we sow. It is the Spirit who prepares the soil (someone’s heart) and causes the seed to take root and grow. Re-read the Luke 24 and Acts 1 texts. Thank God for the work of the Spirit and for the joy being sent.
Thursday, May 15, 2008—An Ancient Celebration, A New Harvest
Read Acts 1:4-9 and 2:1-21. We think of Pentecost as a Christian commemoration, and it is, but it is also an ancient Jewish celebration (Leviticus 23:15-21; ‘pente’ means 50), a time when Jews from all over gathered in Jerusalem to give thanks for the spring harvest’s first fruits. Jesus used physical miracles as signs pointing to spiritual truths; likewise, the gathering of the harvest’s first fruits points to the Spirit’s initial harvest of new believers (Acts 2:14,21,41). Ponder God’s perfect timing for the outpouring of the Spirit: thousands had gathered from all nations (2:1-11) and, thus, heard the Gospel message. Pray that we, like Peter, will also share the Gospel.
Friday, May 16, 2008—The Outpouring of the Spirit Fulfilled Prophecy
Early in his Pentecost sermon, Peter tells the crowd that prophecy was being fulfilled in their midst (Acts 2:14-21); earlier Jesus had done the same (Luke 4:14-21). As we read/meditate on our texts, ask the Spirit to give you eyes to see that God is still acting in our midst today. Notice the manifestations of the Spirit’s powerful presence (Acts 2:1-3); consider that God had brought the world to Jerusalem to hear the message (2:5-11). Is God bringing the nations to our communities today? If so, like Peter, do we share the Gospel? Should we be surprised if we are misunderstood (John 15:20-21; Acts 2:13)? Read 2 Corinthians 1:20-22, and let it guide your prayer and praise.
Saturday, May 17, 2008—The Message for (Our) Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, World…
Read Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-21,36-41; and 4:12. The outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost empowered the disciples for witness (1:8); those who believed also received the Spirit (2:38), so they, in turn, could witness to what God had done in their lives. Later, when persecution caused believers to be scattered beyond Jerusalem, the story of Jesus was taken to the world (8:1,4; 11:19-21). God’s prophecy through Joel (Acts 2:16-21) continues to be fulfilled today, as God pours out the Spirit and sends us out in Jesus’ name. Note: to ‘prophesy’ (Acts 2:18) means to proclaim as well as foretell. Tell Jesus you want to be a witness; pray your words and life will tell of Jesus’ love.
Sunday, May 18, 2008—Hearing the Gospel; Sharing the Gospel
We cannot share what we do not have. Ponder this as you read Acts 2:1-21 [Consider also reading Acts 10:1-11:18, an account which reveals how God continues to grow Peter’s understanding of the extent of God’s love and grace.] Feast on God’s Word; meditate on God’s promises; allow the Spirit to feed your soul (reanimate you) and prepare you to tell others of Jesus’ love. Sing/pray Hankey’s lyrics: “I love to tell the story, for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest…I love to tell the story…of Jesus and his love…”