A man sits down in a restaurant, orders a glass of wine, takes a sip...
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
"Jesus Became Human"
September 24, 2017
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the Name that is above every name, so that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
~ Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our international ministry centers to write our Sunday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.
In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
A man sits down in a restaurant, orders a glass of wine, takes a sip, and then tosses the remainder into the waiter's face. Before the waiter can react the man begins weeping: "I am so sorry," he says, "I keep doing that to waiters. I cannot tell you how embarrassing it is, how ashamed I am about having a compulsion like this."
The waiter is understanding and sympathetic. He suggests that the man see a psychologist about his problem. The man agrees, thanks the waiter, and leaves.
Six months later, the man returns.
"How are you doing?" the waiter asks as he delivers a glass of wine to the man.
"Great!" the man says, "I have been seeing a doctor twice a week." He then takes a sip of wine and throws the remainder into the waiter's face.
"Well it doesn't seem that doctor's doing you any good!" the waiter says.
"Oh, no, on the contrary," the man says, "he has done me a world of good."
"But you just threw a glass of wine in my face again!"
"Yes," the man says, "but I don't feel ashamed about it anymore."
Have you ever been ashamed? Shame grips you in your conscience and freezes you in a state of disgrace. Shame empties you of esteem and leaves you humiliated. Would you not do just about anything to avoid being ashamed?
Is it not amazing that Jesus Christ chose to be ashamed in order to love people?
The apostle Paul describes the humility of Jesus Christ in Philippians 2:5-11. In the form of poetry, the apostle Paul deals with two parts of the person and life of Jesus Christ. Paul affirms that (1) Jesus Christ is fully God, and (2) that Jesus Christ is fully human. Paul does this to emphasize Jesus' love for people -- that Jesus chose utter, absolute, sheer humiliation when, as true God, He became true Man.
When I feel insignificant, unimportant, trivial, forgotten, in Jesus the Son of God there is a message that my needs are not forgotten. I am significant to Jesus. I have a place in the eternal plan of God. When I feel ashamed, in Jesus, the Son of God who became human, I have a God who identifies with me, a Savior who came precisely because I am inadequate and guilty of sin.
To Jesus Christ, you are significant. With Jesus Christ, you have a place in the eternal plan of God.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that Jesus has done all that was necessary to win my salvation. Grant that my life may be one of repentance of my sin and thanksgiving for Your great love and grace. This I pray in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by Pastor Kevin Wendt of Concordia Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was part of a team that was sent to Thailand for tsunami boat building.
Lutheran Hour Ministries-Thailand focuses on sharing the Gospel and making contacts with local people through the internet, Gospel text messaging, various community radio programs, evangelism training, and evangelistic outreach programs. Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), music CDs, and print materials are also used to encourage and help strengthen the faith of Thai Christians. The staff also conducts special children's activities and does presentations in many government schools.
In this country of nearly 69 million people, LHM-Thailand is known in-country as Journey into Light. It was established in 1991 in Bangkok where it has its ministry center today. It broadcasts three different 25-minute radio programs and follows up with listeners who respond for assistance or more information; it uses Equipping the Saints (ETS) for evangelism training. Through "listener gatherings," it brings people together and helps build a sense of community. Relationships with school children and educators are established through presentations delivered at public schools. Staff members and volunteers also connect with people through music, camp-style activities, sidewalk events held outside the ministry center for neighbors and passersby, and by teaching about Christianity and culture.
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
No comments:
Post a Comment