08 Apr Daily Devotion Wednesday 4/8/20

Concrete acts of love – for all

Scripture of the Day:  John 13:21-30

Daily Reminder:  When [Jesus] had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas.  (v. 26)

The time has come – the time Jesus tried again and again to tell the disciples about.  Perhaps most heartbreaking, the betrayal is coming from within, by one of these friends.  So what does Jesus do?  He feeds his future adversary.  Jesus dips bread into the common bowl and hands it to Judas – the very one setting out on a path of hurt and violence.  What do we make of Jesus’ act?

We don’t know if Judas ate the the food.  Did he have the stomach for it, given what he was about to do?  But we know Jesus offered it.  And we know that earlier, Jesus washed Judas’ feet along with the other disciples’.  Even though Jesus knows Judas will hand him over to the authorities, he shows Judas concrete actions of love.  Why?

No doubt Jesus wanted to show us how to practice real love:  how to love our children when they fuss or disobey; to love friends and partners even when they annoy or disappoint; to love those who practice and empower injustice, for Jesus loves them too.

God of love, help me show love with words and actions modeled after those of Jesus. Amen

Prayer Concern:  People we consider our enemies

Psalm 70; Isaiah 50:4-9; Hebrews 12:1-3

Daily Prayers

Morning:  Your death and resurrection are my strength and life, O Christ, raising me from fear into the joy of knowing that you are always near. May streams of peace and grace flow through my heart to all I touch this day.  Amen.

Mealtime:  Jesus, you blessed bread and broke it to open the eyes of faith to your loving presence.  Open our eyes to your presence at this table, that we may taste your goodness in the gifts you give and the love we share.  Amen.

Evening:  You, Lord, are my rest.  Only in you do I know the peace I crave.  I release every thought and care into your love.  Grant gentle rest this night, that I may rise to know you in the beauty of a new day.  Amen.

Worship With Us.

This has been a daily devotion from the “Christ in Our Home” devotion book Vol. 67 No. 2.  Credit given to Heidi Hyland Mann, Laurie J. Hanson, and Julie O’Brien (editors) and devotion writers David L. Miller, Jenifer Ohman-Rodrigues, Christine Hallenbeck Ask, Nathan Baker-Trinity, Carla Thompson Powell, David Iversen, and Michael Walker.  Scripture readings are from the Revised Common Lectionary (c) 1992, 2012 Consolation on Common Texts.  Used by permission.  Texts specific to festivals and commemorations are used when appropriate. For more information about these days, see “More Days for Praise:  Festivals and Commemorations in Evangelical Lutheran Worship, available for purchase at www.augsburgfortress.org.  CHRIST IN OUR HOME (ISSN 0412-2968), published by Augsburg Fortress, 510 Marquette Ave., STE 800, Minneaplolis MN 55402.  Copyrighted material (c) 2019 Augsburg Fortress.  All rights reserved.  Printed in the USA.  USPS Publication Agreement Number 1631527.  Canadian Publication Agreement Number 40030418.