God Pause for Thursday, 9/25/2014
/Luther Seminary God Pause
Thursday, 9/25/2014 Reading: Matthew 21:23-32
Is answering a question with another question just a Jesus thing? I mean, it seems that sometimes when we relate to or talk with Jesus, we get more questions than we get answers. I wonder if the chief priests, the elders and the disciples felt that way also. In our gospel reading for today, Jesus is asked by the chief priests and elders how and why he is doing what he is doing. Jesus responds to their question with a question of his own. His question is not necessarily a difficult one to answer, but more so it points to a tough truth to comprehend and live with.
Still in some ways it remains frustrating. We are a people who want answers; we want facts, we want the truth. And we want the answers right now. But Jesus doesn't just hand them over to us. The true insights of faith are not delivered to us on a silver platter, but rather they are revealed to us over time through the bumps and dips, curves and paths in the journey of life. And when we look up from this journey, we do not see a silver platter, but instead a wooden cross. So, where are you on this journey called life? How is your relationship with Jesus?
Father, reveal to us Jesus. Jesus, give us faith. Holy Spirit, guide our journey. Amen.>
Nate Bendorf Pastor of Youth and Family at Calvary Lutheran Church, Bemidji, Minn. Master of Divinity, 2013
Matthew 21:23-32 (NRSV)
23 When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" 24 Jesus said to them, "I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" And they argued with one another, "If we say, "From heaven,' he will say to us, "Why then did you not believe him?' 26 But if we say, "Of human origin,' we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet." 27 So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 28 "What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, "Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' 29 He answered, "I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went. 30 The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, "I go, sir'; but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.
Please forward this e-mail to a friend! http://send.luthersem.edu/public/webform/render_form/default/848eff8bea7092a93dfabe641c758499/ftaf/jcygk51rv7pgytti1o5iqlj3q6x7o/agcwoymcxedemgwxeyjhjicydfzjbag?tid=3.NX4.ChNR1A.G2h5.ArVh8g..A-RhsA.b..l.Ayzt.n.VCPkIA.VCPkIA.yOqXHA
This God Pause daily devotion is brought to you by alumni/ae of Luther Seminary.
Luther Seminary educates leaders for Christian communities across the country and around the world. It is the largest of the eight seminaries in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
We invite you to join us online for our daily chapel service.
Luther Seminary Faith Resource Spotlight
You are currently subscribed to these God Pause daily devotions as pbm+saint-marks+3icvrj@squarespace.com
Manage your email preferences: http://send.luthersem.edu/public/webform/render_form/default/848eff8bea7092a93dfabe641c758499/manpref/jcygk51rv7pgytti1o5iqlj3q6x7o/agcwoymcxedemgwxeyjhjicydfzjbag?tid=3.NX4.ChNR1A.G2h5.ArVh8g..A-RhsA.b..l.Ayzt.n.VCPkIA.VCPkIA.yOqXHA
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
For best viewing of future e-mails, please add communic@luthersem.edu to your Safe Senders List or Address Book.
If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please click below to Manage Email Preferences and uncheck the God Pause list. http://send.luthersem.edu/public/webform/render_form/default/848eff8bea7092a93dfabe641c758499/manpref/jcygk51rv7pgytti1o5iqlj3q6x7o/agcwoymcxedemgwxeyjhjicydfzjbag?tid=3.NX4.ChNR1A.G2h5.ArVh8g..A-RhsA.b..l.Ayzt.n.VCPkIA.VCPkIA.yOqXHA
Unsubscribe from all messages, not just God Pause: http://send.luthersem.edu/public/webform/render_form/default/848eff8bea7092a93dfabe641c758499/unsub/jcygk51rv7pgytti1o5iqlj3q6x7o/agcwoymcxedemgwxeyjhjicydfzjbag?tid=3.NX4.ChNR1A.G2h5.ArVh8g..A-RhsA.b..l.Ayzt.n.VCPkIA.VCPkIA.yOqXHA
This email was sent to pbm+saint-marks+3icvrj@squarespace.com by Luther Seminary 2481 Como Ave. | St. Paul | MN | 55108