An elderly mother in Scotland had given up her son to the work of the
Lord as a pastor and missionary.
One day she went to the
missionary society that had sponsored him. At the door she was asked,
"Have you made any contributions to the society?"
"I am afraid
not," she answered. As this was a meeting only for those who had
supported the society, she was refused admittance.
As she walked
away, she thought of her son who had, years before, gone as a missionary
to Sierra Leone in West Africa. His body was buried in that distant
land. Quickly, she retraced her steps to the building.
She
explained to the man at the door, "I forgot. You asked me if I had made
any contributions. I gave my only son, and he is buried in Sierra
Leone."
The doorkeeper removed his cap, bowed graciously, and
said, "Come in." He led her to a front seat.
I am sure that you
already realize this devotion is not speaking about our giving to the
Lord. No, it's just the opposite. Today, we talk about God's giving. We
are talking about the giving of God's Son, who embraced death so that
eternal death will no longer be a fearful and frightening thing.
Can you imagine how poor our lives would be if God had not sent His Son
to die in the foreign land of Earth? Even those who are not Christians
can understand their lives would be poorer, as they would have to think
of a world without many of our universities and hospitals, the medicines
left undiscovered, the social ministries never begun.
Truly, much
has been done in the Name of Jesus who taught us how to serve.
But Jesus did more than teach us how to give. His entire life was a
gift: a sacrifice that was made so many could be ransomed. Jesus died to
free us from oppression, depression and fear. He died to give us eternal
life.
For all that He has done, it is only right, it is only
appropriate, only fitting the Savior should be welcomed into our hearts
and be given the place of highest honor and respect.
THE PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, for Your death to save me, take the place of honor in my
heart. Please live with me and never depart. In Your Name I ask it.
Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus
Lutheran Hour Ministries All rights reserved;
not to be duplicated without permission.
