[Dailydevo] Daily Devotion Wednesday September 28, 2005

[Barry Ludwig]

Daily Devotion Wednesday September 28, 2005

This week's devotions are written by Zion member, Dale Eckart.

 

Who is Jesus?  One whom I can make happy

Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great
delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you
with singing.  

 

   A few years ago, my family and I attended an Easter pageant held at a
local church.  Some of the images were visually very powerful.  I remember
that when they lowered the actor portraying Jesus from the cross after his
death, they used a white sheet to support him.  Red stains appeared on the
sheet from his wounded back and side.  After carrying him out to be buried,
they draped the sheet over the arms of the cross - white and scarlet against
the dark, rough wood.

  Yet after Easter morning had come, and the play ended in rejoicing, my
wife noticed another powerful visual image.  The actors had come back to the
chancel, and the pastor was acknowledging them, along with the choir, tech
crew, and others who had helped.  In the middle of the group, the actor who
had played Jesus - still in costume, but out of character - was smiling and
applauding for the other people. There was Jesus, applauding for us and with
us.

   After reading so many stories in the Gospels where Jesus' heart goes out
to the sick, or confronts the Pharisees, or laments over hard-hearted
people, it is important to remember that Jesus is pleased by what we do, and
that we make him happy.  He takes great delight in us, and rejoices over us
with shouts and singing.

 

   Father, in love you look on us and smile.  Help us to remember that, and
to hear the echoes of your songs of rejoicing in us.  Amen. 

 

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