A Devotion for Friday, May 1, 2020
Scripture Reading:
John 14:8-14 (NRSV)
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If in my name you ask me[e] for anything, I will do it.
Thoughts from “The Word in Season”
Philip and James, Apostles
“Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”
Our kids look forward to their assigned “Show-and-Tell” days at school. Recently when my husband asked our daughter what she was going to say about the item she chose to share, she had to think about it. She seemed to be thinking, “Isn’t it enough for me to just show it to them?”
I think of this when I read the exchange between Jesus and Philip in our reading. Philip thought he was asking for something reasonable. Yet Jesus replied, That’s what I’ve been doing, and it hasn’t been enough.
To some extent, the reason Philip and others didn’t recognize the Father in Jesus was because Jesus did not do things the way people expected God to do them. As a result, they could not see God in their midst.
As we reflect on this reading, we are invited to ask ourselves, “Where and how is God at work in unlikely and surprising ways in our lives, and in the world today? Are we able to God’s Spirit working in, through, and among us?”
Prayer: Loving Shepherd, open my mind and heart so that I may recognize and know you more. Amen.
Prayer Concern: Eye Care Professionals
Scripture Reading for Personal Reflection:
Psalm 44:1-3 (NRSV)
1We have heard with our ears, O God, our ancestors have told us,
what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old:
2 you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted;
you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free;
3 for not by their own sword did they win the land,
nor did their own arm give them victory;
but your right hand, and your arm, and the light of your countenance,
for you delighted in them.
Personal Reflection:
The psalmist today starts out by reminding his listeners of all that God has done for them “in the days of old,” how God has been faithful to them in various “deeds” and how God won the battle to give them a new homeland. Perhaps they had started to doubt whether God would help them. Perhaps they had forgotten that God had been there for their ancestors, and given them the land the people now lived in.
What do we remember of God’s deeds in our lives? What do we remember of God’s faithfulness? How often do we look back beyond our time to see how God has been at work and faithful down through the ages, the “days of old” in the lives of our ancestors?
What stories or remembrances do we pass on to the next generation – to our own children, or to those in our church family? How might we help others to “see” Jesus through shared memories of God’s and Jesus love at work in our lives, and the lives of those who have gone before us?
Perhaps in this time of “sheltering in place” we might have some time to sit down, reflect, and write down some of those important remembrances, those special times of experiencing God’s love. And when we have something to share, to share it – with family at home, or far away, or with church family as we have the opportunity. They could be for others words of encouragement.
Hymn for Reflection:
“I Love to tell the Story” (WOV #661)
I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, because I know it’s true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.
I love to tell the story, ‘twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story; how pleasant to repeat
What seems each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet!
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from Gods’ own holy word.
I love to tell the story, ‘twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song
I’ll sing the old, old story that I have loved so long.
I love to tell the story, ‘twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.
If you would like to borrow an ELW or a WOV hymnal (or both) during this time of sheltering in place, you may pick one up in the narthex on the table to the right as you come in. They have been sanitized for you protection.
Please put your name on the check-out list so we can remind you to bring it/them back when we are able to resume worship in the sanctuary. Also, please sanitize them before you bring them back.
“How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news, who announces salvation,
who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’”
– Isaiah 52:7 (NRSV)
Blessings & Peace,
Pastor Wayne
Want to do something positive in this uncertain, anxious time?
Write an encouraging card, note or letter
for one of our shut-ins (Ken Bechtler, Myrtle Danielson, Helen Randall and Barb Morphew) which can be brought to church for delivery (place in the basket in the breezeway).
Or, make some cheerful, simple artwork –
for others and for yourself – that can be put in a window to cheer you up, and those who may see it in your neighborhood.
Do you Quilt?
How about making Masks out of quilting fabric? It’s supposed to be one of the best fabrics to use, and there are patterns online to make them.
Write a Devotion
to post here and share with others, something encouraging or inspirational.
Perhaps it could be a remembrance or experience of God’s faithfulness or love at work in your life.
Pray …
For those affected in any way by the Covid-19 pandemic, especially Felicity Luthanen who has tested positive.
For our congregation in this time of separation, that we would yet be held together.
What about a Sign Campaign?
Would we want to make simple roadside signs – from the people of Messiah – indicating prayers and support for medical, food, pharmacy, and other essential service workers (especially “on the front lines”)? What do you think? Could be a visible way of “sharing the love of Christ” in this time.
Have another idea? Let me know, and I will share it here!