Daily Devotion for October 3, 2006

He Is The Light

 

"The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." 1 John 1:14

 

The other day I was trying to exit left out of the bank parking lot. It was an exit that was a bit tricky, as I had a row of bushes blocking my view. A woman pulled up next to me, presumably to make a right, and pulled slightly ahead of me. I didn’t pull up all the way because I didn’t want to block her view for turning right. I knew that it was the kind thing to do, because there are many that pull up next to me and block my view for no reason. As I was inching up to make my turn, I saw the look on her face, and the flailing of her hands. She was angry! She wanted to turn left, from the right hand turn lane! I could have gotten angry back, but I graciously allowed her to make her turn in front of me. That’s what Jesus would have done. That’s what Jesus has taught me to do.

 

It happens all the time. I’m sure it happens to you. You and I are on the road and someone does something out of anger. You and I have the choice to go on with Grace, or return the gestures and ill feelings. Perhaps someone at work undermines your efforts and takes credit for your project. Where is Jesus in all of that? Where is the Grace? Grace comes when the other person doesn’t deserve it at all. Like when Jesus came for us.

What was written about the essence and being of God, God himself, came to earth. Everything we knew that was good to do for our neighbor became flesh. Love became flesh; it dwelt among us. Even now, as we read the Word, we are to make it become flesh! When you chew on this a bit, it’ll blow your mind, that God’s plan extends into our future, into our kid’s future. WE are to live out the words and works of Jesus Christ every single day. When He talks about loving our neighbor, turning the other cheek, becoming the servant and not the served, it’s all true! Only in serving can we truly be at peace. Just like the lady I spoke about in my first paragraph, I had the choice to turn the other cheek or to join in her rage. Perhaps she just came from the bank and her account was depleted of funds…I know that I’ve been in a scary situation at the bank. It’s all about giving the other person the benefit of the God-doubt.
 
I’m sure that today or tomorrow someone is going to catch you off guard with their humanness. It’s entirely possible and probable that you will do the same, and probably to someone you love and care about. Make it your prayer today to be a little less human, and a little more "Word became flesh and dwelt among us."

 

Prayer
Lord, help me to be more "Word" and less "World." Amen.

 

Did someone send you this Devotion? Would you like to receive future ones directly? Click here to subscribe.

Want to learn more about the Bible Jesus used – The Old Testament – and the Bible Jesus taught?  Enroll today in Word Among Us – Cover to Cover study of the Bible starting in Genesis and going through Revelation including the inter - testamental period, using history and archeology and Biblical culture to make the text alive - taught by Tim Hetzner.
Class sites are across the USA. Click here for more information.

Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
		333 W. Lake Street, Addison, Illinois 60101
		(866) 455-6466 • Fax: (866) 451-1476
		Web Site: lcc.LutheranChurchCharities.org
		E-Mail: TimHetzner@LutheranChurchCharities.org
At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom