Devotion
Get Behind Me, Satan
Frances Taylor
In today's passage, Peter is trying to prevent Jesus from doing anything that will bring about his suffering and death. Peter is putting up a roadblock. We can all be guilty of that at times, or we can listen to others who put up roadblocks for us. What do I mean? Doing the right thing can be unpopular. Sometimes it means going beyond our comfort zone, reaching out in order that others might have the same advantages we take for granted. Sometimes it means preventing someone we care about from doing what is dangerous or illegal. There are times when we have to choose to support others, even when it might mean they are putting themselves in harm's way. My sister volunteered at a literacy center while she was in college even though it meant working in a neighborhood that was known for its violence. People volunteer today to travel to the poorest parts of the world in order that people learn how to stay healthy, have an education, have shelter and clean food and water. Most of us are not called to missionary work in other countries, or even in the poorer areas of our own country. But all of us are called to support those who are in whatever ways we can, and we are expected to be witnesses to the love of God. That could mean something as simple as not choosing sports over church, treating others in the workplace or school with kindness, choosing to get to know the new worker, fellow student, family. It's not too late to make a New Year's resolution to not be a roadblock in the lives of others, but a beacon that shows the way to Christ.
Prayer
Lord, may I never be a stumbling block to another's desire to please you, and never let fear be a reason for not following your will for me. Amen.
Devotion
Abraham is Father of All
Frances Taylor
There are questions in every age about the importance of the Old Testament for Christians. Abraham is considered to be the Father of Faith for Jews, Christians and Muslims. We forget that it was Abraham who believed in the doctrine of only one God. It is through him and his descendants that this tradition comes down to us. Another fact that we can overlook is that Jesus was Jewish. He was born a Jew, lived as a Jew, died, rose and ascended into heaven as a Jew. Because we believe that he was the Messiah, the Christ, and we follow him, we are called Christian. Without the Old Testament, we wouldn't understand the promise of salvation; we wouldn't understand why it was important for Jesus to be of the family of King David. We would not understand his teaching either, because Jesus quoted from Scripture – the Old Testament – frequently. He told us that he came to fulfill the Scriptures, not to abolish them. In the same way, we can ...
