Devotion
Lord of the Sabbath, Lord of all days
David Jacobs
These verses make me sad. How could the Pharisees possibly decide, after seeing Jesus heal and feed those that needed it, "how they might destroy" Jesus? Then I started to think about it a little deeper and how I have acted at times, and it began to make more sense.
Think of a dark time in your life, one where God was testing you, and you couldn't figure out why. Did you always react calmly? Do you ever regret some of the things that you thought or said towards God? I certainly know the answer for myself, and it is a mistake I have made several times.
It can be difficult to get over ourselves sometimes. We often inflate our egos and when make everything about "me" when it should always be about God. He has a plan for all of us, just as He had a plan for Jesus. He also had a plan for the Pharisees who saw Jesus break the Sabbath rules, saw him perform acts that they could not, and saw themselves being less important than before. They inflated their egos and decided that committing an act of evil that they knew was wrong at any time, not just on the Sabbath, and plotted to kill Jesus! On reading this I was angry at these foolish Pharisees for not seeing God's plan, and a bit bashful when realizing that I could easily have been one of them. I have not always trusted fully in the Lord, and these verses helped me know that I must improve and humble myself. God has a plan, on the Sabbath and every day.
Prayer
Merciful and forgiving Father, how lucky I am to have you in my life. When I have been weak, you have forgiven me, and with each time I gain a stronger faith. Praise be to you, my one and only Lord, for giving your only begotten Son to us, so that we would have a shining example that never strayed from your path. I beg that you strengthen me, my Lord, as you strengthened Jesus. In his holy name I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
Inspiration
When a king rules with fairness and justice, his kingdom will flourish. If the same king accepts gifts or bribes, his kingdom will fall. We've all observed a person in a leadership position who acted wrongfully. Perhaps a boss did not discipline employees fairly, or a political leader accepted kickbacks for legislation decisions. These corrupt actions lead to their demise. Scripture advises leaders to maintain justice with fair decision-making. As leaders, we must reflect on the mercy and grace God shows to us and lead others in the same fashion.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for coaching us in our leadership endeavors. We have faith in Your Words and will lead Your people accordingly. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Devotion
The Widow of Naim
Frances Taylor
This story of Jesus' raising the son of the widow of Naim gives us some information that lets us know just how important it was for this widow. At that time, women had no way to earn a living. They were property of their parents until they became property of their husbands, and actually moved into the home of the husband. Now that this widow's son had died, she had no one to take care of her. The compassion that Jesus showed meant life to that widow. I'm sure the leaders weren't too happy that the power of God to raise someone from the dead rested in Jesus. There must also have been those who were saying, "Why her and not me?" We all will die and we will all lose someone we love including those of us who have and will lose children. We can easily read this passage and question. It can be difficult to understand God's plan for us, even though we keep trying. It is better to concentrate on the positive than the negative. A priest I once knew lost ...
