Friday February 23, 2024

Today is Friday, February 23 and we are learning what the Bible says about leaving a legacy.

In the morning I turn to God and ask him to fulfill his plans and purposes for my upcoming day. I relinquish my cares, concerns and requests into his mighty hands and trust him with every detail of my comings and goings.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord, I worship you in the stillness of the dawning day and seek your abiding presence. With each breath I inhale your loving kindness and exhale my worries and fears. Open the ears of my heart to receive the specific message you have for me. Amen.

In the morning I worship the Lord my God and praise him with the words of Psalm 16.

LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. Psalm 16:5-7

Pause and Pray

God is a compassionate God. God responds to suffering and need with a heart bursting with deep love and mercy. His compassion moves him to step into people’s lives and respond generously. Jesus is one with us in our suffering, want, need and lack of resources. In the Gospels, Jesus himself reached out in compassion to those who were hungry, feeding them, healing them and having mercy on their physical needs. In imitation of him, I am to respond to the needy people around me with a compassion that cares enough to become involved in their lives. I am invited to work alongside Jesus with joy, give generously to others and help those in need.

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:31-36

Mixed flocks of sheep and goats were customary in ancient Israel. The illustration of separation would be a common image in this region. Every evening the shepherd separated the flock. The goats needed to be kept warm at night because they are less hardy and the cold harms them, but the sheep prefer the open air at night. Similarly the present age is a mixture of good and evil and the future promises a time of separation. The Bible looks forward to a time of future judgment that will confirm right and eliminate wrong. There will be a time that purifies, winnows and prunes. This should cause me to examine my life before the day when I will stand before Jesus Christ my judge.

Ask: When have I followed Jesus by attending to the needs of the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and imprisoned? When have I not?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, you call my life into account with these parables of Jesus. If I am to leave a legacy I must begin today by using my time, talents and treasure to pour into the lives of others. Especially those who are suffering, alone and in need. Make me aware of what I can do to help – in my family, my church, my neighborhood and my community. I read the words from Matthew again and listen for the message you have for me.

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:31-36

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Interestingly in the parable, both those who perform the acts of mercy and those who do not are unaware of what they have done. The king must tell them. Small gestures, small acts of kindness, a cup of cold water, a sympathy note, an hour visitation, a phone call may seem insignificant. The sheep did not know the good they had done. Their acts seemed so small and inconsequential. Yet, God is found in the small things. Whatever I have, Jesus encourages me to share generously with others. Whether it is a few dollars, a coat that has grown too small, an extra blanket, a place of shelter, a cool drink, a visit to the hospital, an offer of prayer, a word of encouragement, a sincere welcome, a kind smile. Whatever I have, if I am willing to give, I will leave a legacy that will outlive myself and produce fruit long after I am gone.

Pause and Pray

God, come and show me the treasures I have in my possession. What have you given me that I should share with others? All I have belongs to you. Show me where there is need and inspire me to respond with love, mercy and generosity. Let me leave a legacy of love in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

As I leave this time of prayer, I go to give generously of my time, talents and treasure, investing in the lives of others.

Amen