Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Monday after the Transfiguration of our Lord

Posted on January 26, 2015 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: St. Matthew 8:14-22 (NKJV)

14 Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. 15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them. 16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” 18 And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side. 19 Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 21 Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Devotion

The life of Christ is about service and sacrifice. It is about the crown of thorns. Most importantly, it is about His service and sacrifice for us. Christians often want to make their worship about what they do towards God. Their focus is mistakenly on their own service, their own little sacrifices, and their own suffering for the faith. But all these things are worthless if the true focus is not on the deeds of Jesus Christ.

Our Lord is the One Who took on our infirmities and bore our sicknesses. He made the holy sacrifice that is the only thing able to truly heal the multitudes. His sinless life and guiltless execution on the cross made eternal life and salvation possible for all of us. And His Holy Spirit gives us the true faith to live and serve according to that life in Him.

Sin cripples us all. The selfishness and the demons that cling to us make us unable to truly love God and one another. But it is by the Word of God, the Gospel of our forgiveness in the blood of Christ crucified that makes us well, drives out the demons, and makes us able to rise up and serve in true love. So it is never about our work or efforts. Even our best works only find meaning in relation to Christ’s mercy and truth.

We pray: Lord God, heavenly Father, make us well through the Word of Your Son’s holy life and death for us. Keep us steadfast in this faith by Your Holy Spirit, and make us to always serve You in love and diligence; In Christ’s Name. Amen.

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