Third Tuesday in Lent Devotion

Living Christ                                                        Third Tuesday in Lent - March 9, 2021

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

LSB 440 – Jesus, Will I Ponder Now

(Verse 4 of this week’s hymn served as inspiration for today’s devotion.)

Many times throughout His ministry Jesus cared for others one-to-one. Although the Bible contains stories about Jesus’ healing groups, like the ten lepers, Jesus healed people face-to-face, one-to-one. Some examples are the demon possessed man, the paralytic man later in Mark, the healing of the deaf man, and even the healing of a leper.

But, it is not enough to just admire Jesus’ compassion and marvel at His acts, we are called to copy his compassion. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, the ultimate display of compassion for sinful people, we have been given the gift of eternal life. God tells us in Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”We are not to keep to ourselves and hold the message of the Gospel inside; we are to go and share it. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, tells us exactly what we are to be like. He says, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” We are to be love, compassionate, just as Christ was compassionate to us!

Jesus’ compassion was His ministry. He had compassion for the sick, the hurt, the scared, the dying, and the sinful; the very same type of people that we minister to. We can rejoice that we have all been given the power to show compassion; to live as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have changed our lives through Christ’s compassion on the cross; You have saved us from the grave through His death and resurrection. By the power of the Holy Spirit, empower to serve as Jesus served. Open our eyes to the opportunities to show compassion and live as the hands and feet of Jesus.  Amen.

Rev. Nathan Ruback – Grace Lutheran Chapel