Daily Devotions

During the season of Lent our devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church. Today’s writer is Jason Houlihan.

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-7

The passage opens with a reminder: Caesar Augustus is the leader of the world, the man who had conquered all the factions of the republic, and then turned them into an empire under his sole control. Caesar decreed that all within the empire be registered.

So the parents of Jesus go to Bethlehem to register. Jesus, like David, will be born in Bethlehem (1 Samuel 17:12). Not the place of David’s influence in Jerusalem, but in the place Micah describes as “too little to be among the clans of Judah” (ESV).

God again chooses the smaller and less powerful over places of status and position.

Right before chapter 2, we hear Mary sing of God’s working through those without power. This is the key step in God’s proclamation; that He is coming to turn the world right-side-up, to bring down the powerful leaders from their thrones, and to raise up the oppressed.

He is also here to feed the hungry with the good things of Creation, to send the overstuffed rich empty away, and to remember promises made all the way back to Abraham.

Caesar may be issuing orders, but God is keeping promises.

Let us pray: Jesus, I often feel powerless. Powerless in the face of suffering, rising suicide rates, and my own ability to make a difference. Help claim my weary heart and call my mind to times of triumph. Let me remember your promises oh God like Mary. Give me the vision to hand over my powerlessness before your feet. Amen.

During the season of Lent our devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s writer is Don Hodde.

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores.

The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’

He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:19-31

I love bible stories like this one. There are so many lessons depending on the perspective you take.

For me, the first lesson is about justice and consequences. While being rich or poor doesn’t correlate with faith in God, it comes across here in verse 25 as if the rich man was distant from God on earth and that he had no need for God given all the good things he enjoyed in life. Lazarus maintained his faith in his God through all his turmoil in life on earth.

This story teaches there are consequences for choices we make in life including procrastination. The rich man found it easy to ignore God. Life was good! There would be time for God later.

In verse 29, Abraham’s message is clear: All have access to the teachings of Moses and the prophets. Take heed when you can! Then there is risk of obliviousness, arrogance, and the lack the willingness to learn.

In verse 31, Abraham tells the rich man if his relatives would not listen to Moses and the Prophets, then they probably wouldn’t listen to a dead beggar come back to life either!

Take time to listen and be open to different views. You might learn a life lesson. There are other interpretations and learning from this story. Our interpretations of bible stories deepen when we take time to read them more than once, and study them through life. Listening to sermons instills new thinking. Maturity changes our perspectives, what we hear, and what we learn. Simple stories written two thousand years ago can endlessly bring fresh insight and grow our faith.

Let us pray: Father in Heaven, you have provided a wealth of learning opportunity to us through your words to us in the bible, in Jesus name, Amen.

During the season of Lent our devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s writer is Clayton Faulkner.

Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them.

A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything.

But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’

So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.  Luke 15:11-24

We are all familiar with the story of the prodigal son. We’ve heard it before and know it like the back of our hand. But what if I told you that the truly shocking part of this story is not the Father’s loving embrace of the wayward son, but what happens next.

The older son becomes angry. He complains that “this son of yours” doesn’t deserve the love and attention he is receiving. Why is this so shocking?

In the culture that this story takes place, a mediator would normally have resolved a village quarrel like the one between the father and the youngest son. The mediator would have been chosen based on their relationship to both parties; they would serve as a “go-between” the two parties. The older son would have been the ideal candidate. It would have been the older son’s job to mediate between father and younger son and keep the bonds of the family intact.

However, in this parable we see that the truly prodigal son is the older one. He refuses to accept the lavish love the father bestows on his children.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus, our true Elder Brother, who reconciles us to you through faith in him. Amen.