28th. March. 2022. Daily Devotion.

You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. ~ Acts 1:8

Peter, Andrew, James, Nathanael. Never travelled farther than a week’s walk from home. Haven’t studied the ways of Asia or the culture of Greece. Their passports aren’t worn; their ways aren’t sophisticated. Do they have any formal education?

In fact, what do they have? Humility? They jockeyed for cabinet positions. Sound theology? Peter told Jesus to forget the cross. Sensitivity? John wanted to torch the Gentiles. Loyalty? When Jesus needed prayers, they snoozed. When Jesus was arrested, they ran. Thanks to their cowardice, Christ had more enemies than friends at his execution.

Yet look at them six weeks later, crammed into the second floor of a Jerusalem house, abuzz as if they’d just won tickets to the World Cup Finals. High fives and wide eyes. Wondering what in the world Jesus had in mind with his final commission: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Before Jesus came along, the disciples were loading trucks, coaching soccer, and selling Slurpee drinks at the convenience store. Their collars were blue, and their hands were calloused, and there is no evidence that Jesus chose them because they were smarter or nicer than the guy next door. The one thing they had going for them was a willingness to take a step when Jesus said, “Follow me.”

Are you more dinghy than cruise ship? More stand-in than movie star? More plumber than executive? More blue jeans than blue blood? Congratulations. God changes the world with folks like you. M. Lucado from Second Chances

Lord Christ, let me use what gifts I possess to serve you. Amen.

Prayer of Confession
Forgive us Lord for our apathy, for our lack of courage to speak out.
Forgive us when we walk past and don’t offer help. Forgive us when we get it wrong.

We confess that we are afraid -we don’t want to overcome our hidden doubts and prejudices to be alongside those who are different from ourselves. We ask that you will lead us into action: give us strength to be a voice crying for justice and peace.Help us to step into another person’s shoes, or if they have no shoes
then not to be afraid to take off our own, peel off our preconceptions and assumptions, uncurl and spread out our toes, and tread in their footprints.
May we be a liberating presence and offer love, compassion and whatever is needed to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. Amen.

God beyond all speech, above all thought and surpassing all imagination; when you speak, may we listen; when you draw near, may we rejoice in your presence; when you reveal yourself, may we bow in adoration. Amen. Gregory of Nazianzus (c.329-390)

God of eternity, you invite us to hold your hand as we deny ourselves, take up the cross and follow Jesus. We thank you that there is a place for us in your heart and that you lead us, day by day, into a new way of living. As we are enfolded in your love, may we discover new ways of forgiving. We praise you for the gifts of peace, joy and love and the promise of living with you for ever, for you alone are the one who can take us there. Amen.