Home > Reading > The Daily Lectionary – August 20, 2016

john5-17

Judges 16:1–14; Acts 7:30–43; John 5:1–18

The older I get, I find that many people seek false gods, and fail to trust in the one true God for their needs. We look in the face of those whose lives have been indelibly changed by the saving power of Christ, and still refuse to seek the relevance of his workings. We say we are seeking God, but we forget he has first sought us.

In today’s reading from St. John, the paralyzed man had a real encounter with Jesus, but did not know who he was. We are like this man; we fail to see what is right in front of us. God has claimed us as his own, and yet we want to buck against that call.

It was not until later that the paralytic saw Jesus for who he really was—his healing salvation. What a novel idea that Jesus’ countenance was made known in public worship. This should grab hold of our attention. This is the relevance for us as Christians: look to Jesus for our every need, look at your neighbor with true love, and most of all, do not overlook Jesus. Take courage in Jesus’ promise: “My Father is still working, and I also am working.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to see Jesus working in my life, show others your work in the world, and point to the cross of Christ for healing. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by Joshua Morgan, Pastor at Advent Lutheran Church in Kings Mountain, NC.

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