"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Thursday, February 23, 2023 - Day 54 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 61, Psalm 49, Galatians 2:1–14)
GO AND TELL
As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled. (Mark 5:18-20 ESV)
Can you imagine the sense of joy and thanksgiving that overwhelmed the formerly demon possessed man? His horrible nightmare was over. Jesus had freed him from a doomed life. And, naturally, he wanted to stay with Jesus. Instead, Jesus had a better idea. He gave his life a divine purpose:
“Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
There is a parallel between the formerly demon-possessed man and us. When we realize what Jesus has done for us, we too are filled with joy and thanksgiving. Luther’s explanation of Baptism helps us understand this blessing.
“What does such baptizing with water indicate?
It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.” (Luther’s Small Catechism)
Our response to Jesus freeing us from sin, death and the devil is joy and thanksgiving. Jesus’ response to us is the same also.
“Go... and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.”
Lord Jesus, thank You for freeing me from sin, death and the devil. Help me to remember what this means. Empower me to live for You today by telling others what you have done for me. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
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