[Dailydevo] Daily Devotion Thursday October 20, 2005

[Barry Ludwig]

Daily Devotions Thursday October 20, 2005

The devotions this week are written by Pastor Ludwig who is continuing the
theme of Jesus as our great high priest, by considering the Gospel of John,
chapter 17 which Bible scholars refer to as the "high priestly prayer" of
Jesus for his disciples.

 

John 17: 18-22 (Message paraphrase)

In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a
mission in the world. I'm consecrating myself for their sakes so they'll be
truth-consecrated in their mission. I'm praying not only for them but also
for those who will believe in me because of them and their witness about me.
The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind-- just as you,
Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me. The same glory you
gave me, I gave them,

 

As a teenager, I participated in a neighborhood "canvas" for my church.
Going door to door to the homes around the church and inviting people to
attend your worship service was common place forty years ago. One man
answered my knock on his door and was offended by my invitation. He said to
me, "My next door neighbor goes to your church. He is the most unfriendly
neighbor I have. On a daily basis I hear him scream at his children, curse
at his wife and bang around his garage in anger. Why would I want to become
like that? What kind of God do you believe in anyway?"  

 

As our High Priest, Jesus prays that we might know our mission. We have been
reshaped by the love and mercy of Jesus to be single-hearted in our desire
to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those who do not yet believe.
Your life style and conduct bear public witness to your God.  What you say
and do today will either draw people toward Christ or repel them from their
Savior.  May our words and actions today reflect the gentleness and mercy of
our Lord, yes, even to those whom we dislike.

 

 

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