Asides

February 4
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“Then Moses said to the Israelites, ‘See, the Lord has chosen Bezalal son of Uri, the son of Hur, the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills — to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts.'” (Exodus 32: 30-32, NIV)

Let’s hear it for the fine arts!

According to today’s scripture, when God commissioned the work for the tent of meeting and all of its furnishings, He chose, inspired, and equipped Bezalel — and others — with the genius, the knowledge, and the skills to make something magnificent.

Without musicians, writers, poets, painters, sculptors, dancers, and designers, our world would be much less beautiful.  May our Father forgive us for minimizing the artistic gifts of our brothers, sisters, and neighbors; and may He help us to celebrate the work of all whose labors make visible the invisible; audible the inaudible; and tangible the intangible.  – Luther

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February 3
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“Jesus called them together and said,’You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” (Matthew 20: 25-28, NIV)

I like the saying: “Unless you’re the lead dog, the view never really changes.”

The problem is that my ambition for leadership almost always conflicts with what Jesus says His disciples’ ambitions ought to be vis-a-vis leadership.  While the common ideas of leadership usually involves the exercise of power, the acquisition of perquisites, and the maintenance of prestige; as a disciple of Jesus, I need always be on guard that I not use religious language to hide these secular objectives.

We cannot argue with the common concepts of leadership and their place in this world.  However, regarding their role in our discipleship, we must never forget Jesus’ words: “Not so with you.” – Luther

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February 1
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“Jesus stopped and called them. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asked.  ‘Lord,’ they answered, ‘we want our sight.’  Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.”  (Matthew 20: 32-34, NIV)

“They received. . . and followed him.” 

Having just received sight, the two men suddenly had a lot of options not available to them in their former condition.  Suddenly, there were new places to go, people to see, and pleasures to experience.  However, in gratitude to the One who had compassion on them — when all others were unable or unwilling to help — after receiving their sight, they used both their new sight and their new insight to follow Jesus.

What is it we do after we have received the one thing we’ve asked of God?  Do we choose to follow Him that we might learn more about Him; to be more like Him?  Or, do we choose to return to our former ways of living and thinking; or do we use our new faculties to follow other “masters”?  – Luther

Reminder: Daily Encouragement will be on break tomorrow, as normal.  Please have a good day in worship, praise, and fellowship.  Lord willing, see you again on Monday!

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