the 21st sunday after pentecost
the PRAYER. . .
Almighty and ever-living God, increase in us your gift of faith, that, forsaking what lies behind and reaching out to what lies ahead, we may follow the way of your commandments and receive the crown of everlasting joy, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
the READING. . .
As [Jesus] was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.
Mark 10:17-31
the DEVOTION. . .
The promise of the resurrection, Luther said, is written not just in books, but in every leaf of springtime! And, every now and again, it, also, shows up in a prayer… like this week’s Prayer of the Day. The phrase that jumped out was: forsaking what lies behind and reaching out to what lies ahead. And, on first reading, I said “Amen!” along with everyone else. Yes! Yes! This is most certainly true! But now, I’m not so sure. Apparently, at least according to the prayer, discipleship isn’t so much about the past as it is the future. True, faith is about tomorrow; but not at the expense of yesterday! In fact, the biggest part of believing isn’t “what lies ahead,” but “what lies behind!” It’s the past that roots us, not the future! It’s our past that provides a springboard into our tomorrows! We’re launched into the future! Thrust! Thrown! Not dragged! It’s the yesterdays – not the tomorrows – that inspire! It’s the yesterdays – not the tomorrows – that encourage and strengthen! Forsake what lies behind? God forbid! If we do that – especially here in the church – there, really, isn’t much left.
Bob Barndt, pastor