Daily Devotions

New devotions are posted Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. 

Birth Pains

Today’s author is Prince of Peace member and retired ELCA Pastor, Steve Sveom.

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

This scripture reading sounds rather depressing. We hear of the destruction of human accomplishments; we hear of war; we hear of natural disasters; we hear of famines. But Jesus refers to these realities as birth-pangs. Jesus continues to speak of suffering; of darkening sun; of a passing heaven and earth. But he also indicates the coming of the Son of Man and the ongoing relevance of God’s word.

Women do not lightly endure the pain of childbirth but often choose to do it a second or third time because of the ultimate joy of welcoming a new child. I believe that Jesus faces the grim reality of suffering and death but with hope and confidence in the ultimate work of God among us.  Birth pains are real, but hope in God is the greater reality.

This is clear from the contrast between this passage and what preceded it – a widow gave two pennies that Jesus marvels at. “She out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” The reality of faith supersedes other major human accomplishments and it is there that we find hope and confidence. So, what does it mean for us.

Ferdinand Lamaze was known for his insights into childbirth. 1. Focus – using breathing techniques; 2. Be surrounded by positive encouragement; 3. Have support from a significant person. Maybe we can find insight in this process: 1. Focus on the simple rather than grand competing claims of “false” messiahs; 2. Encourage one another; 3. Find support in the presence of Christ and the community of faith. Perhaps we can see this message in Jesus’ words and find hope in a difficult world.

Prayer: Gracious God, we give thanks for the gifts of your word, the grace of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, the love of the faith community, and the power of faith. Amen.

Previously…

Drops in the Ocean

In reflecting on the poetry of Mother Teresa that was shared with us this week, I was drawn into wondering about the essence of Christian service, as it contributes to the cost of discipleship. Mother Teresa’s words encapsulate the sacrificial nature of love, echoing the teachings of Jesus Christ himself.  Am I ready for that kind of sacrifice?  Are you?

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All In

What’s with this “ALL IN” as my title territory? I’m never quite sure if I understand current cultural jargon, but I think this two-word phrase is used to convey the most thoroughgoing commitment to something–a project, a proposal, a possibility. Well, that’s the turf traversed in Mark’s text here.

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Costly Love

Last week it was the Pharisees that came to test Jesus.  They had asserted themselves, in concert with the civic ruling authorities, to be the primary arbiters over the theological integrity of religious practice.  And they didn’t much appreciate Jesus’ challenging their traditions, let alone their theology.  Change, especially when it’s prompted by others, can be a threatening catalyst.

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Grace Ain’t So Cheap

In reflecting on the profound writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer that were shared on Wednesday, we are invited into a deeper understanding of what it truly means to live as disciples of Christ. Bonhoeffer’s journey toward faith led him through the realization that true faith is not found in striving to live a saintly life apart from the world, but rather in fully engaging with the complexities and challenges of life itself.

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