SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25
NEWS: Please refer to the Weekly E-News, sent out by Allen Kolkman yesterday.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Gordon and Lois Friske. We pray for Pastor Beryl Droegemuller who suffered a heart attack last week but is doing fine. We also lift up Pastor Robert McDonalds wife, Joyce, who had a pacemaker put in and is feeling much better. We pray for the people of the Ukraine and for the world leaders considering the situation and possible options, that wisdom may be granted them. We ask the Lord’s guidance for Pastor Joel and his family, as the have a meeting tomorrow morning regarding their housing needs. I, Allen, give thanks to the Lord that my lung biopsy went well yesterday. I was in at 10 AM and out by 230 PM Results won’t be known until next week but I am doing well…but not with having to take it easy for a couple of days! I thank everyone for their continued prayers as well!
READINGS: Psalm 112; Psalm 119:57-64; Job 20:1-23, 29; John 8:21-38
DEVOTION:
“Greatness”
Luke 9:46-48 – An argument arose among them [Jesus’ disciples] as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by His side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My Name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”
This devotion pairs with this weekend’s Lutheran Hour sermon, which can be found at lutheranhour.org.
Recently, I read a biography of a great person. I couldn’t put the book down. I found myself getting lost in his life story. A well-written biography of a great person is different than an encyclopedia article. A biography doesn’t just tell you about that person in a short summary. It shows you. It offers you a life you can get lost in, even if only for a little while.
The first followers of Jesus were quick to record Jesus’ biography—four of them, actually: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These inspired biographies don’t just tell of Jesus, they show. They continue to put before every reader and hearer the unique greatness of Jesus Christ. They summon us to lose ourselves in Jesus’ life for good.
Today’s text is a tiny excerpt of Luke’s biography of Jesus. In chapter 9, Luke takes us on a whirlwind tour, walking with Jesus. He’s showing us what truly counts as a great life. At the beginning of the chapter, Jesus gives His disciples power to heal people in greater ways. The scene switches, and Jesus lets His disciples further participate in His greatness: the little they have to contribute plus His power feeds a stadium-sized crowd. Now they’re sure they’re in the presence of the greatest life ever lived! But Jesus says His life will meet a tragic (albeit temporary) ending. And they don’t understand how this fits in with His greatness. Luke switches scenes again, and we’re up on top of a mountain, and Jesus is shining like a bolt of lightning. It couldn’t be any clearer that He is God’s Chosen One. Moses and Elijah even show up to be His witnesses. We hear something about a departure—a new exodus out of slavery Jesus will accomplish. But before we know it, we’re back down the mountain in the valley, where His disciples are powerless against the devil. And then they start arguing about which one of them is the greatest.
There’s something about reading a biography that compels you to think of your own unfinished story.
When we lose ourselves in Jesus’ biography, we start to see our situation more clearly. Like Jesus’ first followers, we find ourselves craving greatness on our own terms. We’ve enslaved in our own insecure life stories. But Jesus’ biography offers an exodus—a way out of self-centered smallness toward greatness on God’s terms. Here’s what it means to be great: it’s losing yourself in Jesus, and finding yourself, welcomed at His side like that child He mentioned. And in His Name, welcoming other little ones there as well.
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You have offered me Your life. I want to lose myself in Your story. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you read a great biography lately? If not, whom would you like to read about?
2. In Luke 9:48, Jesus says to regard the smallest, weakest, most insignificant as the greatest. How does that attitude reflect the focus of his mission?
3. Think of the small, weak, and insignificant persons you know. What would it mean for you to treat them as the most important?
Today’s Bible Readings: Leviticus 3-5 Mark 5:21-43
To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select “Save Link As” or “Save Target As” or “Download Linked File As”
Luther’s Morning Prayer
In the morning, as soon as you get out of bed, you are to make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen.”
Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. In addition recite this prayer as well:
“I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father through Jesus Christ your dear son, that you have protected me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you that you would also protect me today from sin and all evil, so that my life and actions may please you completely. For into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.”
After singing a hymn or whatever else may serve your devotion, you are to go to your work joyfully.
Luther’s Evening Prayer
In the evening, when you go to bed, you are to make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen.”
Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. In addition recite this prayer as well:
“I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have graciously protected me today, and I ask you to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously to protect me tonight. For into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.”
Then you are to go to sleep quickly and cheerfully.
OTHER RESOURCES:
www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside
Here is the website for Lutheran Hour Ministries: https://www.lhm.org/
Lutheran Public Radio is listener supported and has two channels, one for sacred music and the other for talk, including news, current issues, politics and spiritual matters from a Lutheran perspective. Hosted by Pastor Todd Wilken, Issues, Etc. airs live Monday thru Friday from 1 to 3 pm Pacific, with the “Best Of” running at other hours: https://lutheranpublicradio.org/
KFUO is the listener supported radio station owned and operated by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Based in St. Louis, their format consists of teaching, preaching, ministry and sacred music: https://www.kfuo.org/
A very blessed Friday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
